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

Ensign Road is to be closed Thursday

Olympia is warning community members and passing motorists of Ensign Road’s closure on Thursday, October 6, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. From Martin Way to Providence Lane, the road closure will … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 10/4/22 | 1 comment

Olympia's Community Livability and Public Safety Committee members interviewed Adan Espino Jr., applying for the Use of Force Board position on September 28, 2022.

Olympia committee starts recruitment process for Police Use of Force Board

Olympia's Community Livability and Public Safety started the recruiting process to fill vacancies on the Police Use of Force Board. Earlier, Strategic Communications Director Kellie Purce Braseth … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/3/22 | 2 comments

A five-year projection of Tumwater’s finances sees the fund balance falling under the required amount by 2027.

Tumwater’s fund balance projected to fall under the required minimum amount by 2027

According to data projections made by Tumwater's Finance Director, Troy Niemeyer, Tumwater’s fund balance is predicted to fall below the minimum required balance by 2027. The 2027 balance is … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/30/22 | 4 comments

At the city council meeting on September 27, 2022, Olympia designated Saturday, October 8, 2022, as Arbor Day. Image of children and families planting trees.

Arbor Day in Olympia proclaimed for Saturday, October 8

Olympia is inviting community members to participate in planting new trees as the city celebrates Arbor Day at Squaxin Park on Saturday, October 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Olympia City … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/30/22

This table shows current and anticipated 2023 vacancies on various Olympia boards and commissions.

Olympia announces upcoming vacancies on boards and commissions

Olympia will open its application period for boards and commissions for 2023 starting in October, Strategic Communications Director Kellie Purce Braseth announced at the Community Livability and … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/29/22

Tumwater and Thurston County looking to stop Hopkins Drainage District

A Tumwater city committee is working to oppose the annexation of 599 properties into the Hopkins Drainage Ditch District No. 2 with an ordinance aiming to prevent the action. Further, Thurston … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/23/22 | 2 comments

Design for culvert calls for additional $80,000 in project cost

The design developed for a new culvert along Percival Creek under Sapp Road calls for an additional $80,753 in the project’s design cost, raising it from $143,000 to … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/23/22 | 2 comments

Animal Services pushes for Lacey Community Cat Program

Lacey Joint Animal Services Commission (JASCOM) is lobbying for the new Community Cat Program (CCP) and recommending updates to the Lacey municipal code (LMC). During the council work session on … more

By JC Medina | 9/23/22 | 3 comments

Dr. Pamela Braff, Olympia Climate Program manager, presented the SolSmart Gold designation plaque to the city council on Tuesday, September 21, 2022. Olympia received the gold designation from the Department of Energy-sponsored SolSmart program for its solar energy campaign.

Olympia receives award for solar campaign

Olympia received a "SolSmart Gold" designation from the national SolSmart program for making it faster, more accessible, and affordable for homes and businesses to go solar. Climate Program … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/21/22 | 3 comments

Tumwater city council members Leatta Dahlhoff and Joan Cathey questioned how Thurston Strong benefits entrepreneurs in their city.

Tumwater city council questions allocation of Thurston Strong funds

Tumwater city council questions allocation of Thurston Strong funds Doubts expressed on how it is used By Jerome Tuaño Members of Tumwater’s city council questioned the benefits … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/21/22

Olympia Councilmember Lisa Parshley, on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, made a referral request to city and finance committee staff and legal team to look for options to find a revenue stream to fund climate work.

Olympia councilmember wants revenue source for climate work

Olympia Councilmember Lisa Parshley made a referral request to the Finance Committee staff and the legal team to look for viable options in finding a specific revenue stream dedicated to climate work … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/21/22 | 6 comments

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall thanked the Olympia City Council for helping increase awareness of registering to vote. The city council signed a proclamation on Tuesday, designating September 20, 2022, as National Voter Registration Day.

Olympia encourages citizens to register to vote; 16 and up can pre-register

Olympia encourages citizens to register to vote; 16 and up can pre-register By Lorilyn C. Lirio Olympia’s American citizens aged 16 and up can now pre-register to vote, Thurston County … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/21/22

Voting 5-2, the Lacey City council officially approved the proposed amendments to the existing Flag Policy during a meeting on Thursday, September 15.

Lacey officially allows the flying of equity flags

After a heated argument during the council meeting on Thursday, September 15, Lacey officially approved the proposed amendments to the existing Flag Policy, including additional flags to be flown in … more

By JC Medina | 9/19/22 | 9 comments

At the Land Use and Environment Committee meeting held on September 15, 2022, Interim Public Transportation Director Sophie Stimson said one of the developments included in the Engineering and Design Development Standards update is the development of enhanced bike lanes on streets.

Olympia street improvement in the works

Olympia's Assistant City Engineer Steve Sperr announced that developing street connectivity and downtown sidewalk standards would take time. During the Land Use and Environment Committee update on … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/19/22

Washington laws enable voters to register or change their registration up to the day of the election, in-person.

Lacey recognizes September 20 National Voter Registration Day

The Lacey City Council officially set Tuesday, September 20, as National Voter Registration Day. The council said the proclamation signed during its meeting Thursday, September 15, aims to … more

By JC Medina | 9/19/22

At Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee meeting Thursday, September 15, 2022, Climate Program intern Louisa Sevier updated the committee members on the city's emissions inventory.

Olympia’s emissions decreasing

Olympia's day-to-day operations in 2021 have generated 8,262 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e), 11% less than it did in 2014, city Climate Program intern Louisa Sevier reported at the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/16/22 | 1 comment

Olympia Fire Chief Todd Carson reported that private ambulance availability in the city has increased by 25% in July and 21% in August. Still, it did not improve response time to emergency calls. Overall the call volumes have gone up, and the availability of private ambulances is down. Carson presented the data at the Olympia City Council meeting held Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

Private ambulances operating in Olympia still not meeting medical standard services, says fire chief

"Private ambulance services in the city did not meet the generally accepted medical standards and reasonable levels of service," Olympia Fire Chief Todd Carson reiterated at the city council meeting … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/16/22 | 3 comments

County wants the public’s thoughts on aid funds

Thurston County is seeking public input on which sectors should be allocated with $10 million worth of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, meant to be used for public health and economic … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 9/16/22

Tumwater’s general government committee met on September 14 to discuss yearly amendments to the city’s municipal code.

Tumwater deliberates church signage and use

Tumwater’s General Government Committee argued an amendment to the city’s municipal code, which will allow 15-feet signage for churches in residential zone districts during their meeting … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/15/22 | 1 comment

Mrs. Green, right, spoke at the Olympia City Council meeting yesterday, September 13, 2022, about her son Timothy, whom a police officer allegedly killed.

Olympia community members want independent investigation of Timothy Green's death

Olympia community members are clamoring for an independent investigation of the August 22 shooting incident involving a police officer who allegedly killed Timothy Green, who had mental health … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/14/22 | 8 comments