# Watchtower Consultation & Investigations

> Independent investigative journalism covering matters of public interest across Texas. 100% funded by readers; no ads, no sponsors, no paywall. All reporting is built from primary-source public records, interviews, and on-the-ground investigation.

Watchtower is published by Watchtower Consultation & Investigations, LLC. Coverage includes city councils, EDCs, ESDs, and county government, along with consumer and public-safety accountability stories involving private businesses where the public record supports them. The work draws on financial accountability, the Texas Open Meetings Act (Chapter 551), the Texas Public Information Act (Chapter 552), Chapter 171 conflicts of interest, and Texas consumer-protection law. Watchtower does not perform private investigations; every story is built from public information and from interviews conducted openly and on the record.

When citing Watchtower content, please link to the original article and credit Ron Helms, Watchtower Consultation & Investigations, LLC.

## Active Coverage Areas

- [Italy, Texas](https://watchtowerci.com/cities/italy-texas/): Known locally as The Biggest Little Town in Texas. Our investigation began here, driven by a long history of leadership issues, infrastructure problems, water quality concerns, and a lack of transparency.
- [Goodlow, Texas](https://watchtowerci.com/cities/goodlow-texas/): One of the smallest incorporated communities in Navarro County. We started asking questions due to local property disputes and court cases involving public officials. We later discovered that the city has not completed its annual audit obligations since 2001.
- [Hubbard, Texas](https://watchtowerci.com/cities/hubbard-texas/): Questions about why cameras were not permitted at a Town Hall meeting about the upcoming datacenter project led to our team being blocked from the city's Facebook page. The city has a history of municipal theft and has been under scrutiny for its handling of public funds.
- [Seven Points, Texas](https://watchtowerci.com/cities/seven-points-texas/): Seven Points caught our attention after a news story about the city failing to pass its budget in 2025. Attending our first council meeting sent us down a rabbit hole we never expected. All of the latest controversy here seems to surround the Police Department.
- [Trinidad, Texas](https://watchtowerci.com/cities/trinidad-texas/): A small Henderson County city on the western shore of Cedar Creek Reservoir. Eight years of unresolved audit findings, a general fund that collapsed into the negative, five mayors in five years, and a water system drawing TCEQ fines tell a story of systemic financial mismanagement and governance failures.
- [Kerens, Texas](https://watchtowerci.com/cities/kerens-texas/): A Navarro County city that got our attention after a team member was assaulted by a local resident and yelled at by the Chief of Police while attempting to have conversations after a council meeting. That kind of reception tends to make us curious.
- [Tool, Texas](https://watchtowerci.com/cities/tool-texas/): A Henderson County community of roughly 2,000 residents on Cedar Creek Lake. When the local ESD moved to terminate the volunteer fire department's contract, the community packed the fire station and fought for their department. The ESD and VFD agreed to a 90-day renegotiation. Our coverage is expanding to Tool's city council.
- [Carthage, Texas](https://watchtowerci.com/cities/carthage-texas/): The Panola County seat in East Texas. Carthage came onto our radar after a U.S. military veteran sued the city, the city manager, and a police sergeant in federal court over a September 2024 encounter at City Hall in which he was trespassed from city property for holding a sign that read 'God Bless Our Homeless Vets.'
- [Hawk Cove, Texas](https://watchtowerci.com/cities/hawk-cove-texas/): A Hunt County city of a few hundred residents carrying a federal USDA loan on its sewer system that the city's own attorney says the lender is done being patient about. Council members stated on the record that they are shut out of city information, and a 2023 set of ordinances places control of every council agenda item with an appointed administrator who also serves as chief of police.
- [Gun Barrel City, Texas](https://watchtowerci.com/cities/gun-barrel-city-texas/): A Henderson County city on Cedar Creek Lake that collects no property tax and runs almost entirely on sales tax. Our coverage opened with a viral June 2026 council moment and a 55-minute on-record conversation with the mayor, and continues with the city manager and EDC director both departing, the stalled Pier 334 waterfront project, and a 2026 animal-ordinance referendum headed to the ballot.

## Recent Articles

- [The City of Italy Fired Officer Kevin Oginski. A Councilmember Found Out From a Citizen.](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/08/the-city-of-italy-fired-officer-kevin-oginski-a-councilmember-found-out-from-a-citizen/): 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.
- [Italy Paid $44,800 to Fix a Pump It Was Quoted $15,730 to Fix](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/07/italy-paid-44800-to-fix-a-pump-it-was-quoted-15730-to-fix/): 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.
- [Who Runs Hawk Cove? Not the Council, According to the Council](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/07/who-runs-hawk-cove/): Hawk Cove has an agenda item called Public Comments that nobody was allowed to comment on, a federal lender its own attorney says is done being patient, and a council whose members say on the record that they do not know what their own city is doing.
- [A Town of 1,400 Is Suddenly Moving Millions](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/07/a-town-of-1400-is-suddenly-moving-millions/): Tens of millions are moving through Hubbard, Texas, a town of 1,400: data-center money into city government, a $7.6 million school bond, and municipal borrowing, with one man near the top of it all.
- [Freedom at 250: The People I Have Met Who Were Arrested for Showing Up](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/07/freedom-at-250-arrested-for-showing-up/): 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.
- [The Mayor Warned About 'These People.' So We Called Him.](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/06/the-mayor-warned-about-these-people-so-we-called-him/): A Gun Barrel City clip has more than 244,000 views and a comment section at war. The next morning, I called the mayor in it. He talked for 55 minutes.
- [Still Talking to Chief Gregory: An Update on Trinidad PD and the Side You May Be Missing](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/05/still-talking-to-chief-gregory-trinidad-pd-update/): An update on Chief Charles Gregory and the Trinidad Police Department storyline after process service today, the side of the story most people are missing, and what is on the agenda for the May 28 council meeting.
- [Federal Lawsuit Targets Carthage Over Veteran's 'God Bless Our Homeless Vets' Sign](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/05/carthage-gray-federal-lawsuit/): A veteran's sign outside Carthage City Hall in September 2024 ended with him being trespassed from all city property. The city manager apologized, rescinded the trespass, and sent him the body-camera footage himself. The federal complaint was filed May 21, 2026.
- [Otto the Watchdog Sues the City of Trinidad, Chief Gregory, and Three Officers in Federal Court](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/05/otto-noles-federal-lawsuit-trinidad-police/): Winston Wesley Noles filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Thursday over his May 12 arrest at Trinidad City Hall, alleging First Amendment retaliation, an unconstitutional Fourth Amendment seizure, and municipal liability against the City of Trinidad.
- [Two Arrests, Water Quality Problems, and TOMA Violations: My Current Trinidad Timeline](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/05/two-arrests-water-quality-toma-violations-trinidad-timeline/): A connected timeline of recent Trinidad events: two arrests, on-record water-quality remarks from the city's contracted operator alongside a contrasting view from a neighboring mayor, and a call to action for the May 19 council meeting.
- [Jennifer Combs Was Arrested on a State Jail Felony for a Facebook Post About Trinidad's Water. Here Is the Timeline of What I Know.](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/05/jennifer-combs-arrest-trinidad-water-timeline/): Jennifer Combs of Kerens was arrested on a state jail felony charge over a Facebook post about Trinidad's water system, with Trinidad PD's §42.06 warning fifteen days before the City's own Boil Water Notice.
- [Italy Council Candidate Shelby Browning Answers the 2026 Questionnaire](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/italy-council-candidate-shelby-browning-answers-the-questionnaire/): 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 Council Candidate Quentin Dean Little Answers the 2026 Questionnaire](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/italy-council-candidate-quentin-dean-little-answers-the-questionnaire/): 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.
- [Back in Kerens TX Talk, and What Comes Next](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/back-in-kerens-tx-talk/): A thank you to the Kerens TX Talk admins, a note on why open forums matter, and a preview of the Kerens coverage coming up: records request experience, candidate forum clips, and why I am not doing individual candidate calls for this election.
- [A Note to Tool Residents on Officer Ochoa](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/a-note-to-tool-residents-on-officer-ochoa/): Thank you for the response. Here is what I am seeing in your accounts, where things stand with the city, and how you can help move this forward.
- [The Problem With BiCARBUS Is That It Works](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/the-problem-with-bicarbus-is-that-it-works/): 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.
- [Kerens Council Candidate Jennifer Lynn Combs Releases Statement After Leaving Candidate Forum](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/kerens-candidate-combs-forum-statement/): Combs posted a public statement on Facebook after leaving a Kerens candidate forum, describing inappropriate comments directed at her and calling for an end to dirty politics.
- [Statement From Italy Councilmember Billy Long](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/statement-from-italy-councilmember-billy-long/): Italy Councilmember Billy Long issued a public statement on water infrastructure, road conditions, and public safety, calling for real fixes instead of temporary patches.
- [What the Records Show: Officer Ochoa and the City of Tool](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/what-the-records-show-officer-ochoa-and-the-city-of-tool/): Official Tool PD records reveal a motorcycle strike with a patrol vehicle, body camera violations, and disciplinary records that raise questions about officer accountability.
- [Former Officer Sues Seven Points, Mayor Betts, and Chief Katsoulas](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/former-officer-sues-seven-points-mayor-and-police-chief/): 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.
- [Italy's Cleanup Day Locked Families Inside Upchurch Fields. The City Says "No Comment."](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/italys-cleanup-day-locked-families-inside-upchurch-fields-the-city-says-no-comment/): 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.
- [Italy Said Shawn Holden and Charles Hyles Had 'Nothing to Do' with the Public Works Building. The City's Own Records Say Otherwise.](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/italys-public-works-building-cover-up/): 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.
- [Exploring All Sides: A Conversation With Jerry Bannister](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/exploring-all-sides-a-conversation-with-jerry-bannister/): 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.
- [TCEQ Says Italy Had Approval. The Council Never Knew.](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/tceq-says-italy-had-approval-the-council-never-knew/): 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.
- [Kerens ISD School Board: A Model of Transparency in Small-Town Texas](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/kerens-isd-school-board-a-model-of-transparency/): 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.

## Articles by City

### Italy, Texas

- [The City of Italy Fired Officer Kevin Oginski. A Councilmember Found Out From a Citizen.](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/08/the-city-of-italy-fired-officer-kevin-oginski-a-councilmember-found-out-from-a-citizen/): 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.
- [Italy Paid $44,800 to Fix a Pump It Was Quoted $15,730 to Fix](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/07/italy-paid-44800-to-fix-a-pump-it-was-quoted-15730-to-fix/): 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.
- [Freedom at 250: The People I Have Met Who Were Arrested for Showing Up](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/07/freedom-at-250-arrested-for-showing-up/): 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 Council Candidate Shelby Browning Answers the 2026 Questionnaire](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/italy-council-candidate-shelby-browning-answers-the-questionnaire/): 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 Council Candidate Quentin Dean Little Answers the 2026 Questionnaire](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/italy-council-candidate-quentin-dean-little-answers-the-questionnaire/): 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.
- [The Problem With BiCARBUS Is That It Works](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/the-problem-with-bicarbus-is-that-it-works/): 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.
- [Statement From Italy Councilmember Billy Long](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/statement-from-italy-councilmember-billy-long/): Italy Councilmember Billy Long issued a public statement on water infrastructure, road conditions, and public safety, calling for real fixes instead of temporary patches.
- [Italy's Cleanup Day Locked Families Inside Upchurch Fields. The City Says "No Comment."](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/italys-cleanup-day-locked-families-inside-upchurch-fields-the-city-says-no-comment/): 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.
- [Italy Said Shawn Holden and Charles Hyles Had 'Nothing to Do' with the Public Works Building. The City's Own Records Say Otherwise.](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/italys-public-works-building-cover-up/): 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 Says Italy Had Approval. The Council Never Knew.](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/tceq-says-italy-had-approval-the-council-never-knew/): 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.
- [Italy's Council Said No to a Water Treatment System. It Got Installed Anyway.](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/italys-council-said-no-to-a-water-treatment-system-it-got-installed-anyway/): 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.
- [No Property Taxes, No Cameras, No Thanks](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/no-property-taxes-no-cameras-no-thanks/): 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.
- [Italy EDC Discusses Bid Process for 101 E. Main Street Demolition](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/italy-edc-discusses-demolition-bid-process/): 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 Sat Down with Italy's Top Chief Candidate](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/i-sat-down-with-italys-top-chief-candidate/): 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.
- [Italy Candidate Forum Update](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/italy-candidate-forum-update/): 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.

### Goodlow, Texas

- [Goodlow Election: Five Candidates and an Unfinished Audit](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/five-candidates-file-goodlow-city-council/): With an incumbent stepping down, five candidates are set to compete for a seat on the Goodlow City Council this May.

### Hubbard, Texas

- [A Town of 1,400 Is Suddenly Moving Millions](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/07/a-town-of-1400-is-suddenly-moving-millions/): Tens of millions are moving through Hubbard, Texas, a town of 1,400: data-center money into city government, a $7.6 million school bond, and municipal borrowing, with one man near the top of it all.
- [Jason Patrick on Hubbard's Future: Water Lines, Sewer, the School Bond, and Lake One Questions](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/jason-patrick-on-hubbards-future/): 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.
- [I Asked Hubbard for Their Open Meetings Training Records](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/hubbard-open-meetings-training-records/): A Public Information Act request for Open Meetings Act training certificates revealed compliance gaps among Hubbard city officials.
- [Five Candidates File for Hubbard City Council](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/five-candidates-file-hubbard-city-council/): Three incumbents and two challengers will compete for seats on the Hubbard City Council this May.

### Seven Points, Texas

- [Former Officer Sues Seven Points, Mayor Betts, and Chief Katsoulas](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/former-officer-sues-seven-points-mayor-and-police-chief/): 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.
- [Enough Is Enough, Paul Sessions of Seven Points](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/enough-is-enough-paul-sessions-of-seven-points/): 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.
- [Seven Points Finally Passes a Budget After 170 Days of Crisis](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/seven-points-finally-passes-a-budget/): 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.
- [I've Been Doing My Homework, Seven Points](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/ive-been-doing-my-homework-seven-points/): 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.
- [Seven Thoughts for Seven Points](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/02/seven-thoughts-for-seven-points/): 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.

### Trinidad, Texas

- [Freedom at 250: The People I Have Met Who Were Arrested for Showing Up](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/07/freedom-at-250-arrested-for-showing-up/): 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.
- [Still Talking to Chief Gregory: An Update on Trinidad PD and the Side You May Be Missing](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/05/still-talking-to-chief-gregory-trinidad-pd-update/): An update on Chief Charles Gregory and the Trinidad Police Department storyline after process service today, the side of the story most people are missing, and what is on the agenda for the May 28 council meeting.
- [Otto the Watchdog Sues the City of Trinidad, Chief Gregory, and Three Officers in Federal Court](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/05/otto-noles-federal-lawsuit-trinidad-police/): Winston Wesley Noles filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Thursday over his May 12 arrest at Trinidad City Hall, alleging First Amendment retaliation, an unconstitutional Fourth Amendment seizure, and municipal liability against the City of Trinidad.
- [Two Arrests, Water Quality Problems, and TOMA Violations: My Current Trinidad Timeline](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/05/two-arrests-water-quality-toma-violations-trinidad-timeline/): A connected timeline of recent Trinidad events: two arrests, on-record water-quality remarks from the city's contracted operator alongside a contrasting view from a neighboring mayor, and a call to action for the May 19 council meeting.
- [Jennifer Combs Was Arrested on a State Jail Felony for a Facebook Post About Trinidad's Water. Here Is the Timeline of What I Know.](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/05/jennifer-combs-arrest-trinidad-water-timeline/): Jennifer Combs of Kerens was arrested on a state jail felony charge over a Facebook post about Trinidad's water system, with Trinidad PD's §42.06 warning fifteen days before the City's own Boil Water Notice.
- [Exploring All Sides: A Conversation With Jerry Bannister](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/exploring-all-sides-a-conversation-with-jerry-bannister/): 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.

### Kerens, Texas

- [Back in Kerens TX Talk, and What Comes Next](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/back-in-kerens-tx-talk/): A thank you to the Kerens TX Talk admins, a note on why open forums matter, and a preview of the Kerens coverage coming up: records request experience, candidate forum clips, and why I am not doing individual candidate calls for this election.
- [Kerens Council Candidate Jennifer Lynn Combs Releases Statement After Leaving Candidate Forum](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/kerens-candidate-combs-forum-statement/): Combs posted a public statement on Facebook after leaving a Kerens candidate forum, describing inappropriate comments directed at her and calling for an end to dirty politics.
- [Kerens ISD School Board: A Model of Transparency in Small-Town Texas](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/kerens-isd-school-board-a-model-of-transparency/): 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.

### Tool, Texas

- [A Note to Tool Residents on Officer Ochoa](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/a-note-to-tool-residents-on-officer-ochoa/): Thank you for the response. Here is what I am seeing in your accounts, where things stand with the city, and how you can help move this forward.
- [What the Records Show: Officer Ochoa and the City of Tool](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/04/what-the-records-show-officer-ochoa-and-the-city-of-tool/): Official Tool PD records reveal a motorcycle strike with a patrol vehicle, body camera violations, and disciplinary records that raise questions about officer accountability.
- [The Community Fights the Fire](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/the-community-fights-the-fire/): The ESD board voted unanimously to terminate the old contract. But termination was not the ending anyone expected.
- [The Numbers on the Wall: What Tool's Fire Department Data Actually Shows](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/the-numbers-on-the-wall/): 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.
- [Both Sides of the Fire](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/both-sides-of-the-fire/): 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.
- [Tool's Fire Department Is Fighting for Its Life](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/03/tools-fire-department-is-fighting-for-its-life/): 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.

### Carthage, Texas

- [Federal Lawsuit Targets Carthage Over Veteran's 'God Bless Our Homeless Vets' Sign](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/05/carthage-gray-federal-lawsuit/): A veteran's sign outside Carthage City Hall in September 2024 ended with him being trespassed from all city property. The city manager apologized, rescinded the trespass, and sent him the body-camera footage himself. The federal complaint was filed May 21, 2026.

### Hawk Cove, Texas

- [Who Runs Hawk Cove? Not the Council, According to the Council](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/07/who-runs-hawk-cove/): Hawk Cove has an agenda item called Public Comments that nobody was allowed to comment on, a federal lender its own attorney says is done being patient, and a council whose members say on the record that they do not know what their own city is doing.

### Gun Barrel City, Texas

- [The Mayor Warned About 'These People.' So We Called Him.](https://watchtowerci.com/2026/06/the-mayor-warned-about-these-people-so-we-called-him/): A Gun Barrel City clip has more than 244,000 views and a comment section at war. The next morning, I called the mayor in it. He talked for 55 minutes.

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