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

The Olympia School District Board of Directors reviewed a resolution for a new Technology, Safety, and Facility Improvement Levy at a meeting on Oct. 9, 2025.

Olympia School District board seeks levy for technology infrastructure

The Olympia School District Board of Directors discussed a resolution that would authorize the district to collect a new Technology, Safety, and ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/15/25 | 3 comments

Olympia committee to review recommendations for parks and arts campus names

The Community Livability and Public Safety Committee is scheduled to review and make recommendations for naming three park properties — the Olympia Armory ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/14/25 | 5 comments

Driver arrested for allegedly driving under the influence after collision in Olympia

A 34-year-old man was arrested after a traffic collision involving a motorcycle at the intersection of 113th Avenue SW and Crockett Street SW in Olympia on ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/14/25

Olympia Lodging Tax Committee to review 39 tourism funding proposals for 2026

Olympia’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee is set to review nearly $1.8 million in funding requests from local organizations seeking support for ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/14/25

The Evergreen State College’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Transformational Change is partnering with Thurston Green Business and Thurston County Chamber of Commerce for a free fall 2025 online lecture series on Sustainability and Enterprise.

Evergreen, Thurston County Chamber hosting workshops on sustainability and enterprise

Thurston County’s fall 2025 lecture series on sustainability and enterprise opened Friday, Oct. 10, with The Evergreen State College alumni and ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/13/25

City of Olympia planners showed an aerial photo of Olympia Food Co-op, which is located at 3111 Pacific Ave. The Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference for a proposed expansion project on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.

Olympia Food Co-op faces challenges with expansion plan

A proposed expansion of Olympia Food Co-op is going to have to clear a major hurdle before the project gets the green ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/10/25 | 12 comments

Man arrested for possession of stolen vehicle

A 36-year-old man was arrested after he was found to be in possession of an alleged stolen vehicle in ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/10/25 | 2 comments

Consultant sought for vacancy study in downtown Olympia

The City of Olympia is seeking a consultant to conduct an analysis of commercial vacancies in ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/9/25 | 12 comments

The Olympia City Council had a lengthy debate on whether to support or oppose Proposition 1, an initiative that would amend the Olympia Municipal Code to establish new labor standards, including rules on work scheduling, minimum wages and workplace safety for employees on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.

Olympia City Council opposes Proposition 1, citing cost and complexity

With a 4-3 vote, the Olympia City Council took an official stance against Proposition 1, a citizen initiative that would amend the Olympia Municipal Code ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/8/25 | 14 comments

Olympia Fire Department to host open house during Fire Prevention Week

The Olympia Fire Department is observing Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 9 to Oct. 15 with an emphasis on the importance of household fire ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/8/25

Bids sought for rehabilitation of affordable housing property on Prospect Avenue in Olympia

The City of Olympia issued a Request for Bids to qualified contractors to carry out rehabilitation work at a 12-unit multifamily property located ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/7/25 | 1 comment

A county flag was set on fire by an intruder at the Legislative Building on the Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia on Sunday night, Oct. 5, 2025.

Initial assessment details damage at Legislative Building

An initial assessment of damage caused by an intruder at the Legislative Building on Sunday evening, Oct. 5, detailed a number of acts of ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 10/7/25 | 3 comments

Celebrate local Indigenous culture, history, and communities at Squaxin Park on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, as the City of Olympia partners with the Squaxin Island Tribe for an Indigenous Peoples Day celebration.

Indigenous Peoples Day event at Squaxin Park set for Oct. 13

The City of Olympia and the Squaxin Island Tribe are going to hold an Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on Monday ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/7/25 | 4 comments

Olympia City Council to address agreement for Encampment Resolution Program

The Olympia City Council is set to vote on a resolution authorizing an interagency agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/6/25 | 1 comment

A bust of George Washington was toppled by an intruder in the Legislative Building on the Capitol Campus in Olympia on Sunday night, Oct. 5, 2025.

Intruder breaks into Legislative Building on Capitol Campus, damages artifacts and facility

An intruder broke into the Legislative Building on the Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia and caused damage to a number of areas on ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 10/6/25 | 8 comments

Olympia City Councilwoman Dani Madrone talked about the LOTT Clean Water Alliance’s Class A+ Reclaimed Water Demonstration Project at a city council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025.

Olympia partners with LOTT for regional reclaimed water pilot project

The Olympia City Council has approved entering into an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with LOTT Clean Water Alliance to support a groundbreaking ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/3/25 | 2 comments

Intercity Transit Marketing and Communications Officer Nick Demerice spoke about the Walk N Roll program at an Olympia City Council’s meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025.

Olympia City Council proclaims October as 'Walk to School Month'

The Olympia City Council signed a proclamation designating October 2025 as "Walk to School Month," joining a regional Walk N Roll initiative that ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/3/25 | 5 comments

As chair of the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee, Mayor Pro Tem Yen Huynh endorsed appointing seven members to Olympia’s Community Policing Board at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025.

Olympia City Council appoints first members to Community Policing Board

The Olympia City Council unanimously approved appointments to the newly established Community Policing Board, which will review police policy ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/2/25 | 3 comments

What’s happening this weekend in Thurston County — Harvest Festival, Optimism Walk and more

There are a number of events happening in Thurston County this weekend, including the Harvest Festival and ... more

P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/2/25

The Olympia City Council discussed the 2026 fiscal year operating budget at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025.

Olympia City Council backs increasing business and occupation tax to help address $6.5M budget gap

To address a projected $6.5 million operating budget shortfall for 2026, the Olympia City Council is backing a scenario in which it relies ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/1/25 | 16 comments