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

A slide from a presentation by Port of Olympia Harbor Senior Manager Damian Egan on Nov. 24, 2025, showed two of the vessels under the Olympia Harbor Patrol. “Harbor 1” (left) is currently out of service due to engine issues, leaving the program with only “Port 1,” a 19-foot boat.

Port of Olympia advances plan to transfer harbor patrol to sheriff’s office

The Port of Olympia and Thurston County Sheriff’s Office are moving ahead with a plan to transfer control of the Olympia Harbor ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/10/25 | 2 comments

The Martin Way Crossing Strategy outlines 10 priority sites for improved pedestrian crossings along the corridor.

Thurston Regional Planning Council calls for coordinated approach to upgrades on Martin Way

Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) members are urging a unified, countywide approach to upgrading the Martin Way corridor ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/9/25 | 5 comments

Inspire Olympia releases first-year report, launches 2026-28 grant funding cycle

The City of Olympia’s Cultural Access Fund has released a report for Inspire Olympia’s first full year of ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/5/25 | 1 comment

Olympia Federal Savings releases Q2 financial results

Olympia Federal Savings reported assets of more than $1 billion at the end of the second quarter, in part because of strong demand for its ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 12/5/25 | 1 comment

Rebecca Howard Park is located at 911 Adams St. SE in Olympia.

Olympia Arts Commission to receive update on Rebecca Howard Park development plan

The City of Olympia is moving forward with plans to guide future development at Rebecca Howard ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/4/25 | 1 comment

What’s happening this weekend in Thurston County

There are a number of events taking place this weekend in Thurston County, including Breakfast with Santa at the Olympia Senior ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 12/4/25

Dozens of people showed up outside of Olympia City Hall to protest the use of Flock cameras on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025.

Olympia to remove Flock cameras amid federal data misuse concerns

The City of Olympia is moving to suspend and remove its Flock Safety automated license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras after a local law ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/3/25 | 21 comments

Planning Manager Nicole Floyd presented a map showing how groundwater moves through different soil layers during a planning commission meeting on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.

Review of environmental protection rules starts in Olympia

The City of Olympia has initiated a preliminary review of its Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO), the regulatory framework that guides staff in balancing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/2/25 | 7 comments

Sidewalk replacement work at the intersection of 4th Avenue and Plum Street in downtown Olympia, as seen on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025.

Sidewalk replacement work underway at 4th Avenue and Plum Street in Olympia

A short stretch of 4th Avenue in downtown Olympia is getting some work done in order to make the area safer for bicyclists, motorists ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 12/2/25

Thurston Regional Planning Council completes planning phase of Martin Way Crossing Strategy

The Thurston Regional Planning Council has wrapped up the planning phase of the Martin Way Crossing Strategy and will present a final report ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/1/25 | 3 comments

The Olympia City Council reviewed the city’s final 2026 budget during an online meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025.

Olympia City Council set to adopt 2026 budget with new taxes, position reductions

New revenue tools and department position cuts are expected to be adopted by the Olympia City Council in order to close a $6.5 million ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/1/25 | 3 comments

The South Puget Sound Community College Music Department will be performing three concerts featuring its students in December.

SPSCC Music Department to host 3 concerts in December

The South Puget Sound Community College Music Department announced a series of concerts will be performed by students ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 12/1/25 | 1 comment

Planning commission to get briefing on Critical Areas Ordinance for Olympia

Rules protecting wetlands, streams and aquifers in Olympia are back under review, as the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) is undergoing an update ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/28/25 | 1 comment

Olympia School District partners with PSE on clean energy project

Puget Sound Energy has installed three vehicle-to-grid (V2G) fast charging stations at the Olympia School District in order to increase the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/28/25 | 1 comment

A proposed short plat calls for eight, single-family home lots on the eastern portion of the 4.8-acre property at 2020 Lister Road NE in Olympia. The western portion is designated for future development.

Developer scaling back plans for Lister Road housing project in Olympia

Citing a challenging housing market, the developer of the Lister Glen project is scaling back plans to an eight-home short plat from 24 with room for future ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/27/25 | 7 comments

A conceptual image of the second warehouse was displayed during a presentation at a meeting of the Port of Olympia Commission on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2024.

Port of Olympia Commission adopts 2026 budget, second warehouse in the works

The Port of Olympia Commission adopted its 2026 budget at a meeting on Monday ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/26/25 | 2 comments

Machine recount to take place for Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 race

A recount of ballots is going to take place in the razor thin race for the Port of Olympia Commission ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/26/25

Man gets decades in prison for murder at The Jungle

A man was sentenced to more than 50 years in state prison for burning a person alive with “homemade napalm” at The Jungle homeless ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/26/25 | 5 comments

YouTube sensation Blippi is featured in a presentation slide of the Hands On Children's Museum shown to the Capital Area Regional Public Facilities District on Friday Nov. 21, 2025.

Blippi phenomenon stays hot at Hands On Children’s Museum

The Hands On Children's Museum thrives as a tourism asset in the Pacific Northwest thanks to YouTube personality Blippi and his connection with ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/25/25 | 1 comment

Former Lacey Mayor Mark Brown appointed to SPSCC Board of Trustees

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) announced that former Lacey Mayor Mark O. Brown has been appointed to its Board of ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 11/25/25