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

Nurse Sara could not help but cry as she described the current situation of nursing staff shortage at Providence St. Peter Hospital during the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, December 13.

'Overwhelmed' nurses plead to county for help

With their eyes tearing and voices cracking, nurses appealed to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to ask for help and support for their hospitals’ staff shortage. Four nurses from … more

By JC Medina | 12/15/22 | 2 comments

A permanent supportive housing project is being proposed to be built along Franz Anderson in Olympia.

Tumwater allocates $275,000 from ARPA funds to Franz Anderson housing project

Tumwater city council agreed to allocate $275,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to a permanent supportive housing project located along Franz Anderson Road in Olympia during a … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/15/22 | 2 comments

The two trees in Tumwater are recognized by American Forests as the two largest American chestnut trees.

Tumwater Tree Board endorses two American chestnut trees for heritage tree status

Tumwater Tree Board endorses two American chestnut trees for heritage tree status By Jerome Tuaño Tumwater’s Tree Board endorsed to the city council the nomination of two chestnut … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/15/22 | 4 comments

Potential site plan for a manufacturing site to be used by Swire, a bottle for Coca-Cola.

Port moves forward with bottler lease despite public pushback

The Port of Olympia commission unanimously approved a 75-year lease contract with Swire, a Coca-Cola bottler, despite appeals from the public to postpone the vote during a meeting held on Monday, … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/14/22 | 9 comments

At the Olympia City Council meeting held Tuesday, December 13, 2022, OPD Chief Rich Allen presented a resolution creating a gun buy-back program, which gives incentive to people who relinquish their firearms to the police department.

Program giving monetary reward for surrendering firearms approved by the Olympia City Council

The Olympia City Council passed a resolution creating and implementing a gun buy-back program, compensating community members who will surrender their firearms to the Olympia Police … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/14/22 | 3 comments

Port sets boundaries for five new districts

The Port of Olympia commission adopted a resolution establishing the boundaries of the five newly formed districts during a meeting held on Monday, December 22. The public had voted in favor of … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/14/22 | 1 comment

The Port of Olympia’s citizen advisory committee met on October 18 to screen the first five applicants: Harry Branch, Shannon Glenn, Don Krug, Sue Patnude and Quentin Phillips.

Port confirms ten new citizen advisory committee members

The Port of Olympia appointed 10 new members for the Port’s Citizen Advisory Committee during a meeting held on Monday, December 12. The new members are: Harry Branch Bob … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/14/22

David Bayne is Thurston County's new Public Health and Social Services Director

Starting December 27, David Bayne will hold the helm of Thurston County's Public Health and Social Services. As the new director, Bayne will work on "developing new community partnerships on the … more

By JC Medina | 12/14/22

High-profile Port projects now require apprentices

Port of Olympia projects costing more than $1 million will now require the use of apprentices. The Port commission approved a resolution creating requirements for the utilization of apprentices as … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/14/22

The Olympia and Tumwater fire and emergency services infrastructure is the push of the plan for the proposed Regional Fire Authority.

Fire Benefit Charge public hearing on January 9, Olympia and Tumwater Regional Fire Authority planning committee

The Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee is slated to hold a public hearing focusing on the Fire Benefit Charge (RFA) on January 9. All committee members preferred holding the public … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 12/13/22 | 4 comments

At the Olympia Arts Commission meeting on December 8, 2022, Arts Program specialist Angel Nava presented the four selected artists for the 2023 Arts Walk Cover.

Olympia Arts Commission approves selected local artists for the 2023 Arts Walk Cover

The Olympia Arts Commission approved local artists selected by the art jury to be featured in the 2023 Arts Walk Cover. At an Arts Commission meeting held Thursday, December 8, Arts Program … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/13/22

The “Inspire Olympia” Cultural Access Program Ad Hoc Committee convened last December 6 for its “vision exercise meeting.”

Visioning Exercise for Cultural Access Olympia derives additional inputs for arts accessibility

The Olympia Cultural Access Program Ad Hoc Committee convened last Tuesday, December 6, for its third meeting labeled as a “vision exercise meeting.” According to the city’s … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 12/13/22

At the Olympia City Council meeting on December 6, 2022, councilmembers unanimously approved grants for five organizations.

Olympia City Council approves five art grants for 2023

Olympia's City Council approved the Grants to Arts and Culture Organizations (GACO) for 2023. The Arts Commission recommended five organizations to be funded - some of whom work with underserved … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/9/22

The community workgroup received a standing ovation from Olympia councilmembers for completing its work for the Reimagining Public Safety during the city council meeting on December 6, 2022.

Olympia community workgroup concludes Reimagining Public Safety work; city council accepts recommendations

The Olympia City Council, on Tuesday, December 6, formally accepted the community workgroup's recommendation for the Reimagining Public Safety project. The city council also recognized Strategic … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/9/22 | 2 comments

Procurement coordinator Katie Cunningham spoke to the Intercity Transit Authority to explain why it has to re-order the vehicles at a higher cost.

Intercity Transit purchases 28 trucks for Dial-a-Lift services, prices hiked from having to switch truck model

Supply chain issues and higher production costs have forced Intercity Transit to re-order 28 light trucks at a price 46% more expensive than the original cost. The Intercity Transit Authority … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/9/22 | 1 comment

Lots of fun winter and spring activities await Lacey residents!

Lacey’s playbook for winter and spring activities is now available online, the city’s Parks, Culture and Recreation Director Jen Burbidge said during the Board of Park Commissioners … more

By JC Medina | 12/9/22

The 2023 budget of the Intercity Transit Authority sets aside $182,704,240 for expenditures and projects $139,050,840 in revenues.

Intercity Transit Authority adopts 2023 budget

The Intercity Transit Authority adopted a $182.7 million budget for 2023 during a meeting held on Wednesday, October 7. The board adopted the operating budget of $86,923,723 and a capital budget … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/9/22

In a meeting held Thursday, December 8, 2022, the Olympia Arts Commission approved the modified design concept for the Martin Way and Pacific Avenue Art Crossing project.

Olympia Arts Commission approves sculpture concepts dubbed ‘tree’ and ‘roots’

Olympia Arts Commission approved the modified art pieces for Martin Way and Pacific Avenue Art Crossing project that was previously sent back following community members’ … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/9/22

City Engineer Aubrey Collier expressed Lacey’s interest in vacating a 40-foot unnamed right of way (ROW) along Rainer Road during the Transportation Committee hearing on December 6, 2022.

Lacey mulls letting go of a 40-ft unnamed road

Lacey expressed interest in relinquishing its interest in a 40-foot unnamed right of way (ROW) along Rainer Road during the city’s Transportation Committee meeting on Tuesday, December … more

By JC Medina | 12/9/22

Assistant County Manager Robin Campbell said the credit rating upgrade was good news during a public hearing held on December 5.

County’s credit rating gets upgraded

Thurston County earned an Aa1 credit rating, an upgrade from its prior Aa2 rating, from a Moody’s assessment released on Thursday, December 1. Moody’s, which provides information on … more

by Jerome Tuaño | 12/8/22