Life | The JOLT News Organization, A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

Tumwater's Barclift Park will receive a prefabricated restroom under the plans approved by the city council on May 3, 2022.

Tumwater council approves Barclift Park and Tumwater Hill park restroom improvements

The Tumwater council in its session on Tuesday, May 3, authorized mayor Debbie Sullivan to sign a public works contract with KBH Construction Co., of Olympia, $215,900 for restroom improvement … more

By Larry Madarang | 5/5/22

Your tax dollars at work: Washington State Department of Health routinely tests waters for bacterial contamination. See story for list of locations from which shellfish are currently unsafe.

Fecal pollution restricts shellfish harvest in Mason, Pierce, Snohomish, and Thurston counties

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has completed the annual water quality evaluation of the state’s commercial shellfish growing areas. Unfortunately, high fecal … more

5/4/22

Identifying Birds

I have written several times that it is not necessary to be able to identify bird species to enjoy watching and listening to them and having them as our neighbors. Yet, for some of you, identifying … more

By George Walter | 4/28/22 | 1 comment

Olympia is encouraging its residents to ride a bike this month.

Olympia City Council proclaims May Bicycle Month

Olympia City Council approved a proclamation designating May as Olympia Bicycle Month at its meeting yesterday. The city council approved the proclamation to recognize both the 52nd Earth Day … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/26/22

Squaxin Island Tribe Council Chairman Kris Peters shows gratitude to the city council by holding his hands up, a norm for indigenous people to express appreciation. The Olympia City Council on Monday approved the renaming of Priest Point Park to Squaxin Park.

Priest Point Park now Squaxin Park

Olympia’s city council unanimously approved a resolution renaming Priest Point Park to Squaxin Park April 25, Monday in recognition of the Squaxin Island Tribe’s historical habitation of … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/26/22 | 2 comments

The 70-acre Kaiser Woods Park property abuts the county to the west and Tumwater to the south.

Olympia unveils the updated plan for Kaiser Woods Park

The Olympia Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) is reviewing the Kaiser Woods Park plan, which would provide more trails for running, biking, hiking and dog walking. In her … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/22/22

TRL Birding or Hiking backpack s include a Washington Discover Pass and can be borrowed up to three weeks.

Explore new interests with TRL’s Library of Things

Outdoor adventure, at-home aid and opportunities to try a new hobby can be found at Timberland Regional Library with the Library of Things collection. Area residents can find a variety of kits and … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 4/20/22

This photo shows the front door to what the Squaxin Island Tribe a.k.a. the People of the Water used to be their land

Priest Point Park renaming to be finalized

Olympia City Council is set to confirm plans to rename Priest Point Park to Squaxin Park during its regular session next Monday, April 25. Proposed by the city’s Parks, Art, & Recreation … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/19/22

This is not a Photoshop'd image -- it's an extended shutter photo of an image that's being projected onto one of the old Olympia Brewing Company buildings. Peace for Ukraine, in the nation's colors.

Local leaders project peace for Ukraine

How to keep the people of Ukraine in mind as most of us live safe, secure lives 5,500 miles away? The Olympia Tumwater Foundation is projecting a 100-foot-high peace symbol, in the blue and yellow … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/15/22

Construction of Greg Cuoio Park Phase 1A would probably need a three to five million dollar budget over the next five years, the Lacey Board of Park Commission discussed at a Wednesday meeting.

Lacey considers budget to build phase one of Greg Cuoio Park

Construction of Greg Cuoio Park Phase 1A will cost $3 to $5 million over five years, according to the parks director. Speaking at the Lacey Board of Park Commissioners meeting yesterday, Lacey … more

By JC Medina | 4/7/22 | 1 comment

The Rufous Hummingbird returned to Thurston County last month.

Birds in our neighborhoods

Knowing I’m interested in birds, people occasionally ask me to advise them on how to get started in bird watching. And I usually answer, “just walk around your neighborhood and pay … more

By George Walter | 4/6/22 | 11 comments

Avoid eating certain oysters until further notice, says the Washington State Department of Health, due to a norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters.

DOH warns against eating certain oysters

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has updated its advisory to Washington residents to not serve or eat certain oysters harvested from the south and central parts of … more

Provided by Thurston County Department of Health and Social Services | 4/5/22 | 1 comment

Olympia Parks, Art & Recreation Director Paul Simmons presenting Olympia School District's co-location offer to the City Council

Olympia OKs talks to share Yelm Highway property with Olympia School District

Olympia City Council has unanimously approved starting negotiations with the Olympia School District (OSD) on building a school on the city’s Yelm Highway property planned to be developed into … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/23/22 | 1 comment

Parks, Arts & Recreation Director Paul Simmons presented various options OSD provided concerning plans by the school district to build a school along the highway of the Yelm property.

Vote set that would share Yelm Highway park land with Olympia School District

The Olympia City Council is set to vote tomorrow on a proposed Co-Location Agreement that would make part of the Yelm Highway land designated to become a new park available to Olympia School … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. and Danny Stusser | 3/21/22 | 2 comments

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

Community members show support for Priest Point Park name change

Olympia community members attended the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting to advocate for the proposed renaming of Priest Point Park to Squaxin Park yesterday. Parks Planning & … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/18/22 | 3 comments

This is the interior of the building at 118 Fourth Ave. East in downtown Olympia.

Shiny Prize proposed at former barbershop

Olympia may have a new resto-bar opening soon. more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/10/22

Several brands of vegetable seeds are on sale at Fred Meyer in Lacey and can be purchased using SNAP.

For some local families, gardening starts with food benefits

By Hannah Weinberger / Crosscut.com March 3, 2022 — Home gardener Maggie Slighte was thrilled to discover that she could use food assistance program benefits to purchase seeds and … more

3/8/22

The City of Olympia is looking for graphic artists for its new mural tour, like this one involving salmon murals.

Olympia wants graphic artists for mural tour

The Olympia Parking and Business Improvement Area Board is looking for artists for its new mural tour. In its press release, the committee is looking for seven artists or graphic … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/8/22 | 1 comment

This woman is playing disc golf on one of the "more than 9,800" courses worldwide, according to The Professional Disc Golf Association.

Lacey OKs contract to begin development of Greg Cuoio Park

The Lacey City Council approved a contract to develop Phase 1A of Greg Cuoio Park. at its meeting last night. The city’s capital projects engineer, Ashley Smith, told the council that Phase … more

By JC Medina | 3/4/22

The Olympia Community Livability and Public Safety Committee met yesterday, Feb. 23 to discuss plans to have more areas for its Olympia Crossings art project.

Olympia to install art in more places

Olympia is planning to put up art installations in six more locations around the city. The Olympia Community Livability and Public Safety Committee met yesterday, Feb. 23 to discuss plans to make … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 2/24/22 | 3 comments