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

A map of the multimillion-dollar Fones Road Corridor Project in Olympia.

Nighttime paving work to begin on Fones Road in Olympia

Some heavy lifting is going to take place this week along Fones Road in Olympia, as work crews will demolish existing pavement from Pacific ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 7/14/26 | 2 comments

Rowers on the SLAP Dragons KC Dragon Boat Team rested after completing their first qualifying row.

Dragon boats play on the water

For the third year in a row, the Olympia Dragon Boat Club hosted the Olympia Dragon Boat Festival at Port Plaza on July ... more

By JM Simpson | 7/14/26 | 2 comments

Olympia City Hall is located at 601 4th Ave. E in downtown Olympia.

City of Olympia to restart workers’ affordability and protections initiative

The City of Olympia is set to restart its workers’ affordability and protections initiative after the effort was paused during the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/13/26 | 6 comments

The "By Name List," as seen at "The Jungle" homeless encampment in Olympia.

Accountability, transparency key in effort to close 'The Jungle'

In July 2025, officials from the cities of Olympia and Lacey toured "The Jungle," a homeless encampment located between Martin Way and ... more

By JM Simpson | 7/13/26 | 10 comments

Marj Yung Park, formerly known as Kaiser Woods Park, in Olympia.

Hearing examiner approves mountain biking park project at Marj Yung Park in Olympia

A proposed mountain biking park at Marj Yung Park is another step closer to the construction stage after a conditional use permit was ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/10/26 | 7 comments

Bigelow Park is located at 1220 Bigelow Ave. NE in Olympia.

Bigelow Park playground in Olympia to close for surfacing work

Surfacing work will shut down the Bigelow Park playground in Olympia beginning on ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/10/26

Franz Anderson Village is located at 528 Franz Anderson Road in Olympia.

Funding approved for Franz Anderson Village in Olympia

The Olympia City Council approved two resolutions in support of continued operations at a low-barrier shelter and a services program for ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/8/26 | 4 comments

Olympia murder suspect dies after suffering medical emergency in custody

A 26-year-old man wanted in connection with an alleged homicide in Olympia died after suffering a medical emergency shortly after being arrested ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 7/8/26

An aerial view of "The Jungle" homeless encampment in Olympia, as seen in January 2026.

Olympia mayor addresses 'The Jungle' encampment transition plan

As a regional transition team moves forward with a phased approach to close “The Jungle” encampment in Olympia, Mayor Dontae ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 7/7/26 | 10 comments

Representatives of Thomas Architecture Studios present a rendering of the proposed Via Susina mixed-use development at the Casa Mia restaurant site in downtown Olympia. The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a pre-submission conference on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Casa Mia site eyed for mixed-use development in Olympia

A proposed mixed-use development at the Casa Mia restaurant site could bring up to 56 apartments and commercial ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/6/26 | 6 comments

Flags sit atop Olympia City Hall on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.

Olympia looking to bring EV charging stations to multifamily, affordable housing properties

The City of Olympia is seeking applications from multifamily property owners interested in installing electric vehicle charging ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/3/26 | 3 comments

Quince Street Village is a temporary housing site that helps reduce human suffering and the impacts of unmanaged camping in downtown Olympia.

Funding, lease approved for Quince Street Village in Olympia

The Olympia City Council approved two resolutions to continue operations at the Quince Street Village, authorizing a lease ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/2/26 | 7 comments

The voting window has opened for the 2026 Percival Plinth Project at Percival Landing in downtown Olympia.

Public voting opens for 2026 Percival Plinth Project

Olympia residents are invited to help shape the city’s public art collection by voting for their favorite sculpture in the 2026 Percival Plinth ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/1/26 | 6 comments

Ezee Fiber is seeking a master use permit to build its own underground fiber optic network. The Olympia City Council held a public hearing about the application on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

Public hearing held for Ezee Fiber’s proposed fiber optic network in Olympia

The Olympia City Council held a public hearing on a request from Ezee Fiber to build an underground fiber optic network in the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/1/26 | 2 comments

Sidewalk replacement work at the intersection of 4th Avenue and Plum Street in downtown Olympia, as seen on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. More road improvement work is scheduled in the area starting on July 6, 2026.

Roadwork planned around 4th Avenue and Plum Street in Olympia

A weeklong road improvement project will make navigating an area around 4th Avenue and Plum Street in Olympia a bit trickier next ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/1/26 | 1 comment

Island Joy Mart owner Joyleen Haser shows off some clothing from her store at 2747 Pacific Ave. SE Suite A6 in Olympia.

Island Joy Mart brings taste, cultural connections from the Pacific Islands

A new Olympia grocery store is helping bridge the distance from home by offering familiar island staples, clothing and traditions from across the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/30/26 | 3 comments

Spectators watched the Egypt vs. Iran 2026 FIFA World Cup match on an LED screen at sunset on Friday, June 26, 2026.

Pride celebrated on final day of Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone

The Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone came to a close with a celebration of Pride Month and the screening of two 2026 FIFA World Cup matches ... more

By Keyan Gregoire-James | 6/30/26 | 9 comments

The Olympia School District Board of Directors approved the 2026-27 school year budget at a meeting on June 25, 2026.

Olympia School District board approves 2026-27 spending plan

The Olympia School District Board of Directors formally approved the 2026-27 academic year budget with the adoption of ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 6/30/26

Bus pad work to impact streets in east side of Olympia

The installation of bus pads for Intercity Transit is going to impact traffic in an east side neighborhood in ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/30/26 | 1 comment

The Olympia City Council shared photos of Harriet Rambo, 12, who served as Olympia’s Mayor for a Day on May 29, 2026. Rambo was recognized by the city council at a meeting on June 23, 2026.

Harriet Rambo recognized as Olympia’s Mayor for the Day

A 12-year-old girl from Jefferson Middle School served as the City of Olympia's 2026 Mayor for the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/29/26 | 3 comments