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24 STORIES THAT DEFINED 2024
Editor’s note: Part 1 ran in the Jan. 1 edition of the Citizen.
From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, 2024, like every other year, was jam packed with surprises, from the tragic deaths of beloved ones within the community, landmark political elections, multiple centennial birthday celebrations, changing of guards, a first ever State Championship and much, much more.
It is impossible to put everything that happened into one story, reviewing the year at hand. The Citizen put together 24 top lead stories from front pages, two from each month of the year, that defined 2024. Thank you to all the subscribers and residents of Colorado County that helped last year become a memorable year for the Citizen.
July 8 — “Hurricane Beryl takes its toll on Colorado County” Hurricane season just saw its first entry into the mainland as Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas at around 4 a.m. on Monday, July 8. Hurricane Beryl was tracked as the first category 5 hurricane of the season as it crossed the Atlantic Ocean, hitting Jamaica, Puerto Rico and other Atlantic islands with strong winds and heavy rains. It set a record for being the earliest category 5 hurricane, beating 2005’s Hurricane Emily by 15 days.
July 31 — “Inland Recycling enter guilty plea for 2019 environmental pollution case” Inland Recycling, a recycling company based in Colorado County, entered a guilty plea for a 2019 environmental pollution case after their CEO, David Polston, admitted to his company knowingly dumping wastewater into a creek feeding into the Colorado River. According to the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, Polston pleaded guilty to intentionally or knowingly authorizing discharge into Skull Creek, which flows directly into the Colorado River
Aug. 10 — “Columbus Elementary teacher dies in tragic accident” Just days before the start of the school year, the Columbus community is mourning the loss of one of its elementary instructors. A Columbus Elementary teacher died in a tragic auto wreck between Fayette and Colorado counties on Saturday, Aug. 10. According to a preliminary report from the Texas Department of Public Safety, at approximately 5:51 p.m. that evening, Texas DPS troopers responded to a fatal crash in Fayette County, taking the life of 58-year-old Lisa Kana Klekar.
Aug. 25 — “Local business owner remembered for legacy of love” The community of Columbus was saddened by the death of local business owner and philanthropist Sarah Bottecelli Koller, who passed away Aug. 25 at the age of 40. Social media posts about her passing included the following statement from Colorado County Habitat for Humanity: “In loving memory of Sarah, who left us far too soon. Your presence was a beacon of light in our lives, especially for those first two years when you supported Habitat for Humanity and our Pumpkin Patch events. Your dedication and kindness made a difference that will never be forgotten.”
Sept. 7 — “A new queen has been crowned” The 2024 Colorado County pageant concluded just before the kickoff of the fair and rodeo Thursday, Sept. 12, with a new queen, princess, and other royal members being announced. Judging and crowning took place on Sept. 7 after months of push and preparation, with five different winners taking home the grand prize in six different categories. Brooklyn Eden was crowned the 2024 Colorado County Fair Queen winner. Khloe Rebel was crowned the Little Miss winner. Max Koenig was crowned the Little Mr. winner. Savannah May was crowned the Jr. Miss winner. Paige Asmus was crowned both the Jr. Fair Queen winner and the Jr. Membership Queen winner.
Sept. 23 — “$32 million tax abatement approved for reinvestment zone” Colorado County Commissioners approved the adoption of a $32 million tax abatement for a reinvestment zone at their Monday morning meeting Sept. 23. The zone would be known as the “Colorado County Reinvestment Zone-DWD” and will be located “as described and depicted” in the application by tax abatement agreement. The agreement was made between Colorado County and Dallas Wholesale Distribution, LLC, and will be built in the next fiscal year.
Oct. 2 — “Once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal” The sudden and unexpected loss of Aleks Medrano is being felt all across Colorado County and throughout the Texas high school football community. Medrano, 17, died on Wednesday, Oct. 2, after initially suffering a seizure, leaving him in a coma he would not wake up from. A high school senior at the time of his death, Medrano was a defensive end and offensive lineman for the Columbus Cardinal football team, leaving a lasting impact during his short time with the Columbus community.
Oct. 3 — “Garwood man receives life sentence for fatal shooting” A Colorado County jury deliberated two hours Thursday, Oct. 3, before finding a 28-year-old man guilty of capital murder after he was charged in the shooting death of a man. Dante Larenz Stevens, of Garwood, was sentenced to life without parole during a trial presided by second 25th state District Court Judge Jessica Richard Crawford. The shooting took place on Sept. 10, 2021, where Stevens broke and into the Eagle Lake home of U.S. Marine Jonathon Cain Segura, 22, shooting Segura four times.
Nov. 12 — “Eagle Lake woman celebrates centennial landmark” You can go through a lot in just one year, 365 days, 52 weeks or 31,536,000 seconds being alive. Imagine how much you experience in 100 years. Ora Lou Jones Sykes, otherwise known as “Miss Billie” or “Billie Jones,” celebrated her 100th birthday last Tuesday, Nov. 12, reaching the centennial milestone that few people ever live to see.
Nov. 27 - “One stop shop for all: EZ Travel Center officially opens in Columbus” Indian food, chili, sandwiches or fast food. Want a purse? A bit bored and need some entertainment? The EZ Travel Center has everything you need. The one stop shop for travelers has officially fully opened to the people of Columbus, Colorado County or any travelers zooming down the restricted lanes of I-10, located on the outskirts of Columbus at 4301 US-90.
Dec. 8 — “Weimar community left ‘devastated’ by tragedy: Mother killed in accident one day before birthday alongside eldest daughter, youngest still in PICU” The Weimar community is mourning the loss of a local mother and her daughter after a deadly car accident took their lives, Sun., Dec. 8, leaving another daughter in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. 26-yearold Sasha Barrientos, who was tragically killed one day before her 27th birthday, died alongside her eldest daughter, 9-year-old Zavrie Aaliyah McCathern, while her youngest daughter, 8-year-old Zaniyah Anai McCathern, is still currently fighting for her life in the PICU.
Dec. 19 — “History made; mission accomplished”
ARLINGTON - The Columbus Cardinals won the 2024 UIL Class 3A State Championship when they defeated the defending state champs, the Malakoff Tigers, 48-14 Thursday night, Dec. 19, at AT&T Stadium. “It doesn’t feel real yet,” Cardinals head coach Matt Schobel said. “The reality will set in eventually but to win the championship here in Dallas is so special because Aleks was a big Cowboys fan.” The combined final scoreline totaled 62 points, ensuring Aleks Medrano’s presence was in full force at the final game of the year, a befitting end to a season that saw so much heartbreak.
