🎥 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.
Sterling Sablatura II – May 15, 2005 – August 19, 2025 (20)
Sterling Sablatura II, lovingly known to family and friends as “Bubba”, passed away on August 19, 2025 at the age of 20. Born in Victoria and raised in Cuero, Bubba grew up full of energy, joy, and a big heart. He was “all boy”—rambunctious, playful, and a mama’s boy at heart—yet always quick to bring a smile to those around him. As a child, Bubba was the class clown, a skateboarder, a karate kid, and he spent countless hours playing video games and making memories with his siblings. He grew up attending Lifeway Church and later became a member of Parkway Church in Cuero, where his faith and love for Christ became an important part of his life. He was known for his kindness and his trademark words of encouragement to his Sonic customers —“Have a good day, God bless.” Bubba loved the outdoors, especially fishing and camping, where he felt most at peace. He had a helping spirit, always ready to lend a hand to those in need, and his laughter and easygoing nature left an unforgettable mark on everyone he met.
He is survived by his parents, Sterling and Tabitha Sablatura; sister, Bethany Richardson and her husband Colin; siblings, Steven, Autumn, Paisley, Kate, and Hunter; and his beloved son, Brazos and girlfriend Zoe.
Bubba’s life will be remembered for his humor, his faith, and the love he poured into his family and friends. He will be deeply missed, but his spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.
A visitation service to celebrate Bubba’s life will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 5:30 – 7:30 PM at Lifeway Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Freund Funeral Home to help defray funeral expenses.
Restoration Foundation Celebration: Honoring 77 Years of Daule School Legacy
By Trisha | August 2, 2025
CUERO — The Restoration Foundation invites the community to a heartfelt evening of remembrance and renewal as we celebrate Daule School’s 77-Year Anniversary. Join us for Day 1 of the Restoration Foundation Celebration — a special event dedicated to honoring the legacy of Daule School and envisioning its future restoration.
📅 Event Details
- Date: Thursday, October 10, 2025
- Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Location: Friar Ag Building
- Tickets: $50 per person | $500 per table
- RSVP: Use the QR code or email to reserve your spot
What to Expect
Guests will enjoy a delicious dinner, live entertainment, and a moving tribute to the generations shaped by Daule School. The evening will spotlight the school’s historical significance in Cuero’s Black community and the ongoing efforts to restore the building as a cultural and educational landmark.
This celebration marks the beginning of a multi-day event series aimed at raising awareness and support for the Restoration Foundation’s mission. The Foundation is committed to preserving the legacy of Daule School and transforming it into a vibrant space for future generations.
Why It Matters
Founded in 1948, Daule School served as a cornerstone of education, pride, and resilience for Cuero’s African American community. As we commemorate its 77th anniversary, we also look ahead to the restoration of the building — a project that will honor its legacy while creating new opportunities for learning, gathering, and growth.
Stay Tuned
More details about the celebration, including guest speakers, performers, and Day 2 activities, will be shared as the event approaches. Follow Cuero Online and the Restoration Foundation for updates..
Arleen Mary Sager Weise – July 28, 1939 to August 19, 2025 (86)
Arleen Mary Sager Weise began her heavenly journey August 19, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving family, wrapped in her favorite quilt, hand-pieced by her mother, and listening to Alan Jackson, her favorite singer.
Arleen was born July 28, 1939 to Edwin and Elsie Hildebrand Sager. She grew up in the boonies of Arneckeville, helping the family with a dairy farm and eating sandwiches made with strawberries & home-made butter. Arleen was a life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church in Arneckeville, the same church where generations of her family attended, played the organ, and preached.
Arleen married Roger Weise, July 3, 1960, whom she met at a ballgame in Weesatche. Arleen travelled all over the state, and even flew to California and Arizona, with Roger for ball tournaments, a favorite past-time. She could be counted on for bringing strawberries and banana bread to share with the baseball family. She was also known for her M&M cookies and peanut butter rice Krispie treat cookies (which were always done drop style and squished into balls or ‘they didn’t taste right’) and of course we can’t forget the numerous green-grape pies, which were a staple at all church functions. Arleen was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs, sporting many shirts showing her team loyalty, and of course her favorite team the Cuero Gobblers, attending almost every home game to cheer them on. Arleen’s absolute favorite past-time was fixing puzzles; she liked to say she was “a puzzle freak since age 5”, and was often ‘puzzled’ at how others didn’t enjoy them as much as she did. Over the years, she fixed thousands of puzzles, the largest being 3,000 pieces. As her vision faded, she was determined not to give up puzzles; so the puzzles got smaller and the pieces larger, but the puzzle assembly continued until she was too tired to do anymore.
Arleen liked to talk and visit. Her favorite subjects were her home, how she met Roger and how long they had been married, puzzles, gardening, and her great-grandkids. Arleen was quite proud that she and Roger lived in the home she was born in; this was a frequent topic in conversations and visitors were led down the hallway to see family photos. She liked to tell everyone how long she and Roger had been married. When asked what the secret was, she would say “ask Roger”, to which he would reply “it’s yes, dear”. A favorite conversation was due to her saying “I don’t play favorites”. Followed by comments from the kids and grandkids – “But I’m your favorite daughter; or I’m favorite grand-daughter; or you know I’m your favorite, just admit it for once”, followed by much laughter.
Arleen cherished her grandkids and great-grandkids. She did not know the word no, especially with the great-grandkids; they all knew granny loved them no matter what and was always there for a hug, kiss, and a cookie or two. They loved going to church with granny and papa and having lunch afterward. Granny’s favorite good-bye to the kiddos was a kiss on the cheek followed by “now don’t wipe it off”.
Arleen lived a servant’s heart. She was a kind and generous woman and enjoyed giving to others. She had great faith and at the end when she couldn’t attend church in person, she would attend via the TV, watching numerous services every Sunday. Every day ended with The Lord’s Prayer and saying ‘I believe in the Father’ in German.
Arleen leaves to cherish her memories: husband, Roger of 65 years; daughters – Jeanice Caddell, LaNell (Steve) Storbeck, and Michelle Borgfeld; son-in-law Lawrence Clendennen; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Luella Spence; brother, Marvin (Norrean) Sager; and a large extended family of sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arleen was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Karen Clendennen, sons-in-law Clay Caddell and Charles Borgfeld, and brother-in-law Rodney Spence.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 22, 2025, 5:00-7:00 pm at Massey Funeral Home in Yorktown. Services will be held Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Zion Lutheran Church of Arneckeville with Pastor Kara Hairell-Speed officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Pall bearers will be Caleb Storbeck, Matt Garza, Clifford Caddell, Zachary DeLeon, Ashley Borgfeld, Lawrence Clendennen, and Dennis Weise.
The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of South Texas for the compassionate care they provided to mom and the family. Also thank you to the family members, friends, and pastors who called, messaged, brought meals, and came to see mom and made their love known to her and us.
Memorials may be made to the family to offset medical expenses or to Hospice of South Texas, Dornburg Center – 1005 Mallette Drive, Victoria, Texas 77904.
A few lines from Arleen’s favorite singer, Alan Jackson:”She flew up to heaven on the wings of angels – By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees.And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waitin’ – And I know she’s smilin’ sayin’, don’t worry ’bout me”
We leave you with much love and many kisses on the cheek– and don’t wipe them off….
Services
Lightning Strike Ignites House Fire in Cuero; Retired Couple Safe Thanks to Neighbor’s Quick Action
By Pat Trevino — August 21, 2025
CUERO — The storm rolled in fast, but the lightning came faster. Outside, the rain had come down hard for just a few minutes—brief, but intense. The kind of sudden downpour that soaks the street and vanishes just as quickly. Though it didn’t register as a full-blown storm on radar, the conditions were ripe: hot, humid, and unstable. A textbook setup for a rogue lightning strike.
Then at around 5:30 p.m. Thursday evening, Jerry Pierce was inside his home when the sky cracked open with a thunderclap so loud it rattled his windows. “The sound was loud, really loud like it had hit something,” Pierce said. “And it was close.”
Moments later, he stepped outside and caught the sharp scent of something burning. He scanned the street—and that’s when he saw it. Flames licking the roofline of the yellow two-story house on the corner of Sarah and Clinton.
Mr. Pierce rushed across the street, he said he heard his wife say something about the front door. That’s when he realized he’d left it wide open—but he was already in motion, halfway to the fire. He chuckled as he recounted the moment to Cuero Online News reporter.
He said he banged on the door, and inside his neighbors a retired couple, sat unaware that lightning had struck their home.
“They didn’t even know,” Pierce said. “They were there, calm as could be. I told them, ‘Your house is on fire. We need to call 911— and y’all need to get out, now.’”
The couple quickly called 911 and within minutes, Cuero Fire Department and EMS were on the scene. Two fire trucks roared down Clinton Street, sirens piercing the stormy air. Firefighters worked quickly to contain the blaze, while police officers blocked off the road to keep neighbors safe and give crews room to work.
Thanks to Pierce’s fast thinking and the rapid response of emergency personnel, the fire was contained before it could spread further. The couple stayed at a safe distance and no injuries were reported.
When it comes to fire, it’s not just the flames—it’s the response. The readiness. The quiet resolve of those who show up before the rest of us even know to worry.
CORRECTION: CLINTON 8/22/2025
“Heaven’s 27”: Families of Camp Mystic Victims Testify in Support of SB 1 to Reform Texas Camp Safety
by Cuero Online News
🕊️ Austin, TX — August 20, 2025 –In a day marked by heartbreak and resolve, families of the 27 young girls and counselors who perished in the catastrophic July 4th Hill Country floods at Camp Mystic gathered at the Texas Capitol to testify in support of Senate Bill 1 — a sweeping legislative proposal aimed at overhauling safety protocols at youth camps statewide.
The emotional hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding was the first public appearance by many of the grieving families since the tragedy. Their testimony was raw, powerful, and deeply personal — a collective plea to ensure that no other parent endures the anguish they now carry.
“We sent her to camp, not a war zone,” said Michael McCown, father of 8-year-old Linnie. “That trust was broken in the most devastating way. No one had to die that day.”
SB 1, authored by Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), was crafted in close collaboration with the victims’ families. The bill proposes:
- 🚫 Banning cabins in designated floodplains
- 📻 Mandating weather radios and emergency alert systems in every cabin
- 🧭 Requiring evacuation drills, muster zones, and staff training
- 📄 Ensuring parents receive emergency plans and floodplain disclosures
- 🔁 Annual updates to emergency protocols and coordination with local emergency managers
Kerr County July 4, 2025
Among the voices was Lacey Hollis, mother of Virginia, a spirited 8-year-old cowgirl from Bellville who dreamed of becoming a saddle bronc rider like her grandfather. Through tears, Hollis described the “excruciating and unimaginable pain” of losing her daughter and urged lawmakers to pass “meaningful safeguards” for the tens of thousands of children who attend summer camps across Texas.
Cici Williams Steward, whose daughter Cile remains missing, spoke of the “torture chamber of uncertainty” her family now lives in. She recounted how generations of her family had attended Camp Mystic, never imagining the danger that would steal her daughter’s life.
“Obvious common-sense safety measures were absent. Protocols that should have been in place were ignored. As a result, my daughter was stolen from us,” Steward said.
The families have come to call their daughters “Heaven’s 27,” a name that now echoes through the halls of the Capitol as a symbol of both loss and purpose. Their testimony has galvanized bipartisan support for SB 1, which is expected to move swiftly through committee.
As one lawmaker put it, “We will never un-hear their stories. And their precious children will never be forgotten.”
https://metro.co.uk/galleries/girls-killed-in-camp-mystic-flood-disaster-pictured-alongside-heart-breaking-tributes-23610291/
