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

Accessible housing is necessary for older people, and can limit the feasible number of houses available to them.

Report: High health ranking for older Washingtonians, but barriers remain

Although the state's residents fare well in a new report, older Washingtonians still face challenges to their overall health.UnitedHealthcare ranked states in its tenth annual America's Health … more

By Eric Tegethoff | Washington News Service | 6/21/22

Councilmember Lisa Parshley, through a referral request, asked the Community Livability and Public Safety to have a work plan that would protect womens’ reproductive rights.

Olympia council asking city staff to find ways city can support abortion rights

The Olympia City Council has directed its Community Livability and Public Safety to do research and develop a resolution that would support and protect a woman's right to abortions. In the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/20/22 | 12 comments

These three backstops at Yauger Park will be replaced under a new contract let by the City of Olympia in June 2022.

Yauger Park repairs and updates on the way

The Olympia City council has approved a $1.1 million contract for Yauger Park field renovations.. Olympia Parks department project engineer Jake Lund said on Tuesday, June 14, they opened the bid … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/20/22

Olympia committee wants the city to be 100% EV ready

Land Use and Environment Committee members are eyeing the possibility of a 100% EV (electric vehicle) readiness in all residential parking in Olympia. "Having that goal having access to EV … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/17/22

The Lacey City Council approved yesterday a new permit process for tree removal within the city, with a vote of four in favor and two opposed.

Tree City USA: Lacey amends tree-cutting regulations

The Lacey City Council approved a new permit process on tree removal within the city yesterday. Councilmember Michael Steadman pushed for amending the existing threshold of five tree removals … more

By JC Medina | 6/17/22 | 4 comments

The Earth beneath our feet

Gary Ritchie, PhD, the author of Inside Plants, has written a Thurston County Historical Journal issue on the history of the ground on which we garden. It is a fantastic tale. If not for all the … more

By Jill Severn | 6/17/22 | 2 comments

John Mahone of Olympia Code Enforcement discussed establishing a vacant property registration program at a Land Use and Environment committee meeting on June 16, 2022.

Keeping track of vacant properties: Olympia considering a registry

Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee will endorse an ordinance establishing a vacant property registration program to assist the city in identifying abandoned or vacant property. During … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/17/22 | 1 comment

What's happening coming up?

Juneteenth Celebration - Lacey: Saturday, June 18, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Enjoy a FREE BBQ lunch, games, entertainment, a presentation, and time to connect with your community. All community members … more

6/17/22

Western Bluebirds

There are three fairly common blue birds in our county, Steller’s Jays, Scrub-Jays, and Western Bluebirds. This week we’re focusing on the Western Bluebirds, which are smaller and the … more

By George Walter | 6/16/22

Rich Allen, Olympia's newly-appointed Chief of Police.

Rich Allen now Olympia police chief

After a two-year search and a prospect backing out, Olympia City Manager Jay Burney appointed Interim Police Chief Rich Allen the city’s permanent head of the city’s police department … more

By Edwin Oscar U. Gutierrez, Jr. | 6/16/22 | 2 comments

This image is of the shield that every officer in the Olympia Police Department wears or carries.

Olympia Police Department: Embracing change

I’ve been a member of the Olympia Police Department (OPD) for many years. My interest in law enforcement and public service came at a young age. I began serving with OPD as a volunteer Police … more

By Rich Allen | Olympia Chief of Police | 6/16/22

Lacey scores new museum acquisitions

The Lacey Historical Commission accepted some historical records and artifacts that will be part of the Lacey Museum's permanent collection. At its regular meeting yesterday, Lacey Museum Curator … more

By JC Medina | 6/16/22

President’s Volunteer Service Awardee Kim Yee served for 473 hours volunteering for Thurston County’s vaccination drive last year.

County health office pays tribute to vaccination drive volunteers

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (TCPHSS) recognized volunteers for the county’s vaccination drive in a ceremony last Monday, June 7. Partnering with United Way of Thurston … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 6/16/22

Olympia councilmembers Yan Huynh, Dani Madrone and Lisa Parshley sponsored a referral that aims to create a youth council.

Olympia mulls creating youth council

Olympia council member Yen Huynh proposed that the city create a youth council to engage young people in local government and ensure their voices are heard in crucial decisions. In a city council … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/16/22

Project engineer Chris Cramer updated the Site Plan Committee Review committee on a proposed 59-housing unit at 1627 Elizabeth St. on June 15, 2022.

Elizabeth St. housing to include two roads to 18th Ave.

Olympia’s Site Plan Review committee yesterday heard an updated plan for the 57-unit Elizabeth Street multifamily housing project at 1627 Elizabeth St. SE. According to project engineer … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/16/22

Thurston ranks 8th healthiest county anew in Washington

Thurston County retained its rank as the 8th healthiest out of the 39 counties in Washington, according to the 2022 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps (CHRR). Thurston's Resident Epidemiologist … more

By JC Medina | 6/15/22 | 1 comment

Anastacia Everett, Community Development Block Grant program specialist, informed the council members that Olympia has over $300,000 CDBG allocation during the city council meeting on June 14, 2022.

Olympia's CDBG fund $30,000 short of expected

Olympia's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation for rehabilitation, housing and support public services projects is $30,000 less than what the city expected, CDBG program specialist … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/15/22

The Juneteenth flag was created in 1977 by Ben Haith, founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation, and illustrator Lisa Jeanne Graf.

Olympia to celebrate Juneteenth this Sunday

Olympia will hold its Juneteenth Celebration Festival at the Rebecca Howard Park on Sunday, June 19, with the city's Parks, Arts and Recreation Department partnering with the Women of Color in … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/15/22 | 2 comments

The Lacey Library Board announced on June 8, 2022 that it is gradually going back to face-to-face activities after the two-year lockdown brought about by the pandemic.

Lacey Timberland Library reopening for in-person activities

The Timberland Regional Library (TRL) recently announced that its Lacey library is gradually going back to face-to-face activities after the two-year lockdown brought about by the pandemic. At its … more

By JC Medina | 6/15/22

West Bay in Olympia is a scenic backdrop for a former Olympia Timberland Library StoryTrail at West Bay Park that featured a book about bees.

TRL brings stories to life on local trails

Area residents looking for a unique outdoor experience this summer should try Timberland Regional Library StoryTrails, interactive outdoor events that are featured as part of the Summer Library … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 6/14/22