DeWitt County Gears Up for May 3 Elections: Key Positions at Cuero Regional Hospital, Yorktown ISD, and City Council Up for Grabs
The upcoming May 3, 2025, elections in DeWitt County are shaping up to be quite eventful. With several key positions up for grabs, the community is buzzing with anticipation.
At the Cuero Regional Hospital, two Director positions are being contested by Pedro Gonzales, P.E., Faye Sheppard, and Martin Leske, III. Each candidate brings a unique set of skills and experiences to the table, promising to contribute significantly to the hospital’s future.
In the Yorktown Independent School District (ISD), three trustee positions are up for election. The candidates vying for these spots are Aaron Koopmann, Jeff Sievers, Todd Metting, Christopher H. Romans, and Jody Hall. Both Aaron Koopmann and Jeff Sievers are currently serving on the school board, bringing their experience and dedication to the race.
The City of Cuero is also holding elections for two City Councilmember at-large positions. The candidates in the running are Russell Mobley, Adam Arroyo, and Charles Tounley. Adam Arroyo, who has been serving as a councilman since his appointment on June 10, 2024, steps into this election with a wealth of experience. Arroyo was appointed to fill the remaining term left vacant by Emil Garza, who assumed the position of Mayor of Cuero.
Lastly, the Cuero ISD has one school board position up for election, with Mary Jane Henson and Sean P. Douglas competing for the spot. The outcome of this election will have a significant impact on the district’s policies and direction.
As the election day approaches, the residents of DeWitt County are encouraged to stay informed about the candidates and their platforms to make well-informed decisions at the polls.
(Candidates are encouraged to contact Trisha Garcia via email at cueroonlinenews@gmail.com)
Fidencio “Danny” Martinez – November 3, 1935, to March 3, 2025 (age 89)
Fidencio “Danny” Martinez, 89, of Yorktown passed away Monday, March 3, 2025. “Danny”, as he was known by many friends in the community, was born on November 3, 1935, in Yorktown to P. A. and Lillie Mata Martinez.
Danny was a quiet strength and a tireless worker who was determined to provide for his family while indirectly showing his love and desire to give his family a fine life. His family meant more to him than anything in the world. He was unendingly proud of each one of his family members and he always did his best to support them all in their endeavors.
Anyone who knew Danny knew that he was a most loving father and husband that a family could ask for in life. Danny remained passionate about his career in the military while overseas in his early years, his life-long profession as a certified welder/boilermaker building water towers throughout the United States and applying his skills as a welder in the oil patch in South Texas and the Gulf. In his later years, he continued honing his skills, re-creating his mother’s homemade tamales for many of her established patrons in Yorktown.
He was defined not by his words but by his actions. His knowledge and guidance were the foundation of his family. He was kind, considerate and respectful to whomever came to meet him. He remained committed to doing things the right way the first time.
He is survived by his wife, Lupe F. Martinez, his children Bryan (Susan) Martinez of Edinburg, TX; Belinda (Sammy) Flores of Victoria, TX; and Cindy (Scott) Cowin of San Antonio, TX. He is also survived by his grandchildren Candace (John) DeClet, Frederick “Rico” (Mikayela) Lerma, Lucas Martinez, Eli Martinez, and great grandchildren Christopher DeClet, Sophie DeClet, Jude Lerma, Luke Lerma and Everett Lerma. He is also survived by loving sisters, Rebecca Montoya of Pleasanton, Rachael Robinson of Yorktown, and Rosie Bolenbuacher of San Antonio.
Visitation will commence at 5 pm to 7 pm on Sunday, March 9, 2025, with a rosary at 7 pm at Massey Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will commence at 10 am on Monday, March 10, 2025, at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be John DeClet, Scott Cowin, Sammy Flores, Frederick “Rico” Lerma, Lucas Martinez and Eli Martinez. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Flores Jr., Jerry Flores, Pete Flores and Christopher DeClet.
Memorials may be given to Yorktown EMS.
You are invited to sign the online guest book at www.masseyfh.com
Arrangements by Massey Funeral Home, Yorktown, Texas 361-564-2900.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Fidencio “Danny” Martinez, please visit our floral store.
Local Student Shines in Regional Spelling Bee
Cuero, TX – March 1, 2025 – Hunt Elementary School’s fourth-grade sensation, Max Leslie-Mees, has made the entire community proud by securing a spot in the top five of the Regional Spelling Bee held in Victoria, Texas.
The competition, which took place on March 1, saw students from various schools across the region come together to showcase their spelling prowess. Max, a dedicated and talented young student, demonstrated remarkable skill and composure as he spelled his way to the top five—a commendable achievement in such a highly competitive environment.
The Regional Spelling Bee is known for its challenging words and rigorous competition, making Max’s top five finish a testament to his exceptional abilities. His achievement has not only highlighted his individual talent but also brought attention to the quality of education and support provided by Hunt Elementary School.
As Max continues his academic journey, the community eagerly anticipates more of his future accomplishments. Congratulations, Max Leslie-Mees, for representing Hunt Elementary with excellence and making Cuero proud!
Measles Outbreak in Texas
The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains region of Texas. At this time, 159 cases have been identified since late January. Twenty-two of the patients have been hospitalized.
There has been one fatality in a school-aged child who lived in the outbreak area. The child was not vaccinated and had no known underlying conditions.
Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.
- Vaccination status is classified as unknown when the case investigation is still ongoing or when the person does not know if they were ever vaccinated.
- The investigations into the cases who are currently classified as vaccinated are ongoing. A dose of MMR is given to unvaccinated people within 72 hours of their exposure to the measles to lessen the severity of the illness if they get sick from their exposure to the virus. We are looking into if any of these cases received their MMR dose after exposure.
The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a vaccine against measles, which is primarily administered as the combination measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are highly effective at preventing measles.
To get vaccinated, people can go to their health care provider or a pharmacy. Vaccines are also available through the Texas Vaccines for Children and Adult Safety Net Providers. Use the maps located on the measles outbreak page to locate a TVFC or ASN provider. Pharmacies can vaccinate people 14 and older without a prescription. Children under 14 need a prescription to get the MMR vaccine at a pharmacy.
Measles Symptoms and Complications | Measles (Rubeola) | CDC
Highchairs Sold by Amazon, Walmart Recalled for Suffocation and Entrapment Risk
Costway has recalled approximately 4,400 Babyjoy highchairs due to entrapment and suffocation hazards. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has stated that the highchairs violate the federal Safe Sleep for Babies Act, as they were marketed for infant sleep and have an incline angle greater than 10 degrees. They also pose a fatal entrapment hazard due to the large opening between the seat and tray. No injuries have been reported. The recalled highchairs were sold on various online retailers between November 2022 and November 2024, and come in pink, beige, and gray models (BB5656PI, BB5656BE, BB5656GR) with specific features like a detachable tray and adjustable heights.
If you have one of the recalled highchairs, you should stop using it right away and get in touch with Costway for a full refund. You can either get a prepaid shipping label to send it back or email photos of the destroyed highchair to recall@costway.com. Once they get the chair or the photos, they’ll issue your refund. Costway is reaching out to everyone they know who bought one.
For more information or assistance, you can call them toll-free at 844-242-1885 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday, or visit their website at [Costway recall page](https://www.costway.com/recall-high-chair).
“Go Early and Go Often” — All Signs Pointing Toward Excellent Spring Wild Turkey Numbers This Season
AUSTIN —Hunters can expect to see an abundance of two-year-old gobblers and jakes setting the stage for an increase in male harvest in 2025.
Most of Texas experienced a bump in production and recruitment in 2023 and 2024, meaning hunters can expect a temporary spillover of birds into landscapes they are not always found. Gobblers are expected to spread out in search of hens, hens in search of nesting cover and young birds moving across the landscape looking for new areas to occupy.
“For spring turkey hunters, two-year-old gobblers are probably the most fun birds to hunt,” said Jason Hardin, TPWD wild turkey program leader. “They gobble readily and are not jaded by past turkey hunter efforts and near misses from previous seasons. The middle and later portions of the season usually have fewer hunters in the woods, and you never know when you will strike a tom in the mood to strut and gobble. Go early and go often.”
However, unless spring rains break current dry conditions across much of the Rio Grande wild turkey range in coming weeks, biologists expect delayed wild turkey breeding and nesting season activity this spring. When rains do return to promote green grasses and wildflowers, breeding activity will begin soon after. However, some gobblers will still be ready to start the breeding season even if the hens are not in top breeding condition.
Ten counties in the Oaks and Prairies ecoregion of Central Texas (Bastrop, Caldwell, Colorado, Fayette, Jackson, Lavaca, Lee, Matagorda, Milam and Wharton) offer a spring season from April 1–30.
At the edge of the Rio Grande wild turkey range in Texas, this landscape historically has lower numbers of wild turkeys, resulting in a spring-only seasons. Hunters are allowed a one-gobbler bag limit per county. As with all of Texas Counties with an open season, wild turkey harvest reporting is mandatory. Any and all harvested wild turkeys must be reported within 24 hours through the Texas Hunt and Fish mobile app or online.
Twelve counties in east Texas make up the East Turkey Zone including Bowie, Cass, Fannin, Grayson, Jasper, Lamar, Marion, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Red River and Sabine. There is a one-gobbler bag limit for the entire East Turkey Zone and again mandatory harvest reporting is required within 24 hours of harvest.
Hunters who purchased a digital Super Combo license have a digital tagging option. All hunters who chose to use the digital tagging option must report their wild turkey at the time of harvest and harvest data must be attached to the harvested turkey. Rules and guidance associated with the new digital tagging option can be found on the TPWD website.
The data obtained from these harvest reports help TPWD better manage the Texas turkey population. TPWD encourages turkey hunters to learn about and share these new rules with fellow turkey hunters and landowners in counties with an open turkey season to help TPWD keep tabs on these populations.
“Thank you to all hunters who harvested a fall turkey and reported the bird through TPWD’s Texas Hunt & Fish App,” said Hardin “Harvest reporting is now mandatory statewide for all harvested wild turkeys. This data is critical to the short and long-term management of wild turkeys in Texas.”
TPWD reminds hunters to review the Outdoor Annual before opening day to ensure they are hunting during the legal season and pursuing legal birds. Hunters can check the TPWD website for exact season dates for the county where they plan to hunt. Hunters must possess an Upland Game Bird Stamp Endorsement to hunt wild turkeys in Texas.
The spring season dates are as follows:
Youth Only
Rio Grande: North Zone: March 22-23; May 17-18
Rio Grande: South Zone: March 8-9; May 3-4
Spring Regular Season
North Zone: March 29-May 11
South Zone: March 15-April 27
Special One Turkey Bag Limit: April 1-30
East Zone: April 22–May 14
Additional information about harvest reporting, bag limits and more can be found in the Outdoor Annual or via the Outdoor Annual app. Apps are available for free download from Google Play or the App Store.
Lillian Fojtik, October 12, 1946 – February 18, 2025 (78)
MOULTON: Lillian Fojtik, age 78, passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2025. She was born October 12, 1946, in Shiner to Adolph Frank and Bessie (Stary) Dlouhy.
Lillian married Steve Fojtik in 1973, and they enjoyed 52 years of marriage. She was a child-care provider for years. She was a great cook and had many lady friends to whom she spoke on a daily basis. She also enjoyed spending time on her ipad. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Moulton, a member of Catholic Daughters and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Survivors: husband, Steve Fojtik; brother, Alvin Dlouhy of Victoria; sisters, Dorothy Fishbeck of Victoria and Frances Brotze of Victoria; nieces, Stephanie (Robert) Fojtik, Michelle Fojtik (Dale) and numerous nieces and nephews; great-nephew Dennis Fojtik, Jr.
Preceded in death by parents.
Visitation at 9 a.m., Saturday, March 29, 2025, followed by a Rosary at 10 a.m., and a Celebration of Life following the Rosary at Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home.
Arrangements by Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home 361-293-5656.
Dorothy Boiser, December 27, 1943- February 28, 2025 (81)
WACO: Dorothy Boiser, 81, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2025. Born on December 27, 1943, in Shiner, Texas, to Everett Reed Sr. and Anna Clark Reed, Dorothy embraced life with love, laughter, and a deep dedication to her family.
Dorothy’s kind heart and generous nature touched everyone she met. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures—expressing her creativity through arts and crafts, losing herself in the melodies of her favorite music, and, most of all, cherishing time with her children and grandchildren. Her love knew no bounds, and she gave selflessly to those she held dear.
Dorothy’s kindness extended far beyond her family, touching the lives of many in her community through quiet acts of generosity and an ever-present welcoming spirit. Her warm smile and gentle presence left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Though she is no longer with us, Dorothy’s memory will live on in the hearts of those she loved. Her spirit of kindness, love, and compassion will continue to inspire generations to come. May she rest in peace.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Everett Reed Sr. and Anna Clark Reed; her husband, Robert Boiser Sr.; her beloved son, Trinity Boiser; her sister, Beulah Clark; and her brother, Wilbur Reed Sr. Dorothy leaves behind a loving legacy carried on by her sons, Robert and Anthony Boiser; her grandchildren, April, Marie, and Jennifer Boiser; Brieanna Taylor; Gwendolyn Moreno, Krissi Flipse; Stevie Boiser; Kip Ward; Robert Bradford; Anthony Boiser Jr.; and Ashton Boiser; as well as twenty great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sisters, Cloma Colter, Anna Reed Green, Alice DeVoe, Rosie Foley, and Callie Reed, along with her brother, Everett Reed.
Funeral Service 1 p.m., Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home with Pastor Dwayne Arkadie officiating. Burial to follow at Bluebonnet Cemetery in Shiner, next to her beloved husband Robert.
Arrangements entrusted to Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home, 361-293-5656.
Allan James Grahmann, October 8, 1965 – March 2, 2025 (59)
HALLETTSVILLE: Allan James Grahmann, 59, was called home Sunday, March 2, 2025. He was born October 8, 1965, in Hallettsville to Sylvester and Mildred (Zappe) Grahmann.
He was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and graduated as the Valedictorian from Sacred Heart High School in 1984. He loved God, his family, the land, his cattle and his two grandchildren. For those who knew Allan, knew he was born to be a rancher and enjoyed all of it. He was also employed by Walmart. May he rest in peace.
Survivors are his wife of 35 years, Jaime (Janca) Grahmann; daughter, Haylee Grahmann; son Dylan Grahmann and wife Kaitlin; two grandchildren, Jake and Millie Grahmann; sister, Janice Logan and husband Pat; numerous extended family and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents, Sylvester and Mildred Grahmann; brother, Glenn Grahmann.
Visitation 12 noon with Rosary recited at 1 p.m. and Funeral Mass at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rev. Michael Rother officiating. Burial to follow at County Line Cemetery. (6316 FM 682, Yoakum, Texas 77995).
Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic School or the SHINE Program at Sacred Heart School.
Arrangements by Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home, 361-293-5656.