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

Join the Olympia School Board Candidate Workshop on April 22

Individuals interested in running for the Olympia School District Board of Directors are invited to join the School Board Candidate Workshop. The workshop, which was announced on the … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/15/25

Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne on Washington’s Right-of-Way initiative funding: “If we don't continue to fund this, the folks that we have removed from those sites could end up back out. We need to make sure that doesn't happen and roll back all of the progress that we have made." The mayor made the statement at a council meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Thurston County poised to receive $5.5M for homeless encampment projects

Thurston Regional Housing Council is expecting a funding opportunity for Thurston County's Right-of-Way initiative following state budget allocations of ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/14/25 | 15 comments

A map of the Fones Road Corridor Project in Olympia.

Underground utility work begins on Fones Road project

Underground utility work is underway on the multimillion-dollar Fones Road Corridor Project in Olympia. Work crews started the utility work on Monday ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/14/25

James Whitehead, Executive Director of Secondary Education, reported high school athletics and activities at a meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Olympia middle, high school students achieve nearly 31% participation in athletics

Athletic participation rates in the Olympia School District were 32.9% at the high school level and 27.5% at the middle school level during the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/14/25 | 2 comments

Olympia School District Executive Director of Human Resources Scott Niemann (podium) described the National Board Certification as “rigorous” during a special recognition session on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Olympia School District recognizes 12 national board certified teachers

At a special recognition session on Thursday, April 10, the Olympia School District recognized 12 teachers who either gained or maintained a ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/14/25

Traffic stop results in drug bust on Capitol Way S

A traffic stop for an alleged violation on Capitol Way S in Olympia turned into a drug bust that yielded more than 1 ounce of fentanyl and methamphetamine. The incident occurred on … more

By The JOLT News Staff | 4/14/25 | 2 comments

Public facilities district seeks applicants for two vacancies on board

Applicants are being sought for a pair of vacant, district-wide seats on the Captial Area Regional Public Facilities District Board (CAR-PFD). The applicants are being sought for full terms by … more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/14/25

At an Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Dominic Jones, Olympia's Building Decarbonization Program Manager, announced Energize Thurston is offering a series of free workshops to residents looking to reduce their energy costs.

Energize Thurston offers free workshops, heat pump discounts across county

Energize Thurston, a countywide group purchase program, is offering a series of free workshops to help residents interested in cutting energy bills and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/11/25 | 1 comment

Adria Buchanan, the Executive Director of the Fair Housing Center of Washington, expressed appreciation for the Fair Housing Month proclamation. She spoke at the Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Olympia City Council proclaims April as Fair Housing Month

The Olympia City Council signed a proclamation designating April 2025 as Fair Housing Month to highlight the continued importance of addressing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/11/25 | 2 comments

Olympia’s BIG Home and Remodel Show will be held on the weekend of April 12-13, 2025.

Olympia home and garden show, featuring more than 100 vendors, returns on April 12-13

Olympia’s one-stop shop for various home and garden needs returns to the Saint Martin’s Marcus Pavilion at Lacey on Saturday, April 12, and ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/10/25

Olympia Municipal Court Judge Pamela Nogueira spoke at the Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. She expressed concerns about dissolving the municipal court in connection with the proposed sale of the city-owned property on Plum Street, emphasizing the potential loss of critical local court services.

Olympia City Council approves $8.2M sale of Plum Street property to Squaxin Island Tribe

In a unanimous vote, the Olympia City Council approved the sale of the 10.47-acre property at 900 Plum St. SE to Island Enterprises, a wholly-owned enterprise of the Squaxin Island Tribe, for ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/9/25 | 12 comments

Participants of the 2024 Earth Day Market Ride at the Heritage Park Fountain in Olympia on April 19, 2024.

Intercity Transit invites community to join Earth Day Market Ride

Intercity Transit invites the community to join the Earth Day Market Ride, a cycling event on Saturday, April 19. The event offers an opportunity to enjoy a bike ride around town with … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/9/25

Olympia Associate Planner Casey Schaufler presented proposed code amendments to support urban agriculture at a Planning Commission meeting on Monday, April 7, 2025.

Olympia Planning Commission briefed on agricultural expansion plan

The Olympia Planning Commission received an update on proposed amendments to city codes that would expand urban agricultural opportunities across ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/8/25 | 1 comment

The South Sound Block Party returns to Olympia on Aug. 22-23, 2025.

Olympia punk act Bratmobile to headline South Sound Block Party in August

The South Sound Block Party on Aug. 22-23, 2025 will be headlined by Olympia punk rock icon Bratmobile. The annual community party is a gathering of musicians and music lovers produced … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/8/25

Violette McCullough, a homeschooled student from Olympia, served as a page in the Washington State House of Representatives during the last week of March 2025. She is pictured with Rep. Victoria Hunt, D-Issaquah.

Homeschooled student serves as page in Washington House of Representatives

Violette McCullough, a homeschooled student from Olympia, recently served as a page in the Washington ... more

By JC Medina | 4/7/25

Olympia Yacht Club to host annual SEA Day

An annual effort to highlight best environmental and safety practices will get underway later this month. The Olympia Yacht Club will host it's annual SEA Day on Saturday, April 19, at its … more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/7/25

The Lee Creighton Justice Center property, as seen in this undated photo.

Olympia mulls $8.2M sale of the Justice Center campus to Squaxin Island Tribe 

The Olympia City Council will consider an agreement to sell the Lee Creighton Justice Center campus to the Squaxin Island Tribe for ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/4/25 | 12 comments

Fiber optics project underway in east side Olympia neighborhood

A fiber optics installation project is taking place throughout an east side neighborhood south of 7th Avenue SE between Central Street and Boulevard Road SE in Olympia. The project is expected … more

By The JOLT News Staff | 4/3/25 | 1 comment

What’s happening this weekend — Mosaic Snail Plant Stakes, Roundup Stamp and Coin Show and other events

The first weekend in April offers a chance to visit with a kid-friendly hobbyist and take part in some fundraising activities in ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/3/25

Olympia School District Superintendent Patrick Murphy highlighted Roosevelt Elementary School’s Reading Buddies program at a meeting on March 27, 2025.

Olympia School District leader lauds students for reading leadership

Olympia School District Superintendent Patrick Murphy highlighted Roosevelt Elementary School’s Reading Buddies, a reading mentorship program, at a ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/2/25