The JOLT - The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater

Public hearing tomorrow on Tumwater’s property tax levy

TUMWATER -- The city wants to pass a special ordinance that will allow it to increase next year’s property tax levy slightly above normal levels. A “Declaration of Substantial … more

by JOLT staff | 10/19/20

Busy schedule for Tumwater City Council tomorrow

The Tumwater City Council meets tomorrow, Oct. 6, at 7 pm. On the agenda is a recommendation that the Mayor sign a contract amendment with the state Department of Commerce increasing the amount of … more

by JOLT staff | 10/5/20 | 1 comment

In this photo, circa 1980, Judge Carol Fuller is shown on the Superior Court Bench.

Thurston County Superior Court mourns the passing of Judge Carol Fuller

On September 28, 2020, Thurston Superior Court lost one of its own. We were saddened to learn of the passing of Judge Carol Fuller. Judge Fuller served for 24 years as the first female … more

Thurston County Superior Court | 9/30/20

Tumwater School District's offices are located at 621 Linwood Ave SW, Tumwater, WA 98512.

Tumwater School District plans for return to in-person learning with hybrid model

Following guidance from the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department, the Tumwater School District (TSD) has decided to take steps towards reopening schools. In a recent letter to … more

by Emma Dobbs | 9/29/20

Homeless site, Panattoni on Port of Olympia agenda

At its meeting on Monday, Sept. 28, the Olympia Port Commission will consider an amendment to Panattoni’s 10-year lease option for 199 acres of land in Tumwater, which it approved in mid-July. … more

by JOLT staff | 9/25/20

Thurston Community Media Wins National Awards

Olympia ─ Thurston Community Television (TCMedia) won two 2020 Hometown Media Awards from the Alliance for Community Media (ACM) Foundation on July 9 of this year. TCMedia helps produce television … more

by Prachi Gohil | 9/22/20

Tumwater approves new prosecution contract

TUMWATER – Last Tuesday council members approved an interlocal agreement with the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney's Office (PAO) for the renewal of prosecution services for the years … more

by Prachi Gohil of the JOLT | 9/8/20

Tumwater city officials to talk over Regional Housing Council

TUMWATER –– The Tumwater City Council is meeting in a 7 p.m. meeting Sept. 1 to discuss the Regional Housing Council, which is an interlocal council formed by the city governments of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater, as well as Thurston County, to find solutions to the area’s homelessness and housing affordability crisis. more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 8/31/20 | 1 comment

The Tumwater Police Department's Chief, Jon Weiks, discussed the department's budget in a Monday meeting this week.

Police chief talks police department budget

TUMWATER –– Tumwater city officials met Monday morning to discuss the police department’s annual budget and how they allocate their financial resources. more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 8/18/20

Tumwater officials talk city’s role in Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan

TUMWATER –– Tumwater city officials held a work session Tuesday evening to talk more about the city’s role in the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan, which is currently in Phase 2. more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 8/12/20

Tumwater Police Department talks training

TUMWATER –– The Tumwater Police Department met with city representatives early Tuesday to discuss the amount of training that their officers undergo and how it relates to current concerns regarding the use of force. more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 8/11/20

City officials hire new department directors

TUMWATER –– The Tumwater City Council is expected to approve two current city employees moving into new roles with the city government on Tuesday night, Aug. 4. more

By Prachi Gohil of JOLT | 7/31/20

Road Stripe Painting – Avoid Wet Paint

Road crews will paint new center lines, edge lines and bike lanes on streets citywide from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m., Aug. 1 & 2, 2020. more

Courtesy of City of Tumwater | 7/30/20

Firefighters from the Tumwater Fire Department responded to a fire by a storage facility off of Interstate 5 late Tuesday. The fire was caused by a boat that fell off a trailer, which caused dry grass and trees on the side of the road to start burning. Officials from other fire departments also responded to the incident.

Fallen boat results in fire on I-5

TUMWATER –– A boat that fell off the trailer was the cause of a fire early Tuesday evening on Interstate 5 at milepost 102, according to Tumwater Fire Department officials. more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 7/29/20

The Tumwater City Council talked trees this week to discuss the city's urban forestry program.

Tumwater tree canopy to be expanded in coming years

TUMWATER –– Tumwater city officials talked about the city’s aims for 50 percent of its land to integrate a natural tree canopy by 2040 after the issue came up at the Tuesday night city council meeting. more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/29/20

Several police agencies coordinated to clear all customers and Safeway employees out of the store as the suspect was armed and threatening to shoot. Thurston County Sheriff SWAT vehicle is at the east side of the building in the center of this image.

California man subject of officer-involved shooting

TUMWATER –– A man caused a disturbance in the parking lot of the Tumwater Safeway Wednesday night, resulting in a Tumwater Police officer shooting at him. more

By Madeline Shannon and Danny Stusser of JOLT | 7/22/20

A firefighter puts out a fire at the Old Brewery Tower in Tumwater on June 6. The Tumwater Police Department determined the cause of the fire to be arson.

Old brewery tower Phase 1 work complete

TUMWATER –– Yesterday the Tumwater City Council officially approved completion of the first phase of work on the empty Olympia Brewing Company brewery tower. more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/22/20

Only Thurston and Pacific Counties report total consumer spending has increased from January 2020 through today. Other counties have experienced negative growth during this period. Much of this spending has been with large businesses, including online retailers.

Business remains strong in Thurston County, report EDC Director and Tumwater leaders.

Consumer spending and residential construction have remained strong in 2020 according to Michael Cade, executive director of the Thurston Economic Development Council, and Tumwater Mayor… more

By Danny Stusser of JOLT | 7/22/20

Tumwater Talks Utility Billing and Golf

TUMWATER –– Issues over how the COVID-19 pandemic affects the city’s utility billing and keeping up the Tumwater Valley Golf Course came up during a discussion at the Tumwater Budget & Finance Committee. more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/16/20

A man was arrested early Thursday afternoon after entering Fred Meyer in Tumwater with a gun.

Man with gun arrested at Fred Meyer in Tumwater

TUMWATER –– A man was arrested at Fred Meyer in Tumwater early Thursday afternoon after allegedly bringing a gun into the store. more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 7/16/20