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

Grace … Simple elegance, kindness, benevolence

Grace is not a word I use or even think of often. I am not positive I understood it’s meaning until I looked it up for this column…nor am I sure I understand it now. To me, grace is … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 10/16/24 | 2 comments

Olympia City Mayor Dontae Payne describes the interlocal agreement as historic as multiple government entities come together to restore Capitol Lake to its natural state.

Olympia City Council approves interlocal agreement toward restoring Deschutes Estuary

The Olympia City Council, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, approved an interlocal agreement with the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, the Squaxin Island Tribe, Thurston County, Tumwater, the … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/15/24 | 8 comments

Olympia seeks input on names for parks; public hearing is set for this Thursday

Before making recommendations to the Olympia City Councill, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee will conduct public hearings on Thursday, Oct. 17, regarding the proposed official naming of … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/15/24 | 4 comments

The Olympia School District (OSD) had a regular meeting on Thursday, October 10, 2024, for its Outcome 5 Monitoring Report. Discussed during the session are OSD’s energy-saving programs and food expenditure efforts.

Olympia School District energy-saving programs experience success,  food waste among state's lowest

Olympia School District reportedly saved $66,017 in energy costs over the past year, its board learned on Thursday, Oct. 10. The board also learned that the district's per-capita food … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/15/24

Sangh Jugal Thakor of Hindu Swayamsavak thanked the Olympia City Council for signing the first proclamation of Hindu Heritage Month at its Tuesday meeting on Oct. 8, 2024.

Olympia proclaims October 2024 Hindu Heritage Month

On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Olympia City Council proclaimed October 2024 as Hindu Heritage Month, recognizing the contributions of the Hindu-American community to the city's diversity and culture. … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/15/24 | 4 comments

Lucendy Perez (left) and Marin Collins (right) combine on a block. Both players were crucial for Evergreen’s win at Walla Walla.

Evergreen Geoducks tame Walla Walla Wolves in five-set thriller to avenge earlier loss

The Evergreen State College volleyball team organized a block party performance to survive a five-set win over Walla Walla University, 3-2 (25-22, 19-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-11) away from home last … more

By Vince Zafra | 10/15/24

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee hears a proposal to rebuild and expand Puget Sound Energy's Eld Inlet Substation.

Puget Sound Energy proposes rebuilding and expanding its Eld Inlet substation

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference to review Puget Sound Energy's plan to rebuild and expand its Eld Inlet substation at 1330 Kaiser Road NW. … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/14/24

Ray Larkin, We are Still Here, Photography

Leonor R. Fuller Gallery to host 16th Annual Native American Art Exhibition with guest curator

Anticipate the 16 th  Annual Native American Art Exhibition from November 4 to December 13 at the Leonor R. Fuller Gallery. The opening reception will be held on Friday, November 8, from 6 to 7:30 … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/14/24

Creative books by the Puget Sound Book Artists

In general, when we think of books we see a flat rectangle in our mind, sometimes bound in a pretty cover, or a soft bound. As children, we interacted with books differently. We might … more

By Amy Lewis | 10/14/24

Jennie Beth Banks tells the story of her own near-death experience that inspired her to create the On the Edge series.

Death comes to Olympia

"On the Edge – Perspectives on Death, Dying, Loss & Living" is a month-long series of programs, events and workshops led by various people from the local death-care community. more

Submitted by Glenn Harper | 10/11/24

The Senior Services for South Sound invites everyone to celebrate its annual fall gala with the theme “An Evening in Tuscany.” The gala will be held on October 26 from 5 p.m. onwards at the Olympia Senior Center.

‘An Evening in Tuscany’ gala to be held October 26, benefits go to seniors

Join the Senior Services for South Sound’s annual fall gala on October 26 from 5 p.m. onwards at the Olympia Senior Center. The gala, which benefits the senior center's needs, … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/11/24

Olympia City Council, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. The Olympia City Council unanimously approved two resolutions that opposed two ballot initiatives that would threaten the city's climate policies and efforts.

Olympia City Council opposes ballot measures that would negatively impact climate programs

The Olympia City Council voted unanimously to oppose two Washington state ballot initiatives that would threaten local and state policies to reduce greenhouse emissions. The two measures will … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/10/24 | 14 comments

Luke Fenner (left) holds trophy after winning the CBC League Match tournament, accompanied by Head Coach Russell Olsen.

SPSCC's Luke Fenner wins historic first golf league tournament for the Clippers

In a historic first for the South Puget Sound Community College golf program, Luke Fenner bested all 53 other participants in the men’s golf category to win the Columbia Basin College (CBC) … more

By Vince Zafra | 10/10/24

What’s happening next week– Olympia Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Harvest Craft Festival and other festivities

There is so much to celebrate in our locality—from nature to culture. Harvest Craft Festival & Food Drive, Weekend, October 11-12 The first-ever Harvest Craft Fair … more

10/10/24

On Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, the Olympia council chambers were packed with local workers and business owners who were voicing their opinions on the minimum wage and the Worker’s Bill of Rights.

Olympia workers plead for higher wages, business owners warn closures

The Olympia community is divided over a potential policy change on minimum wage and the Worker's Bill of Rights. Workers advocate for wage increases and improved conditions, while business owners … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/9/24 | 2 comments

Renowned sculptor Haiying Wu’s full-scale clay model of Nisqually leader and rights activist Billy Frank Jr. is nearing completion. The SPSCC campus has public access from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Billy Frank, Jr. statue for U.S. Capitol is a step closer to casting

The full-scale clay statue of Nisqually leader and rights activist Billy Frank Jr. is nearing completion, and the public is invited to view it at the artist’s workspace on the South Puget Sound … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/9/24 | 1 comment

This is Amy Geier, the Outreach and Development Coordinator for Concern for Animals.

Concern for Animals (CFA) – Toast for Tails Fundraiser

This week, Trish met with Amy Geier, the Outreach and Development Coordinator for Concern for Animals in their office located at 1414 State Avenue NE, Olympia, WA 98506. Amy is one … more

Trish Lynn and Thom Donitz | 10/9/24

Photo caption: Here is a comparison of the different school closure policies made by the parent organization OSD For All. The Olympia School District Policy 6000 series contains Policy 6883 about school closures.

Olympia School District's school-closure policy discussions resume, close this Friday

The Olympia School District (OSD) is opening a public comment period for its Policy 6000 Series after its s chool closure policy was found to have skipped an official first reading. The … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/8/24 | 1 comment

Olympia Council and Finance Committee member Clark Gilman expresses a preference to extend timeline on minimum wage and worker's protection bill, saying they need more time and the involvement of more voices.

Olympia defers conversation about minimum wage hike, worker rights, into 2025

The Olympia Finance Committee has outlined a new process focused on comprehensive community engagement for discussions on minimum wage and worker protections, set to begin in early 2025. … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/8/24 | 3 comments

Evergreen State College’s Jaydon Blackburn lead their men’s cross country team in the CCC Preview

Geoducks compete in cross-country preview in Portland

The Evergreen State College fielded its best cross-country student-athletes again in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Cross Country Preview Invitational held at Rose City Golf Course in … more

By Vince Zafra | 10/8/24