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

The Olympia City Council approved authorizing an interlocal agreement that would transfer the city's judicial services to Thurston County District Court.  The council made the decision at a meeting on Tuesday, July 9, 2025.

Olympia Municipal Court's transition to Thurston County moves forward

The Olympia City Council approved a resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement to initiate the process of transferring the city's judicial services to ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/9/25 | 2 comments

Federal Way Municipal Court Judge David A. Larson advocated for keeping Olympia Municipal Court open. He participated in a public comment on April 8, 2025, when the Olympia City Council approved the sale of the 10.47-acre property at 900 Plum St. SE — the current site of the municipal court.

Olympia could face legal risks over plan to terminate Municipal Court

The City of Olympia's plan to terminate its Municipal Court and transfer judicial services to Thurston County could trigger legal repercussions, including possible ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/8/25 | 3 comments

Stolen truck recovered after arrest of woman at grocery store

A 31-year-old woman was arrested on Monday, June 23, after Thurston County Sheriff's Office deputies discovered she was in possession of a stolen ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 7/8/25 | 1 comment

Niki Bilodeau, the chairperson of the Olympia Dragon Boat Festival, views the event as educational, fun and an opportunity to gain new members.

Chinese dragon boats on the water this weekend in Olympia

The Olympia Dragon Boat Club will host for the second straight year the Olympia Dragon Boat Festival at Olympia Port Plaza on ... more

By JM Simpson | 7/8/25

Olympia City Council to consider nearly $1M design contract for Elliott Avenue sidewalk project

The Olympia City Council is set to consider a resolution authorizing a $988,928 agreement with Skillings, Inc. to provide design services on the long-anticipated ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/7/25 | 4 comments

Seven people arrested after alleged group assault at 'The Jungle'

Seven people were arrested in the aftermath of an alleged attack on a woman at a homeless encampment in Olympia, which is known as ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 7/7/25 | 11 comments

Thurston Regional Planning Council Transportation Manager Katrina Van Every presented a map showing the proposed extension of Log Cabin Road (green dashed lines) in Olympia. She made the presentation at a meeting of the Intercity Transit Authority on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. The project has been a long-standing consideration, as it could provide an alternate east-west connection to relieve traffic on Yelm Highway.

Intercity Transit Authority takes stance against Log Cabin Road extension project

The Intercity Transit Authority unanimously voted to remove the Log Cabin Road extension project in Thurston County's Regional ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/7/25 | 3 comments

At a meeting on June 26, 2025, a list of names was presented to be used for two spaces at Washington Middle School that are set to be renamed after prominent individuals.

Washington Middle School cafeteria, hallway to be renamed after prominent school figures

Washington Middle School in Olympia is set to rename two different school spaces, the cafeteria and electives hallway, after a longtime ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 7/7/25

In February 2025, the Olympia City Council approved 18 sculptures to be featured in the 2025 Percival Plinth Project. The artworks are now on display at the city's waterfront park.

Olympia opens public voting for the 2025 Percival Plinth Project

Community members are invited to cast their vote for the 2025 Percival Plinth People's Choice Award through Aug. 1 at ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/7/25

Olympia Lakefair Races to take place on July 19

Registration is open for the upcoming Olympia Lakefair Races, which will be held on Saturday, July 19. The races are organized by the Olympia Downtown Rotary Club and ... more

By Maven Navarro | 7/4/25

It's time to register for the fall Arts Walk in Olympia.

Registration period open for fall Arts Walk in Olympia

The registration window is open for the fall Arts Walk in Olympia. The event, which takes place on Oct. 3 and Oct. 4, is a celebration of community ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 7/4/25

The Port of Olympia project team met with the City of Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. The committee reviewed a proposed 70,000-square-foot warehouse project.

Committee reviews plan for 70,000-square-foot warehouse at Port of Olympia

The Port of Olympia is moving forward with a plan to construct a 70,000-square-foot warehouse at its Marine ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/3/25 | 6 comments

Olympia resident arrested after alleged assault on pedestrian

A 39-year-old man was arrested following an alleged assault that left another man hospitalized with facial injuries, the Olympia Police Department said in a ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 7/3/25 | 11 comments

Man arrested after alleged vehicular assault on window salesman

A 58-year old man was taken into custody after he allegedly drove his pickup truck toward a pedestrian in a residential neighborhood ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 7/3/25 | 2 comments

The FC Olympia Artesians will square off against Utah United in a playoff match at Saint Mary's Stadium in Stockton, Calif., on Friday, July 4, 2025.

FC Olympia heading to USL W League playoffs after draw with Salmon Bay FC

The FC Olympia Artesians are heading to the USL W League playoffs after battling to a 0-0 draw with Salmon Bay FC at the Regional Athletic Complex in Olympia on ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 7/3/25

First people

It’s been a strange week. On Tuesday, Trump closed the state library, home to the largest collection of Pacific Northwest books in the world. Just days earlier, we celebrated the … more

By David Scherer Water | 7/3/25 | 8 comments

Transportation Policy Board to address Log Cabin Road extension

The Transportation Policy Board is set to make recommendations on the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan, a comprehensive update to Thurston County's ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/2/25 | 5 comments

A man allegedly stole items in Home Depot in Olympia using a tag removal device on Friday, June 13, 2025.

Man arrested for alleged retail theft at Home Depot in Olympia

A 36-year-old man was arrested following an alleged theft incident at Home Depot at 1325 Fones Road SE in Olympia on ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 7/2/25 | 6 comments

The Olympia School District Board of Directors passed a salary schedule that calls for executives to receive around $200,000 in compensation at a meeting on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

Community members sound off against increasing salaries of OSD executives

With the return of school closure talks at Olympia School District, community members called out the school board for giving ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 7/2/25 | 5 comments

Man arrested after alleged knife assault on another person

A 53-year-old man was arrested following an alleged knife attack that left another man with an ear injury on Saturday, June 14, according to the ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 7/2/25 | 1 comment