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

City of Olympia holiday closures

The customer service counter at Olympia City Hall is going to close at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26, ahead of the Thanksgiving ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 11/25/25

City of Olympia Community Planning and Economic Development Director Susan McLaughlin presented an ordinance that calls for extending a public health emergency on houselessness. She made the call at a meeting of the Olympia City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.

Olympia City Council extends public health emergency ordinance on houselessness

The Olympia City Council unanimously approved an ordinance extending the city’s public health emergency on ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/24/25 | 16 comments

At a city council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, Kevin Pestinger, a software executive, called the Flock surveillance system “scary — 1984 George Orwell(ian).”

Residents call for removal of Flock Safety cameras in Olympia

Local residents urged the Olympia City Council to shut down the city’s 15 Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras, warning the technology ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/21/25 | 23 comments

Toompas adds to winning total for Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 seat

The latest ballot count update in the Nov. 4 General Election showed challenger Jerry Toompas adding to his winning margin in the contest for ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/21/25 | 2 comments

The Olympia City Council allocated $30,000 to help support families in crisis at a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.

Olympia City Council approves $30,000 donation to Thurston County Food Bank

The Olympia City Council approved a $30,000 emergency donation to the Thurston County Food Bank at ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/20/25 | 3 comments

Chris Calloway, head butcher at Gibson’s Custom Meats, stands with the price board which shows the $16.99 “Community Essential Pack.” The pack comes with chicken, beef and pork sausage. Customers can pay for a pack in the pay it forward program to help other community members in need.

Gibson's Custom Meats helping families in need

A local butcher shop is working with community members to provide essential quality meat to families in need ahead of ... more

By Jessie Darland | 11/20/25 | 1 comment

Joyce Phillips, Long-range Planning Manager with Olympia’s Community Planning and Economic Development, presented proposed middle housing code amendments to the city council at a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.

Olympia City Council approves middle housing code updates

The Olympia City Council approved an ordinance updating the city’s housing code to expand middle housing, accessory dwelling units and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/19/25 | 7 comments

Man gets more than 14 years in prison for murder at The Jungle

A man was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison for setting another person on fire with what was described as “homemade napalm” at The Jungle ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/19/25 | 4 comments

A proposed hydrogen fueling system site at Intercity Transit’s Pattison campus. The Olympia Site Review Committee held a presubmission conference for the project, which aims to support zero-emission fleet plan. The conference was held on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025.

Intercity Transit making progress on hydrogen fueling and storage system project

Intercity Transit is moving forward with its zero-emission fleet of buses. The agency presented a hydrogen fueling and storage system ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/18/25 | 3 comments

Toompas widens lead in Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 race

Challenger Jerry Toompas increased his lead in the race for the Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 seat in the Nov. 4 ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/18/25 | 2 comments

Open house set for Capitol Way project in Olympia

The City of Olympia is going to unveil a $14 million comprehensive transportation project for Capitol Way and Capitol Boulevard, which targets ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/18/25 | 10 comments

The interior of the Capitol Lake Pump Station shows peeling and bubbling coating inside the wet well, as seen at a LOTT Clean Water Alliance Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.

Capitol Lake Pump Station to undergo rehabilitation work

The Capitol Lake Pump Station is going to benefit from renewed investment through a LOTT Clean Water Alliance rehabilitation plan targeting ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/18/25 | 2 comments

Port of Olympia budget process nearing completion for 2026

Port of Olympia Commissioner Jasmine Vasavada withdrew a request to cut $400,000 in the port’s 2026 budget due to time ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/18/25 | 4 comments

The Sylvester Park Tree Lighting takes place on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025.

Sylvester Park tree lighting ceremony set for Nov. 30 in downtown Olympia

The lighting of the Sylvester Park tree is taking place at Sylvester Park on Sunday ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/18/25

A sidewalk in need of repair in downtown Olympia, as seen on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025.

Sidewalk repair policy taking shape in Olympia

The City of Olympia’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) is going to get a briefing on the city’s effort to develop a clearer ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/17/25 | 11 comments

The Port of Olympia is exploring a possible lease of three properties along Olympia Avenue with developer Urban Olympia, which is planning to build an 87-unit mixed-use housing project on the site.

Port of Olympia exploring lease of East Bay properties for housing project

The Port of Olympia is exploring a potential lease of three East Bay properties to developer Urban Olympia ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/14/25 | 6 comments

The Olympia City Council approved a resolution accepting the updated Land Use and Urban Design Chapter of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan at a meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.

Olympia City Council approves updated land use chapter for 2045 Comprehensive Plan

The Olympia City Council unanimously approved a resolution adopting the Land Use and Urban Design Chapter of the 2045 ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/14/25 | 2 comments

What's happening this weekend in Thurston County

There are a number of events taking place this weekend in Thurston County, including the Gull Harbor Art and Craft Show in ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/14/25

Voting totals from the Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 race between challenger Jerry Toompas and incumbent Bob Iyall.

Toompas upsets incumbent Iyall in Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 race

Challenger Jerry Toompas came away with a narrow win in the hotly contested race for the Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 seat in the Nov. 4 ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/13/25 | 6 comments

Community Planning and Economic Development Director Susan McLaughlin discussed proposed additional staffing for Olympia’s Rental Registry Program during a city council meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.

Olympia seeks higher compliance in Rental Registry Program, additional staff sought

The City of Olympia is seeking to improve compliance with its Rental Registry Program, aiming to register at least 63% of all rental units to make it financially ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/13/25 | 16 comments