LOOKING BACK: KWHI’S TOP STORIES OF 2024
As we close the book on 2024 and head into 2025, KWHI is reflecting on some of the past year’s most notable moments.
Our list of top stories is based on how much interest they received and how much discussion they generated, as well as how long their respective storylines played out – or continue to play out.
Here are, in no particular order, our top stories of 2024:
NEW LEADERSHIP AT CITY OF BRENHAM, LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS
The City of Brenham and Brenham and Burton ISDs all have new faces at the top of their organizations. In July, Lloyd Powell was named Brenham’s Chief of Police, and Curtiss Schoen was promoted to Assistant Police Chief. Mark Donovan was chosen in May to serve as the next Brenham Fire Chief, with David Cella named as the Assistant Fire Chief in September. For Brenham ISD, Clay Gillentine was officially hired as superintendent in March after serving in the role for several months in an acting capacity. Brenham ISD also hired Sara Borchgardt as Chief Academic Officer and Darrell St. Clair as Chief Financial Officer, while promoting Kellie Fontenot and Brittni Kalich to Special Education Director and Technology Director, respectively. In Burton ISD, after the departure of former superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy, Vikki Curry was hired in June to lead the school district into the future.
ELECTIONS BRING CHANGE ACROSS COUNTY AND BEYOND
Washington County government also saw a shake-up as a result of the 2024 elections, as the county will have a new sheriff in Trey Holleway, a new district attorney in Derek Estep, a new Precinct 1 commissioner in Misti Hartstack Corn, a new Precinct 2 Constable in Seth Klehm, and a new Precinct 3 constable in Brad Kuecker. At the state level, Trey Wharton was elected to serve as House District 12 representative. This all came while the presidential election drew widespread attention.
BRENHAM & BURTON WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE
The Cities of Brenham and Burton performed important legwork in 2024 to get water system improvement projects flowing. For Brenham, that included authorizing up to $11 million in certificates of obligation (COs), increasing water rates, and accepting bids to rehabilitate the wastewater treatment plant, revitalize the existing water well at Loesch Street and build a new well. Meanwhile, Burton made major strides in reducing water loss issues around town, agreed to enter contract negotiations with an engineering firm for a water line replacement project, and decided to drill a new water well near the existing one at Burton City Hall. The city plans to issue up to $685,000 in COs and use $593,800 in grant funding from the Texas General Land Office to help cover the cost of the well.
APRIL 12: A COMMUNITY SCARRED, BUT UNITED
In an event that sent shockwaves through the Washington County community, an attack at the Brenham DPS office on April 12th led to the deaths of two people and several others being injured, after a stolen 18-wheeler crashed into the facility. Clenard Parker of Chappell Hill was arrested and indicted on numerous charges, including Capital Murder. Washington County residents rallied together in the aftermath, supporting victims through prayer vigils and fundraisers. Meanwhile, a partnership between DPS and Blinn College allowed for the opening of a temporary driver’s license office at the Blinn College Student Center.
EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT SPARKS DEBATE
Rising call volume and a need for additional funding led the Chappell Hill and Meyersville Volunteer Fire Departments to propose the creation of Washington County’s first emergency services district (ESD), which would levy a tax on residents in the two departments’ territories to support fire protection services. Supporters and opponents formed on both sides, but the process to potentially call an election for the ESD ground to a halt after a hearing was cancelled due to insufficient notice posted in the local newspaper. A new hearing has been scheduled for January 14th.
BRENHAM MAIFEST KING FACES CHARGES
A reigning member of the Brenham Maifest court was among two people charged in July after several months of investigation into an alleged assault on Schlottmann Road in March. Lucas Cash Flynn, the 2024 Senior Maifest King, along with Reece Allen Wittu, were each arrested and indicted for Aggravated Assault. Their legal cases will continue into the new year.
SPRING STORMS & HURRICANE BERYL CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE
Mother nature wreaked havoc on multiple occasions in 2024, with several storms affecting Washington County and surrounding areas. Hailstorms in March led to some severe damage in Austin County, while late spring storms in April and May led to flooding and fallen trees in Washington and nearby counties. That was soon followed by Hurricane Beryl in July, which led to more downed trees and floods and prolonged cleanup efforts.
BURTON ISD BOND STRUGGLES & TRIUMPHS
Last year brought both frustration and joy for Burton ISD, as the bond construction project had ups and downs. In May, the school board learned that several contracts pertaining to the project had gone unsigned by the school district, some of which went as far back as the spring of 2023. This soon preceded the board choosing to terminate its contract with the construction manager-agent and move in a new direction. The district is now suing that firm and two other contractors, citing breach of contract among other claims. However, progress by the new construction manager-agent on the football field allowed the district to – for the first time in three years – host a home football game.
DETOURS IN TxDOT PROJECTS FOR CLOVERLEAF, 290-1155 INTERSECTION
Plans have been in the works for some time to redevelop the Highway 290 cloverleaf in Brenham and modify the intersection of Highway 290 and FM 1155 in Chappell Hill. The cloverleaf project seems to be delayed, though, as local officials say rising costs are leading to TxDOT pushing back their target start date. For the Chappell Hill intersection, a proposed redesign that would have redirected traffic to turn or make U-turns at offset locations along Highway 290, instead of crossing through the intersection itself, led to pushback from local stakeholders. That ultimately caused TxDOT to pivot away from that concept, but it is still working on short-term safety improvements.
E-911 DEPARTMENT UNDERGOES CHANGES
The Washington County E-911 Department saw its top two officials step down in 2024, as Director Robyn Hood and Operations Manager Shannon Selden both resigned in October. That month, commissioners called a special meeting to hear certain personnel claims made in the department and later enlisted the Texas Association of Counties to conduct an investigation into those allegations. Hood released a statement claiming “false allegations” were being presented against her and Selden, but the nature of those allegations has not been made known publicly. Jerod Hartfield was soon named as an interim director. Meanwhile, the county has begun exploring moving the E-911 Department out of its current facility at 301 North Baylor Street into a larger location.
PROPOSED COMPOST FACILITY IN LEE COUNTY SOUNDS ALARMS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY
Late in the year, word began to spread about an Austin-based company seeking to locate a commercial compost operation in the Lincoln area. The facility has drawn numerous concerns from residents and local officials, including about the possible environmental effects, as its location near Yegua Creek leads many to fear that runoff from the facility could make its way to Lake Somerville. Lee County Commissioners passed a resolution in opposition to the facility, with the Brenham City Council and Washington County Commissioners soon following suit. The deadline for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to receive public comments is January 2nd.
BRENHAM HOSTS NATIONAL MUSEUM EXHIBIT
After several months of preparation and planning, the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street exhibit officially opened in Brenham in December. Brenham is one of seven communities to host the national traveling exhibit, which explores how rural communities evolved when residents began moving to larger cities in the 1900s. Several local exhibits were developed in conjunction with the Smithsonian program, which will remain in Brenham through January 19th.
(courtesy Joe Alberico, Blinn Sports Information)
BLINN BASEBALL WINS FIRST-EVER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
The Blinn Buccaneer baseball team enjoyed its most successful season in program history in 2024, finishing with a 47-17 record and earning many accolades. The season culminated with a trip to Grand Junction, Colorado, where the Buccaneers knocked off the top competitors in the country on the way to claiming their first-ever national championship trophy.
What do you think were 2024's top headlines? What do you think will be the biggest stories of 2025? KWHI encourages you to join in the discussion below in the comment section.