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

Olympia Climate Program manager Dr. Pamela Braff discussed Washington State Commercial Energy Code that requires non-residential commercial buildings to meet solar-ready requirements during the Land Use and Environment Committee meeting on Thursday, June 16.

Climate program manager recommends Olympia adopt Washington State commercial energy code

Olympia Climate Program manager Dr. Pamela Braff recommended amending Washington State's Commercial Energy Code to include large multifamily buildings to meet solar readiness requirements in the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/21/22 | 1 comment

Councilmember Lisa Parshley, through a referral request, asked the Community Livability and Public Safety to have a work plan that would protect womens’ reproductive rights.

Olympia council asking city staff to find ways city can support abortion rights

The Olympia City Council has directed its Community Livability and Public Safety to do research and develop a resolution that would support and protect a woman's right to abortions. In the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/20/22 | 12 comments

These three backstops at Yauger Park will be replaced under a new contract let by the City of Olympia in June 2022.

Yauger Park repairs and updates on the way

The Olympia City council has approved a $1.1 million contract for Yauger Park field renovations.. Olympia Parks department project engineer Jake Lund said on Tuesday, June 14, they opened the bid … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/20/22

Olympia committee wants the city to be 100% EV ready

Land Use and Environment Committee members are eyeing the possibility of a 100% EV (electric vehicle) readiness in all residential parking in Olympia. "Having that goal having access to EV … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/17/22

John Mahone of Olympia Code Enforcement discussed establishing a vacant property registration program at a Land Use and Environment committee meeting on June 16, 2022.

Keeping track of vacant properties: Olympia considering a registry

Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee will endorse an ordinance establishing a vacant property registration program to assist the city in identifying abandoned or vacant property. During … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/17/22 | 1 comment

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

Olympia man accused of stealing from church shed

An Olympia man was arrested on suspicion of stealing from the side shed of a church. Jared B Herrin-Ly, 25, was arrested on Saturday, June 11 after a reported burglary in progress at the Sonrise … more

By Julia Ornedo | 6/17/22 | 2 comments

Rich Allen, Olympia's newly-appointed Chief of Police.

Rich Allen now Olympia police chief

After a two-year search and a prospect backing out, Olympia City Manager Jay Burney appointed Interim Police Chief Rich Allen the city’s permanent head of the city’s police department … more

By Edwin Oscar U. Gutierrez, Jr. | 6/16/22 | 2 comments

This image is of the shield that every officer in the Olympia Police Department wears or carries.

Olympia Police Department: Embracing change

I’ve been a member of the Olympia Police Department (OPD) for many years. My interest in law enforcement and public service came at a young age. I began serving with OPD as a volunteer Police … more

By Rich Allen | Olympia Chief of Police | 6/16/22

Olympia councilmembers Yan Huynh, Dani Madrone and Lisa Parshley sponsored a referral that aims to create a youth council.

Olympia mulls creating youth council

Olympia council member Yen Huynh proposed that the city create a youth council to engage young people in local government and ensure their voices are heard in crucial decisions. In a city council … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/16/22

Project engineer Chris Cramer updated the Site Plan Committee Review committee on a proposed 59-housing unit at 1627 Elizabeth St. on June 15, 2022.

Elizabeth St. housing to include two roads to 18th Ave.

Olympia’s Site Plan Review committee yesterday heard an updated plan for the 57-unit Elizabeth Street multifamily housing project at 1627 Elizabeth St. SE. According to project engineer … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/16/22

Anastacia Everett, Community Development Block Grant program specialist, informed the council members that Olympia has over $300,000 CDBG allocation during the city council meeting on June 14, 2022.

Olympia's CDBG fund $30,000 short of expected

Olympia's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation for rehabilitation, housing and support public services projects is $30,000 less than what the city expected, CDBG program specialist … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/15/22

The Juneteenth flag was created in 1977 by Ben Haith, founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation, and illustrator Lisa Jeanne Graf.

Olympia to celebrate Juneteenth this Sunday

Olympia will hold its Juneteenth Celebration Festival at the Rebecca Howard Park on Sunday, June 19, with the city's Parks, Arts and Recreation Department partnering with the Women of Color in … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/15/22 | 2 comments

Olympia’s Housing Programs held its third public meeting about Quince Street Village on June 13, 2022.

Quince Street Village, Olympia's new homeless camp, to open a few weeks late -- but soon

As preparation for the new site is almost complete, Olympia Housing Programs manager Darian Lightfoot said yesterday that residents would begin to move to Quince Street Village by July or … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/14/22

Project co-lead Simran Sarai accepts The Year of the Salish Sea proclamation, signed by the Olympia city council members on June 7, 2022.

Olympia signs proclamation to protect Salish Sea

Olympia declared June 8, 2022 to June 7, 2023 as the Year of the Salish Sea. By signing the proclamation on Tuesday, June 7, council members expressed commitment with the StehChass people of … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/13/22 | 3 comments

The suspect's folding knife, with pen for comparison.

Seeking to stay in the hospital, man allegedly pulls knife on hospital security staff

A Shelton man who had just been discharged from Providence St. Peter Hospital was arrested on suspicion of pointing a knife at security personnel because he wanted psychiatric help and did not want … more

By Julia Ornedo | 6/13/22 | 2 comments

Quince Street Village will occupy a property that was formerly a Quality Inn. It is located immediately off of Interstate 5, Exit 105 southbound.

Downtown homeless camp relocation to be focus of community meeting this Monday

Olympia is hosting a public online meeting on Monday, June 13, at 5:30 p.m., to inform the public about moving the Mitigation Site camp for the homeless from its present location on the corner of … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 6/10/22

Oly school board member Justin McKaughan resigns

Olympia School District Board of Directors vice president Justin McKaughan announced yesterday that he is stepping down from his post. McKaughan did not elaborate on the reason for his resignation … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/10/22

Olympia's waste recovery vehicles are reaching the end of their useful lives now; electric-powered replacements are not yet available, according to city staff.

Olympia city manager wants traditional garbage trucks now, electric later

Olympia City manager Jay Burney has asked the city council to approve the purchase of six gasoline-fueled waste refuse collection trucks instead of electric ones to replace the existing garbage … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/10/22 | 3 comments

The Olympia City Council approves the agenda for mid-term retreat to be held on Saturday, June 18 at the council chambers.

Olympia City Council midterm retreat to focus on finances, city projects

The Olympia City Council will discuss long-term financial strategy as one of its agenda items in its mid-year retreat on Saturday, June 18. According to city manager Jay Burney, there will be a … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/9/22

Olympia Site Plan reviewed Olympic Capitol Growth’s plans to build60 townhomes off of Sleater-Kinney Road NE during its meeting on June 8, 2022.

Olympia Site Plan hears 60-townhome project proposal

Olympia Site Plan Committee yesterday heard Olympic Capital Growth's proposal to build 60 townhomes on a five-acre parcel near North Thurston High School, just west of Sleater-Kinney Road … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/9/22