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

Some protesters can be seen holding signs inside the audience area of the Tumwater School District Board of Directors meeting. A district representative later said the protesters brought large metal cans with coins under their chairs.

Protesters made noise with cans, banged on windows and forced entry to Tumwater school board meeting

Protesters brought large metal cans, banged on windows and forced their way into the building during the latest meeting of the Tumwater School District Board of Directors. The … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/15/25 | 16 comments

A slide from a presentation by Chris Paolini, the senior manager of Olympia Regional Airport, to the Port of Olympia Commission on March 10, 2025, showed that around 700 feet of pavement at the sound end of the Runway 17-35 will be rehabilitated, as part of a project mostly funded by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Port awards $2.1 million contract to rehabilitate airport runway

The Port of Olympia hired a Tacoma-based construction company to rehabilitate one of the runways at ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/15/25

Public facilities district seeks applicants for two vacancies on board

Applicants are being sought for a pair of vacant, district-wide seats on the Captial Area Regional Public Facilities District Board (CAR-PFD). The applicants are being sought for full terms by … more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/14/25

Members of the public interrupted the Tumwater School District Board of Directors work session on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Audience interrupts Tumwater School District Board of Directors meeting with 'repeal, resign, replace' chant

The audience at a Tumwater School District Board of Directors work session chanted “repeal, resign, replace” and “trans rights are human rights” in an effort to interrupt the … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/11/25 | 13 comments

Tumwater Fire Department Chief Brian Hurley (top middle) shared to the city council on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, several updates about the fire department. Hurley discussed call stats and accomplishments from the previous year and goals for 2025.

Tumwater Fire Department reports 2024 call stats

The Tumwater Fire Department reported no significant change in the number of calls received in 2024 compared ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/11/25 | 1 comment

Tumwater Police Department Acting Chief Jay Mason swore in Officer Kasey Steffenhagen on Tuesday afternoon, April 8, 2024.

Tumwater PD welcomes new officer at swearing-in ceremony

The Tumwater Police Department (TPD) welcomed a new member on Tuesday afternoon, April 8, when Kasey Steffenhagen was sworn in. TPD Acting Chief Jay Mason presided over the swearing in … more

By The JOLT News Staff | 4/10/25 | 1 comment

A slide from Dan Smith’s presentation to the Tumwater Public Works Committee on Thursday, April 3, 2025, showed the location of the Velkommen Mobile Home Park on 70th Avenue in Tumwater.

Tumwater, developer work to connect mobile home park with sewer

A mobile home park on 70th Avenue in Tumwater is being converted to the city sewer, and the municipality is helping the developer with the ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/9/25 | 5 comments

Patrick Soderberg (top right) of Tumwater’s water resources department, briefed the Public Works Committee on Thursday, April 3, 2025, about a grant agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology to fund the development of a Nutrient Reduction Enhanced Maintenance Plan that will address pollutants in the city’s stormwater system.

Tumwater receives grant to develop plan for reducing pollutants in stormwater runoff

The City of Tumwater has received a state grant to address pollutants in its stormwater system. The Tumwater Public Works Committee endorsed a grant agreement with the Washington ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/8/25 | 2 comments

Registration deadline looms for April 22 special election in Tumwater

The voter registration deadline is less than a week away for certain registrations and updates for the April 22 special election in the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/8/25

Tumwater’s 28th Annual Egg Dash and “Where’s the Peep?” virtual contest returns on April 14-19, 2025.

Tumwater annual Easter Egg Dash, 'Where’s the Peep?' virtual contest returns next week

The Tumwater Parks & Recreation Department is holding the 28th annual Egg Dash and “Where’s the Peep?” virtual contest next week. The Egg Dash will be held at the … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/8/25

A discussion during the Tumwater City Council’s meeting on Tuesday, April 1, touched on a proposed Swire facility and the council’s role in land use designations.

Proposed Swire facility in Tumwater raises concerns

A proposed facility at Olympia Regional Airport for Swire, a Coca-Cola bottler, raised concerns among members of the Tumwater City Council about their oversight over ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/4/25 | 7 comments

A map shows where underground utility work will take place in Tumwater from April 7-11.

Underground utility work to cause traffic lane restrictions in Tumwater

Motoring around certain parts of Tumwater will be a little more challenging next week because of underground utility work. The work is planned for Monday, April 7, through Friday, April 11, along … more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/4/25

Auditor’s Office mails ballots to Tumwater voters

The Thurston County Auditor’s Office announced on Wednesday, April 2, that it has distributed more than 18,000 ballots to Tumwater voters for ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/4/25

The Tumwater Budget and Finance Committee met on Friday, March 28, 2025, to discuss an ordinance that would expand the delegated authority given to the mayor and department directors.

Tumwater committee reviews ordinance expanding delegated authority of mayor, department directors

The City of Tumwater is working to update and expand the delegated authority given to the mayor and ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/3/25 | 3 comments

A slide from a March 20, 2025, presentation by Colby Fletcher, Tumwater’s construction manager, illustrated the increase of costs for a sidewalk project along Linwood Avenue in Tumwater.

Cost to go up for sidewalk project along Linwood Avenue in Tumwater

The cost is going up for a sidewalk improvement project along Linwood Avenue in Tumwater. The Tumwater City Council authorized the city’s engineering director to increase the contract … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/3/25

Dan Smith, the director of the water resources and sustainability department in Tumwater, showe the Public Works Committee their new office at South Puget Sound Community College at a meeting on March 20.

Renovation of water resources and sustainability department’s office complete in Tumwater

Tumwater has finalized two projects by its water resources and sustainability department. The city council considered the renovation of its water resources and sustainability … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/3/25

What’s happening this weekend — Mosaic Snail Plant Stakes, Roundup Stamp and Coin Show and other events

The first weekend in April offers a chance to visit with a kid-friendly hobbyist and take part in some fundraising activities in ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/3/25

The Yorkshire Apartments by Grandview Yorkshire LLC is a 21.7-acre apartment complex being planned at a location between Israel Road and Tumwater Boulevard. Tumwater City Council approved a conditional contract for “Building One” of the site (highlighted in red) on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

Developer of apartment complex gets conditional exemption from property taxes in Tumwater

The developer of a 21.7-acre apartment complex in Tumwater is set to secure an exemption from property taxes for ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/2/25 | 9 comments

A map shows the stretch of Linwood Avenue SW impacted by a road paving project in Tumwater.

Linwood Avenue SW in Tumwater impacted by paving project

A paving operation is forcing the reduction of traffic lanes on Linwood Avenue SW in Tumwater, the city said in an ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/1/25

House Page Isabella Martin with Rep. Beth Doglio, as seen on March 25, 2025.

Tumwater High School student participates in Washington State House Page Program

Tumwater High School student Isabella Martin recently experienced the Washington State Legislature firsthand by serving as a page in the ... more

By JC Medina | 4/1/25