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

TSD President Scott Killough awards the certificate of recognition to James Kois from Black Hills High School.

Tumwater school board recognizes Music State Solo winners from city high schools

Tumwater School District (TSD) recognized students from local schools for participating and accomplishing several wins at a state music contest. TSD thanked James Kois from Black Hills High … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/29/23

Tumwater staff discuss social media and public record

Local jurisdictions are required to archive public records in compliance with the Public Records Act (PRA), but with social media blurring the line between what is personal and what is for work, it … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/25/23

The scales of Justice represent the idea of decisions reached fairly and objectively by a weighing of evidence.

Tumwater woman allegedly steals from store, assaults employee

A Tumwater woman was arrested after allegedly stealing food from a store and attacking an employee who confronted her for attempting to leave without paying. Tumwater police arrested Jaclyn T. … more

By Julia Ornedo | 5/24/23

Sustainability Coordinator Alyssa Jones Wood updates the Tumwater Public Works Committee on the recently installed EV charging stations at city hall.

Energy savings company proposes power efficiency measures to Tumwater

Energy savings company MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions has completed a preliminary audit of public facilities in Tumwater to identify potential energy-saving measures, Sustainability Coordinator … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/19/23

The red markings show the location of 13 road segments whose pavements are scheduled for repair this year.

Pavement repairs on 13 Tumwater roads scheduled for this year

Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to sign a $3.9 million public works contract with Miles Resources, LLC, for this year’s pavement maintenance project. Bill Lindauer, … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/17/23

Tumwater School Board held a hybrid meeting last Thursday, May 11 discussing TVA's potential suspension.

Tumwater Virtual Academy faces suspension from lack of students

Tumwater School District Interim Superintendent Carole Meyer moved to suspend Tumwater Virtual Academy (TVA)’s operations during a board meeting last Thursday, May 11, citing enrolment issues. … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/15/23 | 1 comment

Lisa Parks, newly appointed City Administrator for the City of Tumwater.

Tumwater City Council confirms Lisa Parks’ appointment

The Tumwater City Council voted 6-1 to confirm the appointment of Lisa Parks as the next city administrator on Tuesday, May 9. Parks is currently the executive services director at the Port of … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/12/23 | 1 comment

Ballots being sorted, photo November 7, 2022.

Which offices will be up for election this year? Candidate filing window is next week

The voter and candidacy registration deadline for the August 1 Primary Election is fast approaching. The Thurston County Auditor has published election deadlines on this website. … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/10/23

Tumwater City Council approved the renewal of a jail services agreement with the Nisqually Indian Tribe at a meeting on Tuesday, May 9.

Tumwater renews contract with Nisqually Corrections Center

The Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to renew its jail services agreement with the Nisqually Indian Tribe to provide housing for the city’s inmates at the Nisqually … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/10/23

The JOLT publishes readers' letters on Thurston County topics, generally verbatim and within a day or two of receiving them. These opinions come from members of our community.

Hey, democracy can work

The recent local election on the Regional Fire Authority was interesting, and eventful, and not because of the electoral result itself. In politics (all history?) the lessons learned, if at all, come … more

Submitted by Russ Lehman | 5/10/23 | 4 comments

This is a copy of the mailer sent to residents in Olympia and Tumwater during the week that ended March 31, 2023.

Tumwater signs joint defense agreement with Olympia to address PDC complaints

Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to sign a joint defense agreement with the city of Olympia on Tuesday, May 2, to address complaints filed by two area residents with the Public … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/8/23 | 6 comments

Handgun-looking toy leads to temporary lockout of Tumwater Middle School this morning

Tumwater Middle School was temporarily placed on lockout after a minor was seen heading to campus with an object later identified to be a toy that looked like a handgun. In a Facebook post , the … more

By Julia Ornedo | 5/8/23

Intercity Transit hosts 36th Annual Bicycle Community Challenge this month

Intercity Transit is hosting the Annual Bicycle Community Challenge in Thurston County this month. Bicycle Commuter Challenge Coordinator Duncan Green said the 36-year-old event is the … more

By JC Medina | 5/3/23

Tumwater Planning Commission met on April 25 to discuss proposed amendments for categorical exemptions in the SEPA review process.

To create more affordable housing, Tumwater is matching state thresholds for development to limit environmental reviews

Tumwater Planning Commission is working to match the maximum threshold allowed by the state for proposed development projects before they require a review under the State Environmental Policy Act … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/1/23

Chin Ho Chen

Chin Ho Chen, 79, of Tumwater, died on April 29 at Providence St. Peter Hospital. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Funeral Alternatives of Washington , 360-753-1065. more

5/1/23

Tumwater and Olympia voters rejected the proposed regional fire authority in the April 25, 2023 election, with 11,396 votes (63.68%) against 6,500 votes (36.32%).

Voters say no to regional fire authority

Olympia and Tumwater voters overwhelmingly rejected their cities’ proposition to divest their fire departments and merge them into a regional fire authority (RFA) as more than 63 percent of … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/26/23 | 8 comments

Who is the Thurston Climate Action Team and do they wear capes?

Did you miss me? Apologies if you missed my column last week (and thank you for noticing my absence), but the virus that has been going around caught me, and I was down for the count for the full … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 4/25/23

Ballots due today in Olympia and Tumwater as voters decide on Proposition 1, proposed regional fire authority

As of 3 p.m. Monday, April 24, some 12,081 voters, or about 22.4 percent of registered voters have cast their ballots for or against Proposition 1, which would create a new regional fire authority … more

By The JOLT Staff | 4/24/23

The water resources department would rent three rooms with a combined floor space of 2,400 square feet in the natural sciences building of South Puget Sound Community College.

Tumwater’s water resources department moving to office in South Puget Sound Community College

Tumwater’s water resources and sustainability department is moving out of city hall and into a rental space at South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC), Department Director Dan Smith … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/24/23

RWD Landscape Architects came up with the draft of the preferred alternative after holding an open house that attracted around 50 residents.

Tumwater commission shapes preferred alternative for Trails End Park

The Tumwater Park and Recreation Commission discussed a draft for the preferred alternative of the programming and layout of a neighborhood park on Trails End Drive and 79th Avenue. RWD Landscape … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/24/23