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

Tenant screening policy reforms to be reviewed by Olympia City Council

In a continued effort to expand protection for renters, the Olympia City Council will take up tenant screening outreach and policy reforms at its meeting ... more

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

Port of Olympia consultant Peter Phillips, of Colibri NW discussed the potential of the port to engage in the manufacturing of electric ferries at a Port of Olympia Commission meeting on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. Phillips mentioned three electric ferry makers that the port could look into partnering with in the future. From top to bottom, the vessels shown in Phillips' presentation were developed by Artemis from Belfast, Candela from Sweden and EV Maritime from New Zealand.

Port of Olympia consultant plants ideas for passenger ferry service, manufacturing of vessels

A Port of Olympia consultant outlined initial steps for bringing back passenger ferry service to South Puget Sound, as well as opportunities related to the ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/11/25 | 12 comments

The Olympia City Council proclaimed Sept. 16, 2025, as National Voter Registration Day. In the photo, council members posed with Thurston County Election Technician Jack Mongin, who accepted the proclamation at a meeting on Sept. 9, 2025.

Olympia defends voting rights in National Voter Registration Day proclamation

The Olympia City Council celebrated National Voter Registration Day by strongly defending mail-in voting and voter accessibility, directly challenging ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/11/25 | 12 comments

The Olympia City Council approved the expansion of the Olympia Fire Department’s CARES program to support the Lewis Mason Thurston Area Agency on Aging. The council made the decision at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025.

Olympia City Council expands CARES Program to support Area Agency on Aging

The Olympia City Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a partnership between the Olympia Fire Department and the Lewis ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/11/25 | 1 comment

Pavement marking work in downtown Olympia

A pavement marking project is going to make the drive a little more difficult for motorists on some streets in downtown ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 9/11/25 | 2 comments

Felon charged in stolen vehicle case

A 36-year-old woman with prior felony convictions is facing more legal trouble after being found behind the wheel of a stolen ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 9/10/25

The Olympia City Council named Travis Pond’s, “Crane Study Number 47,” as the 2025 Percival Plinth Project People’s Choice Award winner.

2025 Percival Plinth People’s Choice Award winner: 'Crane Study No. 47'

The Olympia City Council endorsed, “Crane Study No. 47” by Travis Pond, of Oregon City, as the 2025 Percival Plinth Project People’s Choice Award ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/10/25

The  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington’s Murder Mystery BIG Auction is a fundraising gala being held on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.

Local fundraising gala to support youth mentorship program expansion

The glitz and glamour of the Jazz Age awaits attendees of the Murder Mystery BIG Auction fundraising gala on Saturday ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/9/25

Olympia City Council to appoint 11 new Youth Council members

The Olympia City Council is set to approve the appointment of 11 new members to the Olympia Youth Council on Tuesday ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/8/25

From history to honor — a blessed reception

For 160 years, the St. John | San Juan Episcopal Church (SJSJ) in Olympia has followed its mission: “Loving God, Loving Neighbor, and Building ... more

By Shirley Stirling | 9/8/25 | 2 comments

Olympia City Council to consider $1M grant application for 3900 Boulevard housing project

The Olympia City Council is set to consider whether to apply for a $1 million state grant to support infrastructure costs for South Puget Sound Habitat ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/5/25 | 7 comments

A young visitor learned about salmon through an interactive puzzle at the WET Science Center in Olympia.

WET Science Center hosts programs on seafaring, salmon and tardigrades

The WET Science Center in Olympia is offering a lineup of programs this month on topics ranging from seafaring and salmon to the microscopic world of ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/5/25

Historic Preservation Officer Brittany Gillia shared a photo of the former Carnegie Library, a 1914 structure listed on local, state and national historic registries. On Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, the Olympia Site Plan Review Committee reviewed a proposal to adapt the building into the Carnegie Whisky Library.

Olympia committee notes minor requirements for Carnegie Library redevelopment

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee reaffirmed its 2023 assessment of the proposed reuse of the former Carnegie Library during ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/4/25 | 6 comments

Individual arrested after alleged assault on pregnant woman

A 39-year-old woman was arrested for the alleged assault of a pregnant woman. An Olympia Police Department report states that ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 9/4/25 | 9 comments

The Olympia School District Board of Directors received a report on the projected enrollment for the upcoming school year at a meeting on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025.

Olympia School District projects nearly 9,000 enrollees for 2025-26

The Olympia School District expects nearly 9,000 full-time enrollees for the 2025-26 school year. Superintendent Patrick Murphy briefed the school board ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/3/25 | 2 comments

City of Olympia offers free lawn aeration program

The City of Olympia is encouraging residents to aerate their lawns this fall by offering a free lawn aerator rental program when at least three neighbors ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 9/3/25

Executive committee to review sea level rise protection plan

The Sea Level Rise Response Collaborative Executive Committee is going review its new five-year strategy for protecting downtown Olympia ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/2/25 | 10 comments

The Jellyfish Jam is being held at The Olympia Center on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

Estuarium fundraiser to feature live performances on Sept. 27

The Puget Sound Estuarium is inviting the public to jive with live bands and enjoy a drag show at its annual "Jellyfish Jam" fundraiser. This high-energy event on … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/2/25

Per Flygare, a member of the Olympia Modeal Sailors, watches as Damian Pool, a visitor from Houston, Texas, skippers a model sailboat during Olympia Harbor Days on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025.

Olympia Harbor Days draws thousands of people during three-day event

Thousands of people descended upon the waterfront of the Port of Olympia over Labor Day weekend for a maritime celebration that featured ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 9/1/25 | 1 comment

City of Olympia Senior Housing Program Specialist Christa Lenssen briefed the Land Use and Environment Committee on rent stabilizations and the existing rental housing code at a meeting on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. She presented a slide comparing some provisions from House Bill 1217 and Olympia’s local code.

Olympia committee holds firm on local rental housing code

The City of Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee is recommending no immediate changes to the city’s rental housing code, even as a new state ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/29/25 | 6 comments