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

Small girl with the American flag in park.

Olympia reminds public of Independence Day observances

Olympia is reminding community members of observances during the coming Independence Day celebrations this Tuesday. In a press release, the city is reminding community members that fireworks … more

6/30/23

At Tuesday's meeting, June 20, 2023, the Olympia City Council appointed Kathleen Byrd as the new poet laureate for 2023 to 2025, focusing on environmental issues and climate change.

Olympia appoints Kathleen Byrd as new poet laureate

Kathleen Byrd is Olympia's new poet laureate for 2023 to 2025. At the Olympia City Council meeting on June 20, the Arts Commission recommended Byrd as the city's fourth poet laureate. … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/30/23 | 2 comments

Community members who participate in the survey will be placed in a raffle for a $1,000 VISA gift card and other cash prizes.

Win cash prizes by participating in Olympia's discrimination assessment survey

Get a chance to win prize money, including a $1,000 VISA gift card, by taking Olympia's survey on discrimination assessment. The online survey went live on June 14 and will be available for a … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/30/23 | 1 comment

SDM Consulting’s Sam Martin discussed the details and models of Community Oversight of Law Enforcement last Monday, June 26.

Consultant discusses law enforcement oversight with Olympia’s Equity Commission

SDM Consulting ’s Sam Martin discussed the details and models of Community Oversight of Law Enforcement during the Olympia Social Justice & Equity Commission meeting last Monday, June 26. … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 6/30/23

Maia Tabion scores her first goal for the Artesians after beating the goalkeeper in a 1v1 situation.

USL W: Oly Town FC inches closer to playoff glory

The Oly Town Artesians FC took a huge step towards a first USL women’s postseason contention as they beat lowly PDX FC, 5-0, in their own home yard at Sam Barlow High School Field in Portland … more

By Vince Zafra | 6/30/23

This is a copy of the mailer sent to residents in Olympia and Tumwater during the week that ended March 31, 2023.

Public Disclosure Commission dismisses complaints against Olympia and Tumwater officials about RFA mailer

Washington’s Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) staff issued a “formal written warning” to Olympia and Tumwater last week regarding complaints made about the mailer the cities sent … more

By Danny Stusser | 6/29/23 | 4 comments

Dante Perez holds his shirt a la Messi as he celebrates his winning goal with the rest of his Oly Town teammates in front of angry Ballard supporters.

USL2: Oly Town FC finally beats Ballard FC in 3-2 classic

A late goal-winner? Check. A red card? Check. A match-winning save? Check. Beating a team who once had a perfect record in this season? Check. Are you not entertained? The Oly Town Artesians … more

By Vince Zafra | 6/29/23

Michael Lange, a former Marine, packs up what he can before being taken to Maple Court.

Move-in Day at Maple Court

Crews from the City of Olympia and the Washington State Department of Transportation, directed by OlyMAP (Olympia Mutual Aid Partners), converged today at one of the homeless encampments off of … more

By JM Simpson | 6/28/23 | 17 comments

This is the outdoor courtyard at 225 State Avenue NE in Olympia.

Former downtown clinic proposed to become a food hall

The Olympia Site Plan Committee reviewed the renovation proposal to transform the former Providence Community Care Center at 225 State Avenue NE into a food hall, commissary kitchen, and second-floor … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/28/23

These are the residence buildings at Quince Street Village, four of dozens already moved from the Mitigation Site in downtown Olympia.

Housing director: Olympia is making progress meeting housing demand

Olympia Housing and Homeless Response Director Darian Lightfoot reported that the city is making progress in meeting the housing demand of 12,000 units over 20 years. However, she mentioned that … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/28/23 | 1 comment

This downtown sidewalk, seen on June 28, 2023, offers several trip hazards.

Olympia's sidewalks: Where is the fairness in determining which to repair?

On 6/22/23 the Olympia City Council's Land Use Executive Committee (LUEC) met to take up the issue of sidewalk repair. I listened to the meeting and applaud the city for stepping up to the call from … more

Submitted by Melissa Allen | 6/28/23

An uncontested header from Suzuka Yosue freezes the goalkeeper as the Artesians make it 3-0 before 30 minutes.

USL W: Rampant Oly Town FC humiliate CFC Atletica in stunning 7-0 win

In an exclamation point to their inaugural year in the USL W League, Oly Town FC thrashed fellow league rookies Capital FC Atletica at their home pitch, with Chris Wells’s women putting in a … more

6/28/23

Logging in June 2022 and subsequent clearing of this previously forested area made room for Scotch Broom, an invasive plant species. Photo taken June 5, 2022.

Thousands of invaders to be removed from hillside, volunteers sought this Saturday

Thousands of Scotch broom seedlings ( Cytisus scoparius ) are invading Olympia, specifically at a hillside forest near Cooper Crest Park. Working to defend the forest is the Olympia Coalition for … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/27/23 | 4 comments

At Tuesday's June 21, 2023 meeting, Olympia City councilmembers posed with Parks, Arts, and Recreation Director Paul Simmons, who received a Washington Recreation and Park Association (WRPA) award.

Olympia parks director Paul Simmons receives statewide award

The Olympia City Council has signed a proclamation designating July 2023 as Parks and Recreation Month and recognized Parks, Arts, and Recreation Director Paul Simmons for receiving an award from the … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/27/23 | 2 comments

Port Commissioners Joe Downing and Bob Iyall voted in favor of the raise, while Commissioner Amy Evans Harding dissented.

Port commission approves 4% raise to Executive Director Sam Gibboney

The Port of Olympia Commission voted 2-1 to approve a 4% raise to Executive Director Sam Gibboney’s compensation on Monday, June 26. The raise, which takes effect retroactively to January … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/27/23 | 6 comments

Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee reviewed city staff recommendations on the Rental Housing Registration program's inspection guidelines on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Image of a house icon and key in a paper shopping bag in front of many home icons.

Olympia’s new rental housing registration program starts to gel

Last Thursday, June 22, the Olympia Land Use and Environment Committee reviewed the new Rental Housing Registration program with a presentation of recommendations and discussions around inspections … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/26/23 | 12 comments

The upcoming Nisqually Medical Facility is a two-story, 21 750-square-foot building.

Nisqually medical facility in Olympia moves forward

Last June 22, the Olympia Design Review Board met to discuss the construction of Nisqually Healing Center as a two-story outpatient medical facility. According to the staff report , the … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 6/26/23

Olympia is planning to shift more taxes from wealthy developers to everyone else

The City of Olympia is currently considering an expansion of the 8-year Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program. This optional program offers developers a pass on paying property taxes for … more

Submitted by Larry Dzieza | 6/26/23 | 9 comments

What's happening next week?

The summer is getting fun. Enjoy local activities for this week, including the anticipated LoveOly Summerfest! Motoamerica Superbikes, Saturday, June 22-25 The fastest motorcycle racing in the … more

6/22/23

The Olympia Finance Committee reviewed the proposed update for the LTAC program on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.

Olympia’s lodging tax program that funds tourism events and projects, getting looked at for expanding access and revising the vetting

Olympia Economic Development Director Mike Reid and Cultural Access Tax Program Specialist Amelia Layton presented the proposed updates to the lodging tax program, which aim to broaden participation … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/22/23 | 2 comments