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

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

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

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

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

Sports Legend Awardee Laurie Creighton, recognized for her over 30 years of coaching, with emcee Jeff Lucero.

Sports Star Awards recognizes local athletes

Olympia and Beyond celebrated Thurston's local athletes during the Sports Star Awards yesterday, November 3 at South Puget Sound Community College's Student Union Building. Awardees: College … more

By Gloria Towne | 11/4/22

18th Ave Olympia closed next week

Olympia’s 18th Avenue will be closed east of Franklin Street next Tuesday, November 8 until the next day, November 9 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will be installing a sewer lateral on the … more

11/4/22

Seeking a cure for November Blues

It’s cold and wet, the sky is dark, and I’m in no mood to even think about gardening. We went from endless sunlit summer to sudden chill and gloom, and the forecast for next week … more

By Jill Severn | 11/4/22

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

Waterfowl – Part 3 – More Diving Ducks

Ducks are found worldwide, and because they are excellent flyers, they often migrate long distances between their summer breeding territories and wintering grounds. During the winter, we in southern … more

By George Walter | 11/3/22

Port of Olympia wins $9M grant for marine port improvements

The Port of Olympia was awarded a $9,270,918 federal grant for its Seaport Throughput Improvement Project by the Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program. “The … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 11/3/22

What's coming up for the 2nd week of November 2022

The first week of November about over. Let us take a peek at the upcoming November activities. Chris Perondi's Stunt Dog Experience, November 4, from 7:30 p.m. Amazing stunts, big air tricks, … more

11/3/22

During the Latinx Youth Summit (LYS), Latinx high school students from Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Pacific and Grays Harbor counties have an opportunity to learn about post-secondary education pathways, celebrate their multi-cultural heritage and focus on their future, said Betsy Storey, public services specialist at Olympia Timberland Library.

TRL Supports Latinx Youth Summit

Timberland Regional Library has once again partnered with the Hispanic Roundtable and other community sponsors to organize the annual Latinx Youth Summit, scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 22, from 8:30 … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 11/3/22

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