Eagle Lake Chief Placed on Leave, Then Resigns

The Colorado County Citizen

Following a closed session at the Sept. 8 Eagle Lake City Council meeting, the council reconvened and voted unanimously to place Eagle Lake Police Chief Wilton White, Jr. on administrative leave with pay, and to investigate irregularities with documents filed with Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). “Unfortunately, the City had no choice but to place Chief White on administrative leave as we further investigate irregularities with notarized and sworn employee documents submitted to TCOLE on new officer hires,” Mayor Mary Parr said following the Sept. 8 decision. “This also includes TCOLE-required qualifications for current officers.” On Sept. 9, White submitted his resignation from the position as Police Chief effective immediately. City Administrator Melissa Landin said, “The City will complete the internal investigation started regarding the department’s compliance with TCOLE requirements. Council will meet to accept Chief White’s resignation at the Sept. 22 city council meeting.” White was hired as Chief of Police in July 2019. The City of Eagle Lake has had several retirements and resignations in city administration over the past two years.

• On Sept. 10, the Weimar City Council discussed and approved the placement of a historical monument in honor of Etta Moten Barnett, a Weimar native renowned for her opera singing. The marker will be placed between the gazebo and depot building at the library. Also discussed was the assistance the city will provide during the dedication of that marker set for Feb. 21, 2021. The city allocated $2,000 in advertising, along with chairs and a metal bleacher in anticipation of a choir and out of state dignitaries and family members on hand for the dedication.

• Colorado County EMS Paramedic and Supervisor Amanda Daniel has been named the newest Director of the county EMS department. Daniel has served with the Colorado County EMS since 2011 and she succeeds Michael Furrh in the role. Furrh recently accepted the position of EMS Director in Lavaca County.

The Sealy News

The Sealy City Council voted earlier this month not to forgive grants made to businesses that have now closed due to COVID-19. Mike Gajewski, who owns All Out Weapons, a gun store in the city, asked the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) on Sept. 1 to forgive a $3,700 grant his business received earlier this year. Although called “grants,” the money given out by the EDC to help keep businesses afloat during COVID-19 was required to be paid back. Gajewski told the EDC that he was unable to secure enough inventory for his store due to a nationwide firearms shortage. However, Gajewski was already out of compliance with the city’s 380 grant program, which provided the COVID-19 dollars. Businesses needed to keep their storefronts open for 12 months. All Out Weapons is now an internet-and-home based business.

The Gonzales Inquirer

• Gonzales Police Officers Marisol Sanchez, Caesar Martinez, and Sergeant Leo Mendez responded to Daya’s Extreme Snow Cones about an aggravated robbery involving guns on Sept. 6. Police made contact with the three employees who were working at the time of the robbery and obtained information that led to the identification of two male subjects, Robert Stephen Cantu III and a 15-year old Hispanic juvenile male. Officer Martinez and Sergeant Mendez located Robert Stephen Cantu III at his residence where he was placed under arrest for aggravated robbery and taken to the Gonzales County Jail. On September 9 Investigator Mark Hastings with the Gonzales Police Department and Investigator Gabriel Trevino with the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office located the 15-year-old juvenile in Waelder where he was detained and later transported to a juvenile detention center.

Giddings Times & News

Patricia Anayla, 55 from Paige, lost her life in an accident on Sept. 3 at 4:41 p.m. in Bastrop County. Anayla was walking and attempted to cross the highway from south to north when she was struck by a 2005 Suzuki GSX-R600 motorcycle driven by Dakotah Primeaux, 22 of Bastrop.