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

South Bay Fire District 8, formally known as Thurston County Fire Protection District #8, serves the northernmost points of Thurston County, north of 26th Avenue, north of Olympia and Lacey.

Fire district serving areas north of Lacey and Olympia seeking individuals to serve on pro and con committees – by next Monday

This August, voters … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/4/23

Lacey drafts 20-year financial plan for Regional Athletic Complex

The Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation Board reviewed the recent updates on the 20-year draft financial plan for the Regional Athletic Complex (RAC). During a public meeting on Wednesday, May … more

By JC Medina | 5/4/23

Did organizational dysfunctions lead to the failed proposition to create a regional fire authority?

In a Reader Opinion piece published in The JOLT on Monday, “Questions after a landslide (election),” John Gear raised appropriate questions about what he called the “crushing” … more

Submitted by Larry Dzieza | 5/4/23 | 8 comments

Tenino’s former utility clerk ‘misappropriated’ at least $22,800, State Auditor finds

Tenino’s former utility clerk is found to have misappropriated $22,783 between September 2016 and December 2019, according to an investigation report released by the Washington State Auditor on … more

By Jerome Tuaño and Danny Stusser | 5/3/23

County proclaims Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) officially proclaimed May as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. The BOCC said it is committed to recognizing all AAPI … more

By JC Medina | 5/3/23

Intercity Transit hosts 36th Annual Bicycle Community Challenge this month

Intercity Transit is hosting the Annual Bicycle Community Challenge in Thurston County this month. Bicycle Commuter Challenge Coordinator Duncan Green said the 36-year-old event is the … more

By JC Medina | 5/3/23

At the Olympia Planning Commission meeting held Monday, May 1, 2023, the commissioners unanimously approved the minority report, which contains dissenting opinions of those who did not support the zero-parking requirements. The report would be submitted along with the OPC recommendation to the city council.

Olympia Planning Commissioner would delay implementation of the zero-parking ordinance

Olympia Planning Commissioner Carole Richmond has proposed a one-year delay in implementing the parking code amendment under consideration to allow the necessary time to address any issues and … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/2/23 | 7 comments

A slide from the Port’s September 2022 presentation shows areas of Budd Inlet where dredging would occur.

Port of Olympia secures state funding for Budd Inlet cleanup project

The Port of Olympia secured a total amount of $8.45 million from the 2023-25 state capital budget for the cleanup of Budd Inlet. The state legislature approved the budget on Sunday, April 23, and … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/1/23 | 1 comment

At a meeting held Thursday, April 27, 2023, the Land Use and Environment Committee heard community members' opinions on the zero parking proposal.

Olympia community members repeat their opposition to a zero-parking proposal

Olympia community members used the public comment platform at Tuesday's Land Use and Environment Committee meeting to reiterate their opposition to the Planning Commission's recommendation to remove … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/28/23 | 8 comments

The Land Use and Environment Committee approved the zero-parking proposal at its meeting held Thursday, April 27, 2023.

Olympia committee approves zero-parking proposal

On Thursday, Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee approved the Planning Commission's recommendation to amend the zero minimum parking proposal on residential with instruction to the staff to … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/28/23 | 6 comments

Olympia committee nominates 7 for cultural heritage awards

Olympia Heritage Commission vice chair Garner Miller unveiled this year's Heritage Award nominees, most of whom contributed to the city's music culture, at the Community Livability and Public Safety … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/27/23

Tumwater and Olympia voters rejected the proposed regional fire authority in the April 25, 2023 election, with 11,396 votes (63.68%) against 6,500 votes (36.32%).

Voters say no to regional fire authority

Olympia and Tumwater voters overwhelmingly rejected their cities’ proposition to divest their fire departments and merge them into a regional fire authority (RFA) as more than 63 percent of … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/26/23 | 8 comments

Anastasia Everett, Olympia's CDBG specialist, updated the Olympia Planning Commission on the proposed projects to be funded by the CDBG program on Monday, April 17, 2023.

Olympia committee wants to fund energy audits with city's federal funding

Olympia plans to include energy auditing in its rental rehabilitation projects funded by the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) it receives. Anastasia Everett, Olympia's CDBG … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/26/23

Lacey Youth Council Mayor Justin Begley urged North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) to revisit its safety protocols and hear student concerns following lockout incidents at Timberline High School.

Lacey Youth Council says local schools are not prepared to keep children safe

Lacey Youth Council Mayor Justin Begley urged North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) to revisit its safety protocols and hear students’ concerns following lockout incidents at Timberline High … more

By JC Medina | 4/25/23 | 3 comments

This is the Washington State Legislative Building, as seen from Capitol Lake, photographed on May 5, 2017

State allocates $7 million for Deschutes Estuary restoration project

The Washington state legislature allocated $7 million for the Deschutes Estuary restoration project as part of its 2023-2024 operating budget, which Congress passed on Sunday, April 23, before … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/25/23 | 3 comments

Nodal development concept of the Martin Way corridor. The Olympia City Council held a study session to discuss the Martin Way corridor development.

Regional planning council urges collaboration for Martin Way strategy

The city council was urged to seek collaboration with other jurisdictions to promote growth on the Martin Way corridor in Tuesday’s Olympia City Council study session. To prioritize regional … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/25/23

The Lacey Commission on Equity (COE) unanimously approved to recommend the Advisory Board Stipend Program to the Lacey City Council during the April 24, 2023 public meeting.

Lacey Equity team pushes for stipend program for advisory boards, commissioners

The Lacey Commission on Equity (COE) unanimously approved recommending the Advisory Board Stipend Program to the Lacey City Council. During the commission’s meeting on Monday, April 24, … more

By JC Medina | 4/25/23

Ballots being sorted, photo November 7, 2022.

Ballots due today in Olympia and Tumwater as voters decide on Proposition 1, proposed regional fire authority

As of 3 p.m. Monday, April 24, some 12,081 voters, or about 22.4 percent of registered voters have cast their ballots for or against Proposition 1, which would create a new regional fire authority … more

By The JOLT Staff | 4/24/23

The retreat center, which is owned by a group of churches, is located on approximately 28 acres of land, with 7.5 acres currently zoned as High-Density Residential.

Lacey to decide on rezoning Gwinwood Retreat Center

Lacey is currently considering a request to rezone the Gwinwood Retreat Center from High-Density Residential to Open Space Institutional. Planning Manager Ryan Andrews said a public hearing would … more

By JC Medina | 4/24/23 | 1 comment

The water resources department would rent three rooms with a combined floor space of 2,400 square feet in the natural sciences building of South Puget Sound Community College.

Tumwater’s water resources department moving to office in South Puget Sound Community College

Tumwater’s water resources and sustainability department is moving out of city hall and into a rental space at South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC), Department Director Dan Smith … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/24/23