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

A preliminary rendering of the new city hall in Tumwater by architecture firm Artisan's Group.

Council decision looms on Tumwater City Hall

The City of Tumwater is one step away from locking down a new location for city ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/19/26 | 3 comments

Tumwater Police Department Chief Carlos Quiles, center, and TPD Records Supervisor Ashleigh Clark, bottom left, met with the Tumwater Public Health and Safety Committee on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026.

Tumwater Police Department dealing with higher requests for public records

Requests for public records are on the rise and taking longer to process at the Tumwater Police Department, largely because of ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/13/26 | 4 comments

City Attorney Karen Kirkpatrick (top right) briefe the Tumwater Public Health and Safety Committee on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, about a contract with the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution services.

Tumwater committee recommends renewing court services contracts with Thurston County

The Tumwater Public Health and Safety Committee recommended the adoption of two agreements with Thurston County for court ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/13/26

A presentation by Tumwater Water Resources and Sustainability Department Director Dan Smith showed the future progression of the Deschutes Estuary restoration project. He made his remarks at a Public Works Committee meeting on Oct. 8, 2026.

Tumwater committee advances Deschutes Estuary resolution

The Tumwater Public Works Committee backed a resolution reinforcing the city's support for the Deschutes Estuary Restoration ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/12/26 | 7 comments

Tumwater City Hall is located at 555 Israel Road in Tumwater.

Public input sought on long-term plan for economic development in Tumwater

The City of Tumwater is seeking input from the public as part of an effort to update the Economic Development Element of its ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/9/26

The Davis Meeker Garry oak tree on Old Highway 99 in Tumwater on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. Two branches fell from the southwestern portion of the historic tree on Sept. 25, 2026.

New assessment being done on damaged Davis Meeker Garry oak tree in Tumwater

The city of Tumwater is working with Todd Prager & Associates on a new assessment of the historic Davis Meeker Garry oak tree after ... more

By Danny Stusser and Jerome Tuaño | 10/6/26 | 20 comments

The entrance to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission offices in Lacey.

PSE new rate hike proposal draws public ire at hearing in Lacey

The room was packed with a line out the door during the public comment hearing for a Puget Sound Energy rate proposal ... more

By Aspen Ford | Washington State Standard | 10/1/26 | 15 comments

What’s happening this weekend in Thurston County

Browse a huge selection of used books, attend a festival or participate in a pinochle tournament this weekend in Thurston ... more

P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/1/26

A slide from Tumwater Finance Director Troy Niemeyer’s presentation to the Tumwater City Council on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, showed proposed rate increases to drinking water, sewer and stormwater fees.

Utility rate increases sought for 2027-28 in Tumwater

Utility rates are poised to climb in Tumwater over the next two years, as the city looks to raise the money needed to pay for capital projects and ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/29/26 | 7 comments

The Davis Meeker Garry oak tree in Tumwater, as seen on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.

Large branch falls from Davis Meeker Garry oak tree during windstorm in Tumwater

A storied oak tree near Olympia Regional Airport took a hit when a large branch broke off and fell to the ground during a windstorm on ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 9/28/26 | 13 comments

Tumwater City Council reviews funding requests for utilities, golf course

Funding requests from the Tumwater Water Resources & Sustainability Department and Tumwater Valley Municipal Golf Course have been ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/28/26 | 3 comments

The Tumwater School District Board of Directors adopted three policies on Sept. 24, 2026.

Tumwater School District board adopts revised policies related to students

The Tumwater School District Board of Directors adopted policies related to the welfare of students with disabilities and responsible phone use, along ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/28/26 | 1 comment

A map showing the different segments that make up the Deschutes Valley Trail. Only Segment 1A has been completed.

Deschutes Valley Trail's longest segment coming into focus

The City of Tumwater is looking to open bidding for the construction contract of Deschutes Valley Trail’s longest segment between late October ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/25/26 | 6 comments

CARES Program agreement renewed in Tumwater

The Tumwater City Council authorized the renewal of a grant agreement to continue funding a referral program that connects individuals to ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/22/26 | 1 comment

The facade of the building at 310 Israel Road in Tumwater. The city is considering purchasing the property via bond financing and renovating it to become its new city hall.

Tumwater City Council backs $65 million bond ordinance

An ordinance authorizing the issuance of up to $65 million in general obligation bonds to pay for three major projects passed muster with the Tumwater ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/16/26 | 6 comments

LOTT Finance and Administration Director Justin Long presented the proposed 2027-28 Budget and Capital Improvements Plan during the LOTT Board of Directors meeting on Sept. 9, 2026.

LOTT proposes $146.1 million budget with higher wastewater rates

The LOTT Clean Water Alliance is proposing two consecutive annual wastewater rate increases, as part of a $146.1 million budget weighted ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/15/26

Tumwater City Council reviews budget requests from police, fire departments

The Tumwater City Council embarked on an initial review of funding requests from the police and fire departments, as the governing body moved toward ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/15/26 | 1 comment

The proposed site plan for a new Costco warehouse at Tumwater Boulevard and Littlerock Road. The new location will be sited on a 22.5-acre parcel and will include a fueling station and car wash.

Costco to spend $16M in road improvements, impact fees as part of development in Tumwater

Costco Wholesale Corporation is expected to spend around $16 million on road improvements and traffic impact fees under a proposed development ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/11/26 | 3 comments

Tumwater Administrative Services Director Michelle Sutherland’s presented a new bargaining agreement with the Tumwater Police Guild to the Tumwater City Council on Sept. 1, 2026.

Tumwater City Council approves new contract with police guild

The Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff to sign a new, three-year contract with the Tumwater Police ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/7/26 | 1 comment

The Tumwater Budget & Finance Committee met on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, to review an ordinance related to general obligation bonds.

Committee endorses ordinance related to general obligation bonds in Tumwater

The Tumwater Budget & Finance Committee endorsed an ordinance that allows city staff to advance work related to the issuance of general ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/4/26 | 1 comment