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

The Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Department recently took over the management of four city properties including Yauger Wetlands (above) and Indian Creek (both images below) .

Olympia public works transfers control of four city properties to parks department

During the city council meeting on Tue., Sept. 28, the Olympia City Council approved a resolution that transfers primary management and control of four city properties from the Public Works … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/29/21 | 2 comments

Benjamin Anthony Varela on Sept. 23, 2021.

Details about Sept. 4 Antifa shooter are released

The Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office has charged an alleged Antifa supporter with shooting a Proud Boy supporter during the Sat., Sept. 4 protest marches between the two … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/27/21 | 2 comments

Olympia HS graduates Jenny Jang, Ann Murphy and Michale Tsien pose for family photos following their commencement ceremony.

Congratulations to Olympia High School's Class of 2021

The Olympia High School Class of 2021 received their diplomas on Fri., June 18 during its commencement ceremony at Saint Martin's University. Proud family members and friends filled the bleachers in … more

Never too late to congratulate! | 9/23/21

This is what a tree allegedly does to the passenger door of a 2003 BMW 530 sedan when a car hits it at sufficient speed.

Hit-and-run suspect first told cops his female friend did it, police say

A 21-year-old Olympia man allegedly ran his car off of the road, down an embankment and into a group of trees after leaving a local tavern last Sat., Sept. 18, at about 1 a.m. Then he walked home, … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/23/21

Olympia announced the opening of three new dog parks including Evergreen Park, Mclane Park, and Ward Lake Parcel on Sept. 21, 2021.

Olympia opens three new off-leash dog parks

Olympia’s furry friends will have plenty of room to play as the city opened three new dog parks this week. The City of Olympia announced the opening of three new dog parks today, at the … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/21/21

Peaceful protests took place in Olympia on Saturday

The Olympia Police Department confirmed that the weekend remained relatively peaceful amid community concern of another possible violent attack. As anticipated, a group of protesters gathered in … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/20/21

Home Share is a matchmaking service that connects home providers with home seekers, in exchange for an agreed rate or services, with at least one of the parties being a senior.

Senior Services’ Home Share program set to resume

Following appropriations from the other three large local governments here, the Olympia City Council approved a request to partly fund the re-launch of Senior Services’ Home Share, a … more

By Kristine Javier and Danny Stusser | 9/20/21

Olympia police report that this is the vehicle driven by Daniel Robert Williams on Sun., Sept. 12.

Sunday driver accused of DUI blew .193, police say

A good Samaritan spotted an allegedly intoxicated driver, who was caught by Olympia police as he was sought to purchase more alcohol in a local grocery store, last Sun., Sept. 12. Daniel Robert … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/17/21

This is a view of Fourth Avenue from inside Olympia City Hall.

City of Olympia message on Planned Events on September 18

We are aware of reports that members of the Proud Boys group are expected to take part in demonstrations in our community this weekend. The Olympia Police Department (OPD) is monitoring two Saturday, … more

9/16/21 | 1 comment

Timberland Regional Library at your fingertips

Book lovers on the go can access their favorite titles from anywhere with the Timberland Regional Library mobile application. Available on Android and iOS, the Timberland Regional Library (TRL) … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 9/16/21

Four new park developments planned in Olympia

The City of Olympia plans to develop four new parks as part of the city’s long-term directive to make recreational spaces more inclusive and accessible. On Thu., Sept. 9, Olympia Parks … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/16/21 | 3 comments

Olympia Mayor denounces downtown violence

During the Olympia City Council meeting on Tues., Sept. 14, Mayor Cheryl Selby released a statement denouncing the violence in Olympia on Sept. 4. In her speech, the mayor stated, “Anyone … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/15/21 | 1 comment

This is a view of the kitchen, shown from the back door of the house. It shows dining room chairs tossed on top of personal items taken from nearby cabinets.

Three transient men accused of taking over and trashing Eastside house

A woman returned to her Eastside residence after a few days away discovered three squatters living in her home, on Friday, Sept. 3. Transients Joshua Ordway, 22; Nathan Cicco, 20; and Sebastian … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/13/21 | 1 comment

Interim Police Chief Aaron Jelcick (second row, right) met with the Olympia Ad Hoc Public Safety Committee on July 20, 2021 to discuss the new policing guidelines under HB 1310. The law is set to take effect on July 25, 2021

Olympia's Interim Police Chief comments on downtown rumble, then resigns

Update from Interim Police Chief Aaron Jelcick on recent shooting Last Saturday, members of the Proud Boys and people allied with Antifa convened in Downtown Olympia intent on engaging in conflict … more

Provided by City of Olympia | 9/10/21 | 4 comments

Grafitti allegedly tied to Hannah Isabella Nunez is shown above on Sept. 7, 2021.

Alleged graffiti tagger turns out to be wanted on two warrants

Olympia police observed a woman allegedly tagging a pillar of Olympia’s 4th Ave Bridge on Tuesday, September 7. Hannah Isabella Nunez, 22, of Olympia, originally provided the name of Mae Lee … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/10/21 | 1 comment

Vehicle-prowl suspect ticketed and released into eastside neighborhood

Olympia police were called to a location near Lions Park to investigate an unrelated issue and discovered a man prowling a nearby vehicle just past midnight on Sat., Sept. 4. Logan Turner, 24, … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/8/21 | 1 comment

Ocean Laura shares Avanti High School experiences during the 2021 graduation ceremony.

Congratulations to Avanti High School's 2021 graduates

Avanti High School held its graduation on Fri., June 12, 2021 from 1 to 4 p.m. "Avanti's commencement ceremony each year is a special one because each teacher says something about several … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/7/21

Walking the line: In this old photograph, a woman suspected of drunk driving is supervised performing a field sobriety test.

22-year-old DUI driver blows .227, police say

Olympia police were able to stop one of two cars racing through Cooper Point Rd NW, arresting one driver who was nearly three times over the legal limit of intoxication, last Thu., Sep. … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/6/21

The map shows the Kaiserwood plat project location in blue along the east side of Kaiser Road NW in Olympia.

Kaiser Road proposal would subdivide 16.85 acres into 53 lots

With the continuing need for more housing, the Olympia Site Plan Review Committee reviewed a proposal to subdivide a 16.85-acre property into 53 lots. On Wed., Sep. 1, the committee heard a … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/6/21

Olympia’s proposed new Social Justice and Equity Commission’s Founding Member Workgroup, city staff, and members of the General Government Committee held a discussion on Tue., Aug. 31, 2021.

Olympia’s Social Justice and Equity Commission is closer to reality

To promote social justice and equity, the city of Olympia is preparing to launch a new commission that will hear and resolve complaints of racism, as well as help the city to draft equitable … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/2/21 | 2 comments