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

Olympia City Manager’s Statement on Police Response and HB 1310

Thanks to the community’s approval of the 2017 Public Safety Levy, the City of Olympia has been able to stay on the forefront of contemporary police practices. The Olympia Police … more

8/6/21

An Olympia Police SUV is parked on Fourth Ave. E in downtown Olympia.

Too drunk to blow into the breathalyzer, police say

A man who tapped on a stranger’s car window with a knife was contacted by police and then arrested for driving under the influence at Percival Landing in downtown Olympia, just after midnight … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/4/21

Pictured is Adan M. Rincon on July 31, 2021.

No bail, no restrictions for man charged repeatedly with mischief

A repeated vandalism suspect was arrested for the sixth time in the past seven weeks, this time for breaking a grocery store window because he was angry, on Saturday, July 31. Adan Rincon, 38, who … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/3/21 | 6 comments

This is the crosswalk signal allegedly knocked down by Rachel Likely on July 21, 2021.

Around the corner from the collision scene, driver cited for hit-and-run

A woman was arrested for hit-and-run after toppling a crosswalk signal but not reporting it to police last Wednesday, July 21. Rachel Likely, 40, admitted to falling asleep at the wheel, and then … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/2/21

This is the Amazon delivery van that was allegedly hit by Michael John Casino on July 26, 2021.

Accused DUI driver hits Amazon delivery van, speeds away

An allegedly intoxicated man hit an Amazon delivery van, then sped away before being stopped by Olympia police a few blocks from the scene of the accident, on Monday, July 26. Michael Casino, 51, … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/29/21

This is the bicycle front fork allegedly used by Trevor Levi Bartley to attack a man in downtown Olympia on July 26, 2021.

Stranger attacked without provocation

A man allegedly robbed and beat a stranger, using a bicycle front fork as a weapon, at the Artesian Well Commons in downtown Olympia just after midnight on Monday, July 26. The entire … more

7/28/21

Four members of Lacey's city council met with Assistant City Manager Shannon Kelley-Fong on July 22, 2021.

Lacey City Council plans to consider hybrid meetings by August

As more and more residents are being vaccinated, the Lacey City Council weighed the possibility of moving to in-person meetings sometime in August during its work session last Thu., July 22. The … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/27/21 | 1 comment

Interim Police Chief Aaron Jelcick met with the Olympia Ad Hoc Public Safety Committee on July 20, 2021 to discuss the new policing guidelines under HB 1310. The law is set to take effect on July 25, 2021

Olympia police chief provides new guidelines for policing, will no longer respond to suicide threats, drug overdoses

Interim Police Chief Aaron Jelcick provided a detailed presentation on the new law created by House Bill 1310 during the Ad Hoc Public Safety Committee meeting yesterday. The new law aims to address … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/23/21

Law enforcement leaders from Lacey, Olympia, Yelm, Tumwater, Tenino, Thurston County Sheriff's Office and The Evergreen State College issued a statement that clarifies how the services they provide are changing due to laws passed by the Washington Legislature legislature in 2021.

Regional police agencies issue "Joint Statement on Legislation for Law Enforcement" today

The following message is being sent on behalf of the following law enforcement executives from Thurston County: Interim Chief Aaron Jelcick, Olympia Police Department Chief Robert Almada, Lacey … more

7/23/21

Brass knuckles allegedly belonging to Harley Pierce were taken as evidence on Tue., July 20, 2021.

West Olympia homeless resident accuses fellow transient of threatening his life

A transient allegedly robbed a fellow transient at gunpoint, while taking his tent, near railroad tracks in west Olympia on Tuesday, July 20, just before 4 a.m. Harley Pierce, 32, whose address is … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/22/21

Capitol Lake’s future in limbo again

The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) proposed to remove the 5th Avenue Dam on the Capitol Lake Deschutes Estuary at the Port of Olympia commissioners’ work session … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/20/21 | 3 comments

The short story of drunk driving, from left to right: Drink. Drive. Court.

DUI suspect apologized for being uncooperative, police say

A 63-year-old man was arrested for driving under the influence after speeding in his minivan and slamming the brakes hard enough to jerk the vehicle forward, right in front of a police car stopped at … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/14/21

The debris spread around the grounds at the homeless encampment on Deschutes Parkway in Olympia was a mix of abandoned personal effects and trash, such as food package wrappers, stuffing such as is contained in sleeping bags, toys and outdoor clothing and discarded tents.

Ensign Road homeless encampment set for clean-up next week

Olympia officials announced on Wednesday that it will conduct a clean-up on the vehicle encampment along Ensign Road next Monday, July 12. The clean-up is a part of the city’s program which … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/8/21 | 2 comments

The glass panel to the right of the door shown above is one of several Adan Rincon is accused of destroying at Athena Fitness and Wellness on June 27, 2021.

Transient man adds theft and property damages to challenges with local laws, police say

A transient graffiti artist was arrested twice in the span of four days, first for shoplifting a sandwich and then breaking a gym’s street-facing glass with an … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/7/21

This shows the proposed buildings in the West Bay Yards development. Once completed, the development will have 470 dwelling units and 20,000 sq. ft of commercial space.

Port of Olympia reviews $200 million West Bay Yards Proposal

Port of Olympia commissioners reviewed the proposed $200 million West Bay Yards proposal during a special commission work session yesterday. Brandon Smith and Ron Newman of The West Bay … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/7/21

Olympia's Familiar Faces program has received attention from around the United States.

Familiar Faces Program becomes a permanent part of downtown services

The Olympia City Council approved funding for the Familiar Faces program as a part of its city operations last Thursday, June 29, following a three-year trial period. The program provides a … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/6/21

South Bay BBQ fans can look forward to a new restaurant someday at 4336 Martin Way E if Olympia approves the plans of property owners Eric and Suvantha Dickerson.

Three new housing projects reviewed by Olympia Site Plan Review Committee

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee reviewed three proposed housing projects along Wheeler Ave., Martin Way and Evergreen Park Drive at their meeting on Wed., June 30. These meetings … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/2/21

Speaking in support of downtown Olympia

Like many folks, I’ve long had an appreciation for Olympia’s downtown. Just the fact that we have one is a big deal and a huge community benefit. Fun small businesses, a … more

By Pat Cole | 6/29/21 | 4 comments

The left photo shows how the Martin Way Corridor looked when originally constructed in the early 1930’s. The Corridor was a part of the original highway system. The right photo shows what Martin Way looks like now as the county plans to turn the area from an automobile-dominated roadway to a more pedestrian-friendly road.

Martin Way Corridor Study: Online Open House available now through July 7

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) identified safety as priorities for its Martin Way Corridor Study during a public hearing on Wed., June 23. In the discussion, TRPC Associate … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/25/21

This traffic direction warning sign is one of the items Olympia police say Adan Rincon defaced on Sun., June 20, 2021.

Unrepentent graffiti tagger busted on Sunday

A transient claiming to be a graffiti artist was arrested after tagging several objects in downtown Olympia on Sun., June 20. Adan Rincon, 38, was dressed in all black, carrying a shoulder pack … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/22/21