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.
The Turkeyfest Board of Volunteers invites you to be part of a long-standing Cuero tradition and make some great memories with friends and family.
Friday night kicks off with the gates opening at 5 PM! Enjoy live music from local bands, the carnival, BBQ judging, and end the night with The Frontmen! These 3 Stars have a combined total of over 30 country hits! You know them all! Come sing along and dance because they put on an incredible show!
Saturday starts early, y’all! At 7:30 AM, come enjoy FREE pancakes and breakfast tacos at the downtown walkway on Main Street.
Then at 10:30 AM, watch the Great Gobbler Gallop Turkey Race to see who wins this year — Ruby Begonia or Paycheck! Followed by the Turkeyfest Parade!
Right after the parade, come on up to the city park. the gates open at 11 am and it’s FREE until 3 PM! So come on in, grab a bite to eat, grab a cold drink, and enjoy live music while you shop the vendors.
There’s fun for the whole family with more BBQ judging for the cook-off, the Whataburger Jalapeño Eating Contest, a petting zoo, and tons of activities for the kids — like the Kids BBQ Cook-Off, Kids Cowboy Cooking at the Chuck Wagon, animal races, and of course, the carnival and games!
As the evening rolls on, the concerts kick into high gear starting with great local musicians, Tejano from ASG Los Amigos and Grupo Mania, and then rising country star Kolby Cooper opens up for country legend Craig Morgan to close out the night!
That’s not all, Sunday is FREE all day! It’s a laid-back day to relax, grab those items you’ve been eyeing from the vendors, and try the food you might’ve missed earlier in the weekend. Enjoy more live music and cold drinks, watch the kids run around the knoll for the Turkey Egg Hunt, and cheer them on in the Kids Tractor Pull! The afternoon wraps up with a performance from the legendary Gene Watson to close it all out.
We hope to see you there, laughing, dancing, and making memories with friends and family.
And go Ruby go!!!
You can grab tickets today here at this website or at the gate.
Cuero entered the matchup undefeated at 6–0, but Rockport-Fulton’s ground game proved dominant. The Pirates controlled possession and wore down Cuero’s defense with long drives and key third-down conversions. Despite a late rally led by quarterback Jaxxson Marie and wide receiver Walker Dietze, Cuero couldn’t close the gap.
This marks Cuero’s first loss of the season, dropping them to 6–1 overall as they prepare to face Sinton next week.
Come visit Alphalyfe Nutrition at Turkeyfest!
We’ll be set up with all your favorite drinks—ready to fuel your fun, refresh your day, and keep the good vibes flowing. Whether you’re hitting the carnival, catching the parade, or just soaking up the Cuero spirit, swing by and say hello!
🦃 Let’s celebrate together—see you at Turkeyfest! #AlphalyfeAtTurkeyfest #CueroStrong #FuelTheFun
CUERO, TEXAS — Norma’s House, a regional child advocacy center, continues to strengthen its multidisciplinary approach to case coordination through monthly meetings held in Lavaca, DeWitt, and Gonzales counties. These gatherings bring together professionals from law enforcement, child protection services, legal teams, and healthcare to review active cases and determine next steps in protecting vulnerable children.
The meetings follow a consistent schedule:
Lavaca County: First Wednesday of each month
DeWitt County: Second Tuesday of each month
Gonzales County: Third Thursday of each month
While the focus remains on casework, Norma’s House also prioritizes team cohesion by providing lunch at each meeting. Staff say the shared meal fosters open communication and encourages creative problem-solving in a more relaxed setting.
In September, the Women of the Lutheran Church stepped in to provide lunch for the Gonzales County meeting. Attendees described the meal as both delicious and deeply appreciated. Norma’s House staff expressed gratitude for the group’s time and generosity, noting that such contributions help sustain the collaborative spirit of the meetings.
Community members, organizations, and local clubs interested in volunteering to provide lunch at any of the three meeting locations are invited to contact Norma’s House directly at (830) 672-1278. Staff say the gesture goes a long way in supporting the center’s mission and building stronger partnerships across the region.
Norma’s House continues to rely on community support as it works to protect children and families throughout South Central Texas.
Tonight, the Cuero Gobblers hit the road for their first district test of the season, facing off against the Rockport-Fulton Pirates at Pirates Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
The Gobblers enter the matchup undefeated at 6–0, powered by a high-octane offense led by standout running back Camelo Perez, wide receiver Walker Dietze, and quarterback Jaxxxson Marie. Cuero’s explosive scoring ability has kept defenses scrambling all season—and tonight, they’ll look to keep that momentum rolling.
The Pirates, sitting at 3–3, bring a bruising ground game to the field, averaging 276.5 rushing yards per contest. Dual-threat running back Jaxson Keown anchors their offense and will be key to testing Cuero’s defensive front.
With district stakes on the line and two dynamic offenses ready to clash, fans can expect a hard-fought battle under the lights.
🔹 Offensive Highlights
• Jaxson Keown (RB): Dual-threat back and centerpiece of a rushing attack averaging 276.5 yards per game.
• Pirates have scored 30+ points in 4 of their 6 games, including a 34–13 win over Hallettsville.
🔹 Recent Game Stats
Game Info
• Matchup: Cuero Gobblers (6–0) vs. Rockport-Fulton Pirates (3–3)
• Kickoff: 7:00 PM
• Location: Pirates Stadium, Rockport, TX
🏈 Meet the Contributor: Splash
Splash is a die-hard Gobbler fan, a self-proclaimed sports aficionado, and someone who lives for Friday night lights. Whether it’s breaking down rushing stats or hyping up the next district showdown, Splash brings energy, insight, and hometown pride to every preview. Their love for football runs deep—and their coverage runs fast.
Catch Splash’s takes all season long in Cuero Online News.
CUERO, TX – Before the turkey legs sizzle and the parade rolls through town, Cuero teens mark their own rite of passage: “Suicide Night.” It’s the Thursday evening before Turkeyfest officially begins, when the carnival lights flicker on and the rides start spinning—sometimes before final inspections are complete.
The name, passed down through generations of high schoolers, isn’t about harm. It’s about thrill, rebellion, and local legend. Students joke that they’re the “test dummies” for the weekend crowd, daring each other to ride the sketchiest contraptions before the grown-ups show up.
“It’s kind of a badge of honor,” said one senior. “You ride the Zipper on Thursday night, you’ve earned your Turkeyfest stripes.”
While the term may raise eyebrows, it reflects a deeper truth: Cuero’s youth have carved out their own space in a beloved tradition, claiming the night before the crowds as theirs. It’s a mix of adrenaline, laughter, and small-town pride—where every spin of the Ferris wheel feels like a rite of passage.
Organizers don’t officially recognize “Suicide Night,” and some community members prefer softer names like “Carnival Kickoff.” But for the teens who gather under the neon glow, it’s a tradition that lives on in stories, dares, and dizzy memories.
The Rotary Club of Cuero is taking aim at community support once again with its Annual Turkey Shoot & Raffle, set for Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the Cuero Sportsman Club, located at 902 E. Bailey Street. The event runs from 10 AM to 2 PM, with registration beginning at 9 AM.
This long-standing tradition blends friendly competition with local impact, offering 16 rounds of shooting for prizes and cash, including a 50/50 cash split in the final rounds. Proceeds will benefit local organizations and scholarships, reinforcing Rotary’s commitment to service above self.
🗓️ Event Schedule:
Rounds 1–6: Early competition kicks off the morning
Lunch Break: Concessions provided by TrailLife USA, a youth leadership group
Rounds 6–12: Afternoon heats continue
Rounds 13–16: Culminates in a 50/50 cash split, raising the stakes for participants
Raffle Prizes:
Raffle items will be announced closer to the event, with past years featuring everything from outdoor gear to local gift baskets. Attendees are encouraged to stay tuned for updates.
For more information or to register, contact Angie Cuellar at (361) 275-2112.
Whether you’re a seasoned marksman or just looking to support local causes, the Turkey Shoot promises a day of camaraderie, competition, and community spirit. Bring your aim—and your appetite.
John Richard “Ricky” Coppedge, 72, of Cuero, passed away Monday, October 6, 2025. He was born September 29, 1953, in Cuero to the late John and Mary Lou Cobb Coppedge. After attending Victoria College, Ricky moved to Rockport. He loved the sun, water, skiing in the Rockport Ski Basin, and spending time with relatives. After several years, he moved to Austin to pursue new adventures. Austin was a growing city with numerous opportunities to explore. Retiring from Eaton Corporation, he returned to Cuero to be closer to family and friends. Working in his yard gave him many years of happiness. Ricky also ventured into several different art projects, keeping him busy all day. He was able to provide extra care for his parents during their later years.
Ricky is survived by sisters, Susan (Johnny) Goebel of Cuero and Karen (Augie) Bade of Cuero; brother, Randy (Robert) Coppedge of Austin; special aunt, Evelyn Cobb, who is loved like a second mother; special cousins, Linda Atkinson, Lisa Porter, Leann Holder, and Kevin Cobb; nephew, Kerry Goebel; nieces, Jennifer Parr, Kimberly Starkey, and Amanda Rodriguez; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Lou Coppedge, and Jerry Lindsey.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
Official Explanatory Statement
