Property Values in DeWitt County increase by 10% As County Officials propose Giving Themselves a Raise For Fiscal Year 2024-2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cuero, Texas – As DeWitt County officials prepare their budget for 2025, it has become abundantly clear that costs are on the rise. The overall property values in DeWitt County have increased by 10% this year. Commissioners Court will discuss and vote on the new budget and tax rate at a public hearing scheduled for August 26, 2024, at 9 a.m.
A public hearing is scheduled to discuss the proposed tax collection rate for 2024 and county budget for fiscal year 2024- 2025. According to the DeWitt County Public Notice, county officials propose to give themselves a raise. The proposed salary increases are as follows:
- County Judge: $89,320 (an increase of $2,602)
- County Clerk: $84,357 (an increase of $2,457)
- District Clerk: $84,357 (an increase of $2,457)
- Justice of the Peace Precinct #1: $78,309 (an increase of $2,281)
- Justice of the Peace Precinct #2: $78,309 (an increase of $2,281)
- County Treasurer: $84,357 (an increase of $2,457)
- Tax Assessor/Collector: $84,357 (an increase of $2,457)
- County Attorney: $86,196 (an increase of $2,511), State Supplement $25,666 (an increase of $2,333)
- County Constable Precinct #1: $30,677 (an increase of $894)
- County Constable Precinct #2: $30,677 (an increase of $894)
- Sheriff: $84,357 (an increase of $2,457), Rural Sheriff’s Office Grant – $8,436 (an increase of $8,436)
- County Commissioners #1, #2, #3, #4: $84,357, (an increase of $2,457 which includes the recently voted-in Commissioner)
Residents are encouraged to attend and participate in the discussion. This is an opportunity for the community to voice their opinions and concerns regarding the proposed budget and tax rate.
JUDGES SALARIES AND HOW THEY COMPARE WITH OTHER TEXAS COUNTIES WITH SIMILAR POPULATION
SHERIFF SALARIES AND HOW THEY COMPARE WITH OTHER TEXAS COUNTIES WITH SIMILAR POPULATION
AUDITORS SALARIES AND HOW THEY COMPARE WITH OTHER TEXAS COUNTIES WITH SIMILAR POPULATION
COUNTY CLERK SALARIES AND HOW THEY COMPARE WITH OTHER TEXAS COUNTIES WITH SIMILAR POPULATION
DISTRICT CLERK SALARIES AND HOW THEY COMPARE WITH OTHER TEXAS COUNTIES WITH SIMILAR POPULATION
TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR SALARIES AND HOW THEY COMPARE WITH OTHER TEXAS COUNTIES WITH SIMILAR POPULATION
COMMISSIONERS SALARIES AND HOW THEY COMPARE WITH OTHER TEXAS COUNTIES WITH SIMILAR POPULATION
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE SALARIES AND HOW THEY COMPARE WITH OTHER TEXAS COUNTIES WITH SIMILAR POPULATION
CONSTABLES SALARIES AND HOW THEY COMPARE WITH OTHER TEXAS COUNTIES WITH SIMILAR POPULATION
*SOURCE: TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES 2024 SALARIES SURVEY
Democratic Women Hold Postcard To Voters Party Sunday August 11, 2024 !!!
The Democratic Women of Dewitt and Lavaca Counties extend an invitation to those interested in assisting with writing to voters about our candidates. We welcome you to join us on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at 1 pm, in the party room of Maya’s Restaurant in Cuero, Texas.
We’ll provide postcards, pens, and writing samples. Bring along a friend! Make an effort to come and encourage others who might be interested in helping. It’s important that we write and send off the postcards promptly.
We will also have a short meeting.
Fatal Explosion leads to $1,000,000 lawsuit filed in the 135th District Court
A lawsuit seeking $1,000,000.00 in damages has been filed in the 135th District Court of DeWitt County. Plaintiffs for the case names the widow and minor children of 41-year-old Larry Kevin Hendricks of Beeville, who tragically lost his life May 17, 2024, in the explosion at the Advantek Waste Management Services L.L.C. oilfield saltwater disposal plant.
The massive explosion led to the evacuation of Westhoff residents as firefighters from Westhoff, Nixon, Yorktown, and Cuero labored for hours to put out the blaze and secure the area after the explosion.
Defendants named in the lawsuit are Advantek Waste Management Services, LLC; Advantek Eagleford, LLC; Drillwell, LLC., Total Safety U.S., Inc; Trillium OTR, LLC; and Victor Blanco individually.
Curtis Wayne Fitzgerald, II from Corpus Christi, Texas is the attorney representing the Hendrick family. Attorneys for the defendants are Edward J. Hennessy, Chaz Klaes, Kevin Robinowitz of Dallas, Texas.
The DeWitt County Justice of the Peace ordered an autopsy for Larry Kevin Hendricks, and the investigation into the explosion’s cause is ongoing. Larry Kevin Hendricks, aged 41, died on Friday, May 17, 2024. Born on July 3, 1982, he leaves behind his wife, Charlotte Hendricks of Beeville; sons, Tristan Hendricks of Joaquin and Mikah Hendricks of Beeville; and daughter, Avery Hendricks of Beeville.
Mount Airy Man Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy Charge For $1 Million Cattle Theft Scheme
Friday, August 2, 2024
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of North Carolina
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – William Dalton Edwards, 25, of Mount Airy, N.C., pleaded guilty today to a conspiracy charge for his role in a $1 million scheme involving the theft of livestock, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Miles B. Davis, Special Agent in Charge, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA-OIG), Southeast Region, Jason Byrnes, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Charlotte Field Office, Donald “Trey” Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Charlotte Field Office, Sheriff Alan Norman of the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Darren Campbell of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to plea documents and the plea hearing, from April 2018 to October 2022, Edwards conspired with another person to defraud livestock markets, also known as sales barns, in Iredell and Cleveland Counties, North Carolina, and in Texas, Oklahoma, and Virginia. The investigation determined that, on multiple occasions during the relevant time frame, Edwards and his coconspirator purchased cattle from sales barns in North Carolina and wrote checks to pay for the cattle. Edwards and his coconspirator wrote such checks knowing they were worthless, since there were insufficient funds to cover the checks and pay for the cattle.
According to court records, Edwards and his coconspirator arranged to transport the cattle out-of-state before the defrauded sales barns and financial institutions could determine their checks were worthless. The stolen cattle were then resold in Texas and Oklahoma. Over the course of the scheme, Edwards and his co-conspirator fraudulently obtained more than 3,000 head of cattle and caused over $1 million in losses to sales barns in North Carolina, Virginia and Texas. The sales barns—which are family-owned in North Carolina—incurred these losses because they are required to pay farmers and ranchers immediately after the sale of their livestock.
Edwards pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States and to violate the laws of the United States. One of the objects of the charged conspiracy was to hamper and impede the Packers and Stockyard Division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in its regulation of fair livestock markets. Other objects of the conspiracy included a scheme to obtain funds under the custody and control of federally insured financial institutions through false statements and representations; to steal livestock valued at more than $10,000; and to transport stolen livestock in interstate commerce.
The statutory maximum for the charged offense is five years in prison, and any restitution or fines ordered by the Court at sentencing. Edwards is released on bond. A sentencing date has not been sent.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the USDA-OIG, the U.S. Secret Service, IRS-CI, and the Cleveland and Iredell County Sheriff’s Offices for their investigation of the case. U.S. Attorney King also thanked the Stanly County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Savage of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.
Cuero Municipal Library Hosts Joyful End of Summer Bash
July 31, 2024
Cuero, Texas – The Cuero Municipal Library hosted a delightful End of Summer Bash that brought smiles and laughter to the community. The event took place downtown on the library’s lawn, where children and their families gathered to celebrate the end of the summer season.
The highlight of the day was the bubble play area, where children gleefully ran through streams of bubbles, cooling down in the summer heat. The lawn was filled with the sound of children’s laughter and giggles as they enjoyed the refreshing activity. Parents watched with smiles, delighted to see their little ones having so much fun.
The event was a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and enjoy a day of outdoor play and community bonding. The Cuero Municipal Library’s End of Summer Bash was a resounding success, leaving everyone with cherished memories of a joyful day spent with friends and neighbors.
They celebrated the conclusion of the Municipal Library summer reading program and announced the winners of the Summer Reading Challenge:
ADULTS:
1st- Amy Gonzales
2nd- Jacqueline Villagomez
3rd- Tracy Pressler
TEENS:
1st- Enoch Sullinger
2nd – Kadiyah Sullinger
3rd – Emery Smart
TWEENS:
1st – Dominic Bentz
2nd – Deria Griffin
3rd – Naviah Leonard
Children:
1st – Benedict Bentz
2nd – Rose Bentz
3rd – Kylee Henry
August 9-10 CUERO OPEN PRO RODEO: EXCITEMENT AWAITS!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cuero, Texas – Get ready for an action-packed weekend at the Cuero Open Pro Rodeo, taking place on August 9-10, 2024, at 8 PM nightly. This thrilling event promises to deliver top-notch rodeo entertainment for the whole family.
Event Details:
- Dates: August 9-10, 2024
- Time: 8 PM nightly
- Location: Rodeo Arena City Park –Cuero, Texas
Rodeo Events:
- Bareback Bronc Riding
- Calf Scramble (Kids Event)
- Bull Riding
- Tie Down Calf Roping
- Girl’s Breakaway Roping
- Saddle Bronc Riding
- Team Roping (Enter Twice)
- Ladies Barrel Racing (Jackpot Each Night)
- Drill Teams
- Specialty Act
Produced by Lester Morrow, this event promises great family entertainment. For more information, please call 830-997-1864.
Don’t miss out on the excitement and fun at the Cuero Open Pro Rodeo! Mark your calendars and join in on an unforgettable experience.
