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

A slide from a March 20, 2025, presentation by Colby Fletcher, Tumwater’s construction manager, illustrated the increase of costs for a sidewalk project along Linwood Avenue in Tumwater.

Cost to go up for sidewalk project along Linwood Avenue in Tumwater

The cost is going up for a sidewalk improvement project along Linwood Avenue in Tumwater. The Tumwater City Council authorized the city’s engineering director to increase the contract … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/3/25

Dan Smith, the director of the water resources and sustainability department in Tumwater, showe the Public Works Committee their new office at South Puget Sound Community College at a meeting on March 20.

Renovation of water resources and sustainability department’s office complete in Tumwater

Tumwater has finalized two projects by its water resources and sustainability department. The city council considered the renovation of its water resources and sustainability … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/3/25

What’s happening this weekend — Mosaic Snail Plant Stakes, Roundup Stamp and Coin Show and other events

The first weekend in April offers a chance to visit with a kid-friendly hobbyist and take part in some fundraising activities in ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/3/25

The Yorkshire Apartments by Grandview Yorkshire LLC is a 21.7-acre apartment complex being planned at a location between Israel Road and Tumwater Boulevard. Tumwater City Council approved a conditional contract for “Building One” of the site (highlighted in red) on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

Developer of apartment complex gets conditional exemption from property taxes in Tumwater

The developer of a 21.7-acre apartment complex in Tumwater is set to secure an exemption from property taxes for ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/2/25 | 9 comments

A map shows the stretch of Linwood Avenue SW impacted by a road paving project in Tumwater.

Linwood Avenue SW in Tumwater impacted by paving project

A paving operation is forcing the reduction of traffic lanes on Linwood Avenue SW in Tumwater, the city said in an ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/1/25

House Page Isabella Martin with Rep. Beth Doglio, as seen on March 25, 2025.

Tumwater High School student participates in Washington State House Page Program

Tumwater High School student Isabella Martin recently experienced the Washington State Legislature firsthand by serving as a page in the ... more

By JC Medina | 4/1/25

City of Tumwater Administrator Lisa Parks showed their city council on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, a map delineating the tasks involved with the second phase of the environmental site assessment of the old Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) office on Capitol Boulevard. The blue text refers to work to be done by WSDOT’s consultants, while the red text refers to tasks that would be the responsibility of Tumwater’s consultants.

Tumwater City Council gets update on community center site

Should the City of Tumwater pursue a community center in the old Washington State Department of Transportation office on Capitol Boulevard, it will have to address a list of ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/27/25 | 4 comments

Capital Region Educational Service District (ESD) 113 congratulated 2025 Art Show winners from Black Hills, Olympia, Timberline and Tumwater high schools.

Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater high schoolers win awards at regional art show

Students from Black Hills, Olympia, Timberline and Tumwater high schools were some of the 2025 Art Show winners in ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/25/25

Lisa Parks (left), Tumwater’s city administrator, briefed the Tumwater City Council on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, about the standardization of contracts of all 10 department directors employed by the city.

Tumwater City Council standardizes contracts for department directors

Contracts are getting standardized for director-level positions in the City of Tumwater. The Tumwater City Council authorized a contract template on ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/21/25 | 1 comment

Brandon Hicks (left), Tumwater’s transportation and engineering director, briefed the Tumwater City Council on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, about a resolution expressing the council’s support for renewing a transportation benefit district, which voters will consider in a special election on April 22, 2025.

Tumwater City Council supports ballot measure to retain sales tax for road maintenance

The Tumwater City Council passed a resolution on Tuesday, March 18, expressing its support of a ballot measure to retain a 0.2% sales tax used for ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/20/25 | 1 comment

Members of the Tumwater School District Board of Directors reviewed procedural rules at a work session on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Tumwater School District board reviews protocols following audience protest

Following a recent issue regarding audience protest and proper implementation of meeting protocols, members of the Tumwater School District (TSD) Board of Directors reviewed ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/20/25 | 3 comments

What’s happening this weekend — Community Resource Fair, Dancing with the Eagles Open House and other festivities

Meet other people, join information sessions, and take the kids for a stroll this weekend in ... more

P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/20/25

Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations Ben Rarick and Director of Finance & Operations Kira Acker led the budget work session of the Tumwater School District Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Tumwater School District makes multimillion-dollar money transfer to address budget shortfall

A shortfall in the Tumwater School District budget triggered a multimillion-dollar transfer of funds to ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/19/25

Tumwater School District Board of Directors members Darby Kaikkonen, Casey Taylor and Ty Kuehl defended their vote supporting WIAA’s amendments at a work session on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Tumwater school board members address transgender athletes issue

After voting to support the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s (WIAA) amendments limiting the participation of transgender student athletes, Tumwater School District (TSD) … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/18/25 | 8 comments

The historic Davis Meeker Oak stands by the Olympia Airport and Old Hwy. 99 in Tumwater. Mayor Debbie Sullivan and city staff have been working intensely to tear down the 400-year-old tree, which is on the historic register and of significance to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. Meanwhile, the organization Save the Davis-Meeker Garry Oak has been fighting to save the tree from destruction.

Tumwater City Council reviews strategies for retaining Davis-Meeker tree

The City of Tumwater is now working on ways to mitigate the risk of keeping the historic David-Meeker Garry ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/17/25 | 15 comments

Dispute Resolution Center expands services

The Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) of Thurston County announced it has expanded its services to address and resolve ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/14/25 | 1 comment

The Port of Olympia Commission listened to public comments at its Monday, March 10, 2025, meeting before voting on a contract amendment with Panattoni Development Company that would allow the developer to begin the development of a 50-acre industrial site. On the podium is resident John Saison, speaking about the number and quality of jobs to be expected from the project.

Port of Olympia Commission approves contract amendment with Panattoni

A proposed industrial development in Tumwater by Panattoni Development Company is one step closer to reality after clearing a ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/13/25 | 3 comments

Chuck Denney (bottom left), director of Tumwater’s parks and recreation department, briefed the Tumwater City Council on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, about a lease for the department’s new office.

Tumwater’s parks and recreation department to relocate

Tumwater’s parks and recreation department is moving away from city hall. Chuck Denney, the department director, told the ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/13/25 | 1 comment

What’s happening this weekend — Lantern Lights the Library, Death Care Expo and other events

This weekend take in a film screening, have a few laughs, update an expired passport, take in a workshop and more in ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/13/25

The Tumwater Police Department is urging the public to share information on the location or the people responsible for stealing a vintage 1966 Lincoln Continental bearing a Washington license plate JBE888.

Tumwater police seeking information on stolen classic Lincoln Continental

The Tumwater Police Department (TPD) is seeking the public’s help in recovering a vintage 1966 Lincoln Continental that was stolen during ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 3/12/25 | 1 comment