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

Members of the public filled the Tumwater School District Board of Directors meeting room to protest the approval of a resolution banning trans girls in school sports on Feb. 27, 2025.

Community pushes back on Tumwater School District’s position on transgender sports participants

The Tumwater School District (TSD) Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 09-24-25 at its Feb. 27 meeting, establishing support for the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/10/25 | 13 comments

The Public Works Committee met on Thursday, March 6, 2025, to discuss a contract amendment with Fehr & Peers so that the firm could work on a bicycle and pedestrian plan.

Tumwater to develop bicycle and pedestrian plan

Tumwater is set to work on a bicycle and pedestrian plan as part of its transportation plan, a component of the city’s ongoing update to its ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/10/25

Beehive Industrial Park, a 55-acre light industrial area along Trosper Road in Tumwater, experiences localized flooding which then drains without treatment to Percival Creek. As part of its consent agenda on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the Tumwater City Council approved a contract with Fuller Designs to design a solution for flooding in the area.

Tumwater hires firm to design stormwater improvements in Beehive Industrial Park

An industrial park is in line for stormwater improvements following a decision by the Tumwater City Council. The council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan on Tuesday, March 4, to hire Fuller … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/6/25

Intercity Transit Deputy Director of Planning Rob LaFontaine and Marketing, Communications & Outreach Officer Nick Demerice met with the Tumwater School District School Board at a regular meeting on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025.

Intercity Transit mulls one seat, direct bus rides to Tumwater schools by September

Aside from additional bus stops, the community can expect more frequent, direct and one-seat bus rides to and from the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/4/25 | 1 comment

Local nonprofit to hold Death Care and Life Transitions Expo

Local nonprofit The Elderhood Senior Alliance will hold its first Death Care and Life Transitions Expo and is inviting the community to the regular Death Cafes and Candles ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/3/25

Tumwater Police Department Chief Jon Weiks retired after a 37-year career with the law enforcement agency.

Tumwater Police Department Chief Jon Weiks retires after 37-year career

The end of the month also marked the end of the line for Tumwater Police Department Chief Jon Weiks, who has retired after 37 years of working for the law enforcement agency. “After 37 … more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 2/28/25 | 3 comments

High wind warning in effect for Thurston County

A high wind warning is in effect for Thurston County with gusts well over 40 miles per hour in the forecast. The warning, which is in effect until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, was issued by the … more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 2/24/25

Tumwater Inn and Suites, as seen in this undated photo, at 5895 Capital Blvd. SW, in Tumwater.

City council reallocates money for renovation of Tumwater Inn

The Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to amend a contract with the Housing Authority of Thurston County more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/24/25 | 2 comments

The Tumwater City Council authorized a contract with ICF Jones & Stokes LLC, as part of its consent agenda on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.

Tumwater enters fourth phase of habitat conservation plan

The Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to sign an agreement with ICF Jones & Stokes LLC to work on the fourth phase of the ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/21/25 | 4 comments

What’s happening this weekend — art, nature and cultural events

Make your final weekend of February fun and philanthropic by supporting local causes in ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 2/20/25

Tumwater School District Assistant Superintendent Ben Rarick presented the Reduced Educational Support Program Resolution (#2) to the Board of Directors at a meeting on Feb. 13, 2025 meeting.

Tumwater School District cuts more than 35 school-level staff positions

In an attempt to make up for a $7 million deficit, the Tumwater School District (TSD) Board of Directors approved Reduced Educational Support Program Resolution (#2) for the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 2/19/25 | 3 comments

The historic Davis-Meeker Garry oak tree, as seen in this undated photo, stands by the Olympia Airport and Old Highway 99 in Tumwater.

New risk assessment of the Davis-Meeker tree finds it poses 'moderate' risk

A second risk assessment of the Davis-Meeker Garry oak tree located on Old Highway 99 in Tumwater shows that the tree, at most, posed a ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/14/25 | 7 comments

Tumwater Finance Director Troy Niemeyer (top left) and City Administrator Lisa Parks (top right) gave an update about the city’s life-line program to the Public Works Committee, composed of council members Eileen Swarthout (top left) and Angela Jefferson (bottom left), on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.

Utility bill assistance program aims to lower costs for certain households in Tumwater

City of Tumwater Finance Director Troy Niemeyer told the Public Works Committee on Thursday, Feb. 6, that staffers have identified 294 households that are qualified to join a life-line program. more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/10/25

Lacey City Council member Carolyn Cox (middle) was elected as the new chair of Intercity Transit’s board of directors on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. To her left is Wendy Goodwin, a community representative to the board, and to her right is Robert Vanderpool, who represents the Olympia City Council.

Carolyn Cox elected new chair of Intercity Transit Authority

Members of the Intercity Transit Authority, the agency’s board of directors, elected Lacey Council member Carolyn Cox as their new chair and Sue Pierce as the vice chair on Wednesday, Feb … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/7/25 | 1 comment

Of the three potential sites the city is considering for a new community center, Corey Wilkerson from Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture, said the WSDOT site “takes the top spot,” followed by the airport site, and then the brewery site.

Early concepts of proposed Tumwater community center emerge

Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture presented to Tumwater City Council on Tuesday, January 28, early programming and layout plans for a proposed community center. City staff has narrowed their … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/4/25 | 2 comments

A survey, which was conducted from Dec. 10-30, 2024, asked participants how they preferred the City of Tumwater fund the costs of a proposed community center.

Tumwater residents weigh in on how to fund proposed community center

A survey conducted by the City of Tumwater to gather public input about a proposed community center showed that a vast majority of participants agree to funding the operating costs of the facility … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/4/25

Tumwater School District Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations Ben Rarick discussed a redistricting petition with the Tumwater School District Board of Directors at a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025.

Residents file petition to move children from Yelm to Tumwater School District

Residents of a Yelm neighborhood have petitioned to change their area’s school district boundary from Yelm Community Schools (YCS) to Tumwater School District (TSD). 54.5% of residents … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 1/30/25 | 1 comment

What’s happening this weekend — community festivals and fundraisers

Let us welcome February with wonderful community events. more

1/30/25

The Tumwater School District Board of Directors authorized a $4 million loan from the Capital Projects Fund to the General Fund and the termination of 27 staff positions from the district office and support services at a meeting on Jan. 23, 2025.

Tumwater School District implementing cost-saving measures

The Tumwater School District (TSD) Board of Directors authorized a $4 million loan from the Capital Projects Fund (Fund 20) to the General Fund (Fund 10), as the district experienced its lowest September cash balance ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 1/28/25

When the transportation benefit district was originally pitched to voters in 2014, Tumwater city staff expected that the funds from the taxing district would fund the maintenance of streets identified in the left map. The right map shows the status of those streets, which are mostly completed at this point.

Tumwater voters to consider renewing sales tax for street maintenance projects

Tumwater voters will consider a ballot measure on whether to retain a 0.2% sales tax the city uses to fund street maintenance projects. The Tumwater City Council … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/28/25 | 1 comment