<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
    <id>https://watchtowerci.com</id>
    <title>Watchtower Consulting &amp; Investigations</title>
    <updated>2026-04-10T21:28:43.873Z</updated>
    <author>
        <name>Watchtower Consulting &amp; Investigations</name>
        <uri>https://watchtowerci.com</uri>
    </author>
    <link rel="alternate" href="https://watchtowerci.com"/>
    <subtitle>Independent investigative journalism covering small-town Texas local governments.</subtitle>
    <rights>© 2026 Watchtower Consulting &amp; Investigations</rights>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Statement From Italy Councilmember Billy Long]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/statement-from-italy-councilmember-billy-long</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/statement-from-italy-councilmember-billy-long"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-04-statement-from-italy-councilmember-billy-long.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-04-10T14:33:26.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Italy Councilmember Billy Long issued a public statement on water infrastructure, road conditions, and public safety, calling for real fixes instead of temporary patches.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Italy, Texas"/>
        <category label="Politics"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[What the Records Show: Officer Ochoa and the City of Tool]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/what-the-records-show-officer-ochoa-and-the-city-of-tool</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/what-the-records-show-officer-ochoa-and-the-city-of-tool"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-04-what-the-records-show-officer-ochoa-and-the-city-of-tool.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-04-09T00:00:00.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Official Tool PD records reveal a motorcycle strike with a patrol vehicle, body camera violations, and disciplinary records that raise questions about officer accountability.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Tool, Texas"/>
        <category label="Police"/>
        <category label="Accountability"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Former Officer Sues Seven Points, Mayor Betts, and Chief Katsoulas]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/former-officer-sues-seven-points-mayor-and-police-chief</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/former-officer-sues-seven-points-mayor-and-police-chief"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-04-former-officer-sues-seven-points-mayor-and-police-chief.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-04-08T00:00:00.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Former Seven Points police officer Justin Shaffer has filed a whistleblower retaliation lawsuit against the city, Mayor Keith Betts, and Anthony Katsoulas. Both individual defendants have been served.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Seven Points, Texas"/>
        <category label="Police"/>
        <category label="Lawsuit"/>
        <category label="City Council"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Italy's Cleanup Day Locked Families Inside Upchurch Fields. The City Says "No Comment."]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/italys-cleanup-day-locked-families-inside-upchurch-fields-the-city-says-no-comment</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/italys-cleanup-day-locked-families-inside-upchurch-fields-the-city-says-no-comment"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-04-italys-cleanup-day-locked-families-inside-upchurch-fields-the-city-says-no-comment.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-04-07T05:49:04.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[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.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Italy, Texas"/>
        <category label="Accountability"/>
        <category label="Public Parks"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Italy Said Shawn Holden and Charles Hyles Had 'Nothing to Do' with the Public Works Building. The City's Own Records Say Otherwise.]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/italys-public-works-building-cover-up</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/italys-public-works-building-cover-up"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-04-italys-public-works-building-cover-up.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-04-05T19:37:57.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[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.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Italy, Texas"/>
        <category label="Public Works"/>
        <category label="Accountability"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Exploring All Sides: A Conversation With Jerry Bannister]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/exploring-all-sides-a-conversation-with-jerry-bannister</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/exploring-all-sides-a-conversation-with-jerry-bannister"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-04-exploring-all-sides-a-conversation-with-jerry-bannister.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-04-05T14:00:00.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[A 45-minute phone call with Trinidad P&Z and EDC member Jerry Bannister, who offered his perspective on the city's divide, the Bannister family's history, and why Trinidad needs to focus on city business.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Trinidad, Texas"/>
        <category label="Interview"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[TCEQ Says Italy Had Approval. The Council Never Knew.]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/tceq-says-italy-had-approval-the-council-never-knew</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/tceq-says-italy-had-approval-the-council-never-knew"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-04-tceq-says-italy-had-approval-the-council-never-knew.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-04-02T22:47:41.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[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.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Italy, Texas"/>
        <category label="Water"/>
        <category label="Public Safety"/>
        <category label="TCEQ"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Kerens ISD School Board: A Model of Transparency in Small-Town Texas]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/kerens-isd-school-board-a-model-of-transparency</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/kerens-isd-school-board-a-model-of-transparency"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-03-kerens-isd-school-board-a-model-of-transparency.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-03-31T00:00:00.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[We attended our first Kerens ISD Board of Trustees meeting and found a school board that other TOMA-regulated bodies in Kerens could learn from.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Kerens, Texas"/>
        <category label="School Board"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Enough Is Enough, Paul Sessions of Seven Points]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/enough-is-enough-paul-sessions-of-seven-points</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/enough-is-enough-paul-sessions-of-seven-points"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-03-enough-is-enough-paul-sessions-of-seven-points.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-03-29T04:59:00.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[A city council candidate posted a biased video clip after Seven Points' most productive meeting in months. Updated 3/29: The deleted post claim has been retracted after new information came to light. All other criticism stands.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Seven Points, Texas"/>
        <category label="City Council"/>
        <category label="Opinion"/>
        <category label="Politics"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Italy's Council Said No to a Water Treatment System. It Got Installed Anyway.]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/italys-council-said-no-to-a-water-treatment-system-it-got-installed-anyway</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/italys-council-said-no-to-a-water-treatment-system-it-got-installed-anyway"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-03-italys-council-said-no-to-a-water-treatment-system-it-got-installed-anyway.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-03-28T22:27:57.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[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.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Italy, Texas"/>
        <category label="Water"/>
        <category label="Public Safety"/>
        <category label="TCEQ"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Seven Points Finally Passes a Budget After 170 Days of Crisis]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/seven-points-finally-passes-a-budget</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/seven-points-finally-passes-a-budget"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-03-seven-points-finally-passes-a-budget.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-03-28T01:38:00.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[After 170 days without an approved budget, the Seven Points City Council passed a balanced budget on March 24, 2026. But the meeting was anything but smooth.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Seven Points, Texas"/>
        <category label="Budget"/>
        <category label="City Council"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[No Property Taxes, No Cameras, No Thanks]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/no-property-taxes-no-cameras-no-thanks</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/no-property-taxes-no-cameras-no-thanks"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-03-no-property-taxes-no-cameras-no-thanks.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-03-27T06:21:19.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[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.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Opinion"/>
        <category label="Italy, Texas"/>
        <category label="Politics"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Jason Patrick on Hubbard's Future: Water Lines, Sewer, the School Bond, and Lake One Questions]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/jason-patrick-on-hubbards-future</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/jason-patrick-on-hubbards-future"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-03-jason-patrick-on-hubbards-future.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-03-26T17:00:00.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Hubbard City Manager Jason Patrick discusses water and sewer infrastructure, the school bond election, data center jobs, Lake One questions, and the city's future in a phone interview.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Hubbard, Texas"/>
        <category label="Government"/>
        <category label="Interview"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[The Community Fights the Fire]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/the-community-fights-the-fire</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/the-community-fights-the-fire"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-03-the-community-fights-the-fire.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-03-26T08:45:13.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[The ESD board voted unanimously to terminate the old contract. But termination was not the ending anyone expected.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Tool, Texas"/>
        <category label="Emergency Services"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[The Numbers on the Wall: What Tool's Fire Department Data Actually Shows]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/the-numbers-on-the-wall</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/the-numbers-on-the-wall"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-03-the-numbers-on-the-wall.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-03-24T14:00:00.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[The ESD posted performance reports at the fire station for anyone to see. I reviewed them. The data tells a complicated story, but the facts make it easy to follow.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Tool, Texas"/>
        <category label="Emergency Services"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Both Sides of the Fire]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/both-sides-of-the-fire</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/both-sides-of-the-fire"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-03-both-sides-of-the-fire.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-03-24T06:16:00.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[After days of interviews with people on every side of Tool's fire department fight, one thing is clear: this story is far more complex than it appears on the surface. Part 2 of a three-part investigation.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Tool, Texas"/>
        <category label="Emergency Services"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Tool's Fire Department Is Fighting for Its Life]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/tools-fire-department-is-fighting-for-its-life</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/tools-fire-department-is-fighting-for-its-life"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-03-tools-fire-department-is-fighting-for-its-life.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-03-23T00:00:00.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[A three-part investigation into the battle between Henderson County ESD No. 4 and the Tool Volunteer Fire Department, where the future of emergency services for roughly 2,000 residents hangs in the balance.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Tool, Texas"/>
        <category label="Emergency Services"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Italy EDC Discusses Bid Process for 101 E. Main Street Demolition]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/italy-edc-discusses-demolition-bid-process</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/italy-edc-discusses-demolition-bid-process"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-02-italy-edc-discusses-demolition-bid-process.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-02-23T00:00:00.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[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.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Italy, Texas"/>
        <category label="Economic Development Corporation"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[I Asked Hubbard for Their Open Meetings Training Records]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/hubbard-open-meetings-training-records</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/hubbard-open-meetings-training-records"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-02-hubbard-open-meetings-training-records.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-02-21T00:00:00.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[A Public Information Act request for Open Meetings Act training certificates revealed compliance gaps among Hubbard city officials.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Hubbard, Texas"/>
        <category label="Government"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[2026 Election Candidate Questionnaire]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/2026-candidate-questionnaire</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/2026-candidate-questionnaire"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-02-2026-candidate-questionnaire.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-02-20T00:00:00.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Nine questions for every candidate running in the May 2026 city council elections. Here's the questionnaire, the format, and how to participate.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Elections"/>
        <category label="Opinion"/>
        <category label="Politics"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[I Sat Down with Italy's Top Chief Candidate]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/i-sat-down-with-italys-top-chief-candidate</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/i-sat-down-with-italys-top-chief-candidate"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-02-i-sat-down-with-italys-top-chief-candidate.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-02-19T16:30:00.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[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.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Opinion"/>
        <category label="Police"/>
        <category label="Italy, Texas"/>
        <category label="Interview"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[I've Been Doing My Homework, Seven Points]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/ive-been-doing-my-homework-seven-points</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/ive-been-doing-my-homework-seven-points"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-02-ive-been-doing-my-homework-seven-points.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-02-19T13:07:11.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[A week into researching Seven Points city government, here's what the public should know heading into the May election, and a message for the voices steering the conversation sideways.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Seven Points, Texas"/>
        <category label="Opinion"/>
        <category label="Local Government"/>
        <category label="Elections"/>
        <category label="Politics"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Goodlow Election: Five Candidates and an Unfinished Audit]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/five-candidates-file-goodlow-city-council</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/five-candidates-file-goodlow-city-council"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-02-five-candidates-file-goodlow-city-council.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-02-19T12:01:12.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[With an incumbent stepping down, five candidates are set to compete for a seat on the Goodlow City Council this May.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Goodlow, Texas"/>
        <category label="Elections"/>
        <category label="Politics"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Italy Candidate Forum Update]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/italy-candidate-forum-update</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/italy-candidate-forum-update"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-02-italy-candidate-forum-update.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-02-19T11:07:39.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[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.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Opinion"/>
        <category label="Elections"/>
        <category label="Italy, Texas"/>
        <category label="Politics"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Five Candidates File for Hubbard City Council]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/five-candidates-file-hubbard-city-council</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/five-candidates-file-hubbard-city-council"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-02-five-candidates-file-hubbard-city-council.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-02-17T23:28:51.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Three incumbents and two challengers will compete for seats on the Hubbard City Council this May.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Hubbard, Texas"/>
        <category label="Elections"/>
        <category label="Politics"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Bringing a Candidate Forum to Italy]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/bringing-a-candidate-forum-to-italy</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/bringing-a-candidate-forum-to-italy"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-02-bringing-a-candidate-forum-to-italy.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-02-17T23:19:41.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Italy has never hosted an open candidate forum in recent memory. I called City Hall this morning to change that.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Elections"/>
        <category label="Italy, Texas"/>
        <category label="Politics"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Leaving Italy, Not the Fight]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/leaving-italy-not-the-fight</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/leaving-italy-not-the-fight"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-02-leaving-italy-not-the-fight.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-02-17T00:26:23.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[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.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Opinion"/>
        <category label="Italy, Texas"/>
    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title type="html"><![CDATA[Seven Thoughts for Seven Points]]></title>
        <id>https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/seven-thoughts-for-seven-points</id>
        <link href="https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/seven-thoughts-for-seven-points"/>
        <link rel="enclosure" href="https://watchtowerci.com/og/2026-02-seven-thoughts-for-seven-points.png" type="image/png"/>
        <updated>2026-02-15T19:33:05.000Z</updated>
        <summary type="html"><![CDATA[After attending my first Seven Points city council meeting, here are seven thoughts I can't stop thinking about, and one reason to stay hopeful.]]></summary>
        <author>
            <name>Ron Helms</name>
        </author>
        <category label="Seven Points, Texas"/>
        <category label="Opinion"/>
        <category label="Local Government"/>
    </entry>
</feed>