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

Lacey City Council deliberated about adding an appeal process to the revised sponsorship policy of the park department.

Lacey revises sponsorship policy for park programs and facilities

Lacey revises sponsorship policy for park programs and facilities “A more comprehensive and standardized evaluation process” for reviewing such sponsorships By Jerome … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/8/23 | 2 comments

A 19-foot four-sided box culvert would replace the existing culvert on the crossing of Sapp Road and Percival Creek.

Tumwater replacing culvert on Sapp Road for safe salmon passage; seeks grant

Tumwater is seeking a $2.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to fund the replacement of a culvert on the crossing of Sapp Road and Percival Creek, thus allowing better … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/8/23

Olympia senior planner Joyce Phillips discussed the significant increase of permitted accessory dwelling units in the low-density neighborhood at the Planning Commission meeting held Monday, March 6, 2023.

Last year Olympia was only halfway to their goal of 700 residential homes built

Less than half of the city's goal to build 700 units a year was met with only 350 permitted residential units issued in 2022, Community Planning and Development Director Leonard Bauer said at the … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/7/23 | 2 comments

At a Sea Level Rise Response Collaborative-Executive Committee meeting held Friday, March 3, 2023, Olympia assistant manager Rich Hoey and former Olympia Water Resource Director Eric Christensen discussed the record King Tide that occurred last December 27.

University of Washington climate researchers to evaluate the 2022 King Tide event

The University of Washington's Climate Impacts Group is doing an analysis of the record-breaking King Tide that flooded downtown last December. At a Sea Level Rise Response Collaborative-Executive … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/6/23 | 1 comment

Thurston County Climate Mitigation Senior Program Manager Rebecca Harvey thanked the climate youth activists as she laid out the ongoing implementation of the county’s climate plan during the Board of County Commissioners’ meeting on Feb. 28, 2023.

Following protest, Thurston Climate Plan head thanks youth activists, lays out county's actions on climate change

Thurston County leaders appreciate the climate youth activists who staged a die-in protest during the previous Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting on February 14, according to Climate … more

By JC Medina | 3/3/23 | 2 comments

Dogs need exercise all year round: even in harsh weather.

Indoor dog park proposed at an old warehouse on Cherry Street in Olympia

The Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee, on Wednesday, March 1, heard a project proposal of establishing an indoor dog park and retail space in an old warehouse at 511 Cherry Street, SE. In the … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/3/23

Lacey Police Chief Robert Almada stated on what's driving the crime trends in the city is the legislative reform or "highly restrictive pursuits laws."

Preliminary report shows Lacey saw increase in crimes against people in 2022

Lacey Chief of Police Robert Almada said the city saw a 14.5% increase in reported crimes against people and a 4.5% increase in crimes against property in 2022, adding that there is an increase in … more

By JC Medina | 3/2/23 | 3 comments

File photo of County Commissioner Carolina Mejia.

As Thurston proclaims Women’s History Month, Edwards says Mejia brings ‘civility’ to the board

The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) officially proclaimed March as Women’s History Month. Before formally reading the proclamation, Commissioner Gary Edwards stepped in and shared his … more

By JC Medina | 3/2/23

On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, the Olympia Site Plan Review Committee heard a proposal for food trucks and a drive-thru coffee shop on a property at 1400 Bethel Street NE.

Developer looking to swap an old gas station for food trucks at 1400 Bethel St in Olympia after contamination cleanup

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference on a proposal to put up temporary food trucks and a coffee shop on a property at 1400 Bethel Street NE. At the committee … more

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

Tenino investigating officer with troubled history

The City of Tenino is investigating an officer it hired last year after a KING5 investigation revealed that he was once fired for repeatedly using excessive force on suspects. Mayor Wayne Fournier … more

By Julia Ornedo | 3/2/23 | 3 comments

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders during the January 29, 2023 town hall. Sanders said the incident “exposed a number of substantial flaws” in handling less restrictive alternative residences.

Supreme Living scraps planned sex offender housing in Tenino

Supreme Living LLC, a provider of residential behavioral health services, has announced that it would no longer proceed with the plan to provide supportive housing services for sex offenders in the … more

by Julia Ornedo and JC Medina | 3/1/23

The Simmons 4 precinct would be split into Tumwater 3 and Tumwater 10, with Linwood Avenue marking the division.

Thurston County repeals 7 election precincts, creates new

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted 2-1 to approve an ordinance updating the boundaries of 13 election precincts due to the annexations Tumwater and Lacey did of … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/1/23

Lacey Equity Commissioner Thelma Jackson mentioned that she is willing to give the students a talk about Black History, but no one from the school board has invited her yet, especially during Black History Month in February.

Lacey’s Equity team grills school officials on equity efforts

Civil rights advocate and Lacey Equity Commissioner Thelma Jackson raised concerns that there seemed to be a discrepancy between the equity efforts laid out by North Thurston Public Schools … more

By JC Medina | 3/1/23 | 3 comments

At the Olympia City Council work session held Tuesday, February 28, 2023, Olympia's Parks, Arts and Recreations Department Director Paul Simmons gave an overview of the new proposed aquatic center project.

Olympia's Parks department wants expanded study on the aquatic facility; council shy to give directions

Olympia councilmembers are hesitant to take action on the proposal for the aquatic facility, which the Parks department recommended to expand the project’s feasibility study into developing a … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/1/23

Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) assistant planner Casey Mauck presented the annual climate mitigation measures report at the Climate Action Steering Committee meeting on Monday, February 27, 2023.

Thurston County sees a 4% greenhouse gas emission increase over the pandemic levels, still below pre-pandemic levels

After a steep drop in 2020, Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) assistant planner Casey Mauck said they saw a 4% increase in greenhouse gas emissions as the community rebounded after … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 2/28/23 | 1 comment

An electric vehicle is charging somewhere in Thurston County right now.

Energy Savings Program authorized by Port of Olympia, first project considered is capacity for vehicle electrification conversion

The Port of Olympia Commission authorized Executive Director Sam Gibboney to sign an agreement with the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) to provide the Port with project management and support … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/28/23

Current Olympia Poet Laureate Ashly McBunch (2nd from left) holding a workshop.

Olympia seeking new Poet Laureate to promote climate change awareness

Olympia is accepting applications for a Poet Laureate in its efforts to engage the community in the literary arts. “Olympia’s take on the position of Poet Laureate is less an honorary … more

2/28/23 | 1 comment

Principal Planner Nicole Floyd briefed Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee on the proposed amendments relating to the use of reasonable use exceptions.

Proposed amendments to Reasonable Use Exception Code in Olympia presented at another committee

After being recommended by the Planning Commission, Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee recommended to the city council amendments to the municipal code relating to the application of … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/27/23

Lacey Museum is facing a staff shortage, revealed Lacey Museum Curator Erin Quinn Valcho.

Lacey Museum still faces staffing challenge, with upward trend on visitors

Staffing challenges continue to affect Lacey Museum operations despite it being open all year in 2022 following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Lacey Museum Curator Erin Quinn Valcho laid out … more

By JC Medina | 2/27/23

LIHI staff already operate the former Days Inn as a shelter and several individuals already reside there.

Contamination from drug manufacturing to delay transfer of more homeless to former Days Inn

Following the contamination from previous drug manufacturing, the plan to convert the Days Inn motel into a shelter for the homeless might be postponed until May this year, said Planning Commissioner … more

By JC Medina and Danny Stusser | 2/23/23 | 9 comments