Former Village Administrator sues Salado
SALADO — Former Salado Village Administrator Manuel De La Rosa filed a lawsuit against the Village of Salado charging discrimination. The Board of Alderman discussed the pending civil case during executive session on Thursday, Aug. 6 evening but did not take any action.
The Village terminated De La Rosa in January for cause, voting 3-1. The rationale included alleged gross negligence, document issues and friction over administrative transparency.
After his termination for cause, following failed efforts to negotiate a separation agreement, both the village attorney and the city secretary resigned, followed days later by former Alderman Michael MacDonald.
TxDOT to close I-35 in Waco this weekend
WACO — The Texas Department of Transportation plans to remove the South Valley Mills Drive direct connect to northbound Interstate 35 as part of the My35 Waco South Construction Project.
The removal process will begin at midnight on Friday, Aug. 7 and take about 24 hours to complete. During this time, all I-35 main lanes between New Road Drive and 12th Street will be closed.
Through-traffic is encouraged to utilize Loop 340, State Highway 6, and US-77 BUS as alternative routes. Law enforcement will direct traffic at key intersections in these areas to accommodate increased traffic volumes.
To maintain traffic flow on the frontage roads, east and westbound under/overpasses in this area will also be closed for the duration of the removal.
Motorists are encouraged to watch for crews and equipment in the work zone and pay attention to posted signage and traffic direction from law enforcement.
Learn more and stay up to date by visiting My35WacoSouth.com.
WCID2 meeting fails quorum after attorney guidance
LITTLE RIVER-ACADEMY — The Bell County Water Control & Improvement District No. 2 (WCID2) failed to hold a meeting Thursday as planned because Vice President Bill Cowan, Director R.C. Williams and Office Secretary Bridjet Gillis did not attend, as they were instructed by their defense attorney, C.J. Grisham, that the meeting was illegally called.
The current and past WCID2 boards are under criminal investigation by the City of Little River-Academy Police Department and the Bell County Attorney, but no charges have been filed to date.
According to WCID2 Secretary-Treasurer Michael Moon, he posted the notice for the Thursday, Aug. 6 meeting on Monday, meaning the district did not have the proper three business days required under state law.
Moon informed the Telegram he posted a new meeting notice Thursday night after the public asked questions about the status of the board, and they had a conference call with State Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, for a meeting to be held Wednesday, Aug. 12.