Coverage of Italy, Texas local government, including city council decisions, infrastructure concerns, water quality issues, and leadership transparency. Italy is a small city in Ellis County with a long history of governance questions.
According to Councilmember Raymond Mosley, Mayor Clinton Sulak-Tovar texted him that he could sue ITXN for defamation if it doesn't fix the quote. Mosley says the Mayor said it to him. Italy PD now says it has been investigating the harassment allegations since September 14.
An Italy resident sent me a written complaint alleging a sergeant is making sexual harassment remarks toward a rookie female officer. It lands less than three weeks after the city upheld Kevin Oginski's firing, in a case that began with an allegation its own investigator did not sustain. The Chief's unread statement is attached.
Two members of the Italy City Council said publicly this afternoon that nobody told them an officer had been terminated. One of them learned about it from a resident, two hours after asking the city administrator directly.
Five weeks before the vote, the Italy City Council ordered staff to bring back competing bids and a priced breakdown. One bid came back, the breakdown never did, and the council approved the higher number anyway.
One year after bonding out of jail on the Fourth of July, I look back at the Texans I have met who were arrested for showing up, and ask a hard question on America's 250th birthday.
Italy city council candidate Shelby Browning submitted written answers to the nine-question 2026 Candidate Questionnaire. She calls for stronger oversight of taxpayer spending, active accountability for the city's EDC reserves, and year-round engagement with residents.
Italy city council candidate Quentin Dean Little submitted written answers to the nine-question 2026 Candidate Questionnaire. He calls for rescinding the city's social media policy, restoring self-sustaining city services, and a transparency-first approach to governance.
I think BiCARBUS is probably a good product. I also think Italy's residents deserved to know before it was connected to their water supply without council approval.
Italy Councilmember Billy Long issued a public statement on water infrastructure, road conditions, and public safety, calling for real fixes instead of temporary patches.
On March 14, the City of Italy held a cleanup day at Upchurch Fields, locked the gate with families still inside, trapped a disabled woman on a mobility scooter, and closed the park for spring break weekend. The Mayor was not there. The City Administrator said no comment. The former mayor read my text and never replied.
On March 9, 2026, Italy's city administrator read a prepared timeline to the council claiming former City Administrator Shawn Holden and 15-year EDC President Charles Hyles had no involvement in a failed Public Works Building project. The documents in the city's own files tell a different story. I have the recordings, the emails, and the resignation letter.
TCEQ closed a complaint about Italy's unauthorized water treatment installation, claiming the city had approval since January. But the city council voted against BiCARBUS three times and was never told.
A chemical water treatment system was installed on Italy's public water supply without council approval or TCEQ authorization. The council had voted to defer the matter twice. TCEQ has accepted a formal complaint.
The S.M. Dunlap Library in Italy announced a candidate forum with no cameras allowed. The library pays zero property taxes. And the community already had a more transparent option on the table.
The Italy Economic Development Corporation met to discuss putting the demolition of 101 E. Main Street out for bids, but the project still needs final details before that can happen.
I had a half-hour conversation with Brandon Torres. He left me cautiously optimistic, but the mold problem at the police department isn't going away on its own.
The city called back about the candidate forum. They won't let me use city hall, and the alternative costs more than it's worth. So I'm doing it my own way.
Italy has never hosted an open candidate forum in recent memory. I called City Hall this morning to change that.
ITXN is done. I'm not. Here's what we built, why I'm walking away from Italy, and where this work is taking me.
If something in your town, your agency, or a business near you does not add up, send it. Documents help, but a date, a place, or a name is enough to start. I read every tip myself.
How I handle tips and protect sources →