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Olympia and Tumwater held a joint study session on October 25, 2022. The council members from both cities discussed the proposed Regional Fire Authority.

Olympia, Tumwater discuss the proposed RFA in a joint session

Olympia will look at a levy lid lift to increase property taxes to address the issue of its fire department funding if voters do not approve the proposed Regional Fire Authority, Olympia council … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/26/22 | 3 comments

Local voting pamphlets and ballots are already arriving for General Election for Thurston County.

Voter Registration Deadlines for the November 8 General Election

Below are the voter registration deadlines for the November 8 General Election in Thurston County. Through Monday, October 31, 2022: Last day for remote registrations and updates … more

Diana Benson, Thurston County Chief Deputy Auditor | 10/25/22

Have you seen Roberta Hartnell around? Contact Tumwater police if you did.

Elderly woman has gone missing, contact if you know whereabouts

Tumwater police are keeping an eye out for a 68-year-old woman they believe is missing. Roberta A. Hartnell was last seen near Buttercup Street on Oct. 21 at 4 p.m., when she left on foot with … more

By Julia Ornedo | 10/25/22

This screenshot shows the Citizen Toolbox calculator for the proposed fire benefit charge for residential properties.

Thinking about the proposed Regional Fire Authority? So is Larry Dzieza

When Larry Dzieza saw that a square root was part of a formula that Olympia and Tumwater were planning to propose that would calculate a new fee to cover some of the costs involved with providing … more

By Danny Stusser | 10/24/22 | 7 comments

This slide is included in the packet for the October 25, 2022 joint meeting of the Tumwater and Olympia city councils.

How much would you pay if a Fire Benefit Charge is approved? Calculate it here

Spinning off Tumwater’s and Olympia’s fire departments would create a new local government agency with its own taxing authority. The two city councils are set to meet to consider the … more

By Danny Stusser | 10/24/22 | 4 comments

Tumwater’s budget and finance committee conversed with Maija Glasier-Lawson (bottom left) from the Family Support Center of South Sound, one of the five organizations applying for funds from the Community Human Services Program.

Tumwater’s budget committee sets aside 2023 human services funding to non-profits

Tumwater’s budget and finance committee approved the allocation of its 2023 human services funding during a meeting on Wednesday, October 19. The $15,000 fund was split between five … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/24/22

Tumwater’s park and recreation committee met on October 19 to discuss updates for the community center.

Tumwater is seeking a design firm for the new community center

Tumwater is looking for a firm to design its new community center, said Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Denney during their commission’s meeting yesterday, October 19. The city has … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/21/22

Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan gave testimony during a public hearing for the suspension of Hopkins Drainage Ditch District.

Sullivan appeals for the suspension of Hopkins Drainage Ditch District #2

Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan appealed for the suspension of Hopkins Drainage Ditch District 2 during a county-level public hearing held Tuesday, October 18. She cited instances in which she … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/20/22 | 1 comment

Capitol Boulevard South from Dennis Street SE to Trosper Road SW will undergo roadwork from Friday, October 21 8p.m. to Saturday, October 22 4 a.m.

Construction along Capitol Boulevard South

Tumwater warns of lane reductions resulting in slowed traffic on Capitol Boulevard South from Dennis Street SE to Trosper Road SW from Friday, October 21 8p.m. to Saturday, October 22 4 a.m. The … more

10/20/22

Tumwater city administrator John Doan presented the initial MOU for the Deschutes Estuary project to the city council.

Tumwater approves initial agreement for Deschutes Estuary project

Tumwater city council has authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining the initial agreements for the Deschutes Estuary project during their meeting held … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/19/22 | 1 comment

Tumwater may have controlled burning taking place on private property at 8410 Old Highway 99 SE this Thursday, October 20.

Roadwork along Olympia’s Sleater-Kinney, Tumwater has controlled burn at Old Highway 99

Sleater-Kinney Road may have traffic disruptions tomorrow, October 19. Workers from the city’s Vegetation and Habitat Operations will be working on the street’s medians between San Mar … more

10/18/22

Tumwater mulls new city logo designs

Tumwater city staff presented new logo designs to the general government committee for discussion yesterday, October 12. City communications manager Ann Cook presented several logo concepts. … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/13/22 | 5 comments

Tumwater’s planning commission and the tree board held a joint meeting on October 11 to discuss their public engagement plan as they updated various regulations on trees and vegetation.

Tumwater is holding an online open house for the planning of the city tree and vegetation code

Tumwater is holding an online open house for the planning of the city tree and vegetation code By Jerome Tuaño Tumwater will have a soft launch of its online open house on … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/13/22

Crystal Pratt standing with a paint colored horse.

Scholarship awarded to Crystal Pratt, originally of Tumwater from the Iowa Veterinary Medical School

The Iowa Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) awarded Crystal Pratt, originally of Tumwater, the recipient of the 2022 IVMA Foundation Incoming Freshman Scholarship for $2,000. Crystal’s … more

By Sage Hamilton | 10/13/22

Tumwater Capitol Boulevard to undergo road work

Lanes along Tumwater’s Capitol Boulevard South from Israel Road SE to Linda Street SE today until tomorrow, 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., for sewer line maintenance, the city said in a press … more

10/13/22

Tumwater’s public health and safety committee met on October 12 to discuss an agreement with Tumwater School District to extend an SRO program.

Tumwater city committee holds off recommending cops’ return to schools

Tumwater’s Public Health and Safety Committee held off from recommending an interlocal agreement to extend the school resource officer (SRO) program, citing the need for clarifications on the … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/12/22 | 1 comment

At the Regional Fire Authority planning committee meeting on October 10, 2022, Karen Reed, consultant for the proposed RFA, showed a table of Fire Benefit Charge formula options, which reflects a reduced fee for the residential sector.

RFA Planning Committee to forward recommendations to Olympia, Tumwater City Councils

UPDATED: October 12, 2022 - This update clarifies that the recommended formula for the Fire Benefit Charge continues to include a square root in the calculation. The Regional Fire … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/11/22 | 4 comments

Tumwater resident John Hayworth (top center) speaks at a public hearing of an ordinance opposing the annexation of Hopkins District into The Preserve.

Tumwater passes ordinance reversing Hopkins’ annexation

Residents of both The Preserve in Tumwater and Hopkins Drainage District gave opposing views on the direction stormwater flows between the two areas during a Tumwater city council meeting yesterday, … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/5/22 | 1 comment

At the Regional Fire Authority planning committee meeting on October 3, 2022, consultant to the RFA, Neil Blindheim, presented a table showing less regressive and favors small houses and small businesses with a formula with a square foot charge.

RFA committee reviews FBC formula with and without fire flow

RFA committee reviews FBC formula with and without fire flow Legal conundrum By Lorilyn C. Lirio The Regional Fire Authority planning committee is exploring a new Fire Benefit Charge (FBC) … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/4/22 | 5 comments

Hurricane victims and how you can help, Indigenous People’s Day, Arts, and Harvest Festival

Last week, Hurricane Ian obliterated communities in Florida. As of today, according to CNN, at least 102 people have been reported killed by the hurricane in Florida – 55 of them in Lee County, … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 10/4/22