UNITED, a group of local area churches, wants to thank everyone involved with their Vacation Bible School event, Jesus Live 2 - Jesus Returns to Cuero. This was the second successful event held by United at Daule. Thanks go out to Mayor Post-Meyer, the City Council, City Secretary Jennifer Zufelt, the City of Cuero, Cuero City Manager Amber Fitts, Councilman Emil Garza, David Danish, Viola Holman and Tri-City Empowerment Council. The Knights of Columbus, Dawn Draper, the Pilot Club, Alamo Lumber Company, Amherst, Dairy Queen, the cast members, FLC Photographers, Dennis Scott, Sanford Trevino, DJ Scott, cooks, FLC Food Service volunteers, registration team, prize team, Desalyn Eldridge, coordinators for childrens games, song and dance leaders, Energy Waste, Freedom Life Church, Victory Family Church, Mary Jane Quintanilla (costumes). Cash donations from numerous community members, donations from Macedonia, Mount Bethel and St. Thomas churches, and all of the children in attendance.

The Cuero Chamber of Commerce was excited to co-host the Fourth of July festivities with the Cuero Celebrates 150th committee and The City of Cuero. We congratulate the City of Cuero on a spectacular fireworks show. Families gathered in Cuero Municipal Park to enjoy free city pool and splashpad access, a Kiddie Parade, car show, food trucks, live music and the evening blasted off with incredible fireworks. The Cuero Chamber of Commerce and Miss Cuero Court sponsored and organized the Kiddie Parade, featuring adorable children and their families who decorated their bikes, wagons and more to show off their patriotic pride. The Car Show was organized by the Cuero Chamber with assistance from volunteers from TrustTexas Bank, Kristie Tieken and Corey Tolbert and the Car Show awards were sponsored by McMahan Welding Services. Two awards were given: Ruby’s Choice and Veteran’s Choice and we thank all that participated in the car show. The winner of the Ruby’s Choice award was Larry Coker with his 1932 3W Ford Model. The Veteran’s Choice award was given to Steve Canion with his 1931 Model A Ford.

Museum for the wonderful Juneteenth Celebration. The Presentations on the History of Juneteenth and the Juneteenth Rodeo were remarkable - the perfect compliment to the Black Cowboy Exhibition.

Texas House Democrats unveiled a $20.9 billion plan for property tax relief that drops tax rates, increases the homestead exemption, gives annual rebates to renters, and includes pay raises for teachers, the Austin American- Statesman reported. The newest proposal comes as the Legislature continues wrangling over the issue in the second special session this year. The bill, proposed by Rep. John Bryant, D-Dallas, is a combination of previous proposals with the added wrinkle of providing benefits for renters, who do not directly pay property taxes. The proposal also would raise the state’s per-student funding to public schools by $1,000 and give a permanent annual raise of $4,300 for teachers. “Our effort is one that recognizes that you can’t talk about property taxes without talking about public education,” Bryant said of his proposal to raise the state’s basic allotment for school funding by $1,000. The Senate has already passed a proposal to increase the homestead exemption to $100,000 and give a $2,000 pay hike for teachers in urban districts and a $6,000 increase to teachers in rural districts over the next two years.

After reading the news article reporting the June 26 meeting of the City Council, I was dismayed and concerned that Nicole Cox’s issue about the animal cruelty she observed, was treated in such a cavalier manner. Animal abuse/cruelty is the crime of physical abuse or neglect such as withholding food and water of a tamed animal. Animal cruelty is a felony vprison with a fine of up to $10,000 depending on the severity of the situation. Neglect is a misdemeanor

On behalf of the Celebrate Yorktown, TX Committee, we would like to thank those that supported Yorktown’s 175th Birthday Celebration on June 16 and 17 and who helped make our earlier fundraisers a success. With community support we celebrated Yorktowns establishment in 1848 by hosting a free family event.

Dear Editor, Summer fun activities continue: Cuero’s 4 th of July Celebration features a car show from 4-6 PM, DJ Tony from 4-7 PM, and Matt Thigpen and Dave Williams from 7-9 PM; Kiddy Parade at 6 PM at the Park Clubhouse; snow cones, popcorn, kiddy train, and several food trucks. Fireworks show begins at 9 PM to celebrate Cuero’s150 th Birthday as well as the 247 th birthday of the United States.

The Texas Senate on the first day of the Legislature’s second special session unanimously passed a tax bill last Wednesday that increases the homestead exemption and includes a pay hike for teachers, the Austin American-Statesman reported. The first special session ended with the Senate and House unable to agree on how to provide property tax relief.

Dear Editor: In February, God brought a group of people together with a vision to have Vacation Bible School in 2 parts. The group formed is called UNITED.

Texas’ power grid reported record electricity use early last week. Both the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas are urging residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce electricity use as temperatures soar above100 degrees over much of the state. So far the grid, which administers 90% of the state’s power load, has been able to keep up with demand.