YEAR IN REVIEW

YEAR IN REVIEW 

The Courier’s 2024 highlight headlines

Paxton vs. Elgin

Elgin’s lawsuit with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, centered around marijuana enforcement, concluded June 18 with a consent decree approved by the 21st District Court of Bastrop County.

The agreement voids the city’s voter-approved ordinance decriminalizing low-level marijuana offenses and dismisses the state’s lawsuit.

Former Elgin City Manager Tom Mattis called the lawsuit a “ridiculous waste of public resources” and said the settlement was the best course of action to end unnecessary litigation.

While the ordinance passed with over 75% voter approval, it was never implemented due to conflicts with state law, according to Chief of Police Chris Noble. Noble did note that the department has still been following “the spirit of the ordinance.”

Cannabis advocates, including Decriminalize Elgin, oppose the consent decree, arguing the court lacked jurisdiction since the ordinance was never enforced. Attorney Richard Gladden, representing the group, filed for appeal the following month, citing a Travis County ruling that no district court has jurisdiction over similar cases.

$17.6M treatment plant dedicated 

Family, friends and city officials gathered April 20 to dedicate the Doug Prinz Memorial Wastewater Treatment Plant, honoring the late social worker.

The expanded facility will help Elgin manage its municipal services amidst rapid growth, according to former City Manager Tom Mattis.

“This may be the most important project funded through the 2021 Certificates of Obligation,” Mattis said.

The plant has now doubled in size and treatment capacity, able to process two million gallons of water daily.

Other improvements included new equipment, such as a generator, lab, clarifier, aerobic digester for sludge disposal, filtration system and a belt press, alongside various site upgrades.

A plaque was unveiled at the plant in Prinz’s honor.

A lifelong Elgin resident, Prinz made a lasting impact on the city, Mattis added. He worked as the city’s water and wastewater director, represented Elgin in the Lost Pines Groundwater District, served as fire chief and held the presidency of the Texas State Firemen’s and Fire Marshal’s Association.

School bus collision kills 2

BASTROP — A Bastrop County grand jury indicted Jerry Hernandez, 43, on two counts of manslaughter and two counts of criminally negligent homicide for a March 22 crash that killed a child and a University of Texas student.

Hernandez allegedly veered a cement truck into oncoming traffic on Texas 21, striking a Hays Consolidated Independent School District prekindergarten bus and two other vehicles, police reports said.

Ryan Wallace, 33, and five-yearold Ulises Rodriguez died in the collision.

Court documents revealed Hernandez admitted to using marijuana, cocaine and having little sleep before the crash. He also failed multiple drug tests between 2020 and 2023, but his commercial driver’s license remained valid.

FJM Concrete LLC, Hernandez’s employer, is facing civil lawsuits, as its owner reportedly failed to conduct a background check.

The school district has since mandated seat belts for all of its buses.

City attorney resigns

BASTROP — The Bojorquez Law Firm ended its relationship with Bastrop due to irreconcilable differences among the city’s leaders, and managing partner Alan Bojorquez will no longer serve as city attorney.

In his resignation letter dated Nov. 25, Bojorquez cited fragmented leadership and challenges in maintaining effective legal representation for the city. His last official day was Dec. 31.

Mayor Lyle Nelson expressed regret over the loss of the firm, praising Bojorquez for his professionalism and the firm’s contributions to the city since 2017. The firm handled legal matters ranging from real-estate acquisitions to litigations.

Bojorquez’s resignation followed tensions within the council, according to reports, including attempts to involve the city attorney in conflicts between members. Bojorquez emphasized the difficulty of representing a divided leadership and suggested the city move forward with new legal representation.

The council instructed City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino to begin the search for a new city attorney and arrange for a smooth transition of legal services.

Mattis removed

Elgin City Council members voted unanimously Nov. 26 to release Tom Mattis as city manager following an undisclosed internal matter, city officials confirmed.

The decision came after a special meeting, primarily held in executive session, to discuss personnel issues related to Mattis’s employment. Mattis, who had served as city manager since 2016, has remained unavailable for comment, and officials only stated that the release was prompted by an “HR matter.”

Council members declined to provide further details.

After the hour-long closed-door discussion, Councilman Al Rodriguez motioned to approve a separation-and-release agreement, authorizing Mayor Theresa McShan to relieve Mattis.

“We are most appreciative and proud of the work that our former city manager has done,” McShan said.

Since the meeting, veteran city employee Beau Perry has been named acting city manager. Perry has most recently been serving as the city’s interim development services director.

The city plans to conduct a nationwide search for a new city manager, according to McShan.

Weekend wildfire lights 400 acres SMITHVILLE — Smithville first responders, along with state-deployed personnel, battled a fast-moving wildfire that erupted northwest of the city in November.

The Hudson Fire spread rapidly, igniting over 400 acres and prompting evacuations and road closures. The conflagration began south of Park Road 1C, after a structure caught fire. Evacuations were ordered for residents near Alum Creek Road and Cottletown Road.

Dry conditions, low humidity and brisk winds contributed to the fire’s rapid spread, according to officials. Gov. Greg Abbott deployed over 90 state personnel and 60 assets to assist with containment.

Evacuations affected around 65 homes, with 20 homes at immediate risk, reports said.

The Smithville Recreation Center and Mayfest Park were set up as temporary shelters. Road closures remained at key intersections.

The blaze was fully controlled after four full days of containment efforts. No injuries were reported.

Bastrop backs city manager BASTROP — City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino received a vote of confidence from the majority of Bastrop City Council Nov. 21, despite controversy surrounding her recent performance review.

The meeting, called by Mayor Lyle Nelson and Councilwoman Cheryl Lee, was to discuss a report submitted by Lee that raised concerns about Carrillo-Trevino’s actions, including alleged questionable spending and a hostile work environment under her leadership.

The council voted to deny the request for an investigation, with only Lee dissenting, and expressed confidence in Carrillo-Trevino’s management.

Councilman Kevin Plunkett praised the city manager as the council’s greatest achievement, while Councilwoman Cynthia Meyer also spoke in her support.

Carrillo-Trevino addressed the allegations, refuting many with evidence, and emphasized the need for the city to move forward.

Lee, however, stood by her concerns, saying the city manager had not been truthful.

Three new places for play

Residents gathered downtown Sept. 7 to celebrate the grand opening of Elgin’s newly expanded Veterans Memorial Park.

The $4.4 million project, which began in 2023, added two city blocks and revitalized the century- old space, blending Elgin’s history with modern amenities.

Including a life-size wooden train inspired by the 1871 locomotive that helped establish Elgin as a railroad town, the redesigned park features several interactive play elements and a new stage.

The park’s opening marked a milestone in Elgin’s downtown revitalization efforts, according to Mayor Theresa McShan, which has seen over $35 million in reinvestment.

Playgrounds at Morris Memorial and Thomas Memorial Park also saw significant upgrades in February and June, respectively.

Elgin’s oldest home revitalized 

Mayor Theresa McShan proclaimed May as Historic Preservation Month during a May 7 City Council meeting, highlighting Elgin’s commitment to honoring its history.

The proclamation coincided with the Mary Christian Burleson Foundation’s completion of exterior renovations on Elgin’s oldest home, Mary’s homestead, located at 117 Louise St.

Leaders from the MCB Foundation, Main Street Board, Elgin Historical Association and other local organizations were recognized for their dedication to preserving Elgin’s heritage.

“Historic preservation is an effective tool… for revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride and maintaining community character,” McShan said to attendees.

MCB Foundation Board President Jake Carter thanked the city and its volunteers, noting the home’s dramatic transformation from “a pile of sticks” into a preserved piece of Elgin’s past.

Built in 1840, the homestead was officially recognized as the city’s oldest property by state officials. Future plans for the site include period-appropriate doors and windows, a remodeled interior, external restrooms and storytelling elements to inform its

visitors.

District’s fifth elementary breaks ground

In April, Elgin Independent School District Superintendent of Schools Jana Rueter led a groundbreaking ceremony at the Trinity Ranch Elementary site, joined by eager students and city representatives.

“So much work has gone in before this day, and we are thrilled to now move forward with the groundbreaking,” she said.

The new campus, located in the Trinity Ranch community south of U.S. 290, will be the district’s fifth elementary school.

Funded through the 2021 bond referendum, the school is scheduled to open for the 2025-26 school year.

Harvest Ridge Elementary, which broke ground a year ago, opened in August.

Animal hub finds homes

Austin Pets Alive! opened its Elgin Transportation Hub in April, designed to save thousands of animal lives in its first year.

The facility isn’t a shelter but a unique stopover for cats and dogs, moving them from shelters across Texas to new homes as far as New England.

“We’re like travel agents, handling the logistics of getting pets from one place to another,” said Senior Director Clare Callison.

The hub partners with over 50 organizations, relieving under- resourced Texas shelters, where many animals face euthanasia due to overcrowding and limited resources.

Texas’ shelter problem is exacerbated by a lack of spay and neuter services and year-round breeding seasons, according to Callison.

The hub has 45 dog kennels and space for over 30 cats, estimating it will save around 3,000 pets in its first year. Animals stay an average of five days before being flown to their new homes.

“They’re well-mannered, medically sound, but simply out of time and space,” Callison added.

While the hub is expanding, it remains committed to not becoming “just another shelter.”

Musk move to spark more growth 

BASTROP – The move of X’s headquarters from California to

Bastrop is expected to drive a 42% population growth, reaching 20,000 residents in five years, according to Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino.

The move was confirmed in September to have already begun, with many X, formerly Twitter, executives already in the area. X, owned by Elon Musk, joins his other companies, SpaceX and The Boring Co., in the region.

To support growth, utility company Corix and SpaceX are expanding wastewater infrastructure in the area, and Musk is funding housing for employees.

Carrillo-Trevino said real-estate development is also underway to accommodate the population increase.

County Line Road renovations

Elgin officials gathered Aug. 7 to celebrate the completion of the $8 million County Line Road Phase One project, transforming a two-lane road into a fourlane boulevard with sidewalks, streetlights and landscaping.

The project improves access to Elgin High School and provides critical infrastructure for the city’s growth, according to former City Manager Tom Mattis.

“This is the first phase of what will become the main north-south thoroughfare for new residents to Elgin,” Mattis said.

The 5,100-foot stretch from Carlson Lane to FM 1100 includes new curbs, gutters and roadway improvements. Funding came from properties benefiting from the added access, with no direct cost to taxpayers, representatives said.

The project required over $200,000 in rights-of-way acquisitions from residential properties. Developers and Elgin Independent School District contributed land for road widening and drainage improvements.

Driest month in over a century

Bastrop County faced its driest October in 130 years, with virtually no measurable rainfall, according to the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District.

This extreme dryness mirrored a broader regional and national trend of low precipitation and elevated temperatures, with over 70 U.S. weather stations reporting their lowest rainfall totals on record.

Large parts of Texas and the nation experienced one of the driest Octobers ever documented, driven by high-pressure systems that suppressed cloud formation and rainfall, district representatives said. Classified as a “flash drought,” the phenomenon was characterized by rapid onset, high temperatures, dry winds and increased evaporation.

For Bastrop County, the flash drought significantly impacted agriculture, water supplies and ecosystems, according to LPGCD. The district noted that the event reflects the growing frequency and intensity of such occurrences, partly linked to climate change.

Water conservation and resource management are crucial to addressing these challenges, the group added.

Pantry expands to match needs

BASTROP – The Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry & Support Center saw a record number of residents served in 2023, with over 80% more assistance provided compared to three years prior.

Despite this growth, the organization operates from aging facilities, which hampers its ability to meet the increasing demand.

To address these challenges, the Food Pantry launched in May the public phase of its Good Neighbors capital campaign. The plan includes building a 9,200-squarefoot facility and remodeling its Fayette Street building.

The new space will allow for increased food distribution and a “grocery store” where neighbors can select food.

The remodeled building will also feature a community nutrition and education center for workshops on job readiness, budgeting and more.

This expansion aims to better serve the community and offer space for local nonprofits to collaborate and provide integrated support services.

Bastrop County goes dark

Necks craned upward in Bastrop County April 8 as the moon slowly passed in front of the sun during a total solar eclipse.

Visitors gathered along the Bastrop Riverwalk, setting up blankets and picnic baskets to watch the rare event. Although the county was just outside the path of totality and cloud coverage intermittently passed overhead, many eclipse watchers preferred the laid-back atmosphere over the busy crowds in Austin.

“There’s no point in going to Austin, the sun’s right here, for now. Even with the clouds, you can still feel what’s happening — the darkening and cooling of the air,” said a Texas A&M student who skipped class to witness the phenomenon.

The peak of the eclipse came around 1:37 p.m., casting a brief faux dusk over Bastrop.

“The idea that we’re so close to the path of totality, you have to take advantage and maximize these chances you get,” added another star gazer.

Attendees cheered as the moon aligned perfectly with the sun, their excitement echoing throughout the park as the clouds shifted.

Elgin ISD debuts dynamic center

Elgin High School athletes, performers and students celebrated the grand opening of the district’s tallest building last month — the new Multi-Purpose Facility.

Approved as part of the 2021 Elgin Independent School District bond package, the 56,865-square-foot facility features dressing and storage areas, a weight room, training room, offices and an indoor, air-conditioned practice field with artificial turf and shortened football field.

The updated weight room can now accommodate up to 59 students, more than doubling the previous capacity.

Standing 58 feet tall, the facility is designed to accommodate most Elgin ISD programs, including marching band, dance and sports teams. Partitions will allow multiple groups to use the space simultaneously, district representatives said.

During the grand opening ceremony, Superintendent of Schools Jana Rueter and School Board President Beth Walterscheidt emphasized the district’s commitment to providing modern resources to support its growing student population.

Elginite scratches $1M lotto

An Elgin resident claimed a $1 million scratch ticket this November, marking the first of four top prizes from the Lucky Millions lottery, Texas Lottery officials said.

The winner, who chose to remain anon-

See REVIEW, Page 8 ymous, purchased the ticket at Elgin Quick Mart, near Elgin High School. Since the announcement, scratch-off sales have increased, according to Quick Mart manager Amin Maridia.

“People right away come to buy more tickets, the exact same one,” Maridia said. Despite the excitement, the store has opted not to advertise the win with large banners or signs.

Maridia mentioned that Quick Mart has previously sold other high-value scratchoff tickets, including several worth $10,000 and $1,000.

Lucky Millions offers over $94 million in total prizes, with overall odds of winning any prize being 1 in 3.99, according to Texas Lottery.

Pride recognized

BASTROP – Despite some opposition, Bastrop Pride and the city’s LGBTQ community were honored by local government officials in May.

Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo- Trevino read a proclamation officially designating June as Pride Month, recognizing the Stonewall riots of 1968 as a pivotal moment for the queer rights movement.

“Every individual is equal before the law,” Carrillo-Trevino said, making note of the city’s commitment to equality and non-discrimination.

Bastrop Pride, a nonprofit formed in 2021, has expanded its efforts to serve the entire county and neighboring communities.

One public speaker opposed the proclamation, quoting the Constitution and John Adams to argue against the recognition. No other objections were raised, and Bastrop Pride representatives received a proclamation plaque.

The city reaffirmed its support for Bastrop Pride’s mission to promote education, awareness and inclusivity through scholarships, festivals and partnerships with other organizations.

“Pride month is an opportunity to celebrate this harmony in which we coexist,” Carrillo-Trevino added.