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

RWD Landscape Architects came up with the draft of the preferred alternative after holding an open house that attracted around 50 residents.

Tumwater commission shapes preferred alternative for Trails End Park

The Tumwater Park and Recreation Commission discussed a draft for the preferred alternative of the programming and layout of a neighborhood park on Trails End Drive and 79th Avenue. RWD Landscape … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/24/23

Federal housing funds a little closer to Thurston County

The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) approved its 2023-2027 fair housing assessment on Tuesday, April 18, moving a step closer to securing funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/21/23

Expect to find this flag all around Olympia

Olympia proclaims April 2023 as Earth Month

The Olympia City Council, on Tuesday, April 18, signed a proclamation designating the month of April as Earth Month. Olympia has joined Governor Jay Inslee in proclaiming the entire month to be … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/21/23 | 1 comment

Olympia's assistant city manager Rich Hoey gave the city council a briefing on the public health conditions caused by homelessness.

Homelessness cited as grounds for Olympia to extend its public health emergency declaration

The Olympia City Council declared a continuing public health emergency, claiming that homelessness continues to present significant public health and safety issues for the entire community. The … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/21/23 | 3 comments

Frontage improvements along Trails End Rd and 79th Ave. include stormwater facilities.

Tumwater developing a roundabout on Old Highway 99 at 79th Ave

If you've ever tried to turn left onto Old Highway 99 from 79th Avenue and been frustrated by speeding traffic in both directions, you'll be glad to know that a roundabout is coming. The Tumwater … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/20/23 | 7 comments

Ad hoc committee member Mariella Luz discussed prioritizing and integrating equity in the program.

Olympia's Cultural Access Program ad hoc committee readies its recommendations

The Inspire Olympia Cultural Access ad hoc committee has completed creating the framework for the new program. One of its recommendations is to start simple and evolve with the community. At the … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/20/23

Tumwater City Administrator John Doan delivers his farewell remarks to the city council.

John Doan attends last Tumwater City Council meeting as city administrator

John Doan, who is set to retire after 13 years as Tumwater’s city administrator, gave his farewell remarks to the city council on Tuesday, April 18. Doan noted that the Tuesday meeting was … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/19/23 | 2 comments

Olympia asks for 3 minor changes in its support for joint plan with Thurston County

The Olympia City Council, on Tuesday, April 18, authorized Mayor Cheryl Selby to sign a letter of support for the adoption of the Olympia Joint Plan and request to the Board of County Commissioners … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/19/23 | 1 comment

The Olympia City Council approved a resolution recognizing the Olympia Firehouse 5, a nonprofit organization for retired firefighters, during the meeting held Tuesday, April 18, 2023.

Preserving fire service history, Olympia Firehouse 5 recognized for contributions to Olympia

The Olympia City Council has approved a resolution giving the designation of "Station 5" to Olympia Firehouse 5, a nonprofit organization of retired firefighters whose mission is to preserve fire … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/19/23 | 2 comments

At the Olympia Planning Commission meeting held Monday, April 17, 2023, seven commissioners approved the recommendation on parking code amendments, including zero parking space minimum for all housing developments.

Olympia Planning Commission approves zero parking space for new house developments

With a vote of 7-2, the Olympia Planning Commission approved the recommendation for the parking code amendments, including removing the minimum parking space for all residential developments, on … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/18/23 | 9 comments

Several students attended the meeting on Thursday, April 13 to thank the Olympia School Board for their extracurricular activity support.

Farming and robotics students laud Olympia School Board for extracurricular activity support

In the middle of discussions for the reduced educational plan, several students attended the meeting on Thursday, April 13 to thank the Olympia School Board. The students took their appreciation … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/17/23 | 1 comment

Port of Olympia commissioners and executive director are shown meeting on April 17, 2023.

Port commissioners express support for executive director in work session today

Today the Port of Olympia Commissioners addressed how to go forward with the issues around Port Executive Director Sam Gibboney and her leadership. In a Port of Olympia Commission Work Session … more

By Danny Stusser and Sage Hamilton | 4/17/23 | 4 comments

A bus stop with improvements after a renovation that includes a bulb-out to make embarking and disembarking from the front or back doors more accessible to riders.

Intercity Transit to receive federal funding to renovate bus stops

Intercity Transit will be receiving $1,825,950 in federal grant funding to renovate 145 bus stops, the agency announced on Tuesday, April 11. According to a press release from the office of U.S. … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/17/23 | 1 comment

The Olympia Parking & Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Advisory Board met on Wednesday, April 12, to finalize the Request for Proposals for the winter Makers Market Event.

Who wants to organize the next Winter Makers Market in downtown Olympia?

Olympia’s Parking & Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Advisory Board finished the final draft of the Request for Proposals (RFP) on Wednesday, April 12, for an entity to oversee the winter … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/17/23

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee heard a proposal for additional commercial buildings at a former Toys“R”Us property along Cooper Point on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.

Former Toys“R”Us property renovation and building proposal poses reorienting landscaping, adding a new commercial building

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference on a proposal to add a new commercial building at a former Toys“R”Us property at 1000 Cooper Point Rd SW. The … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/17/23 | 4 comments

This is a copy of the mailer sent to residents in Olympia and Tumwater during the week that ended March 31, 2023.

Olympia resident accuses city staff of producing biased RFA mailer, files complaint with Public Disclosure Commission

Robert Shirley, a private citizen of Olympia, filed a complaint against Olympia’s city staff with the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) on Wednesday, April 12, for using city resources to … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/14/23 | 5 comments

From the cover of the report by the Deployment Dynamics Group LLC

Olympia and Tumwater failed to correct Fire Benefit Charge errors identified by their quality assurance consultant

Deployment Dynamics Group (DDG) was hired to review the proposed Olympia Tumwater Fire Authority (RFA) database, which would be the basis for a Fire Benefit Charge (FBC) to be charged to Olympia and … more

By Lorilyn Lirio and Danny Stusser | 4/14/23 | 3 comments

Port Commissioner Amy Evans Harding unsuccessfully attempts to insert a discussion about Port Executive Director Sam Gibboney during a commission meeting April 10, 2023.

Port Commission halts public discussion regarding executive director’s performance review

The Port of Olympia Commission halted public discussion of Port Executive Director Sam Gibboney’s performance review during a meeting on Monday, April 10, in the wake of Commissioner Amy Evans … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/13/23 | 5 comments

LOTT Executive Director Matt Kennelly discussed the 2050 Master Plan at the LOTT Board meeting on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.

LOTT approves 2050 master plan that provides a roadmap to meet future wastewater capacity needs

The LOTT Clean Water Alliance Board of Directors on Wednesday approved the LOTT 2050 Master Plan, which outlines strategies to treat wastewater and meet future capacity needs in an adaptable and … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/13/23

City Administrator John Doan says there is no existing process to remove underperforming members of council-created bodies.

Tumwater proposes streamlining process to remove inactive commissions and members

Tumwater city staff proposed to the General Government Committee a resolution on Wednesday, April 12, to establish a uniform process for removing inactive members of commissions, advisory boards, … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/13/23