Yorktown Elementary Honored as DeWitt County’s First Healthy Texas Recognized School
By Staff Writer
June 20, 2025
YORKTOWN, TX — In a proud milestone for local education and community health, Yorktown Elementary School (Y.E.S.) has become the first campus in DeWitt County to earn the designation of a Healthy Texas Recognized School.
During Monday night’s Yorktown ISD school board meeting, County Extension Agent Denise Goebel presented the school with a banner, certificate, and formal proclamation on behalf of Rusty Hohlt, Director of Healthy South Texas with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
This honor reflects Y.E.S.’s strong dedication to promoting student wellness, good nutrition, and healthy lifestyle habits. The school’s efforts align with the broader mission of the Healthy South Texas initiative, which aims to enhance public health outcomes across the state.
The entire Y.E.S. community—faculty, students, and families—has been lauded for their commitment to fostering a supportive, health-conscious learning environment. The designation marks an exciting chapter for the campus, affirming its leadership in building a healthier, brighter future for young Texans.
Congratulations to Yorktown Elementary on achieving this distinguished honor.
Christa Leigh’s School of Dance Hosts Free Two-Day Camp for Kids
By: Staff Writer
June 20, 2025
Young dancers from Cuero and surrounding communities are invited to take part in a lively, two-day Free Dance Camp at Christa Leigh’s School of Dance. Designed for ages 3 and up, the camp promises a high-energy introduction to a variety of dance styles, encouraging kids to move, groove, and explore their creativity in a supportive setting.
Open to both newcomers and returning students, this free camp offers a chance for families to experience the studio’s dynamic program without paying for instruction. While instruction is free of charge, there is a fee of $20 for an official camp T-shirt which is part of registration. The shirt not only gives all dancers a fun, coordinated look during camp, but also serves as a special memento of their experience.”
“This is an ideal time for anyone who’s been curious about our program to check it out,” says the event listing. “We’ve got something really exciting planned.”
Registration is currently open, and space is limited. Interested families can reach out to Christa Leigh’s School of Dance on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/christaleighsschoolofdance or by calling 361-491-1766 to learn more or reserve a spot.
With its mix of movement, music, and community, the Free Dance Camp promises two days of creative expression children won’t want to miss.
Measles Cases Surge Across U.S. Amid Declining Vaccination Rates
By: T. Garcia
As of June 19, 2025, a total of 1,214 confirmed* measles cases were reported by 36 jurisdictions: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
There have been 23 outbreaks** reported in 2025, and 89% of confirmed cases (1,081 of 1,214) are outbreak-associated. For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024 and 69% of cases (198 of 285) were outbreak-associated.
*CDC is aware of probable measles cases being reported by jurisdictions. However, the data on this page only includes confirmed cases.
**CDC reports the cumulative number of measles outbreaks (defined as 3 or more related cases) that have occurred this year in the U.S.; states have the most up-to-date information about cases and outbreaks in their jurisdictions.
FreshRealm Recalls Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Meals Amid Listeria Concerns
June 20, 2025
By T. Garcia – Cuero, Texas
On June 17, 2025, FreshRealm issued a nationwide recall of its refrigerated chicken fettuccine alfredo meals due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness. The meals were sold under the Marketside and Home Chef brands at major retailers including Kroger and Walmart.
Health officials are urging the public not to consume the recalled meals and to check their refrigerators immediately. Any potentially contaminated containers or surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned, as Listeria can survive in cold environments and spread to other foods.
This recall has now been linked to a serious Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that resulted in three deaths, one fetal loss, and at least 17 reported illnesses across 13 states, including Texas. The illnesses occurred between July 2024 and May 2025, with fatalities confirmed in Illinois, Michigan, and Texas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continue to investigate the outbreak.
Listeria poses the greatest risk to pregnant women, seniors over 65, and individuals with weakened immune systems. For pregnant women, symptoms like fever, muscle aches, and fatigue may seem mild but can lead to pregnancy loss or serious complications in newborns. Others may experience headaches, stiff necks, confusion, and convulsions along with flu-like symptoms.
Symptoms of listeriosis may surface within two weeks of exposure, though onset can range from the same day to as late as 10 weeks after consuming contaminated food. Consumers are advised to discard any impacted meals and consult a healthcare provider if symptoms occur following possible exposure.
As the investigation continues, health officials stress the importance of checking product labels and staying informed. In moments like this, diligence in the grocery aisle—and in the kitchen—can make a life-saving difference.
Juneteenth in Cuero: Remembering Freedom, Reflecting on Recognition
By Pat Trevino
June 19th is not just another date on the calendar—it’s a day that reshaped the moral compass of a nation. Known as Juneteenth, this day commemorates the moment in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation—over two years after it had been issued. For many enslaved African Americans in Texas, freedom did not come with the stroke of Lincoln’s pen, but with the marching of boots on Southern soil. Juneteenth stands as a powerful symbol of delayed justice and hard-won liberty.
Across the country, cities celebrate this holiday with parades, educational events, and cultural festivals—gatherings that honor the legacy and perseverance of Black Americans. In Cuero, however, observance appears quieter. While city offices close in recognition of Juneteenth as a paid holiday, there are no official events or commemorative programs marking the occasion. It’s a subtle contrast—acknowledging the holiday on paper without visibly embracing the opportunity to engage with its meaning.
That said, history has a way of whispering even when the present stays silent. Take, for example, T. L’ Overture Street, right here in Cuero. The street bears the name of Toussaint L’ Overture—known as “the Black Napoleon”—whose leadership transformed a French colony of enslaved people into the first Black republic: Haiti. T L’ Overture’s military brilliance and steadfast vision of liberty sent shockwaves through the institution of slavery across the Americas. It is no small thing that such a figure is honored in the naming of a Cuero street.
One wonders whether those who chose that name fully appreciated the historical weight it carried. Perhaps our city’s early leaders understood the radical dignity T L’ Overture represented. Or perhaps, over time, the name has outlasted awareness of its origins. Either way, the presence of T. L’ Overture on our city map feels like a quiet nod to a legacy of freedom fighters—a legacy Juneteenth asks us to remember loudly and clearly.
So as we reflect on this national holiday, let’s consider what it means not only to acknowledge freedom with a day off but to celebrate it with intention. Recognition without reflection misses the point. Cuero’s history, like that of the nation, is layered and complex. And perhaps in that complexity lies the opportunity—to learn, to honor, and maybe even to do better by those who came before us.
Josephine Marie “Jo-Marie” Lookabill- April 15, 1950 to June 17, 2025 (75)
GONZALES: Josephine Marie “Jo-Marie” Lookabill, age 75, passed away On Tuesday, June 17, 2025. She was born April 15, 1950, to Hilbert C. Henke and Mary (Etzler) Henke. She grew up in Komensky, Texas and graduated from Bishop Forest High School in 1968.
On November 5, 1969, she married Willard Raymond Lookabill and together, they raised six children. Jo-Marie and Willard were inseparable, and they went everywhere together. They enjoyed going for drives, sitting outside in the evenings, going to church and dancing.
Jo-Marie devoted her life to raising her children. She was a hard-working woman who passed her strong work ethic on to her children. She often went above and beyond for her family, always sacrificing so that her family did not go without. She loved to cook and one could always find something delicious to devour in her kitchen. She served as the hub of protection for her children, and they always knew that they could count on her for help. Once her children were grown, grandchildren became her focus. You could always find one or more of her grandchildren running around her house, often driving her “crazy” as she would say in a loving way. She enjoyed attending events that her grandchildren were involved in, and she would often tell her children to “pick me up” so that she could ride along to the event.
In her spare time, she loved gardening. She always had an assortment of plants and flowers that she tended to as if they were her children, and she enjoyed sharing cuttings of her plants with others to help them grow their own plants. She enjoyed playing bingo, doing word searches, and participating in the socials with her neighbors in the senior citizen community where she resided.
Jo-Marie grew up a devout Catholic. She and Willard were members of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Sweet Home, Texas until his death in 2014. She then became a member of Faith Family Church in Gonzales, Texas. She was a woman of great faith and loved attending church regularly.
She is survived by her six children: Kimberly Avant (Brandon) of Gonzales, Jeffrey Lookabill of Gonzales, Tara Cook (Matt) of New Braunfels, Brian Lookabill (Marla) of Teague; Kelli Stewart (Brandon) of Gonzales and Tammy Oliver (Jeff) of Victoria.
She was blessed with 20 grandchildren whom she adored; DJ Richter (Connor), Mason Richter, Colby Richter, Jake, Luke, Hannah and Lillie Avant, Jayden Lookabill, Jordan Lookabill, Ravyn Lookabill, John Dillion Cook (Alexis), Kade Collins (Drew), Kall Collins (Brinlie), Kai Hamilton (Dalton), Kas Lookabill, Ashlynn Sanders (Braxton), Abby Stewart, Nathan Oliver, Kaleb Oliver and Drew Oliver. She was tremendously blessed with 9 great-grandchildren, Rhett, Corlee Jo, and Rhimes Richter, Ace and Asher Richter, Willow Lookabill, Autumn Cook, Emory, Wrenlee and Ketch Collins and Stonie Sanders.
She is also survived by her siblings; Hilbert Henke Jr., Carl Henke, Thomas Henke, Mildred Timm, Donnie Henke, Joyce Kocian, Tim Henke, Jane Janacek and Dale Henke.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Hilbert and Mary Henke; husband, Willard Lookabill; grandson, Dustin Cook; son-in-law, Dennis Richter; brother, Royce Henke.
Graveside Service 2 p.m., Monday, June 23, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery with Deacon Dennis Kutach officiating.
Pallbearers are Dillon Cook, Kaleb Oliver, Ashlynn Stewart, Jaydyn Lookabill, Kall Collins, Mason Richter and Colby Richter.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Heart to Heart Hospice.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Heights of Gonzales and Heart to Heart Hospice for their kindness and loving care given to Jo-Marie.
Texas Rainy Day Fund: A Financial Lifeline with Unresolved Local Challenges
June 17, 2025
By Staff Writer
The Texas Rainy Day Fund, officially known as the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF), plays a crucial role in protecting the state’s economy during financial downturns. Established in 1988, it is funded through oil and gas severance tax revenues, collected from operating companies as the first sellers of production. While this system has ensured the growth of the fund—now projected to exceed $28 billion—some local officials have raised concerns about how these revenues are distributed.
Judge Fowler Highlights a Key Funding Gap
According to Judge Fowler’s recent statement, counties directly impacted by oil and gas activity receive no direct revenue from severance tax collections, despite significant wear and tear on local infrastructure. Fowler points out that county roads sustain serious damage from drilling and production activities, leaving local governments responsible for repairs—often requiring property tax increases to cover the costs.
However, Texas law restricts property tax revenue growth to just 3.5% per year, which limits counties’ ability to address infrastructure challenges. In addition, Fowler expressed frustration with the Texas Legislature, which did not allocate funding for the County Transportation Infrastructure Grant Fund in the latest state budget. The loophole allowing tax abatements for operating companies, while roads deteriorate, remains another unresolved issue.
Debates Over Use of Rainy Day Funds
While the ESF has been used for disaster relief, education, and infrastructure projects, the exclusion of direct funding for county road repairs has sparked ongoing discussion among local leaders. As Texas lawmakers continue to weigh how surplus funds should be used, questions remain about whether counties bearing the brunt of industry-related road damage should receive a fair share of financial support.
With billions in reserve, the Rainy Day Fund serves as a critical economic safeguard, but concerns from rural communities highlight the need for legislative adjustments. How Texas decides to allocate its resources in the coming years will determine whether counties struggling with road maintenance see relief.
Step Into the Spotlight: Double J Saddlery Searching for Authentic Models
By Cuero Online News Staff
June 17, 2025
YOAKUM, TX – Double J Saddlery, a renowned name in western gear, is searching for authentic Cowboys and Cowgirls to represent its brand in upcoming promotional materials. The company is casting models for social media, website content, catalogs, and seasonal advertisements, highlighting the true spirit of the western lifestyle.
The call is open to men and women aged 20 and above who reside within 100 miles of Yoakum, TX. Ideal candidates are those involved in ranching, rodeo, hunting, or other western activities and have a passion for Double J Saddlery products.
Selected models will have the opportunity to showcase top-quality saddlery and gear while embodying the rugged authenticity that defines the brand. Some travel may be required for photoshoots, ensuring a diverse range of settings that celebrate the western tradition.
This is a unique opportunity for western lifestyle enthusiasts to represent a respected brand in the industry. Applications are now open, and Double J Saddlery encourages all eligible candidates to step forward and become part of this exciting campaign.
For more updates on casting calls and upcoming promotions, stay tuned to Double J Saddlery’s official channels.
Would you or someone you know be interested in applying?
Interested individuals can apply through the official Google form provided by Double J Saddlery – To apply: