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

Lacey City Council holding monthly dinner meetings

The City of Lacey has started hosting monthly “dinner meetings” to discuss local issues without action being taken on any agenda items. On Tuesday, May 6, the Lacey City Council held … more

By Jessie Darland | 5/8/25

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) postponed a Tuesday, May 6, 2025, hearing on proposed affordable housing ordinance after notice requirements were found incomplete.  The new hearing date is Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Thurston County delays hearing on affordable housing over lapse on legal notification

Since the legal noticing requirements weren’t fulfilled, the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) postponed a scheduled public hearing on a proposed ordinance ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/8/25 | 1 comment

A map shows the 16 locations to be targeted by Tumwater’s annual pavement maintenance project.

Tumwater City Council awards $4 million contract for annual pavement repairs

The Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to sign a contract with Lakeside Industries Inc. for its annual pavement maintenance project ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/7/25

Prosecuting Attorney Jon Tunheim and his team attended the Thurston Board of County Commissioners meeting on May 6, 2025, for a proclamation on Therapeutic Court Month.

Thurston County celebrates milestones in drug, mental health courts with Therapeutic Court Month

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners officially proclaimed May as Therapeutic Court Month. During its meeting on Tuesday, May 6, the board recognized the … more

By JC Medina | 5/7/25 | 2 comments

The Olympia City Council entered into a one-year contract with OIR Group to provide independent civilian police auditor services on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Olympia City Council approves new civilian police auditor

After going years without a police auditor system, the Olympia City Council has strengthened its framework for accountability by approving a contract with ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/7/25 | 1 comment

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) rejected the recommendation to scrap equity and climate language in the draft Regional Transportation Plan on Friday, May 2, 2025.

Thurston Regional Planning Council rejects push to scrap equity and climate language from transportation plan

The Thurston Regional Planning Council rejected a recommendation to remove diversity, equity, inclusion, and climate language from its draft transportation plan ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/5/25 | 9 comments

At the Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Council member Dani Madrone warned that removing the equity language from the draft Regional Transportation Plan could have far-reaching consequences for the city and the region.

Thurston Regional Planning Council to weigh federal grant compliance in transportation plan

The Thurston Regional Planning Council is set to take action on Friday, May 2, on a recommendation to potentially remove references to equity and other federally targeted language ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/30/25 | 10 comments

Olympia Senior Planner David Ginther shared a map showing the city’s neighborhood centers, saying three of them are proposed to be removed. The Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) planners presented a proposal to overhaul neighborhood center policies to the Land Use and Environment Committee on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

Olympia planners propose changes to neighborhood center policies

Olympia city planners are proposing an overhaul of neighborhood center policies, recommending clearer zoning guidance, a new classification system for commercial zones, and the potential elimination … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/29/25 | 3 comments

The Lacey Commission on Equity announced at its Monday, April 28, 2025, meeting that the city will host its first-ever Pride-themed Night Market on June 13, 2025.

Lacey Commission on Equity announces Pride-themed Night Market

The Lacey Commission on Equity announced that the city will host its first-ever Pride-themed Night Market on June 13, as part of the city’s broader initiative to ... more

By JC Medina | 4/29/25 | 5 comments

BoCC Chair Tye Menser highlighted nine long-stalled jail expansion options as commissioners revisited the county’s jail capacity crisis during the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners work session on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

Jail expansion talks restart in Thurston County as inmate numbers climb

Facing the return of historic overcrowding at the county jail, the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) revisited a decade’s worth of expansion plans and facility options during … more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/25/25 | 6 comments

The Lacey City Council approved an increase to the city’s Human Services Grant Program cap, raising the maximum award from $35,000 to $50,000 for both public service and capital projects during its work session on April 22, 2025.

Lacey City Council raises Human Services Grant Program cap, aims for greater community impact

The Lacey City Council approved an increase to the city’s Human Services Grant Program cap, raising the maximum award from $35,000 to ... more

By JC Medina | 4/25/25

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Director Jennifer Freiheit and Housing Program Manager Thomas Webster addressed the board with updates on the Lived Experience Housing Steering Committee proposal during Thurston County Board of County Commissioners agenda setting meeting on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Thurston County seeks to close facilitation gap in housing experience committee

In an attempt to fill a role left vacant earlier this year, Thurston County is working to restart a $50,000 request for proposals (RFP) after its first round failed to find a facilitator for the … more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/24/25 | 1 comment

Olympia council votes to negotiate judicial services with Thurston County

In a unanimous decision, the Olympia City Council has directed staff to negotiate an interlocal agreement with Thurston County for judicial services. This step could potentially dissolve the city's … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/23/25 | 2 comments

At Olympia's Community Livability and Public Safety Committee (CLPS) meeting held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, the committee recommended moving forward with the OIR Group as the city's new civilian police auditor.

Olympia committee recommends new civilian police auditor

Olympia's Community Livability and Public Safety Committee (CLPS) has recommended moving forward with the OIR Group as the city's new civilian ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/17/25

Shelly Willis, Executive Director of Family Education and Support Services, distributed blue pinwheels, a national symbol of child abuse prevention, to council members during the Lacey City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

Child Abuse Prevention Month proclaimed in Lacey

The Lacey City Council unanimously passed a proclamation declaring April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month, emphasizing the community's collective responsibility to ... more

By JC Medina | 4/17/25

The Olympia City Council reviewed the capital facilities plan of the 2045 Comprehensive Plan at its study session on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Council member Clark Gilman said the CFP chapter does not adequately address the impacts of transportation infrastructure on greenhouse gas emissions.

Olympia City Council member challenges climate approach in capital facilities planning

Olympia City Council member Clark Gilman challenged the draft capital facilities chapter of the 2045 Comprehensive Plan, saying it does not go far enough in addressing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/16/25 | 7 comments

Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne on Washington’s Right-of-Way initiative funding: “If we don't continue to fund this, the folks that we have removed from those sites could end up back out. We need to make sure that doesn't happen and roll back all of the progress that we have made." The mayor made the statement at a council meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Thurston County poised to receive $5.5M for homeless encampment projects

Thurston Regional Housing Council is expecting a funding opportunity for Thurston County's Right-of-Way initiative following state budget allocations of ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/14/25 | 15 comments

Adria Buchanan, the Executive Director of the Fair Housing Center of Washington, expressed appreciation for the Fair Housing Month proclamation. She spoke at the Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Olympia City Council proclaims April as Fair Housing Month

The Olympia City Council signed a proclamation designating April 2025 as Fair Housing Month to highlight the continued importance of addressing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/11/25 | 2 comments

The Thurston Regional Housing Council approved a recommendation to award $950,000 for the Sterling Pines Housing project on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

Thurston Regional Housing Council OKs recommendation to award $950K for Sterling Pines housing project

The Thurston Regional Housing Council approved awarding the Housing Authority of Thurston County (HATC) $950,000 from the Opportunity Fund to finance ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/10/25 | 3 comments

City of Lacey Finance Director Troy Woo presented Lacey’s preliminary 2024 year-end financial report during a city council work session on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Expenditures rise due to labor costs, capital transfers in City of Lacey

The City of Lacey’s Finance Department presented its preliminary 2024 year-end financial report to the city council, highlighting a significant increase in expenditures and modest … more

By JC Medina | 4/10/25