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

Olympia’s 900 block section of San Francisco Avenue near Pear Street will undergo repairs starting next Tuesday, May 3, according to the city’s press release. Emergency repairs on the … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/29/22

Heritage Commission chief Holly Davies revealed the five nominees for the 2022 Olympia Heritage Award at the Community Livability and Public Safety meeting Wednesday, April 27.

Olympia’s Heritage Commission unveils five small-business nominees for 2022 Olympia Heritage Award

Heritage Commission Chief Holly Davies revealed five nominees for the 2022 Olympia Heritage Award, focusing on businesses contributing to the city's legacy, heritage and culture. Davies was at … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/28/22

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

Two Olympia officers hurt after scuffle with suspect allegedly resisting arrest

Two Olympia officers were hurt after a physical struggle with a suspect who was allegedly resisting arrest. The suspect, Samuel David Acosta, 29, of Olympia, was charged with third-degree assault … more

By Julia Ornedo | 4/28/22

Olympia’s arts tax passes with 58 percent of the vote yesterday

Olympia’s special election seeking voter approval to increase the sales tax by 0.1 percent to fund arts and cultural programs appears to have passed yesterday. The Thurston County Auditor … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/27/22

Olympia City Council renews ordinance declaring state of public health emergency

Olympia’s city council unanimously voted to continue declaring a state of a public health emergency relating to homelessness and COVID-19. Leonard Bauer, Community Planning and Development … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/27/22

Washington arts center operates in the black

The Washington Center for the Performing Arts is financially afloat despite shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization’s executive director Jill Barnes said in Olympia’s … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/27/22

The red arrow indicates the location and direction of the traffic disruption, eastbound on Harrison Avenue in Olympia.

Water repairs at Harrison Ave-Kaiser Rd tomorrow night

Eastbound traffic passing the intersection of Harrison Avenue NW and Kaiser Road NW will be diverted from April 27, Wednesday, 7 p.m., until 4 a.m. the following day to allow Olympia City crews to … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/26/22

Olympia is encouraging its residents to ride a bike this month.

Olympia City Council proclaims May Bicycle Month

Olympia City Council approved a proclamation designating May as Olympia Bicycle Month at its meeting yesterday. The city council approved the proclamation to recognize both the 52nd Earth Day … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/26/22

Squaxin Island Tribe Council Chairman Kris Peters shows gratitude to the city council by holding his hands up, a norm for indigenous people to express appreciation. The Olympia City Council on Monday approved the renaming of Priest Point Park to Squaxin Park.

Priest Point Park now Squaxin Park

Olympia’s city council unanimously approved a resolution renaming Priest Point Park to Squaxin Park April 25, Monday in recognition of the Squaxin Island Tribe’s historical habitation of … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/26/22 | 2 comments

Amy Buckler update the Olympia City Finance Committee members on Thurston Strong Recovery and Reset program on April 20, 2022.

Thurston Strong’s Phase 2 Recovery and Reset Program now underway, says Olympia economic planner

Implementation of Thurston Strong’s phase 2 Recovery and Reset program – which translate to an $11 million investment – is underway, according to Olympia strategic projects manager … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/25/22

Kenton Buckner withdrew his candidacy for Olympia's chief of police vacancy the same time he resigned as Syracuse, New York's Police chief.

Police chief search on hold – again

Kenton Buckner, the Olympia city manager’s “preferred” choice to be the city’s new police chief, announced his withdrawal from the candidacy, putting the selection process for … more

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

The 70-acre Kaiser Woods Park property abuts the county to the west and Tumwater to the south.

Olympia unveils the updated plan for Kaiser Woods Park

The Olympia Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) is reviewing the Kaiser Woods Park plan, which would provide more trails for running, biking, hiking and dog walking. In her … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/22/22

Man charged with felony after alleged unprovoked assault of security officer

A Seattle man was charged with a felony after allegedly suddenly punching an Intercity Transit bus station security officer. Chamnan Sok, 37, was charged with one count of third-degree assault by … more

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

Braff said Olympia’s current GHG emissions reduction target 45% by 2030 and net-zero emission by 2040.

Olympia urged to reduce emissions by 59% anew

Olympia’s Climate Program manager Dr. Pamela Braff repeated the need for the city council to update Olympia’s commitment to a climate change mitigation plan by reducing greenhouse gas … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/21/22 | 1 comment

Expect to find this flag all around Olympia

Olympia City Council proclaims April as Earth Month

The Olympia City Council approved a proclamation designating April as Earth Month during its April 19 meeting Tuesday. The city council followed suit Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee’s … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/21/22

The Olympia City Council approves 11 appointments for Social Justice and Equity Commission seats during the city council meeting on Tuesday evening.

Olympia city council appoints 11 to new Social Justice and Equity Commission

The Olympia City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the appointments of 11 inaugural members to Social Justice and Equity Commission Tuesday. During a presentation at the April 19 city … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/20/22

In a Tuesday public hearing, residents showed up to air support for Thurston County’s condemnation of an abandoned property adjacent to L.P. Brown Elementary School in Olympia.

County greenlights condemning abandoned property next to L.P. Brown Elementary School

The Thurston Board of County Commissioner (BOCC) has authorized the Prosecuting Attorney's Office to start condemnation proceedings for the abandoned property adjacent to L.P. Brown Elementary School … more

By JC Medina | 4/20/22

Lacey man allegedly smashes café window with ketchup bottle

A Lacey man was nabbed after allegedly hurling a ketchup bottle into a café window, causing it to shatter onto diners. Olympia police arrested Alex Michael Martinez, 25, after a malicious … more

By Julia Ornedo | 4/20/22 | 1 comment

This is the hybrid live and online meeting of the Olympia School Board on May 13, 2021.

Olympia School District board supports Proposition 1

On Thursday, the Olympia School District board of directors adopted a resolution supporting Proposition 1, which would add .01% to the Olympia city sales tax. In supporting the ballot … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/19/22 | 3 comments

Debora Munguia, of Capitol Consulting, and Carl Schroeder, Deputy Government Relations Director for the Association of Washington Cities, give an update to Olympia City Planning Commission on key legislation on transportation and energy systems April 18

Olympia Planning Commission gets update on transportation and energy bills passed

Olympia’s lobbyists met with the city’s City Planning Commission April 18 to provide updates on legislation they describe “would revolutionize the trends in the transportation and … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/19/22 | 1 comment