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

An event poster for "Magic Curtain Mornings."

Olympia Family Theater to run 30-minute 'Goldilocks' play for children

The second run of Olympia Family Theater’s "Magic Curtain Mornings" series on June 6-7 will feature an original 30-minute play, " Goldilocks and the 3 Bear Scouts ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/29/25

What’s happening this weekend — Olympia Zine Fest, Tumwater Elevate Fair and other festivities

Be creative with art activities, sustainable with environmental events, or hands-on with some workshops in ... more

P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/29/25

Early morning car chase ends in arrest, firearm seized

A car chase through west Olympia in the early hours of Saturday, May 24, ended with the arrest of a 34-year-old man and the recovery of a loaded ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/28/25 | 2 comments

Since June 2024, Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) has been working with partners on the Martin Way Crossing Strategy. The goal of this project is to make Martin Way safer for all users by identifying 10 locations for crosswalks, the TRPC said.

TRPC seeks public input on Martin Way crosswalk designs by May 31

Residents and business owners have until Saturday, May 31, to share their input on the future of crosswalks along Martin Way through an online survey launched by ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/28/25

Suspect arrested for alleged burglary at a construction warehouse

A suspect was arrested Sunday evening, May 18, for allegedly committing a burglary at a construction property on Thurston Avenue NE, the Olympia Police Department ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/28/25

At a meeting on Thursday, May 22, 2025, the Olympia School District declared the month of June as Pride Month.

Olympia School District proclaims June as Pride Month

The Olympia School District proclaimed June as Pride Month, as a means to declare support for LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual) ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/28/25 | 8 comments

Knife-wielding man arrested after standoff on bus in Olympia

A man with multiple outstanding warrants was arrested on Friday evening, May 16, after a brief standoff with Olympia Police Department officers on a parked bus in ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/27/25 | 7 comments

Olympia City Council members posed with Heritage commissioners and partner organizations working on projects to document and archive the city's history and heritage. On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the city council proclaimed May 2025 as Heritage Month.

Olympia City Council proclaims May as Heritage Month

The Olympia City Council proclaimed May 2025 as Heritage Month at its meeting on Tuesday, May 20, recognizing the contributions of historic preservation to the city's ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/27/25 | 3 comments

Damien Egan, left, Lyndy Slyker, Taber Lee and Rich LaRosa all play key roles in the services the Port of Olympia Harbor Patrol provides to the community. They are shown at the port on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Harbor Patrol fills vital need at Port of Olympia

Volunteering to serve in the Port of Olympia’s Harbor Patrol is a rewarding endeavor, where teamwork and camaraderie are always in ... more

By JM Simpson | 5/26/25 | 2 comments

A parking-separated bike lane is one major design change in the State and Pacific Avenue Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Project. Olympia's Transportation Engineer Joey Jones presented the plan at the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

Olympia street project: State and Pacific avenues to get safety upgrade

Olympia Transportation Engineer Joey Jones unveiled plans for a pedestrian and bicycle safety improvement project along State and Pacific avenues, promising significant ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/26/25 | 8 comments

Committee to review $1.3 million in Inspire Olympia grant recommendations

The Olympia Community Livability and Public Safety (CLPS) Committee will review a recommendation from the Cultural Access Advisory Board (CAAB) to award approximately ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/26/25

The 2025-26 Olympia School District student representatives are Emma McDonald, Juniper Hummel-Church, Malachi Cardona and Vy Le.

Olympia School District welcomes four student representatives

At a meeting on Thursday, May 22, the Olympia School District (OSD) swore in one returning and three new student representatives for the 2025-26 school ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/26/25

Woman arrested in attempted check fraud at local bank

A woman was arrested on May 12 after reportedly attempting to cash a fraudulent check at a local bank, according to Olympia Police Department (OPD). The incident occurred around 4:54 p.m. at … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/23/25 | 1 comment

Members of the Intercity Transit Authority (ITA) approved a contract on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1765, which represents the agency’s bus drivers, Dial-a-Lift dispatchers, and customer care representatives. From left to right, Kelly Von Holtz, ITA member; Sue Pierce, ITA vice chair; Carolyn Cox, ITA chair; Peter Stackpole, IT development director; Jeffrey Myers, IT legal counsel, and Wendy Goodwin, ITA member.

Intercity Transit ratifies contract with bus drivers union

Intercity Transit approved a new contract with the union that represents its bus drivers on Wednesday, May 21. The transit agency and Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1765, which ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/22/25

City of Olympia Senior Planner David Ginther presented a Capital Mall Triangle subarea plan that includes mid-block connections, which demonstrates an approach to transform the area into a more walkable urban environment. He made the presentation to the city council on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Olympia City Council approves ordinance to reshape Capital Mall Triangle area

The Olympia City Council approved the first reading of a planned action ordinance to reshape the Capital Mall Triangle area into a complete urban neighborhood ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/22/25

Chevron employee accused of luring 15-year-old into back room for a kiss

An employee at a Chevron gas station on Pacific Avenue SE in Olympia was arrested on May 11, following allegations of inappropriate conduct involving ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/22/25 | 2 comments

Do you want to learn about small-scale handmade creations called zines? Visit the Olympia Zine Fest on May 30-31, 2025.

Olympia Zine Fest 2025 returns on May 30-31, to showcase workshops, vendors and a party, too

The annual Olympia Zine Fest 2025 returns on May 30-31 to showcase zines, or handmade self-published works with niche content. According to the event's website, zines are … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/22/25 | 1 comment

What’s happening this weekend — cultural night market and other events

Get in touch with cultural diversity by joining ASHHO’s Cultural Night or the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration. more

P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/22/25

Early conceptual renderings of the Waterfront Center from a presentation by Camilla St. Onge, the port’s strategic initiatives director, to the Port of Olympia Commission on March 18, 2024.

Port commission explores future of Waterfront Center

The Port of Olympia Commission discussed the next steps for the proposed Waterfront Center now that the port has decided to relocate its administrative offices to a ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/21/25 | 6 comments

The Olympia City Council approved a new permit grant program on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. With initial funding, the program could support two large affordable housing projects of more than 50 units and a variety of smaller or medium-sized developments.

Olympia approves permit fee grant program; targets 50% area median income housing

The Olympia City Council approved a new permit fee grant program to reduce development costs for affordable housing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/21/25 | 2 comments