Cuero, TX | September 17, 2025 — The Pilot Club of Cuero is making waves—and making a difference—in the lives of young people across DeWitt County. In a bold and compassionate move, the club recently partnered with Cuero ISD to host a community-wide mental health awareness event that brought national speakers, local counselors, and hundreds of students together under one powerful message: STOP. TALK. OVERCOME. PAIN.
The event was the vision of Projects Coordinator Laura Carnes, whose commitment to mental health advocacy inspired the club to bring the nationally recognized STOP Global program to Cuero. Working alongside fellow coordinator Pam Lester, Carnes helped organize a multi-site experience that included a public gathering at Gobbler Stadium and a high-impact presentation at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) for junior high and high school students.
The event featured speakers Brenda, Jonah, and Austin—each sharing personal stories of resilience, recovery, and the power of speaking up. Austin’s electrifying presence at the PAC left a lasting impression, with students and staff describing the energy as “unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.”
Mental health professionals were also on hand to remind students that trained counselors are available at every Cuero ISD campus. The goal: to ensure that no student walks through hard times without support.
The Pilot Club of Cuero has long championed awareness around traumatic brain injuries and brain-related disorders. But with mental health challenges rising among youth, the club felt a deeper calling to expand its mission.
“So many of us have been affected—whether personally or through someone we love,” said Lester. “It’s time to break the silence, shatter the stigma, and create safe spaces for healing.”
The STOP Global initiative aligns with the club’s broader goals of education, advocacy, and community resilience. By bringing this event to Cuero, the Pilot Club has not only sparked important conversations—it’s planted seeds of hope.
Organizers say this is just the beginning. Plans are underway to continue mental health programming throughout the school year, with additional partnerships and student-led initiatives in development.
For now, the message is clear: Cuero is listening. Cuero is healing. And Cuero is ready to talk.
SHINER: Dolores Ann Leared, 77, passed away Sunday, September 14, 2025. She was born September 1, 1948 in Shiner to the late Frank and Henrietta (Polasek) Streng.
Dolores graduated from St. Ludmila High School and became a LVN nurse. She received her nursing license and moved to Houston and later to Tomball where she worked as a nurse in hospitals and for Dr.’s offices for many years until returning to Shiner to take care of her elderly parents. Dolores was a member of Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, was extraordinary Eucharistic minister and served the homebound ministry. She was secretary to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, was a helper for kindergarten CCD, member of Catholic Daughters and assisted with the church cleaning. She was also a volunteer for Hospice of South Texas.
Survivors are her son, Jack Leared Jr. and wife Monica of Hockley; five grandchildren, Bryce Leared, Jake Leared and Teagan Leared, Abigail Jenkins and Hannah Minnis; brother, Gene Streng of Georgia; sister-in-law, Carol Streng and niece, Allison Franklin, husband Will and their children, Andy and Maggie of Shiner; extended family and friends.
Preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Henrietta Streng.
Rosary recited at 1 p.m., with Funeral Mass at 1:30 p.m., Friday, September 19, 2025 at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church with Rev. Aaron Padilla officiating. Burial to follow at Shiner Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church or Catholic Daughters.
In a swift and decisive move, Nexstar Media Group, Inc. announced today that its ABC affiliates will preempt the airing of Jimmy Kimmel Live! beginning tonight, citing “offensive and insensitive” remarks made by the late-night host regarding the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The announcement, issued via press release and signed by Andrew Alford, President of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, signals a rare rebuke of a high-profile network personality. “We believe in fostering respectful and constructive discourse, especially in politically charged moments,” Alford stated. “Mr. Kimmel’s comments failed to meet that standard.”
While the press release did not quote Kimmel directly, the decision comes amid mounting backlash from viewers and political figures who condemned the host’s remarks as inflammatory and dismissive of the tragedy surrounding Kirk’s death. Kirk, a polarizing figure in national politics and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on September 10 during a campus event at Utah Valley University.
The controversy stems from remarks Kimmel made during Monday’s monologue, in which he referenced Kirk’s death with what critics described as “mocking indifference.” While the exact wording has not been released, multiple sources say Kimmel joked about Kirk’s legacy and questioned whether his death would “really change anything.” The backlash was swift, particularly from conservative commentators and Kirk’s supporters, who accused Kimmel of trivializing political violence.
What began as a media firestorm over tone and timing escalated into something far more serious today, as new details emerged about the man accused of killing Kirk. The gravity of the situation deepened with the formal charging of Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect arrested in connection with the Utah shooting.
Robinson, a white male from Washington, Utah, was raised in a strict religious and politically conservative household. His father, Matt Robinson, is a 27-year veteran of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. Investigators say Robinson had no political affiliation and had never voted. After moving out, he began questioning the values he was raised with, reportedly telling his roommate—a transgender individual—that he was “tired of all the hate Kirk spewed.”
The nature of their relationship remains unclear. While some outlets describe it as romantic, others say it was platonic. Utah Governor Spencer Cox referred to the roommate as Robinson’s “boyfriend,” but investigators have not confirmed that characterization.
In text messages obtained by authorities, Robinson wrote: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out,” referring to Charlie Kirk. His actions appear less rooted in ideology than in personal anguish and disillusionment. According to his mother’s statement to police, Robinson “broke” after leaving home and began questioning the values he was raised with. The FBI has not confirmed a political motive, and the Utah County Attorney has declined to speculate beyond the documented evidence.
With the criminal case unfolding, Nexstar’s decision now sits at the center of a broader debate over media responsibility, political bias, and the boundaries of satire in an increasingly polarized landscape.
The decision also raises questions about editorial independence and the role of corporate oversight in shaping public discourse. As media conglomerates navigate the tension between free expression and community standards, Nexstar’s action may set a precedent for how networks respond to controversial content—especially when it touches raw political nerves.
Whether this signals a temporary suspension or a longer-term fallout for Kimmel remains to be seen. For now, viewers tuning in tonight will find something else in his place—and a media landscape grappling with the consequences of words spoken too sharply, too soon.
Elisa Barbontin Gutierrez, 62, of Cuero, passed away on Monday, September 15, 2025. She was born on March 27, 1963, to the late Nazario and Santos Maria Barbontin in Cuero. Elisa was a homemaker and loved spending time with her family. She loved her grandchildren to the moon and back.
Elisa is survived by her husband; sons, Charlie (Maria) Martinez Sr. and Joe Louis Martinez; sisters, Ramona Arzate, Maria (Ruben) Garcia, Rosemary (Daylon) Miller, and Eva Squires; brothers, John (Gloria) Barbontin, Frank Barbontin, Joe (Josie) Barbontin, Paul (Laura) Barbontin, Michael (Wendy) Barbontin, and Adam Barbontin; 16 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Bartholo Martinez Jr. and Mario Lee Martinez; and brothers, Nazario Barbontin, August Barbontin, and Jesse Barbontin.
Visitation will begin at 9 am on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Freund Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 10 am. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery.
Pallbearers include Selena Lynn Martinez, Michael Barbontin Jr, Pete Barbontin, Frank Aarron Barbontin, Brian Barbontin, and July Arzate. Honorary pallbearers include Ezio Lee Martinez, Aydith Margarito, and Mario Medina.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Freund Funeral Home to help defray funeral expenses.
WEESATCHE: Robert “BOB” Long, 91, of Weesatche passed away Thursday, September 11, 2025. He was born March 27, 1934 to Walter Floyd and Ruth Starr Long. Memorial service 11:00 am Friday, September 19, 2025 at First Baptist Church of Yorktown. Memorials may be given to First Baptist Church of Yorktown or donor’s choice.
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 Robert Long, please visit our floral store.
SHINER: Lonnie B. Taylor Sr, 70, entered his sunset Sunday, September 14, 2025. He was born November 13, 1954 in Shiner to the late Moses and Vera (Clark) Harper.
He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and was baptized at a early age. He has been a lifetime member of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Shiner, Texas, serving as a trustee in mostly all positions.
Lonnie, affectionately known as “Chippy,” dedicated 39 years of service to Spoetzel Brewery, where he worked as a truck driver and in the keg room with pride and reliability. On May 21, 1979, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Dilworth. Together, they welcomed three children into their lives, and Chippy also lovingly embraced three more as his own. He treated each of us with equal love, care, and respect—never drawing lines, always showing up with a full heart.
He leaves to cherish his loving memories, his children, Timothy Finch (Susan), Lonnie B. Taylor Jr. (Michelle), Ynita Shantaye Taylor (Charles), Dominque D. Taylor (Daryl), Virgil Dilworth (Lisa), Patricia Ann Dilworth (Domingo); step-children, Barbara “Hen” Curtis, Clinton R. Curtis (Tracy), Lisa Curtis, Rodney Curtis, Lawanda Wright, and Kenzley Wright Sr.; sister, Lillie Price; brother, Haywood Harper; 58 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; special partner Laura Evans; a host of extended family and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Ann Dilworth Taylor; son, Russell Lynn Dilworth; 2 grandsons, Traven Taylor and Julian Stovall; 3 brothers, Earl Anderson, Ray Harper and Depthome Taylor; sister, Josie Mae Anderson; 2 wonderful companions, Verna Curtis and Lenora Gibbons.
Visitation 10 a.m. with Funeral Service at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home with burial to follow at Bluebonnet Cemetery in Shiner.
From September 15 to October 15, communities across the nation observe Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to recognize the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic Americans. In Cuero, Texas, this month carries special meaning as Cuero Online News honors the life and legacy of David L. Ruiz, a beloved public servant, faith leader, and advocate for the underserved.
David Ruiz, who passed away in November 2023, embodied the spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month through decades of tireless service. Born and raised in Cuero, Ruiz served six years on the Cuero City Council, where he championed inclusive policies and helped bring the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to the area—an effort that expanded local employment and infrastructure. He was also instrumental in founding the Cuero Youth Center, creating a safe and empowering space for young people.
His civic engagement extended beyond city hall. Ruiz led voter registration drives that earned recognition from Governor Ann Richards, and he served as a delegate to the Texas Democratic Convention, ensuring that Cuero’s voice was heard at the state level.
But Ruiz’s impact wasn’t limited to politics. As a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, he guided the bereavement committee, organized funeral dinners, and supported families during their most difficult moments. He also served as Scout Master for Troop 244, president of the Annual Jamaica Festival, and a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, helping expand housing access for those in need.
Whether driving a school bus for Cuero ISD, running his local bait shop, or mentoring youth, David Ruiz lived a life of quiet leadership and unwavering compassion. His legacy is a reminder that Hispanic heritage is not just about cultural pride—it’s about service, stewardship, and standing up for those without a voice.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, Cuero Online News honors David L. Ruiz not only for what he did, but for how he did it—with humility, faith, and fierce dedication to his community. His story is Cuero’s story, and his legacy continues to inspire.
Correction: [instead of city replaced with Cuero Online News] – Sept 16, 2025 @10:13pm
In the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Republican leadership and right-wing media outlets leaned hard on a familiar scapegoat: “the left.” The implication was swift and politically convenient—liberals, Democrats, LGBTQ individuals, and racial minorities were blamed for the ideological chaos. But this framing isn’t just lazy. It’s a calculated deflection from the real fracture threatening not only our country but the Republican Party: its own internal war. People keep forgetting the left is the party pushing for gun control. We’re the party who are outraged that children are being killed because Republicans don’t want to discuss gun control. And yet Pam Bondi and mainstream media are blaming the radical left. WE DON’T HAVE A RADICAL LEFT.
If by “radical left” they mean the faction within the Republican Party itself, then they’re absolutely right. But blaming Democrats creates a dangerous ideological disconnect-especially given what’s unfolding in the media around Kirk’s assassination. The Republican President, a Republican-led FBI, and right-leaning media outlets are spinning this narrative to deflect responsibility and redirect public outrage. It’s a calculated misdirection, and frankly, I shouldn’t be surprised given the way in which President Trump made accusation without evidence.
Mainstream coverage did not rush to unpack the ideological feud behind Kirk’s death. Early reports leaned on vague references to “political violence,” while MAGA-aligned voices flooded social media with cries of “Civil War.” Within hours, critics of Kirk were doxxed, harassed, and in some cases fired from their jobs. Bomb threats targeted several universities with predominantly minority student populations. The tactics weren’t just punitive—they were ideological enforcement, punishing anyone who refused to conform to the movement’s increasingly rigid Christian nationalist framework and its dangerous march toward authoritarian control.
(Pictured left to Right Pepe the Frog, Taylor Robinson and Nick Fuentes) Robinson left behind cultural traces and digital cues that suggest proximity to Groyper ideology, but not formal affiliation. Clearly more evidence linking him to White Christian Nationalist circles versus anything resembling leftist or Democratic ideology. The breadcrumbs are clear: meme references, online behavior, and symbolic gestures that echo Groyper culture. But there’s no manifesto, no formal membership, and no declared ideology. It’s not a smoking gun—it’s a residue trail. The kind that extremist movements specialize in irony, plausible deniability, and cultural signaling that’s just loud enough to be recognized, but quiet enough to be denied.
Rep. Chip Roy and other Republicans have ramped up efforts to discredit the Southern Poverty Law Center—especially after SPLC included Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA in its latest report on hate and extremism. Rather than confronting the documented rise of far-right and white nationalist movements, they’ve flipped the narrative: accusing SPLC of being part of an anti-American agenda. It’s a calculated tactic, designed not to challenge extremism but to silence one of the few organizations still tracking it. In this reversal, SPLC isn’t just criticized—they’re blamed for the very hate they expose.
Meanwhile, Utah Governor Spencer Cox stood beside FBI officials and admitted what many were privately thinking: “I kept praying, please don’t let it be one of our own.” His words—raw and revealing—acknowledged the uncomfortable possibility that the shooter might be white, conservative, and ideologically adjacent to Kirk himself.
It wasn’t until independent and international outlets began reporting on social media speculation that the public learned of Tyler Robinson’s alleged ties to Nick Fuentes and the Groyper movement—a faction that had long branded Kirk a traitor to their extremist cause. Whether mainstream media deliberately withheld this context or simply failed to investigate, the result was a dangerously incomplete narrative. The truth isn’t just inconvenient—it’s deeply unsettling.
Robinson’s bullet casings were inscribed with cryptic messages drawn from far-right meme culture, including antifascist references that Groypers have co-opted and distorted. His social media history included coded language and visual cues associated with Groyper subculture. He also appeared in a Facebook photo mimicking the “Slav squat” pose popularized by 4chan, wearing a black Adidas tracksuit—a visual echo of the Pepe-style frog imagery Groypers use to signal affiliation. While law enforcement has not confirmed formal membership, these symbols, references, and Robinson’s documented disdain for Kirk align with the Groyper movement’s long-standing hostility toward him.
Yet instead of connecting these dots, mainstream media gave airtime to Fuentes’s denial—allowing him to claim he was being “framed” by the press, while ignoring his years of inciting hostility toward Kirk and encouraging followers to disrupt his events. Why aren’t they taking that into consideration. Kirk and Fuentes had bad history together. Authorities have the proof, but nah! it’s much easier to blame it on the Democrats. This wasn’t just a missed opportunity for truth—it was a failure of editorial courage.
The Groypers didn’t just emerge from MAGA—they’ve been at war with it. Led by white nationalist Nick Fuentes, they’ve spent years heckling Kirk at Turning Point USA events, accusing him of being too moderate, too pro-Israel, and too inclusive. Kirk wasn’t targeted by political opponents across the aisle. It wasn’t Democrats or liberals who followed him from campus to campus, disrupting events and sowing chaos. He was targeted by extremists within his own ideological neighborhood. This wasn’t fringe-on-fringe violence. It was ideological cannibalism.
Republican elites continue to weaponize the term “left” as a catch-all for dissent. In their rhetorical shell game, anyone who challenges the party’s radical flank becomes “the left”—even if they’re lifelong Republican conservatives. This tactic masks a deeper truth: the GOP is hemorrhaging unity, and the most dangerous insurgents aren’t Democrats—they’re Republicans who’ve abandoned any pretense of shared values.
By refusing to name their own extremists, Republican leaders protect their base while scapegoating the opposition. And the media plays along, parroting the “leftist threat” while ignoring the right-wing purges happening in plain sight. Kirk’s death becomes sanitized: a lone extremist, a tragic loss, and no reckoning.
The truth is more complicated. Charlie Kirk wasn’t killed by political enemies from the other side—he was targeted by people from within his own movement. This wasn’t about Democrats vs. Republicans. It was a sign of deep division inside the Republican Party itself. If the media wants to be honest, they need to stop blaming outsiders and start telling the real story: the Republican Party is so divided it’s begun to devour its own.
What investigators are saying: Pam Bondi’s rush to label Robinson a product of “leftist ideology” isn’t just premature—it’s politically convenient. With no manifesto, no group affiliation, and no coherent belief system, the accusation rests on cultural shorthand, not evidence. This is how the term “leftist” gets weaponized: not to describe a worldview, but to trigger fear. It’s a distraction tactic, and it masks a deeper fracture within the GOP itself.
By scapegoating the SPLC and invoking vague ideological threats, they’re not fighting extremism. They’re enabling it.
CUERO, TX — The Restoration Foundation Celebration is bringing back one of Cuero’s most uplifting traditions: the Gospel Fest, now entering its fourth year. Set for Friday, October 11, the event promises an afternoon filled with inspiring music, local vendors, and joyful fellowship at the Friar Ag Center.
Running from 1:00 PM to 6:30 PM, the day kicks off with vendor booths open from 1:00 to 2:30 PM, offering attendees a chance to shop, connect, and support local businesses. The main program begins at 2:30 PM, featuring a lineup of gospel performances and entertainment designed to restore the mind, body, and soul.
Organizers describe the event as a “joyful restoration,” inviting families, faith communities, and music lovers to come together in celebration. The Gospel Fest is part of Day 2 of the Restoration Foundation Celebration, a multi-day event focused on healing, unity, and spiritual renewal.
Held at the Friar Ag Center, located off US Highway 87 in Cuero, the venue offers ample space for attendees to enjoy the festivities in a welcoming and spirited atmosphere.
More details, including the performance lineup and vendor list, will be released as the event approaches. For updates, follow local community boards or contact the Restoration Foundation directly.
Mark your calendars—this is one celebration you won’t want to miss. 🎶
