Cuero ISD Gobble Bots Make Their Mark at FIRST Robotics Competition
Cuero Independent School District’s Gobble Bots are off to a strong start this season! This past weekend, the team showcased their engineering prowess and teamwork by placing 8th in the highly competitive FIRST Robotics competition.
This notable achievement has set a solid foundation for the Gobble Bots as they gear up for two critical competitions in January. With eyes on the prize, the team is determined to secure one of the top 6 spots, which would qualify them to advance to the area competition.
Cuero ISD and the community are buzzing with excitement and pride for the Gobble Bots’ dedication and hard work. Let’s rally behind our team as they continue to innovate, compete, and strive for excellence in the world of robotics.
Go Gobble Bots!
Religious Leader Declares himself a Prophet: Gets 50 years for Engaging in Sex with Children
December 9, 2024 –
Samuel Bateman, a polygamist religious leader, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for coercing underage girls into criminal sex acts and kidnapping them from protective custody. Bateman, who led a small offshoot of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), pleaded guilty to transporting minors for sexual activity and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. His group, based in Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah, split from the mainstream LDS Church after it abandoned polygamy in 1890.
U.S. District Court Judge Susan Brnovich sentenced Bateman after hearing statements from three teenage girls about their ongoing trauma. The judge emphasized that Bateman’s actions stripped the girls of their innocence and childhood. A competency hearing was held before sentencing to assess Bateman’s mental health.
The girls, now living with foster families, described their struggles in high school and the support they received from trusted adults. After the sentencing, they were escorted out of court by members of “Bikers Against Child Abuse.”
Bateman’s practice of claiming spiritual “wives,” including underage girls, has long plagued the FLDS. He was a follower of Warren Jeffs, who was convicted of sexual assaults in Texas in 2011. Bateman declared himself a “prophet” and began taking female adults and children from his male followers, proclaiming them as his “wives.”
Bateman made girls recite that there was no adultery, darkness or guilt in the sex acts but rather that they were acts of “obedience,” according to court filings describing video footage.
Federal agents said Bateman demanded public confessions from his followers and imposed punishments ranging from public shaming to sexual activity. He traveled extensively between Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and Nebraska, coercing underage girls into criminal sexual activity. Bateman’s arrest in August 2022 occurred when authorities were alerted by someone who noticed small fingers protruding through the slats of a trailer door that lacked ventilation. State police discovered a makeshift toilet, a sofa, camping chairs, and three girls aged 11 to 14 in a trailer being towed through Flagstaff, Arizona.
Bateman’s plea agreement required all his co-defendants to plead guilty and called for restitution of up to $1 million per victim. Seven of Bateman’s adult “wives” have been convicted of crimes related to coercing children into sexual activity or impeding the investigation. Two Colorado City brothers also face sentencing for charges related to persuading or coercing a child to engage in sexual activity.
Yorktown Students Shine at Tiger Tough Weld Off in Rockdale, TX
Rockdale, Texas – The talented Ag. Mech students from Yorktown High School, under the guidance of Mr. Richburg, made a significant impact at the Tiger Tough Weld Off contest held in Rockdale, Texas. The team, comprised of Hagen Newman, Josh Prado, Zayden Medina, Travis Buesing, and Adam Serbin, showcased their skills by fabricating a rocket stove, ultimately securing a commendable 7th place in the build-off competition.
One of the highlights of the event was Adam Serbin successfully completing his AWS Level 1 D1.9 sheet metal welding certification, marking his first welding certification. This accomplishment reflects the dedication and hard work of both Adam and his mentor, Mr. Richburg.
Hagen Newman also made a remarkable achievement by earning a 3rd place finish in the Tool ID contest, bringing home some well-deserved hardware. His success adds to the growing list of accolades for the Yorktown FFA team.
Additionally, seniors Hagen Newman and Zayden Medina each received a $500 scholarship from Lincoln Tech and a $500 scholarship from Tulsa Welding School, totaling $1,000 in scholarships for each student. Notably, Zayden Medina has accumulated $4,500 in scholarships over the past two weeks, thanks to his outstanding performances in welding contests.
Mr. Richburg expressed immense pride in his students, emphasizing that this is just the beginning of many more competitions to come. Congratulations to Hagen Newman, Josh Prado, Zayden Medina, Travis Buesing, and Adam Serbin for their exceptional achievements and to the Yorktown FFA for their continued success.
Yorktown Students Medina and Prado Triumph at Texas Welding Series: Rising Star of Texas Welding Contest
Mr. Richburg and his Ag. Mechanic students, Zayden Medina and Joshua Prado recently showcased their exceptional skills at the “Texas Welding Series: Rising Star of Texas” welding contest held at Texas State University.
Competing against a formidable group of 456 students in three challenging contests—Tool ID and Quiz, Underwater Welding, and VR Welding—Joshua Prado and Zayden Medina delivered outstanding performances. Joshua Prado secured a commendable 3rd place in the VR Welding contest, gaining valuable experience for future competitions.
Zayden Medina truly shone, clinching 1st place in both the VR Welding and Underwater Welding contests. His remarkable achievements earned him an invitation to the Texas Welding Series state competition in June. Medina’s victories also brought home two large metal Rising Star of Texas trophies, three new welding hoods, a TIG torch, two extensive tool bags filled with gloves, welding jackets, caps, grinding wheels, three caps, and an Ocean Corp diving coin.
Additionally, Zayden’s first-place finishes awarded him significant scholarships, including a $2,000 scholarship from Ocean Corp. Welding School, a $500 scholarship from Lincoln Welding, and a $500 scholarship from Tulsa Welding School.
Mr. Richburg expressed immense pride in his students’ achievements, highlighting that this is only the second of many more contests to come. Congratulations to Joshua Prado, Zayden Medina, and the Yorktown FFA on their impressive success!
Three Fort Cavazos Soldiers Arrested in Smuggling Conspiracy
Alpine, Texas – In a significant bust, three soldiers from Fort Cavazos were arrested for their alleged roles in a conspiracy to smuggle undocumented noncitizens. The arrests followed a thorough investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents, with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol and the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division.
On November 27, a U.S. Border Patrol agent attempted to stop a vehicle in Presidio, Texas. As the agent approached, the vehicle sped away, striking another Border Patrol vehicle and injuring an agent inside. The vehicle was eventually stopped by Presidio County sheriff’s deputies and police officers, leading to the apprehension of four individuals. Among them were three undocumented noncitizens—one Mexican national and two Guatemalan nationals—and Emilio Mendoza Lopez, who claimed to be a passenger.
The driver, identified as Angel Palma, fled the scene but was later found at a hotel in Odessa, Texas. Investigations revealed that Mendoza Lopez and Palma traveled from Fort Cavazos to Presidio to transport undocumented noncitizens. Enrique Jauregui, the third individual, is believed to be the recruiter and facilitator of the operation. Data from Palma’s phone confirmed the collaboration among the three soldiers.
Mendoza Lopez appeared in court on December 2, facing charges of harboring undocumented noncitizens. Palma and Jauregui are set to appear on December 6 in Waco, Texas, facing similar charges, along with assaulting a federal agent. Their sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Cayton.
The Story of Juan Diego: Americas first Historically Recorded Vision of the Virgin Mary
Ten years after Hernando Cortez had conquered Mexico City, and long before the settlements in Jamestown the first recorded apparition in America was documented by the Indigenous writer Antonio Valeriano. Valeriano’s document, published in 1649, is featured in “El Nican Mopohua” and was written in Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs or Mexicano’s.
The story tells of the apparitions of Juan Diego Cuāuhtlahtoātzin, also known simply as Juan Diego. On December 9, 1531, Juan Diego, a Nahua peasant and devout Catholic, was on his way to Mass near the Franciscan mission station at Tlatelolco. As he passed the hill of Tepeyac which is near Mexico City he began to hear beautiful melodies, and he saw a lovely lady who called out his name. She spoke in his native tongue, and he asked the Blessed Mother her name. She responded, “Tlecuatlecupe” which means “the one who crushes the head of the serpent” The serpent was the prominent symbol of the Aztec religion which performed human sacrifices. When pronounced correctly, “Tlecuatlecupe” bears a striking resemblance in sound to “Guadalupe.”
As Juan Diego approached, she said in the Aztec language, “Know for certain, least of my sons, that I am the perfect and perpetual Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, the true God, through whom everything lives, the Lord of all things near and far, the Master of Heaven and earth. It is my earnest wish that a temple be built here to my honor. Here I will demonstrate, I will manifest, I will give all my love, my compassion, my help and my protection to the people. I am your merciful mother, the merciful mother of all of you who live united in this land, and of all mankind, of all those who love me, of those who cry to me, of those who seek me, and of those who have confidence in me. Here I will hear their weeping, their sorrow, and will remedy and alleviate all their multiple sufferings, necessities, and misfortunes.”
She instructed Juan Diego to inform Bishop Zumarraga about her wish for a church to be erected on that site. Bishop Zumarraga, after hearing Juan Diego’s account, patiently indicated he would consider it, naturally expressing skepticism about the tale.
Juan Diego returned to Tepayac and relayed the bishop’s response. Mary encouraged him to persist. The following day, he approached the bishop again. Despite greater difficulty in gaining an audience, Juan Diego succeeded, and the bishop listened with patience. Yet, the bishop requested a sign from Mary to verify the account. Juan Diego conveyed this to the Blessed Mother, who assured him that he would be given “the sign” for the bishop the next day.
On December 11, Juan Diego devoted his day to taking care of his gravely ill uncle, Juan Bernardino. His uncle requested that Juan Diego bring a priest to hear his confession and give him the last rites. The following day on December 12, Juan Diego embarked once more but took a different route to avoid Tepeyac Hill, feeling ashamed for not having fulfilled the Blessed Mother’s request to return the day before.
As he took this detour, he was stopped by the Blessed Mother and she said to him, “Hear and let it penetrate into your heart, my dear little son: let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you. Let nothing alter your heart or your countenance. Also, do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else that you need?” Mary reassured Juan Diego that his uncle would not die; in fact, his health had been restored.
Mary then instructed Juan Diego to go to the mountain and gather flowers. He climbed the hill, which was arid and barren, a place for cacti, and discovered roses like those from Castille, yet not native to Mexico. He gathered them in his tilma, a garment like a poncho. He brought them to Mary who arranged them and said to take them to the bishop.
Juan Diego returned to the residence of Bishop Zumarraga. After awaiting his turn, he conveyed the message once more to the bishop and unfolded his tilma to reveal the roses. To the bishop’s astonishment, he saw not just the splendid flowers but also the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Overcome with emotion, Bishop Zumarraga shed tears at the vision of the Holy Mother and sought pardon for his skepticism.
Bishop Zumarraga placed the tilma at the altar in his chapel. By that Christmas, a humble adobe structure had been erected on Tepeyac Hill to honor Our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe. It was dedicated on December 26, 1531, on the feast day of St. Stephen the Martyr.
U.S. Department of Education Calls on States, Districts, and Schools to Adopt Policies for Student Use of Cell Phones and Personal Devices
The U.S. Department of Education is calling on every state, district, and school to adopt policies that guide the use of student personal devices in schools, and today is issuing a new resource, Planning Together: A Playbook for Student Personal Device Policies, which offers a model process that education leaders can use to design policies for use of cell phones and other personal devices in schools alongside educators, students, parents, and caregivers. It provides a set of step-by-step practices for building shared understanding of the needs and concerns surrounding cell phones in a school community, and recommendations for addressing them through clear and consistent policies.
“In this digital age, every elementary, middle, and high school should have a clear, consistent, and research-informed policy to guide the use of phones and personal devices in school,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “I want our department to be a resource to school leaders. That is why we are issuing a new guide to help support education officials and local communities in developing policies that are understandable and enforceable, and prioritize learning while ensuring student safety. The evidence makes clear: there is no one-size-fits-all policy. Different school communities have different needs, and the nuances of this issue demand that local voices – parents, educators, and students – inform local decisions around the use of personal devices in school.”
Although we know that phones can play an important role in helping parents keep in touch with their children, especially in emergencies, a growing body of evidence is cause for concern about the impact of cell phones in schools and on our young people. In addition to impacting the ability of students to stay on task and focus during class, social media accessed on cell phones may also have negative health effects for some young people like depression and suicidal ideation, sleep disruption, or exposure to cyberbullying.
The prompts in the playbook released today are designed to support every school, school district, or state to develop a policy that fits their local context – including policies that further restrict or prohibit the use of devices during school time. It includes examples and resources around cell phone policies, as well as additional reading to better understand the student personal device issue, sample device policies from across the country, and additional considerations for the development and implementation of personal device policies.
Additionally, this resource makes clear that schools, educators, students, and parents share responsibility for preparing students to be good “digital citizens” who can navigate the digital world responsibly and constructively – alongside the implementation of any policy.
TEXFest 2025: A Celebration of Theatre and Community
Get ready for an exciting and enriching experience at TEXFest 2025, taking place from March 12 to 16, 2025, at the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts in Victoria, TX. Hosted by Theatre Victoria, this annual event promises to be a highlight for theatre enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Event Highlights:
-Dates: March 12 – 16, 2025
– Location: Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts, Victoria, TX
– Host: Theatre Victoria
Registration Details:
Registration for TEXFest 2025 is now open! By registering, participants will gain access to all events throughout the festival, including:
– Performances
– Workshops
– Annual and quad meetings (including lunches)
– Networking opportunities
Early registration is highly recommended to secure the best price available, as prices will increase on January 1, 2025.
Stay Informed:
For more information and updates, keep an eye on the TEXFest website at www.texastheatres.org/texfest
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of theatre, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and enhance your skills and knowledge. Mark your calendars and register today for TEXFest 2025!