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

Ensign Road is to be closed Thursday

Olympia is warning community members and passing motorists of Ensign Road’s closure on Thursday, October 6, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. From Martin Way to Providence Lane, the road closure will … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 10/4/22 | 1 comment

Sharay Trotter, Dakota Seddon, and Coach Kevin Schultz nominated for Fifth Annual Thurston County Sports Awards

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) congratulates student-athletes Sharay Trotter, Dakota Seddon, and Men’s Soccer Coach Kevin Schultz for being nominated in the fifth annual Thurston … more

10/4/22

Water pipe laying along Union Ave

Olympia city crews are working on Union Avenue and are expected to slow traffic. Union Avenue SE from Fairview Street SE and McCormick Street SE will have construction crews working on installing … more

10/4/22

Olympia's Community Livability and Public Safety Committee members interviewed Adan Espino Jr., applying for the Use of Force Board position on September 28, 2022.

Olympia committee starts recruitment process for Police Use of Force Board

Olympia's Community Livability and Public Safety started the recruiting process to fill vacancies on the Police Use of Force Board. Earlier, Strategic Communications Director Kellie Purce Braseth … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/3/22 | 2 comments

Olympia Site Plan Review Committee members unanimously approved the land use for a three-story mixed-use building on September 28, 2022.

Restaurant, apartment building to rise on Martin Way

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee yesterday approved the land use for a project proposal of a three-story building with a restaurant and housing units at 4336 Martin Way E. Olympia associate … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/3/22

At the city council meeting on September 27, 2022, Olympia designated Saturday, October 8, 2022, as Arbor Day. Image of children and families planting trees.

Arbor Day in Olympia proclaimed for Saturday, October 8

Olympia is inviting community members to participate in planting new trees as the city celebrates Arbor Day at Squaxin Park on Saturday, October 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Olympia City … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/30/22

This table shows current and anticipated 2023 vacancies on various Olympia boards and commissions.

Olympia announces upcoming vacancies on boards and commissions

Olympia will open its application period for boards and commissions for 2023 starting in October, Strategic Communications Director Kellie Purce Braseth announced at the Community Livability and … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/29/22

Workers repaired the surface of southbound US 101 in areas between Mud Bay and US 101 in Tumwater. Crews also made safety improvements on the southbound US 101 ramp to northbound I-5 in Tumwater

Tumwater: Night closure of US 101 on-ramp to northbound I-5 wraps up construction

TUMWATER – Tonight, nighttime drivers using US 101 between West Olympia and Tumwater can expect separate work zones. The work will finish a summer project to repave areas of southbound US 101 … more

9/29/22

Olympia’s hazard pay ordinance for grocery workers turns into a pumpkin on Halloween

Olympia will cease implementation of its COVID-19-related ordinance that requires some grocery employers to pay hazard pay to some workers on October 31, Mayor Cheryl Selby announced at the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/28/22 | 1 comment

The Olympia City Council promotes the Intercity Transit Walk N Roll program by proclaiming October 2022 as Walk to School Month.

Olympia joins Intercity Transit, proclaims Walk to School Month

The Olympia City Council signed a proclamation yesterday designating October 2022 as Walk to School Month. The proclamation's goal is to encourage families, school employees, and community leaders … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/28/22 | 1 comment

The Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee members reviewed Fire Benefit Charge options at the meeting held September 26, 2022.

Proposed Regional Fire Authority considers various formulas for a ‘Fire Benefit Charge’

The planning committee for the proposed Regional Fire Authority (RFA) met again yesterday and reviewed several options for the Fire Benefit Charge (FBC), a fee that would be sent with property taxes … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio and Danny Stusser | 9/27/22 | 3 comments

Lee Rose, a members of Local 47, voiced grievances regarding the discrimination of port managers against union members at the Port Commissoin meeting September 26, 2022.

Port managers allegedly discriminate against union members

Employees of the Port of Olympia alleged that port managers discriminate against employees who have joined or shown support for the union. The employees made these allegations during the public … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/27/22 | 1 comment

The Port of Olympia Commission met at a meeting on September 26 to ratify a declaration of emergency made last week.

Port to invest in emergency repairs for its crane

The Port of Olympia Commission ratified a declaration of emergency to repair its broken crane yesterday, September 26. Port Executive Director Sam Gibboney declared the repair to be an emergency … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/27/22

The Olympia School District’s Board of Directors held a regular hybrid session last September 22 to discuss reports, including the summer school of 2022.

Olympia schools report successful summer school for 2022

The Olympia School District’s Board of Directors held a regular session on September 22 to discuss reports, including the summer school of 2022. Executive Director of Elementary Education … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/26/22

Olympia's Strategic Projects manager Amy Buckler showed a graph reflecting the disparity in experience during the pandemic between renters and homeowners. Buckler gave an update on the Strong Olympia program at the Finance Committee meeting on September 21, 2022.

Olympia survey: Renters have challenging experiences during the pandemic

Olympia tenants went through the most challenges during the pandemic, according to an online survey conducted by the city for the Strong Olympia program. At the Finance Committee meeting on … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/22/22 | 6 comments

SPSCC welcomes staff and faculty back to campus with 85 new employees including the 20 tenure-track faculty.

SPSCC Welcomes 20 full-time faculty members for 2022-23

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) this week kicked off its 2022-23 academic year, welcoming 20 new full-time tenure-track faculty members to the college. Kristofer Alston, Nursing … more

9/22/22

The Olympia Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting discussed suggestions for the Capital Facilities Plan (CFP).

Olympia committee talks sidewalk issue anew

Olympia committee talk sidewalk issue anew By P. Jade Asumbrado In the wake of public clamor for the city to focus on its sidewalks, The Olympia Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/22/22 | 1 comment

Dr. Pamela Braff, Olympia Climate Program manager, presented the SolSmart Gold designation plaque to the city council on Tuesday, September 21, 2022. Olympia received the gold designation from the Department of Energy-sponsored SolSmart program for its solar energy campaign.

Olympia receives award for solar campaign

Olympia received a "SolSmart Gold" designation from the national SolSmart program for making it faster, more accessible, and affordable for homes and businesses to go solar. Climate Program … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/21/22 | 3 comments

Olympia Councilmember Lisa Parshley, on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, made a referral request to city and finance committee staff and legal team to look for options to find a revenue stream to fund climate work.

Olympia councilmember wants revenue source for climate work

Olympia Councilmember Lisa Parshley made a referral request to the Finance Committee staff and the legal team to look for viable options in finding a specific revenue stream dedicated to climate work … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/21/22 | 6 comments

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall thanked the Olympia City Council for helping increase awareness of registering to vote. The city council signed a proclamation on Tuesday, designating September 20, 2022, as National Voter Registration Day.

Olympia encourages citizens to register to vote; 16 and up can pre-register

Olympia encourages citizens to register to vote; 16 and up can pre-register By Lorilyn C. Lirio Olympia’s American citizens aged 16 and up can now pre-register to vote, Thurston County … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/21/22