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

Did organizational dysfunctions lead to the failed proposition to create a regional fire authority?

In a Reader Opinion piece published in The JOLT on Monday, “Questions after a landslide (election),” John Gear raised appropriate questions about what he called the “crushing” … more

Submitted by Larry Dzieza | 5/4/23 | 8 comments

Tenino's long-serving utility clerk was fired in December 2019 after a city volunteer discovered several unauthorized transactions.

Tenino’s former utility clerk ‘misappropriated’ at least $22,800, State Auditor finds

Tenino’s former utility clerk is found to have misappropriated $22,783 between September 2016 and December 2019, according to an investigation report released by the Washington State Auditor on … more

By Jerome Tuaño and Danny Stusser | 5/3/23

Members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in the county attended the Thurston Board of County Commissioners meeting on May 2, 2023, to acknowledge the AAPI Heritage Month proclamation.

County proclaims Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) officially proclaimed May as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. The BOCC said it is committed to recognizing all AAPI … more

By JC Medina | 5/3/23

"We want to encourage the community to enjoy the benefits of riding a bike, both to individuals and the community's health and well-being," said Bicycle Commuter Challenge Coordinator Duncan Green.

Intercity Transit hosts 36th Annual Bicycle Community Challenge this month

Intercity Transit is hosting the Annual Bicycle Community Challenge in Thurston County this month. Bicycle Commuter Challenge Coordinator Duncan Green said the 36-year-old event is the … more

By JC Medina | 5/3/23

At the Olympia Planning Commission meeting held Monday, May 1, 2023, the commissioners unanimously approved the minority report, which contains dissenting opinions of those who did not support the zero-parking requirements. The report would be submitted along with the OPC recommendation to the city council.

Olympia Planning Commissioner would delay implementation of the zero-parking ordinance

Olympia Planning Commissioner Carole Richmond has proposed a one-year delay in implementing the parking code amendment under consideration to allow the necessary time to address any issues and … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/2/23 | 7 comments

A slide from the Port’s September 2022 presentation shows areas of Budd Inlet where dredging would occur.

Port of Olympia secures state funding for Budd Inlet cleanup project

The Port of Olympia secured a total amount of $8.45 million from the 2023-25 state capital budget for the cleanup of Budd Inlet. The state legislature approved the budget on Sunday, April 23, and … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/1/23 | 1 comment

At the Olympia Site Review Plan Committee's presubmission conference held Wednesday, April 26, 2023, Architect Josh Gobel presented the plan showing an entrance for each workspace.

Owner wants to convert an 85-year-old downtown warehouse into eight workspaces

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee heard a proposal to divide an 85-year-old warehouse building located at 304 Olympia Avenue NE to divide into eight workspaces on Wednesday, April 26. Project … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/1/23

Tumwater Planning Commission met on April 25 to discuss proposed amendments for categorical exemptions in the SEPA review process.

To create more affordable housing, Tumwater is matching state thresholds for development to limit environmental reviews

Tumwater Planning Commission is working to match the maximum threshold allowed by the state for proposed development projects before they require a review under the State Environmental Policy Act … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/1/23

At a meeting held Thursday, April 27, 2023, the Land Use and Environment Committee heard community members' opinions on the zero parking proposal.

Olympia community members repeat their opposition to a zero-parking proposal

Olympia community members used the public comment platform at Tuesday's Land Use and Environment Committee meeting to reiterate their opposition to the Planning Commission's recommendation to remove … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/28/23 | 8 comments

The Land Use and Environment Committee approved the zero-parking proposal at its meeting held Thursday, April 27, 2023.

Olympia committee approves zero-parking proposal

On Thursday, Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee approved the Planning Commission's recommendation to amend the zero minimum parking proposal on residential with instruction to the staff to … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/28/23 | 6 comments

Site plan for the proposal of converting a building functioning as the Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake at 2300 Evergreen Park Drive SW to multifamily use.

Owner proposes to convert Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake to apartments

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee, on Wednesday, April 26, heard a proposal to convert the Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake to multifamily use. The building at 2300 Evergreen Park Drive SW has … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/28/23 | 3 comments

Jeff Bernard, Rainer Storb, Adrian Storb, Kelton Jenkins paddle in the second annual Squaxin Island Race was held Saturday, April 15, by the Sound Rowers and Paddlers Club.

The Sound Rowers and Paddlers Club held the second annual Squaxin Island Race

The second annual Squaxin Island Race was held Saturday, April 15, by the Sound Rowers and Paddlers Club. The race started out of Boston Harbor Marina, with the start and finish lines close to the … more

By Sage Hamilton | 4/28/23

Music, celebration and street closures for Olympia Artwalk today and tomorrow

Olympia’s Spring Arts walk is in full swing today, with more than 98 locations participating in hosting art experiences. There are more than 225 artists to engage with and activities to enjoy … more

4/28/23

In a meeting held Wednesday, April 26, 2023, the Olympia Community Livability and Public Safety Committee approved the six nominations for the 2023 Heritage Award.

Olympia committee nominates 7 for cultural heritage awards

Olympia Heritage Commission vice chair Garner Miller unveiled this year's Heritage Award nominees, most of whom contributed to the city's music culture, at the Community Livability and Public Safety … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/27/23

Thurston County Public Works will close US 12, from Pecan Street SW to Old Highway 99 SW/Elderberry Street SW, for the paving of the new roundabout intersection at Sargent Road.

Overnight closure of US 12 for paving of new roundabout intersection at Sargent Road

OLYMPIA – Thurston County Public Works will close US 12, from Pecan Street SW to Old Highway 99 SW/Elderberry Street SW, for the paving of the new roundabout intersection at Sargent Road. … more

4/27/23

Sidetracked: Homeless for several years, Salvador said that he had received help from the Olympia Union Gospel Mission.

What really happens at Olympia Union Gospel Mission?

Loren “Skip” Steffen and Mindy Roberts have the courage to live their Christian faith with and in the hope of helping the homeless. “God has richly blessed me and my wife in our … more

By JM Simpson | 4/27/23

Tumwater and Olympia voters rejected the proposed regional fire authority in the April 25, 2023 election, with 11,396 votes (63.68%) against 6,500 votes (36.32%).

Voters say no to regional fire authority

Olympia and Tumwater voters overwhelmingly rejected their cities’ proposition to divest their fire departments and merge them into a regional fire authority (RFA) as more than 63 percent of … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/26/23 | 8 comments

Anastasia Everett, Olympia's CDBG specialist, updated the Olympia Planning Commission on the proposed projects to be funded by the CDBG program on Monday, April 17, 2023.

Olympia committee wants to fund energy audits with city's federal funding

Olympia plans to include energy auditing in its rental rehabilitation projects funded by the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) it receives. Anastasia Everett, Olympia's CDBG … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/26/23

Sophia Bowton-Meade, student Senator for Legislative Affairs at SPSCC, has been recognized as part of the 2023 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll.

Sophia Bowton-Meade Recognized on 2023 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll

Today, South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) and the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) announced that Sophia Bowton-Meade, student Senator for Legislative Affairs at SPSCC, has been … more

4/26/23

At a meeting held on April 19, 2023, the Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission hearing on the Ethel Development project, which plans to build 48 houses on Ethel Street.

Olympia committee reviews 48-house development on Ethel Street, possible townhouses

Project Architect for Ethel Development, Josh Gobel, discussed the plan to build 12 structures with four units, or 48 houses on a 224,060 square-foot parcel on Ethel Street during a presubmission … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/26/23 | 3 comments