SDN: January 5, 2026

MON

3 DAY FORECAST TODAY 77/57

January 5, 2026

Volume 60 l Number 235

TUESDAY 83/61

WEDNESDAY 82/61

SDN Weather is brought to you by Ewald Kubota.

EwaldKubota.com

Visit us online at:

Your local news, sports, country music & more are always LIVE, online!

830-379-2234 l 609 E. Court St., Seguin TX, 78155

The Voice of Seguin

WEEKEND EDITION

TODAY

Seguin ISD Details Campus, District Level Strategy to Improve Academic Performance Darren Dunn

(Seguin) -- The Seguin ISD is working to improve the academic achievement of all students at all of its campuses. The district recently released its plans to improve performance within the state’s accountability measures.

Superintendent Jack Lee says the district is taking a strategic approach to improving academic performance across its campuses.

Dr. Lee says there must be a critical focus on leadership at both the campus and district level, along with a clear and sustained commitment to teacher support. He says those elements are essential to driving meaningful change across the district. He went on to layout the full strategy during a recent meeting of the Seguin ISD Board of Trustees.

Creation of Campus Leveling As part of the overall strategy, Lee says the district has created three campus levels to better identify schools based on past academic performance, with Level 3 representing campuses that need the most support. More than 50 percent of students currently enrolled in the Seguin ISD attend one of the four schools identified as Level 3.

SISD, pg. 2

2 NEWS

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

SISD, continued.

“Level 3 is our campuses that need the most support.

And the way that they become a Level 3 campus is they either have a D or an F rating in the current year, or they had an F at one point in the two prior years. So, it’s not just about where we’re at this moment, but also where are we coming from, so that we can make sure that we have the support we need. We have four campuses that fall in that window as being a Level 3: Jefferson Elementary, Barnes Middle School, Rodriguez Elementary, and Seguin High School. Those are the ones that I feel like need the most support to be able to see the improvement that we need to happen,” said Lee. Level 2 schools represent the next tier. These campuses have not earned failing grades, but still require clearly defined support.

“A Level 2 campus is based off of any campus that currently has a C rating or had a D rating at some point in the prior two years. Again, we’re not looking at just where we’re at, but also where did we come from,” said Lee. “Those six campuses are Ball. Keep in mind that Ball does not get accountability ratings by itself. They are a paired campus with Koennecke. So whatever Koennecke’s rating is, Ball carries that. Ball Early Childhood is on that list because Koennecke had a D in 2024. AJB also had a D in 2024, and so they’re a Level 2. Patlan is listed on here as a Level 2 campus because they had a D in 2023. Patlan is one of our interesting campuses that went from a D to an A to a B. That doesn’t mean that we’re all out of the woods.

We want to keep moving forward. We want to get them to be a Level 1 campus. Vogel had a D in 2024 last year, and Weinert had a D in 2024 last year also.”

Two campuses — McQueeney Elementary and the Mercer-Blumberg Learning Center (MBLC) — are classified as Level 1. These schools have maintained a higher level of academic performance over the past three school years.

What the Levels Mean The campus leveling system establishes a clearer response from the district as it works to improve academic performance at each school. Level 3 campuses, which require the most academic and classroom support, will see some of the most significant changes. This includes increased classroom support and more frequent campus visits. Lee says district leadership will spend additional time on these campuses to ensure quality instruction is taking place.

“We’ll do instructional rounds in January, where we walk campuses across the district and classrooms across the

MON. January 5, 2026

district as leadership teams to look at what’s happening in there. Those instructional rounds are not about teachers.

I want to be very clear. The instructional rounds are not about teachers. We are going in and we are looking at what’s happening, but it is about us and making sure we are calibrated on what we are seeing. If we see good instruction, do we agree that it’s good instruction? What makes it good instruction? We don’t even document which teachers’ rooms we go into. We don’t write that stuff down because it’s not about teachers. It’s about just how we are seeing things,” said Lee. While instructional rounds are not evaluative, there will be additional T-TESS (Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System) observations at Level 3 and Level 2 campuses. Teachers at Level 3 campuses will receive three observations annually, while Level 2 campuses will receive two. Lee says this approach is designed to provide better feedback and ensure quality instruction is occurring in schools that need the most support.

“They will have three T-TESS observations throughout the school year — not just one, but three times between now and the beginning of the year and the end of the year. If they’ve already had one, great. The only way we can know what’s happening in classrooms is if we are in the classrooms. That’s nothing against the teacher. It’s about making the teacher better. I think we have quality teachers on all of these campuses. Our goal is to make them better.

And then monthly curriculum calibration walks where we are walking campuses and we are seeing what is being taught, and is it aligned with the scope and sequence of what is supposed to be taught in classrooms,” said Lee. The additional observations are just a small part of the plan. Lee says additional teacher support will also be provided throughout the year.

“For teacher development for a Level 3 campus, that also includes bi-weekly training every two weeks on instructional strategies that will be led by the curriculum and instruction department. We’re not talking about what you’re teaching, but how you’re teaching — high-impact, research-based, high-leverage instructional strategies in the classroom. And so, we start rolling those out to staff, and then all core teachers in tested subjects, especially, have to have monthly instructional coaching and monthly administrative feedback cycles where we’re talking about what we’re seeing and what’s happening in those classrooms,” said Lee. Regardless of a campus’s assigned level, much of the support structure will apply districtwide. Lee says there is significant overlap among Turnaround Plans and Targeted Improvement Plans across campuses.

SISD, pg. 3

3 NEWS

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

MON. January 5, 2026

SISD, continued.

Why These Changes?

Some teachers may initially view the changes as intrusive, but Lee says the plan is designed to take a holistic approach that focuses on systemic improvement rather than individual classrooms. Lee says the district must ensure that every student receives a consistently high level of instruction, regardless of campus or classroom.

“We have to expect that on these campuses, especially, that we are implementing our HQIM — the High-Quality Instructional Materials and the district’s instructional materials. They have to be implemented with fidelity. We don’t miss, we don’t steer away from it. This is what has to be implemented so that we can make sure that it’s happening the way it’s supposed to. And then they would have twiceweekly PLCs (Professional Learning Community). One PLC that is focused on instruction and one that’s focused on data. The other thing is that for those campuses that are Level 3 campuses, we have to see that they are using lesson plans, which if they’re using HQIM with fidelity, the lesson plan is done for them. They don’t have to, but if there are specific lesson changes, that needs to be initiated by curriculum and instruction, and they have to use those — not self-created things,” said Lee. The plan also includes a review of leadership practices to ensure support systems are being used effectively.

“Our instructional coaches have to be trained on instructional coaching, and they have to actually provide instructional coaching to teachers and not be substituting for classrooms when there are vacancies. That’s not the support that we need to be able to see the improvement that we need to,” said Lee. Lee fully acknowledges that some changes may be unpopular, but says the district is committed to doing what is necessary to improve outcomes for students.

“We will get complaints about the work that is happening. I own it. Like, I own it right now. We’re going to tell people that they have to do something different than they have done before, and they will not like that. And you as a board will hear complaints about some of those things. Either we’re in it for the right reasons, or we’re not.

I wouldn’t recommend it if I didn’t think it’s what’s best for the district and what’s best for kids. And so even if we have things that people start complaining about — by all means, send them my way. I will be happy to have conversations with anyone. I will always visit with someone. I will not budge on what’s best for kids, though, period. That is my line in the sand. We’re going to do what’s best for kids,” said Lee. Lee says some teachers may express concern about a perceived loss of autonomy. He says the goal is not to take autonomy away, but to ensure instructional alignment and consistency across campuses.

“If you want to have full instructional autonomy of what happens across the district or in your classroom, you have to earn that ability by being an outstanding instructionbased individual. So it’s not a matter of us telling teachers they can’t do something or shouldn’t do something. It’s about — show us what you can do, and once you’ve earned

that ability, by all means, go for it. If you’re a phenomenal teacher, I want you to have the instructional autonomy that you need to do the job. But we’ve got to get everybody on the same page of where we’re at and what needs to happen,” said Lee. The Goal for the District Creating a culture of strong instruction in every classroom is at the heart of the district’s academic improvement plan. The strategy emphasizes leadership at every level and establishes consistent expectations districtwide.

“The goal is to get our campuses to an accountability rating that is appropriate. So in those targeted improvement plans, you will see that each campus has different goals that are set as part of that plan. Those are the goals that are necessary to get them out of the improvement cycle that TEA currently has us in because we have not performed where we are. So those goals are what we need to hit to move to that next level. Now you will see a lot of the same things in those targeted improvement plans from campus to campus. That is intentional. It’s intentional because we have to establish good instructional expectations across the district and good professional learning community protocols across the district. We have to have good instruction, whether it’s in a kindergarten classroom or a high school English 2 classroom — good practices are good practices,” said Lee. Lee says the district’s current accountability challenges developed over time and will require sustained effort to reverse.

“It’s not like something magical happened and all of a sudden we have low accountability ratings. It was an overtime thing that got us into the situation that we’re in. And I don’t know and I don’t care what the excuses are. All I care about is where we’re at and what we do next. I don’t care what happened in the past. I don’t care what caused it. None of that matters to me. What matters now is what are we doing for kids moving forward? But it did not happen overnight. I need the board to also understand that improvement will not happen overnight. We are not going to see magical improvement from tonight until tomorrow morning because I stood here and said, ‘this is what we’re going to do.’ It takes time to move the needle in a meaningful way that creates systemic change,” said Lee.

4 SPORTS

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

MON. January 5, 2026

TLU Tennis Announces 2026 Schedule Bryce Hayes

SEGUIN, Texas -- Coming off one of the most successful seasons in a decade, Texas Lutheran men’s and women’s tennis head coach David Mueller officially unveiled the 2026 spring slate Thursday.

The Bulldogs will compete at home eight times over the course of a 15-match schedule.

The Bulldogs will open the season on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at the Ohlenbusch-Rinn Tennis Center (ORTC) as they host Division-I Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Texas Lutheran will hit the road for the first time as they head to Austin to open conference play with a road clash against the Concordia (TX) Tornados before returning to Seguin for matches against UMHB (Feb. 14) and Howard Payne (Feb. 27).

Texas Lutheran’s road non-conference matches all come against Sul Ross State with whom the Bulldogs have a 15-match win streak against on the men’s side dating back to 2012. The Bulldogs will face the Lobos on March 6 and 7.

Conference play will restart with three straight home matches with the Bulldogs welcoming No. 61 Colorado College, Dallas, and Austin College to the ORTC. The Bulldogs will head to east Texas to take on LeTourneau (March 27) and St. Thomas (March 28).

The Bulldogs final home matches will come on April 10 and 11 against McMurry and Schreiner, with the Bulldogs honoring their seniors against the Mountaineers.

The regular season finale will come in the state of Arkansas as the Bulldogs will travel to Hendrix (April 17) and Ozarks (April 18) to close the regular season.

The 2026 SCAC Championships will be hosted by Schreiner in Waco, Texas from April 2426.

For more information on Texas Lutheran tennis, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter and Instagram (@TLUtennis) and as always you can find updates on all Texas Lutheran athletics on tlubulldogs.com and all official TLU social media channels (@tluathletics on Twitter, @ tlu_athletics on Instagram and TikTok, and @ tlubulldogs on Facebook).

5

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

MON. January 5, 2026

Ready To Start Planning Your Final Wishes?

Our staff is here to help you plan a unique service that tells your story.

1116 N. Austin St. Seguin, TX 78155 830-379-9430

Learn More palmermortuary.com

713 N. Austin St. Seguin, TX 78155 830-379-2313

Learn More goetzfuneral.com

...let us show you how.

6

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

MON. January 5, 2026

Our Our Family Family at at Factory Factory AC AC Direct Direct Wishes Wishes You You A A Warm Warm Holiday Holiday Season!!!

Season!!!

Affordable Comfort Starts Here!!!

HVAC HVAC Installations, Installations, Repairs Repairs and and Maintenance Maintenance

830-433-4005 830-433-4005

Thank Thank You You To Our Valued Customers!

717 N HWY 123 Bypass Seguin, Texas 78155 Locally Owned and Operated

TACLB29166E

7

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

MON. January 5, 2026

8

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

MON. January 5, 2026

9

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

MON. January 5, 2026

10 VITAL STATISTICS

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

MON. January 5, 2026

Huebner

grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary for most of her career. After retiring from teaching, she helped Franklin run the Seguin Driving School, and they enjoyed taking several trips together.

Velma married Franklin in 1961, and they built a home near Lake Placid.

Velma took great pride in their vegetable garden and pecan orchard. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and especially making pecan pralines. She was a member and delegate to several education meetings and conventions. She belonged to Emanuel’s Lutheran Church where she was a member of the Ladies Aid and enjoyed helping with their annual coffee cakes. She was also a past president of the Seguin Hermann Sons Lodge and the Lake Placid Homeowners Association.

Velma also enjoyed being a member of Delta Kappa Gamma.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. Emanuel’s Lutheran Church. Interment will follow in their columbarium.

A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to Emanuel’s Lutheran Church, 206 N. Travis St., Seguin, Texas, 78155.

You are invited to sign the guest book at www.treshewell.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.

Jahns

sister, Lillian Mayer Anderson and husband, Kenneth, her brothers-in-law, James Raymond Guidry and Billy Ray Jahns and sister-in-law, Sandy Mayer.

Survivors include her sister, Catherine Guidry; brother, Jack Mayer and wife Jean; beloved niece Deborah Guidry; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving family members and a host of friends.

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 2 p.m. at First Methodist Church with the Reverend Cathe Evins officiating. Interment will follow in San Geronimo Cemetery. A reception will follow in Hierholzer Hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to the choir or handbell ministry at First Methodist Church, 710 N. Austin St., Seguin, Texas, 78155.

You are invited to sign the guest book at www.treshewell.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.

Velma Anne Boecker Huebner entered heaven on December 23, 2025.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin Hugo Huebner, and her parents, Eugene and Ina Boecker.

She is survived by her sister, Alice Magavern, and her brother, Gary Boecker, her son Howard Huebner and daughter Sheri Lyn Gardner and husband Marc Gardner. She leaves four grandchildren: Valerie Gardner, Wendi Huebner (Dustin), Jeremy Huebner, and Michael Gardner, and one great-grandson, Waylin Huebner, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Velma was born on September 6, 1938, in Seguin, Texas. She grew up in the Leissner community and attended school there for eight years and then graduated from Seguin High School in 1956. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in education from Southwest Texas State University and later added a master’s degree in education and administration. She began her teaching career in Corpus Christi and later taught in San Antonio and Seguin. She was a first-

Joan Mayer Jahns, age 86 of Seguin, passed away on December 25, 2025. Joan was born on September 13, 1939, in Arlington, Texas, to Vera Lillian (Schlueter) and Eugene August Mayer.

Joan and Benny were active members of First United Methodist Church in Seguin where they were long time members of the Paulist Class. She always played the piano to open the class with hymns alongside Charlie Richey who sang. Joan was also active in the Church Choir and played the handbells.

Joan was preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, Benny Joe Jahns, her parents, her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lonie and Oscar Jahns,

11 VITAL STATISTICS

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

MON. January 5, 2026

Herbold

matched only by the love he held for his family. As we reflect on Chris’s life, we celebrate not only his adventurous pursuits but also the deep connections he formed with his loved ones.

He is survived by his devoted children, Derick, Kaison, Capri, Marley, and Charlee Herbold, each carrying a piece of his adventurous spirit within them. His mother, Tami Herbold and husband William Newberg, and his father, Alfredo Sanchez and wife Brenda Sanchez, stood proudly in his corner throughout his life. Chris also shared a special bond with his siblings; his sister Kristen Jahns and her husband Clint Jahns, as well as his sister Ciera Sanchez and brother AD Sanchez. He was a cherished uncle to Kendall Hurt and Caiden Jahns, and beloved grandson to Margaret Herbold and her husband Ruben Sanchez along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who created countless memories with him.

Though he is mourned by many, Chris is greeted in the beyond by those who passed before him, including his grandfather Texas John Herbold, stepfather Ricky Risinger, uncle Roger Herbold, aunt Wesley Shehane, cousin John Derick Herbold, and great-grandparents Milton and Catherine Krueger.

His legacy of love, laughter, and an insatiable appetite for life will inspire all who knew him to embrace each day with passion and joy. May he rest in peace, his spirit soaring high like the waves crashing along the shores of Kona, Hawaii.

A celebration of life ceremony will be announced at a later date.

Rosenblad

Ethel Rosenblad; and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Clyde and Allene Rosenblad.

She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Kauitzsch, and her son, Ricky Rosenblad (Brenda); her grandchildren, Derick Kauitzsch (Stephanie), Shelby Atchley (Justin), and Brittaney Rosenblad; her great-grandchildren, Tatum, Maliah, Jordan, Landen, Rowan, Callie, and Legend; her brother, Kenneth Jacobson (Nancy); her nephews, Doug Jacobson (Ellyn) and Tommy Rosenblad (Sherry); and her nieces, Diane Shivers (Rob) and Lori Rosenblad.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Tres Hewell Mortuary Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1326 E. Cedar Street, Seguin, Texas, followed by a reception in the Activity Center. Interment and graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Palm Valley Lutheran Church Cemetery, 2500 Palm Valley Boulevard, Round Rock, Texas 78665.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Palm Valley Lutheran Church, Faith Lutheran Church, or the charity of one’s choice.

You are invited to sign the guest book at www.treshewell.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.

Cowsert

Carnes and wife Mary; grandchildren, Christina Kimberling and husband Lee, J. R. Carnes and wife Jilian, Terry Carnes, Jr., Michael Carnes and wife Amanda, Andrew Carnes and wife Rachel, and James Carnes; eleven great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, other loving family members and friends.

A memorial service celebrating Virginia’s life will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Tres Hewell Mortuary Chapel with the Reverend Jeremy Roy officiating.

Private interment will follow later in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 1314 E. Cedar St., Seguin, Texas, 78155.

You are invited to sign the guest book at www.treshewell.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.

Christopher Brian Herbold, affectionately known to those who loved him as Chris, was born on February 3, 1984, in Seguin, Texas. He left this world on October 9, 2025, in beautiful Kona, Hawaii. Chris’s journey through life can be described as one marked by boundless energy, a thirst for adventure, and a spirit that ignited joy in all who had the privilege of knowing him.

After graduating from Seguin High School, Chris took a courageous step that would shape his future; he moved to Austin, Texas, where he began training to become an MMA fighter. Following this chapter, he spent several fulfilling years in Washington State, where he immersed himself in the great outdoors. Whether he was traversing hiking trails, gliding on a skateboard, conquering snow-covered slopes, cliff diving into refreshing waters, or racing on his BMX bike, his passion for the natural world was evident.

Chris’s zest for life ultimately led him to Kona, Hawaii, where he embraced an adventurous lifestyle surrounded by the beauty of nature and cherished moments spent with family.

Chris’s spirit was infectious, and his smile, contagious. How blessed are we to have someone that makes saying goodbye so hard. His love for adventure was

Marilyn Rosenblad, age 90, of Seguin, Texas, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026. She was born on January 13, 1935, in Austin, Texas, to Walter and Lillian (Westberg) Jacobson. She graduated from Hutto High School in 1953, where she enjoyed participating in sports.

Marilyn was a lifelong member of Palm Valley Lutheran Church, where she was baptized, confirmed, and married to Thomas Larry Rosenblad on June 24, 1955. They shared 51 wonderful years of marriage until his passing in 2006. Following his death, Marilyn became an associate member of Faith Lutheran Church in Seguin, where she remained active from 2007 until the present.

She worked various jobs in Austin and Georgetown before retiring. After her husband’s passing, Marilyn moved to Seguin to be closer to her daughter.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Thomas Larry Rosenblad; her infant daughter, Sharon; her infant brother, Carroll; her grandparents; her son-in-law, David Kauitzsch; her parents-in-law, Tom and

Virginia Jeanne Cowsert, age 93 of Seguin, passed away on December 17, 2025. Virginia was born on July 13, 1932, in San Antonio, Texas to Alma M. (Sasse) and James M. Young, Sr. Virginia was an active member of First Baptist Church and volunteered for many years at the Christian Cupboard in Seguin.

Virginia is preceded in death by her husband Edward Cowsert, son, Robert Carnes, her parents, her sister, Bernice Kirkpatrick, and her brother, James Young.

Survivors include her sons, Richard Carnes and wife Peggy, and Terry

12 VITAL STATISTICS

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

Ullrich

Farrell “Spitzie” Ullrich, age 91, of Seguin, Texas, passed away on December 26, 2025. Born on October 14, 1934, in San Antonio, Texas, he was the son of Berthold Adolph Otto and Emma Augusta (Schmid) Ullrich Spitzie was a Charter member of Faith Lutheran Church. He was a barber by trade, a profession he practiced with pride and dedication over the years.

He was known for his steady hands, signature flattops, and the care he took with everyone who sat in his barber chair. Outside of work, he had a lifelong enjoyment of race cars, horses, cattle, and farming.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Gary Ullrich and his twin brother, Jarrell “Dickie” Ullrich; his sister, Shirley Ullrich; and his sister-inlaw, Karen Ullrich.

Spitzie is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jeanine Blackorby Ullrich; his daughter, Paige Cooper and her husband, Kevin; his son, Lance Ullrich and

Lewis

Gary Lynn Lewis died December 13, 2025 at the age of 66. Wake services will be held Friday from 6 to 8 pm from Galatians Church of God in Christ and Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10AM from GALATIANS COGIC.

MON. January 5, 2026

his wife, Kathleen; his grandchildren, who affectionately knew him as “Opa,” Hunter Ullrich and his wife, Hannah; Harley Ullrich and his wife, Kenna; Catie Cooper, and Reagan Cooper; great-grandchildren Addison and Olivia Ullrich; his brother, Glenn Ullrich of Spokane, WA; sister-in-law Clarice Ullrich; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Farrell “Spitzie” Ullrich will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother—a man who valued hard work, family, and the simple pleasures of life. His memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Faith Lutheran Church at 2:00p.m. with the Reverend Jeremy Pedersen officiating. A reception to follow in the Activity Center.

Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Lutheran Church, 1326 E. Cedar, Seguin, Texas, 78155, or to Guadalupe Regional Hospice Services, 1215 E. Court Street, Seguin, Texas, 78155.

You are invited to sign the guest book at www.treshewell.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years Delanie Lewis, 3 children, Gary(Rita), Derrick (Stephanie), and Cedrick(Karen); 5 grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Services entrusted to the reverent care of Eunice and Lee Mortuary

Bierstedt

(Trent) Tiffany Bierstedt; Patricia Manning Yahya (Aly); Kenny Manning; and great-grandchildren; Kaeleb, Trinity, Rayan and Ayden. Great great-grandchild Sadie.

Additionally, Jane is survived by a sister Caroline Wernli (Ron) and niece Roxanne Wernli Brown (Tim) and two nephews Barrett and Reeve Brown. Jane is also remembered by many other family members and close friends.

A memorial service will be held at the Kingsbury Baptist Church on January 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Manuel Casso officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Kingsbury Baptist Church, P. O. Box 130, Kingsbury, Texas, 78638 or the charity of one’s choice.

You are invited to sign the guest book at www.treshewell.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.

Svatek

A more complete obituary will follow when all arrangements are completed.

In lieu of flowers the family humbly asks for memorial contributions to be made to the Guadalupe County Humane Society, P. O. Box 1593, Seguin, Texas, 78155.

You are invited to sign the guest book at www.treshewell.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.

Jane Bierstedt passed away December 15, 2025, at the age of 90 years old.

Jane was born on January 20, 1935, in Farwell, Texas to Hertha Alva Bode McQuatters and Otis Roy McQuatters.

Jane attended Seguin High School and enjoyed a 30 plus year career employed with Southwestern Bell Telephone and AT&T. She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter Sheron Ann Manning and her great grandson Klayton Manning.

She is survived and is lovingly remembered by her husband of 61 years, Alton Bierstedt; son Aaron Bierstedt (Kimberly); grandchildren Brittany Wilkinson

Margarett Svatek, age 79 of Seguin, passed away on November 23, 2025.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 2 to 5 p.m. with remarks at 3 p.m.

13

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

MON. January 5, 2026

New Classification Would Find More Americans Obese (Undated) -- More Americans could be labeled obese under a new classification. For years, doctors have used body mass index, or BMI, to determine obesity. It’s a measure that uses height and weight. But a new study out this week found that measurement might not give an accurate number of overweight adults. Using a new proposal that includes waist measurements, more than 75 percent of adults in this country could be considered obese, instead of the 40 percent when just using BMI. The study was published in the journal JAMA Network Open.

Trump Speaks To WSJ On His Health (Washington, DC) -- President Trump says he has sometimes gone against the advice of his doctors and instead relies on his “good genetics.”

He spoke on his health in an interview with the Wall Street Journal published Thursday. Trump said he takes more aspirin than his doctors recommend because he’s been taking it for 25 years, adding, “I’m a little superstitious.” The Journal said friends, aides and donors claim Trump strains to hear, something Trump denied. The president also noted that he didn’t get a MRI in October as he often said for weeks, but rather a CT scan. Trump’s doctor said it was done “to definitively rule out any cardiovascular issues.”

SNAP Restrictions Taking Effect January 1st (Washington, DC) - Americans receiving SNAP benefits in five states will see restrictions on soda, candy and other foods take effect on January 1st. Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah and West Virginia are the first of at least 18 states to enact waivers prohibiting the purchase of certain foods through the program. It comes as part of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again effort, and it could impact more than 40 million Americans. The effort seeks to reduce chronic diseases associated with sweetened drinks and other treats.

Study Shows Wildfire Smoke More Harmful Than Originally Thought (Washington, DC) -- Smoke from wildfires may be more harmful than previously thought. A new study published in Environmental Science and Technology shows wildfires released an average of 143 million tons of airborne organic compounds each year during the study period. That’s about 21 percent higher than previously thought. Researchers looked at gases less studied. They say those are generally not included in wildfire pollution reports because they are difficult to measure.

14 COMMUNITY

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

MON. January 5, 2026

January

at 6:15 p.m., with the student-led ceremony beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. The event includes performances, remarks, a reception, and guided campus tours.

or $25 at the door. Reservations are required by contacting Glenda Partain at 830-391-3979 or silvercenter@sbcglobal.net

Seguin Little League seeking vendors for Spring 2026 season Seguin Little League is now accepting vendor applications for Opening Day and All Play Saturdays throughout the Spring 2026 season.

Interested vendors are encouraged to apply.

A board member will follow up with additional details. The vendor fee is $25 per event. For questions, send an email to SeguinLLBoard@ yahoo.com Grief Symposium Focuses on Caring for Children and Adolescents A Grief Symposium focused on caring for children and adolescents will be held Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The event is designed for parents, caregivers, educators, and community members seeking insight, understanding, and hope while supporting grieving youth.The symposium will take place in the Seguin ISD Boardroom, located at 1221 E. Kingsbury Street in Seguin. Seating is limited, and advance registration is encouraged.

For more information, call 830-379-5046.

Seguin Art League Fiber Show The 10th Annual Seguin Art League Fiber Show will accept entries January 10, at the gallery from 10 to noon. Entry fee is $5 per artwork with a limit of two. Ribbons will be awarded. For more information call 830-491-0778, come by the gallery at 104 S. Austin to pick up a prospectus, or look at our website seguinartleague. com.

TPWD scoping meeting The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will host a scoping meeting in Guadalupe County on Jan 12 at 6:30 PM to present proposed changes and receive public input on doe day expansion. The meeting is open to the public and will be held in the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Building, located at 210 E. Live Oak St. in Seguin.

Navarro ISD High School Dedication Navarro ISD invites the community to the dedication of the new Navarro High School on Monday, January 12 in Geronimo. Doors open

Native Plant Society to Host Tree Care Program The Native Plant Society of Texas Guadalupe Chapter will host a meeting and educational program on Tuesday, January 13, featuring a presentation on tree care and disease management. The program will be led by Travis Franke with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m., with a chapter meeting afterward. The event will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Seguin, 1121 E. Walnut Street, with parking available on North Moss Street behind the church.

2026 Beef Cattle Short Course Texas A&M AgriLife will be hosting the 2026 Beef Cattle Short Course at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Palo Alto College’s Ozuna Library. The program includes 2 CEUs (1 General and 1 Laws & Regulations), concurrent educational sessions, a meal, door prizes, and industry updates. To RSVP, email or call Kennedy Green at kennedy.green@ag.tamu.edu or 210-631-0400.

Matador Legends Ballpark Sign Reveal Seguin ISD invites the community to “A Legendary Reveal” on Wednesday, January 21 at 5:30 p.m. at Matador Legends Ballpark, located on E. College Street behind Seguin High School.

The event will celebrate the unveiling of the ballpark’s new squirrel and batting cage signs.

Community members are encouraged to attend and be part of the celebration.

Guadalupe County Republican Women to Host Candidate Forum The Guadalupe County Republican Women will host a candidate forum on Thursday, January 22 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Silver Center, 510 East Court Street in Seguin. The forum will feature invited candidates in the March 2026 Republican Primary, including local contested races and Congressional District 35. George Rodriguez, known as “El Conservador,” will serve as moderator. The program is free to attend. Lunch is available with an RSVP for $20,

Chess Tournament at the Seguin Public Library The Seguin Public Library will host a small, informal chess tournament open to all ages, on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 10 a.m. The event will feature a Swiss-style format with four rounds and is expected to last about two hours.

The tournament is unrated and beginner-friendly, but participants should be familiar with the basic rules and moves of chess. The library will provide chess boards and clocks, though participants are welcome to bring their own. There will be five-minute breaks between rounds, with snacks provided. Efforts will be made to match players by age group, but some mixing may occur in later rounds depending on attendance.

Special prizes will be awarded, including 3-D printed trophies for first and second place in each age group: Kids (6–11), Teens (12–17), and Adults (18 and up). Registration opens January 1, 2026, and this program is free and open to the public. This is a great opportunity for chess enthusiasts of all skill levels to enjoy a fun, friendly competition with family and community members. This program is free and open to the public. Please call 830-401-2422 or visit library. seguintexas.gov for additional information.

Youth soccer registration underway Spring youth soccer registration is now open for players with birth years 2013–2022. The cost is $90, which includes a jersey, shorts, and socks. Registration closes January 25, with a $10 late fee through February 1, if space allows.

Games begin March 21 at Park West, with Saturday morning schedules. Practices start the week of March 2. Coaches and co-coaches are needed. Register online at system.gotsport. com/programs/A62849677.

To ensure non-profit organization’s meetings and events appear in this calendar, send information to: communitycalendar@kwed1580.com, or drop off the information at the Seguin Daily News/KWED offices located at 609 E. Court St. in Seguin. For best results, submit information at least two weeks prior to the event.

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

15

MON. January 5, 2026

& REVIVAL RANDY KOE

WETZEL HOUSER

AN

D

TREATY OAK

ROBERT JOSH ABBOTT EARL KEEN

BAND

AND ALL OF YOUR FAVORITE ARTISTS

COREY CASEY STONEY DEANA KENT DONAHEW LaRUE CARTER TYLER BRADEN JASON BOLAND & THE STRAGGLERS ELLIS BULLARD • HAYDEN BUTLER • AARON McBEE • AARON MCDONNELL BROOKE BAIRD • BRANDI BEHLEN and MORE TO COME!

Get 'yur Ticket s

at

CAT

TLECOU

CO NTRYFEST.

M

a' lle Y e at Se an !

R

16

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

MON. January 5, 2026

17

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

MON. January 5, 2026

18

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

MON. January 5, 2026

19

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

MON. January 5, 2026

20

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

MON. January 5, 2026

21

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

MON. January 5, 2026

22

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

MON. January 5, 2026