YOAKUM: Roberto “Tito” Maciel, 72 of Yoakum was called home to Heaven on Oct 6, 2025. He was born on Dec 31, 1952, to Macedonio and Maria Maciel.
Robert started working at a young age and he did not shy away from hard work. He was a long-time road construction worker with Clark Construction of Texas. Robert enjoyed meeting people and talking and making friends. His good friends knew him as Festus. He lived life on his own terms with no regrets. In his retirement he enjoyed the simple things. He liked movies, lottery scratch-offs and fried chicken.
Robert is survived by his son Robert Maciel Jr. and granddaughter Halen; brothers: Frank Maciel (Jill), David Maciel (Rebecca), Alex Maciel, and sisters: Paula Ramirez, Rose Mata (David), Josie Garcia, Mila Nolte (James), Mary Loa (Daniel), Celia Mauric, Helen Soto and Dobie Johnson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Macedonio and Maria Maciel, brothers: Maurice (Bubba) Andrew Maciel Sr., Macedonio (Junior) Maciel Jr., Thomas R. Maciel; sisters: Manuela (Dorothy) Sanchez, and Alice (Honda) Nunez and his Ride or Die cousin and best friend Fernando Mata.
Family visitation will begin at 1:00 pm., Oct 25, 2025, at Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home, followed by Funeral Service at 2:00 pm. with Deacon Dennis Kutach officiating.
Proposition 10 – Property Tax Relief for Disaster Victims
Summary:Grants property tax exemptions for homes and structures damaged or destroyed by natural disasters.
✅ Pros:
Provides financial relief to families recovering from fires, floods, or hurricanes.
Encourages rebuilding and community stability.
Recognizes the hardship of disaster survivors.
❌ Cons:
Reduces local revenue for schools and emergency services.
May create inconsistencies in tax assessments across counties.
Could be exploited without strict damage verification.
🗳️ Proposition 11 – School Choice Voucher Expansion
Summary:Expands access to state-funded education vouchers for families choosing private or charter schools.
✅ Pros:
Empowers parents to choose the best educational fit for their children.
Increases competition and innovation in education.
Supports students in underperforming districts.
❌ Cons:
Diverts funding from public schools, especially in rural areas.
Lacks accountability for private institutions receiving public funds.
Could deepen educational inequality.
🗳️ Proposition 12 – Renewable Energy Incentives
Summary:Offers tax breaks and funding for solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects across Texas.
✅ Pros:
Promotes clean energy and reduces carbon emissions.
Supports job growth in emerging energy sectors.
Helps Texas diversify its energy economy.
❌ Cons:
May disadvantage oil and gas industries central to Texas’s economy.
Could raise costs for rural utilities and consumers.
Risk of uneven implementation without statewide oversight.
🗳️ Proposition 13 – Election Integrity Measures
Summary:Adds voter ID requirements and mandates post-election audits for statewide elections.
✅ Pros:
Aims to strengthen public trust in election outcomes.
Standardizes audit procedures across counties.
Addresses concerns about voter fraud.
❌ Cons:
Could suppress turnout among elderly, disabled, and low-income voters.
Adds administrative costs and complexity to local elections.
May be used to justify restrictive voting laws.
Proposition 14 – Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Summary:Creates a state-funded institute dedicated to dementia research and prevention, allocating $3 billion from Texas’s general revenue over 10 years.
✅ Pros:
Establishes a long-term commitment to fighting Alzheimer’s and related diseases, which affect over 450,000 older Texans.
Supports medical innovation, early detection, and care strategies that could reduce long-term healthcare costs.
Backed by the Alzheimer’s Association and public health advocates as a proactive investment in aging populations.
❌ Cons:
Pulls $3 billion from the general fund without offsetting cuts, potentially increasing future tax burdens.
Creates a new government-controlled entity with limited legislative oversight.
Critics argue it duplicates existing federal research efforts and risks bureaucratic inefficiency.
Official Explanatory Statement
You can read the full legal summary from the Texas Secretary of State here: 2025 Explanatory Statements (PDF)
Editor’s Note:
These are propositions 10, 11, 12, 13, & 14 in a multi-part series examining the 17 constitutional amendments on Texas’s November ballot.
Check back tomorrow as Cuero Online News breaks down more Propositions giving voters the facts they need to make informed decisions before heading to the polls.
CUERO, TX — A trailer hauling hay bales caught fire Monday afternoon on Highway 77A near Lockhart Cemetery Road, prompting a swift response from local emergency crews and a temporary road closure.
The blaze began under unknown circumstances around 4:45 PM and sent thick smoke across the highway and adjacent fields. Firefighters from the Cuero Volunteer Fire Department and DeWitt County Emergency Services responded to the scene and worked to contain the flames and prevent further spread.
Authorities urged drivers to avoid the area and use alternate routes. A spokesperson from the DeWitt County Sheriff’s Office stated, “For your safety and theirs, please steer clear of Highway 77A near Lockhart Cemetery Road. Give emergency responders the space they need to work.”
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remained under investigation as of Monday evening.
Residents nearby reported hearing loud popping sounds and seeing flames engulf the trailer. The hay bales, stacked high and tightly packed, intensified the fire and complicated containment efforts due to their flammability and density.
Traffic was rerouted, and officials indicated that updates would be provided as more information became available.
Sherrie Lynne Blank 66, of Victoria, passed away Thursday, October 9, 2025. She was born November 8, 1958, in Roseville, CA to Ed and Patsy (Melton) Cates.
Sherrie is survived by her children Patricia (Sam) Saunders, Rene (Johnny) Monreal, Deana Blank, Gary (Joyce) Blank, grandchildren Brayden Jones, Mila Monreal, Kaylee Verhoeven, Curtis Verhoeven Jr., Jacob Verhoeven, Natalie Verhoeven, Christopher Mudd, Joseph Shelton, Dakota Blank and Shyanne Blank. She is also survived by her sisters, Shannon (Carlton) Tillery, Alice Cates, Mary Ann Cates, Patsy (Billy) Copeland and friends Sharon Ambrosia, Darlene Hauboldt and Bud and Doris Davis.
She is preceded in death by her parents, grandchildren Catherine Nicole, William Austin and Isa Marie.
Gathering of family and friends will be 10 am – 4 pm, Saturday November 8, 2025, at the house of Trish and Sam Saunders, 23 Primitive Baptist Church Rd., Yoakum, Texas 77995.
CUERO, TX —The Cuero Police Department has announced the addition of two new members to its team.
Officer Alejandro Gonzalez joins the department with six years of prior experience at the Gonzales Police Department. According to the department, Gonzalez is expected to begin patrol duties in approximately one week.
Ethan Adcock has also joined the department and is currently undergoing cadet training. He is scheduled to attend the police academy in January.
The department encouraged residents to welcome both individuals as they begin their service in the community.
Kathleen Lynn Luker Hahn 76, of Cuero died on Saturday, October 11, 2025. She was born on April 19, 1949, in Cuero to the late George H. and Mary Irene Sims Luker; she was born the second of ten children, six girls and four boys. Kathy married Delbert D. Hallmark in 1965. She married James W. Hahn in 1967, and they made their home in Cuero where they raised their family. Kathy was a homemaker and also worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse for several years at Whispering Oaks Manor and Cuero Nursing and Rehab.
She is survived by her husband of fifty-plus years, James W. Hahn, and three children; daughters Linda J. Hallmark Zengerle (Gerald) and Victoria A. Hahn, both of Cuero, and son Michael W. Hahn (Cindy) of Victoria; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings and their (spouses); Gaynell Goehring, Deborah (Kenny) Mills, Susan Earp, James Luker and Billy Luker, all of Cuero; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Mary Thornton and Nancy Sims; and brothers, Harvey Luker and John Luker.
The family wishes to express their appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff at Alzcare of DeWitt County for their steadfast care of Kathy over the last year of her life.
The visitation will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Freund Funeral Home at 10:00 AM followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM, with the Rev. Terry Brown officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s disease Research Foundation, the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF) or a cause of the donor’s choice.
I’ve seen this moment before. Not in a war room or a summit hall, but in a delivery room.
My daughter had been in labor for over six grueling hours. One nurse stayed by her side the entire time—checking vitals, adjusting monitors, offering comfort, and making sure my unborn granddaughter was safe. Then, just minutes before the birth, the doctor walked in, gloved up, and caught the baby. He got the applause. The nurse got a nod.
That’s what this so-called “historic” Gaza ceasefire feels like.
The Photo Op in Cairo
Yes, President Trump stood in front of the cameras in Cairo, flanked by world leaders, signing a 20-point peace declaration. Yes, he delivered a speech to the Israeli Knesset and declared the dawn of a “new Middle East.” And yes, the final 20 living Israeli hostages were released—an undeniably emotional moment for families who had waited in anguish for two years.
But the real work—the strategic diplomacy, the shuttle negotiations, the backchannel pressure—was done by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He was the nurse in the room. Trump just caught the baby.
Ceasefires Like Desert Winds
Let’s be clear: this isn’t the first ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. It’s not even the tenth. Ceasefires have come and gone like desert winds—each one hailed as a breakthrough, each one collapsing under the weight of unresolved truths.
So, before we clap, before we cheer, let’s ask: what exactly has been born here?
The release of hostages is real, the signatures are real—but the peace? That’s staged. Trump didn’t broker it—he choreographed it.
What This Deal Doesn’t Deliver
No Palestinian Statehood
The agreement makes no mention of a path to sovereignty for Palestinians. Gaza remains under siege, the West Bank fragmented, and the dream of a two-state solution as distant as ever.
No Accountability
Over 67,000 Palestinians—many of them children—have died in this war. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble. There is no mechanism in this deal for justice, reparations, or even acknowledgment of that loss.
No Representation
Neither Hamas nor Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were at the table. The Palestinian Authority was present but sidelined. This was a deal made about people, not with them.
Starving children of Gaza
No Guarantees
Within days of the signing, Israeli forces opened fire on civilians near Gaza’s border. Hamas has not disarmed. The ink wasn’t dry before the cracks began to show.
Who Actually Signed the 2025 Israel-Hamas Peace Deal?
Yes, the deal is real—but it was brokered and signed primarily by international actors, not the direct parties to the conflict. That’s exactly why its legitimacy is being questioned.
Signed in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt on October 13, 2025, by:
U.S. President Donald Trump
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Marco Rubio and blurred image of President Trump.
These leaders acted as mediators, not combatants. The deal was announced after Hamas released the final 20 living Israeli hostages and Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. But neither Hamas nor Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the summit, and the Palestinian Authority was present but sidelined, with no direct role in shaping the terms.
So, Is It Legitimate?
That’s the heart of the controversy. A peace deal signed without the primary belligerents at the table is fragile at best. It’s real in the sense that documents were signed, hostages were exchanged, and international leaders declared victory—but it’s also deeply flawed:
Hamas did not formally endorse the agreement and has already violated its terms by carrying out mass executions of alleged collaborators.
Israel’s military has continued operations near Gaza’s border, citing ceasefire breaches.
Netanyahu’s absence signals internal political resistance to the deal, especially among hardliners in his coalition.
Why This Is Just Political Theatre
No combatants at the table: Neither Hamas nor Netanyahu signed the deal. That’s like hosting a wedding without the couple.
No structural change: The agreement didn’t address statehood, justice, or long-term security. It paused violence temporarily but didn’t dismantle its roots.
Perfect timing: The summit came just weeks before key elections in the U.S. and Israel. That’s not coincidence—it’s choreography.
Legacy optics: Trump’s speech at the Knesset and the Cairo photo op were framed as historic, but the groundwork was laid by diplomats like Rubio, and the outcomes remain fragile.
So, What Did the U.S. Get?
For Trump, this is legacy-building. A photo op. A headline. A chance to say he ended a war—without ending a war. For Rubio, it’s a masterclass in quiet diplomacy. He built the bridge. Trump walked across it with the cameras rolling.
And yes, the hostage release matters. It’s a moment of relief for Israeli families and a humanitarian win. But it’s also a moment that risks being used to mask the absence of deeper change.
The Final Word
For the people of Gaza and southern Israel, this isn’t a victory. It’s a pause. A breath. A moment to bury the dead and count the missing. The release of hostages is real, the signatures are real—but the peace? That’s staged. Trump didn’t broker it—he choreographed it.
Until Israel and Palestine confront the truths buried beneath the rubble—about land, power, and human worth—this ceasefire will remain a photo op, not a turning point. We’ve seen this before. The world may broker deals, but without the people who bleed for it, it remains political theater—serving politicians who seek headlines, not healing.
The streets of Cuero were lined with cheers, cameras, and hometown pride Saturday morning as the 53rd Annual Turkeyfest reached its feathered face-off: the final heat of the Great Gobbler Gallop. But this year, the title of “Turkey Capital of the World” flew north—literally.
Paycheck, the racing turkey from Worthington, Minnesota, took an early lead and never looked back, clocking in at 37.09 seconds. Cuero’s beloved Ruby Begonia followed at 57.46 seconds, sealing Worthington’s victory with a combined time of 1:11.02 to Cuero’s 2:37.54 across both heats.
“He got close to the crowd a couple of times but didn’t end up getting into the crowd,” said Holly Sieve, captain of the Paycheck Race Team. “We’re just super pumped to get the win after taking the loss last year.”
(Photo by Pat Trevino) 53rd Turkeyfest Cuero, Tx 10//2025
Ruby’s team—captain Corbin Goebel, coach Sherry Oakes, and handlers Kevin Wolf and Jon Eric Rodriguez—brought heart, hustle, and humor to the race. But even with Cuero’s cheers echoing down Main Street, Ruby couldn’t close the gap from September’s first heat in Worthington.
(Photo by Pat Trevino) 53 rd Turkeyfest Cuero, Tx 10//2025
As tradition dictates, Worthington now takes home the Traveling Turkey Trophy of Tumultuous Triumph, while Cuero receives the Circulating Consolation Cup of Consummate Commiseration—a title we wear with pride, grit, and a wink.
(Photo by Pat Trevino) 53rd Turkeyfest Cuero, Tx 10//2025
Despite the loss, the spirit of Turkeyfest soared. From the Mayor’s Supper to the Turkeyfest Parade, and from Landri Dyer’s stirring national anthem to the carnival lights and concert stage, Cuero once again proved that no one celebrates tradition quite like we do.
(Photo by Pat Trevino) Ruby had a lot to say during her interview….🎤 “Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble….” (Can anyone translate? Who speaks Turkey? Cuero’s queen may have lost the race, but she won the crowd with style, grace, and a strut that said it all. 🦃 #RubyBegonia #Turkeyfest2025 #CueroStrong #GobblerGallop #53rd Turkeyfest – 10/11/202
Stay tuned to Cuero Online News for photo galleries from the concert, carnival, and parade—and for part two of our Turkeyfest coverage, featuring the sights, sounds, and stories that made this year unforgettable.
Here’s a breakdown of Propositions 7, 8, and 9 on the Texas ballot for November 2025, including their purpose and the key pros and cons being discussed:
Proposition 7 – Texas Energy Fund Expansion
Summary: This amendment would expand the Texas Energy Fund to support the construction, maintenance, and modernization of electric generating facilities, especially in rural areas.
✅ Pros:
Strengthens Texas’s electric grid reliability, especially after recent outages.
Encourages investment in rural infrastructure and energy independence.
May reduce long-term costs by preventing emergency energy purchases.
❌ Cons:
Creates a constitutionally dedicated fund outside normal budget oversight.
Critics say it could benefit private energy companies with limited accountability.
Long-term funding commitments may reduce flexibility for future legislatures.
🗳️ Proposition 8 – Broadband Infrastructure Fund
Summary: Establishes a permanent fund to expand high-speed internet access across underserved areas in Texas.
✅ Pros:
Helps bridge the digital divide, especially in rural and low-income communities.
Supports education, healthcare, and economic development.
Provides stable funding for long-term broadband expansion.
❌ Cons:
Like Prop 7, it bypasses annual legislative review and sits outside the spending cap.
Some argue it duplicates existing federal and state programs.
Risk of inefficient spending without strong oversight mechanisms.
Summary: Creates a fund to support capital projects at public universities outside the UT and A&M systems.
✅ Pros:
Levels the playing field for regional universities that don’t benefit from the Permanent University Fund.
Supports campus safety, modernization, and enrollment growth.
Encourages equitable investment in higher education across Texas.
❌ Cons:
Adds another constitutionally protected fund with limited legislative control.
Critics worry about long-term budget strain and lack of performance-based funding.
May prompt other institutions to seek similar carve-outs.
Official Explanatory Statement
You can read the full legal summary from the Texas Secretary of State here: 2025 Explanatory Statements (PDF)
Editor’s Note:
These are propositions 7,8 & 9 in a multi-part series examining the 17 constitutional amendments on Texas’s November ballot.
Check back tomorrow as Cuero Online News breaks down more Propositions giving voters the facts they need to make informed decisions before heading to the polls.
SHINER: William H. (Bill) Bradfield, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on October 8, 2025, at the age of 91. Born on August 18, 1934, in Muncie, Indiana, to Leona Rose Colegrove and Herbert Henry Bradfield.
Bill lived a life rooted in faith, family, and service. He married the love of his life, Jane, on August 27, 1955. Together, they shared over seventy remarkable years of marriage and raised three children: Connie, Mimi, and Robert. Bill was a man of deep integrity, a tireless work ethic, and a generous heart. A proud businessman and longtime resident of Shiner, he owned and operated the local John Deere dealership—Shiner-Filley Distributing Company—from 1968 to 2005. During those years, he also served multiple terms as President of the Shiner Chamber of Commerce, always seeking to give back to the town he loved. An active and devoted Rotarian, Bill built lasting friendships worldwide. He served as Club President, District Governor, and Chief Sergeant-at-Arms at an unprecedented three international Rotary conventions. His dedication to Rotary’s mission, Service Above Self, took him to six continents in support of humanitarian efforts.
Bill also proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class. He took great pride in his role as a Drill Sergeant, training some of the first troops sent to Vietnam. Beyond his professional and service commitments, Bill found great joy in his ranch, cheering for the Texas Longhorns, and supporting his hometown Shiner Comanches. He was happiest when surrounded by family, especially when watching the next generation grow.
Bill is survived by his devoted wife, Jane; his children, Connie Bradfield, Mimi Schaefer (Randy), and Robert Bradfield (Barbara); his grandchildren, Maci McDonald (Cole), Reid Schaefer, Rachael Bradfield Horton (Caleb), and William Bradfield; his great-grandchildren, Killian, Vivienne, and Maverick McDonald; and a great-granddaughter on the way, Riley Horton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leona and Herbert Bradfield, and his sisters, Anne Green and Mary Briggs.
Visitation 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home.
Funeral service 11 a.m., Saturday, October 18, 2025 at United Methodist Church in Shiner with Pastor Rusty Moore and Taylor Gregory officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Shiner Mausoleum.
Pallbearers: Reid Schaefer, Cole McDonald, William Bradfield, Killian McDonald, Matt Green, Garlan Weber, Fred Hilscher, Bev Osburn, Alex Remschel and Bruce Bayless.
Honorary Pallbearers: All fellow Rotarians
Memorials may be given to: Bill Bradfield Scholarship Fund.
Official Explanatory Statement