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

Man driving car he just stole flags down police to ask for directions, police say

A man with multiple active Olympia warrants flagged down a police car to ask for directions while driving a stolen car last Tuesday. At about 4:30 a.m. on May 11, Mario Reyna, 39, flagged down a … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/19/21

This catalytic converter was partially sawn off a U-Haul truck on April 26.

Catalytic converter cutter caught in the act, police say

A good Samaritan walking to work at 2:47 a.m. notified Olympia Police of suspicious activity which turned out to be two men attempting to steal catalytic converters off of U-Haul trucks next to the 2 … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/18/21 | 1 comment

This is the hybrid live and online meeting of the Olympia School Board on May 13, 2021.

Olympia schools look towards fall re-opening, focus on students' emotional well-being

On Thursday, Olympia School District Superintendent Patrick Murphy shared with the board that the district will prioritize students' emotional well-being ahead of its fall reopening. The move is … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/17/21

This is an image of the exterior of the house registered to C Davis showing some of the material that the city has cited him for in the yard. May 14, 2021.

Rubbish: Failed candidate for county commissioner spot has battled City of Olympia for 21 months

A failed 2020 candidate for Thurston County Commissioner has claimed that the numerous City of Olympia rubbish citations written against him since August of 2019 are an act of reprisal for his … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/14/21

The word cloud above incorporates many of the issues to be addressed by the City of Olympia's new Social Justice and Equity Commission. Public meetings are set to begin May 22, 2021.

City of Olympia invites residents to virtual discussion about new Social Justice and Equity Commission

Olympia residents are invited to participate in a virtual public discussion next Sat., May 22 to help the City of Olympia shape its new commission that aims to promote social justice and equity in … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/14/21

This white bike might have some similar features to the one stolen, reported and recovered in Olympia on May 7, 2021. But that bike has yellow wheels.

Bicycle glides by as police were taking report of its theft

An alleged bike thief was arrested within moments of Olympia Police taking a report of its theft last Friday. On May 7, Charles Engle, 37, was spotted on State Ave NE by an OPD officer who had … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/13/21 | 1 comment

This is the knife Olympia Police say they found on Sherene Hartlett on May 6, 2021.

Street preacher attacked last Thursday, police say

A downtown street religious sermon was halted after police say a transient attempted to stab the gospel speaker with a knife last Thursday. Sherene Hartlett, 33, allegedly came into the crowd of … more

5/12/21

“Extremely dangerous” Ensign Road homeless camp resident arrested for felony assault

Olympia Police arrested a man who lives in his recreational vehicle on Ensign Road who was accused by two neighbors of assaulting a third neighbor there on May 7. Jesse Heal, 27, had allegedly … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/10/21 | 3 comments

The new branch of Olympia Timberland Library will open June 1, 2021 at Capital Mall. The closest entrance is shown above.

New West Olympia Timberland Library branch to open June 1

The many-years wait by west Olympia residents will be over two weeks from tomorrow, when Olympia Timberland Library opens a new branch inside of Capital Mall. The new branch will open on … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/10/21

Aluminum I-beam level used in felony domestic violence case last Thursday, police say

An Olympia man was arrested after allegedly beating his girlfriend with an aluminum I-beam level last Thursday. James McGreevey, 50, was arrested May 6 after hitting his common-law wife with the … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/10/21

A screenshot from the Olympia City Council's business meeting on Tue., May 4, 2021

Olympia City Council focuses on two projects toward solving four-year housing crisis

Olympia’s City Council focused on the continuing public health emergency of homelessness at its weekly meeting on Tuesday. During the May 4 meeting the council approved two resolutions … more

By JOLT Staff | 5/7/21 | 2 comments

Peter Davis, 45, at Capital Medical Center on Sun., May 2, 2021

Transient man sought refuge in hospitals, winds up in jail

A transient man was arrested for refusing to leave the Capital Medical Center last Sunday. Peter Davis, 45, had been voluntarily seen by a Designated Crisis Responder (DCR) on May 2 for concern … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/6/21

Assaulted once, arrested three times

In the past 30 days, a transient woman has been in contact with law enforcement four times, three times placed in jail for her actions. Wendy Adkins, 58, is a transient who was booked into the … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/6/21

Noping: The Shop is co-located with Dumpster Values in Olympia. This image, taken May 6, 2021, shows three windows that were broken in the past seven days.

Transient woman jailed after allegedly smashing glass door of downtown businesses

An Olympia Police officer on foot patrol encountered a woman who “appeared to be under the influence of some kind of substance” reaching into the broken front door glass of a downtown … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/6/21

Transient woman demands a house she claims city gave her

A transient woman was arrested yesterday after refusing to leave a property she said was “gifted” to her by the city and then proceeded to give two false names to Olympia … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/4/21

This is the vehicle McKenzie White says he recently purchased and in which White was allegedly found asleep, slumped over the steering wheel, early on May 4, 2021.

Driver found asleep at the wheel early this morning as car sat running at gas pump

Olympia police were called early this morning to investigate a suspicious vehicle idling for hours in front of a gas pump; once they arrived they found an intoxicated man passed out over the … more

By JOLT Staff | 5/4/21

This is the motorhome of Glenn Ingram II, according to Olympia Police.

Wheeler camp resident bites girlfriend, police say

A transient man living in the Wheeler Avenue houseless community was arrested last Thursday after repeatedly assaulting his girlfriend., police say. Glenn Ingram II, 51, was accused on April … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/3/21

This knife was taken by Olympia Police from Leslie Locker on March 29, 2021.

No plates, no drivers license, yes methamphetamine, yes weapons, no jail

Driving with no license plate and an invalid trip permit got a man pulled over and arrested by Olympia Police early in the morning last Thursday. Olympia Police pulled over Leslie Locker, 40, … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/3/21 | 3 comments

This is a view of an interior room at Gloryhouse Foursquare Church in Olympia after the fire was extinguished on May 1, 2021.

Fire at downtown church caught quickly, building saved

An Olympia police officer spotted a downtown commercial structure fire born out of a porta potty behind the building at 2:14 a.m. last night while responding to another dispatch call. Olympia Fire … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/1/21

This image shows the location of Delmonico's Heritage Butcher, 916 4th Ave East in Olympia.

Transient moons, police say

Denied entry to use a butcher shop’s bathroom, a transient proceeded to threaten the store owner as well as “moon” him on Wednesday just before noon. Andrew B. LaPierre, 36, on … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/30/21