Martin Leske, a fifth-generation Cuero resident and accomplished business leader, has announced his intent to seek re-election for the position of DeWitt County Hospital Trustee. With a proven track record in entrepreneurship and community service, Leske aims to continue leveraging his extensive experience to ensure the ongoing success of healthcare services in the region.
Leske graduated from Cuero High School in 2000 and earned dual degrees in Finance and Economics from Texas Tech University in 2004, followed by an MBA in 2016. He and his wife, Kailey Slone, also a Cuero native, have been married since 2012 and reside in Cuero with their two children.
Professionally, Leske has built a career marked by innovation and leadership. In 2011, he founded a commercial trucking and logistics business, which he later sold to RelaDyne, a national conglomerate, in 2019. Currently serving as Regional Operations Manager for Sun Coast Resources, a RelaDyne Company, Leske oversees operations across Texas and southeastern New Mexico, managing 11 terminals, a $68 million EBITDA portfolio, and approximately 700 associates. In addition to his corporate role, he owns businesses in commercial real estate and heavy equipment rental.
Leske’s commitment to community service is evident in his involvement with the DeWitt Medical Foundation, where he served as President for six years and is now Vice President. Under his leadership, the foundation tripled its endowment and contributed over $500,000 toward hospital improvements, including education, equipment, and capital expenditures. He also serves on the Cuero Community Foundation, further demonstrating his dedication to the local community.
As a Hospital Trustee, Leske has prioritized maintaining the hospital’s financial stability, recruiting and retaining top medical personnel, and ensuring access to high-quality healthcare for all residents. He emphasizes the importance of addressing challenges through strategic problem-solving, focusing on people, processes, and communication to meet the community’s needs effectively.
By seeking re-election, Leske reaffirms his commitment to preserving and enhancing healthcare services in DeWitt County. His extensive professional and community experience positions him as a strong advocate for the hospital’s continued success and its role as a cornerstone of the local economy and well-being.
Yoakum, Texas – Lenzy Meza, Communications Supervisor for the Yoakum Police Department, has been awarded the prestigious Outstanding Emergency Communications Operator Award at the 2025 MidCoast Hurricane & Disaster Conference. The award, presented earlier today, recognizes Meza’s exemplary dedication and exceptional service in the field of emergency communications.
Known as the steady and calm voice behind the radio, Meza has earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues for her professionalism, composure, and commitment to the vital work of emergency dispatch. Her role as Communications Supervisor has been integral to ensuring efficient and effective communication during critical situations, contributing to the safety and well-being of the Yoakum community.
The Yoakum Police Department expressed immense pride in Meza’s achievement, describing her as a cornerstone of their operations. Her dedication and hard work serve as an inspiration not only to her colleagues but also to others in the field of emergency response.
The 2025 MidCoast Hurricane & Disaster Conference brings together professionals and leaders from across the region to discuss disaster preparedness and response. The Outstanding Emergency Communications Operator Award highlights the importance of the often unseen but crucial role of dispatchers in emergency situations.
Eva Jo Zapalac Aschen, 76, of Cuero peacefully passed away on Monday, March 31, 2025, in Luling. She was born December 31, 1948, in Shiner to William and Marie Malinovsky Zapalac. She worked as an Assistant Manager at Bottom Dollar, a Secretary at St. Michael’s Catholic Church and was an employee for several home healthcare agencies. She was a member of the Altar Society and Parishioner at St. Michael’s Catholic Church and a member of St. Ann’s Society 37 Hochheim KJZT.
She is survived by her sons, Ronald G. Aschen Jr. (Diane) and Eric Aschen (Michelle); sisters, Willa Mae Zimmermann (Harry), Bonnie Moeller (John) and Lana Fellers (Clint); brother, Otto Koliba (Barbara); grandchildren, Hunter Aschen, Skylar Aschen, Thomas Aschen, Cammron Anderson, Dustin Anderson, McKenzie Vela, Colyn Anderson and Lucas Anderson; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Visitation will be held Sunday, April 6, 2025, 4:00 to 6:00 PM with a rosary to be recited at 5:30 PM at Freund Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held Monday, April 7, 2025, 10:00 AM at St. Michael’s Catholic Church with Father Jacob Mendoza officiating. Interment will follow at St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery in Yoakum.
Pallbearers include Hunter Aschen, Thomas Aschen, Colyn Anderson, Chase Fellers, Otto Koliba II, Jason Moeller, Dwayne Zimmermann and Ray Stehling.
The Honorary Pallbearer includes Skylar Aschen.
Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Michael’s Catholic Church Building Fund or St. Ann’s Building Fund.
You may sign the guestbook or send condolences at www.freundfuneralhome.com.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday downplayed the texting of sensitive plans for a military strike against Yemen’s Houthis this month to a group chat that included a journalist, saying it was “the only glitch in two months” of his administration as Democratic lawmakers heaped criticism on the administration for handling highly sensitive information carelessly.
Trump told NBC News that the lapse “turned out not to be a serious one,” and expressed his continued support for national security adviser Mike Waltz.
Waltz, according to an article posted online Monday by The Atlantic, appeared to have mistakenly added the magazine’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, to a chat that included 18 senior administration officials discussing planning for the strike.
“Michael Waltz has learned a lesson, and he’s a good man,” Trump said. He also appeared to point blame on an unnamed Waltz aide for Goldberg being added to the chain. “It was one of Michael’s people on the phone. A staffer had his number on there.”
But the use of messaging app Signal to discuss a sensitive operation has opened the administration to blistering criticism from Democratic lawmakers who expressed outrage at the White House’s and senior administration officials’ insistence that no classified information was shared. Senior administration officials have struggled to explain why the publicly available app was used to discuss such a delicate matter.
Waltz makes his first public comments
Waltz said Tuesday he was not sure how Goldberg ended up on the chat.
“This one in particular, I’ve never met, don’t know, never communicated with,” Waltz said.
Later Tuesday, Waltz said in an appearance on Fox News Channel’s “The Ingraham Angle” that he built the message chain and that White House technical experts were trying to figure out how Goldberg’s contact “may have been sucked in.”
“We made a mistake. We’re moving forward,” said Waltz, who added that he took “full responsibility” for the episode.
White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz listens to a question from a reporter in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, in Washington, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)
Trump, for his part, continued to attack The Atlantic and Goldberg and sent mixed messages on whether the administration would change how it goes about sharing sensitive information going forward.
“We won’t be using it very much” in the future, Trump said of Signal. “That’s one of the prices you pay when you’re not sitting in the Situation Room with no phones on, which is always the best, frankly.”
Trump added, “If it was up to me everybody would be sitting in a room together. The room would have solid lead walls and a lead ceiling and lead floor.”
One official reported to be on the Signal chain, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, acknowledged during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Tuesday that she was traveling overseas during the exchange. She wouldn’t say whether she was using her personal or government-issued phone because the matter is under review by the White House National Security Council.
One Democrat calls the mistake ‘an embarrassment’
Both Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who also was a participant in the Signal exchange and also testified at Tuesday’s intelligence hearing, faced blistering criticism from lawmakers.
“Director Ratcliffe, this was a huge mistake, correct?” Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Georgia Democrat, asked.
After a brief pause, Ratcliffe shook his head. “No,” he said.
Ratcliffe attempted to interject as Ossoff asked a follow-up question, leading the two men to speak over each other.
“This is an embarrassment,” Ossoff said, silencing Ratcliffe. “This is utterly unprofessional. There’s been no apology. There has been no recognition of the gravity of this error.”
CIA Director John Ratcliffe, joined at center by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, testifies as the Senate Intelligence Committee holds its worldwide threats hearing, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
In the run-up to his 2016 election victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton, Trump urged criminal prosecution of the former secretary of state for communicating about classified information with her aides on a private email server she set up. The matter was investigated, but the FBI ultimately recommended against charges. None were brought.
Clinton was among Democrats this week to criticize Trump administration officials’ use of Signal.
“You have got to be kidding me,” Clinton said in an X post that spotlighted The Atlantic article and included an eyes emoji.
Trump also faced charges for mishandling classified information at his Mar-a-Lago resort following his first White House term. Those charges were later dismissed.
Administration says Democrats shouldn’t be outraged
But on Tuesday, top administration officials were insistent the Democratic outrage was misplaced.
Ratcliffe and Gabbard told lawmakers that no classified information was included in the texts about U.S. attack plans in the message chain.
But The Atlantic reported that the messages included precise information about weapons packages, targets and timing, but did not publish those details.
Pressed on whether such information should be classified, Gabbard hedged. “I defer to the secretary of defense, the National Security Council, on that question,” she said.
Ratcliffe in one exchange with lawmakers said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held the authority on determining whether the information in the message chain was classified.
Hegseth has dodged questions about whether the information he put in a Signal chat was classified. On Tuesday while in Hawaii, he repeated almost word for word his short statement from the day before that “nobody’s texting war plans, and that’s all I have to say about that.”
Democrats pushed back, saying the leaked military plans show a sloppy disregard for security, but Ratcliffe insisted no rules were violated.
My communications to be clear in the Signal message group were entirely permissible and lawful and did not include classified information,” Ratcliffe told lawmakers in the hearing that was supposed to be focused on global security threats.
Facing heated questions from Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, Gabbard said there’s a difference between “inadvertent” releases of information and intentional leaks. “There was no classified material that was shared,” Gabbard said.
Warner, though, said the lapse in security could have cost lives.
“If this information had gotten out, American lives could have been lost. If the Houthis had this information they could reposition their defensive systems,” Warner said.
Waltz in his appearance on Fox said that while all the information in the exchange was unclassified he’d prefer it remain out of the public eye. “I certainly want our deliberations to stay confidential,” he said.
Calls for an investigation
In response to questions from Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, Gabbard and Ratcliffe said they would participate in an audit looking into administration officials’ use of Signal. Wyden said it must be investigated.
“I’m of the view that there ought to be resignations,” Wyden said.
FBI Director Kash Patel, appearing with Ratcliffe and Gabbard at the hearing, said he was only recently briefed on the Signal chat matter and doesn’t have an update on whether the FBI has opened an investigation into it. Warner asked for an update by the end of the day.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, center, is flanked by FBI Director Kash Patel, left, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, as the Senate Intelligence Committee holds its worldwide threats hearing, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The White House in a statement Tuesday called the uproar a “coordinated effort to distract from the successful actions taken by President Trump and his administration to make America’s enemies pay and keep Americans safe.”
Examining the security of Signal
Signal is an app that can be used for direct messaging and group chats as well as phone and video calls. It uses end-to-end encryption for its messaging and calling services that prevents any third party from viewing conversation content or listening in on calls.
In other words, messages and calls sent on Signal are scrambled; only the sender and recipient at each end will have the key to decipher them.
Signal’s encryption protocol is open source, meaning that it’s freely available for anyone to inspect, use or modify. The encryption protocol is also used by another popular chat service, social media company Meta’s WhatsApp platform.
Government officials have used Signal for organizational correspondence, such as scheduling sensitive meetings.
Sen. Angus King, a Maine Independent, said he was flummoxed by Ratcliffe and Gabbard’s assertion that no classified information was included in the chat.
“It’s hard for me to believe that targets and timing and weapons would not have been classified,” he said.
___
AP writer Kelvin Chan in London and Darlene Superville contributed reporting.
Cuero Independent School District (Cuero ISD) has announced its 2025 summer program, titled “Camp Invention.” The program is free and open to all students currently enrolled in Cuero ISD for the 2024–2025 school year, from Pre-K through 12th grade. Registration is now available, with the district encouraging families to secure a spot for their children.
For safety reasons, only students enrolled in Cuero ISD during the 2024–2025 academic year are eligible to participate. Parents are advised to register each child for their current grade level as of the 2024–2025 school year. Families enrolling multiple children must submit a separate Google form for each participant.
The camp schedule features a variety of programs organized by grade level and location:
Summer 1:
– Hunt Elementary Library (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
– Grades 2–3: June 2–5 and June 9–12
– Grades 4–5: June 16–19 and June 23–26
– Cuero High School Library (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
– Grades 6–12:
– 3D Printing Camp: June 2–5
– Canvas Painting, Crafting, & Sublimation: June 9–12
– Cricut & Sublimation: June 16–19
– Arts and Crafts activities will also be available daily.
Summer 2:
– John C. French Elementary (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
– Grades Pre-K–1: July 14–17 and July 21–24
The Cuero ISD “Camp Invention” program promises to provide students with enriching activities in a safe and creative environment. Parents and guardians are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance their children’s summer learning experiences.
Cuero, Texas – The DeWitt and Lavaca County Democratic Women will hold their monthly meeting on Friday, April 4, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Maya’s Restaurant in Cuero. The meeting will take place in the restaurant’s back meeting room. While attendees are welcome to purchase food at their own expense, it is not required to participate.
The organization warmly invites new members to join and engage in discussions designed to inspire, educate, and motivate fellow Democrats to take an active role in the political process. Their mission is to empower individuals through education, networking, and support, while fostering community involvement and organizing local political activities.
For those interested in joining or learning more, this meeting offers a chance to connect with like-minded individuals and contribute to the group’s efforts.
About a quarter of U.S. adults (24%) say Congress should remove federal funding from NPR and PBS, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted March 10-16. A larger share (43%) say NPR and PBS should continue to receive funding from the federal government, while 33% say they are not sure.
The funding structures for NPR and PBS are complicated, and much of their revenue comes from nongovernment sources like member donations and corporate sponsorships. But the proposed bill would ban all federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which has received $535 million annually in recent federal budgets. The CPB helps to fund NPR and PBS both directly and through individual local public media stations, many of which pay NPR and PBS in the form of membership or programming fees.
How we did this
Republicans are much more likely than Democrats to support ending federal funding for public media. Among Republicans and GOP-leaning independents, 44% say Congress should end funding for NPR and PBS, while 19% say funding should continue and 37% say they are not sure. Republicans ages 50 and older are especially likely to support ending federal funding for public broadcasters.
By contrast, just 5% of Democrats and Democratic leaners say federal funding for NPR and PBS should be cut off, while 69% say funding should continue and 26% are not sure.
There also are large partisan differences in how many people get news from NPR and PBS – and whether they trust these outlets as sources of news.
Overall, 20% of U.S. adults say they regularly get news from NPR, and 21% say the same about PBS. In both cases, Democrats are much more likely than Republicans to say this:
32% of Democrats say they regularly get news from NPR, vs. 9% of Republicans.
31% of Democrats regularly get news from PBS, vs. 11% of Republicans.
These questions were asked as part of a forthcoming study of Americans’ views toward dozens of media brands across different platforms (e.g., television, print, radio and digital). These include a wide variety of news sources with audiences across the ideological spectrum.
Democrats are also more likely than Republicans to trust NPR and PBS as sources of news:
47% of Democrats and 12% of Republicans say they trust NPR as a source of news. By contrast, 26% of Republicans and 3% of Democrats say they distrust NPR.
59% of Democrats and 23% of Republicans say they trust PBS as a source of news. By contrast, 26% of Republicans and 4% of Democrats say they distrust PBS.
The City of Yorktown has officially issued an order for a special election to take place during the upcoming May 3, 2025, elections. This special election will fill a one-year unexpired term for a City Council Member position. Yorktown residents will also vote on several other key positions as outlined in the order:
Mayor
Two City Council Members for two-year terms
Three Trustee Positions in Yorktown ISD
Eligible voters in Yorktown and across DeWitt County have until April 3, 2025, to register to vote for these elections. This is a critical deadline to ensure participation in shaping local leadership and representation.
For additional information regarding the special election or other positions on the ballot, residents can contact the City of Yorktown or their local election office. Don’t miss the chance to have your voice heard in these important local elections.
Faye Sheppard, a seasoned healthcare professional and attorney with over five decades of experience, has officially announced her candidacy for re-election as DeWitt County Hospital Trustee. Sheppard, who is currently serving as Vice-Chairman of the Board, aims to continue her commitment to strengthening healthcare services in the community.
Sheppard’s illustrious career began as a nursing assistant and has spanned numerous roles, including staff nurse, hospital attorney, and system director of risk management. Her academic achievements include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Florida State, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Texas, and a law degree from Texas Tech University. She has also held prominent leadership positions, such as serving as President of the American Society of Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM) in 2018 and contributing as a member of the National Patient Safety Foundation’s Board of Advisors. Additionally, she has served on numerous healthcare committees and task forces and has been an active faculty member. Sheppard is also a published author and editor on risk management and patient safety topics for both ASHRM and the American Health Lawyers Association.
During her tenure on the DeWitt County Medical District Board, Sheppard has prioritized financial stability, recruitment and retention of qualified healthcare professionals, and the maintenance and modernization of Cuero Regional Hospital’s facilities. She is dedicated to ensuring the hospital remains a cornerstone of healthcare in the community despite the challenging environment facing rural hospitals statewide.
In her statement, Sheppard emphasized her dedication to fostering quality healthcare for all, regardless of demographic or payor status. She expressed her passion for expanding services and enhancing patient safety through innovative practices and technology.
Beyond her professional achievements, Sheppard has deep roots in DeWitt County, where her family has resided and contributed to the community for over 170 years. She has been married to her husband, Joe Sheppard, for 41 years, and together they have one son, Joe IV, who plans to continue the family’s legacy of practicing law and ranching in DeWitt County. Sheppard is a member of Grace Episcopal Church, serving on the church vestry, and enjoys traveling and cheering for her favorite sports teams.
As voters prepare for the upcoming election, Sheppard hopes to continue her impactful service on the Board, advocating for accessible, high-quality healthcare close to home. Her re-election would ensure the continuation of her thoughtful leadership and dedication to the community’s health needs.
SHINER: Preston Arthur Robichaux, Jr., 86, passed away Monday, March 31, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born October 11, 1938, in Rosa, Louisiana to Preston Robichaux, Sr. and Gladys (Bebee).
He was a Retreat Center Manager with his wife of 59 years, Johnnie, for Kaleo Lodge. He was a member of New Life Baptist Church. Defined by his faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ and a love for his family, Preston exuded a compassionate gruffiness that endeared him to all throughout his life. He leaves behind a grateful family who will forever cherish his tenderness just as much as they admired his toughness.
Survivors: daughters, Amy Coplen (Paul) of Austin, Ramona Hotman (Rick) of Yoakum and Laura Robichaux (Richard Osteen) of Azle; grandchildren Alex Elliott, Zachary Coplen and Ryan Coplen; great granddaughter Charlene Ann Elliott.
Preceded in death by parents; wife, Johnnie Ree Robichaux; sisters Redina Blanchard, Gloria Bonner and Mary Louise Coyle.
A Family Memorial Service will be held graveside on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., at Hochheim Cemetery with Rev. Adam Jaquez officiating.
Memorials may be given to Disabled American Veterans. Preston served in the U.S. Navy, earning an honorable discharge in 1961.
The family would like to thank his caregivers, Diana, Frances and Michelle for their loving care and support.
Arrangements by Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home 361-293-5656.
