Fireworks, Parade and Freedom Fiesta deliver record turnout
(Seguin) -- America celebrated its 250th anniversary on July Fourth, and the Seguin community turned out in a big way to celebrate the nation’s milestone. City of Seguin officials say there was record participation for most of the events held over the long Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Lindsay Hajek, assistant director of Main Street & Destination Seguin, says there was again an impressive lineup of events this year.
“We hosted several events. We also supported other events, collaborated, helped promote it as well, (and) kind of packaged everything as a whole weekend of events. We had the Seguin Craft Beer and Wine Fest that was hosted by the (Seguin Area) Chamber,
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Darren Dunn
Photo courtesy Camp Broadway
Seguin man arrested on child pornography charge
(Seguin) -- A Seguin man is behind bars following a cyber tip received through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
The investigation was led by the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit.
According to the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office, investigators executed a search warrant on Wednesday at a residence in the 1400 block of Barnes Drive here in Seguin.
As a result of the search and investigation, authorities arrested the suspect identified as Robert “Bobby” Castillo. He was charged with Possession or Promotion of Child Pornography and transported to the Guadalupe County Jail.
Guadalupe County Sheriff Joshua Ray says the arrest reflects the department’s ongoing commitment
to protecting children from online exploitation.
In a message posted on social media, Ray stated,”Our message has been made loud and clear. For those pursuing our children online to hurt or exploit them, we are hunting you. We will not tolerate that behavior in Guadalupe County. Your choice is simple -- move or prison.”
The sheriff’s office encourages anyone who suspects a child is being exploited or groomed online to report it immediately. Reports can be made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline by visiting cybertipline.org or by calling 1-800843-5678. Reports can also be made by calling the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office at 830-379-1224.
Guadalupe County SWAT assists in arrest of area fugitive
(Cibolo) -- A wanted fugitive from El Paso was taken into custody without incident last week in Cibolo. Assisting federal authorities in the arrest was the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group (SOG) SWAT Team.
According to the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force requested thier assistance on Tuesday, July 21. They executed the search and arrest warrant at a residence in the 600 block of Saddle Forrest.
Arrested at the home was Joseph Lewis Espino. Espino was wanted on an outstanding warrant out of El Paso for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office says it remains committed to assisting local, state and federal law enforcement agencies when responding to known threats to public safety.
Cindy Aguirre-Herrera
Photo courtesy GCSO
Photo courtesy GCSO
Turnout, continued.
Fireworks Fiesta hosted by Parks and Recreation, and of course, our Flag Raising ceremony (and) our Biggest Small Town 4th of July Parade. Freedom Fiesta was hosted by KWED (and) we co-sponsored that as well. It was actually held this year on July 4th, which was new this year. And then we wrapped it all up with our patriotic concert in the park, which is the last of our series for the summer,” said Hajek.
Hajek says there was an effort to make each event bigger and better this year, and the community responded well. Tens of thousands of people turned out for the fireworks show, the parade and Freedom Fiesta. Hajek says the city used geofencing to establish the boundaries for each event area and then relied on aggregated, anonymous cellphone location data from Placer.ai to estimate attendance at each free, public event.
“We used cell phone tracking data from Placer AI to put these numbers together. And this year, Fireworks Fiesta had an estimated attendance of 20,000 people. And just keep in mind, this is just the area that we’re kind of calling the fireworks viewing area. You can see those fireworks for miles. So at least 20,000 people were here to watch the fireworks. The 4th of July parade and the flag raising ceremony had 15,000 spectators in attendance, which was big. It was bigger than last year, where we had 12,000 (people). So, we had a jump there for that parade. And then just to share, the parade and the fireworks together, it was about 49 percent of visitors that are coming from out of town to see our celebration. So, it’s not just for our community. It’s definitely got a regional draw as well and it’s bringing people here to visit us,” said Hajek.
The huge crowds continued well into the night. Freedom Fiesta, hosted by KWED, had one of its largest crowds ever for the free one-night community celebration.
“Freedom Fiesta was held on the same day. It kind of was all day. It lasted all the way from the parade until the evening -- 11 o’clock at night. So, it kept people in town. It kept people in Central Park all day. And they had an attendance of around 5,000,” said Hajek.
Hajek says the Independence Day weekend crowds far exceeded the normal number of visitors who come
to Seguin on any given day. She says the numbers show the events not only attracted local residents, but also a significant number of visitors from other communities.
“Our average daily baseline of visitors in Seguin is 34,000. So, these two events brought from 42,000 to 53,000 over the two days in general to Seguin, and that’s out-of-market visitors that came to see us,” said Hajek.
The cellphone data is further supported by the fact that hotels also filled up that weekend. Hajek says people didn’t just come for one event; they stayed for the weekend and enjoyed all that Seguin had to offer.
“Our hotel occupancy was very, very high. On July 3rd, we were 83 percent occupied, and then July 4th, 93 percent occupied, which was up substantially year-overyear from last year. And we kind of think it was because there was a reason to stay for all the events that happened throughout the weekend. So again, it had a huge regional impact. Some of these visitors come (from all over). Of course, we have our neighboring community, but we saw a lot coming from San Antonio, Dallas, College Station, and Houston,” said Hajek.
The numbers reflect only those free events hosted in the downtown area and at the Seguin Events Complex. Mayor Donna Dodgen says there’s another major event that’s held for several days prior to the Fourth of July. Fields of Honor features a sea of American flags planted in a field next to Faith Lutheran Church at the corner of Cedar Street and State Highway 123 Bypass.
Main Street & Destination Seguin Director Blaire Friar says Fields of Honor is indeed a major event during the holiday, but they were not able to collect attendance data for that location.
“With the data dashboard that we used, like she mentioned, it uses cell phone data, so if you have your location services turned on, it’s tracking those. But there are certain rules and regulations on what areas we can track, and churches and educational organizations are not able to be geofenced. So, that’s why we were not able to pull those numbers. But we know it was a great event, and it’s always an added wonderful opportunity for our community,” said Friar.
The Main Street & Destination Seguin office presented the attendance figures during Tuesday’s meeting of the Seguin City Council.
VITAL STATISTICS
SCHNEIDER
Shirley Schultze Schneider, age 90, of New Braunfels, Texas, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2026. Shirley was born on June 10, 1936, in San Antonio, Texas, to Erwin and Viola (Wieters) Schultze.
As a Licensed Vocational Nurse at Eden Home in New Braunfels, Shirley found her true calling caring for the elderly. She served her residents with unwavering compassion, treating each person with the love, dignity, and respect they deserved.
Shirley found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved gardening, feeding the deer and other wildlife that wandered into her yard, and spending time with her beloved cats. Many peaceful afternoons were spent on her back porch, quietly admiring the beauty of nature.
Above all, Shirley cherished her family. Her greatest joy was simply showing up for the people she loved. She treasured every opportunity to be with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and was immensely proud of each of them. Whether it was a softball or volleyball game, a band concert, an award ceremony, or a musical performance, she could almost always be found in the audience, beaming with pride and cheering them on. Her love was constant, her support unwavering, and her presence a gift that
SCHRIEWER
Dorothy Janell Schriewer, age 92 of Seguin, passed away on July 20, 2026. Dorothy was born on September 16, 1933, in Seguin, Texas, to Dora (Mordhorst) and Val Schriewer.
Dorothy was a 1952 graduate of Seguin High School where she enjoyed being a member of the Matador Band. 8 days after her high school graduation, she married the love of her life, Carl Schriewer. She was a lifelong member of Cross Church where she was the Junior Choir Director.
She was always involved in her kids and grandkids’ activities. While she really enjoyed watching them, each event she attended was an opportunity for her other favorite past time of “people-watching.” Dorothy loved to travel, especially to towns with good seafood and you could also find her shopping QVC daily.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her loving husband of 51 years, Carl Schriewer, her son, Todd Steven Schriewer and her parents.
Survivors include son, Jeff Schriewer; daughter, Camile Salyer and husband Ron; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Schriewer; grandchildren who knew
CONEJO
Adela Conejo of Seguin, TX passed away on July 16, 2026. She was born on December 1, 1933, to Francisco Conejo and Enriqueta Rodriguez Conejo. Adela is preceded in death by both her parents and sister, Frances Conejo McHaney of Seguin, TX. She is survived by her sister, Natalia Conejo Lozano; brothers, Joe Conejo of Tyler, TX and Robert Conejo of Seguin, TX.
her family will forever treasure.
She is survived by her children, Pamela Froboese (Larry), Dale Schneider (Sharon), and Cheryl Arredondo (Anthony); her grandchildren, Amy Luna, Stevie Neuman (Matt), Philip Luna (Whitney Niemann), and Tori Klovenski (Pete); her great-grandchildren, Madison Morgan (Anthony Overpeck), Emmeline and Maxwell Neuman, and Jace and Caitlin Klovenski; and her great-great-granddaughter, Adelyn Overpeck.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Anthony Carroll Schneider.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff of Grand Brook Memory Care and Hope Hospice, both of New Braunfels, for the exceptional care, kindness, and support they provided to Shirley and her family.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Tres Hewell Mortuary Chapel, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m., officiated by the Reverend Jim Price. A reception will follow at El Ranchito.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hope Hospice of New Braunfels or the New Braunfels Humane Society in Shirley’s memory.
Shirley will be deeply missed, forever loved, and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
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.
and loved her as “Gram”, Cole Salyer and wife Whitney, Carlie Tucker and husband Josh, and Cameron Schriewer; great-grandchildren, Connor Tucker, Lily Tucker and Cooper Salyer; other loving family members and a host of friends.
Visitation will begin on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Cross Church followed by a memorial service celebrating her life at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Jim Price officiating. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.
Private interment will be held at a later date at Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park.
The family would like to thank: Sara, Mckenzie, Ruth, Stephanie, Abigail, Cat, Cindi, Carmen, Emanuel, Ruby and Erika, as well as the nurses and staff at GVNC for their exceptional care of Dorothy through the end of her life.
For those who desire the services may be livestreamed on the Cross Church Facebook page.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cross Church, 814 N. Bauer, Seguin, Texas, 78155 or to Boysville, Inc., P. O. Box 369, Converse Texas, 78109-0369.
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.
Services honoring Adela will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at St. James Catholic Church. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the Holy Rosary recited at 10:30 a.m. and the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Goetz Funeral Home, Seguin, Texas.
VITAL STATISTICS
ENGLER
www.SEGUINTODAY.com
It is with deep sorrow and much love that we announce the passing of Kathleen “Kathy” Engler, age 83 of Seguin, Texas, who left us peacefully on July 20, 2026. Kathy was a bright light in the lives of everyone who knew her. Born on September 6, 1942, in Seguin, Texas to Sylvia (Moltz) and George Engler, she grew up with a kind heart, and a generous soul that could light up any room.
Kathy spent her life dedicated to the things she loved most: her family, her friends, and her passions. A graduate of Navarro High School, she immersed herself in her favorite hobbies like working in the yard, traveling - making impromptu weekend trips to the coast, embroidery, stained glass along with other types of crafting, and keeping up with all of her friends and the activities of those around her. She did so with unmatched enthusiasm and grace.
She will be remembered most for her boundless kindness, her infectious laughter, and her ability to make anyone feel welcome and cherished. Kathy had a unique way of listening with her whole heart, offering wisdom and comfort whenever it was needed.
Kathy’s legacy lives on through the family and community she adored.
She is survived by: her son, Michael Bohannan, sister-in-law Debbie Lowe, niece Jennifer Crawford (Steve), nephew Timothy Engler, and niece Brooke Lingerfelt (Donald), great nieces and nephews Jenna Crawford, Sydney Crawford, Trevor Lingerfelt, and Dylan Lingerfelt. A large circle of extended family and many dear friends, including her cherished First United Bank and Bartoskewitz Farm families.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Sylvia (Moltz) and George Engler, as well as her brother Kenneth Engler.
A memorial service celebrating Kathy’s beautiful life will be held on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Friedens Church with the Reverend Brett Becker officiating. Following the service, family and friends are invited to gather for a reception in the Activity Center at Friedens Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Kathy’s memory to Friedens Church, 2555 Friedens Church Road, Seguin, Texas, 78155, the Texas Agricultural Education and Heritage Center, “Big Red Barn”, (a cause that was dear to her heart), 250 Cordova Road, Seguin, Texas, 78155 or to 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
FDA Still Looking For Illness Source
(Bethesda, MD) -- The FDA continues to search for the source of a gastrointestinal illness that’s sickened thousands nationwide. More than 70 new cases of cyclosporiasis [[ cy-kloh-spore-eye-ah-sis ]] were reported this week, an illness caused by parasites linked to food and water. It causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and has sent more than 300 people to the hospital. The FDA says it still doesn’t know what’s causing the outbreak. A previous warning that the illness was linked to lettuce grown by Taylor Farms was walked back after the results turned out to be a false positive.
Transmissible Cancer Spreading In Vermont Catfish
(Burlington, VT) -- Cancer is spreading among catfish in a lake straddling Vermont and Quebec. Researchers at the University of Vermont say the transmissible cancer outbreak affecting one-third of the brown bullhead catfish population in Lake Memphremagog is the first ever identified in a freshwater fish species. They say their discovery, published in Nature, has important implications. Contagious cancer has been seen in dogs, Tasmanian devils, clams and other shellfish but is extremely rare. It’s never been seen in people but the Vermont scientists believe their study may shed light on how cancer works in all animals including humans.
FDA Looking At Peptides
(Washington, DC) -- An FDA advisory panel is considering whether peptides can be made by licensed pharmacies and sold with a prescription. Peptides are compounds that are often marketed as wellness treatments and they’ve grown in popularity. They’ve been touted to help everything from wound healing to weight loss. They were initially popular among body builders and so-called biohackers but they’ve been pushed hard by social media influencers into the mainstream. They’re also endorsed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior. FDA scientists have said there’s not much evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of the seven peptides up for consideration.
Preventing Mosquito Bites Starts With Reducing Breeding Grounds
(Trenton, NJ) -- This is the time of year when mosquitoes love to bite but you can reduce the risk. Step One, according to the New Jersey Health Department, is to get rid of standing water in your yard in bird baths, pet bowls, pool covers, empty flower pots, buckets and, yes, watering cans. Step Two, according to the EPA, is to wear long sleeve shirts and pants when outdoors and stay inside during peak mosquito hours -- dawn and dusk. Mosquito repellent containing DEET is highly-recommended for exposed skin.
All Kids Invited to SHS Football Camp
Seguin High School Football Camp will be held July 27-30 at Matador Stadium. The camp offers young athletes the opportunity to learn football fundamentals and techniques from Seguin High School coaches and players in a fun, positive environment. Sessions for incoming kindergarten through sixth-grade students are scheduled from 8 to 10 a.m., while incoming seventh through ninth-grade students will participate from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day. The cost is $30 per participant. Register online to reserve your spot.
Master Naturalist Training Class Accepting Applications
Interested in learning more about Texas’ plants, wildlife and natural areas? The Guadalupe Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists is accepting applications for its 2026 certification training class. The program runs from August 4 through November 14, with classes held every other Tuesday from 5:45 to 9:15 p.m. at the Schertz Senior Center, 608 Schertz Parkway in Schertz. The cost is $175. For applications and class information, visit txmn.org/guadalupe and select the Certification Training tab, or email belindarossiter@gmail.com. The program trains volunteers to educate the public and help conserve Texas’ natural resources.
Candidate Filing Opens for Guadalupe Appraisal District Board
Anyone interested in serving on the Guadalupe Appraisal District Board of Directors can begin filing now. Three at-large positions — Places 1, 2 and 3 — will be on the November 3 General Election ballot. Candidates
have until 5 p.m. on Monday, August 17, to file with either the Guadalupe County Clerk or the Guadalupe County Elections Administrator. Filing information and eligibility requirements are available through the Guadalupe Appraisal District’s website guadalupead. org.
Comal Country Music Show
Enjoy an evening of live country music during the Comal Country Music Show on Tuesday, July 21, at the Columbus Club Hall, located at 111 Landa Street in New Braunfels. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the show from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Featured performers include Denise Steele and Conrad Gonzales. Admission is $10, with proceeds benefiting charity. Sandwiches, coffee, candy and soft drinks will be available for purchase.
New World Screwworm Seminar
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is inviting livestock owners, pet owners and anyone interested in learning more about the New World Screwworm to attend a free seminar and webinar on Wednesday, July 22. The program will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Bexar County Greenies Urban Farm, located at 1615 Sherman Street in San Antonio, with a virtual attendance option also available. The seminar is open to the public, but registration is required for both in-person and online participation. RSVP at NWSBexarcounty. eventbrite.com.
New Braunfels Food Bank Job Fair
Job seekers are invited to meet with multiple local employers during a Job Fair hosted by the New Braunfels Food Bank and Workforce Solutions Alamo on Wednesday,
July 22. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon upstairs at the New Braunfels Food Bank, located at 1620 S. Seguin Ave. in New Braunfels. Attendees are encouraged to bring copies of their resume and dress professionally for the opportunity to connect with area employers who are hiring.
CASA of Central Texas Foster Care Simulation
CASA of Central Texas will host a free Foster Care Simulation from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at Gruene United Methodist Church, 2629 E. Common St. in New Braunfels. Participants will experience the challenges and realities of the foster care system through an interactive simulation. Registration is required. For more information, visit casacentex.org.
Call for Artists for 2026 Sip ‘n Stroll Mug
Local artists are invited to submit original artwork for the 2026 Sip ‘n Stroll commemorative mug. This year’s theme features Seguin’s Heritage Village properties, and all artistic mediums are welcome. Entries must be submitted by Friday, July 31, to You’re So Crafty, located at 208 South Austin Street in downtown Seguin. The selected artist will receive a $100 stipend, and the winning design will appear on more than 800 commemorative mugs. For more information, call 830-379-0730.
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.
