Community Corner

🌱 Free Tumwater sessions will tackle cyber scams and new drug dangers.

And on the Tumwater Patch calendar - Schmidt House History Talk

Tuesday September 29th Patch AM
Tuesday September 29th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good day Tumwater! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

Hosting an event in Tumwater? Let Patch get the word out for you. Post it to the Patch calendar.

In today's newsletter:

  • Free Tumwater sessions will tackle cyber scams and new drug dangers.
  • What do Tumwater's new student phone and visitor rules actually change?
  • How Tumwater's next budget could affect your water service and golf fees

Also on today's calendar: Pints Pavement Pounders Running Club and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a one-legged Big Foot? 🤔 (Answer below!)


From our Partner
Today's Tumwater Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Tumwater Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Tumwater. Advertisement


Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Cloudy with a touch of rain, with a high of 63 and low of 43 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Shifting clouds and sun, temps: high: 66, low: 46.
  • Thursday: Some sunshine, with a high of 68 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. FESS to host free community conversations on cyber safety and substance use (thurstonchronicle.com) — Tumwater families can attend two free Strengthening Families Community Conversations at ESD 113 on Oct. 8 and 15, focused on cyber safety and emerging substance use trends. Local experts will explain current scams, online exploitation risks, and new "gas station" drugs, while offering practical prevention tips and time for questions so parents, caregivers, and youth-serving professionals leave with usable strategies.
   

2. Tumwater School District board adopts revised policies related to students (thejoltnews.com) — Tumwater families should know the school board just updated key policies affecting student disabilities, phone use, and how visitors access school buildings. The changes clarify protections for students with ADHD, tighten rules on when phones can be used, and formalize procedures for anyone entering Tumwater school facilities, all based on new state model guidance.
   

3. Tumwater City Council reviews funding requests for utilities, golf course (thejoltnews.com) — Tumwater residents face upcoming decisions on city spending for water, sewer, stormwater utilities, and the city-owned golf course as council reviews a trimmed-down 2026–27 budget. Most enhancement requests were denied, but funding for a new utilities project manager, staff reclassification, and key golf course infrastructure made the cut, alongside likely fee increases for golfers to support aging equipment.
   

4. Large branch falls from Davis Meeker Garry oak tree during windstorm in Tumwater (thejoltnews.com) — Tumwater's landmark Davis Meeker Garry oak near Olympia Regional Airport lost a large branch in Friday's windstorm, renewing attention on its safety and preservation. The 400-year-old tree, on Tumwater's historic register, remains protected under a court order requiring state and local historic approvals before any major alteration or removal by the city.
   

5. Top Local News – Thurston County – September 28, 2026 (thurstontalk.com) — Tumwater residents should watch the city's transportation plan update, which targets congestion relief, safer walking routes, and better bike and transit connections along key corridors. The broader Thurston County roundup also touches on Olympia's Food Waste Prevention Week, regional sports, new local media in Yelm, and stormwater restoration work, giving a quick snapshot of nearby civic and community changes.
   


📸 Around Tumwater

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!


🗓 Upcoming Events in Tumwater

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!


Other local events

📣 Tumwater Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!


🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.


💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • We just found a loose Black Lab with a green harness.
    He is in our back yard on Pifer Rd SE in Tumwater. Please call Mark at 360-561-5373. (Nextdoor Carlyon North Tumwater)
  • Oak St. Health posted a job opening for Eligibility Consultant in Olympia. Apply here.
  • Panda Restaurant Group posted a job opening for Cook (P1-1383236-2) in Olympia. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Tumwater here.

Ok Tumwater! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Hop Squatch! (Thank you Terri R. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!


👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.


Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Tumwater