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

Community Planning and Development senior planner Cari Hornbein gave an overview of the consultant's evaluation of Neighborhood Centers on July 21, 2022. This chart indicates each location's potential success as a Neighborhood Center .

5 Neighborhood Centers have the potential to succeed, says Olympia planner

Olympia identified five locations the city considers ideal for its Neighborhood Centers during its Land Use and Environment Committee meeting yesterday, July 21. Puget Pantry, San Francisco Street … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/22/22 | 1 comment

Sandjay Property, through Barghausen Consulting Engineers, submitted a proposal to build a 32-lot single-family detached residential subdivision at 2020 Lister Road NE in Olympia. The Site Plan Committee reviewed the plan on July 13, 2022.

New subdivision proposed for Lister Road

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee yesterday held a proposal for a 32-lot single-family detached residential subdivision on a 4.7-acre parcel area at 2020 Lister Road NE. Ivana Halvorsen, of … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/22/22

What’s happening coming up?

Tenino Depot Museum Pioneer Village- Depot MuseumJuly 22 10:00am-4:00pm, July 23 10:00am-5:00pm, July 24 11:00am-3:00pm Do you enjoy making antler jewelry, apple cider, making, blacksmithing, … more

7/22/22 | 1 comment

Parking staff surveyed the Downtown area in August and October of 2021; and the data shows relatively low parking demand

Olympia revises proposal on downtown exempt parking area for new construction

Olympia’s Community Planning & Development Department discussed the revisions for the proposed Downtown exempt parking area on Monday, July 18, during the meeting of the city Planning … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 7/22/22

During the Olympia Site Plan Committee meeting held on July 20, 2022, the State Department of Enterprise Services, through architecture firm Miller Hull Partnership, presented the four-story floor plan for the Newhouse Building replacement project.

New Newhouse Building is planned for Capitol Campus

The State Department of Enterprise Services (DES), which handles a multi-phased project on the Capitol Campus, unveiled the replacement plan for the Irving R. Newhouse Building during the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/22/22 | 2 comments

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

Two felony charges for man accused of robbing store, stabbing employee

A Lacey man was charged with two felonies after allegedly robbing a grocery store and stabbing an employee who attempted to stop him. Omri Patrick Zeledon, 21, was charged with first-degree … more

By Julia Ornedo | 7/20/22

At the July 19, 2022 Olympia city council meeting, council members made a standing ovation to honor the men and women of Downtown Ambassadors and Clean Team for their 10-year service to the community.

Olympia Downtown Ambassadors and Clean Team honored for 10 years of service to the community

The Olympia City Council honored the men and women in the Olympia Downtown Ambassador Program and Clean Team for their 10 years of service in extending business support and hospitality services to … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/20/22

Olympia man allegedly punches city jail corrections officer

An Olympia man was arrested after allegedly punching a corrections officer while undergoing a pre-booking process at the Olympia City Jail. Greggery Howard Vader, 34, was arrested late in the … more

By Julia Ornedo | 7/19/22

WCA 2022 graduate Sebastian (Paige) Elliot celebrated with Washington Connections Academy Principal Mike Bryant and Assistant Principal Gillian Morgan at an in-person graduation event on June 13, 2022.

Congratulations to Thurston County's Washington Connections Academy Class of 2022

Washington Connections Academy's (WCA) 12 graduates from Thurston County celebrated their graduation with the rest of their 283 classmates from the school's Class of 2022 with an in-person event on … more

The JOLT Staff | 7/19/22

In a presentation at the Olympia School District Board meeting on July 14, 2022, Sandy Hallstrom said most students who participated in the survey prefer to keep the current calendar.

Balanced School Year: Students prefer the current calendar

Students prefer to keep the current calendar, according to a survey conducted by Olympia School District this spring. Sandy Hallstrom, a community leader involved with the Balanced Calendar … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/18/22 | 1 comment

At the planning meeting for a proposed Regional Fire Authority on July 11, 2022, consultant Karen Reed discussed a Fire Benefit Charge.

New 'Fire Benefit Charge' would rate properties - and annual charges - according to size, use

During the Regional Fire Authority (RFA) Planning Committee meeting on Monday, July 11, consultant Karen Reed presented a new financial model that could increase revenues for the first seven years of … more

By Lorilyn C. Liro and Danny Stusser | 7/15/22 | 10 comments

During the school district meeting on July 14, 2022, OSD Financial Services director Kate Davis showed a graph reflecting a steep enrollment decline since the pandemic.

Declining enrollment tightens OSD belt anew

Olympia School District (OSD) is facing constriction in the budget as it sees a further decline in enrollment for the School Year 2022-2023, said OSD Assistant Supt. of Business and Finance Jennifer … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/15/22 | 1 comment

Olympia will host a talk on the eviction process on July 19, 2022.

Olympia to host webinar on eviction

Olympia will be holding a webinar on Tuesday, July 19, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. to educate community members on eviction and its process. Partnering with Thurston Thrives, the webinar will feature … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 7/15/22

Olympia man allegedly attacks police after exposing himself in public

An Olympia man was charged with a felony after allegedly attacking police who responded to complaints about him masturbating and relieving himself in public. The man, 24, was charged with … more

By Julia Ornedo | 7/15/22

Housing Programs manager Darian Lightfoot briefed the Olympia council members on two resolutions that addressed encampments during the council meeting held July 12, 2022.

Olympia enters agreement with Washington, other local jurisdictions to address encampments on I-5

The Olympia City Council has adopted two resolutions to address encampments on state rights of way next to Interstate 5. At the council meeting held Tuesday, July 12, Housing Programs … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/14/22

Church’s recovery program client charged with stealing ministry’s car

A man who was participating in a church’s recovery program for drug addicts has been accused of stealing the congregation-owned car located in Olympia. Nicholas Lindo, 33, of Union, was … more

By Julia Ornedo | 7/14/22

At the Olympia city council meeting held July 12, 2022, Strategic Projects manager Amy Buckler shared with city council members Olympia Strong goal of forming a strategy that can support the community's economic resiliency.

Poverty in Olympia: City program seeks to aid vulnerable individuals

Olympia Strong, a program started during the early months of the pandemic, is continuing as a 12-month city program focused on helping build resiliency for the most economically vulnerable … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/13/22 | 1 comment

The map shows the locations of Olympia's proposed neighborhood centers.

Olympia wants feedback on neighborhood centers

Olympia will hold a virtual meeting and two in-person events this month on the recently-concluded market analysis of its neighborhood centers strategy. The virtual meeting will be held on … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/11/22 | 3 comments

Two of the art pieces of the Percival Plinth Project sculptures near Percival Landing displayed next to the skateboard park. Behind the art installations you can see a younger man on his skateboard. Artworks are Resilience by Fumi Amano andSprout by Ken Turner.

Delightful perusal – enjoy the sculptures at Percival Landing and vote

Take a walk among the art at the Percival Plinth Project in Olympia. The city is hosting 18 sculpture pieces this year loaned by regional artists. The community can vote on this, and whichever piece … more

By Sage Hamilton | 7/5/22

Olympia woman charged after allegedly going amuck, assaulting police, damaging property

An Olympia woman was charged with a felony and a gross misdemeanor after allegedly damaging a restaurant window and later assaulting an officer who responded to the initial incident. Elizabeth Mae … more

By Julia Ornedo | 7/1/22