November 5, 2025
Marion ISD voters say ‘Yes’
to $60 million bond issue
Cindy Aguirre-Herrera
(Marion) -- Marion ISD voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly showed strong support for investing in the future of their schools. During the Nov. 4 General and School Board Election, voters approved the district’s $60 million bond proposition.
A total of 1,161 (65.52 percent) votes were cast in favor of the new and upgraded facilities across the district while 611 (34.48 percent) votes were cast against it.
The 2025 voter approved bond package includes plans for a new elementary school, new buses, land acquisition, and districtwide upgrades -- all part of the district’s long-term facilities plan.
Marion ISD Superintendent Dr. Don Beck says he appreciates the community’s confidence in the district’s vision and leadership.
“I’m truly excited by the results. There were a lot of people that took part in this, you know, getting the information out. I’d hate to even begin to name every one of them because I’d miss somebody. But the biggest thing is we want to make sure everybody got information and it worked. This is by far the largest turnout that the Marion ISD has had, to my knowledge, other than a gubernatorial or a presidential race. The most voters that I know that we’ve had recently was 1,100. Now we’re sitting at fifteen, sixteen, seventeenhundred votes so I’m thrilled. We’re thrilled; the school board is thrilled that people came out and voted. I know that the work was tireless for some.
Yes, pg. 3
This week’s grand opening of Seguin’s new Academy Sports + Outdoors store welcomes the 28th Squirrel for the city’s Squirrel Trail Program. See story on page 2.
Tailback Tex touches down at Academy
New retailer lays out the welcome mat for Seguin
(Seguin) -- With his fishing shirt, football, and determined look, Tailback Tex is more than a squirrel -- he’s a symbol of community pride. The city’s newest handpainted squirrel now stands proudly outside the new Academy Sports + Outdoors store, welcoming shoppers to not only a new store but a new chapter in the city’s retail growth with the construction of Seguin Crossing.
Artist Sara Rosales, known for painting the squirrel located at the Road Ranger, says creating Tailback Tex was both a creative challenge and a personal joy.
“Academy had a design already flushed out. I just kind of wanted him to be cute. We have about – I did a count -- 11 or 12 brown squirrels and so I wanted him to stand out. I wanted him to look cute. So, I just kind of focused on making him look as fluffy as I could. The shirt was fun to do because my dad is a big fan of that brand,” laughs Rosales. “He lives in Florida, but I literally asked him, daddy, can you put on a shirt and do me a favor?’ Yes, because I was trying to figure out how I was going to put a shirt on a squirrel. Everybody else has done really cool like textures and blending with the brown squirrels but I didn’t see anybody that had done like fur.”
Among those overseeing the project for Academy was Adrian Gonzalez, a sales manager at the store. Gonzalez says they wanted to join in on what makes Seguin special.
“To my knowledge, this is going to be the second (animal art project for an Academy). Where we kind of got the idea – of course, when we walked throughout the city but also Hutto. They have the Hutto
Hippos. They have a hippo in front of their Academy and so, we figured if they can do it over there, why can’t we beat them at that end?” said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez says he’s proud of the thought that went into the squirrel’s creative design, noting that every detail carries meaning.
“Tailback Tex – he’s going to represent one, Academy Sports + Outdoors but two, Seguin. He is wearing a white Magellan Texas T-shirt -- a Laguna Madre edition which is for fishing. He is holding a white football with an Academy logo – again representing the sports side of things but most importantly as I mentioned, getting that squirrel on here is the most important thing. I did say earlier that squirrels – they have to work hard for what they get and so that represents the community very very well. I think that as we noticed, the people we’ve hired, the people that we’ve come across even as guests, they come into our building, we know they work hard. We know that they earn what they get,” said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez says welcoming a
squirrel to Academy’s front steps is again just another gesture of wanting to be a part of the community.
“Our biggest thing or at least what we try to come across as is we want to make sure any way you can get involved with community, you reach out to us and so if there are any ideas you have, any different events -- we want to try to get involved and so reach out to us. Our biggest thing is while we are here, we want to be impactful and so our biggest impact we can do is give back to y’all,” said Gonzalez.
Store Manager Johnnathan Candellario says that sense of belonging was immediate the moment the team saw how many squirrels were stationed around Seguin.
“When we saw the squirrel in multiple places in driving around meeting everyone, we wanted to join and ‘Get Real’ with you guys. I know we are up to almost 30 in the area and I heard something about 40 (squirrels) happening by the end of the year so we are just very excited to be a part of the community,” said Candellario.
Academy, pg. 3
Cindy Aguirre-Herrera
Academy, continued.
The excitement for the new Academy began on Sunday as shoppers got their first peek inside the store located at 1316 Interstate 10. The store officially opened its doors at 3 p.m., where eager customers had already lined up outside.
Locals who attended the soft opening praised the size, organization, and customer service inside the retail giant.
Cynthia Morales shared she was impressed “with the size of the store,” while Nette Torres said “checkout was a breeze” despite the large crowds. Others, like Amy Riojas, said they were equally pleased with the store’s layout and deals, calling the experience “worth the wait.”
Yes, continued.
So, in the end when the results happen, no matter where it is, it’s a relief. It’s exciting. The kids were the number one focus. This is for the students as we move forward. We’re truly blessed and want to thank the voters for coming out and voting, and they came out in numbers and so that speaks volumes,” said Beck.
Beck says Marion ISD’s bond planning process began months ago with input from parents, staff, and community members who studied the district’s priorities and growth trends.
He says the district will now
The Seguin Crossing project -- a $25 million development announced last year -- now features Academy and Hobby Lobby and will soon add Five Below, James Avery, and other national retailers.
With Tailback Tex now standing proudly at the entrance, Candellario says the store is eager to reinvite the community back out again this weekend.
“I will just tell everybody who was part of (Sunday,) come back this weekend because with grand opening, we are going to have a lot of fun, a lot of great deals. Come visit us. We are going to hopefully have a band out here to get some excitement rolling out here,” said Candellario.
Tailback Tex marks the 28th squirrel to be unveiled as part of the city’s Squirrel Trail Program.
begin planning the implementation phase for these new projects approved by voters.
“To be honest with you, since this is the first new elementary school where you’ll have two, technically, pre-k through five setups, we’re going to be starting on working on a yearlong journey of meeting with parents, constituents, to figure out various things -- and getting a demographer involved and figuring out where exactly boundary lines should be, how things should roll out -- so the board will be involved in that discussion too. So, it’s going to be a process. It’s not just about the building. It’s about how do you now
fill these schools with the students that are coming, and what is the best location for that. The building part is one piece, but the other part –– the part that people had a lot of questions about was how exactly do teachers move, how do parents move, where do the kids go? That’s the part where we are going to spend a lot of time visiting with constituents to find the right way to make things work for Marion ISD,” said Beck.
District leaders say this new bond will serve as the next step in Marion ISD’s long-range plan. Meanwhile, the district is currently wrapping up 2023 bond construction at the high school.
Camarillo Named SCAC Special Teams Player of the Week
SEGUIN, Texas -- Texas Lutheran wide receiver and kick returner Caleb Camarillo (Gonzales/Southside) has been named Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Player of the Week following his performance in the Bulldogs’ 42-13 win over McMurry. The announcement was made Monday by the SCAC office.
Camarillo finished with a career-high 107 return yards and a touchdown and 131 all-purpose yards against the War Hawks. Camarillo moved into a tie for tenth place in TLU’s Division-III history in career return yards, tallying 537 in his career.
In the second quarter, Camarillo immediately responded to a War Hawks field goal with a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the 29-point victory. The return was the second longest in program history and the first
kick return touchdown of his career.
This is Camarillo’s second SCAC weekly honor of the season and of his career after earning SCAC Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 8.
The Bulldogs will conclude their traditional regular season schedule next Saturday in the first of back-to-back weekends in Arkansas as they travel to Batesville, AR, to face Lyon College. The game is scheduled to kick off at 1 PM. All streaming and live stats links will be available on tlubulldogs.com.
For more information on Texas Lutheran football, follow the Bulldogs on X (Twitter) and Instagram (@TLU_Football) and as always you can find updates on all Texas Lutheran athletics on tlubulldogs.com and all official TLU social media channels (@tluathletics on X (Twitter,) @tlu_athletics on Instagram, and @tlubulldogs on Facebook).
Bryce Hayes - TLU Sports Information
VITAL STATISTICS
Oestreich
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dr. Charles H. Oestreich, age 93, President Emeritus of Texas Lutheran University (TLU). As we remember him, we honor a life well lived, as a teacher, scholar, and leader whose work helped shape Texas Lutheran University and whose legacy endures in the lives of those he influenced.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, June 8, 1932, Dr. Oestreich earned a Bachelor of Science from Capital University, followed by an M.S. and Ph.D. from Ohio University. He joined the TLU faculty and administration in 1969 as the Academic Dean, later serving as the university’s President from 1976 to 1994.
During his leadership, Dr. Oestreich oversaw significant growth in the university’s academic programs, faculty development, campus infrastructure, and institutional mission. His stewardship strengthened TLU’s reputation as a thoughtful, values-based liberal-arts institution rooted in the Evangelical Lutheran tradition and provided a foundation for its continued success.
Beyond the institution, he was known among colleagues and students for his integrity, scholarly curiosity, and genuine devotion to the educational and personal growth of those around him. A document from 1971 shows his early advocacy for developing the Mexican American Studies Program at TLU, reflecting his attention to diverse student needs and inclusive academic planning.
Dr. Oestreich served on and chaired numerous boards, including the Council of Independent Colleges, Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas, VP of St. Luke’s Lutheran Health Ministry, the Mid-Texas Symphony, and EdenHill Communities. He was a member of the New Braunfels Conservation Society and a Rotarian. He participated in numerous international Rotary trips, including efforts to secure books for schools in Africa.
Dr. Oestreich enjoyed traveling with his wife, Rhoda, to various domestic
Gomez
Mary V. Gomez, who was born October 12, 1941, in Edinburgh Tx, went home to be with our lord and savior on Monday, November 3, 2025, at the age of 84 years old, surround by family, peace, love and prayer.
Mary is proceeded in death by her beloved husband Oliver R. Gomez Jr, her son Carlos E. Gomez, Grandson Joshua I. Salazar, her parents George and Juana Velasquez, her brothers Jacinto Velasquez, Simona Zambrano Anita Flores, Dominga Mendez, and Angelita Martinez.
Mary was a beloved Mother, to her surviving children George O. Gomez, Lisa A. Gomez, Irwin R. Gomez, (Patricia), Norma C. Gomez (Jason E. Villarreal), Pauline N. Gomez (Maria C. Mora) and Linda M. Gomez.
Mary was a loving grandmother to her Grandchildren Ray, Amber, Irene, Eric, Irwin, Matthew, Christopher, Oliver, Carlos G, Zachery, Brandon, Carlos V, Crystal, Jessica, Stephanie, Amanda, Vanessa, George, Nick, Noe, Joey, Jacob, Jadyn. Mary was blessed to call herself a great grandma “GIGI,” to many great grandchildren.
and international destinations, playing bridge, and researching genealogy. He authored two volumes on family history titled Our Heritage. Above all, he cherished attending his grandchildren’s events and welcoming his greatgrandchildren into the family.
Charles H. Oestreich married Rhoda J. Haseley in 1957. Charles and Rhoda were married for almost 65 years before her passing on August 1, 2022. He is also preceded in death by his parents, the Reverend Henry F. Oestreich and Martha E. (Schwartz) Oestreich, and his sister, Ruth M. Harsch. Charles is survived by his daughters Martha Oestreich, Mary Cooper (Jill), and son, David C. Oestreich (Jo Beth), grandchildren Jennifer M. Shira (Mark), Matthew R. Shira (Jennifer), Robert D. Oestreich (Courtney), Dr. Andrew W. Oestreich (Jordan), and greatgrandchildren, Elizabeth M. Shira, Heinrich R. Oestreich, Ivy Grace Oestreich, and Josephine Marie Oestreich, step-grandchildren Amanda N. Stephens (Eric) and Lindsey D. Yazbek (Ryan), step-great grandchildren Theodore I. Stephens and Lillian E. Stephens, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dr. Oestreich will be remembered not only for his exemplary leadership but also as a devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, mentor, educator, and friend. His legacy was defined by faith, family, institutional strength, educational opportunities, and dedication to community service.
A memorial service for Dr. Oestreich will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 1 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in New Braunfels with the Reverend Paul Owens officiating. A reception will follow. A private family graveside service will be held at Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Dr. Charles H. Oestreich Scholarship, c/o Texas Lutheran University, Development Office, 1000 West Court Street, Seguin, Texas 78155, or to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 777 W. San Antonio St, New Braunfels, TX 78130.
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.
Mary was known for her warm smile, her deep faith, and her ability to make everyone feel at home. She loved cooking for her family, praying her rosary, gardening, and spending time surrounded by loved ones. Mary was a woman who made sure you knew how important you were to her, and she never met a stranger. Mary was our hero and always leant a helping hand every chance she had. She made sure you felt her love and grace, and she let her light shine everywhere she went. Her spirit and grace will be missed greatly. She had a heart of gold and when you look to the stars, she will always be the brightest one shining. The loss and pain of losing this amazing woman will leave a void in our hearts forever, but her everlasting love and spirit will be with us always.
Visitation will be held Thursday, November 6th, 2025, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. at Palmer Mortuary in Seguin, Texas, with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m.
A Mass of Catholic Burial will take place Friday, November 7th, at 10:30 a.m. at Saint James Catholic Church, followed by a procession to Holy Cross Cemetery at 17501 Nacogdoches Rd, San Antonio Tx 78266. A family reception will follow.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Palmer Mortuary and Cremations located at 1116 N. Austin Street, Seguin, Texas 78155; 830.379.9430. Please log on to www.palmermortuary.com to sign and view the guest book.
Listeria Outbreak Kills 6 (Washington, DC) --- The FDA says six people have died and dozens have been hospitalized due to a listeria outbreak linked to precooked pasta meals. The recall involves products from California-based Nate’s Fine Foods. Cases have been reported in 18 states: California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington. The meals were sold at grocery chains nationwide, including Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Kroger and Albertsons. Health officials are warning customers to check their freezers and the FDA website.
Study Shows Link Between Breast Cancer And Certain Hormonal Contraceptives (Sweden) -- A major study out of Sweden shows that some hormonal contraceptives are linked to a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. It involved two-million women and teenagers ages 13 to 49 followed over a number of years and is the largest study of its kind. Researchers at Uppsala [[up-SAH-luh} University found that some progestins, particularly desogestrel, pose an elevated risk. The study’s lead author says she does not encourage women to stop using hormonal contraceptives because they provide important health benefits, which include relief of menstrual pain and heavy bleeding as well as lowering the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer. She’s advising women to consult their doctors about the study’s findings.
Tylenol Maker Kenvue Sold (Summit, NJ) -- Tylenol maker Kenvue is being sold in a deal worth billions. Kimberly-Clark announced a cash-and-stock deal valued at 48-point-seven-billion dollars to buy Kenvue. The deal would bring brands like Huggies and Kleenex under the same roof as Tylenol and BandAid. The deal is expected to be finalized in the second of half of next year. It’s one of the biggest acquisitions of 2025 on Wall Street.
Long-Term Melatonin Usage Impact On Heart Health
(Undated) -- New research is linking long-term melatonin usage to a higher risk of heart failure and early death in adults with insomnia. While researchers noted that there’s no evidence the melatonin supplements themselves cause heart problems, a need to take them on a regular basis could be a signal that the body is experiencing cardiac issues. Researchers analyzed more than 130-thousand adults and found that those who took the sleep aid for more than a year were nearly twice as likely to develop heart failure. Use of the supplement has increased in recent years, and experts agreed more research is needed into the supplements’ possible side effects.
NOVEMBER
November’s First Friday Feast
Join Geronimo Lions November 7, 2025 at the Red Barn at 250 Cordova road for a steak or fish dinner! Serving starts at 5:30. Come out and enjoy the evening. The beneficiary is the Christian Cupboard, and entertainment is provided by the Brushy Creek Boys. A first responder from the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Department will be honored with special recognition.
Motorcycle Escort for AVTT Wall
The Guadalupe County Veterans Council will be hosting a motorcycle mission to escort the AVTT Traveling Vietnam Wall into Seguin on November 10 at Rattler Stadium. Riders will meet at 9:30 a.m. and depart at 10:15 a.m. for the escort to the stadium parking lot.
Veterans Day Parade and Events
The City of Seguin, Guadalupe County, and the Guadalupe County Veterans Council will be hosting Veterans Day events beginning with a parade at 9 a.m. on November 11 in Seguin, with line-up at 8 a.m. Following the parade, an assembly will be held at the Convention Center along with the grand opening of the AVTT Traveling Vietnam Wall and other memorials.
Wrangler Country
The Silver Center will be hosting Wrangler Country at 7:30 p.m. on November 14th at the Crystal Chandelier Ballroom. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Presale tickets are $10 by calling 830-303-6612. Tickets are $15
at the door.
GRMC
helps community fight against diabetes
In honor of World Diabetes Day, Guadalupe Regional Medical Center is hosting a FREE community event on Friday, November 14th, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the GRMC East Campus. Attendees can enjoy healthy cooking demonstrations, check out the latest insulin pump technology, and get diabetes education from Endocrinologist Dr. Jonven Attia. The event welcomes everyone interested in learning more!
Más Amor Fest: A Día de Los Veteranos Celebration
The Center for Mexican American Studies and the Mexican American Student Association at Texas Lutheran University are hosting the third annual Más Amor Fest on Saturday, November 22, from noon to 10 p.m. This free, all-ages event honors veterans and is open to the entire community. The festival will feature a lowrider, classic car, truck, and bike show from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Blumberg Memorial Library parking lot. Visitors can also see the 1969 Chevy Impala from the movie Selena. There will be a vendor market, a food court, live graffiti murals, and a live music showcase. Additionally, there will be a free turkey raffle giveaway every hour from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The celebration will conclude with a concert featuring Frankie J, DJ Kane, and Amanda Solis from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. For more information, visit masamorfest.com.
Redeemer United Church’s Handmade-Only Craft Fair
The Women’s Fellowship group of Redeemer United Church, 7415 Gin Rd., Marion, will host a Handmade-Only Craft Fair on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. The fair will feature local artisans and offer concessions and a bake sale. Proceeds from the bake sale will support the church’s Sunday school program.
No Dance at Silver Center Thanksgiving week
The Silver Center will not be hosting a dance on November 28th due to the holiday.
Glue Printing on Fabric Class
The Seguin Art League will be hosting Glue Printing on Fabric Class at 1 p.m. on November 22 at 104 S. Austin, Seguin. Participants will learn a simple batik process using gel glue and acrylic paint to create dynamic designs and will take home their own unique fabric piece. Open to ages 10 and up, limited to 10 participants. Cost is $35 with supplies included. For more information call 830-305-0472 or visit seguinartleague.com.
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.
