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

An aerial view of "The Jungle" homeless encampment in Olympia.

Olympia, regional partners collaborating on response to 'The Jungle' encampment

The City of Olympia is working with regional partners to address a long-standing encampment, while continuing outreach and support ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/11/26 | 18 comments

Interested performers can now apply to perform in the City of Olympia’s Music in the Park concert series.

Performer application window closing for Olympia’s 'Music in The Park'

The 45th "Music in the Park" returns to Sylvester Park in downtown Olympia in July, and the Olympia Downtown Alliance is seeking … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/11/26

Olympia Police Department Chief Shelby Parker presented crime trend data at a Community Livability and Public Safety Committee meeting on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Olympia Police Department reports lower crime rates, staffing shortages persist

The Olympia Police Department (OPD) reported declines in several major crime categories in 2025, while continuing to face staffing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/8/26 | 1 comment

Olympia Council member Clark Gilman encouraged residents to participate in the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive by placing nonperishable food in bags left by mailboxes for collection on Saturday, May 9, 2026.

Olympia residents urged to join annual 'Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive'

Olympia City Council member Clark Gilman encouraged residents to participate in the annual "Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive," a nationwide ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/8/26

From left, Olympia Federal Savings board member emeritus Kathleen Bauknight, newly appointed board member Heather Burgess and board member emeritus Mary Gentry.

OlyFed announces board appointment and retirements

Olympia Federal Savings (OlyFed) announced sweeping board changes on April 29, including a new appointment, two reelections and ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/8/26

Regular unleaded gas leaps more than 18 cents per gallon to record high in Olympia market

Gas prices rocketed to new highs in Olympia and across the state, amid global supply concerns brought on by continued tensions in the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 5/8/26 | 6 comments

The Olympia City Council unanimously approved contributing more than $500,000 from the opioid settlement fund to a regional abatement council at a meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

Olympia City Council commits more than $562,000 for opioid response efforts

The Olympia City Council approved contributing $562,714 from the city’s opioid settlement fund to a regional pool to support treatment, prevention and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/7/26 | 2 comments

State agency investigating use of deadly force incident in Olympia

The three Thurston County Sheriff’s Office deputies involved in the use of deadly force incident last week have been identified, amid an ongoing ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 5/7/26

The Port of Olympia, as seen on Friday, Jan. 3, 2024.

Port of Olympia adopts policy for standardizing discounts for partners

The Port of Olympia Commission adopted a new policy standardizing a mechanism for providing discounts to monthly fees, including ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/6/26 | 3 comments

The South Sound Opening Day Parade takes place at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026.

South Sound Opening Day to feature World Cup theme, wooden boat festival

The South Sound Opening Day on Saturday, May 9, will feature the theme “Olympia, Portal to the World,” linking the city’s historic ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/6/26 | 3 comments

The Olympia Police Department is located at 601 4th Ave. E in downtown Olympia.

Olympia police chief to present public safety update

Olympia Police Department (OPD) Chief Shelby Parker is scheduled to brief the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee on the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/5/26

An alternate driving route around the multimillion-dollar Fones Road Corridor Project in Olympia.

Road demolition, paving work taking place on Fones Road

A street improvement project is going to make navigating Fones Road a bit trickier over the next few ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 5/5/26 | 1 comment

Olympia City Council members and city employees posed for a group photo after the adoption of the Public Service Recognition Month proclamation on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

Olympia honors city workforce, proclaims May as Public Service Recognition Month

The Olympia City Council proclaimed May 2026 as Public Service Recognition Month, honoring more than 700 employees for sustaining core ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/4/26

At an Olympia City Council meeting on April 28, 2026, Finance Director Mike Githens presented a new online financial dashboard showing monthly revenue and spending data to help track the city’s budget.

Olympia unveils new online tool to track city finances

The City of Olympia launched a new online financial reporting tool designed to give city leaders and the public a clearer ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/4/26 | 5 comments

South Puget Sound Community College is a semifinalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Courtesy of South Puget Sound Community College

SPSCC in the mix for $1 million excellence award

For the third time in a row, South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) is a semifinalist for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/4/26

The price of regular unleaded gasoline was $5.999 per gallon at Chevron, 1018 Plum St. SE, in Olympia on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Regular unleaded gasoline hits record high in Olympia market

Gas prices surged to record highs in Olympia and the state of Washington amid a spike in crude oil costs brought on by ongoing tensions in ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 5/1/26 | 7 comments

Port of Olympia adopts resolution banning use of its properties for immigration enforcement operations

The Port of Olympia Commission unanimously adopted a resolution restricting the use of port properties and assets for civil immigration ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/1/26 | 13 comments

A sidewalk in need of repair in downtown Olympia, as seen on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025.

Olympia Planning Commission to review sidewalk repair policy feedback

The Olympia Planning Commission is going to look at an effort to develop a long-term sidewalk repair policy, as city staff will present early ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/1/26 | 2 comments

Community members are invited to join the Bike Month Celebration Ride on May 20, which is a group ride to Tumwater Historical Park, as part of the 39th annual Bicycle Community Challenge.

Olympia City Council designates May as Bicycle Month

The Olympia City Council proclaimed May as “Olympia Bicycle Month,” highlighting the role of cycling in improving public health, expanding ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/1/26 | 1 comment

State Sen. Sam Hunt, seen here on the Senate floor, died on Saturday, April 25, 2026. He was 83.

Sam Hunt, who represented Olympia in Washington Legislature for more than two decades, dies at 83

Longtime state lawmaker Sam Hunt, who represented Olympia in the Washington Legislature, died Saturday after a short battle with ... more

By Jake Goldstein-Street | Washington State Standard | 4/29/26 | 1 comment