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

This photo shows the front door to what the Squaxin Island Tribe a.k.a. the People of the Water used to be their land

Priest Point Park renaming to be finalized

Olympia City Council is set to confirm plans to rename Priest Point Park to Squaxin Park during its regular session next Monday, April 25. Proposed by the city’s Parks, Art, & Recreation … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/19/22

The Family Support Center's grant will cover some of the costs of bringing water and removing wastewater from the low-cost housing project they are building in west Olympia.

Olympia City Council to award $2.5M sub-grant to Family Support Center

The Olympia City Council is slated to pass a resolution approving an award of a $2.5 million sub-grant for the Family Support Center’s affordable housing project. The project will create 62 … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/18/22

Streets drawn in red are areas closed to traffic. Arrows show the detour routes during the construction period.

State Ave and Franklin Street to close starting this Wednesday

Construction will close six blocks of State Avenue in downtown Olympia as well as its Franklin Street intersection starting this Wednesday, April 20. State Avenue from Washington Street NE to Plum … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez Jr. | 4/18/22

This happy LEGO character is holding an oversized gasoline can. Presumably he purchased it from a LEGO store.

Man admits stealing gas from Olympia church’s van

A Belfair man admitted to stealing gas from a van registered to a church in Olympia. William John Kennedy, 25, was arrested on April 6, Wednesday, after an officer observed an unoccupied vehicle … more

By Julia Ornedo | 4/18/22

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

Arson charge for man accused of starting fire in Olympia pizzeria

A Vancouver man was charged with arson after allegedly starting a fire in an Olympia restaurant. The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney charged Egan Leo Lawyer, 19, with one count of … more

By Julia Ornedo | 4/15/22

Felony charges for man who allegedly assaulted retail store employee

A Vancouver man was charged with two counts of a felony after allegedly stealing from a store in Olympia and assaulting the employee who attempted to stop him. An April 11 document from the … more

By Julia Ornedo | 4/14/22

The Olympia City Council conducted a “Reimagining Public Safety” forum on April 12, 2022.

Olympia to appoint members for Social Justice and Equity Commission

The Olympia City Council will soon appoint inaugural members for the recently-created Social Justice and Equity Commission, city manager Jay Burney announced during the “Reimagining Public … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/14/22

Body found last month belonged to local 20-year-old homeless woman, police say

Olympia police have identified the human remains that were found near Thurston County Joint Animal Services on March 31. The remains were “positively identified” as belonging to Marea … more

By Julia Ornedo | 4/13/22

The Regional Fire Authority (RFA) Planning Committee of Olympia and Tumwater met on Monday to iron out its work plan as a preparation for the presentation to the city councils on April 19.

Merging fire departments: April 19 set for presentation to Tumwater and Olympia city councils

The Regional Fire Authority (RFA) Planning Committee of Olympia and Tumwater will present its work plans to the city councils on Tuesday, April 19. In its Monday meeting, members of the RFA … more

By JC Medina | 4/12/22

Nonprofits would benefit from Proposition 1, “Inspire Olympia!”

I know the news can be a bit grim but as I look around, I still find many things that inspire me…The trees and flowers showing off their Spring best….the start of long warm sunny … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 4/12/22 | 2 comments

Habitat for Humanity's proposed development plan for 3900 Boulevard Road will have 110 affordable homes to address homelessness in Olympia

Olympia partners with Habitat for Humanity on affordable housing on Boulevard Road

The City of Olympia announced its partnership with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) in developing its 10-acre 3900 Boulevard Road property into affordable housing. In its proposal, … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/11/22 | 1 comment

Littlerock Road closed on Tuesday

Tumwater’s Littlerock Road SW from Israel Road SW to Kingswood Drive SW will undergo repairs from 9 p.m., Tuesday, April 12 to 3 a.m., Wednesday, April 13. Motorists are advised to use the … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/8/22

Olympia High School, showing its main entrance on the North St. side of the campus.

Oly High ranked 21st best school in state

Stacker compiled a list of the best public high schools in Washington using rankings from Niche. It ranked Olympia High School as the 21 best among 884 public high schools in the state and the only … more

Edited from Stacker | 4/7/22

This is what an Olympia Police car looks like that has not had an allegedly stolen tow truck back up over its hood.

Olympia police car smashed by suspect fleeing police in stolen tow truck

An Olympia officer sustained minor injuries after her patrol vehicle was hit by a tow truck driven by a suspect who led officers from multiple police departments in a high-speed chase. Law … more

By Julia Ornedo | 4/7/22

Olympia police are seeking they public's help identifying the remains of a woman found on March 31.

Olympia police seek help identifying remains of female found near Animal Services

The Olympia Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying a woman’s remains found last week. On March 31, officers responded to a report of a body that was discovered … more

By Julia Ornedo | 4/6/22

"'Stellar Sea Lion'" is one of the many stunning images of life in and on the Puget Sound that can be seen as part of the We Are Puget Sound exhibit.

"We Are Puget Sound" coming to Lacey and Olympia Timberland libraries

Beginning in April, Lacey and Olympia Timberland libraries will host the photography exhibit, “We Are Puget Sound” in support of the campaign to protect and restore Puget … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 4/6/22

Some 2,000 housing units are in the planning or construction stages in Olympia as of April 2022.

Olympia home-development market as strong as before the 2008 recession

The Olympia Planning Committee has seen an uptick in applications to build housing in the city after a slow recovery from the 2008 recession. Community Planning and Development director Leonard … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/5/22 | 1 comment

Construction on State Ave-East Bay Drive slated this summer

The City of Olympia will use a grant awarded by the Washington State Department of Transportation to make State Avenue and East Bay Drive/Plum Street crossing safer for pedestrians starting this … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/4/22 | 2 comments

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

Two Olympia officers released from hospital after knife attack yesterday

Two Olympia police officers who were stabbed by an arson suspect on Thursday night have been released from the hospital. Both officers will be on administrative leave until an independent … more

By Julia Ornedo | 4/1/22 | 2 comments

The Capital Mall area, highlighted in yellow.

Olympia wants public feedback for Capital Mall area plans

Olympia wants public feedback for Capital Mall area plans By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. The City of Olympia is asking community members who live, work or own property in the Capital Mall area … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/1/22 | 3 comments