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

Tumwater City Council approved the renewal of a jail services agreement with the Nisqually Indian Tribe at a meeting on Tuesday, May 9.

Tumwater renews contract with Nisqually Corrections Center

The Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to renew its jail services agreement with the Nisqually Indian Tribe to provide housing for the city’s inmates at the Nisqually … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/10/23

The JOLT publishes readers' letters on Thurston County topics, generally verbatim and within a day or two of receiving them. These opinions come from members of our community.

Hey, democracy can work

The recent local election on the Regional Fire Authority was interesting, and eventful, and not because of the electoral result itself. In politics (all history?) the lessons learned, if at all, come … more

Submitted by Russ Lehman | 5/10/23 | 4 comments

This is a copy of the mailer sent to residents in Olympia and Tumwater during the week that ended March 31, 2023.

Tumwater signs joint defense agreement with Olympia to address PDC complaints

Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to sign a joint defense agreement with the city of Olympia on Tuesday, May 2, to address complaints filed by two area residents with the Public … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/8/23 | 6 comments

Handgun-looking toy leads to temporary lockout of Tumwater Middle School this morning

Tumwater Middle School was temporarily placed on lockout after a minor was seen heading to campus with an object later identified to be a toy that looked like a handgun. In a Facebook post , the … more

By Julia Ornedo | 5/8/23

"We want to encourage the community to enjoy the benefits of riding a bike, both to individuals and the community's health and well-being," said Bicycle Commuter Challenge Coordinator Duncan Green.

Intercity Transit hosts 36th Annual Bicycle Community Challenge this month

Intercity Transit is hosting the Annual Bicycle Community Challenge in Thurston County this month. Bicycle Commuter Challenge Coordinator Duncan Green said the 36-year-old event is the … more

By JC Medina | 5/3/23

Tumwater Planning Commission met on April 25 to discuss proposed amendments for categorical exemptions in the SEPA review process.

To create more affordable housing, Tumwater is matching state thresholds for development to limit environmental reviews

Tumwater Planning Commission is working to match the maximum threshold allowed by the state for proposed development projects before they require a review under the State Environmental Policy Act … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/1/23

Chin Ho Chen

Chin Ho Chen, 79, of Tumwater, died on April 29 at Providence St. Peter Hospital. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Funeral Alternatives of Washington , 360-753-1065. more

5/1/23

Tumwater and Olympia voters rejected the proposed regional fire authority in the April 25, 2023 election, with 11,396 votes (63.68%) against 6,500 votes (36.32%).

Voters say no to regional fire authority

Olympia and Tumwater voters overwhelmingly rejected their cities’ proposition to divest their fire departments and merge them into a regional fire authority (RFA) as more than 63 percent of … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/26/23 | 8 comments

Who is the Thurston Climate Action Team and do they wear capes?

Did you miss me? Apologies if you missed my column last week (and thank you for noticing my absence), but the virus that has been going around caught me, and I was down for the count for the full … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 4/25/23

Ballots being sorted, photo November 7, 2022.

Ballots due today in Olympia and Tumwater as voters decide on Proposition 1, proposed regional fire authority

As of 3 p.m. Monday, April 24, some 12,081 voters, or about 22.4 percent of registered voters have cast their ballots for or against Proposition 1, which would create a new regional fire authority … more

By The JOLT Staff | 4/24/23

The water resources department would rent three rooms with a combined floor space of 2,400 square feet in the natural sciences building of South Puget Sound Community College.

Tumwater’s water resources department moving to office in South Puget Sound Community College

Tumwater’s water resources and sustainability department is moving out of city hall and into a rental space at South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC), Department Director Dan Smith … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/24/23

RWD Landscape Architects came up with the draft of the preferred alternative after holding an open house that attracted around 50 residents.

Tumwater commission shapes preferred alternative for Trails End Park

The Tumwater Park and Recreation Commission discussed a draft for the preferred alternative of the programming and layout of a neighborhood park on Trails End Drive and 79th Avenue. RWD Landscape … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/24/23

The proposed Fire Benefit Charge that would help fund the Regional Fire Authority is fundamentally sound

Our fire departments need help. Many firefighters are working 2 or more days in a row, stressed out and surviving on catnaps. Equipment needs to be replaced, and fire stations need improvements. … more

By Pete Kmet | 4/24/23 | 14 comments

A last word about Proposition 1 - the proposed regional fire authority

For the last couple months, I’ve been working with a small and very talented group of volunteers on the Save Our FDs campaign advocating No on Proposition 1. It’s been … more

By Pat Cole | 4/24/23 | 4 comments

Capitol Lake Towers is a condominium building; its unit owners would be incorrectly charged some $900 more than specified in the RFA documents due to an error in calculating square footages for each unit.

More errors found in proposed Fire Benefit Charge Calculator for apartments, condos and mixed-use owners

In addition to those reported previously, The JOLT has identified more errors in the calculator provided by Olympia and Tumwater’s proposed Regional Fire Authority (RFA). The calculator allows … more

By Lorilyn Lirio and Danny Stusser | 4/21/23 | 9 comments

Police seek alleged robbers, including one with a pink handgun

Police are seeking four individuals allegedly involved in two separate robberies. Armed robbery in Lacey The Lacey Police Department said two suspects carjacked and robbed a victim at gunpoint … more

By Julia Ornedo | 4/21/23 | 1 comment

Frontage improvements along Trails End Rd and 79th Ave. include stormwater facilities.

Tumwater developing a roundabout on Old Highway 99 at 79th Ave

If you've ever tried to turn left onto Old Highway 99 from 79th Avenue and been frustrated by speeding traffic in both directions, you'll be glad to know that a roundabout is coming. The Tumwater … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/20/23 | 7 comments

Tumwater City Administrator John Doan delivers his farewell remarks to the city council.

John Doan attends last Tumwater City Council meeting as city administrator

John Doan, who is set to retire after 13 years as Tumwater’s city administrator, gave his farewell remarks to the city council on Tuesday, April 18. Doan noted that the Tuesday meeting was … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/19/23 | 2 comments

Bourke is seen setting a portion of the customer’s payment aside instead of placing the full amount in the cash register. (Photo is from a frame of the Tumwater Police Department video)

New hire accused of stealing $800 from cash register in 2 weeks

An Olympia woman who was recently hired at a Tumwater Walmart was arrested on suspicion of stealing $800 from the cash register in two weeks, later admitting that she took the money for gas and … more

4/19/23 | 2 comments

Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater taking part in water conservation incentive and rebate programs that benefit homeowners.

Spring water saving free kits and rebates for households

Spring water conservation The City of Olympia is implementing water conservation efforts through savings, rebates, and free kits. Other localities, such as Lacey and Tumwater, also have incentives … more

By Sage Hamilton | 4/18/23 | 1 comment