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

POCAC reviewed the application of five new candidates during a November 8 meeting.

Port citizens’ committee reviews prospective members

The Port of Olympia Citizens Advisory Committee (POCAC) interviewed five more potential members during a meeting held Tuesday, November 8. The committee had reviewed five members back in October, … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/10/22

Ballot batches being counted and sorted into precinct

How safe are elections in Thurston County?

The ballots from yesterday’s general election are being tallied, and the Thurston County Auditor’s office is posting unofficial results. more

By Sage Hamilton | 11/9/22 | 2 comments

County holds hearing on homeless encampments

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners held a Public Hearing on Tuesday, November 8, to discuss the emergency housing ordinance code amendment concerning homeless … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/9/22 | 2 comments

Electricity demands for the distribution of water were the biggest source of GHG emissions.

Tumwater’s greenhouse gases have gone down 70%, however total emissions are still up 3% in 2021

Tumwater’s net emissions for greenhouse gases (GHG) fell to 70% from 2015 to 2021, according to a report prepared by the city’s Green Team. Sustainability coordinator Alyssa Jones … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/9/22 | 1 comment

Olympia Climate Program manager Dr. Pamela Braff briefed Planning commissioners on EV-ready parking space requirements in a meeting held on November 7, 2022.

Electric vehicle parking code amendments discussed by Olympia Planning Commission

The Olympia Planning Commission discussed the eventual code amendments of parking spaces for new developments to accommodate electric vehicle (EV)-readiness. At a commission meeting held Monday, … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 11/9/22 | 1 comment

November 11 is Veterans Day

November 11 is Veterans Day, county proclamation honoring veterans and their families By Lorilyn C. Lirio Honoring the American patriots who answered the call of duty to protect the nation and … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 11/9/22

The Lacey Civil Service Commission plans to connect with other jurisdictions with civil service examiners and secretaries and see how they were incorporating similar language regarding their roles.

Lacey discusses proposed changes in civil service roles

The City of Lacey’s Civil Service Commission (CSC) conducted a hybrid meeting on Monday, November 7, to discuss proposed changes to the duties of the chief examiner and civil service … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/9/22

Olympia Finance Director Aaron BeMiller presented an example of how much a property owner would pay with a combined levy rate of $2.27 per $1,000 AV. The Olympia City Council approved the ordinance setting ad valorem tax for the 2023 budget on November 1, 2022.

Olympia City Council approves with a 2.3% ‘excess tax’ levy increase for 2023

At the city council meeting, Tuesday, November 1, Olympia Finance Director Aaron BeMiller said the property tax revenue that the city plans to collect in 2023 is a 2.3% increase from 2022 and is … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 11/8/22

Local voting pamphlets and ballots are already arriving for General Election for Thurston County.

Follow the Thurston County election debates

Thurston Community Media (TCMedia) has teamed up with the League of Women Voters to bring us local candidate forums videos and coverage. Scroll down for one-click access to seven … more

By Sage Hamilton | 11/7/22 | 2 comments

Olympia seeks members for new cultural advisory committee

Olympia is accepting applications for its new Cultural Access Advisory Board. The new committee will be comprised of nine members who will give recommendations to the city council that will lead … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 11/7/22

The current work is the second stage of a two-phase project on 111 Pattison St NE. The first phase, completed in 2021, included a five-story residential building and a shelter.

Martin Way Affordable Housing Phase 2 passes review

The Olympia Design Review Board held its virtual meeting for a Detail Design Review of the Martin Way Affordable Housing project on Thursday, November 3. According to the board’s staff … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/7/22

Olympia's Site Plan Committee reviewed the project proposal for multifamily housing at 3714 Royal Street SE on November 2, 2022.

Three-story multifamily housing proposed at Olympia Royal Street SE

Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission hearing on a three-story multifamily housing project proposal at 3714 Royal Street SE on November 2. Brandon Johnson of JSA Civil … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 11/7/22

Tumwater city council discussed three new additions to the legislative agenda.

Tumwater adopts 2023 legislative agenda

Tumwater city council adopted its 2023 legislative agenda during a meeting on November 1. Austin Ramirez, the city’s economic development program manager, said that new items were added to … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/4/22

Olympia's Source Control Program has ranked over 600 government and business sites to different priority levels. The program will start inspecting some of these sites in January next year.

Olympia to inspect city facilities, businesses for water pollution

Olympia will begin city facility and business site inspections to identify and prevent the possible source of water pollution in January next year through the city’s Source Control … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 11/4/22 | 1 comment

State Wildlife supports Offut Lake Management District no. 24, with reservations

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) voiced support for the establishment of the Offut Lake Management District No. 24 during a county-level public hearing held on Tuesday, November … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/3/22

Drexel House Permanents Supportive Housing and Quixote Village are two of the projects pursued by Olympia with CDBG funding, according to CDBG program specialist Anastasia Everett who spoke at the city council meeting on November 1, 2022.

Olympia seeks public comment on unspent development funds reallocation and project evaluation

The Olympia City Council wants to hear public opinion on the proposed reallocation of $93,000 in the unspent Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the Project Year 2021 (PY 21). At … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 11/3/22 | 1 comment

At the PBIA board meeting on November 2, 2022, Olympia Engineering Program specialist Andrew Curtis discussed two option permits for outdoor dining.

Olympia regulates outdoor dining to regain the mobility and use of sidewalks

After being lax during the pandemic year, Olympia Engineering Program specialist Andrew Curtis said the city is now regulating outdoor dining in downtown businesses. Curtis spoke at the Parking … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 11/3/22 | 6 comments

At the Olympia City Council meeting on November 1, 2022, Olympia Police chief Rich Allen announced the implementation of body-worn cameras.

Olympia Police now have body cams

Olympia police officers are now equipped with body-worn cameras, OPD chief Rich Allen announced at the city council meeting held Tuesday, November 1. "Our body-worn camera program is up and … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 11/2/22 | 2 comments

Capital Project Manager Susan Isham discusses the contract for the Solid Waste Facilities Pumps Systems Upgrades and Improvements project during the BOCC meeting on November 1, 2022.

Thurston OKs $2.7M contract for solid waste facilities upgrades, improvements

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) awarded the contract for Solid Waste Facilities Pumps Systems Upgrades and Improvements project to Rognlin's, Inc, amounting to $2,728,128. … more

By JC Medina | 11/2/22

The Olympia Metropolitan Park District (OMPD) Board on a special meeting last November 1 to discuss the levy rate based on the preliminary 2023 OMPD budget.

Olympia Metropolitan Park District mulls $5M 2023 budget

The Olympia Metropolitan Park District (OMPD) Board discussed a proposed $5,321,573 OMPD budget for next year during a special meeting on Tuesday, November 1. Last October 5, the Olympia staff … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/2/22