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

Traffic mitigation work is scheduled to start on Burbank Avenue NW in Olympia on Monday, July 20, 2026.

Signage, speed bumps to be installed on Burbank Avenue NW in west Olympia

Traffic mitigation work is going to make navigating a portion of the west side of Olympia a little more difficult for motorists ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/16/26 | 1 comment

A ballot box at The Evergreen State College in Olympia.

Ballots mailed out for Aug. 4 Primary Election in Thurston County

Ballots for the Aug. 4 Primary Election are on their way to registered voters in Thurston ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/16/26 | 1 comment

Come backstage with me

Every town tells stories about itself. Some are true. Some should be true. Some survive because people need them ... more

By David Scherer Water | 7/16/26 | 2 comments

A slide  shows a conceptual rendering of a new commission meeting hall at the former Dancing Goats building near the Olympia marine terminal entrance. Port of Olympia Public Works Program Manager James Sommer presented the slide at a Port of Olympia Commission meeting on Monday, July 13, 2026.

Port of Olympia Commission approves $5.25M contract to remodel former Dancing Goats building

The Port of Olympia Commission approved a $5.25 million contract to remodel the former Dancing Goats Coffee building near the marine ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/15/26 | 9 comments

The City of Olympia’s proposed timeline for workers’ affordability and workplace protections study includes research and stakeholder outreach in 2026.

Phased workers' affordability review moves forward in Olympia

The Olympia City Council directed staff to move forward with a phased process to study workers’ affordability and workplace protections over ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/15/26 | 3 comments

A stretch of Legion Way SE near Boundary Street SE in Olympia.

Tree maintenance program launching on Legion Way in Olympia

The City of Olympia is launching a tree maintenance and selective replacement program along Legion Way between Plum Street and Central ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/14/26 | 9 comments

A map of the multimillion-dollar Fones Road Corridor Project in Olympia.

Nighttime paving work to begin on Fones Road in Olympia

Some heavy lifting is going to take place this week along Fones Road in Olympia, as work crews will demolish existing pavement from Pacific ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 7/14/26 | 2 comments

Rowers on the SLAP Dragons KC Dragon Boat Team rested after completing their first qualifying row.

Dragon boats play on the water

For the third year in a row, the Olympia Dragon Boat Club hosted the Olympia Dragon Boat Festival at Port Plaza on July ... more

By JM Simpson | 7/14/26 | 2 comments

Olympia City Hall is located at 601 4th Ave. E in downtown Olympia.

City of Olympia to restart workers’ affordability and protections initiative

The City of Olympia is set to restart its workers’ affordability and protections initiative after the effort was paused during the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/13/26 | 6 comments

The "By Name List," as seen at "The Jungle" homeless encampment in Olympia.

Accountability, transparency key in effort to close 'The Jungle'

In July 2025, officials from the cities of Olympia and Lacey toured "The Jungle," a homeless encampment located between Martin Way and ... more

By JM Simpson | 7/13/26 | 10 comments

Marj Yung Park, formerly known as Kaiser Woods Park, in Olympia.

Hearing examiner approves mountain biking park project at Marj Yung Park in Olympia

A proposed mountain biking park at Marj Yung Park is another step closer to the construction stage after a conditional use permit was ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/10/26 | 7 comments

Bigelow Park is located at 1220 Bigelow Ave. NE in Olympia.

Bigelow Park playground in Olympia to close for surfacing work

Surfacing work will shut down the Bigelow Park playground in Olympia beginning on ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/10/26

Franz Anderson Village is located at 528 Franz Anderson Road in Olympia.

Funding approved for Franz Anderson Village in Olympia

The Olympia City Council approved two resolutions in support of continued operations at a low-barrier shelter and a services program for ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/8/26 | 4 comments

Olympia murder suspect dies after suffering medical emergency in custody

A 26-year-old man wanted in connection with an alleged homicide in Olympia died after suffering a medical emergency shortly after being arrested ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 7/8/26

An aerial view of "The Jungle" homeless encampment in Olympia, as seen in January 2026.

Olympia mayor addresses 'The Jungle' encampment transition plan

As a regional transition team moves forward with a phased approach to close “The Jungle” encampment in Olympia, Mayor Dontae ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 7/7/26 | 10 comments

Representatives of Thomas Architecture Studios present a rendering of the proposed Via Susina mixed-use development at the Casa Mia restaurant site in downtown Olympia. The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a pre-submission conference on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Casa Mia site eyed for mixed-use development in Olympia

A proposed mixed-use development at the Casa Mia restaurant site could bring up to 56 apartments and commercial ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/6/26 | 6 comments

Flags sit atop Olympia City Hall on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.

Olympia looking to bring EV charging stations to multifamily, affordable housing properties

The City of Olympia is seeking applications from multifamily property owners interested in installing electric vehicle charging ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/3/26 | 3 comments

Quince Street Village is a temporary housing site that helps reduce human suffering and the impacts of unmanaged camping in downtown Olympia.

Funding, lease approved for Quince Street Village in Olympia

The Olympia City Council approved two resolutions to continue operations at the Quince Street Village, authorizing a lease ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/2/26 | 7 comments

The voting window has opened for the 2026 Percival Plinth Project at Percival Landing in downtown Olympia.

Public voting opens for 2026 Percival Plinth Project

Olympia residents are invited to help shape the city’s public art collection by voting for their favorite sculpture in the 2026 Percival Plinth ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/1/26 | 6 comments

Ezee Fiber is seeking a master use permit to build its own underground fiber optic network. The Olympia City Council held a public hearing about the application on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

Public hearing held for Ezee Fiber’s proposed fiber optic network in Olympia

The Olympia City Council held a public hearing on a request from Ezee Fiber to build an underground fiber optic network in the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/1/26 | 2 comments