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

Littlerock Road closed Saturday night

Tumwater construction crews will close the northbound lanes of Littlerock Road SW and the east-west shopping center access road from 7:30 p.m., Saturday, August 20, to 7:30 a.m., Sunday, August … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 8/18/22

At the Town Hall meeting held Monday, August 15, 2022, Tumwater Fire Chief Brian Hurley and Olympia Fire Chief Todd Carson discussed the importance of quick response in medical emergencies and fire situations.

Fire department chiefs speak out about why Tumwater and Olympia need a regional fire authority

Tumwater Fire Chief Brian Hurley said that creating a Regional Fire Department (RFA) is the best way to address challenges faced by Olympia and Tumwater fire departments. The RFA planning … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/16/22 | 7 comments

RFA planning committee's proposed FBC classifications and weights - one of the factors in the FBC formula.

Proposed Regional Fire Authority committee holding a Town Hall session on Monday

Both city councils received briefings on Tuesday; reactions slightly differed Tumwater and Olympia city council members received separate briefings on Tuesday about the proposed Regional Fire … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio, Jerome Tuaño and Danny Stusser | 8/12/22 | 1 comment

The Tumwater Planning Commission met on August 10 to review the proposed revisions to Ordinance No. O2022-013.

Tumwater’s Planning Commission is working on recommendations to city building codes and regulations

The Tumwater Planning Commission went through proposed revisions to Ordinance No. O2022-013, which is intended to make minor corrections to the city’s development regulations. During its … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/10/22

The area encircled in red shows one of two burn sites proposed by Kaufman Entities and Puget Western, located at 3111 93rd Avenue SW in Tumwater.

Prescribed burning in Tumwater to be permissible after amendments to municipal code

Prescribed burning in Tumwater will soon be permissible after the city's public health and safety committee agreed on August 9 to recommend an ordinance amending the city’s municipal … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/10/22 | 1 comment

The walnut tree is estimated to be about 100 years old, located at 420 W D Street SW.

Tumwater deliberates nomination of century-old walnut tree

The Tumwater Tree Board met yesterday, August 8, to consider nominating a century-old walnut tree growing in the city for designation as a Heritage Tree. The board discussed a nomination … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/9/22 | 6 comments

This slide shows budgets for the proposed RFA growing from $39.7 million in 2024 to $52.9 million in 2030.

Are you ready to pay 47% more for fire and EMS in 2024 than you did in 2022?

The Regional Fire Authority (RFA) planning committee will meet for the 12th time this Monday, August 8 at 5:30 p.m. to prepare its recommendations to Olympia and Tumwater city councils the following … more

By Danny Stusser and Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/5/22 | 17 comments

Lacey’s Robin Vazquez is Thurston’s new member of County Board of Health

Lacey city council member Robin Vazquez attended her first board meeting as the newest addition to the Thurston County Board of Health (BOH) yesterday, August 2. “I’m excited to be a … more

By JC Medina | 8/3/22

Thurston to spend $1.4M grant on road safety improvements

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) authorized the county’s Public Works Department to proceed with its road safety project with the Washington State Department of Transportation … more

By JC Medina | 8/3/22

The green circle indicates the location of the X Street Roundabout, while the dashed line is a proposed alternative road at 7th Avenue as construction of the roundabout begins in 2024.

Federal government grants additional funding for Capitol Boulevard - X Street roundabout

The federal government granted Tumwater additional funding of $1,296,030 for the right-of-way acquisition phase of a proposed roundabout at Capitol Boulevard and X Street on Monday, August 1. The … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/3/22 | 3 comments

Provisions of the Tumwater Municipal Code relating to planned unit development (PUD) were revised at a Tumwater city council meeting on August 1.

Tumwater amends certain multi-unit development regulations to measure its public benefits

Several provisions of the Tumwater Municipal Code relating to planned unit development (PUD) were revised yesterday, August 1, after the Tumwater City Council approved Ordinance No. O2022-006, which … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/2/22

Tumwater man allegedly runs over skateboard, narrowly misses skater

A Tumwater man allegedly became upset at a drive-thru customer on an electric skateboard and then ran over the device, narrowly missing the skater. Douglas Daryl Nedrow Jr., 55, was arrested on … more

By Julia Ornedo | 8/2/22

Schlich tending to clients in his store. ""I like to share the [wine's] provenance – where it comes from, its history and cultural ties."

OlyWines aims to help people embark on a journey

For cellar master Ed Schlich, wine is a democratic beverage that anyone should enjoy without concern about their knowledge of the products. "People have been intimidated by others when it comes to … more

By Danny Stusser and Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/29/22

The Funding and Governance Work Group of the Capitol Lake - Deschutes Estuary project presented their recommendations at the Tumwater City council work session on July 26, 2022.

Deschutes Estuary: Who will own and maintain its parts?

The Funding and Governance Work Group of the Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary project presented yesterday their recommendations for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) as an interlocal agreement that … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/28/22 | 5 comments

The RFA committee members voted to recommend Option 4 for fire governing board structure during the RFA planning committee meeting on July 25, 2022.

Who would run the proposed regional fire authority?

If voters approve the proposed Regional Fire Authority (RFA) of Olympia and Tumwater, its governing board would likely be composed of one individual appointed by each city council and five citizens … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/26/22 | 3 comments

Man flees police over alleged stolen bike tire

A man was arrested after allegedly stealing a bike tire then giving chase to police, hitting a patrol car in the process. Sebastian Adam Cain Barnett, 24, was arrested on July 11 after a … more

By Julia Ornedo | 7/22/22

What’s happening coming up?

Tenino Depot Museum Pioneer Village- Depot MuseumJuly 22 10:00am-4:00pm, July 23 10:00am-5:00pm, July 24 11:00am-3:00pm Do you enjoy making antler jewelry, apple cider, making, blacksmithing, … more

7/22/22 | 1 comment

Tumwater transportation manager Mary Heather Ames described several roads where pedestrians improvements will be made. July 19, 2022.

Tumwater set to improve several pedestrian crossings

The Tumwater City Council recommended to the mayor on July 19 a public works contract with Sound Pacific Construction, LLC from Gig Harbor, Washington for the improvement of several pedestrian … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/21/22

"America's jails and prisons have become de-facto mental health providers, at great cost to the well-being of people with mental health conditions." ~ National Alliance on Mental Illness

Man assaults family at home

A Tumwater man was booked for multiple crimes after allegedly attacking his family, despite existing no-contact orders because he believed them to be “clones from the military.” The … more

By Julia Ornedo | 7/21/22

Tumwater's 2nd Avenue to undergo roadwork Friday to Saturday

Tumwater's 2nd Avenue southbound lanes between Desoto Street SW and Custer Way SW will be reduced to a single lane from Friday, July 22, 10 p.m. to Saturday, July 23, 5 a.m. for … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 7/20/22