News | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

This is the iconic sign+wall at the Thurston County Courthouse

County’s board of health to grow to eight members by July 25

Thurston County needs to name five new members to its expanded Board of Health (BOH) by July to abide by a new state law that takes effect July 25. In an email, Thurston County Public Information … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/22/22

Braff said Olympia’s current GHG emissions reduction target 45% by 2030 and net-zero emission by 2040.

Olympia urged to reduce emissions by 59% anew

Olympia’s Climate Program manager Dr. Pamela Braff repeated the need for the city council to update Olympia’s commitment to a climate change mitigation plan by reducing greenhouse gas … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/21/22 | 1 comment

Expect to find this flag all around Olympia

Olympia City Council proclaims April as Earth Month

The Olympia City Council approved a proclamation designating April as Earth Month during its April 19 meeting Tuesday. The city council followed suit Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee’s … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/21/22

Port Executive Director Sam Gibboney explained the committee’s inactivity to the pandemic and staff turnover at the Port.

Port of Olympia citizens committee is lacking members

Port of Olympia Citizens Advisory Committee (POCAC) faces a membership shortage with two of its members resigning and two others ending their terms last year. During POCAC’s meeting … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/20/22 | 6 comments

The Olympia City Council approves 11 appointments for Social Justice and Equity Commission seats during the city council meeting on Tuesday evening.

Olympia city council appoints 11 to new Social Justice and Equity Commission

The Olympia City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the appointments of 11 inaugural members to Social Justice and Equity Commission Tuesday. During a presentation at the April 19 city … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/20/22

TRL Birding or Hiking backpack s include a Washington Discover Pass and can be borrowed up to three weeks.

Explore new interests with TRL’s Library of Things

Outdoor adventure, at-home aid and opportunities to try a new hobby can be found at Timberland Regional Library with the Library of Things collection. Area residents can find a variety of kits and … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 4/20/22

In a Tuesday public hearing, residents showed up to air support for Thurston County’s condemnation of an abandoned property adjacent to L.P. Brown Elementary School in Olympia.

County greenlights condemning abandoned property next to L.P. Brown Elementary School

The Thurston Board of County Commissioner (BOCC) has authorized the Prosecuting Attorney's Office to start condemnation proceedings for the abandoned property adjacent to L.P. Brown Elementary School … more

By JC Medina | 4/20/22

This is the hybrid live and online meeting of the Olympia School Board on May 13, 2021.

Olympia School District board supports Proposition 1

On Thursday, the Olympia School District board of directors adopted a resolution supporting Proposition 1, which would add .01% to the Olympia city sales tax. In supporting the ballot … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/19/22 | 3 comments

Debora Munguia, of Capitol Consulting, and Carl Schroeder, Deputy Government Relations Director for the Association of Washington Cities, give an update to Olympia City Planning Commission on key legislation on transportation and energy systems April 18

Olympia Planning Commission gets update on transportation and energy bills passed

Olympia’s lobbyists met with the city’s City Planning Commission April 18 to provide updates on legislation they describe “would revolutionize the trends in the transportation and … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/19/22 | 1 comment

Approximately 160 people attended the Thurston Green Business Forum event on April 13, 2022.

Thurston Green Business awards presented for 2022

Close to 100 businesses applied for a Thurston Green designation this year and the community celebrated them at the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce's April Green Business Forum on Wednesday, … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/15/22 | 1 comment

Cops cannot engage in pursuits as SB 5919 fails, says TPD chief

Tumwater Police Chief Jon Weiks expressed concerns about the police’s limited authority to engage in pursuits as Senate Bill 5919 failed to get support for a vote. SB 5919 would have allowed … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/15/22

"... the whole purpose of being a landlord is to provide housing and services to people in exchange for rent," writes Priscilla Terry.

Rent assistance applicants must re-apply, county says

LiveStories, Thurston County’s new rent assistance contractor, will accept new applications for the county’s Treasury Rent Assistance Program starting Monday, May 2, according to an April … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierez, Jr. and Danny Stusser | 4/15/22

The City of Lacey held a public hearing on April 12 to gather opinions on the controversial Meridian Market and Gas Station.

Lacey residents push back against planned Meridian Gas Station; city staff, developer defend

Some 45 Lacey residents showed up at a public hearing on Tuesday about the proposed construction of a gas station in the northeast corner of the city, with some staying online for more than four … more

By JC Medina | 4/14/22 | 1 comment

The seals of the five service academies are shown above. Left to right: U.S Military Academy (Army, "West Point"), U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Does your student seek an appointment to a US service academy?

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (D) will host two informational meetings for middle and high schoolers curious about attending any of the five U.S. service academies, with the first of the two … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/14/22

The Barnes Lake district is generally bounded by the roads that surround the area outlined in blue.

Barnes Lake rate hearing rescheduled to May 5

Tumwater’s Public Works Committee has rescheduled a public hearing for the Barnes Lake Management District (BLMD) regarding a proposed 5% annual increase to the district's rates and … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/13/22

Water Resources specialist Carrie Gillum, of Tumwater Water Resources and Sustainability department, presents to Public Works Committee the programs they are undertaking to encourage the consumers to conserve water.

Tumwater offers incentives to residents joining water conservation programs

Tumwater Water Resources and Sustainability (TWRS) will give incentives to its water customers who participate in conservation programs. Tumwater Water Resources Specialist Carrie Gillum said it … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/11/22

Screenshot of the livestream of the canceled public hearing on April 4

Lacey public hearing for Meridian Market and Gas set for tomorrow morning

A public hearing for the controversial Meridian Market and Gas Station was moved from on April 4 moved to Tuesday, April 12, 10:00 a.m. Lacey Senior Planner Samra Seymour said they postponed the … more

By JC Medina | 4/11/22

Habitat for Humanity's proposed development plan for 3900 Boulevard Road will have 110 affordable homes to address homelessness in Olympia

Olympia partners with Habitat for Humanity on affordable housing on Boulevard Road

The City of Olympia announced its partnership with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) in developing its 10-acre 3900 Boulevard Road property into affordable housing. In its proposal, … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/11/22 | 1 comment

Critter Control franchise owner Josh Anderson.

New animal-control company opens in Tumwater

The newest Critter Control service company recently opened in Tumwater offering humane ways of capturing and removing animals from residential and office spaces. Critter Control is a wildlife and … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/8/22

Olympia High School, showing its main entrance on the North St. side of the campus.

Oly High ranked 21st best school in state

Stacker compiled a list of the best public high schools in Washington using rankings from Niche. It ranked Olympia High School as the 21 best among 884 public high schools in the state and the only … more

Edited from Stacker | 4/7/22