The JOLT News Organization, A Washington Nonprofit Organization

Olympia's Strategic Projects manager Amy Buckler showed a graph reflecting the disparity in experience during the pandemic between renters and homeowners. Buckler gave an update on the Strong Olympia program at the Finance Committee meeting on September 21, 2022.

Olympia survey: Renters have challenging experiences during the pandemic

Olympia tenants went through the most challenges during the pandemic, according to an online survey conducted by the city for the Strong Olympia program. At the Finance Committee meeting on … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/22/22 | 6 comments

SPSCC welcomes staff and faculty back to campus with 85 new employees including the 20 tenure-track faculty.

SPSCC Welcomes 20 full-time faculty members for 2022-23

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) this week kicked off its 2022-23 academic year, welcoming 20 new full-time tenure-track faculty members to the college. Kristofer Alston, Nursing … more

9/22/22

The Olympia Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting discussed suggestions for the Capital Facilities Plan (CFP).

Olympia committee talks sidewalk issue anew

Olympia committee talk sidewalk issue anew By P. Jade Asumbrado In the wake of public clamor for the city to focus on its sidewalks, The Olympia Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/22/22 | 1 comment

Dr. Pamela Braff, Olympia Climate Program manager, presented the SolSmart Gold designation plaque to the city council on Tuesday, September 21, 2022. Olympia received the gold designation from the Department of Energy-sponsored SolSmart program for its solar energy campaign.

Olympia receives award for solar campaign

Olympia received a "SolSmart Gold" designation from the national SolSmart program for making it faster, more accessible, and affordable for homes and businesses to go solar. Climate Program … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/21/22 | 2 comments

Olympia Councilmember Lisa Parshley, on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, made a referral request to city and finance committee staff and legal team to look for options to find a revenue stream to fund climate work.

Olympia councilmember wants revenue source for climate work

Olympia Councilmember Lisa Parshley made a referral request to the Finance Committee staff and the legal team to look for viable options in finding a specific revenue stream dedicated to climate work … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/21/22 | 6 comments

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall thanked the Olympia City Council for helping increase awareness of registering to vote. The city council signed a proclamation on Tuesday, designating September 20, 2022, as National Voter Registration Day.

Olympia encourages citizens to register to vote; 16 and up can pre-register

Olympia encourages citizens to register to vote; 16 and up can pre-register By Lorilyn C. Lirio Olympia’s American citizens aged 16 and up can now pre-register to vote, Thurston County … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/21/22

A roofer working on a roof with no fall protection.

LNI fines Olympia roofer for hazardous practice

Washington State Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) called out Olympia company United Roofing Solutions, Inc. for putting its workers at risk. “United is showing intentional … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 9/21/22

At the Olympia Planning meeting held on September 19, 2022, contract planner Gary Cooper presented a table where communities across the United States are looking at reducing parking requirements.

Olympia's Housing Action Plan looks at reducing residence parking requirements, clarifying permitting process

Olympia is contemplating reducing minimum parking requirements to accommodate more housing projects. This was according to contract planner Gary Cooper when he gave a brief presentation at the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/20/22

Olympia's Planning Commission opened the public hearing for the Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) financial plan for 2023-2028 on Monday, September 19, 2022.

Olympia community members voice need for community sidewalks

Olympia community members went over their demand to include the sidewalks program in the Capital Facilities Plan, claiming that sidewalks are essential to neighborhoods for mobility, safety, and … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/20/22

Cast members of the show The Secret Garden showing from September 30 to October 16 at the Olympia Family Theater.

Local theater produces Latinx version of an American classic The Secret Garden

Local theater group Olympia Family Theater will be presenting their production of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting September 30 to October … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 9/20/22

STEM to STEAM, get your science and art on as well as your adventure with the local nonprofits events and volunteer opportunities

It’s a busy time of the year. The autumnal equinox arrives Thursday, also called the September equinox or fall equinox. College and Pro Football are in full swing. Hockey preseason starts this … more

9/20/22

At the Land Use and Environment Committee meeting held on September 15, 2022, Interim Public Transportation Director Sophie Stimson said one of the developments included in the Engineering and Design Development Standards update is the development of enhanced bike lanes on streets.

Olympia street improvement in the works

Olympia's Assistant City Engineer Steve Sperr announced that developing street connectivity and downtown sidewalk standards would take time. During the Land Use and Environment Committee update on … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/19/22

The scales of justice represent the balance between fairness and injustice.

Tumwater man killed in ‘seemingly unprovoked’ shooting

A 26-year-old Tumwater man was killed in a “seemingly unprovoked” shooting at a WinCo Foods parking lot in Olympia, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) said … more

By Julia Ornedo | 9/19/22

At Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee meeting Thursday, September 15, 2022, Climate Program intern Louisa Sevier updated the committee members on the city's emissions inventory.

Olympia’s emissions decreasing

Olympia's day-to-day operations in 2021 have generated 8,262 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e), 11% less than it did in 2014, city Climate Program intern Louisa Sevier reported at the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/16/22 | 1 comment

Olympia Fire Chief Todd Carson reported that private ambulance availability in the city has increased by 25% in July and 21% in August. Still, it did not improve response time to emergency calls. Overall the call volumes have gone up, and the availability of private ambulances is down. Carson presented the data at the Olympia City Council meeting held Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

Private ambulances operating in Olympia still not meeting medical standard services, says fire chief

"Private ambulance services in the city did not meet the generally accepted medical standards and reasonable levels of service," Olympia Fire Chief Todd Carson reiterated at the city council meeting … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/16/22 | 3 comments

Elderly Olympia woman found dead at home; adopted son arrested

An 82-year-old Olympia woman was found dead inside her home, and her adopted son has been arrested in connection with her death, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) announced … more

By Julia Ornedo | 9/15/22

Mrs. Green, right, spoke at the Olympia City Council meeting yesterday, September 13, 2022, about her son Timothy, whom a police officer allegedly killed.

Olympia community members want independent investigation of Timothy Green's death

Olympia community members are clamoring for an independent investigation of the August 22 shooting incident involving a police officer who allegedly killed Timothy Green, who had mental health … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/14/22 | 7 comments

A drawing of Timothy Green who was shot and died in a police shooting on August 22, 2022.

Letter to CMII regarding the death of Timothy Green

The Olympia Chapter of SURJ (Showing Up For Racial Justice) sends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Black, disabled, loved one, Timothy Green. Timothy Green was a whole person, a … more

9/14/22 | 2 comments

At the Olympia City Council meeting yesterday, September 13, 2022, Councilmember Yen Huynh read a proclamation designating September 2022 as Suicide Prevention Month.

Olympia proclaims September Suicide Prevention Month

The Olympia City Council signed a proclamation designating September 2022 Suicide Prevention Month during their September 13 meeting September is globally observed as "Suicide Prevention Month," … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/14/22

Check out the new mural in Olympia

If you’re in the neighborhood of Percival Landing, near 215 Columbia Street NW, you might want to drop by and see the newly dedicated “Welcome to Squaxin Territory” and “Land … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 9/13/22 | 1 comment