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

Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) representatives met with the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) on Wednesday, October 2 to discuss a revision on the definition of the Less Restrictive Alternative Community Housing. On the photo is CPED Interim Director Ashley Arai (left) and CPED Associate Planner Ana Rodriguez (right).

Thurston County explores new definition for housing designated for sex offenders

A revision to the definition of Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) Community Housing is being eyed, Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) representatives said at a meeting on Wednesday, … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/7/24 | 5 comments

The brown-shaded areas of this map represent the parcels in Capitol State Forest that the county wants DNR to defer harvest on. According to BoCC, multiple community groups have "ground-truthed" these parcels.

County commissioners propose workgroup to 'plan the best way forward' for Capitol State Forest

The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) wants to create a stakeholder workgroup to “plan the best way forward” for Capitol State Forest, according to the board’s October 1 letter … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado and Jerome Tuaño | 10/7/24 | 3 comments

County proclaims Domestic Violence Awareness Month as cases surge

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners officially proclaimed October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, highlighting the persistent issue and ongoing efforts to combat domestic violence … more

By JC Medina | 10/4/24 | 1 comment

"... the whole purpose of being a landlord is to provide housing and services to people in exchange for rent," writes Priscilla Terry.

Olympia seeks community input this Tuesday about federal affordable housing grant

The City of Olympia will hold a public hearing in council chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 8, to gather community input on a proposed $5.45 million grant application for affordable housing initiatives. … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/4/24 | 3 comments

Jason Wettstein (top left), the city’s communications manager, briefed the Tumwater City Council on a resolution expressing the council’s disapproval of a state ballot measure that would prohibit the trade of carbon credits.

Tumwater council wants voters to vote no on Initiative 2117

Tumwater City Council adopted a resolution expressing its disapproval of a state ballot measure that, if passed, would prohibit the trade in carbon credits. The council unanimously voted to … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/4/24 | 9 comments

The Board of County Commissioners approved on-call service contracts for Capitol Land Trust, Center for Natural Lands Management, Ecostudies Institute, and Washington State University (WSU) Extension in Olympia on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

County hires contractors to implement habitat conservation program

The Board of County Commissioners approved the contract of four organizations to implement the county’s habitat conservation program. As part of the board’s consent agenda on … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/4/24

Olympia Finance Committee, Sept. 16, 2024. Olympia has made the minimum wage increase issue a priority, to develop an ordinance for city council consideration.

Olympia committee considers city minimum wage like Seattle's

The Olympia Finance Committee is developing a potential recommendation to the city council that would raise the minimum wage in the city as early as January 1, 2025. The committee deferred a … more

By Lorilyn Lirio and Danny Stusser | 10/3/24 | 9 comments

The Lacey City Council and the Thurston County Board of Commissioners convened a joint public hearing on October 1, 2024, to gather testimony regarding the proposed annexation of Draham Road and Cuoio Park North Island.

Lacey, County unanimously approve Draham Road - Cuoio Park Island Annexation

The Lacey City Council and the Thurston County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an interlocal agreement facilitating the annexation of Draham Road and Cuoio Park North Island. … more

By JC Medina | 10/3/24

The Tumwater Lodging Tax Advisory Committee met on Sept. 23, 2024, to review the applications of several organizations looking to receive lodging tax funds.

Tumwater awards lodging tax funds to 14 organizations

Tumwater City Council approved the distribution of this year’s lodging tax funds. As part of its consent agenda on Tuesday, October 1, the council adopted the recommendation of the Lodging Tax … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/3/24

The Washington Department of Enterprise Services met with Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners on Monday, September 30, 2024 for the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project updates. Photographed from left to right are Assistant Attorney General Dave Merchant, Project Director for the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project Ann Larson, project manager for the consultant team Tessa Gardner-Brown, and project director with the ECO Northwest Sarah Reich.

Thurston County receives updates on Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project

Representatives of the Washington Department of Enterprise Services (DES) updated Thurston County’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) about the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project at a … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/3/24 | 1 comment

The new 5th Avenue Bridge design includes an oculus—a large opening or hole in the middle of the bridge span—that allows visitors to observe the returning salmon and other aquatic life in the restored estuary.

Olympia City Council to vote on shared funding, governance for Deschutes Estuary project

The Olympia City Council reviewed a draft interlocal agreement for the Deschutes Estuary restoration project presented by the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services on Tuesday, October 1. … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/2/24

Experience Olympia & Beyond CEO Annette Pitts discussed the progress of the community-driven sustainable Master Destination Plan at a Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) work session on September 30, 2024.

Thurston County to implement Destination Master Plan tourism priorities next year

Experience Olympia & Beyond CEO Annette Pitts updated the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) at a meeting yesterday that priorities under Thurston County’s tourism-centered Destination … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/1/24 | 2 comments

County won’t be able comply with DNR directive regarding plans for Capitol State Forest

A draft letter from the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) to be sent to the Board of Natural Resources (BNR) states that Thurston County will not be able to produce a plan within the time given by … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado and Jerome Tuaño | 10/1/24 | 4 comments

Olympia Strategic Communications Director Kelly Braseth reports 26 vacancies across ten advisory boards and committees. The application process begins in October.

City of Olympia faces 26 vacancies across advisory boards; application process to open in October

Olympia will open the recruiting process in October to fill 26 vacancies in the city's ten advisory boards and committees for 2025. At the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/27/24

Real work begins now: Lacey's Commission on Equity celebrates Strategic Plan adoption

The Lacey City Council officially adopted the 2024-2030 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Strategic Plan, marking a significant step toward advancing equity in the city. The plan, … more

By JC Medina | 9/25/24 | 9 comments

Once the project has been finished, the restored estuary will extend two miles from Tumwater Falls to the Fifth Avenue Bridge.

Tumwater City Council reviews interlocal agreement for shared governance of Deschutes Estuary project

The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) presented to the Tumwater City Council on Tuesday, Sept. 24, a draft interlocal agreement for the Deschutes Estuary restoration project. Under the … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/25/24 | 5 comments

Olympia seeks consultant to review its 2045 Comprehensive Plan Update

Olympia is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to prepare a draft and final Environment Impact Statement (EIS) for its 2045 Comprehensive Plan update. The work will also include a review of … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/25/24

The slide shows Family Support Center's affordable housing project received an 80% exemption on fees, but still incurred over $500,000 in remaining fees.

Olympia proposes emergency declaration and strategies to address affordable housing crisis

At a Land Use and Environment Committee meeting on Thursday, city staff presented a proposal for an emergency declaration related to affordable housing, which aims to implement a series of strategies … more

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

The first phase of the project is referred to as upland work and involves the planting of riparian trees on the outer part of the site. The second phase will focus on the in-water features along 1,000 feet of Deschutes River and additional plantings.

Tumwater refocuses work to improve Pioneer Park’s shoreline

Tumwater is refocusing its work on stabilizing the shoreline of the Deschutes River as it passes Pioneer Park, a project that has been in the works since 2014. The erosion along Pioneer … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/24/24 | 1 comment

The left photo shows how the Martin Way Corridor looked when originally constructed in the early 1930’s. The Corridor was a part of the original highway system. The right photo shows what Martin Way looks like now as the county plans to turn the area from an automobile-dominated roadway to a more pedestrian-friendly road.

TRPC seeks proposals for the Martin Way Crossing Strategy study

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) is seeking proposals for a pedestrian crossing study of the Martin Way Corridor. The study aims to enhance safety and mobility through strategic … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/24/24 | 5 comments