Caldwell Duo Can Return to Classroom, But Not Coach
Burleson County Tribune
Caldwell High School volleyball head coach Jane Anne Giese and head softball coach Wendy Weiss will not be coaching for the remainder of this school year, although they will teach in the classroom. The Caldwell School Board on Monday, Nov. 15, took no action following an executive session, meaning Caldwell School Superintendent Andrew Peters’ decision will stand. Both returned to the classroom after several days of administrative leave. Caldwell ISD Athletic Director Boone Patterson will serve as the interim head softball coach in Weiss’s absence this spring. Giese and Weiss were two of the coaches on a school bus following a volleyball game at Little River-Academy on Sept. 21 where four players were charged in Milan County with felony indecency with a child, according to a probable cause statement by the Milam County Sheriff’s office.
Yoakum Herald-Times
Yoakum City Council adopted a mental health policy for city employees at their meeting on Nov. 9. A mental health policy for first responders is required for all cities following the approval of Senate Bill 1359. The policy City Manager Kevin Coleman presented to the board extends to all city employees, not just first responders or “peace officers.” The policy offers a three-day mental health leave.
The Weimar Mercury
The City of Weimar will be emptying the Eagle Street Elevated Water Tank (water tower) next week for full renovations. This means that the water system will not have elevated storage capacity until the project is completed sometime in late January or early February. The water system will be running pumps continuously to keep the pressures up in the system during this time.
A $24,950 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority will help the Oakridge Volunteer Fire Department complete the interior construction of its new fire station. The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $23,390 in matching funds, will allow the department to complete a major phase of its new fire station. The building will provide a place to store firetrucks and equipment, including personal safety equipment for each firefighter in the department. “Our current fire station only has enough space to store large, major equipment,” firefighter Rick Gustafson said. “We are each carrying around our personal protective safety equipment in our own vehicles. My gear is piled up in my truck right now.” The new building will have three meeting rooms, a training room and five bays for firetrucks and other large equipment. In addition, each firefighter will have a personal locker to store equipment properly.
The Brenham Banner-Press
On Nov. 15, the Brenham ISD Board of Trustees approved the hiring of Jennifer Griffin as the next principal for Brenham High School. Griffin will assume the new leadership role at the start of the second semester. “Ms. Griffin impressed the committee with her energy, enthusiasm and her knowledge of structures, processes and procedures. One committee member described her as a doer. We are excited to have Ms. Griffin join Cub Nation and lead Brenham High School into the future,” said Tylor Chaplin, Superintendent of Brenham ISD.
TxDOT has began work on the Chappell Hill Street underpass at U.S. 290. According to Bobby Colwell with TxDOT, the underpass will be closed for approximately two months for crews to perform roadway work, install pedestrian facilities and install traffic signals. Underpass traffic will be detoured to the adjacent U.S. 290 intersection at Hwy. 36 and S. Market St.
New Ulm Enterprise
The City Council of Industry met for their regular meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 10. Council listened to a proposal by Tallerine Electric for security lighting on the building and basketball court. After discussion council approved upgrading the lights on the buildings to LED and adding to additional lights. Council also approved dirt work and landscaping around the new basketball court and approved the renewal of the sewer operator contract.