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

Tumwater planning manager Brad Medrud presented to the city council an ordinance adding a rental housing code to the city’s municipal code.

Tumwater moves to adopt a rental housing code

Tumwater city council agreed to put forward an ordinance adding a rental housing chapter into the city’s municipal code during its meeting on Tuesday, November 22. The new chapter contains … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/24/22

Tumwater's sustainability coordinator Alyssa Jones Wood presented to the public works committee an ordinance outlining the city’s compost procurement policy.

Tumwater's looking at steps for a future composting program

Tumwater’s public works committee recommended to the city council an ordinance outlining a compost procurement policy as required by HB 1799 during a meeting held November 17. … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/22/22 | 1 comment

Capitol Boulevard SE from X Street SE to the 6300 block of Capitol Boulevard SE from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. will be reduced to single-lane traffic Monday, November 21, 2022 until the next day.

One-lane traffic along Capitol Boulevard in Tumwater next week

Expect traffic to slow down along Capitol Boulevard SE from X Street SE to the 6300 block of Capitol Boulevard SE from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, November 21, until the next day. According to … more

11/18/22

Tumwater Fire Chief Brian Hurley and Mayor Debbie Sullivan awarded fire prevention officer Mark Armstrong (left) with a plaque recognizing him as 2022’s Firefighter of the Year.

Mark Armstrong is Tumwater’s Firefighter of the Year

Tumwater named fire prevention officer Mark Armstrong as the 2022 Firefighter of the Year during a city council meeting yesterday, November 15. Fire Chief Brian Hurley presented Armstrong with a … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/16/22

A layout of Preserve Park which will be located on Aster Street and 91st Street.

Tumwater picks contractor to build new park in The Preserve

Tumwater city council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to sign a contract with Tapani Inc for the construction of the Preserve Park during a meeting held yesterday, November 15. Preserve Park will … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/16/22 | 1 comment

Karen Reed, a consultant for the plan Regional Fire Authority, updated the public on the new FBC cost. At a public hearing held Monday, November 14, 2022, she presented tables reflecting the lower weights and FBC cost under Option 5.

Regional Fire Authority committee updates public: New Fire Benefit Charge option to lower its cost

The Regional Fire Authority (RFA) planning committee has updated the public on the new development regarding the Fire Benefit Charge (FBC) calculation, which would lower the fee for property owners … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 11/15/22 | 2 comments

The Regional Fire Authority planning committee held a public hearing at Tumwater City Hall on Monday, November 14, 2022.

Community members want uniform Fire Benefit Charge

The Regional Fire Authority planning committee, on Monday, November 14, opened a public hearing for Olympia and Tumwater community members to listen to the community members' opinions on the proposed … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 11/15/22

A view of Tumwater Falls from within Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls, formerly known as Tumwater Falls Park, taken on April 2, 2021.

Tumwater committee supports adding Cowlitz to Oregon National Historic Trail

Tumwater committee supports adding Cowlitz to Oregon National Historic Trail By Jerome Tuaño Tumwater’s General Government Committee forwarded to the city council a resolution … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/15/22 | 1 comment

Be square for everyone

I am an Olympia resident, and a former Thurston PUD Commissioner. I support quality fire service, and recognize the need for adequate funding to assure an adequate and capable response to … more

By Jim Lazar, Olympia | 11/15/22 | 1 comment

This sign is posted on Yelm Highway SE where it intersects with Boulevard Road SE, approximately 2.5 miles from the area defined by the Commercial Aviation Coordinating Committee.

Anti-airport group invites public to event this Monday, November 14

A citizens’ advocacy group working to stop consideration of building an airport in Thurston County is holding an open meeting this Monday, November 14. “Stop the Thurston … more

By Julia Ornedo | 11/11/22 | 6 comments

If both city councils approve a plan, Olympia and Tumwater voters will be asked to merge their fire departments into a new regional entity.

Olympia & Tumwater to hold another meeting about merging and divesting fire departments, Monday, November 14

Olympia and Tumwater will host a public hearing on Monday, November 14, 5:30 p.m. at Tumwater City Hall to listen to community members’ ideas on the cities’ proposed Regional Fire … more

11/11/22

Community cats will be defined as free-roaming cats that are cared for by one or more residents in an area.

Tumwater committee pushing for support of community cat program, and a reminder to license your pets

Tumwater’s public health and safety committee recommended an ordinance amending the municipal code to provide a definition for “community cats” during a meeting held yesterday, … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/11/22 | 1 comment

Tumwater city administrator John Doan discussed a reimbursement agreement with the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts.

Tumwater to be reimbursed for compensating defendants affected by State v. Blake decision

Tumwater’s public health and safety committee recommended an agreement with the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to help the city refund payments made by defendants … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/10/22

Tumwater’s Public Health and Safety Committee met with Tumwater School District’s Superintendent Dr. Carole Meyer and Assistant Superintendent Shawn Batstone to discuss the agreement for the SRO program.

Tumwater committee greenlights school resource officers in schools

After holding off their approval last month, Tumwater’s Public Health and Safety Committee has agreed to recommend an interlocal agreement with Tumwater School District on School Resource … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/10/22

Electricity demands for the distribution of water were the biggest source of GHG emissions.

Tumwater’s greenhouse gases have gone down 70%, however total emissions are still up 3% in 2021

Tumwater’s net emissions for greenhouse gases (GHG) fell to 70% from 2015 to 2021, according to a report prepared by the city’s Green Team. Sustainability coordinator Alyssa Jones … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/9/22 | 1 comment

Local voting pamphlets and ballots are already arriving for General Election for Thurston County.

Follow the Thurston County election debates

Thurston Community Media (TCMedia) has teamed up with the League of Women Voters to bring us local candidate forums videos and coverage. Scroll down for one-click access to seven … more

By Sage Hamilton | 11/7/22 | 2 comments

Tumwater city council discussed three new additions to the legislative agenda.

Tumwater adopts 2023 legislative agenda

Tumwater city council adopted its 2023 legislative agenda during a meeting on November 1. Austin Ramirez, the city’s economic development program manager, said that new items were added to … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/4/22

Police obtained a search warrant and found a black handgun behind the passenger seat.

Husband and wife booked on three crimes

A married couple was arrested after allegedly stealing from a store, carrying a gun despite a prior conviction, and violating a no-contact order. J Guadalupe Carrazco, 39, and Tina L Carrazco, 43, … more

By Julia Ornedo | 11/1/22

Olympia and Tumwater held a joint study session on October 25, 2022. The council members from both cities discussed the proposed Regional Fire Authority.

Olympia, Tumwater discuss the proposed RFA in a joint session

Olympia will look at a levy lid lift to increase property taxes to address the issue of its fire department funding if voters do not approve the proposed Regional Fire Authority, Olympia council … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/26/22 | 3 comments

Voter Registration Deadlines for the November 8 General Election

Below are the voter registration deadlines for the November 8 General Election in Thurston County. Through Monday, October 31, 2022: Last day for remote registrations and updates … more

Diana Benson, Thurston County Chief Deputy Auditor | 10/25/22