Telling the story of what's going on in Wilson County, Texas!
Yeti is a roughly 2-year-old white Pit mix with the biggest heart and the gentlest soul. Beneath his strong, handsome appearance is truly just one giant baby who wants nothing more than love, attention, and a cozy place to call home. This sweet boy does wonderfully with other dogs and avoids confrontation whenever possible. He's the kind of dog who would rather make friends than trouble. Yeti absolutely soaks up any affection he can get and will happily trade kisses for treats, toys, or belly rubs. He enjoys splashing around in the water, playing with his favorite toys, and taking... Article Link
Save the date! The Stockdale Chamber of Commerce invites the community to attend the 82nd Stockdale Watermelon Jubilee & Rodeo Queen's Court Coronation on Wednesday, June 17, in the Stockdale Junior High School gym. Witness the coronation of Queen Melone and her court, along with the Jubilee rodeo royalty at “Under the Texas Stars, A Jubilee of Jewels,” hosted by the Stockdale Chamber of Commerce. The doors for the coronation will open at 6 p.m., with grazing and social hour from 6-7 p.m., and the ceremony beginning at 7 p.m. Attendees are invited to dress your best and join the... Article Link
Congratulations to Stockdale Junior High School coach and teacher Bailee Sherrard, named the Educator of the Quarter by Firstmark Credit Union and the Wilson County News. Sherrard was nominated by Lisa Vrana. “Coach Sherrard works hard every day to build positive relationships with her students and athletes,” Vrana wrote, adding that Sherrard “teaches the essential qualities of a leader” in her Leadership classes. She's the head cross country coach and assistant track coach for Stockdale's junior high and high school campuses and is the social media manager for the district athletics program. Sherrard “consistently creates engaging content to highlight the... Article Link
Meet more than 60 authors at the Sam Fore Jr. Wilson County Public Library in Floresville on Friday and Saturday, June 5-6, as the library hosts its second book festival. This a free event and perfect for everyone! There were be scheduled meet-the-authors sessions, read alouds, panel discussions, and even book club meetups. Join in on the fun with a special Author Hunt as you meet Texas authors, listen to scheduled reading, and enjoy the library's Outdoor Learning Space. Event hours are: •Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. •Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The library is located at 1103... Article Link
The Wilson County Extension Master Gardeners will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, May 28, from 6-7:30 p.m. Learn how to apply the concept of urban agriculture to reshape the community with a presentation on “Urban Ag Renaissance.” Meetings, which are free and open to the public, will be held in the Wilson County Justice Center, located at 800 10th St. (U.S. 181) in Floresville. For more information, visit txmg.org/wilson/, email wcemgtx@gmail.com, or call 830-393-7357. Article Link
Mature community members looking for a fun way to make friends and spend some time are invited to enjoy the Senior Games at St. Ann Catholic Church in La Vernia. Seniors can enjoy fun, fellowship, and time together on Tuesday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to noon in Goertz Hall at the church, located at 14151 U.S. 87 W. in La Vernia. No need to take anything or reserve a spot — just show up ready to play games and enjoy the company! For information, call Doris Cormier at 210-215-5597. Article Link
“This really is so simple,” wrote Paula Deen of her recipe for “Soy-Rubbed Tenderloin” in her book, Christmas with Paula Deen, published in 2007. But you don't have to wait for the holidays to make this roast! It's perfect for a special family dinner or any celebration. Soy-Rubbed Tenderloin One 4- to 5-lb. beef tenderloin 1/2 c. soy sauce Freshly ground black pepper Allow the beef to stand at room temperature for 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the tenderloin in a 13x9-inch glass baking dish and rub all over with soy sauce. Rub meat all... Article Link
Dorothy Dugi Collins and Rosemary Albert visit during the annual Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation Gala April 19 in Floresville. Article Link
Thomas Applewhite was a corporal in the Captain Barnett Company, Mississippi Militia, during the War of 1812. On May 9, 2026, he was honored at his resting place in the Concrete Cemetery near La Vernia by the General Society of the War of 1812 in the State of Texas, David Crockett Chapter of San Antonio. A Grave Marker Dedication Ceremony commemorated his loyal service. A special guest in attendance was his descendant, Glenda Rast. Blair Rudy, president of the Chapter, welcomed the attendees, followed by Chapter Chaplain Ken Williamson, who gave an invocation. The Society of the War of 1812... Article Link
Robby and Joyce Mainz of San Antonio are celebrating 50 years of marriage this year. They were wed April 10, 1976, in St. Benedict Catholic Church in San Antonio. Joyce, who was a CYO softball coach, invited her team members as her special guests. During the wedding ceremony, the priest said, “There's a fire outside. I have to stop the ceremony.” Joyce thought it was a prank by Robby's firefighter coworkers; he had just joined the San Antonio Fire Department a couple of months before. But it was no prank — there was a car on fire outside the church,... Article Link
This year's South Texas Photo Contest participants shared their “Signs of South Texas” treasures and these lucky winners are displayed for your enjoyment here. Read about their entries and remember you can view all entries at www.wilsoncountynews.com/photocontest. Congratulations to the winners! Article Link
Editor: Efforts to restrict plant-based products from using the word “milk” are gaining traction again, despite little evidence that consumers are confused (Reuters, April 24, 2026). Most people know exactly what oat milk is — and choose it intentionally. So why the push to regulate language? It's hard not to see it as an attempt to shield one industry from growing competition. Consumers benefit from clear labeling and diverse choices. Limiting how products are described doesn't protect the public — it limits innovation and restricts access to alternatives many people prefer for health, environmental, or ethical reasons. What's next? If... Article Link
The trumpet calls across the Texas sky, Remember me as I sleep, Say a prayer for me, for I cannot, I gave my last full measure for thee. For soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest.* All gave some… but some gave all. On Monday, May 25, the men and women of American Legion Post 38 in Floresville will gather in solemn remembrance of those who paid the ultimate price so that our Republic might endure. This is not merely another parade or a day off work. This is sacred ground we stand upon. These hallowed hours belong to... Article Link
One of the many angry eruptions of the petulant press over Donald Trump is “he's destroying all our political norms.” Trump is surely a disrupter of politics as usual — and more of a disrupter of the federal bureaucracy in his second term. But the Democrats have been at war with long-standing political norms for a while now. Consider Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's move in 2013 to lower the vote threshold for confirming executive branch and federal judicial nominees (except for the Supreme Court) from 60 to a simple majority. In the Trump era, the leftist lust to overturn... Article Link
SAN DIEGO — I've said the 2026 California governor's race is “cursed.” What I mean is there is a weird vibe surrounding the contest to see who should become the top executive of the nation's most populous state. New York Magazine recently cosigned the observation that something is amiss by calling the race “an unholy mess.” The California curse starts with candidates who give new meaning to the term “mediocre.” The eight at the top of the heap — six Democrats, two Republicans — spend much of their time attacking one another. With the June 2 primary just a few... Article Link
In honor of Foster Parent Appreciation Month in May, SJRC Texas|Belong and CASA of South Texas will hold a Foster/Adoptive Family Appreciation Day event Sunday, May 24, at the First Baptist Church in La Vernia. The event will take place Sunday at 10:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon for all foster and adoptive families in attendance. Foster and adoptive families from throughout the area are invited and encouraged to attend. This event will celebrate and honor the incredible foster and adoptive families who are making a lasting difference in the lives of children. Sponsors are SJRC Texas|Belong, Court Appointed Special... Article Link
CANYON — West Texas A&M University's Department of History recognized outstanding students and scholarships at a year-end luncheon May 7; among the honorees was Joshua Copas of Floresville. Copas, a graduate student in history from Floresville, was named Outstanding Graduate Student. Erick Garcia, a senior history major from Perryton, was named Outstanding Undergraduate Student. Lily Forbes, a junior history major from Amarillo, was named Rising Star and also won the Brasington Family and the Magical History Tour scholarships. Recruiting, retaining, and rewarding the best students is a key component of the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to... Article Link
Warmer weather across Texas means more time outdoors and more encounters with wildlife. Spring and early summer are also when many species give birth and raise their young, which can lead to confusion when animals appear to be alone. Each year, well-meaning Texans pick up young wildlife, especially fawns and baby birds, believing they have been abandoned. In most cases, that is not true. Removing these animals from the wild can do more harm than good and, in many cases, is against the law. “People want to help, but intervening is often the worst thing you can do,” said Richard... Article Link
The economic impact of shopping within one's community is significant. Though estimates vary and are always open to fluctuation, a recent survey from American Express and the National Federation of Independent Business indicated roughy 67 cents out of every dollar spent at a small business remains in the community. The economic impact of shopping local is plain to see, as many local business owners and employees live in the communities where their companies operate. But there are additional and perhaps less obvious benefits to buying close to home as well. •Walkability: Community residents who aspire to keep their dollars within... Article Link
The Christian life has been described as “heading into a storm, in a storm, or coming out of a storm.” The question for the believer is not if trials will come, but what to do when they do come. In the early morning hours of May 8 my cell phone rang, awaking me from a great sleep. The parental panic instantly runs through a thousand scenarios confusing the brain as one is coming to, sitting up, and grabbing the ringing phone. Then I see one of the children's names on the caller ID. Instantly, one visualizes the grandchildren and great-grandchildren,... Article Link
The following defendants were among those listed on recent dockets for the 81st District Court in Wilson County: •Brittany N. Ryan, 29, of Floresville pleaded “guilty” April 30 to a charge of hindering the apprehension or prosecution of a known felon, after an alleged incident in September 2025. She was sentenced to four years of deferred adjudication-community supervision and ordered to pay court costs and fees. •Jonathan Vela, 38, of Stockdale pleaded nolo contendere (no contest) May 6 to a charge of possession of between 4 and 200 grams of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 1, originally a charge... Article Link
The Wilson County Grand Jury met May 8 and returned indictments in 26 cases. The following 15 individuals are among the defendants scheduled for arraignment June 18: •Marianna C. Gavaghan, 32, of La Vernia was indicted on a charge of assault of a peace officer or judge, after an alleged incident Jan. 24. •Salvador E. Marin Garcia, 42, of La Vernia was indicted on a charge of evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, after an alleged incident Jan. 1. •Dianne M. Culley, 61, of Stockdale was indicted on a charge of manufacture or delivery of between 4 and 200... 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. Department of Public Safety •May 5, Jose Ramierz- Escalante, 51, of San Antonio was arrested in the 400 block of S.H. 97 in Floresville and charged with tampering with a government record. Floresville Police Department •May 7, Xaviar M. Lara, 31, of Floresville was arrested in the 300 block of 10th Street (U.S. 181) and charged with indecency with a child by sexual contact, injury to a child, elderly,... Article Link
It is a continuing tradition, since 1963, of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Saspamco to honor the Blessed Mother in May by naming the parish May Queen and Mother of the Year on Mother's Day, during the celebration of Mass. This year's May Queen is Cielo Iliana Cano, daughter of Juan and Monica Cano, sister of Diego Cano, maternal granddaughter of Alfredo and Maria Vargas, and paternal granddaughter of Juan and Dahlia Cano. Chosen as the Mother of the Year is Margie Trinidad. Margie is married to Thomas Trinidad Jr. She has three daughters, Nora Cadena, Angela... Article Link
[Video below] After serving as the mayor of St. Hedwig since 2014, Dee Grimm has decided to leave the position. Taking her place will be the newly elected mayor, John Hafner. Grimm administered the oaths of office to Hafner, who ran unopposed, and Councilman Russell Beck, who was also unopposed, during the May 14 city council meeting. During the same session, she was appointed as the municipal judge, a position she has been serving in simultaneously while mayor. Councilman Doretta Murray, who was not present, will be sworn in at a future date. Councilman Caid Franckowiak was appointed mayor pro... Article Link
[Video below] Vendors and small business owners filled the Floresville City Council chamber May 14 to address their “growing distrust” amid alleged changes to the city's Fourth of July event. Among those in attendance was Krista Scott with Vanilla Moon Marketing, director of The Market in Floresville, contracted by the Floresville Economic Development Corp. (FEDC) for markets on the second Saturday of each month. Scott told the council that she has emails and text messages that the vendors are “to be taken care of by The Market” as part of the event, in partnership with the Floresville 4A Corp. —... Article Link
Dear Dave, I just got married a week ago, and my husband and I are already having problems. While we were single, we practiced doing budgets together, and we agreed to follow your plan and get out of debt. The other day, we sat down to our first budget meeting as a married couple, and he told me he doesn't consider the balances on his two credit cards to be debt. He said he plans to keep them for emergencies, but he's still using them for everyday things. He's 33, and I'm 31. I really want this marriage to work... Article Link
AUSTIN — Ahead of Memorial Day, the Texas Veterans Commission is encouraging Texans to pause and remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. Texas is home to more than 1.5 million veterans and thousands of family members who carry the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Commission chairman Laura Koerner, a U.S. Navy veteran, shared the following message: “On this Memorial Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. Their sacrifice is the foundation of the freedoms we cherish today.... Article Link
American Legion Post 38 plans Memorial Day ceremony American Legion Post 38 invites the community to their annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25. A convoy will depart from the Walmart parking lot at 9:45 a.m., with an arrival time at the American Legion Hall at 10 a.m. to begin the ceremony, followed by a guest speaker. Refreshments and lunch will be served following the ceremony. American Legion Post 38 is located at 1412 Fourth St. in Floresville. Brahan Lodge plans Memorial Day event The Brahan Masonic Lodge will host a Memorial Day observance on the lodge grounds at... Article Link
Staff from U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz's office will be available to meet with residents on Wednesday, May 27, from 2:30-3:30 p.m., at the Sam Fore Jr. Wilson County Public Library. The library is located at 1103 Fourth St. in Floresville. Article Link
WCN “Meeting Watches” present highlights from recent meetings of some area entities; not all entities, or their actions or discussions, are included here. Wilson County Economic Development Corp. Meeting:: Regular meeting, May 12, 11:30- 1:15 p.m. https://youtube.com/live/kC1-sH0dECk Discussion, no action: •Heard a presentation from Charles Eckel of Lyssy & Eckel Feeds regarding the New World •Heard updates on activity in each city in the county, including a 500-home development and a Sherwin Williams store in Floresville; a new website for Poth; more than 60 homes in development, updated basketball courts, a soccer field, and pickleball court in Stockdale; and continued... Article Link
The city of Elmendorf has announced Stage 3 water restrictions until further notice. Under Stage 3, all water customers served by the city water system should reduce water consumption; specific prohibitions and limitations apply. This includes: •Irrigation with a soaker hose, hose-end sprinkler, or in-ground irrigation system is allowed every other week beginning on the second Monday after the stage 3 has been declared, from 3-8 a.m. and 8-10 p.m., according to the last digit of customer address — 0 or 1, Monday; 2 or 3, Tuesday; 4 or 5, Wednesday; 6 or 7, Thursday; and 8 or 9, Friday.... Article Link
Early voting in both the Democratic and Republican runoff races ends Friday, May 22, with the election on Tuesday, May 26. On the GOP side, the statewide runoffs are: •U.S. Senate: John Cornyn and Ken Paxton •Texas attorney general: Mayes Middleton and Chip Roy •Texas Railroad Commission: Jim Wright and Bo French •Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3: Alison Fox and Thomas Smith The statewide Democratic runoffs are: •Lieutenant governor: Vikki Goodwin and Marcos Vélez •Attorney general: Nathan Johnson and Joe Jaworski There are also runoff races for several House seats, the State Board of Education, and Texas Senate... Article Link
Wilson County News' WCN Live fans receive their prizes from C Street Gift Shop after commenting during a live broadcast hosted on Facebook every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Stay tuned for the next WCN Live and be sure to comment to be entered in the drawing. Rewatch WCN Live episodes at www. wilsoncountynews.com/ wcnlive. Article Link
Six weeks after being appointed as interim executive director for the Floresville Economic Development Corp. (FEDC), Monica Veliz has given her retirement notice. The FEDC board accepted the notice from Veliz, a former assistant city manager for Floresville, following a closed session at the corporation's May 11 meeting. She was selected for the FEDC position, which was vacated by Charlotte Ximenez-Nelson in March, on the recommendation of Floresville City Manager Andrew Muñoz (see “Charlotte Ximenez-Nelson resigns from FEDC,” April 1 Wilson County News). “Serving the city of Floresville has been a deeply rewarding experience,” Veliz said. “Working alongside such committed... Article Link
The Floresville Independent School District [ISD] has announced Chase Failing as the new band director for Floresville High School. Failing will replace Jim Cathey, who will retire at the end of the 2025-26 school year. Failing brings a strong background in music education, instrumental performance, and program leadership to Floresville ISD. He currently serves as head band director at Poth High School, where he oversees all aspects of the district's band program. Under his leadership, the program has earned multiple honors, including UIL Superior Ratings in marching band, concert, and sight-reading evaluations, as well as recognition at regional and state-level... Article Link
In a brief special meeting May 11, the Floresville City Council certified the vote totals and declared the winners of the May 2 city council election. Floresville City Secretary Evelyn Garcia announced the results of the canvass of the election returns; the vote totals are as follows: •Mayor — Gloria Morales Cantu, 640; Marissa Ximenez, 523 •Place 1 — Daniel Tejada, 492; Dora Barrera Cantu, 661 •Place 2 — Mario Morones (unopposed), 788. After voting to approve the canvass, the three council members present — Jake Lamberth, Frances Flores, and Felix Cantu — also voted to declare Morones and those... Article Link
On Feb. 28, Chet Eastin was doing what most people do without thinking — sitting at a red light, waiting for it to change. Seconds later, his life changed. “I heard someone honking and looked up,” Eastin said. “Then I saw a dump truck just smash into an 18-wheeler. It sounded like a bomb.” What followed didn't feel real. “It was like a trash compactor in slow motion,” he said. “I just kept telling myself, ‘This can't be real life.'” Eastin's vehicle was crushed between two large trucks, leaving him pinned inside. In those first moments, he still thought he... Article Link
[Video below] FLORESVILLE — The Floresville Economic Development Corp. board will soon have a new makeup, following changes implemented May 14 by the Floresville City Council. The council approved a new selection policy for boards and committees, allowing every member of the council to appoint a member to a board, committee, or commission. City Manager Andrew Muñoz told the council that the plan was to make every board seven members, “since there are six of you and we need a tiebreaker.” Exceptions would be made for boards such as the upcoming City Charter Review Committee, which was agreed to have... Article Link
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has named the following students to the Spring 2026 honors lists: •President's List — Piper Pappas of Stockdale, Jaymie Portwood of Poth, Tyra Wilcox and Wyatt Holdcroft of Floresville, and Elouise Martinez, Wendy Jenkins, Patrick Fields, and Melissa Howard of La Vernia. •Dean's List — Tabatha Hastings of Stockdale and Mace Wiese of La Vernia. To be named to the President's List, undergraduates must have earned a minimum grade point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term. To be named to the Dean's List, undergraduates must have achieved a grade point average of... Article Link
The Wilson County News annual graduation section, Tomorrow's Leaders, brings together graduates, parents and area businesses in the spirit of community, and will hit newsstands and subscriber mailboxes on June 10. Now's the time to celebrate your senior with a graduation ad to be included in this souvenir section that features the class of 2026, recognizing East Central, Falls City, Floresville, Karnes City, La Vernia, Nixon-Smiley, Poth, and Stockdale graduating seniors and graduations. The deadline for ads is May 22. For information or to place your ad, call 830-216- 4519, email psmith@mywcn.com, or visit wilsoncountynews.com/graduate. Article Link
Nina McChesney presents a scholarship May 5 from the Floresville Chapter 271 Order of the Eastern Star to Tyler Conn, a senior at Poth High School. Article Link
Applications are now open for the Keep Texas Beautiful Young Texan Ambassador Program, a unique statewide opportunity for youth ages 15-25 to grow as environmental leaders. This nine-month youth environmental leadership program empowers youth to take action by organizing environmental efforts in their local communities. Applications are being accepted through Friday, June 5. For information and to apply, visit ktb.org/our-work/young-texan-ambassadors/. Article Link
Get ready for a summer full of flavor, fun, and hands-on cooking adventures, as the Polish Heritage Center at Panna Maria hosts Polish cooking classes for students from the third to 12th grades! Don't delay — RSVPs are needed by Thursday, May 28! Students can learn traditional Polish recipes, explore cultural traditions, and cook delicious treats to take home. Classes are each; classes are limited to four per student. Class times are Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on: •June 4, 11, 18, and 25 •July 2, 9, 16, and 23. To RSVP or for more information, email... Article Link
Congratulations to the 19 area high school athletes named by the Texas High School Coaches Association to its Academic All-State Teams for baseball. East Central First team — Patrick Ellison Honorable Mention — Gonzalo Martinez and Joaquin Renteria. Falls City Second Team — Riley Ehrlich. Floresville Honorable Mention — Nolan Westbrook, Chase Schultz, Ryan Salazar, Austin Beyer, and Ryan Street. La Vernia Second Team — Peyton Parrish Honorable Mention — Beckett Richardson, Troy Guttridge, and Cash Howton. Nixon-Smiley Second Team — Cruz Pompa and Adan Zavala Honorable Mention — Federico Vazquez. Poth Second Team — Major Luna and Oliver Gray... Article Link
Congratulations to the athletes from six area high schools named by the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) to the Academic All- State Teams for boys and girls track. East Central Girls track — Aubrey Pew, Elite Team. Falls City Girls track — Laynie Ruple, First Team; Kaci Moczygemba, Libby Lee, Claire Laskowski, and Hayden Mertz, all Second Team; Abby Deleon, Haley Gordon, and Keandra Johnson, all Honorable Mention. Floresville Girls track — Madison Harden and Nora Felan, both Second Team; and Makenna Hertless, Honorable Mention Boys track — Joshua Simmon, First Team; Story Maldonado and Isaiah Cruz, both Honorable... Article Link
Congratulations to Poth High School senior Brooklyn Albert and freshman Sidney Ortiz, for their impressive finishes at the State Track and Field Meet for 3A girls in Austin May 14. Brooklyn placed fifth in the 3200-meter run and fourth in the 1600-meter run events. This was Brooklyn's fourth and final appearance at the State meet. Congratulations on an outstanding high school performance! Sidney earned third place in the high jump event with a jump of 5'4”. As a freshman, this was Sidney's first State appearance. Article Link
Falls City High School sent six standout athletes to the 2A UIL Track & Field State Meet held at Mike Myers Stadium in Austin May 15. A season of grit and determination culminated into a day for these athletes to shine, bringing home multiple medals, a third-place team finish, and one State Champion. Congratulations! Article Link
© 2020-2026 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
