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

The city council approved the appointment of five individuals who would sit on the Salary Commission on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.

Olympia appoints 5 individuals for Salary Commission; councilmember calls for commission review

Olympia City Councilmember Dani Madrone requested the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee to review the city's code on Independent Salary Commission to update the ordinance within the … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/18/23

“I feel they've gone totally overboard,” Councilmember Joan Cathey says about the state’s Wildland-Urban Interface Code.

Tumwater halts tree code amendment process, new wildfire codes to consider

Tumwater has put a pause on its Urban Forestry Management Plan (UFMP) as the city prepares to adopt a new state building code that seeks to prevent wildfire spread. The UFMP seeks to update the … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/18/23 | 2 comments

While recognizing the city's ongoing efforts to Reimagine Public Safety, Mayor Pro Tem Clark Gilman appealed for an immediate alternative approach so that no people with mental health issues die in the hands of the first responders while Olympia is developing new solutions.

Olympia promotes minority mental health awareness this month

The Olympia City Council on Tuesday signed a proclamation designating July 2023 as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Olympia joined the National Alliance on … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/17/23 | 2 comments

You can now watch local government meetings with TCMedia's new streaming app.

TCMedia has launched an app for mobile streaming

Thurston Community Media (TCMedia) has launched a free app for watching TCMedia content and live streaming of local government meetings, community-created videos, and shows such as Mission Nonprofit. … more

7/17/23

The Thurston County Housing Authority is interested in purchasing the former OYO Hotel in Tumwater, above, and converting it into long-term housing for senior citizens and "neighbors with disabilities."

Plans to convert OYO Hotel into housing scrapped as new owner takes over building

Plans to convert the OYO Hotel into long-term housing for seniors and adults with disabilities have now been scrapped as the property has been acquired, Port of Olympia Acting Executive Director Rudy … more

By Danny Stusser and Jerome Tuaño | 7/14/23 | 1 comment

At the Site Plan Review Committee meeting held Wednesday, July 12, Olympia Associate Planner Lydia Moorehead provided a map of the transportation corridor on Martin Way.

Olympia committee reviews permanent supportive housing on Franz Anderson property

On Wednesday, the Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference on a proposal to build permanent supportive housing on Franz Anderson Road. Rob Deane of Encore Architects … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/14/23

At the Olympia City Council meeting held Tuesday, July 11, 2023, OlyMAP executive director Tye Gundel presented the operations plan for Tiny Home Village on Franz Anderson Road.

Olympia enters an agreement with Olympia Mutual Aid Partners to establish and operate Tiny Home Village on Franz Anderson property

On Tuesday, the Olympia City Council approved two resolutions regarding the establishment, operation, management, and maintenance of a tiny home village project on Franz Anderson Road. Housing … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/13/23 | 8 comments

The general government CFP has 39 projects with a projected total cost of $76.5 million, and the transportation CFP has 26 projects with a projected total cost of $82.9 million.

Tumwater’s Transportation Director briefs Planning Commission on General Government and Transportation projects

Tumwater’s Transportation & Engineering Director Brandon Hicks introduced the Capital Facilities Plan (CFP)’s General Government and Transportation project list to the Planning … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 7/13/23

The Thurston Regional Planning Council Transportation Policy Board received updates about moving the Rural Community Support Program Call for Projects schedule and the County’s latest Bicycle Map.

Thurston County presents new bicycle map, considering scheduling Call for Projects for 2024

Senior Planner Paul Brewster updated the Thurston Regional Planning Council Transportation Policy Board about the Rural Community Support Program Call for Projects schedule and the county’s … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 7/13/23 | 1 comment

Muslim community members posed with Olympia City councilmembers during the Muslim American Heritage Month proclamation on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.

Olympia proclaims July 2023 Muslim Heritage Month

The Olympia City Council signed a proclamation designating July 2023 as Muslim Heritage Month. At Tuesday's city council meeting, Dr. Amna Qazi of the Islamic Center of Olympia thanked the city … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/13/23 | 1 comment

Tumwater City Attorney Karen Kirkpatrick (lower left) explains to the city council why they need an Opioid Abatement Council subcommittee.

Tumwater joins county committee to monitor spending of opioid settlement funds

Tumwater will join a countywide committee to oversee the distribution of the second tranche of the national settlement funds from opioid manufacturers and distributors, which City Attorney Karen … more

7/12/23

At the Olympia City Council meeting held Tuesday, July 11, 2023, community member and musician Peter Connelly opposed the planned housing project on Fourth Avenue, saying that it would displace the local musicians using the space for their rehearsals

Olympia approves space for 50-unit affordable housing project

The Olympia City Council has approved a petition to vacate the alley referred to as the old Griswold building off Fourth Avenue between Adams and Franklin Streets that paves the way for a project to … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/12/23 | 4 comments

At the left table are (from left to right) Joanna Manson, District 5 candidate Troy Kirby, and Rose Chiu Gundersen and at the right table are Bill Moomau, Maggie Sanders, and District 5 candidate Sarah Tonge.

Port District 5 commissioner candidates emphasize providing living-wage union jobs and moving away from logging business

Two out of four commissioner candidates for District Five participated in a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters (LVW) of Thurston County in collaboration with Thurston Community Media. … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/11/23 | 5 comments

Capital Assets Program Manager James Sommer briefed the Port commission on the consultant agreement with Moffatt & Nichol.

Port hires firm to manage DOT grant for new maintenance facility and repairs

The Port of Olympia has chosen the administrator of a $9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Maritime Administration that will be used to support various construction … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/11/23

Olympia wants public input for comprehensive plan’s public participation chapter by July 20

Olympia is inviting community members to participate in an online survey that will be used to update the Public Participation and Partners chapter of the Olympia Comprehensive Plan. Available … more

7/11/23

Port District 4 commissioner candidates share their views

Commissioner candidates for the Port of Olympia's fourth district participated in a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters (LVW) of Thurston County in collaboration with Thurston Community Media. … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/10/23 | 2 comments

The Thurston Regional Planning Council approved the obligation of $1.06 million to five emission-reduction projects on Friday, July 7, 2023.

Thurston council approves five carbon-reducing emissions projects

Thurston Regional Planning Council member Clark Gilman wants to focus on smaller projects that can impact carbon reduction. On Friday, July 7, the TRPC approved awarding $1,066,615 in the Carbon … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/10/23

The classroom building would be located at 621 Linwood Ave near the administrative offices of Tumwater School District.

Tumwater grants permit to Tumwater School District for development of building for transition program

Tumwater’s hearing examiner, Andrew Reeves, approved a conditional use permit to the Tumwater School District on Monday, July 3, for the development of a 1,900 square foot classroom building at … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/7/23

Rick Walk is Lacey's new city manager

The Lacey City Council officially selected Rick Walk as the new City Manager during the Regular City Council meeting on July 6, 2023. The vote was unanimous to appoint Walk as the fifth City Manager … more

7/7/23 | 1 comment

Tumwater Transportation and Engineering Director Brandon Hicks (bottom left) briefs the General Government Committee on the additions to the next capital facilities plan.

Tumwater’s capital facilities plan to include 10 new additions

Tumwater’s General Government Committee discussed new additions to the general government and transportation components of the next iteration of the capital facilities plan (CFP) on Thursday, … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/7/23