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

CBDG program specialist Anastacia Everett presented the draft fund allocation for project year 2022-2023.

Olympia to receive about $400K from housing fund

The City of Olympia expects to receive around $400,000 from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which will fund projects that focus on rehabilitation and maintenance of low-income … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/12/22 | 1 comment

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

Olympia man allegedly steals car, crashes, walks away

An Olympia man has been charged after allegedly stealing a car, crashing it, fleeing the scene of the collision and later giving police a fake name. Christopher Daniel Berry, 32, was arrested on … more

By Julia Ornedo | 5/12/22

This is a close-up of a police body camera similar in function to what police throughout Washington will be using, according to new laws passed by the legislature in 2021.

Olympia City authorizes police to acquire body cameras

Olympia’s City Council has authorized the Olympia Police Department (OPD) to acquire and use body-worn cameras and car video systems in compliance with Washington State’s RCW 10.109.2021, … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/11/22

Olympia city officials start outlining the city council mid-year retreat agenda on May 9, 2022.

Olympia City Council starts preparing for mid-year retreat

Olympia city officials began outlining the agenda for the city council’s mid-year retreat, tentatively scheduled on June 18 at the council chamber. During a meeting on Monday, May 9, City … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/11/22

Regional Fire Authority committee members meet on Monday to discuss the public outreach for RFA plan.

Olympia, Tumwater to hold public event on the Regional Fire Authority plan May 19

The cities of Olympia and Tumwater will co-host an online event on May 19 at 6 p.m. to provide opportunities for a public discussion about the Regional Authority (RFA) plan. In an RFA committee … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/10/22 | 1 comment

During the Olympia Advisory Committee meeting held on Thursday, Water Resources director Eric Christensen discussed with the committee members the proposal to provide a discount irrigation rate for urban agriculture.

Olympia utilities committee approves discount water rate for urban agriculture

The Olympia Utilities Advisory Committee (UAC) has directed its staff to develop a discounted rate for irrigation water used for urban agriculture. Water Resources Department director Eric … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/10/22

The rainbow gay pride symbol. Capital City Pride’s project “Resilience and Brilliance”, will be on June 4, Friday at the Port Plaza.

Olympia supports Capital City Pride’s “Resilience & Brilliance” project

Olympia’s Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) board members unanimously voted to support Capital City Pride’s (Pride) project “Resilience and Brilliance”, happening … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/9/22

At Silver Springs Organics in Rainier, Armondo Lugo drives a machine that turns over giant steaming piles of compost.

Olympia seeks to divert compostable materials

Public Works Waste ReSources Director Gary Franks recommended to the Olympia Utility Advisory Committee (UAC) that members include some elements House Bill 1799 concerning organic material management … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/9/22

Olympia to install 10 new solar-powered “pay-by-plate” kiosks

Olympia will start installing 10 new solar-powered pay-by-plate parking kiosks to modernize the process of payment for customers, Parking Services Field Representative Chelsea Baker said. In a … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/6/22 | 1 comment

OSD’s physical, emotional and social services to improve through HB 1664, says school district official

The Olympia School District will improve physical, social, and emotional services through increased state funding required in House Bill 1664, passed in the recently concluded legislative … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/5/22

A committee that advises the Olympia City Council on rental housing issues is evaluating feedback from the public that might lead to new regulations and requirements.

Olympia wants further discussion on rent issues

Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee wants to have further discussions on rent increases, move-in fees, and rental registration fees as well as a license and inspection … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/5/22 | 5 comments

Arrest follows knife threat

An Olympia resident was arrested after allegedly whipping out a knife and threatening another with it. Olympia police arrested Marcel D Zulauf-Stewart, 27, who identifies as a woman, on May 1 … more

By Julia Ornedo | 5/4/22 | 1 comment

The left photo shows how the Martin Way Corridor looked when originally constructed in the early 1930’s. The Corridor was a part of the original highway system. The right photo shows what Martin Way looks like now as the county plans to turn the area from an automobile-dominated roadway to a more pedestrian-friendly road.

Is yours one of the 40,000 vehicles on Martin Way each day?

Community members are invited to provide input and feedback on plans for the Martin Way Corridor in an online public meeting on Thursday, May 12, 5:30 p.m. As part of the Martin Way Corridor Study … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 5/3/22 | 1 comment

The southbound portion of US 101 in red will have increased traffic until September due to construction and repairs.

Construction ongoing on US 101 southbound as it joins I-5

Southbound US 101 as well as the highway’s onramp to northbound I-5 will undergo construction from May to September. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 5/3/22 | 1 comment

What kind of illustration would you use with a story about decriminalizing or legalizing psilocybin?

Psilocybin: Olympia committee wants to talk about magic mushrooms

Olympia City Council member and Community Livability and Public Safety Committee chair Dontae Payne is mulling having a comprehensive discussion about psilocybin mushrooms and other psychedelic drugs … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/2/22 | 1 comment

Olympia and other local school districts are considering changing to a Balanced Calendar. This slide is from the OSD board meeting on March 16, 2022.

OSD wants community members to participate in survey for balanced calendar

Olympia School District Superintendent Patrick Murphy encourages the community to complete an online survey about the balanced calendar concept. “We want to know what our community thinks … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/2/22

Olympia man charged after alleged theft, assault of officer

An Olympia man was charged with a felony and a gross misdemeanor after allegedly stealing multiple items from a supermarket and throwing a beer bottle at an officer who was attempting to detain … more

By Julia Ornedo | 5/2/22

Olympia School District Superintendent Patrick Murphy reads a proclamation designating May 2-6 as Teachers Appreciation Week on April 28, 2022.

Olympia School District celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week

The Olympia School District (OSD) proclamedthe week of May 2-6 as Teacher Appreciation Week. The proclamation, signed at the OSD regular board meeting yesterday, underscored the teachers’ … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/29/22

Olympia Police District Interim Chief updates the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee members on the body-worn and in-car camera system project during the committee meeting on April 27, 2022.

Olympia Police Department might implement body-worn cameras as soon as July

The Olympia Community Livability and Public Safety (CLPS) Committee is recommending the city acquire and implement body-worn cameras and in-car video systems for the city’s police … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/29/22

Olympia man charged after allegedly robbing woman, fleeing police

A transient Olympia man was charged with a felony after allegedly robbing the woman he was dating, then leading police into an hourlong chase in the woods. Kevin James Hinzpeter, 28, was charged … more

By Julia Ornedo | 4/29/22