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

A map shows the site of the 2nd Avenue Pedestrian & Bicycle Improvements Project in Tumwater.

$4.2 million 2nd Avenue road project to start in Tumwater

A $4.2 million road improvement project is about to get underway in the City of ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 1/19/26 | 6 comments

Consultant sought to resume work on urban forestry code updates in Tumwater

The City of Tumwater is seeking a consultant to help update multiple sections of its municipal code that deals with urban ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/16/26 | 1 comment

The State of the Community 2026, which was hosted by the Thurston County Chamber and sponsored by Puget Sound Energy, took place before more than 250 attendees at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.

Elected officials weigh in at State of the Community event in Lacey

An annual gathering of elected officials served as a platform to showcase the successes local governments achieved last year, but it also ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 1/16/26 | 1 comment

Brandon Weedon was selected by the Tumwater City Council to fill in a council seat vacated by new Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff.

Tumwater City Council selects local business owner Brandon Weedon to fill vacant seat

The Tumwater City Council selected local business owner and youth sports coach Brandon Weedon to fill the council seat vacated by new Mayor ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/14/26

Tumwater Transportation & Engineering Department EngineerRyan Blaser briefed the Tumwater Public Works Committee about two roundabouts being planned for Tumwater Boulevard at Interstate 5.

Design work eyed for southbound roundabout at Interstate 5 and Tumwater Boulevard

The City of Tumwater is moving forward with early design work for a roundabout at the southbound Interstate 5 on-ramp and off-ramp at ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/9/26 | 9 comments

Paul Simmons is the new Tumwater City Administrator.

Tumwater hires Paul Simmons as city administrator

The Tumwater City Council confirmed Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff’s appointment of Paul Simmons as the new city administrator at a meeting ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/8/26 | 1 comment

Leatta Dahlhoff was sworn in as the new mayor of Tumwater at a city council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026.

Tumwater Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff, new council member seated

The new mayor of Tumwater and three city council members were sworn in during a ceremony on ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/7/26

Seen facing north, the Davis Meeker Garry oak tree overhangs Old Highway 99 and is adjacent to the northernmost Olympia Regional Airport airplane hangar.

Superior Court judge issues injunction providing permanent protection for Davis Meeker tree

A Thurston County Superior Court judge issued a permanent injunction barring the City of Tumwater from "altering or destroying" the ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/2/26 | 4 comments

Hearing examiner grants Chehalis Tribe’s request to vacate plat

A request from the Confederated Tribes of Chehalis Reservation to vacate a plat originally made for a proposed 40-acre light industrial ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/1/26

Mayor-elect to replace Tumwater Police Department Chief Mason

Tumwater Police Department Chief Jay Mason is leaving his post nearly nine months after he was chosen for the position by Mayor ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 12/30/25 | 1 comment

Swearing-in ceremony on tap for elected officials in Tumwater

A swearing-in ceremony is going to be held for the City of Tumwater mayor-elect, a new city council member and her colleagues next ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 12/29/25 | 5 comments

A number of Christmas tree recycling options are now available for residents of Thurston County.

Christmas tree recycling options available for residents of Thurston County

A number of Christmas tree recycling locations are now open for residents of Thurston ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 12/26/25

City of Tumwater secures $1 million pledge to help acquire mitigation land

The City of Tumwater has secured a $1 million pledge from the Angela J. Bowen Conservancy Foundation to help the city acquire mitigation ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/25/25 | 11 comments

Tumwater Police Department Chief Jay Mason (bottom right) and the city’s Public Health and Safety Committee discused a contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for the procurement of body cameras and new in-car cameras.

Tumwater committee endorses police body camera contract

The Tumwater Police Department is nearing the process of acquiring body-worn ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/12/25 | 1 comment

Thurston County Regional Housing Council adopts 2026 funding priorities

The Thurston County Regional Housing Council (RHC) has set funding priorities for 2026, with an emphasis on supporting the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/11/25 | 1 comment

The Tumwater School District received the Year-End Finance Report at a meeting on Dec. 4, 2025 meeting.

Tumwater School District closes 2025 with less money than previous year

The Tumwater School District had an ending total fund balance of $3,299,987.06 for fiscal ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 12/9/25 | 2 comments

Visit the Tumwater City Hall and Headquarters Fire Station for the 22nd annual Tumwater Christmas Tree Lighting Festival on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.

Tumwater Christmas Tree Lighting Festival to feature performances and treats on Dec. 6

The 22nd annual Tumwater Christmas Tree Lighting Festival is taking place on Saturday ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 12/4/25

What’s happening this weekend in Thurston County

There are a number of events taking place this weekend in Thurston County, including Breakfast with Santa at the Olympia Senior ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 12/4/25

1st Vice Regent of the Sacajawea Chapter Franida Maudsley met with the Tumwater City Council on Dec. 2, 2025, to discuss the Union Pioneer Calvary Cemetery headstone preservation.

Local chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution leads preservation effort for headstones

Volunteers from the Sacajawea Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution are cleaning unkept headstones for veterans to preserve ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 12/3/25 | 2 comments

Tumwater Water Resources Program Manager Patrick Soderberg, bottom right, briefed the Tumwater Public Works Committee about a contract with Carollo Engineers to help the city update its comprehensive sewer plan. He made his remarks at a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.

Comprehensive Sewer Plan in line for an update in Tumwater

Tumwater is working to refresh its comprehensive sewer plan, which was last updated 10 ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/28/25 | 1 comment