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

Accused intoxicated hit-and-run driver with suspended license figured he could drive

A stolen portable basketball hoop led to a hit-and-run of a parked vehicle and a high-speed chase around the Ken Lake neighborhood, as an alleged intoxicated man with a revoked license attempted to … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/28/21

Olympia to expand its Crisis Response Unit and Familiar Faces program

A year after George Floyd’s death at the hands of the police, the Olympia Police Department (OPD) shared its plans to expand its Crisis Response Unit (CRU), and its Familiar Faces program to … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/27/21

Olympia Police say this is a security camera image of Hakeem LeBlanc, accused of breaking into this vehicle early in the morning on Tue., May 18, 2021.

Two break-ins in 14 hours -- both caught on security cams

In just 14 hours last Monday, an Olympia man was arrested for breaking into a commercial building and allegedly stealing $2,000 worth of power tools, then released, only to be arrested for committed … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/27/21

This was the scene at Hannah's Tavern after Samuel Elliot Ketchum allegedly kicked in the front door glass just before midnight on Sat., May 15, 2021.

Drunk and angry, homeless man smashes glass door of downtown tavern

Armed with a kitchen steak knife, a man kicked in the front glass to Hannah’s Pub, then started to strip completely naked when confronted by Olympia Police. Samuel Elliot Ketchum, 38, a … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/26/21

Olympia police say this is the car Cheryle Ratzlaff was driving on Thu., May 20 when she allegedly collided with a car being driven by Victoria Abernathy.

Two women, two cars, one crash, one or two DUI charges

Two women, each suspected of driving under the influence, collided with each other at the intersection of 5th Ave and Simmons Street in downtown Olympia at approximately 3 p.m. last Thursday, May … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/26/21

This is the 2005 Nissan Sentra seized by Olympia police in relation to alleged catalytic converter theft by Logen Elliott on May 16, 2021, according to Olympia police.

Catalytic converter cutting crook caught, police say

Olympia Police arrested the first of what might be a regional catalytic converter theft ring, after witnessing a vehicle owner give chase to an alleged thief underneath the Red Lion Hotel parking … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/25/21

Olympia police say this is the cloth-covered bottle that Axel Suris-Rivera used to beat Zachary Carson with on May 14, 2021.

Glass bottle in a cloth case used to bash accuser, police say

Union Gospel Mission security officers were forced to break up an assault following an argument over a stolen vape pen on May 14, 2021. Olympia Police arrived at the Franklin St. location to find … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/24/21

Five beers and an exploding muffler send DUI suspect to jail

While dispatched to a restaurant burglar alarm, Olympia Police witnessed the tire explode off of an impaired driver’s car as she hit the curb on the street next to the building last … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/21/21

31-year-old man allegedly beats his 17-year-old girlfriend, is arrested on simple assault

A 31-year-old transient was arrested after allegedly beating his 17-year-old girlfriend at the Ensign Road homeless encampment last Thursday. Zacharey Hanley, 31, was allegedly witnessed grabbing … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/20/21

Inslee signs declaration to transfer Washington National Guard armory property to the city of Olympia

On Tuesday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a proclamation ordering the military to transfer the Olympia Armory to the city of Olympia at a little or no cost. The Washington National Guard is … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/20/21 | 1 comment

Olympia appoints new poet laureate: Ashly Bunch

The City of Olympia named literary writer Ashly McBunch as its newest poet laureate during the city council meeting on Tue., May 18. Every two years, the city selects a promising poet to serve as … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/20/21

Transient man attacks Interfaith Works shelter staff

A transient man allegedly attacked an Interfaith Works Shelter employee and refused to leave the property on Saturday, May 8. Olympia Police were dispatched to contact Kenneth Turney, 59, who … more

5/19/21 | 1 comment

This was the scene just after 7 p.m. on May 11, 2021 after Marietta Jean Pearson was hit while crossing Eastside St. in Olympia.

Stoned hit-and-run driver allegedly told police he didn’t have to stop

A woman was left lying in the middle of the street after an intoxicated man hit her with his car and kept driving, only to later turn himself in just after 7 p.m. last Tuesday. Zachary … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/19/21 | 2 comments

Man driving car he just stole flags down police to ask for directions, police say

A man with multiple active Olympia warrants flagged down a police car to ask for directions while driving a stolen car last Tuesday. At about 4:30 a.m. on May 11, Mario Reyna, 39, flagged down a … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/19/21

This catalytic converter was partially sawn off a U-Haul truck on April 26.

Catalytic converter cutter caught in the act, police say

A good Samaritan walking to work at 2:47 a.m. notified Olympia Police of suspicious activity which turned out to be two men attempting to steal catalytic converters off of U-Haul trucks next to the 2 … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/18/21 | 1 comment

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

Olympia schools look towards fall re-opening, focus on students' emotional well-being

On Thursday, Olympia School District Superintendent Patrick Murphy shared with the board that the district will prioritize students' emotional well-being ahead of its fall reopening. The move is … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/17/21

Rubbish: Failed candidate for county commissioner spot has battled City of Olympia for 21 months

A failed 2020 candidate for Thurston County Commissioner has claimed that the numerous City of Olympia rubbish citations written against him since August of 2019 are an act of reprisal for his … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/14/21

The word cloud above incorporates many of the issues to be addressed by the City of Olympia's new Social Justice and Equity Commission. Public meetings are set to begin May 22, 2021.

City of Olympia invites residents to virtual discussion about new Social Justice and Equity Commission

Olympia residents are invited to participate in a virtual public discussion next Sat., May 22 to help the City of Olympia shape its new commission that aims to promote social justice and equity in … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/14/21

This white bike might have some similar features to the one stolen, reported and recovered in Olympia on May 7, 2021. But that bike has yellow wheels.

Bicycle glides by as police were taking report of its theft

An alleged bike thief was arrested within moments of Olympia Police taking a report of its theft last Friday. On May 7, Charles Engle, 37, was spotted on State Ave NE by an OPD officer who had … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/13/21 | 1 comment

This is the knife Olympia Police say they found on Sherene Hartlett on May 6, 2021.

Street preacher attacked last Thursday, police say

A downtown street religious sermon was halted after police say a transient attempted to stab the gospel speaker with a knife last Thursday. Sherene Hartlett, 33, allegedly came into the crowd of … more

5/12/21