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

Schmidt House's Japanese Bigleaf Magnolia in Tumwater may be one of the largest of its species

A Japanese Bigleaf Magnolia tree ( Magnolia obovata ) located at the Schmidt House was formally designated as a heritage tree during Tumwater’s city council meeting on Monday, July 31. … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/1/23 | 1 comment

Ballots being sorted, photo November 7, 2022.

Don't forget to vote

The Thurston County Auditor's Office is reminding voters to submit their ballots by tomorrow, August 1 before 8 p.m. There are 29 ballot drop boxes distributed throughout the county (see … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 7/31/23 | 2 comments

What’s happening: Thurston County Fair and more

Enjoy the last days of July and welcome the fast-approaching days of August! 2023 Thurston County Fair, Weekend, July 26 - 30 Fair hours: 10-9 Wed & Thurs, 10-10 Fri & Sat, 10-8 Sun … more

7/27/23

Tumwater’s Planning Commission met with Land Use and Housing Planner Erika Smith-Erickson (right) and Planning Manager Brad Medrud yesterday, July 26, for a discussion on Thurston County’s Hazards Mitigation Plan. JOLT Staff via Zoom

Planners update Tumwater’s planning commission on Thurston’s Hazards Mitigation Plan

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) is embarking on the fourth update of the regional Hazards Mitigation Plan , last updated in 2017. Land Use and Housing Planner Erika Smith-Erickson … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 7/26/23 | 3 comments

Non-profit looks to house more high school students experiencing housing issues

Non-profit TOGETHER! is looking to provide more high school students experiencing housing instability with short-term housing through its Host Homes Program. Host Homes Program Director Tami … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/26/23

A Cascadia High School Class of 2023 graduate.

Congratulations to Cascadia High School's Class of 2023

Cascadia High School held its graduation ceremony for its Class of 2023 at the New Market Vocational Skills Center Lecture Hall on Monday, June 12 with family and friends. Students Emma … more

7/26/23

Tumwater High School sends off Class of 2023

Tumwater High School celebrated its graduates on June 9 at their campus with family and friends looking on. Principal Dr. Jeff Broome, Superintendent Dr. Carole Meyer, Student Speakers Eden … more

7/25/23

Water Resources Director Dan Smith briefs the Public Works Committee about the utility components of the 2024-2029 Capital Facilities Plan.

Tumwater proposes adding 6 water utility projects to the upcoming capital facilities plan

Tumwater City staff is proposing six new projects as part of the drinking water, sanitary sewer, and storm drain components of the upcoming 2024-2029 Capital Facilities Plan (CFP). Water … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/24/23

Younger woman helping an elderly woman around the house and garden.

Senior’s nonprofit offers housing match up with adults in exchange for low rent and help

Senior Services for South Sound took the occasion of Tumwater’s celebration of the nonprofit’s golden anniversary to offer a solution for housing problems and seniors who need care. … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/20/23

Tumwater Inn & Suites is located at 5895 Capitol Blvd SE

County Housing Authority acquires Tumwater Inn for senior housing

Housing Authority of Thurston County (HATC) has acquired Tumwater Inn & Suites, HATC Executive Director Craig Chance told the Tumwater City Council on Tuesday, July 18. HATC plans to convert … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/20/23

Senior Services for South Sound Executive Director Brian Windrope turns to show a 50th anniversary commemorative T-shirt for his organization.

Tumwater recognizes Senior Services for South Sound as it turns 50

Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan signed a proclamation recognizing the contribution of Senior Services for South Sound in uplifting the lives of seniors on Tuesday, July 18, as the non-profit … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/20/23

Congratulations to New Market High School's Class of 2023

New Market High School's Class of 2023 marched to their graduation at their campus' lecture hall Friday, July 7. The 33 seniors listened to the speeches of Paul Polston-Barnes, Principal … more

7/19/23

6541 Henderson Boulevard SE will be reduced to one lane from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Thursday, July 20, and Friday, July 21, 2023.

Traffic disruptions at Henderson Boulevard SE in Tumwater tomorrow

The area near 6541 Henderson Boulevard SE will be reduced to one lane from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Thursday, July 20, and Friday, July 21, announced Tumwater in a press release. According to … more

7/19/23

The northbound Interstate 5 off-ramp and on-ramp at Exit 102 to Trosper Road SW will be closed from 9 p.m., Friday, July 21, to 5:00 a.m., Monday, July 31, 2023

I-5 northbound ramps at Trosper to close Friday for 10 days

The northbound Interstate 5 off-ramp and on-ramp at Exit 102 to Trosper Road SW will be closed from 9 p.m., Friday, July 21, to 5:00 a.m., Monday, July 31. “This extended closure will … more

7/19/23

Tumwater Fire Chief Biran Hurley (lower left) reported to the Civil Service Commission their next steps after the rejection of the RFA.

Tumwater fire chief lays out next steps post-RFA

Tumwater’s fire department will now pursue a new strategic plan after voters rejected a ballot measure that would have created a regional fire authority (RFA) with Olympia, Fire Chief Brian … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/18/23 | 3 comments

“I feel they've gone totally overboard,” Councilmember Joan Cathey says about the state’s Wildland-Urban Interface Code.

Tumwater halts tree code amendment process, new wildfire codes to consider

Tumwater has put a pause on its Urban Forestry Management Plan (UFMP) as the city prepares to adopt a new state building code that seeks to prevent wildfire spread. The UFMP seeks to update the … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/18/23 | 2 comments

AG West BHHS graduates line up for a class picture.

Black Hills HS celebrates Class of 2023

A.G. West Black Hills High School celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2023 at Saint Martin's Pavilion on Saturday, June 8. with Tumwater local, Ayn Gore as the speaker. Congratulations … more

7/18/23

Traffic disruption expected on I-5 between Grand Mound and Tumwater Thursday, July 20

Motorists using Interstate 5 between Grand Mound and Tumwater are being warned of slowed traffic from today until Thursday, July 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., by the Washington State Department of … more

7/18/23

The general government CFP has 39 projects with a projected total cost of $76.5 million, and the transportation CFP has 26 projects with a projected total cost of $82.9 million.

Tumwater’s Transportation Director briefs Planning Commission on General Government and Transportation projects

Tumwater’s Transportation & Engineering Director Brandon Hicks introduced the Capital Facilities Plan (CFP)’s General Government and Transportation project list to the Planning … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 7/13/23

Tumwater City Attorney Karen Kirkpatrick (lower left) explains to the city council why they need an Opioid Abatement Council subcommittee.

Tumwater joins county committee to monitor spending of opioid settlement funds

Tumwater will join a countywide committee to oversee the distribution of the second tranche of the national settlement funds from opioid manufacturers and distributors, which City Attorney Karen … more

7/12/23