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

Lacey’s Robin Vazquez is Thurston’s new member of County Board of Health

Lacey city council member Robin Vazquez attended her first board meeting as the newest addition to the Thurston County Board of Health (BOH) yesterday, August 2. “I’m excited to be a … more

By JC Medina | 8/3/22

Thurston to spend $1.4M grant on road safety improvements

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) authorized the county’s Public Works Department to proceed with its road safety project with the Washington State Department of Transportation … more

By JC Medina | 8/3/22

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

Oly man allegedly mugs woman, threatens to throw her in ice box

An Olympia man was arrested after he allegedly demanded money and threatened to throw a woman in a gas station ice box. Olympia police arrested Casey Jay Arbogast, 51, on July 29 after a reported … more

By Julia Ornedo | 8/3/22 | 2 comments

Historic Preservation officer Marygrace Goddu discussed with the committee members the timeline for implementing the Cultural Access program during the Community Livability and Public Safety meeting on July 27, 2022.

Olympia looks to get a head start on figuring out how to spend its new arts tax

The Olympia Community Livability and Public Safety Committee will recommend to the city council the creation of an ad hoc committee to support the startup of the Inspire Olympia! Cultural Access … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/2/22 | 3 comments

Public Works Transportation project engineer Joey Johnson discussed five enhanced bike lane proposals at the Olympia Planning Committee meeting on Aug. 1, 2022.

Olympia transport group proposes enhanced bike lanes on streets

The Olympia Public Works Transportation Group proposed the inclusion of enhanced bike lanes in the Engineering Design and Development Standards or EDDS, tying it to future road works in the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/2/22 | 6 comments

"America's jails and prisons have become de-facto mental health providers, at great cost to the well-being of people with mental health conditions." ~ National Alliance on Mental Illness

Oly man claims rape, allegedly attacks responding officer

Two officers who were responding to a disturbance call were allegedly assaulted by the subject of the call when they arrived at the scene. According to Olympia police, officers were dispatched to … more

By Julia Ornedo | 8/1/22 | 1 comment

Olympia Arts Program manager Stephanie Johnson and Arts Commission vice chair Kathryn Dorgan briefed the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee members on the proposed Artist in Residence program during its meeting on July 27, 2022.

Olympia committee seeks to launch arts program for those transitioning out of homelessness

A City of Olympia committee hopes to partnewith Drexel House to seek an Artist in Residence, who would lead a program which aims to increase access to the arts for underserved communities. Arts … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/28/22 | 4 comments

Olympia man allegedly chokes dad

An Olympia man was charged with two felonies after allegedly choking his own father because of his father’s spending habits and girlfriend. Olympia police arrested the 32-year old suspect on … more

By Julia Ornedo | 7/27/22

The RFA committee members voted to recommend Option 4 for fire governing board structure during the RFA planning committee meeting on July 25, 2022.

Who would run the proposed regional fire authority?

If voters approve the proposed Regional Fire Authority (RFA) of Olympia and Tumwater, its governing board would likely be composed of one individual appointed by each city council and five citizens … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/26/22 | 3 comments

Missing taillights lead to arrest of alleged fentanyl user

An Olympia man was charged with a drug-related felony following a traffic stop that was initiated due to missing taillights. Daniel Ray Rigley, 37, was charged with unlawful possession of … more

By Julia Ornedo | 7/25/22 | 1 comment

This image shows United States artillery technology that might or might not be the same as that being used in training at Joint Base Lewis McChord on July 22, 2021. The image is from July 26 to July 29, 2022

JBLM to hold demo and artillery exercises this week

Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) will hold artillery and demolitions training starting tomorrow midnight, July 26 through Friday, July 29, 11:53 p.m. [sic]. Residents living near the 90,000-acre … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 7/25/22

At the Olympia Finance Committee meeting held on July 20, 2022, Finance Director Aaron Miller discussed the impact of RFA in the city and the effect on property tax collections.

Combined fire departments could reduce Olympia’s fire expense; 'excess' may address future costs

The creation of the Regional Fire Authority, merging the fire agencies of Olympia and Tumwater, could reduce Olympia's expenses and address "bow wave" items in the budget, according to Finance … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/25/22 | 4 comments

Community Planning and Development senior planner Cari Hornbein gave an overview of the consultant's evaluation of Neighborhood Centers on July 21, 2022. This chart indicates each location's potential success as a Neighborhood Center .

5 Neighborhood Centers have the potential to succeed, says Olympia planner

Olympia identified five locations the city considers ideal for its Neighborhood Centers during its Land Use and Environment Committee meeting yesterday, July 21. Puget Pantry, San Francisco Street … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/22/22 | 1 comment

Sandjay Property, through Barghausen Consulting Engineers, submitted a proposal to build a 32-lot single-family detached residential subdivision at 2020 Lister Road NE in Olympia. The Site Plan Committee reviewed the plan on July 13, 2022.

New subdivision proposed for Lister Road

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee yesterday held a proposal for a 32-lot single-family detached residential subdivision on a 4.7-acre parcel area at 2020 Lister Road NE. Ivana Halvorsen, of … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/22/22

What’s happening coming up?

Tenino Depot Museum Pioneer Village- Depot MuseumJuly 22 10:00am-4:00pm, July 23 10:00am-5:00pm, July 24 11:00am-3:00pm Do you enjoy making antler jewelry, apple cider, making, blacksmithing, … more

7/22/22 | 1 comment

Parking staff surveyed the Downtown area in August and October of 2021; and the data shows relatively low parking demand

Olympia revises proposal on downtown exempt parking area for new construction

Olympia’s Community Planning & Development Department discussed the revisions for the proposed Downtown exempt parking area on Monday, July 18, during the meeting of the city Planning … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 7/22/22

During the Olympia Site Plan Committee meeting held on July 20, 2022, the State Department of Enterprise Services, through architecture firm Miller Hull Partnership, presented the four-story floor plan for the Newhouse Building replacement project.

New Newhouse Building is planned for Capitol Campus

The State Department of Enterprise Services (DES), which handles a multi-phased project on the Capitol Campus, unveiled the replacement plan for the Irving R. Newhouse Building during the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/22/22 | 2 comments

Two felony charges for man accused of robbing store, stabbing employee

A Lacey man was charged with two felonies after allegedly robbing a grocery store and stabbing an employee who attempted to stop him. Omri Patrick Zeledon, 21, was charged with first-degree … more

By Julia Ornedo | 7/20/22

Olympia Downtown Ambassadors and Clean Team honored for 10 years of service to the community

The Olympia City Council honored the men and women in the Olympia Downtown Ambassador Program and Clean Team for their 10 years of service in extending business support and hospitality services to … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/20/22

Olympia man allegedly punches city jail corrections officer

An Olympia man was arrested after allegedly punching a corrections officer while undergoing a pre-booking process at the Olympia City Jail. Greggery Howard Vader, 34, was arrested late in the … more

By Julia Ornedo | 7/19/22