July to December Year-End Review for Cuero Record

July

• Retired teacher Ruth Anne Killough, 62, was killed while on a walk after a truck struck her on Morgan Street July 4. The driver of the truck remained on the scene and tried to assist Killough. Police said there appeared to be no impairment of the driver contributing to the accident.

• Two members of the DeWitt County Historical Commission, Joe L. Sheppard and Larry Nuckels, read the United States Declaration of Independence on the courthouse steps on July 4.

• The DeWitt County 4-H Livestock Judging Team of Jackie Finney, Percy Torrez, Wyatt Luddeke, and Nathan Oakes returned from their competition at the Royal Highland Show in Scotland as double champions. Cuero welcomed its international competitors home in style with a late-night police and fire escort from Walmart to the Texan.

• DeWitt County Tax Appraiser Denise Moore says rumors of staffing changes involving an audit by outside agencies are unfounded. She said there has been a termination of an employee, but it was for personal reasons and not related to any outside audit.

• Duane Liptak, a former pilot and special operations officer in the US Marines and current vice president of Magpul Industries of Austin, spoke with children at the Boys & Girls Club about leadership.

• Junior firefighters, ages 14-17, put out a car fire at the West Virginia University Junior Firefighter Camp. Three teens from the Nordheim Volunteer Fire Department attended the camp.

• The first of many truckloads of donations for flood victims headed to the Hill Country with an escort by the Cuero Fire Department and Cuero Regional Hospital ambulance. They took with them a banner for flood victims designed by hospital employees.

• Westhoff Volunteer Fire Department Chief Andrew Weikel urged the DeWitt County Commissioners Court to double its budget to $240,000 in the new fiscal year.

• Three Cuero citizens belonging to a concerned citizens group questioned the Cuero ISD Board of Trustees about operations issues at a packed meeting.

• Longtime DeWitt County Judge Daryl Fowler officially announced his decision not to seek a sixth term of office at the local GOP meeting.

• The 2025 Turkey Trot Ruby Begonia contestant was introduced to the public at a Rally for Ruby on Main Street. Ruby’s 2025 team will be Handler Kevin Wolf, Captain Corbin Goebel, Coach Sherry Oakes, and Community Handler Jon Eric Rodriguez.

• The Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum Board of Directors elected a new leader, Cuero native Rick Bluntzer will be chairman of the board.

• The DeWitt County Commissioners Court passed a resolution to oppose efforts by the Texas Legislature that it views as designed to limit local governments’ ability to hire legislative consultants and lobbyists.

• The DeWitt County Commissioners Court to provide input on updating the Hazard Mitigation Action Plan in light of the Hill Country floods.

August

• About 75 DeWitt County residents held a celebration at the statue of deceased Medal of Honor winner Mast Sergeant Raul P. “Roy” Benavides that stands near Cuero High School on what would have been his 90th birthday.

• The Cuero Chamber of Commerce hosted its first “Savor the Flavor & Style of Cuero.” Cuero’s restaurants and boutiques displayed their best dishes and outfits at the events.

• Students and staff at Cuero ISD schools returned for the 2025-2026 school year in mid-August.

• The Cuero City Council approved a proposed tax rate of 0.30675 which was less than the previous year’s rate of 0.3100 and announced a citywide garage sale for September.

• The DeWitt County Commissioners Court approved a new tax rate of 0.38576, the highest they could without going to voters for approval and announced plans to adopt the new fiscal year budget the following week.

• The Victoria-Crossroads Chapter of the Independent Cattlemen’s Association presented information to local ranchers about the threat of screwworm infestation returning to Texas at the organization’s monthly meeting.

• The 17th Annual World Series of Cuero sponsored by the Cuero Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture and Visitors Bureau drew 130 “enthusiastic players going all in” to support business and community growth, according to chamber Executive Director Angie Cuellar.

• DeWitt County Sheriff’s Department Captain Santos Calderon, Jr. explained he just wants “people to feel safe where they live,” a motive that has kept him working in law enforcement for 46 years-plus.

• DeWitt County first responders faced five emergences over a two-hour period on Aug. 21, according to the DeWitt County Emergency Management and Flood- plain Administration.

• The Meyersville Independent School District received an A rating from TEA for its per- formance in the 2024- 2025 school year, according to an announcement at the district’s school board meeting.

• Cuero’s Reuss Pharmacy — first opened in town in 1872 — permanently closed its doors at day’s end Wednesday, Aug. 27, according to a statement issued by Brookshire Brothers Pharmacy that took over the operation.

• Police identified a person of interest in the window vandalism of offices and stores in downtown Cuero in July and August, according to Chief of Police Steve Ellis.

September

• Cuero resident Tyler Jacob Gamez, 23, was shot and killed in Victoria Saturday, Aug. 30, and a suspect in his murder, Charles Lee Brazil Jr., 31 was captured within a week’s time.

• The City of Cuero planned to fill one opening on the Building and Standards Commission and one on the Zoning Board of Adjustments and is seeking volunteers for appointment, according to City Secretary Jennifer Urban.

• The DeWitt County Commissioners Court issued a 90day burn ban for the county’s un- incorporated areas.

• The DeWitt County Commissioners Court scheduled a special meeting to revisit and repeat action on the previous week’s agenda because notice of the meetig was not posted on the county’s website as required.

• Cuero’s celebrity turkey Ruby Begonia got a big send off from the community for the Worthington, Minn., Turkey Gallop.

• The Cuero Gobblers hosted First Responders Night at the Friday night football game to honor their work protecting the community.

• The DeWitt Commissioners Court approved a proposal from Lightedge Solutions, LLC for offsite back up of data, to minimize the potential for loss from a ransomware attack.

• Cureo artist Rafael Acosta Jr. painted a mural on a wall of the Yoakum Grand Theater and Grand Room for owner Tammy Steinmann.

• Cuero’s celebrity turkey Ruby Begonia lost the race in the Great Gobbler Gallop in Worthington, Minn.

• Cuero High School student Landon Crain reported on his attendance at Texas Boys State civic leadership program at the University of Texas. He was one of two high school juniors sent to the event by American Legion Post 3.

• Capital Farm Credit awarded $1,000 to Cuero’s Artisan Market on Main Street. Cuero was one of nine Texas cities receiving the awards.

• The nonprofit Texas Ramp Project celebrated 40 years of delivering free wheelchair ramps to over 30,000 recipients.

• Cuero ISD and the Pilot Club of Cuero held the annual Suicide Prevention Walk

• The DeWitt County Commissioners Court approved a $3.2 million budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and a tax rate of 0.38576 to fund it.

• The DeWitt County Sheriff’s office received a report of a woman’s shooting and found her near South U.S. Hwy. 87 and Radio Road in Cuero.

• The American Heart Association recognized Cuero Regional Hospital with two awards related to its emergency care department’s service.

October

• First responders held a meet and greet with Cuero residents on Main Street in downtown. It was hosted by the Cuero Police Department, and it included fire truck and helicopter tours.

• Halloween animaltronics decorations went on display at a home on Schleicher Street in Cuero. The annual display was enlarged this year.

• Fire destroyed a house in the 900 block of Cheapside Road

• The DeWitt County Commissioners Court observed National 4-H Week and ambassadors from the local 4-H club attended the meeting.

• Bridge remodeling, road widening and sidewalk additions were undertaken on SH 72, FM 766 and FM 240 in the Cuero area.

• Local archer Taylin Myer, 1, who is an 8th grader at Yoakum Junior High School, received recognition for her skills on the archery range.

• Fire destroyed a family’s home in the 200 block of Togo St. in Cuero. The fire was under investigation.

• The Cuero ISD Education Foundation unveiled a dedicated Vocational/ Technical Scholarship Application that will be available in 2026. It was designed to streamline the process for students who have chosen hands-on career paths.

• A 40-foot trailer loaded with 21 bales of and being pulled by a truck caught on fire near Lockhart Cemetery Road and Highway 77-A. The fire disrupted traffic while it was being fought.

• Ruby Begonia was headed back to pasture after losing the big race. A new turkey is selected for the celebration each year.

• The Cuero Record announced Kayla Lynn Shaffer was being promoted to general manager of De-Witt County Publishing, which also publishes the Yorktown News-Review.

• A new police officer, Alejandro Gonzalez, was sworn in at the Cuero City Council meeting. Ethan Adcock, who will begin academy training in January, was also welcomed.

• The DeWitt County Commissioners Court approved an order declaring the county a disaster area due to increased fire weather conditions.

• The Cuero ISD Education Foundation awarded Cuero High School a transformative grant titled “Equipping Cuero High School Students with Industry-Standard Media Tools.”

• The suspension of food assistance payments to SNAP clients during the federal government shutdown alarmed local food bank officials about the possibility of not having enough food for needy families.

November

• Cody Allen Eggemeyer was sentenced to a total of 95 years in prison in connection with a 2023 shooting by 135th District Court Judge Kemper Stephens.

• DeWitt Medical Foundation gave Cuero Regional Hospital $50,000 to support the relocation and expansion of the hospital’s laboratory and pharmacy departments.

• A remembrance of DeWitt Colony’s settlement 200 years ago was celebrated in a free performance by Tejas Pioneers musicians.

• Volunteers unloaded 12,600 pounds of food to be distributed to De-Witt County residents during the SNAP suspension crisis.

• A new Citizen Police Academy 16week education program was announced to start in 2026.

• Voter turnout in DeWitt County amounted to 16.6% of registered voters, compared to the statewide rate of slightly less than 15%.

• The Cuero Gobblers topped the LaFeria Lions to win the Bi-District title.

• Two acres burned in a pasture fire sparked by a tractor shedder in the 7400 block of Friar Road.

• The DeWitt County Commissioners Court extended the ongoing burn ban.

• The Cuero ISD Education Foundation hosted the Concert for Classrooms at the Cuero ISD Performing Arts Center featuring ABBAMANIA, the world’s #1 ABBA tribute band.

• Fire destroyed a home in the 2200 block of Tulley Road. It was a total loss.

• The Cuero Chamber of Commerce announced the launch of its 2025 Small Business Season, a community-wide initiative celebrating local businesses.

• Cuero ISD was recognized as a recipient of the Statewide Initiative for Parent and Family Engagement by the 2025 Anita Villarreal Innovation in Engagement Award.

• The Cuero ISD Education Foundation made a final call for year-end contributions, asking the community to invest in the academic futures of CISD students.

• Blizzy N Blend, a vape shop on North Esplanade Street in Cuero, reported a robbery to police on a Saturday afternoon. The suspect attempted to leave the store without paying the cashier, but she chased him and retrieved the bag. The suspect escaped.

• DeWitt County announced “no truck” signs would be installed on Old Yoakum Road, Christian Road and Edgar Leesville Road.

• The Cuero Tree Board recognized two major contributors to the planting of 70 trees in Municipal Park with bench dedications on Texas Arbor Day. Former Mayor Keep Cuero Beautiful President Sara Post-Meyer was recognized with a bench and so was REPSOL company.

• Keep Cuero Beautiful announced it would be hosting its yearly recycling project durig the holidays.

December

• The 26th Annual Christmas in the Park was held in Cuero Municipal Park. The park was scheduled to remain lit up for the holidays until Jan. 1.

• Quick action by the residents saved a home in the 2900 block of River Road. An early morning fire apparently erupted from a short in an electrical outlet that had an extension cord plugged into it. The residents put out the fire, and firefighters did mop up procedures.

• The Cuero Development Corp. invested $250,000 into the community in 2025 while supporting broadband development, business support and local programming, its officials said.

• Two Santas — Blue Santa and Deputy Santa — spread cheer to needy children in Cuero and De-Witt County. Blue Santa and Deputy Santa are projects of the Cuero Police Department and the De-Witt County Sheriff’s Office respectively.

• DeWitt County banned aerial fireworks because of extreme drought conditions. The targeted fireworks are ones identified as “skyrockets with sticks” and “missiles with fins.”

• Six new Youth Pro Staff Shooters were welcomed by STX archery company with $250 signon bonuses. They are Taylin Myers, Korbin Pate, Stockton DeRouen, Owen Sansing, Brielle Brzozowsk and Wedon Bowers.