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

Northwest Cooperative Development Center Co-Director John A. McNamara accepted the Olympia City Council's proclamation declaring 2025 the Year of Cooperatives at a meeting on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. He cited local successes, such as Blue Heron Bakery's transition to worker ownership and the city's high number of co-ops and credit units serving more than 52,000 people.

Olympia declares 2025 the Year of Cooperatives

The Olympia City Council unanimously proclaimed 2025 as the Year of Cooperatives, recognizing the vital role cooperatives play in fostering a resilient ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/6/25

Olympia PBIA board to vote on hiring consultant for program evaluation

The Olympia Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Advisory Board will decide on whether to hire a consultant to evaluate the structure and future of the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/6/25 | 2 comments

Woman arrested in Olympia after alleged knife threat

A 39-year-old transient woman was arrested after she allegedly threatened another person with a knife in ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 8/5/25 | 3 comments

Committees chosen to write arguments for Workers' Bill of Right ballot proposition

The Olympia City Council has approved a resolution appointing two citizen committees to write the official arguments — "For" and "Against" — a ballot ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/5/25 | 4 comments

High-speed chase ends with arrest of suspected car thief in Thurston County

A 49-year-old man was arrested following a high-speed pursuit on highways and streets that allegedly reached speeds up to 130 miles ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 8/4/25 | 5 comments

Public input sought on tenant screening practices in Olympia

The City of Olympia is encouraging residents — particularly landlords, renters and housing advocates — to share their perspectives on tenant screening practices through ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/4/25 | 5 comments

The consolidated businesses of Swantown generated $2,180,289 in revenue for the first half of the year. Accounting for expenses and depreciation costs, it produced a loss of $192,231, which is not explicitly shown in this slide.

Swantown posts a loss in first half of 2025

Swantown Marina & Boatworks posted across-the-board losses in the first half of 2025, largely because of higher maintenance and administrative ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/1/25 | 6 comments

A 47-year old woman was arrested after an alleged assault on emergency responders after she regained consciousness. The woman was first found unconscious due to an overdose on July 14, 2025.

Woman arrested after alleged assault on firefighters and damaging equipment

A woman was taken into custody for the alleged assault of firefighters and damaging their medical equipment. According to a report from the Olympia Police ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 8/1/25 | 12 comments

The marine terminal generated around $152,000 in revenue per vessel in the first half of 2025. Marine Terminal Senior Manager Afsin Yilmaz said it continues an upward trend that he attributes to the port’s diversification.

Port of Olympia provides vessel revenue analysis

The Port of Olympia is seeing less vessel traffic so far this year, but revenue per ship is a bright spot. Marine Terminal Senior Manager Afsin Yilmaz ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/31/25 | 5 comments

Thurston County Board of County Commissioners approved a five-year lease to relocate the Syringe Services Program from downtown Olympia to Franklin Street at a meeting on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

Thurston County commissioners back new location for Syringe Services Program

The Thurston County Syringe Services Program is on the move. A five-year lease approved by the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners will lead to ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 7/31/25 | 13 comments

The Olympia City Council discussed preserving manufactured home communities during a study session held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

Olympia City Council seeks creative solution to protect manufactured home communities

The Olympia City Council is exploring ways to preserve manufactured home communities by addressing land use concerns not covered by the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/31/25 | 2 comments

Sensitive text messages spark rebuke from school districts

Sensitive text messages about "biological boys" in girls high school sports sparked a rebuke from Olympia School District and Tumwater School District ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 7/31/25 | 4 comments

Donnie Hull, of MSGS Carve Architects, gave an overview of the St. Michael School expansion project at a Site Plan Review Committee meeting on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

Olympia committee reviews St. Michael Parish School expansion project

To address growing enrollment at St. Michael Parish School, a local architect from MSGS Carve presented a proposal for expanding the school at 1208 11th Ave. SE in ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/30/25 | 3 comments

Please don't rename Thurston County 'Scherer Water County'

By endorsing the ‘Maintain The Name’ campaign, I risk seeming aligned with those who celebrate Sam Thurston for his racist ideas. Yet, despite the … more

By David Scherer Water | For The JOLT News | 7/30/25 | 13 comments

Megan Gillespie spoke at a networking event for her organization, Olympia Boss Society. The group aims to create a welcoming atmosphere for local women who want to engage with their community and expand their businesses.

Olympia Boss Society: 'Networking without the ick'

Megan Gillespie was tired of feeling awkward, out of place and unseen at networking events. At the same time, she realized the value of networking and its importance ... more

By Jessie Darland | 7/29/25 | 1 comment

Olympia City Council to review state rent control laws, local tenant protections

The Olympia City Council will review House Bill 1217 at a study session on Tuesday evening, July 29, at which time the group is expected to discuss how to align the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/29/25 | 2 comments

Two individuals were arrested for an alleged kidnapping and robbery after a drug transaction with the victim on Saturday, July 26, 2025.

Two people arrested following alleged robbery and kidnapping

Two individuals were taken into custody on Saturday night, July 26, following a reported robbery and kidnapping. According to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 7/29/25

A small community of seven to 10 sailboats with “anchor outs” are located on West Bay.

'Anchor outs' in West Bay

There is a small community of individuals who live in old sailboats just offshore in West Bay on the south end of Budd Inlet. Some of them will tell you they are ... more

By JM Simpson | 7/28/25 | 13 comments

Olympia Fire Department Chief Matt Morris presented the Standards of Cover assessment, which identified risks and the level of services, to the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

Olympia fire chief reveals gaps in emergency response times

The Olympia Fire Department has completed a comprehensive assessment of its emergency response system, identifying service gaps and proposing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/28/25

Olympia's Cultural Access Program Manager Marygrace Goddu presented the Cultural Access fund's five-year budget projections at a Community Livability and Public Safety Committee meeting on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

Inspire Olympia unveils plan to increase cultural grant funding

Olympia's Community Livability and Public Safety Committee approved the Cultural Access Advisory Board's recommendation to increase grant funding ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/25/25 | 3 comments