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

Out-of-state union representatives show support for new Port of Olympia union as negotiations drag on

Out-of-state union representatives show support for new Port of Olympia union as negotiations drag on By Jerome Tuaño International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) representatives … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/31/23 | 2 comments

Dr. Joyce Gilbert of the Providence Abuse Intervention Center appealed for stronger community response as the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Doctor urges to better support needy families as county’s child abuse rate remains above state average

Stronger community response for needy parents and children is the best way to address child abuse prevention, said Dr. Joyce Gilbert of the Providence Abuse Intervention Center to the Thurston County … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/30/23 | 1 comment

Olympia approves 10 art pieces for the Traffic Box art project

The Olympia City Council on Tuesday approved the ten art designs which will be installed on traffic boxes around the city. Stephanie Johnson of the Parks, Arts, and Recreation department said … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/30/23

A comparison of the brains of 3-year-old children who experienced normal childhood and who experienced an abusive environment.

Thurston County's 2021 child abuse rate higher than state

Thurston County saw an increase in child abuse rate from 33.99 victims per 1,000 children to 36.22 per 1,000 children, according to the 2021 data. Gretchen Thaller of Thurston's Public Health - … more

By JC Medina | 3/29/23

Olympia Housing Program Specialist Christa Lenssen briefed the public on the Fair Housing assessment at the city council meeting held Tuesday, March 28. 2023.

Housing study shows higher displacement risk for protected groups that face discrimination

People of color, people with disabilities, transgender, and single mothers are at a higher risk of displacement and more likely to experience homelessness in Thurston County and face continuing gaps … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/29/23 | 1 comment

Tumwater Inn & Suites is located at 5895 Capitol Blvd SE

Tumwater Inn senior housing conversion project gets funding, potential improvements

Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce) awarded the Housing Authority of Thurston County (HATC) $6,909,400 to purchase and convert Tumwater Inn & Suites into housing for seniors, … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/29/23 | 1 comment

On Tuesday, March 28, 2023, Olympia City Council recognized 10 individuals who served on the advisory committees.

Olympia appoints 18 individuals for various advisory committees, celebrates 10 committee members’ service as their term ends

The Olympia City Council on Tuesday approved the appointment of 18 individuals who would serve in various city advisory committees. Councilmember Yen Hyunh, also the Community Livability and … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/29/23 | 2 comments

Lacey Finance & Economic Development Committee reviewed several budget amendments for  2023 during its meeting on March 28, 2023.

Lacey reviews 2023 budget amendments

Lacey’s Finance & Economic Development Committee reviewed several budget amendments for 2023 during its meeting on Tuesday, March 28. Finance Director Troy Woo said the amendments were … more

By JC Medina | 3/29/23

Ballots for Proposition 1 are set to mail on April 5.

Voter Information Forum, Wednesday, March 29, to focus on proposed Regional Fire Authority

Voters in Olympia and Tumwater are being asked to vote in a special election, April 25, on Proposition 1, to decide whether to merge their fire departments and create a new regional fire authority … more

By The JOLT News Staff | 3/28/23 | 7 comments

The Commission on Equity reviewed the recently held Black and African American Community Forum during their meeting on March 27, 2023.

Jackson scolds council, school officials’ absence on Black and African American Community Forum

Civil rights advocates and Lacey Equity Commissioner Thelma Jackson said she was disappointed that no one from the Lacey City Council and the North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) Board attended the … more

By JC Medina | 3/28/23 | 3 comments

Olympia's Economic Development Director Mike Reid spoke at the Social Justice and Equity Commission meeting on Monday, March 27, 2023. He seeks help from the commission to incorporate an equity framework on the LTAC policy update.

Creating a framework for equity and new events funding weighed for local tourism events

Olympia's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) is seeking the assistance of the Social Justice and Equity Commission to incorporate an equity framework in its policy update. At the commission … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/28/23

2022 opioid settlement: Three cities and county sign for shares of the funds

Lacey joined with Olympia, Tumwater and Thurston County when its city council agreed last Thursday, March 16, to to sign up for its share of a settlement from pharmacies and manufacturers involved in … more

By Jerome Tuaño and Danny Stusser | 3/24/23

New park to rise on old site of Trails End Horse Arena in Tumwater

A neighborhood park would soon arise on the former site of the demolished Trails End Horse Arena, according to plans discussed by Tumwater’s Park and Recreation Committee on Wednesday, March … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/24/23 | 2 comments

Olympia Civil Service Commission convened on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, and approved 20 new firefighters.

Olympia Fire Department registers 20 new firefighter candidates, gender imbalance noted

More than 400 individuals applied to the Olympia Fire Department (OFD), but only 20 made it to the entry-level firefighter (ELFF) register approved by the Civil Service Commission on Tuesday, March … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/23/23 | 6 comments

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee heard a proposal for rehabilitating the historic Joel M. Pritchard Building, which used to be the State Library, on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

Historic Pritchard building up for restoration and expansion

Washington State Department of Enterprises Services has proposed rehabilitating and expanding the historic 1958 Joel M. Pritchard Building to retain the character of the building while enhancing its … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/23/23 | 2 comments

Thurston County has received funding to replace the Green Cove Creek Culvert at Country Club Rd NW in west Olympia.

Salmon-friendly bridge on Green Cove Creek going forward after 2021 culvert collapse

Thurston County has received a $4.5 million construction loan from the Washington State Public Works Board to replace the Green Cove Creek Culvert at Country Club Rd NW in west Olympia. Public … more

By JC Medina and Sage Hamilton | 3/22/23

Olympia’s Deputy Fire Chief Michael Buchanan discussed the updated Comprehensive Emergency Plan at the city council study session held Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

Olympia Fire Department updates emergency plan

Olympia Fire Chief Todd Carson and Deputy Chief Michael Buchanan presented the updated Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), which provides a framework for response and recovery activities … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/22/23

The Olympia Planning Commission opened the public hearing for the proposed parking code amendment. Fourteen community members participated in the public process held Monday, March 20, 2023.

Olympia's proposal to reduce parking at new residences draws public outcry

The Olympia Planning Commission held a public hearing on Monday, March 20, to discuss proposed parking code amendments that would reduce parking requirements for residential uses, including for … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/21/23 | 8 comments

Traffic light with a sensor shown is representative of what the upgraded thermal traffic sensors will look like.

10 intersections at Lacey to have their vehicle detectors upgraded to work in all weather

Lacey City Council awarded a contract to City Electric Co. for the installation of new vehicle detectors at 10 intersections in the city during a meeting on Thursday, March 16. The detectors being … more

By Jerome Tuaño and Sage Hamilton | 3/21/23

Swantown Senior Manager TJ Quandt said that the preferred location for the Marine Waterfront Center is at a site near the marina.

Port settles on location of building the new marine center

The Port of Olympia Commission decided to place a mixed-use office building called the Marine Waterfront Center near the Swantown Marina on Monday, March 20. Port Commissioner Joe Downing was the … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/21/23 | 1 comment