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

Native plants and flowers have definitely gone mainstream. In a recent Washington Post article, editorial writer Dana Milbank, whose usual beat is political and cultural analysis, reports that … more

By Jill Severn | 5/3/24 | 3 comments

Olympia selects 8 local arts nonprofits as anchor partners for Armory Creative Campus

Olympia Armory Building Manager Valerie Roberts introduced the eight anchor partners selected to lease long-term spaces in the building and help the city develop business plans for the Armory … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/2/24

Aerial view of the city of Olympia, Washington waterfront. In this image you can see Heritage Park and Capitol Lake in the front.

Expect disruptions at Heritage Park from May 6 to May 13 due to a geotechnical survey

Anticipate disruptions when visiting Heritage Park, as the final stage of a geotechnical survey is set to commence near Capitol Lake. The survey, a component of the Deschutes Estuary Restoration … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/2/24

A couple of hens from a small flock of chickens. Even small flocks of chickens in home coops and enclosures need to take precautions to protect the birds from the Avian Influenza H5NI.

Bird Flu – 2024 Report

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAF), commonly called H5NI bird flu, is a highly contagious pathogen that is deadly to domestic poultry and can wipe out flocks quickly. This disease is widespread … more

By George Walter | 5/2/24 | 1 comment

Representatives from the Asian Pacific Islanders Coalition, South Puget Sound Chapter, attended the April 30, 2024, Thurston Board of County Commissioners meeting to receive the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month proclamation.

Thurston County celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

In a show of recognition and celebration, the Thurston Board of County Commissioners officially declared May Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. The board's proclamation … more

By JC Medina | 5/1/24

The Olympia Metropolitan Park District Board, consisting of the city council members, met on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, and approved the appointments of three members to the district's citizen advisory committee.

Olympia park board approves appointments, work plan for the citizen advisory committee

The Olympia Metropolitan Park District Board (OMPD), consisting of the city council members, approved appointments of three members to the district's citizen advisory committee. At Tuesday's OMPD … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/1/24 | 1 comment

Several hundred people are expected to walk in the 2024 Paws 4 A Cause event on May 4. This photo is from the 2023 event.

Fun and food at this Saturday’s Paws 4 A Cause event

Ready for something entirely new? Come watch the Peanut Butter Licking Contest at this Saturday’s Paws 4 A Cause event in Heritage Park in downtown Olympia. The four-hour event is both a … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/1/24 | 1 comment

North Thurston Public Schools assistant superintendent to take the helm

During a special meeting on Sunday, April 28, the North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) Board of Directors selected Troy Oliver as its next Superintendent. “I have been proud to work … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/29/24

Intercity Transit seeks public comment on transit projects for 2025-28

Intercity Transit is calling on the public to comment on transit projects outlined in the annual update of its Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for 2025-28, which is a federal requirement to … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 4/29/24

Madison, McKenny to remain open as Olympia School Board rules out closures

The Olympia School District (OSD) Board expressed no objections to Superintendent Patrick Murphy’s recommendation of excluding school closure as an option to supplement the district’s … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/26/24 | 5 comments

There’s more to know about weeds

A rose by any other name might smell as sweet, but a weed by another name is a different story. A weed known by its scientific Latin name can be transformed in our minds from a pest to a gift of … more

By Jill Severn | 4/26/24 | 3 comments

This is an aerial view of the Regional Athletic Center, or RAC, in Lacey.

Lacey considers expansion plans for Regional Athletic Complex

Lacey's Director of Parks provided a comprehensive update to the city council regarding the Regional Athletic Complex (RAC) Phase 3 Design Concept on Tuesday, April 23. Jen Burbidge … more

By JC Medina | 4/25/24

The Deschutes River flows at Brewery Park in Tumwater, Washington.

Non-profit launches initiative that would grant rights to Deschutes Watershed

Nonprofit Standing for Washington has launched a campaign in Olympia and Tumwater to advocate for the rights of the Deschutes Watershed. The non-profit began gathering signatures on Friday, … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/25/24 | 6 comments

The Puget Sound Estuarium online bidding started on April 19 and will end on April 26 at 10 PM. The Open House will be held during the Olympia Arts Walk on April 26 from 6 PM to 9 PM.

Estuarium’s benefit auction ends tomorrow

Friday, April 26, is the final day for online bidders to participate in the Puget Sound Estuarium's Annual Benefit Auction, which started on April 19. The week-long event will culminate in an … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 4/25/24

This close-up is of the Common Yellowthroat Warbler.

Warblers are arriving

Sitting at my computer on a rainy day (good for gardens, but not for bird watching), I’m thinking about migrating warbler species that are arriving daily in our territory. These insect-eating … more

By George Walter | 4/25/24 | 4 comments

One of the possible locations of the community center is a site near Tumwater Boulevard and I-5.

Tumwater Parks Commission discusses potential location of community center

Tumwater city staff is considering four locations for a proposed community center, Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Denney told the Parks and Recreation Commission on Wednesday, April 17. The … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/24/24 | 5 comments

A hand picks up a book from a shelf in a library.

Book donation bins at three Thurston County locations temporarily closed

Thurston County Public Works has announced the temporary closure of book donation bins at its drop-box facilities in Rainier and Rochester and the Waste and Recovery Center (WARC) in Lacey. This … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 4/24/24 | 1 comment

Teachers and paraeducators are crucial to a child's education. They are, however, sometimes unappreciated.

Olympia School District to celebrate Teacher’s Appreciation Week, May 6 - 10

The Olympia School District Board declared May 6 to 10 as Teacher’s Appreciation Week through a proclamation signed on Thursday, April 11. The proclamation highlighted that teachers work … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/24/24

Eli Cole, Olympia Facility manager, spoke at the Finance Committee meeting on Monday, April 22, 2024, about the recent facility assessment, which uncovered 260 deficiencies in 16 municipal buildings.

Olympia's facilities assessment finds 260 deficiencies; city projecting replacement costs for the next 20 years

Olympia Facility Manager Eli Cole presented findings of the recent facility assessment, which uncovered 260 deficiencies across the city's 16 municipal buildings over the past six years, with an … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/23/24 | 4 comments

Water Resources Manager Tim Wilson (leftmost) met with the Board of County Commissioners yesterday, April 22, 2024, to discuss the Stormwater Utility Comprehensive Study.

Thurston County delivered and treated millions of gallons of water in 2023, discusses study

For 2023, Thurston County’s stormwater facilities delivered 114.15 million gallons of potable water and treated 81.21 million gallons of wastewater, as stated in the agenda document . … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/23/24