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

A roofer working on a roof with no fall protection.

LNI fines Olympia roofer for hazardous practice

Washington State Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) called out Olympia company United Roofing Solutions, Inc. for putting its workers at risk. “United is showing intentional … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 9/21/22

At the Olympia Planning meeting held on September 19, 2022, contract planner Gary Cooper presented a table where communities across the United States are looking at reducing parking requirements.

Olympia's Housing Action Plan looks at reducing residence parking requirements, clarifying permitting process

Olympia is contemplating reducing minimum parking requirements to accommodate more housing projects. This was according to contract planner Gary Cooper when he gave a brief presentation at the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/20/22

Olympia's Planning Commission opened the public hearing for the Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) financial plan for 2023-2028 on Monday, September 19, 2022.

Olympia community members voice need for community sidewalks

Olympia community members went over their demand to include the sidewalks program in the Capital Facilities Plan, claiming that sidewalks are essential to neighborhoods for mobility, safety, and … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/20/22

Cast members of the show The Secret Garden showing from September 30 to October 16 at the Olympia Family Theater.

Local theater produces Latinx version of an American classic The Secret Garden

Local theater group Olympia Family Theater will be presenting their production of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting September 30 to October … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 9/20/22

STEM to STEAM, get your science and art on as well as your adventure with the local nonprofits events and volunteer opportunities

It’s a busy time of the year. The autumnal equinox arrives Thursday, also called the September equinox or fall equinox. College and Pro Football are in full swing. Hockey preseason starts this … more

9/20/22

At the Land Use and Environment Committee meeting held on September 15, 2022, Interim Public Transportation Director Sophie Stimson said one of the developments included in the Engineering and Design Development Standards update is the development of enhanced bike lanes on streets.

Olympia street improvement in the works

Olympia's Assistant City Engineer Steve Sperr announced that developing street connectivity and downtown sidewalk standards would take time. During the Land Use and Environment Committee update on … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/19/22

The scales of justice represent the balance between fairness and injustice.

Tumwater man killed in ‘seemingly unprovoked’ shooting

A 26-year-old Tumwater man was killed in a “seemingly unprovoked” shooting at a WinCo Foods parking lot in Olympia, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) said … more

By Julia Ornedo | 9/19/22

At Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee meeting Thursday, September 15, 2022, Climate Program intern Louisa Sevier updated the committee members on the city's emissions inventory.

Olympia’s emissions decreasing

Olympia's day-to-day operations in 2021 have generated 8,262 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e), 11% less than it did in 2014, city Climate Program intern Louisa Sevier reported at the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/16/22 | 1 comment

Olympia Fire Chief Todd Carson reported that private ambulance availability in the city has increased by 25% in July and 21% in August. Still, it did not improve response time to emergency calls. Overall the call volumes have gone up, and the availability of private ambulances is down. Carson presented the data at the Olympia City Council meeting held Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

Private ambulances operating in Olympia still not meeting medical standard services, says fire chief

"Private ambulance services in the city did not meet the generally accepted medical standards and reasonable levels of service," Olympia Fire Chief Todd Carson reiterated at the city council meeting … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/16/22 | 3 comments

Elderly Olympia woman found dead at home; adopted son arrested

An 82-year-old Olympia woman was found dead inside her home, and her adopted son has been arrested in connection with her death, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) announced … more

By Julia Ornedo | 9/15/22

Mrs. Green, right, spoke at the Olympia City Council meeting yesterday, September 13, 2022, about her son Timothy, whom a police officer allegedly killed.

Olympia community members want independent investigation of Timothy Green's death

Olympia community members are clamoring for an independent investigation of the August 22 shooting incident involving a police officer who allegedly killed Timothy Green, who had mental health … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/14/22 | 8 comments

A drawing of Timothy Green who was shot and died in a police shooting on August 22, 2022.

Letter to CMII regarding the death of Timothy Green

The Olympia Chapter of SURJ (Showing Up For Racial Justice) sends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Black, disabled, loved one, Timothy Green. Timothy Green was a whole person, a … more

9/14/22 | 2 comments

Olympia proclaims September Suicide Prevention Month

The Olympia City Council signed a proclamation designating September 2022 Suicide Prevention Month during their September 13 meeting September is globally observed as "Suicide Prevention Month," … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/14/22

Check out the new mural in Olympia

If you’re in the neighborhood of Percival Landing, near 215 Columbia Street NW, you might want to drop by and see the newly dedicated “Welcome to Squaxin Territory” and “Land … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 9/13/22 | 1 comment

At the RFA planning committee meeting on September 12, 2022, consultant for RFA Karen Reed presented charts that reflect the impact of estimated FBC adjustments in various properties.

RFA committee discusses possible FBC adjustments

Regional Fire Authority planning committee members are considering six options to adjust the Fire Benefit Charge (FBC) formula. At the RFA planning committee meeting held Monday, September 12, … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/13/22 | 2 comments

Detainee wreaks havoc in Olympia City Jail

A Yelm man allegedly spat water in the face of an Olympia corrections officer and flushed his shirt down a cell’s toilet in his refusal to undergo the booking process. Lane Gary Bennett, 54, … more

By Julia Ornedo | 9/13/22 | 1 comment

At a meeting September 7, 2022, PBIA staff liaison Max DeJarnatt updated the advisory board on the unexpended 2022 budget.

Surplus money from underspending 2022 budget in Olympia committee

The Olympia Parking and Business Improvement Board (PBIA) is underspending its 2022 budget, according to its staff liaison Max DeJarnatt. For 2022, the city has allocated $135,000 for PBIA's … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/12/22 | 2 comments

At the presubmission conference on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, Olympia's Site Planning Committee reviewed a proposed project that would provide a duplex and six cottage units at 908 Chambers Street SE.

Duplex and cottage housing development proposed on Chambers Street

Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference on a proposed project to build a duplex and six cottage housing at 908 Chambers Street SE on Wednesday, September 7. In a … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/12/22

Nate Boatright is leaving the coaching stand and coming back to the field.

Oly Town Artesians reshuffle for new season of soccer

Former Artesians Indoor Team Head Coach Nate Boatright is leaving the sidelines and stepping back onto the field as team captain. “I enjoyed coaching last year and I had a great time working … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 9/12/22

The Olympia School Board convened on September 8, to discuss the reports for the opening of the new school year.

Technical courses in Olympia schools described, and OSD enrollment right on target

The Olympia School District reported no noteworthy increases in the number of enrolled students for the start of the school year 2022-2023 during its regular hybrid session on September … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/9/22