Telling the story of what's going on in Wilson County, Texas!
The Purple Heart is the oldest military award in the United States. The commendation is unique in that it is awarded automatically to individuals when certain criteria are met, which includes being injured or killed in battle or during terrorist attacks. According to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, roughly 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded since the decoration's official establishment in 1932. There is no limit to the number of Purple Heart Awards a person can receive. Many brave men and women have been issued this special commendation. All of these people are remarkable in some way,...Article Link
Share your pet; email reader@lavernianews.com.Article Link
Join the Guadalupe County Master Gardeners at the Schertz Public Library, located at 798 Schertz Parkway, on Saturday, Aug. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., for “Wildflowers,” presented by Advanced Master Gardener Karen Brkick. The program, part of the Library Lunch and Learn series at the Schertz Public Library, is free, but attendees must register at bit.ly/40LClIS. The group will also host an additional Lunch and Learn event on Wednesday, Aug. 13, from 12-1 p.m. at the AgriLife Extension Office, located at 210 E. Live Oak St. in Seguin. “Tower Gardening and Aeroponics” will be presented by Karen Schobel...Article Link
Dance to the music of Bob Appel on Friday, Aug. 8, from 7-10:30 p.m., at Geronimo VFW, 6808 S.H. 123, in Seguin, to support RoundUp4Charity. Admission is . For information, call 830-321-0292 or visit www.roundup4charity.org.Article Link
The Wilson County Extension Master Gardeners will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, Aug. 14, from 6-7:30 p.m. A fall vegetable gardening program will be presented by guest speaker Dr. Beth Smith. Meetings, which are free and open to the public, are held at the Wilson County AgriLife Extension classroom, located at 1199 A St., Room 10, in Floresville. For information, call 830-393-7357 or visit txmg.org/wilson/.Article Link
The Carter Joe Foundation will hold its second annual car and truck show on Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Wilson County Expo and Community Center, 435 S.H. 97 in Floresville, to raise awareness of water safety for children. Registration for the show is per vehicle, and per motorcycle. To register, go to carterjoefoundation.com. To reserve vendor space at a spot, email carterjoefoundation@gmail.com. All proceeds will be donated to provide swimming lessons for babies and small children.Article Link
It's time once again to fill lunchboxes! Here's a tasty treat that satisfies a sweet tooth and delivers some protein with healthy ingredients. This recipe for “Instead of Fudge” comes from A Taste of Our Heritage, A Collection of Recipes by The Heritage School in Fredericksburg, Texas, published in 2002. It was contributed by Teresa Basse. Instead of Fudge 1/2 c. honey 1/2 c. peanut butter 1/2 c. cocoa powder 3/4 c. sunflower seeds 1/4 c. unsweetened coconut 1/2 c. chopped unsweetened dates 1/3 c. walnuts 1/4 c. sesame seeds In a small pan over low heat, stir together honey...Article Link
Michelle Lewis (right) of La Vernia visits with a customer at her garage sale booth July 19 during Falls City Market Day. Lewis also owns Crafty Kitten and is a regular vendor at the Market Day craft shows. The Fall craft show will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20, in the Falls City Community Hall.Article Link
Ironing the family's clothes for the first day of school was quite a chore in years past. Imagine using this iron to press the wrinkles from your clothes! This 5-lb. iron had to be heated on the stove before use. If it was too hot, it would scorch the fabric and ruin the item being pressed — from clothing to curtains and more. Later innovations included irons that had a compartment for charcoal or coal, so you didn't have to heat them on a stove or burner. Then came electric irons that made the job even easier! Today's wash-and-wear fabrics...Article Link
Floresville Masonic Lodge No. 515 is proud to announce the winners of its annual fundraiser, who were selected in a drawing on July 19. The winners are: •First place – Charles Hemphill, 0 gift certificate from Acme Guns and Gear •Second place – Frank Ramos, 0 Craftsman tool set •Third place – Mario Guevara, 0 Visa gift card •Fourth place – Jennifer Fleming, 0 H-E-B gift card •Fifth place – Bobby Mutz, 0 Visa gift card •Sixth place – Russell Korzekwa, 0 wooden Texas flag •Seventh place – Brenda King, 0 Wiatrek's gift certificate All monies raised go to scholarships...Article Link
Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) President Ella Gauthier addresses attendees at the TRTA District 20 Leadership Conference held June 5 in the Floresville Event Center. More than 120 participants attended the “Bridging the Future” event, hosted by Wilson County Retired School Personnel, which was recognized for the highest increase in total membership and largest percentage growth among all local chapters. The Wilson County group will hold its next meeting Aug. 5..Article Link
Since 1908, youth across the Lone Star State have been gaining valuable life skills through hands-on activities in 4-H Clubs, taught and supported by caring adult volunteers and Extension Agents. Members of Wilson County 4-H Clubs, the County Council, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agents, adult volunteers and club managers, and community 4-H supporters gathered July 20 in Floresville for a special event — Wilson County 4-H Achievement Night. This annual event honors and recognizes 4-H Club members for their achievements and hard work and includes awards for a variety of accomplishments. These include the Star Awards, including Bronze, Silver, and...Article Link
Editor: A virtuous person upholds traits such as honesty, integrity, and respect for the law. A true political conservative believes in the rule of law, fiscal responsibility, and a strong national defense. These are qualities we should expect from our elected leaders — but Donald Trump consistently fails to demonstrate them. We want our leaders to be people of character who speak the truth based on the facts available to them. For Christians, the Bible contains clear guidance on truthfulness. Proverbs 19:9 says, “A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.” Yet during Trump's...Article Link
Editor: Gov. Abbott signed Senate Bill 10 requiring the Ten Commandments be posted in every classroom. Obviously there had been some opposition from the separation crowd. The bill would not have succeeded but for an amendment that requires the state to address all challenges instead of individual school districts. Whoa! They intentionally created legislation that they knew would require taxpayer money to be spent on its continuing existence. How much will that cost? Before the state starts forcing the Christian religion into a constitutional neutral territory, they should at least agree on which Christian religion to use. Catholic? Baptist? Jehovah's...Article Link
Timing of America's 250th anniversary next year, 2026, couldn't be better. It will serve as a great encounter, for too many Americans for the first time, with the founding principles of our nation. Too many have lost touch with the principles that created the miracle called the USA, and unfortunately, increasing numbers are hostile toward their own great nation. Consider that the USA constitutes 4 percent of the world's population yet produces more than 25 percent of the world's GDP. Or consider that there are 420 American Nobel Prize winners, around 71 percent of all the Nobel prizes that have...Article Link
How nice to have the Sydney Sweeney “great genes” controversy. It is happily of no consequence, which is just what we need for escape from unhinged behavior spilling out of Washington. Donald Trump's sending nuclear subs toward Russia, a likely distraction from his tangle with Jeffrey Epstein, is something I don't want to think about. Not far behind is his firing the keeper of labor statistics over the less-than-stellar employment numbers she had to report. Trump's top economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, was on the Sunday talk shows defending that action. “It's the President's highest priority that the data be trusted,”...Article Link
Miracles happen Will Graham of the Billy Graham association shared an inspirational story from a survivor of the devastating July 4 floods in Kerrville. Graham relayed the story as told to him by “Rebecca,” who tried unsuccessfully to rescue her elderly bedridden mother from the next room. “To her horror, the flooding had already entered her mother's room.” The force of the water made it impossible for her to open the door to gain access. All she could do was pray. Rebecca said her mother “simply laid on her mattress, waiting to be overtaken by the flood.” Then, as the...Article Link
The Wilson County Extension Master Gardeners (WCEMG) held their recent monthly meeting on July 10, which included a presentation on Raised Bed Gardening by Dr. Robert Creech. There was a great attendance that included more guests than members. The attendees enjoyed learning from Dr. Creech's knowledge and experiences regarding setting up and gardening in raised beds. Our monthly meetings are always free and open to the public; they're held in the Wilson County AgriLife Classroom No. 10 at 1199 A St. in Floresville, just down from the Wilson County Voter Registration Office. The next monthly meeting will be Thursday, Aug....Article Link
Walking through the hallways of a middle school, the principal noticed a new substitute teacher standing outside her classroom with her forehead against a locker. The newcomer was heard to mutter, “How did you get yourself into this?” Knowing she had been assigned to a difficult class, the principal tried to offer moral support. “Are you OK?” he asked. “Can I help?” The substitute teacher lifted her head and replied, “I'll be fine as soon as I get this kid out of his locker.” It's the time of the year that most kids and many teachers dread: Back to school!...Article Link
A GoFundMe account has been set up for funeral expenses by the family of Chandler Krueger, 25, who died in a vehicle crash July 27 in San Antonio. His death has been ruled an accident. Krueger died of injuries sustained in the Sunday-evening crash at the intersection of Southwest Military Drive and Logwood Avenue in San Antonio. He was the son of Charlene Uhl of La Vernia, and the brother of Hailey Krueger, one of more than 20 people killed by a gunman in November 2017 in the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church. Uhl hopes to raise ,000 toward funeral...Article Link
The Texas Comptroller's Office reminds shoppers they can save money on clothes and school supplies during the state's sales tax holiday Friday through Sunday, Aug. 8-10. State law exempts sales tax on qualified items — such as clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks — priced below 0 — saving shoppers about on every 0 they spend. The dates of the sales tax holiday and list of tax-exempt items are set by the Texas Legislature. The Comptroller's office estimates that shoppers will save 3.4 million in state and local sales tax during this year's sales tax holiday. During the annual...Article Link
Wilson County and the City of Nixon are among the recent recipients of funds from the Texas General Land Office. Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., announced that the Texas General Land Office approved ,889,864.23 in regional mitigation funds to improve critical infrastructure, including roads, drainage, sewer systems, and water detention in the counties of Austin, Brazoria, Colorado, Fort Bend, Harris, Matagorda, Victoria, Wharton, and Wilson. Wilson County will receive [post_excerpt],287,400; these funds are designated for the county's Shelter of Last Resort enhancements at the Wilson County Expo and Community Center in Floresville. The city of Nixon has been allocated...Article Link
Area law-enforcement agencies have reported the following recent activity: Editor's Note: All individuals arrested and charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt. Floresville Police Department •July 24, Cynthia M. Morales, 60, of Floresville was arrested at her residence in the 1500 block of First Street on a motion to revoke a bond. •July 24, Trynda B. Popham, 31, of Pleasanton was arrested in the Adult Probation office on three motions to revoke a bond. Wilson County Sheriff's Office •July 22, Heather M. Davenport, 33, of Adkins was arrested by deputies responding...Article Link
The following defendants were among those listed on recent dockets for the 81st District Court in Wilson County: •James R. Dujardin, 35, of San Antonio was originally charged with indecency with a child by sexual contact from an alleged incident with a child under the age of 17 in January 2022. Dujardin was granted a motion to dismiss the charge June 18, due to the victim recanting their original statement. •Spurgeon D. Garrett Jr., 27, of Floresville pleaded nolo contendere (no contest) June 24 to a charge of kidnapping and a charge of assault of a family member by impeding...Article Link
View WCN's video coverage of these meetings online at wilsoncountynews.com/meeting-coverage/ - FELPS July 30 Floresville Electric Light & Power System Meeting:: Regular meeting, July 30, 8:30-11:10 a.m., executive session 10:17-11 a.m. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzuTABS4GaByIHA5O3Ys-GLi_ZHLuq8uo&si=zSKtNNUhDLEq_EYc Actions: •Approved the minutes of the June 25 regular meeting and the July 1 special meeting •Approved the 2025 second quarter investment report •Approved fund allocation from Winter Storm Uri, including adjusting the generation and transmission rate by moving the allocated Uri Recovery rate of 1.3 cents to Rate Stabilization, bringing the Rate Stabilization from 6.9 cents to 8.2 cents and the Uri Recovery rate to 0 cents....Article Link
Poth Independent School District (ISD) personnel will see pay increases for the 2025-26 school year. Board trustees voted July 21 to approve a new staff compensation plan that will include: •Classroom teaching staff —14.62 percent average increase, or ,348; this comes from funding in House Bill 2, approved by the Texas Legislature earlier this year. •Non-teaching staff (counselors, nurses, librarians, ARD facilitators, interventionists, and dyslexia staff) — 15.66 percent average increase, or ,569 •Campus professional staff — 5 percent average increase •Administrative staff — 6.20 percent average increase •Hourly personnel (paraprofessionals, secretaries, facilities, bus drivers) — 4.86 percent average increase...Article Link
The city of St. Hedwig will host a “town hall” event Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 6:30 p.m. for area residents to learn more about a proposed natural gas pipeline by Howard Energy Partners. All interested residents, landowners, and stakeholders are encouraged to attend and participate in this discussion. The “Outer Loop Utility Project” proposes pipeline of approximately 60 miles, beginning in San Antonio and extending through St. Hedwig into Guadalupe and Comal counties, and returning to the north side of San Antonio. At the Aug. 13 event, participants can learn details about the proposed route and timeline, ask questions of...Article Link
Texas Democrats left the state Sunday in hopes of derailing a mid-decade redistricting plan, The Dallas Morning News reported. State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, announced the Democrats had left the state to break the quorum and stymie a vote in that chamber. “This is not a decision we make lightly, but it is one we make with absolute moral clarity,” Wu said in a statement. “Governor [Greg] Abbott has turned the victims of a historic tragedy into political hostages in his submission to [President] Donald Trump.” Wu was referring to bills pending in the special session addressing the July 4...Article Link
Remember and honor the life and achievements of Bishop John W. Yanta on Saturday, Aug. 16. Yanta, a native of Runge and founder of the Polish Heritage Center at Panna Maria, will be remembered with a Mass at 4:30 p.m. in the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Panna Maria. A reception will follow in the Polish Heritage Center next door. The late bishop emeritus of Amarillo was born in Runge and served as an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of San Antonio before being installed as bishop of the Diocese of Amarillo. He died in...Article Link
Tillman Infrastructure plans to erect a 275-foot self-supporting telecommunications tower on S.H. 97 between Stockdale and Floresville. The tower is planned to be installed at 8049 S.H. 97 W., between County Roads 308 and 309. Comments “from all interested persons” regarding the potential significant impact of the structure on the quality of human environment, or to historic or cultural resources, are invited. Questions or comments can be sent to: • Environmentex Inc., 6060 N. Central Expressway, Ste. 500, Dallas, TX 75206 • tcnsinfo@gmail.com • Or call 214-793-7317. Comments are due by Aug. 23.Article Link
Join the Guadalupe County Republican Women on Thursday, Aug. 14, 5:30 p.m., for a “happy hour” meeting at Lake Breeze Ski Lodge in McQueeney. Guest speaker will be District 44 State Rep. Alan Schoolcraft. There will be a cash bar and light snacks available. No RSVP is required. Lake Breeze Ski Lodge is located at 225 Ski Lodge Road in McQueeney.Article Link
Here are some ways to assist Hill Country communities in the wake of the devastating July 4 floods that left more than 100 dead and left many homes and businesses in ruins. Ways/places to donate •Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country — cftexashillcountry.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list •Checks made out to “Kerr County Relief Fund” can be sent to Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, 241 Earl Garrett St., Kerrville, TX 78028 •Gift cards — For Walmart, Lowe's, Home Depot, H-E-B, Dollar General, and Visa or Mastercard gift cards, with the amount clearly written on the card;...Article Link
Dear Dave, I'm 22, working my way through college and I've already been able to start setting aside money for life after graduation. I had a talk with my parents recently about my plans once I get a real job and get out on my own. They seem to think I'll be okay, but sometimes things can seem so overwhelming. How do people manage and prioritize more adult responsibilities like investing, marriage, having kids and everything else? Kieran Dear Kieran, You're right, it can be overwhelming if you look at all these things as if they have to be done...Article Link
Sherry Castillo is an appointee of Floresville's city manager hiring committee, along with Rene Peña Sr., Mark Ximenez, Cristal Startz, Nick Nissen, and Mary Helen Tieken. Castillo's name was inadvertently left off the list of committee appointees in the July 30 article, “Floresville amps up for rodeo; updates zoning ordinance.” Readers can alert the Wilson County News to any errors in news articles by emailing nkilbey-smith@wcn-online.com or by calling 830-216-4519.Article Link
The deadline to file for a place on the ballot to run in November for a seat on the Floresville Independent School District board of trustees is Monday, Aug. 18. Terms for the following trustees will end this fall: •Craig Mutz, single member District 6; he serves as board vice president •Bonna Reed, single member District 2. Find an application for a place on the ballot at https://www.fisd.us/o/fisd/page/fisd-trustee-elections, or visit the district administration office at 1200 Fifth St. in Floresville. The district trustee election will be among items on the ballot for voters Tuesday, Nov. 4. Also on the ballots...Article Link
Attorney Daniel Santee of Denton, Navarro, Rodriguez, Bernal, Santee, & Zech, P.C., leads a joint workshop Aug. 2, with members of the Floresville City Council, the Floresville Economic Development Corp., the city's Planning & Zoning Board, and several city staff members to advise on various roles, procedures, and duties of each entity. Look for more on this in a coming issue of the Wilson County News.Article Link
A single-vehicle crash on U.S. 181 and Wilson Drive in Floresville July 26 took the life of 18-year-old Edwardo “EJ” Y. Santos Colon. According to the Floresville Police Department, 23-year-old Anthony Miguel Quiles Encarnacion and Santos Colon were traveling northbound in a 2005 Acura TL on U.S. 181 around 2 a.m. at a high rate of speed, when Encarnacion — the driver — veered right into the grassy median near Wilson Drive. Encarnacion overcorrected, causing the four-door Acura to flip onto its right side and overturn several times. The vehicle rolled over the center median cables before coming to rest...Article Link
It is said that in the rich grazing lands between the San Antonio River and the Guadalupe River lies the cradle of Texas ranching. Nestled in the area was the once-flourishing Rancho de Pataguilla — 66,420 acres where Spanish and Native American vaqueros cared for sheep, cattle, and other livestock from Mission San Juan Capistrano in San Antonio in the 1740s. Local Wilson County historian Maurine Liles — credited alongside archaeologist David Nickels and the late historian Gene Maeckel for its discovery — said the ranch's existence was discovered “by chance” around 2010, during preparation for Wilson County's sesquicentennial. “That's...Article Link
“I heard a loud pop and saw the fire coming from the car,” said 17-year-old Luis Zapata. Thanks to the quick thinking of Luis and his family, a fire from a car explosion July 29 was prevented from spreading to the vehicle owner's home north of Floresville. Luis, his mom Karina Vera, and his two sisters — Jayde and Kayleen — immediately jumped into action. “I ran inside to wake up [my neighbor] because we knew the fire could spread,” 14-year-old Jayde recalled. “Luckily, the door was unlocked.” Jayde woke her neighbor and got him safely outside while 18-year-old Kayleen...Article Link
A La Vernia Independent School District (ISD) bus full of students is among the vehicles idling Aug. 4 on Bluebonnet Road (F.M. 775) after turning off U.S. 87 near Koepp Chevrolet, waiting to deliver students to La Vernia junior high and high school campuses for their first day of classes as the new school year began; traffic in La Vernia backed up in both directions Monday on F.M. 775 and on F.M. 1346 with back-to-school traffic. Allow more time for your commutes as the new school year gets underway across the area! Students in the East Central and Nixon-Smiley districts...Article Link
Join the East Central Independent School District athletics program Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. in Hornet Stadium, to kick off the new school year with pride and spirit! Meet the East Central High School 2025-26 Hornet athletes and enjoy special performances by the school's drumline, dance, and cheer teams. Show up and show out for the Hornets!Article Link
Braeden Fuller of Floresville, the all-region quarterback for the Angelo State University Rams football team, has been named the Lone Star Conference (LSC) Preseason Offensive Player of the Year heading into the 2025 season. A junior kinesiology major, Fuller is the reigning LSC Offensive Player of the Year after leading the Rams to an undefeated 9-0 record in the LSC last season. He led the conference in passing yards (2,318) and touchdowns (19) while also rushing for 678 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was also a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, the NCAA Division II equivalent of the Heisman...Article Link
Poth Pirette volleyball athletes pose proudly on the court July 19 after being named Summer Tournament Champions. Their growth, grit, and teamwork is paving the way for a great season. Congratulations!Article Link
Congratulations to Floresville volleyball Jaguars Maddie Harden and Makenna Hertless who were selected for the Texas Girls Coaches Association All Star Honors. They both represented Floresville in the All Star Game played in Arlington on July 15. Only 24 athletes are selected from 1A-4A in Texas to receive this honor.Article Link
Take the family out for Nature Center Outdoor Adventures in Helton Nature Park on Tuesdays, Aug. 5 and 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy a day of outdoor fun and adventure with activities such as story time under the trees, guided nature walks, nature crafts, and more. The event is free. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/share/1LYVHTnboL/. Helton Nature Park is located at 15662 F.M. 775 in Floresville.Article Link
The St. Hedwig American Legion Auxiliary Unit 539 invites the community to play bingo with them on Sunday, Aug. 3. Doors open to the St. Hedwig American Legion Post 539, 14290 F.M. 1346 in St. Hedwig, at 2 p.m. for ticket sales. Tickets can be purchased with cash or check only. Bingo will start at 3 p.m. and a total of 32 games will be played. Cash prizes will be awarded. Pulled pork plates with two sides will be available for purchase for , and the bar will be open to purchase drinks. For information, call 210-296-1990.Article Link
Spend a day with H-E-Buddy at H-E-B's Kids Day on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at H-E-B in Floresville. Activities include book reading, face painting, and cookie decorating. Come dressed in a safari costume to be entered in a contest. H-E-B is located at 925 10th Street in Floresville.Article Link
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