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

Tumwater’s budget and finance committee conversed with Maija Glasier-Lawson (bottom left) from the Family Support Center of South Sound, one of the five organizations applying for funds from the Community Human Services Program.

Tumwater’s budget committee sets aside 2023 human services funding to non-profits

Tumwater’s budget and finance committee approved the allocation of its 2023 human services funding during a meeting on Wednesday, October 19. The $15,000 fund was split between five … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/24/22

The Olympia City Council approved the appointment of seven individuals who will serve in the Inspire Olympia Cultural Access ad hoc committee on October 18, 2022.

Olympia okays appointments of Inspire Olympia Cultural Access ad hoc committee

The Olympia City Council on Tuesday, October 18, approved the appointment of seven candidates who will serve on an ad hoc committee for the Inspire Olympia Cultural Access program. Marygrace … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/24/22

The Olympia Site Plan Committee reviewed two project proposals for the reuse of buildings at 525 Cherry Street SE for Ilk Beer and at 2124 Pacific Avenue SE for Vic's Pizza Pacific project on October 19, 2022.

Olympia reviews brewery, pizza place proposals

The Site Plan Review Committee held a pre-submission conference to reuse two buildings at 525 Cherry Street SE for Ilk Beer and at 2124 Pacific Avenue SE for Vic's Pizza Pacific project on Wednesday, … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/24/22 | 2 comments

Olympia's Planning Commission is against the adoption of the 2023 Preliminary CFP. Commission chair Zainab Nejati and Greg Quetin, the finance subcommittee chair, presented their recommendations to the city council on Tuesday, October 18.

Olympia Planning Commission: No to the adoption of the 2023 Preliminary Capital Facilities Plan

The Olympia Planning Commission cautioned against adopting the 2023-2028 Preliminary Capital Plans Facilities (CFP) unless revisions are done to the transportation section, which "lacks progress … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/21/22 | 1 comment

Tumwater’s park and recreation committee met on October 19 to discuss updates for the community center.

Tumwater is seeking a design firm for the new community center

Tumwater is looking for a firm to design its new community center, said Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Denney during their commission’s meeting yesterday, October 19. The city has … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/21/22

Community members Larry Dzieza and Melissa Allen expressed frustration with the city's non-prioritization of the sidewalks project in the 2023 Capital Facilities Plan. The Olympia City Council opened the public hearing for the 2023 Preliminary CFP on Tuesday, October 18, 2022.

Community members demand prioritization of sidewalk projects

Former Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Jim Lazar urged Olympia council members to hold a study session with advisory committees and community activists to discuss funding for the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/21/22 | 5 comments

One of the winning artworks of the 2023 Calendar Art Contest hosted by the Olympia Public Works Water Resources Division.

Olympia students recognized for winning Water Resources' calendar art contest

The Olympia City Council on Tuesday, October 18, recognized 13 middle school students who won the 2023 Calendar Art Contest hosted by the Public Works Water Resources Division. Erin Conine, senior … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/21/22

Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan gave testimony during a public hearing for the suspension of Hopkins Drainage Ditch District.

Sullivan appeals for the suspension of Hopkins Drainage Ditch District #2

Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan appealed for the suspension of Hopkins Drainage Ditch District 2 during a county-level public hearing held Tuesday, October 18. She cited instances in which she … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/20/22 | 1 comment

"Access to housing is something we're actively working on expanding in our community, and providing fair access is critical,” Olympia Housing Program specialist Christa Lenssen said.

Community called to fill out Fair Housing survey to address barriers in Olympia, Thurston County

Olympia, Thurston County, and the Housing Authority of Thurston County are asking community members to share their input on the fair housing assessment, which would give authorities tools to assess … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/20/22

Ellis Cove, in Priest Point Park in Olympia, in January 2021.

Olympia Finance Committee clarifies park impact fee

The Olympia Finance Committee held its regular meeting yesterday, to brief the council about the park impact fee. According to a presentation by FCS Group Consulting Principal John Ghilarducci, … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/20/22

Lacey commission briefed on Regional Housing Council interim governance structure

Lacey Community and Economic Development Director Rick Walk discussed the interim governance structure of the Regional Housing Council (RHC) with the Lacey Planning Commission on Tuesday, October … more

By JC Medina | 10/20/22

Home Programs Manager Darian Lightfoot explained a resolution authorizing the 2022 Home Fund grant to enter an agreement with Homes First on October 18, 2022.

Olympia approves funding for low-rent housing organization

The Olympia City Council on Tuesday, October 18, approved more than $400,000 in grants to Homes First to purchase five single-family homes and add two accessory dwelling units to their current homes … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/19/22 | 1 comment

Port of Olympia Citizens Advisory Committee interviewed five candidates applying as committee members.

Port citizen advisory committee reviews potential members

The Port of Olympia Citizens Advisory Committee (POCAC) reviewed five candidates applying as committee members during a meeting held yesterday, October 18. Three of the five candidates are retired … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/19/22

Karen Messmer of Olympia, a previous city council member, at a previous event that was with Thurston Climate Action Team, focused on electric cars at Thurston Climate Action Team's flash mob gathering on Sat., Sept. 25, 2021.

Former Olympia council member: Focus on items essential to public

Former Olympia council member Karen Messmer expressed support for the plans to put city staff members for climate work but said additional staff in the Climate Program is not the only effort the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/19/22 | 2 comments

Tumwater city administrator John Doan presented the initial MOU for the Deschutes Estuary project to the city council.

Tumwater approves initial agreement for Deschutes Estuary project

Tumwater city council has authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining the initial agreements for the Deschutes Estuary project during their meeting held … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/19/22 | 1 comment

Traditional India family portrait. Indian parents and children in a blessing ceremony.

October is Hindu American Awareness Month in Olympia

The Olympia City Council signed a proclamation designating October 2022 as Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month. The proclamation recognizes Hindu Americans for their contributions to … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/19/22

Thurston is celebrating flood awareness this week, October 16 to 22, 2022.

Thurston urges residents to prepare for natural, man-made disasters

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) encouraged the public to take all necessary steps in preparing for natural and human-caused disasters as it officially kicked off Thurston Flood … more

By JC Medina | 10/19/22

The Port of Olympia Commission met on October 17 to approve an initial agreement for the Deschutes Estuary Project.

Port of Olympia approves Deschutes Estuary maintenance project agreement

The Port of Olympia Commission agreed for Executive Director Debbie Sullivan to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining the governance and funding of the Deschutes Estuary project during … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/18/22 | 1 comment

Thurston Regional Planning Council Executive Director Marc Daily briefed the Lacey City Council on October 13, 2022, about the region’s potential involvement in the proposed new airport of the Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission.

County denies having hand in airport selection process

Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) Executive Director Marc Daily stressed that the TRPC and the Lacey Transportation Policy Board are not directly involved in the potential involvement of the … more

By JC Medina | 10/17/22 | 1 comment

Olympia committee recommends two appointments for the Police Use of Force Board

The Olympia City Council is slated to approve the appointments of two candidates to fill vacancies on the Police Use of Force Events Board on Tuesday, October 18. After two years of recruiting, … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/17/22 | 2 comments