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

Olympia High School assistant swim coach Henry Valz spoke during public comment at a virtual city council meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Campaign to save Evergreen pool backed by more than 3,800 people

A grassroots campaign to save The Evergreen State College pool from closing has gathered more than 3,800 signatures on a petition that ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/23/26 | 4 comments

An expansion of the North End Fire station, located at Linwood Avenue in Tumwater, would add more than 3,200 square feet of space to the building, with the total cost for construction estimated at around $5.1 million.

Design work moves forward on expansion of North End Fire Station in Tumwater

The expansion of the North End Fire Station in Tumwater is entering its next ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/20/26

The Linwood Avenue sidewalk project, which was completed on June 10, 2025, has improved pedestrian connections between Michael T. Simmons Elementary School and surrounding neighborhoods.

Linwood Avenue sidewalk improvement project gets seal of approval in Tumwater

The City of Tumwater closed out the Linwood Avenue sidewalk improvement project, which features improved pedestrian connections between ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/19/26

A map of Tumwater shows the approximate areas of two parcels that the Tumwater City Council agreed to annex during a meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

City of Tumwater annexes 11.8 acres of land

The Tumwater City Council adopted an ordinance annexing 11.8 acres of land within the city's urban growth area at a meeting on ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/19/26 | 1 comment

Tumwater City Administrator Paul Simmons addressed the Tumwater School District Board of Directors about the School Resource Officer contract on March 12, 2026.

City willing to work with Tumwater School District on SRO issue

The City of Tumwater remains committed to working with the Tumwater School District after the removal of a School Resource Officer ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/17/26 | 1 comment

Seen facing north, the Davis Meeker Garry oak tree overhangs Old Highway 99 and is adjacent to the northernmost Olympia Regional Airport airplane hangar. The tree, estimated to be about 400 years old, is listed on Tumwater’s historic register.

Davis Meeker Garry oak tree treatment plan moving forward

The Tumwater Historic Preservation Commission approved a treatment plan for the Davis Meeker Garry oak ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/17/26 | 1 comment

Tumwater committee advances body-worn camera policy

A body-worn camera policy is one step closer to being implemented in ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/12/26 | 2 comments

The Antsen Sewer Project was completed for $305,000 and resulted in 1,425 feet of a new pressurized sewer line along Antsen Street in Tumwater.

Tumwater closes out work on Antsen Sewer Project

The Tumwater City Council formally closed out work related to the Antsen Sewer Project at a meeting on ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/9/26

Consultant Jennie Foglia-Jones addressed the Tumwater City Council about plans for the Olympia-Lacey FIFA World Cup fan zone at meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Tumwater City Council throws support behind Olympia-Lacey World Cup Fan Zone

The Tumwater City Council is standing behind local events for fans during the FIFA World ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/6/26 | 5 comments

Tumwater Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff reaffirmed the city’s commitment to its School Resource Officer Program during a city council meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Mayor reaffirms Tumwater’s commitment to SRO program after reassignment of officer

Tumwater Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff reaffirmed the city’s commitment to its School Resource Officer Program following the reassignment of a ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/5/26 | 1 comment

Tumwater’s 2025 budget projected to end in the black

The City of Tumwater is projected to end its 2025 fiscal year with a budget surplus, as less spending offset revenue ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/3/26 | 2 comments

Tumwater School District lists maintenance, site projects for $49.1 million capital levy

Major repairs and site improvements are in store for the Tumwater School District after the passage of the Replacement Safety, Technology, and ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/3/26

A man was taken into custody shortly after his motorcycle got stuck in the woods while he was allegedly trying to evade law enforcement authorities on Feb. 25, 2026.

Motorcyclist gets a break, then ends up in jail for reckless driving

A man was taken into custody after a failed effort to evade law enforcement authorities ended with his motorcycle stuck in the ... The pursuit … more

By The JOLT Staff | 2/27/26 | 1 comment

Well 15, the second highest producing well in Tumwater’s water system, is located northeast of Tumwater Boulevard in the New Market area on property owned by the Port of Olympia.

Tumwater to upgrade one of its highest producing wells

The City of Tumwater is moving forward with upgrades to one of its highest producing ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/25/26

Canvassing Board certifies Feb. 10 Special Election results for Thurston County

The Thurston County Canvassing Board certified the results of the Feb. 10 Special Election, in which three local school districts received ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 2/20/26

Thurston County Realtors Association President Dawn Baker addressed the Tumwater City Council at a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

Realtors association urges pause on proposed Home Energy Score ordinance

Members of the Thurston County Realtors Association want local jurisdictions to pause any planned adoption of a proposed countywide Home ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/19/26 | 27 comments

The Tumwater City Council authorized the purchase of a property on 4315 Tumwater Valley Drive for $1.56 million to permanently house the Parks & Recreation Department. The property spans 1.8 acres and includes a 6,000-square-foot building known as Tumwater Valley Lodge. (The JOLT staff via YouTube)

Tumwater City Council authorizes $1.56M purchase for parks department office

The Tumwater Parks & Recreation Department is moving to a new ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/18/26 | 3 comments

House approves bill supporting redevelopment of shuttered Olympia Brewery site

The long-dormant Olympia Brewing Company site is a key part of state legislation, which aims to breathe new life into the once iconic property near ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 2/17/26 | 23 comments

Overnight shelter information for Thurston County.

Hazardous weather advisory issued by Thurston County

Subfreezing overnight temperatures in the weather forecast prompted the Thurston County Public Heath and Social Services Department to issue a ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 2/17/26

Tumwater Deputy Community Development Director Sharon Lumbantobing, bottom right, briefed the General Government Committee about a feasibility study for the city’s emergency, transitional, and permanent supportive housing goals on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026.

Tumwater to conduct feasibility study for implementation of supportive housing goals

Tumwater officials are preparing to conduct a feasibility study in support of the city’s emergency, transitional and permanent supportive ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/17/26 | 1 comment