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

Housing Program Senior Specialist Anastasia Everett presented proposed 2026 CDBG funding allocations by subrecipient and program in Olympia at a Olympia Community Livability & Public Safety Committee meeting on May 27, 2026.

Committee recommends 2026 CDBG allocations plan to Olympia City Council

A proposed 2026 Community Development Block Grant funding plan is heading to the Olympia City Council after getting the green light from a local ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/3/26 | 1 comment

Members of the Olympia School District Board of Directors clapped for the new slate of student representatives during their oath of office at a meeting on May 28, 2026.

Olympia School District welcomes new student representatives

The Olympia School District Board of Directors swore in four student representatives for the 2026-27 school year at a meeting on ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 6/3/26

Japanese history

Japanese shipwreck survivors are known to have reached the Washington coast as early as the ... more

By David Scherer Water | 6/3/26 | 2 comments

A slide from Port of Olympia Executive Director Alex Smith’s presentation to the Port Commission on May 26 illustrates how much sedimentation is occurring at the north end of the shipping berths at the marine terminal.

Port commission approves $11.25M grant application for second warehouse, dredging

The Port of Olympia Commission voted 3-2 to approve a $11.25 million federal grant application with Maritime Administration ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/2/26 | 12 comments

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

Committee backs dozens of proposed amendments to Olympia Municipal Code

Dozens of amendments to the Olympia Municipal Code have been recommended by a committee in order to clarify development regulations ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/2/26 | 2 comments

The Olympia School District Board of Directors proclaimed June as Pride Month at a meeting on May 28, 2026.

Olympia School District proclaims June as Pride Month

The Olympia School District Board of Directors proclaimed June as Pride Month to declare support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 6/2/26 | 3 comments

Transgender and Pride flag markings at Columbia Street and Legion Way in downtown Olympia, as seen on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Planned intersection closure at 5th Avenue and Washington Street in Olympia

The intersection of 5th Avenue and Washington Street will be closed to thru traffic in order for Transgender flag markings to be installed on ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/2/26 | 6 comments

JOLT columnist Ira Wesley Kitmacher's "Olympia History and Haunted Walking Tours" begin on Friday, June 5, 2026.

'Olympia History and Haunted Walking Tours' start on June 5

The JOLT's own Ira Wesley Kitmacher, who writes our popular monthly "History's Hidden Mysteries" column (as well as many published ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/2/26

A 2024 citywide sidewalk inventory identified nearly 28,000 defects across 226 miles of sidewalks. During a Land Use & Environment Committee meeting on Thursday, May 28, 2026, city staff estimated that addressing all identified sidewalk repair needs would take roughly 250 years at current funding levels.

Olympia committee weighs shared responsibility for sidewalk repairs

Members of the Olympia Land Use & Environment Committee expressed tentative support for a proposal for a shared responsibility ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/1/26 | 12 comments

Mark Brown (SPSCC Board of Trustees), left, Harriette Bryant, Dr. Timothy Stokes (SPSCC President), Dr. Dave Pelkey (SPSCC Vice President for Student Services), Doug Mah (SPSCC Board of Trustees) and Wendy Bohlke.

SPSCC receives award for equitable education

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) received the ACT Impact & Success Award, which recognizes commitment to ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 6/1/26 | 4 comments

The Sandman tugboat, also known as Sand Man, as seen at Swantown Marina & Boatworks in Olympia on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

Olympia Heritage Commission discusses status of Sandman tugboat

Preserving the Sandman tugboat could involve using the wheelhouse as an interactive display, creating a 3D rendering and ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/29/26 | 15 comments

A public restroom located on 4th Avenue East between Adam and Jefferson Street Southeast in downtown Olympia has been closed for over a year. The public restroom, as seen on Dec. 25, 2025.

The tale of the toilet

Sometime between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day of 2025, a homeless man identifying himself as Henry pitched a small tent next to ... more

By JM Simpson | 5/29/26 | 8 comments

Utility work on Black Lake Boulevard in Olympia to start on June 1

A Puget Sound Energy utility project is going to impact traffic along Black Lake Boulevard in the City of Olympia for a large chunk of ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/29/26

Olympia's and Thurston County's grief — SS Valencia disaster

In last month’s column, I wrote about the USS Olympia and its fascinating history and folklore. This column focuses on another ship ... more

By Ira Wesley Kitmacher | 5/29/26

Olympia Regional airport runway located in a middle of a large wide open grass area.

Port steps back from Olympia Regional Airport’s updated master plan process

The Port of Olympia has decided not to continue the process for adopting the Olympia Regional Airport’s updated master plan ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/27/26 | 12 comments

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

Olympia committee to review slate of state housing legislation

The City of Olympia Land Use & Environment Committee is going to review new state housing legislation, including measures aimed ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/27/26

Olympia seeks contractors for affordable housing rehabilitation project

As part of its effort to preserve affordable housing, the City of Olympia is seeking qualified contractors to help rehabilitate a ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/27/26

Traffic signal to be upgraded at 4th Avenue and Plum Street in Olympia

A nighttime traffic improvement project is going to impact a downtown intersection over the next few ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/27/26 | 4 comments

Local student leaders and organizations honored with statewide awards

Students and organizations from Olympia and Lacey were recognized at the Washington Association of School Administrators ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/26/26

Inspire Olympia aims to make arts, culture, science, and heritage accessible to the public

Olympia committee to review nearly $4.85M in cultural funding recommendations

The City of Olympia Cultural Access Advisory Board (CAAB) is recommending nearly $4.85 million in Inspire Olympia funding after ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/25/26 | 9 comments