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

Tumwater City Hall, as seen in July 2020.

Tumwater Equity Commission holds first meeting

The first official meeting of Tumwater’s Equity Commission led to the appointment of its first chair and the establishment of early ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/6/26 | 5 comments

The City of Tumwater plans to extend a sewer line west along Trosper Road by around 6,000 feet and into smaller arterial roads.  (The JOLT staff via YouTube)

Committee recommends accepting $5.25M state loan for Trosper Road sewer extension

The Tumwater Public Works Committee has recommended the adoption of a resolution that calls for accepting a $5.25 million loan from the Washington ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/5/26 | 3 comments

Tumwater Assistant City Administrator Kelly Adams briefed the General Government Committee on April 15, 2026, about a $200,000 contract with Pioneer Technologies Corporation to conduct environmental work on the “valley site” of the former Olympia Brewery.

Tumwater continues environmental assessment of old warehouse site at former Olympia Brewery

The City of Tumwater is continuing to study the extent of environmental contamination at the old warehouse site of the former Olympia ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/4/26 | 10 comments

The Tumwater City Council approved a $2.9 million contract with Schneider Equipment Inc. for the installation of two wells on the Brewery Wellfield. A third well will also be drilled if the two wells are not enough to meet a target production rate.

Two wells to be built on Brewery Wellfield in Tumwater

The City of Tumwater is set to reactivate the former wellfield that once supplied water for the Olympia Brewing Company with the ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/29/26 | 10 comments

The Tumwater School District Board of Directors recognized the Tumwater High School T-Birds for winning three state championships in Dance, Hip-Hop and Pom.

School board honors Tumwater High dance team for three state championships

The Tumwater School District Board of Directors recognized the Tumwater High School T-Birds for winning three state championships in ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/29/26

Sergeant Randy Baughn, left, Sergeant Chris Tressler, acting Sergeant Tim Rios and Officer Chase Grimmett were recognized by the Tumwater Police Department at a Tumwater City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

Tumwater Police Department personnel honored for saving life of pregnant woman

The Tumwater Police Department recognized five officers for saving the life of a pregnant woman and the child she was bearing during an incident ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/28/26 | 3 comments

The Tumwater School District Board of Directors delayed action on the staff expression policy to allow more discussions with staffers. The board made the decision at a meeting on April 23, 2026.

Tumwater School District delays action on staff expression policy

The Tumwater School District Board of Directors tabled a policy aimed at safeguarding staff freedom of expression, especially on social ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/28/26

The inaugural members of the Tumwater Equity Commission: Tina Crary, left front, Michael Snow, Lisa Gorski, Sarah Ellison and Ellen Matheny, pose with the Tumwater City Council after their appointments on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The commission also includes Vonny Turner and Vanessa Arita Reyes, who were absent from the ceremony.

Tumwater City Council confirms Equity Commission’s inaugural members

Tumwater has an Equity Commission after the Tumwater City Council confirmed the appointments of the group’s inaugural members at ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/24/26 | 3 comments

Tumwater Planning Commission endorses four development code updates

The Tumwater Planning Commission recommended the adoption of an ordinance that involves four sets of updates to the city’s development ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/21/26

Tumwater leaders express frustration over absence of school district officials at meeting

A potential joint meeting between the Tumwater City Council and Tumwater School District fell through due to the nonappearance of ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/16/26 | 2 comments

The Tumwater School District is celebrating "Month of the Military Child" on April 18, 2026.

Tumwater School District to celebrate military children on April 18

A celebration of military children is going to take place this weekend in ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/15/26 | 3 comments

SBA disaster loans available for Thurston County flood victims

Thurston County residents, businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by the 2025 winter storms have until April 27 to apply ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/14/26

Tumwater Planning Commission to hold public hearing on development code

Local residents and business owners are going to get a chance to weigh in on an ordinance dealing with four proposed changes to ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/9/26 | 2 comments

City of Tumwater Adminstrative Services Director Michelle Sutherland, top left, briefed the Budget and Finance Committee on Friday, March 27, 2026, about proposed enhancements to the benefits of non-represented city employees.

Tumwater committee reviews recommendations for enhancing city employee benefits

The Tumwater Budget and Finance Committee approved a slate of proposals to enhance the benefits of certain city ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/6/26 | 3 comments

Tumwater Police Department Patrol Officer Jacob Rodriguez, left, Tumwater Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff, acting Police Chief Carlos Quiles and Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Von Holtz posed with the city’s new body-worn cameras.

City of Tumwater police using body-worn cameras

Tumwater Police Department officers are now using body‑worn cameras, acting Chief Carlos Quiles announced last ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/2/26 | 7 comments

Assistant Superintendent Ben Rarick presented the Reduced Educational Support Program Resolution at Tumwater School District Board of Directors meeting on March 25, 2026.

Tumwater School District cuts support staff positions to save $335K

In a bid to save approximately $335,000, the Tumwater School District Board of Directors terminated the positions of two evening ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/31/26 | 4 comments

The City of Tumwater will hold its 29th Easter Egg Dash on April 4, 2026.

Easter egg hunt to feature new inclusive category, 20,000 eggs with gifts in Tumwater

The City of Tumwater’s 29th annual Easter Egg Dash is taking place at at Tumwater High School District Stadium on ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/31/26

Tumwater looks to amend contract with school district for SRO Program

The City of Tumwater is looking to amend its contract with the Tumwater School District for the School Resource Officer Program to reflect ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/26/26 | 2 comments

Tumwater City Council approves agreement to pool opioid settlement funds

The Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff to sign an amended contract to pool opioid settlement funds with partner ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/25/26 | 1 comment

At a Tumwater Public Works Committee meeting on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, Tumwater Engineering and Transportation Department Engineer Ryan Blaser gave a presentation about two roundabouts planned at Interstate 5 and Tumwater Boulevard.

WSDOT to help Tumwater with two roundabout projects

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is going to support Tumwater in the planning and construction of two roundabouts ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/24/26 | 4 comments