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

Man arrested for allegedly assaulting female, police officers in Olympia

Olympia Police Department (OPD) personnel responded to an altercation at a bar earlier this month, where a man was allegedly involved in multiple assaults before ... more

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

City of Olympia seeks new poet laureate

The City of Olympia is searching for its next poet laureate, inviting local poets to use their craft to explore the theme of ... more

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

Capital Region Educational Service District (ESD) 113 congratulated 2025 Art Show winners from Black Hills, Olympia, Timberline and Tumwater high schools.

Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater high schoolers win awards at regional art show

Students from Black Hills, Olympia, Timberline and Tumwater high schools were some of the 2025 Art Show winners in ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/25/25

Sexual awareness talk at Capitol Campus on March 28

Saint Martin's University is hosting a screening of "The House," as well as a talk from sexual assault awareness and survivor Sylvia Peterson at the Columbia Room on the ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 3/25/25

More than a court

When Alana was arrested for shoplifting in Olympia, it seemed like just another run-in with the law. Homeless, struggling with addiction, and carrying the weight of past trauma from domestic … more

By Luis Manzo | For The JOLT News | 3/24/25 | 1 comment

A poster for the North Thurston Public Schools’s Spring College & Career Fair.

North Thurston Public Schools to host Spring College & Career Fair on March 26

North Thurston Public Schools is inviting high school students to the Spring College & Career Fair on ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/24/25

Kevin Shen, a senior from Olympia High School, finished in seventh place of the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search.

Olympia High School senior ranks 7th in nationwide science search

Kevin Shen, an 18-year-old senior from Olympia High School (OHS), placed seventh out of 40 finalists in the nationwide 2025 Regeneron ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/21/25 | 2 comments

Susan McLaughlin is the newly appointed Community Planning and Economic Development director for Olympia. Olympia City Manager Jay Burney formally introduced her to the city council on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

Susan McLaughlin joins Olympia as Community Planning and Economic Development director

With a background in climate planning and emergency response, Susan McLaughlin joins Olympia to helm the Community Planning and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/21/25

Olympia's ADA Coordinator Tobi Hill-Meyer presented the city's accessibility strategy at the BPAC meeting on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Olympia uncovers 28,000 sidewalk barriers, works on accessibility improvements

The City of Olympia has had identified 28,000 unique sidewalk issues across 226 linear miles of streets, revealing a need for ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/20/25 | 13 comments

Surfrider event photos from a booth they hosted.

Help keep the streets clean, join Surfrider Olympia in picking up cigarette butts on March 22

In observance of World Water Day, the Surfrider Olympia chapter is holding its first cigarette butt cleanup of the year on ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/20/25 | 3 comments

What’s happening this weekend — Community Resource Fair, Dancing with the Eagles Open House and other festivities

Meet other people, join information sessions, and take the kids for a stroll this weekend in ... more

P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/20/25

Olympia Assistant City Manager Stacey Ray presented a proposed research framework on the Workers Bill of Rights at the Finance Committee meeting on Monday, March 17, 2025.

Saint Martin's University offers research support for Workers' Bill of Rights initiative

Saint Martin's University offered research support, as Olympia moves forward with the comprehensive research projects on the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/19/25

At the Finance Committee meeting held on Monday, March 17, 2025, Olympia City Manager Jay Burney outlined a grant funding proposal to help with permitting fees for affordable housing projects.

Olympia committee reviews a $500K grant program to boost affordable housing

The Olympia Finance Committee is tackling an affordable housing shortage with plans to introduce a $500,000 grant program and potentially prioritize the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/18/25 | 2 comments

Puget Sound Energy representatives and the Olympia School District Board of Directors took a photo together during a meeting on March 13, 2025.

Olympia School District’s partnership with Puget Sound Energy boosts energy savings

In the past two years of the Olympia School District’s (OSD) ongoing partnership with Puget Sound Energy (PSE), the district has saved more than 450,000 kilowatt hours in electricity and 35,000 … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/18/25 | 1 comment

At the Olympia City Council study session on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, Jaron Burke, climate program specialist, presented the one-time launch costs for implementing the Home Energy Score program.

Olympia reviews proposed ordinance requiring Home Energy Score for home sales

The Olympia City Council reviewed a draft regional ordinance that would require homeowners to obtain a Home Energy Score (HES) before listing their property ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/17/25 | 16 comments

Olympia School District Board Director Maria Flores, a survivor of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking, presented the Domestic Violence Leave policy at a March 13, 2025 meeting.

Domestic violence leave policy addressed by Olympia School District board

The Olympia School District (OSD) Board of Directors had the first reading of a Domestic Violence Leave policy on March 13. The policy, which is not a model policy from the Washington State … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/17/25

Mike Tucker, a volunteer with City Gates Ministries, hands a lunch bag to a homeless man on Feb. 13, 2025. “It’s one of the things we do to help the community,” he said.

Walking their faith

The catalyst that led to the creation of City Gates Ministries occurred in 1995 when Phil Prietto struggled with questions of his purpose and ... more

By JM Simpson | 3/14/25 | 2 comments

Dispute Resolution Center expands services

The Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) of Thurston County announced it has expanded its services to address and resolve ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/14/25 | 1 comment

The Olympia Family Theater’s Magic Curtain Mornings series undated poster.

Olympia Family Theater to host child-friendly theater 'Magic Curtain Mornings!'

Olympia Family Theater (OFT) will present "Magic Curtain Mornings!" on April 18, 25 and 26. The event will feature child-friendly ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/14/25

The Port of Olympia Commission listened to public comments at its Monday, March 10, 2025, meeting before voting on a contract amendment with Panattoni Development Company that would allow the developer to begin the development of a 50-acre industrial site. On the podium is resident John Saison, speaking about the number and quality of jobs to be expected from the project.

Port of Olympia Commission approves contract amendment with Panattoni

A proposed industrial development in Tumwater by Panattoni Development Company is one step closer to reality after clearing a ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/13/25 | 3 comments