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

A research vessel used by the Port of Olympia and its consultant collected sediment samples at East Bay of Budd Inlet in January 2024.

Port of Olympia reveals findings of sediment analysis on East Bay

An analysis of the condition of sediments around East Bay proved to be a mixed bag, as some areas showed improvement while other areas raised ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/28/25 | 9 comments

The Community Sustaining Fund accepting grant applications

The Community Sustaining Fund of Thurston County is accepting fall 2025 grant applications through Nov. 10 for creative and impactful proposals that meet ... more

The JOLT News Staff | 10/28/25

Percival Creek Canyon in west Olympia, as seen on Sept. 8, 2023.

Closure of Percival Creek Canyon homeless encampment completed in Olympia

The City of Olympia has completed a 16-month effort to close the Percival Creek Canyon homeless encampment and provide housing placement for ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/27/25 | 15 comments

At a meeting on Thursday Oct. 23, 2025, the Olympia School District Board of Directors approved a resolution, which allows the district to submit a voter proposition to levy a tax for technology and capital projects.

Voters to decide on Olympia School District technology levy

The Olympia School District Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution, which calls for a ballot proposition to levy an additional tax of $72,987,000 for ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/27/25 | 3 comments

Temple Beth Hatfiloh in Olympia has been awarded a $175,000 grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places Program to support exterior preservation work on its synagogue building.

Temple Beth Hatfiloh in Olympia receives $175K historic preservation grant

Temple Beth Hatfiloh in Olympia has been awarded a $175,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation through its National Fund ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/24/25 | 9 comments

Henderson Boulevard and Eskridge Boulevard roundabout work to begin on Oct. 27

A City of Olympia contractor is scheduled to begin modifications and upgrades to the roundabout at Henderson Boulevard and ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 10/24/25

The Olympia City Council approved a five-year bundled contract for police technology equipment at a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.

Police technology contract approved by Olympia City Council

The Olympia City Council approved a five-year agreement that bundles all of the Olympia Police Department’s technology equipment ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/23/25 | 6 comments

The City of Olympia’s street sweeper features artwork by Washington Middle School students Jackson Schaub and Aalena Lucas, whose designs promote clean water and stormwater pollution prevention.

Students recognized for street sweeper pollution prevention design work in Olympia

Two Washington Middle School students were recognized for their artwork, which promotes clean water and stormwater pollution ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/23/25 | 1 comment

Wanted men charged with second-degree burglary after break-in at Olympia restaurant

Two men have been charged with second-degree burglary following a break-in at a restaurant on Martin Way E, according to an Olympia Police ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/22/25 | 3 comments

Sylvana Niehuser was elevated to the role of Parks, Arts & Recreation Director in Olympia. She is seen at a Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.

Sylvana Niehuser appointed Parks, Arts & Recreation Director in Olympia

The City of Olympia has removed the interim tag and elevated Sylvana Niehuser to Parks, Arts & Recreation ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/22/25 | 1 comment

Artwork by Gaia Alphonse of Reeves Middle School in Olympia.

Olympia honors young artists featured in 2026 Water Resources Stewardship Calendar

The Olympia City Council recognized middle school students for their creative contributions to the 2026 Water Resources Stewardship Calendar at ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/22/25

Thurston County Public Works personnel conducted aquatic relocation at the Canning Court Southwest stream in Olympia, as part of the environmental phase of the county’s culvert replacement program.

Culvert replacement project underway in Olympia

Thurston County Public Works personnel extracted aquatic fauna from a stream at Canning Court Southwest in Olympia this month, as it launched ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/22/25 | 2 comments

Interim Water Resources Director Gary Franks presented the proposed “wet utility” rate increase at the Olympia Finance Committee meeting on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.

Utility rate increases proposed for Olympia in 2026

Olympia residents could soon see higher utility bills, following the City of Olympia Finance Committee’s endorsement of rate increases for water ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/21/25 | 10 comments

Lindsey Trimble leads witches and family members past the Sticks & Bones Marching Band on the way down to the water on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025.

Witches on the water

For the third year in a row, witches gathered on Sunday, Oct. 12, at Northpoint Plaza and flew — OK, paddled or knelt on paddleboards — from Swantown Marina ... more

By JM Simpson | 10/21/25 | 1 comment

A motorist drives by hundreds of protesters at the "No Kings" rally at the Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

Thousands of people turn out for 'No Kings' protest in Olympia

Protesters flooded the Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia to rail against the actions and policies of President Donald Trump during the “No Kings” ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 10/20/25 | 33 comments

City of Olympia Public Works Transportation Director Sophie Stimson outlined the projected costs for a proposed sidewalk repair crew at a study session on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.

New crew eyed to tackle sidewalk defects in Olympia

City of Olympia officials are proposing to create a dedicated sidewalk repair crew, which would establish a consistent and long-term approach to maintaining ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/20/25 | 6 comments

A demonstrator holds an upside down American flag, which indicates a sign of distress, at the "No Kings 2.0" rally at the Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

'No Kings' rally draws thousands of people to Washington State Capitol Campus

Thousands of people converged on the Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia on Saturday, Oct. 18, to protest policies enacted by President Donald Trump ... more

By JM Simpson | 10/18/25 | 17 comments

Olympia City Manager Jay Burney outlined staff reductions to address the city’s projected $6.5 million budget deficit in 2026.

Plan outlined to help close multimillion-dollar budget deficit in Olympia

Olympia City Manager Jay Burney proposed staff reductions and leaving vacant positions unfilled to help close the city’s projected $6.5 million ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/17/25 | 8 comments

The Community Livability and Public Safety Committee approved renaming Yelm Highway Community Park to Jolene Unsoeld Community Park at a meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.

Olympia committee backs new names for arts campus and parks

The Community Livability and Public Safety Committee (CLPS) recommended naming three city properties after notable local figures, who made ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/16/25 | 9 comments

Heather Pens, a member of the Olympia Friends Meeting, mixed eggs during the preparation of two large pans of frittatas in her kitchen on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. “I do this because the homeless need food,” she said.

Walking a prayer

Heather Pens is a personification of an old West African proverb and Quaker saying, “When you pray, move your ... more

By JM Simpson | 10/16/25 | 4 comments