Emily Ann Ferguson Davis – April 15, 1942 to August 22, 2025 (83)
CUERO: Emily Ann Ferguson Davis, beloved educator, community servant, and lifelong Cuero resident, passed away peacefully in August 2025.
Born on April 15, 1942, in Cuero, Texas, Emily graduated from Cuero High School in 1960. That same year, she married Jack Calk, and together they raised four children—her greatest joy and pride.
After starting her family, Emily pursued higher education, attending Victoria College and earning her degree from Texas State University. She later obtained her Master’s from the University of Houston. Emily dedicated 23 years to teaching Freshman English and Speech at Cuero High School, where she also directed the One Act Play, sponsored the Future Teachers Organization, and coached tennis for two years.
In 1991, Emily married Dr. John Davis. Together, they shared many adventures—traveling with the Texas Trailer Trash group and exploring Europe. Following her retirement from teaching, Emily continued her commitment to education by serving on the Cuero School Board for 18 years, including terms as President and Vice President.
Emily’s civic involvement was extensive and heartfelt. She was an active member of Cuero Hospital Volunteers, Cuero Education Foundation, DeWitt County Historical Commission, Keep Cuero Beautiful, and Rotary. She delivered Meals on Wheels for both Rotary and Grace Episcopal Church and found joy in Tuesday Mahjong games and monthly Birthday Club luncheons.
Her favorite daily ritual was walking her beloved Golden Retrievers—Napoleon (13 years), Josie (12 years), and Max—through the park and around the Little League fields. She was often seen picking up litter around the lake or cigarette butts in the HEB and Walmart parking lots, a task she embraced as part of Keep Cuero Beautiful mission.
Emily was preceded in death by her parents, Carolyn and Bill Ferguson; her daughter, Elizabeth Calk Hilbrich; and her son, William Craig Calk.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Dr. John Davis; her sister, Betty Ferguson; her daughter, Kaye Calk Lane and husband Dutton; her son, Curtis Calk and wife Janis; grandchildren, Justin Hilbrich, William Calk, Elizabeth Juarez, and Carolyn Sager and husband Jacob; and great-grandchildren, Easton and Casey Sager, with whom she shared many playful moments.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at Grace Episcopal Church, with Rev. Peter Thaddeus officiating.
Pallbearers will include Justin Hilbrich, William Calk, Jacob Sager, Steve Sager, Shelley Tarkington, and Michael Wolf.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Gonzales, Dr. Lester, and the entire medical staff at Cuero Regional Hospital for their compassionate care.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Church or Pet Adoptions of Cuero.
Yorktown City Officials Suspend Haunted Hospital Tours Over Safety Concerns
By Pat Trevino | Cuero Online News
August 24, 2025
The City of Yorktown has issued a public safety notice declaring the historic Yorktown Memorial Hospital an unsafe structure, prohibiting occupancy under Section 116 of the International Existing Building Code. The order, posted earlier this week, warns of potential structural failure and hazardous conditions, and explicitly bans public entry or use of the property.
The timing of the notice coincides with a paranormal event that was scheduled for Saturday, August 23, which city officials have deemed unauthorized. In the statement, the city emphasized that enforcement actions may be taken to protect public safety and that access to the property and surrounding area could be restricted.
The hospital, built in the late 1940s and operated by the Felician Sisters until its closure in 1980, has long been a magnet for ghost tours and paranormal investigations. Its reputation as one of Texas’s most haunted sites has drawn national attention and tourism, especially since its recent purchase by Curious Twins Tours & Events, who aim to preserve the building and continue hosting events.
But the city’s safety order has ignited a wave of public backlash, particularly on social media. A Facebook post from the City of Yorktown sharing the notice drew over 90 comments, many questioning the legality, timing, and transparency of the decision.
In this public Facebook thread, Stephanie Hobbs, a vocal community member, asked whether the city had issued prior violations or given the property owner a 30-day window to address hazards. “If there is a concern on the decision of the city, you can go to city hall and request the agenda and minutes leading to this decision,” she wrote. Others echoed her call for public records and questioned whether the building’s historic status had been considered.
Stephanie Mayfield added, “I’m not sure if a city can all of the sudden deem a structure on private property as unsafe for occupancy without any kind of violation notification prior to final decision.”
The conversation quickly broadened to include concerns about selective enforcement, economic impact, and the role of historic preservation. “If it wasn’t for the hospital, 99% of people wouldn’t even know this town exists,” wrote Krystal Autry, who criticized the city for focusing on the hospital while other issues—like homelessness, stray animals, and dilapidated homes—persist.
Others, like Roger Podsim and Lisa Ortiz, supported the city’s decision, arguing that the building has long posed a danger and should have been condemned years ago. “Even though that is private property, if it is dangerous for somebody to walk into, it needs to be condemned,” Podsim said.
Business owners also weighed in, pointing to the need for proper documentation and compliance. “I had to comply too,” wrote another business owner. “I didn’t open the doors to my business until I met the requirements. Why should the new owners come and open without following the rules?”
The debate has exposed deep divisions in Yorktown—between preservation and progress, private ownership and public safety, and between those who see the hospital as a liability and those who see it as a lifeline for tourism and identity.
As of now, the city maintains its stance: the building is unsafe, and any event held there is unauthorized. Residents with concerns are encouraged to contact Yorktown City Hall at 361-564-2611.
Whether this moment marks the end of Yorktown Memorial Hospital’s storied legacy or the beginning of a new chapter remains to be seen. What’s clear is that the community is watching—and speaking out.
ALSO READ: Texas’ Most Haunted Landmark: Yorktown Memorial Hospital – Under New Ownership
Gordon Wayne Stukes – February 26, 1943 to August 21, 2025 (82)
YOAKUM — Gordon Wayne Stukes, 82, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Born on February 26, 1943, in Austin, Texas, he was the eldest of eight children of the late Gordon Marion Stukes and Martha Frances (Morriss) Stukes.
A proud U.S. Navy veteran, Mr. Stukes served during a pivotal moment in American history, stationed aboard a ship on standby off the Cuban coast during the Cuban Missile Crisis under President John F. Kennedy’s administration. After his military service, he worked for many years as a skilled carpenter and later followed in his father’s footsteps as a truck driver.
Mr. Stukes was known for his love of fishing and his deep affection for animals, especially the many dogs who shared his life over the years.
He is survived by his sons, Michael Wayne Stukes of Yoakum and Nicolas Sanchez of Indiana; his daughter, Lupe Sanchez Piro and husband Scott of Round Rock; four grandchildren; three sisters, Martha Jo Boutwell and husband George of Valley Mills, Carrie Lee Tarrant of Valley Mills, and Deborah Lynn Carswell and husband Bill of Kyle; and two brothers, Wesley Aaron Stukes of Valley Mills and Louis Alton Stukes of Yoakum.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Maria Stukes; and two sisters, Wyona Kay Rainosek and Sheila Rae Etoll.
Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home in Yoakum. Pastor Mona Martin will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.
¡Ayuda a formar el equipo CERT del Condado de DeWitt!
24 de agosto de 2025
La capacitación será en inglés.
El Condado de DeWitt está dando un paso proactivo para fortalecer la preparación ante emergencias locales al sentar las bases de su propio Equipo Comunitario de Respuesta a Emergencias (CERT, por sus siglas en inglés). Esta iniciativa, liderada por la Oficina de Manejo de Emergencias del Condado de DeWitt, busca capacitar a voluntarios que puedan apoyar a los socorristas, asistir a sus vecinos durante crisis y fomentar una cultura de resiliencia en toda la región.
La primera oportunidad para que los residentes se involucren será este octubre, cuando se ofrezca la capacitación básica CERT—oficialmente conocida como Curso G-317—en la ciudad vecina de Victoria. La capacitación se llevará a cabo del 25 al 27 de octubre de 2025 en la Oficina de Manejo de Emergencias de Victoria, ubicada en el 205 N. Bridge Street, Suite B-101. Las sesiones se realizarán de 8:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m. el sábado y domingo, y concluirán con una sesión nocturna el lunes de 6:00 p.m. a 10:00 p.m.
Los participantes recibirán instrucción práctica en preparación para desastres, seguridad contra incendios y supresión básica, búsqueda y rescate ligera, operaciones médicas en desastres y comunicación efectiva en equipo. Estas habilidades fundamentales están diseñadas para empoderar a ciudadanos comunes a actuar con decisión y seguridad ante emergencias—ya sean desastres naturales, accidentes u otras interrupciones comunitarias.
Aunque la capacitación se ofrece en Victoria, el objetivo es traer ese conocimiento de regreso a casa. Al asistir en un condado vecino, los residentes de DeWitt se beneficiarán de instructores experimentados y de un programa bien establecido, y luego podrán aplicar ese aprendizaje para construir un equipo CERT adaptado a las necesidades de su propia comunidad.
Para registrarse, los interesados deben obtener primero un Número de Identificación de Estudiante de FEMA (SID) en cdp.dhs.gov/femasid, y crear una cuenta en TDEM Blackboard en training.tdem.texas.gov. Una vez completados estos pasos, pueden buscar el Curso G-317 en brnw.ch/21wV6sr para inscribirse.
Para recibir ayuda con el registro o resolver dudas sobre el programa, se recomienda a los residentes contactar a Billy Jordan en la Oficina de Manejo de Emergencias del Condado de DeWitt al teléfono 361-275-0878 o por correo electrónico a Billy.Jordan@dwcotx.org.
A medida que el Condado de DeWitt comienza a formar su propio programa CERT, la participación local será clave. Los voluntarios no solo aprenderán a responder ante emergencias—también estarán ayudando a construir una red de confianza, preparación y cuidado que podría marcar la diferencia cuando más se necesite.
CERT Training Opens for DeWitt County Residents
August 24, 2025
DeWitt County is taking a proactive step toward strengthening local emergency preparedness by laying the groundwork for its own Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The initiative, led by the DeWitt County Office of Emergency Management, aims to train volunteers who can assist first responders, support neighbors during crises, and foster a culture of resilience across the region.
The first opportunity for residents to get involved begins this October, when basic CERT training—officially known as Course G-317—will be offered just down the road in Victoria. The training will take place October 25–27, 2025, at the Victoria Office of Emergency Management, located at 205 N. Bridge Street, Suite B-101. Sessions will run from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday, with a final evening session on Monday from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Participants will receive hands-on instruction in disaster preparedness, fire safety and suppression, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, and effective team communication. These foundational skills are designed to empower everyday citizens to act decisively and safely in the face of emergencies—whether natural disasters, accidents, or other community-wide disruptions.
Though the training is hosted in Victoria, the goal is to bring that expertise home. By attending in a neighboring county, DeWitt residents will benefit from experienced instructors and a well-established program, then use that knowledge to help build a CERT team tailored to the needs of their own community.
To register, interested individuals must first obtain a FEMA Student Identification Number (SID) at cdp.dhs.gov/femasid, and create a TDEM Blackboard account at training.tdem.texas.gov. Once those steps are complete, they can search for Course G-317 at brnw.ch/21wV6sr to enroll.
For assistance with registration or questions about the program, residents are encouraged to contact Billy Jordan at the DeWitt County Office of Emergency Management by phone at 361-275-0878 or via email at Billy.Jordan@dwcotx.org.
As DeWitt County begins to shape its own CERT program, local participation will be key. Volunteers won’t just be learning how to respond—they’ll be helping to build a network of trust, readiness, and care that could make all the difference when it matters most.
🎥 Become a Citizen Correspondent — $25/Meeting
🎥 Help Us Keep Local Government Transparent
Cuero Online News is hiring! We’re looking for a reliable individual to video record public meetings of local government. No reporting or editing required—just clear, steady footage that helps keep our community informed.
🗓️ Meetings to Cover
- DeWitt County Commissioners Court
2nd & 4th Mondays at 9:00 AM - City of Cuero Council Meetings
2nd Monday at 5:00 PM - (Nordheim, Yoakum & Yorktown City Councils to be added soon)
📍 Most meetings last about one hour
💵 Pay: $25 per meeting
📱 Requirements
- No journalism experience needed
- A good iPhone (or similar smartphone) is all you need
- Must be dependable and punctual
- No commentary, editing, or post-production required
Ideal for
Students, freelancers, retirees, or anyone who values civic engagement, public access, and community accountability. This is a simple but meaningful way to support transparency in local government.
📬 How to Apply
Email cueroonlinenews@gmail.com with:
- Your name
- Availability
- Any relevant experience (if applicable)
Subject line:RECORD MEETINGS
We welcome applicants who care about community integrity and public service. Help us make local government more accessible—one meeting at a time.
(All footage recorded for Cuero Online News is considered work for hire and becomes the exclusive property of Cuero Online News. Recorder agrees not to publish, distribute, or reuse footage independently.)
Fred Lee Fuller – February 13, 1945 to August 21, 2025 (80)
Fred Lee Fuller, 80, of Cuero passed away Thursday, August 21, 2025. He was born on February 13, 1945 in Cuero to Floyd “Henry” and Florence DeDear Fuller. He married the love of his life, Janice Mullins on November 4, 1977 in Baytown.
After graduating from Cuero High School in 1963, he proudly served in the U.S. Army. Following his military service, he pursued a series of skilled professions, working as a certified welder and later as a draftsman. He eventually found long-term fulfillment with the U.S. Postal Service, where he retired as a rural letter carrier. Even in retirement, his work ethic never waned—he continued part-time roles driving vehicles for Weber Motor Company and serving as a pilot truck driver for McMahon Welding Services.
Fred had a warm and loving relationship with his family, especially his grandchildren who he loved to tease relentlessly. He loved hunting and fishing from an early age and taught not only his own children and grandchildren, but also the children of his friends and family. He could spend hours storytelling with his fishing and hunting buddies and enjoyed poker nights with his many poker buddies. He and Janice also enjoyed traveling to casinos with friends or sometimes just the two of them. He loved 50s and 60s rock ‘n’ roll music and loved to dance. He never said “no” to a friend even if it meant missing supper to track a deer or missing bedtime to process a trap full of wild hogs.
He was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Victoria and enjoyed spending time with his church family and assisting with church events.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Janice; his daughter, LaRena Tobola (Matthew) of Georgetown; his son, Layne Fuller (Mary Beth) of Edna; his grandchildren, Calleigh, Zachary, and Elleigh Rose of Georgetown; and Eli, Everett, Jude, and Joella of Edna; and his sister-in-law, Marla Fuller of Louisiana.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, William “Bill” Fuller.
A memorial service will be held Friday, August 29, 2025 at 10 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 9806 NE Zac Lentz Parkway, Victoria with the Reverend Dr. Keith Aschenbeck officiating. Food and fellowship will follow the service.
We would like to especially thank each of the skilled and caring employees who took care of Fred during his time at DeTar Hospital and PAM Rehabilitation, as well as the countless friends who visited him and helped make his stay more pleasant and positive.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church.
The Threat We Ignore: Why Texas Must Refocus on Domestic Extremism
By Trisha Garcia | August 23, 2025
While immigration continues to dominate political headlines and campaign rhetoric, a far more insidious threat to public safety festers within our own borders: the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT). These are not outsiders. They are entrenched, radicalized, and violent. They target law enforcement, poison communities with fentanyl, and operate with ideological fervor rooted in white supremacy. And yet, they remain largely absent from the public conversation—overshadowed by border theatrics and political posturing.
The August 15 federal sentencing of Yehoshua Kilp, a high-ranking Aryan Brotherhood of Texas member convicted of trafficking fentanyl and orchestrating violent attacks, should have been a turning point. Instead, it faded into the background—ignored by those with the power to act. Kilp’s network operated across multiple counties, laundering money, stockpiling weapons, and celebrating the murder of public officials. His conviction was a victory for justice—but it also exposed a disturbing truth: the most dangerous criminals in Texas aren’t crossing borders. They’re already here.
The investigation into Yehoshua Kilp, led by the FBI and DEA, mobilized more than 350 officers and ten SWAT teams. Despite being jailed on state charges, Kilp continued to direct a sprawling drug trafficking operation. His network moved:
• 223 pounds of methamphetamine
• 830,000 fentanyl pills
• Large quantities of heroin and cocaine
Kilp knew his fentanyl batches were causing overdoses. Still, he pressed forward—discussing ways to dilute the drugs or repackage them for body smuggling. His co-defendant, Sara Thompson, acted as his proxy on the outside and was sentenced to seven years earlier this year. This wasn’t a cartel—it was a domestic white supremacist gang operating with impunity, laundering money through Mexico and coordinating across state lines.
Even while working on this story, I encountered a troubling lack of transparency. Curious about Kilp’s origins—his name, his background, whether “Yehoshua Kilp” was his birth name—I submitted a formal request to the FBI field office. The response? They claimed not to have that information. Not that it was sealed. Not that it was classified. Simply that they didn’t have it. How could they not? This is a man with a criminal record dating back to age 14, who ran a multi-state drug operation linked to white supremacist prison gangs. If federal agencies can’t—or won’t—provide basic biographical data on someone they’ve just sentenced to 14 years, what else are we not being told?
Billions for the Border, Pennies for the Real Fight
The imbalance in federal resource allocation is staggering. In 2024 alone, the U.S. government spent over $25 billion on immigration enforcement, including ICE operations, border patrol expansion, and detention facilities. Meanwhile, funding for domestic counter-extremism efforts—especially those targeting white supremacist gangs—remained a fraction of that amount.
According to internal FBI memos reviewed by Cuero Online News 45% of agents in major field offices were reassigned in early 2025 to support immigration-related investigations, including joint operations with ICE and DHS. This shift came despite a documented rise in domestic extremist violence and a 5% proposed cut to the FBI’s overall budget. In effect, agents who once tracked fentanyl pipelines and extremist plots were redirected to process asylum claims and monitor border crossings.
This isn’t just inefficient—it’s dangerous. Every dollar spent chasing perceived threats at the border is a dollar not spent dismantling the Aryan Brotherhood’s operational cells in rural Texas. Every agent reassigned to immigration is one less investigator following the money trail that funds hate-fueled violence. And every political soundbite about “outsiders” distracts from the reality that the most organized, violent, and ideologically driven criminals are already embedded in our communities.
A Wake-Up Call for Texas
Cuero is no stranger to the ripple effects of organized crime. We’ve seen how fentanyl devastates families, how intimidation silences witnesses, and how extremist ideology corrodes trust in institutions. The Aryan Brotherhood of Texas doesn’t just traffic drugs—they traffic fear. Their members are trained, armed, and loyal to a doctrine that glorifies violence and racial supremacy.
Redirecting resources from border enforcement to dismantling domestic extremist networks like ABT isn’t just logical—it’s overdue. The August 15 sentencing should serve as a wake-up call to every policymaker, law enforcement leader, and voter in Texas: the threat is not hypothetical. It’s here. It’s growing. And it’s being ignored.
What Accountability Looks Like
We need transparency in how federal law enforcement resources are allocated. We need congressional oversight that prioritizes domestic safety over political optics. And we need local journalism—like Cuero Online News—to keep asking the hard questions:
- Why are white supremacist gangs treated as fringe threats when their violence is systemic?
- Why are rural communities left to fend for themselves while federal agents chase headlines?
- And how many more convictions like Kilp’s will it take before we recalibrate our priorities?
The Aryan Brotherhood of Texas is not a border issue. It’s a public safety crisis. And until we treat it as such, we are failing the communities we claim to protect.