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Joyce Phillips, Long-range Planning Manager with Olympia’s Community Planning and Economic Development, presented proposed middle housing code amendments to the city council at a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.

Olympia City Council approves middle housing code updates

The Olympia City Council approved an ordinance updating the city’s housing code to expand middle housing, accessory dwelling units and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/19/25 | 7 comments

Tumwater Deputy Fire Department Chief Shawn Crimmins briefed the Tumwater City Council on a grant with the Association of Washington Cities that would allow the city to expand its FDCARES program.  He made his remarks at a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.

City of Tumwater beefs up FDCARES Program

The City of Tumwater strengthening its FDCARES Program thanks to a grant from the Association of Washington ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/19/25

Man gets more than 14 years in prison for murder at The Jungle

A man was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison for setting another person on fire with what was described as “homemade napalm” at The Jungle ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/19/25 | 4 comments

The Lacey City Council unanimously authorized a 1% property tax increase under state law and adopted the 2026 general levy and the voter-approved parks improvement bond levy at a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.

Lacey City Council approves 1% property tax hike for 2026

Lacey property owners will see a slight rise in taxes next year after the Lacey City Council approved two measures establishing collections for ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/19/25 | 1 comment

A proposed hydrogen fueling system site at Intercity Transit’s Pattison campus. The Olympia Site Review Committee held a presubmission conference for the project, which aims to support zero-emission fleet plan. The conference was held on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025.

Intercity Transit making progress on hydrogen fueling and storage system project

Intercity Transit is moving forward with its zero-emission fleet of buses. The agency presented a hydrogen fueling and storage system ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/18/25 | 3 comments

Toompas widens lead in Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 race

Challenger Jerry Toompas increased his lead in the race for the Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 seat in the Nov. 4 ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/18/25 | 2 comments

Open house set for Capitol Way project in Olympia

The City of Olympia is going to unveil a $14 million comprehensive transportation project for Capitol Way and Capitol Boulevard, which targets ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/18/25 | 10 comments

The interior of the Capitol Lake Pump Station shows peeling and bubbling coating inside the wet well, as seen at a LOTT Clean Water Alliance Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.

Capitol Lake Pump Station to undergo rehabilitation work

The Capitol Lake Pump Station is going to benefit from renewed investment through a LOTT Clean Water Alliance rehabilitation plan targeting ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/18/25 | 2 comments

Port of Olympia budget process nearing completion for 2026

Port of Olympia Commissioner Jasmine Vasavada withdrew a request to cut $400,000 in the port’s 2026 budget due to time ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/18/25 | 4 comments

The Sylvester Park Tree Lighting takes place on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025.

Sylvester Park tree lighting ceremony set for Nov. 30 in downtown Olympia

The lighting of the Sylvester Park tree is taking place at Sylvester Park on Sunday ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/18/25

A sidewalk in need of repair in downtown Olympia, as seen on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025.

Sidewalk repair policy taking shape in Olympia

The City of Olympia’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) is going to get a briefing on the city’s effort to develop a clearer ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/17/25 | 11 comments

Two teenagers shot, killed in Lacey

Two teenage boys were killed in a drive-by shooting in Lacey on Friday ... more

The JOLT News Staff | 11/17/25 | 6 comments

The Lacey Museum, shown at its Bell Towne Center site at 4160 6th Ave. SE, Suite 101, is hosting preopening tours before its official debut.

New Lacey Museum hosting tours ahead of official opening

History junkies, local families and anyone curious about Lacey’s past are invited to join the pre-opening tours of the new Lacey Museum beginning ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/17/25 | 2 comments

The Lacey Timberland Library is going to temporarily halt on-site services because of  interior renovation work from Nov. 24 through Dec. 9, 2025.

Lacey Timberland Library announces temporary shutdown for interior repairs

The Lacey Timberland Library is going to temporarily suspend on-site services to the public because of renovation work from ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/17/25 | 2 comments

The Port of Olympia is exploring a possible lease of three properties along Olympia Avenue with developer Urban Olympia, which is planning to build an 87-unit mixed-use housing project on the site.

Port of Olympia exploring lease of East Bay properties for housing project

The Port of Olympia is exploring a potential lease of three East Bay properties to developer Urban Olympia ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/14/25 | 6 comments

The Olympia City Council approved a resolution accepting the updated Land Use and Urban Design Chapter of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan at a meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.

Olympia City Council approves updated land use chapter for 2045 Comprehensive Plan

The Olympia City Council unanimously approved a resolution adopting the Land Use and Urban Design Chapter of the 2045 ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/14/25 | 2 comments

Visual examples of unit lot subdivisions (ULS), including triplexes, cottage units, townhouses and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), were presented to the Lacey Planning Commission at its meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.

Lacey planning single ordinance for middle housing, ADUs and unit lot subdivisions

Three major housing updates are now being woven into a single ordinance by the City of Lacey’s Community and Economic ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/14/25 | 1 comment

Swearing-in ceremony to be held for recently elected officials on Nov. 25

A swearing-in ceremony is going to take place later this month for elected officials in the Nov. 4 ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/14/25 | 1 comment

Voting totals from the Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 race between challenger Jerry Toompas and incumbent Bob Iyall.

Toompas upsets incumbent Iyall in Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 race

Challenger Jerry Toompas came away with a narrow win in the hotly contested race for the Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 seat in the Nov. 4 ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/13/25 | 6 comments

Community Planning and Economic Development Director Susan McLaughlin discussed proposed additional staffing for Olympia’s Rental Registry Program during a city council meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.

Olympia seeks higher compliance in Rental Registry Program, additional staff sought

The City of Olympia is seeking to improve compliance with its Rental Registry Program, aiming to register at least 63% of all rental units to make it financially ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/13/25 | 16 comments