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The Voice of Seguin

WEEKEND EDITION

TODAY

State of the City: Seguin prepares for its next chapter Darren Dunn

(Seguin) — The city of Seguin is growing, and city officials say they are working hard to properly manage that growth while also taking Seguin to the next level. That was the theme during Tuesday night’s State of the City address. Mayor Donna Dodgen and City Manager

Steve Parker delivered the address to the crowd assembled inside the Seguin Coliseum and to those watching the livestream on Facebook. Parker says the growth is real, but it doesn’t have to be scary. “We have actually six to seven people moving to the city of Seguin a day. That could be really,

really scary for most communities. It could pull communities apart because they’re scared of the growth. But this community gets it. Cities, like Austin, they didn’t want to grow in the 90s, right, or in the 80s. City, pg. 2

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Some of the big changes announced during Tuesday's State of the City meeting was a new rendering of the proposed Nolte Hotel in downtown Seguin.

City, continued. They didn’t want to grow. Well, they grew. It is very, very difficult, if not impossible, for cities to stop growth. We do not have a lot of powers to do that. People have a right to develop their land. What we have the ability to do is to control the density related to that growth. There are pros and cons of the density and how dense we go. But there’s a lot of development that can happen within the community and Seguin has been on the forefront of that growth for several years now,” said Parker. At this point, the growth is coming, and there’s little that can be done to stop it. Parker says that’s true both in the city and throughout Guadalupe County. “If it doesn’t happen in the city limits, it’s going to happen out in the county. And the county has even less controls related to (growth. They have no zoning powers and so forth. So, it makes it really, really difficult. But what this community has told us, they’re okay with the growth because they see some of the benefits, right? The extra retail and commercial, they’re tired of driving to New Braunfels and San Marcos and San Antonio to do things and eat and shop and so forth. They’d like to see some of that retail come here. We have a lot of retail leakage. It’s about 43,000 people (in Seguin). There’s almost 130,000 people that shop in Seguin. And so with that, you’re going to start to see a lot of these new retailers that we’ve been seeing. We’ve seen that additional wave, right? The Ross, the Marshalls, then you start to see the Harbor Freights and the Boot Barns. And now you’re seeing Hobby Lobby and Academy, and now you’re seeing even the next wave. And I’m really happy to update you on some things going on in our community, right

at the NewQuest (development). We are still one of the fastest growing communities,” said Parker. Parker says the best approach now is to prepare for that growth by making sure the necessary infrastructure is in place and that the overall growth benefits everyone. “You’re going to see how smart we’re growing, (and) how we’re bringing in that next level of development. We have a lot of cookie cutter neighborhoods in our city, but now you’re starting to see that next level of neighborhood, things that we can all be proud of and say, I like living in Seguin because of that. We’re going to have the connections to go from one side of town to the other and have that put in before a lot of the growth actually happens. You’ve seen other communities that did not have that ability to do that. New Braunfels and San Marcos struggled with some of the growth. I think we’re going to be very, very far ahead of it,” said Parker. The city has a population of more than 43,000 people, and that number is expected to eclipse 50,000 in the near future. Parker says those new residents will need places to shop, eat and live. He says more retail is on the way, thanks to the Seguin Exchange project being developed by NewQuest, which also developed the Creekside project in neighboring New Braunfels. “They’re moving dirt. It is happening. They’ve got leases signed. They’ve got plans submitted. They are moving dirt. It is incredible and it is so great to see in so many ways. This is a land plan of what they’re doing. We have KTH here. That’s in the upper right hand corner. The light industrial is being developed by a major light industrial developer called Lovett, that’s partnering with NewQuest. City, pg. 3

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City, continued. The front is the retail portion that we were going to start with phase one and have a phase two later. (But now it) looks like phase one and phase two are going to go at the same time. It’s so popular right now,” said Parker. Parker pointed out an area on the Seguin Exchange map identified as “reserve tracts.” He says city officials are also excited about the potential of this area of the development. “That is not fully committed yet, but we have some very high interest from people that would like to see that turn into some type of sports tourism or tourism activity. Things like a hotel conference center, championship baseball fields – where we have major tournaments that will increase the retail sales that go into that deal. There’s Crystal Lagoons pools…they would like the ability to have the right to build in the city of Seguin. They’re actually going to build a one acre pool in one of our subdivisions. I’ll talk about later. It is an incredible technology. They’re beautiful pools. But it’s (all) that next level of development,” said Parker. Several well-known retailers and restaurants are expected to locate in Seguin Exchange. Stores like Lowe’s have already officially signed on. Other businesses are also in negotiations, including Target, Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse. Parker says even more retail is coming to that side of town. “Just north of of Newquest on 46 where Pecan Parkway ties into Highway 46 before you get to Rudeloff Road. If you’re going north on 46, to the left you’ll see Pecan Parkway where the Greenspoint subdivision is.

We actually had a rezoning happen about a month and a half ago that would actually bring… a proposed next generation Super Walmart. There’s a lot of advantages to that. I think that has the ability to track things in the future like Sam’s (Club). They like to be closer together. That has not happened (yet). They own additional property in Seguin, near Dixie Grill. But they wanted to build this super Walmart a little bit further away from their existing store,” said Parker. While big changes are coming with those retail developments, Parker says the city continues to work to revitalize its downtown. Several new businesses have opened or are in the process of opening downtown. He says the city continues to move forward with efforts to bring a major development to the property that previously housed Wells Fargo Bank. “We bought that building. We put it out for a (request for proposals) after talking to our community, that really thought a hotel downtown would be really great and we found a developer called Semi Development, formerly GroundFloor that actually thought the same thing and loved our downtown. And now we have an agreement with them, with milestones within the next year that we have to really have all these things buttoned up in order to do that. And with that, they’re proposing a 100 room hotel in downtown Seguin with restaurant and retail in it as well. Right there is the first rendering that we’ve seen and they’re continuing to update that. They’re actually building a financial forecast of how that hotel will perform. We’ve got commitments from either a Hyatt or a Marriott brand to be as part of the anchor for that hotel,” said Parker. City, pg. 4

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City, continued. The residential sector in the city continues to grow. Parker says the city is excited about first-class, master-planned communities coming to Seguin. He says the Walnut Springs neighborhood being built along Rudeloff and Huber roads will bring hundreds of new homes while also creating a new amenity that can be enjoyed by everyone in the community. He says the developer, Bitterblue, has something special planned for Seguin. “They’re going to put in a 20 acre park for our community, that can be very similar to Park West. It will not just be open to their residents. It’ll be open to everybody in our community. They also gave us land for a fire station. That’s where fire station four…will go. But this will have almost nine miles of walking trails. It’ll have a lot of interior pocket parks for their residents as well. It’ll be one of the nicer subdivisions in the entire city. It’s again a master planned community. Their amenity center will have a Crystal Lagoons pool. If you haven’t heard of those, they have the special technology liner that actually makes crystal clear pools. Those pools range from one acre to 12 acres. The pool they’re proposing for this development is over an acre large,” said Parker. Canvas is another master-planned community coming to the Seguin and Geronimo areas. Red Oak Development Group will develop the 352-acre site near Geronimo Creek. Parker says this will not be another cookie-cutter neighborhood. “They want this ‘live, work and play’ kind of atmosphere there, and they’re doing some really great things. This is the rendering of what it’s going to (happen there). A trail system (and) a lot of connectivity. These are the different phases. (It’s) about 352 acres, a little over a thousand lots going into this…higher end development. This is their amenity center that they’re proposing for that development. You can see how they’ve kind of incorporated keeping everything away from Geronimo Creek before you get to the houses. That’s where they’re putting their amenity center. But (it’s ) really a next level type development,” said Parker. One of the many concerns that come up when discussing the city’s rapid growth is water. Parker says that despite the water woes of many communities in Texas, the city of Seguin is well positioned when it comes to its available water supply. He says the city can meet the community’s current and future water demands. “We have the water. We have the water to serve this. We have plenty

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of water out to the year 2080. I know that’s a big concern, but this council years ago and this community invested a long time ago (into water). There’s nobody in the region that has a better water supply than the city of Seguin,” said Parker. Parker addressed some of the city’s shortcomings as well. He says a number of citizens have complained about the quality of city streets. Parker says the city has been aggressive in trying to improve its roadways. “We did have some third world country streets in the city of Seguin. We laid over 21 and a half miles of new pavement in the city and it has really been a major initiative of the city council. A neighboring larger community did a mile and a half of roads last year,” said Parker. The growth means the city needs to meet the transportation demands created by all those new residents. Parker also shared transportation plans to help the growing number of people get around the city. Those plans include work already underway along I-10, State Highway 46 and State Highway 123. They also include a major expansion of Rudeloff Road, which will extend from State Highway 46 to State Highway 123 and connect with FM 20 at Highway 123. There’s also a project in the works to widen and expand Cordova Road. All of those transportation projects are either underway or expected to begin soon. Meanwhile, Parker says discussions continue about a multibillion-dollar project that would completely change travel along Highway 46 between Seguin and New Braunfels. “We have been working with Guadalupe County, New Braunfels, as well as the Comal County to have discussions about what it’s going to take to improve Highway 46 and turn it into a parkway -- similar to Wurzbach Parkway (in San Antonio) -- where you fly off of I-35 in New Braunfelsm (travel to Seguin) and you never hit a stop sign again. Major work has been done (on this). It’s in every funding plan that TxDOT is requesting money from, but it is a $2 billion project,” said Parker. The State of the City address has become an annual event hosted by the city. City officials say it’s a way to engage the public on current issues and provide details about plans for the city’s future. In addition to the presentation, the city’s various departments set up booths inside the Coliseum so people could stop by and ask questions about city services. City council members were also on hand to answer questions and highlight the work being done in Seguin.

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8 VITAL STATISTICS

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BAITZ

Survivors include his loving wife of 41 years, Beth Baitz; niece, Harlie Blauw and husband Jesse; great-niece, Adeline Blauw; great-nephew, Sterling Blauw; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Janice and Ken Grenier; sister-inlaw, Rebecca Grenier; brother-in-law, Kenneth “Buzz” Grenier, II and wife Karen; Big Fur Baby, Tina; other loving family and many friends. A memorial service celebrating Tim’s life will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Tres Hewell Mortuary Chapel with the Reverend Robert K. Odom officiating. A reception will follow at the Lifegate Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lifegate Christian School, 395 Lifegate Lane, 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.

REININGER

proudest projects was the restoration of a 1966 Mustang. And while Ray always seemed to have something he was working on, he was just as likely to have a story to tell or a conversation to strike up- and once he got started, he could talk your ear off. Over the years, his interests included collecting and selling sports cards and comic books. Later in life, he turned his attention to growing produce and raising chickens, selling his goods at area farmers markets. He was an avid sports fan, had a deep interest in researching family genealogy, and could happily pass the time playing computer solitaire. Ray was preceded in death by his son, Timothy Christopher Reininger; his parents, Velma and Elmond Otto Reininger; and his brother, Delmar Wayne Reininger. Survivors include his loving wife, Deborah “Debbie” Reininger; daughter, Rayanne DuChane and husband Greg; sons, Eric Reininger and wife Erin, Michael Reininger, Joseph Reininger, and Thomas Reininger and wife Robbin; grandchildren, Kelsey, Shelby and fiancé Tristan, Garrett and partner Mia, Alissa, Connor, Sydney, Liam, Harper, and Blakely; great-grandson, Christopher; step-daughters, Jackie Lopez and husband Reyes, Jessica Arcega and husband Cain, and Jennifer Baerwald; stepgrandchildren, Brooklyn, Bruno, Gruene, Zara, Kaden, JJ, and Christian; as well as numerous other loving family members and a host of friends. Graveside services and interment with military honors will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at San Geronimo Cemetery, with the Reverend Jeremy Roy officiating. Immediately following the graveside service, family and friends are invited to gather for a reception at one of Ray’s favorite local stops, BS Brewing, 1408 Old Lehmann Rd., Seguin, where he could often be found on Friday Evenings enjoying a burger, a cold beer, and good company. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made 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.

GAITAN

Perez III, of Seguin, Jose Barron Jr., Maria Barron, Pedro Barron, and Gloria Barron, all of Greeley, Colorado; six great-grandchildren Pedro Barron Jr., Abel Jimenez, Nayomi Cano, Daniel Barron, Roman Barron, and Aisack Leija, all of Greeley, Colorado. Mary enjoyed going to Market Square, the movies, out to eat, and enjoyed making Big Red cake. She enjoyed spending time with her grandkids and great-greandkids. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday Sept. 30, 2026 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church starting with viewing from 9 to 9:30a.m., followed by the rosary at 9:30a.m., and mass beginning at 10a.m.

Timothy Ray “Tim” Baitz, age 60 of Seguin, passed away on September 23, 2026. Tim was born on October 5, 1965, in Abilene, Texas to Patricia (Summers) and Joe Ray Baitz. Tim owned and operated the Seguin Laser Wash for the past 22 years. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle in his spare time, throughout the countryside. He was proficient in all things, computers and tech and always made time for that. Cooking, especially barbequing was a favorite pastime, and his briskets were always requested by family and friends. As of late, he had fun with pinball machines. Tim is preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Pamela Baitz.

Elmond “Ray” Reininger, age 79 of Seguin, passed away on September 17, 2026. Ray was born on April 5, 1947, in Seguin, Texas, to Velma (Schroeder) and Elmond Otto Reininger. A lifelong Seguin native, Ray graduated from Seguin High School in 1965. He joined the United States Navy during the Vietnam era, serving his country as an electronics technician. Following his military service, Ray returned home to Seguin and began what would become a long career in law enforcement, first serving as a patrolman with the Seguin Police Department. He later attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, earning his degree in law enforcement while supporting himself as an electronics technician for Motorola. After graduation, Ray attended the U.S. Border Patrol Academy and served as a Border Patrol agent for three years. In 1978, he began the longest chapter of his law enforcement career with the former U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). He devoted nearly two decades to federal law enforcement before retiring in 1997 as a Special Agent. During these years, Ray and his former wife, Cynthia Medlin, raised their six children in Seguin. Service remained an important part of Ray’s life long after his retirement. He was active in veterans and federal retiree organizations, including the American Legion and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), where he served his local chapter. His passion for genealogy also led to many years of service with the Comal County Genealogy Society. He served as vice president for six years before becoming president in 2022 and later serving as treasurer and past president. In 2015, Ray married Deborah “Debbie” Reininger who remained with him until his death. Ray’s interests were as varied as the chapters of his life. A self taught builder and craftsman, he built two of his own homes and was rarely afraid to take on a project himself. He also had a lifelong love of cars. One of his Mary Villarreal Gaitan of Seguin, Texas passed away at the age of 81 on Sep.24, 2026. She was born on Nov. 18, 1944 in Seguin, Texas. She is proceeding in death with her late husband Roman Gaitan. She is survived by her son Rudy Gaitan of Seguin, her daughter Donna Barron and son-in-law Joe Barron both of Greeley, Colorado; five grandkids Domingo Anthony

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BRUNS

The Reverend Thomas Charles Bruns, age 88 of Seguin, passed away on September 24, 2026. Tom was born on July 15, 1938, in El Paso, Texas to Florence Julia “Nina” (Wilson) and Joseph Louis Bruns. Tom was a graduate of the University of Texas and Virginia Theological Seminary. He was ordained at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Seguin. Always a Texas Longhorn fan, he took great delight in following the teams, regardless of

where he lived. He served as an Episcopal priest in Llano, Eagle Pass, Pleasanton, and Lockhart. He retired when stationed in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. After retirement, he and Martha moved to Seguin, where they enjoyed country living on acreage east of Seguin. They later moved to Mexico where he and Martha enjoyed retirement living in San Miguel De Allende. After a few years, they returned to Seguin and lived in the residential area established on land once owned by Tom’s grandparents. He was always proud of that fact and never failed to tell that to someone he had just met. He was an active Rotarian in all the communities in which they lived,

VYORAL

David Louis Vyoral, 74, of Seguin and Rockport, passed away on September 24, 2026. He was born on December 10, 1951, in Liberty, Texas, to Ruby Marguerite (Damek) and Eddie Louis Vyoral. David grew up with a natural talent for building, fixing, and imagining what things could become. From tinkering with cars and working on the farm alongside his father, David’s hands were always creating, restoring, and improving. David was a dreamer and a doer. At the age of 17, he drove his rebuilt Austin Healy cross country by himself. The year before he turned 30, he rebuilt a wellworn 25’ sailboat and singlehanded it across the Gulf of Mexico. He was eventually joined by his wife Ann, and together they explored the Florida Keys and Bahamas, as they began a life filled with travel, creation, friends, and cats. David was a proud graduate of the University of Texas, with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. His career took him from National Supply in Houston, Texas, to the Georgetown County Water and Sewer District in South Carolina, and back to Texas for his job as the Aransas County Road and Bridge Engineer in Rockport, each move offering new opportunities

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having been a club president more than once. While in Pleasanton, he was an active volunteer in the fire department and held the City of Pleasanton position of Fire Marshall. Tom is preceded in death by his son, John Burgwin Bruns and his parents. Survivors include his loving wife, Martha Bruns; son, Thomas Meade Bruns of San Antonio; daughters, Melany Head of Austin, and Maria Miller and husband Jonathan of Leander; proud grandpa to Alan Miller and Dillon J. Head; twin brother, Joe Bruns and wife Sue Ellen “Sudy”; sister, Dorothy Bauer and husband Sydney; numerous nieces, nephews, other loving family members and a host of friends. A memorial service celebrating Tom’s life will be held on Thursday, October 8th, 2026, at 10 a.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church with The Rt. Rev. Bishop Angela Cortiñas and the Reverends Stephen Shortess and Karen Morris officiating. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 201 E. Nolte St., 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.

to restore homes (and one big commercial building). He traveled when he could—always drawn to the water wherever he went. David and Ann retired in Seguin, where he embraced his final dream of transforming an old house overlooking the Guadalupe River into a home with a garage big enough for all of his tools and room to play pool with his friends. He poured the same care into their retreat on Salt Lake in Rockport, where they went to watch the sun rise whenever they could. David never stopped building, fixing, helping, or telling people how they should do things. David is survived by his wife, Ann (Holzschuher), his sister, Jeanette Calhoun, nephews, Brian (Lisa) Calhoun and Bradley (Angie) Calhoun, and niece, Ashley (Carlos) Seckler, along with honorary nieces Thea Setterbo and Katie ( Jeffrey) Goodall. He also leaves behind his “harem” - a group of strong women who lent unending support to David and his wife. In lieu of flowers, David would want you to donate to NPR or a charity of your choice, root for the Texas Longhorns, or vote for Eric Norman (Guadalupe County) and James Talarico (Texas). 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.

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QUINTANILLA

(Rick), Mary Ann Trevino, Lucy Lerma ( Jesse), Janie Villareal (Rudy), and Frank Quintanilla (Mary); sisters-in-law, Diane Quintanilla, and Diane Serna (Ramon); brothers-in-law, Daniel Trevino, and Rudy Garcia (Mary); numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving family members and many friends. Visitation will begin on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Stockdale followed by the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 9:30 a.m. and the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. with the Reverend Pius Ezeigbo officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. A reception will be announced. The family extends a special thank you to his Hope Hospice team, and immense gratitude to his team of caregivers; Sofi Rodriguez, Mona Pantoja, Lucy Lerma, Rosie Henderson, Lori Castilleja, Gloria Castellon, and Rachel de la Garza. 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.

GRIFFITH

cities of Vinita, Bartlesville, Muskogee, and Okmulgee. In 1964 they moved their young family to Texas, living in the cities of Abilene, Dallas, Temple, Waco, Palestine, Marshall, Denton, Alice, Portland, and New Braunfels. After their youngest graduated High School, they moved to Seguin, where they lived their last 26 years together. Along the way they made many lifelong friends and were deeply invested in the life and leadership of the local Churches of Christ. Jean was a faithful follower of Jesus and lived her life accordingly. She initially was a stay-at-home mom, but later began to work as an aide in nursing homes. Jean then began working for Walmart, a career that stretched 35+ years. She loved her time at Walmart and made many dear friends while working there. Jean was also quite the collector! Her greatest love of collecting were her teapots, glass chickens and roosters. She was known by many as the “chicken lady” and was gifted hundreds of glass chickens and roosters. She also loved collecting decorative items depicting bluebonnets and cardinals. Other collections of hers included glass heart dishes and Cinderella memorabilia. Jean loved a good hamburger, especially from Kirby’s in Seguin. Her other “joys” in life included corn nuggets, the color yellow, cryptogram and crossword puzzles, Hallmark movies, romance novels, Lindor chocolate and Diet Coke. She will be dearly missed by friends and family and will always be remembered as a strong, vibrant lady who loved her Lord and family fervently. May she rest in peace with those who preceded her to their heavenly home.

Lorenzo Rivas Quintanilla, age 91 of Seguin, formerly of Stockdale, passed away on September 28, 2026. Lorenzo was born on November 6, 1934, in Denhawken, Texas to Inez (Rivas) and Fernando Vasquez Quintanilla. Lorenzo is preceded in death by his parents, his son-in-law, Frank Lopez, his sisters, Ella Trevino and Frances Guerra and husband, Alfred, and brothers, Fernando, Samuel, Florentino, Daniel, Rudy and Rene Quintanilla. Survivors include his loving wife of 67 years, Dolores Garcia Quintanilla; children, Nelda Lopez, Lori Quintanilla and husband Raymond Zepeda, Jr. and Roland Quintanilla and husband Ken Mohundro; grandchildren, Patrick Lopez and wife Liz, Bryanna Gleason and husband Marshal, Jalietza Zepeda and Jamila Zepeda; great-grandchildren, Ethan, Mason, Liam, Madison, and Austin Lopez; siblings, Clara Rangel, Sylvia Quintanilla

Emma Jean Griffith, born November 7, 1938 in Carselowey, OK peacefully gained her heavenly wings on September 17, 2026. She is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years Stephen Roger Griffith, her parents Emma Martin & Isaac Merit Waldrop, brothers Isaac “Bob”, Harold and Melvin Waldrop, and daughter Vickie Jean Duncan. Emma is survived by her sister Mary White, sons Stephen “Mark” (Teresia), Kevin (Michele), Kyle ( Jennifer), and 11 grandchildren, their spouses and 7 great grandchildren. Jean was born on a farm in the rural farming community of Carselowey in northeast Oklahoma. While still in grade school her family moved to the city of Vinita, OK. Shortly before Jean graduated from Vinita High (Class of ‘56) she married her high school sweet-heart, Steve (Class of ‘54). Steve and Jean were married on April 29, 1956 - a marriage that lasted for 61 years before Steve’s death in 2017. One year after they were married they welcomed their first child Vickie Jean in June of 1957, and then Stephen Mark in January 1959. Their third child, Kevin Bruce, was born in November of 1963, and their 4th child, Kyle Edward was added to the family in May of 1972. In their 61 years of marriage Steve and Jean lived in the Oklahoma

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Sue Ellen “Sudy” Bruns, age 83 of Seguin, Texas, passed away on September 28, 2026. Sudy was born on December 21, 1942, in Rawlins, Wyoming, to Sue and Oliver McClellan. Before her second birthday, Sudy moved with her family to Maracaibo, Venezuela. In Venezuela she picked up an extensive Spanish vocabulary that remained with her for life. Sudy’s family returned to the United States in 1950, settling in San Antonio. She was proud to be a Lasso at Thomas Jefferson High School where she graduated in 1960. After high school, Sudy studied history at the University of Texas. While at UT, she joined Alpha Chi Omega serving as football team captain and president her senior year. During summer months, Sudy worked at Camp Capers where she met her future husband, Joe Bruns. Sudy graduated from UT in 1964 and was married later that year in San Antonio. Joe and Sudy moved to Seguin, and she began teaching history at Seguin High School in 1966. The high school needed a tennis coach, so Sudy volunteered. In 1972, Sudy completed a master’s degree in American history from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. Joe and Sudy’s first son, Winston, was born in 1975. For many years, Sudy taught history at Texas Lutheran College. With Preston Reeves as her doubles partner, she won several TLC intramural tennis championships. In 1982, Joe and Sudy’s second son, Morgan, was born. Sudy joined the Seguin Study Club in 1966 and remained active for most of her life including serving as president. In 1980, she became a member of the Shakespeare Club, which also met in the Women’s Federated Club

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Rooms. The clubhouse became a passion for Sudy, and she was regularly involved in maintenance and restoration efforts. In 2012, Sudy helped to start the “Saints Alive” Riverside Cemetery tour to raise funds for the clubhouse. Sudy was a lifelong Episcopalian and faithful member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. As an avid reader and lover of learning, she was a strong supporter of the Friends of the Library. For many years, Wednesday evenings were spent playing bridge with her close friends. She was involved in many tennis leagues, and later in life took up distance running. Reluctantly, she began competing in the Capitol 10,000 in Austin in which she was the top finisher in her age group two years in a row. Sudy is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Gigi McClellan, her brother-in-law, Thomas Bruns, and her nephew, John Bruns. Survivors include her loving husband of 62 years, Joe H. Bruns; her two sons, Winston Bruns and wife Sara, and Morgan Bruns and wife Marissa; grandchildren, Ryker, Soleil, Micah, Oliver, and Charlie Bruns; siblings, Nancy Koenig, Celeste McClellan, and Barr McClellan; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Bauer and husband Syd, and Martha Bruns; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving family members and many friends. A memorial service celebrating Sudy’s life will be held on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church with the Reverend Stephen Shortess officiating. A reception will follow in the family home. Memorial contributions may be made in Sudy’s honor to Friends of the Library at 313 West Nolte St. Seguin, Tx 78155 or St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church 201 E. Nolte St. Seguin, Tx 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.

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THU. October 1, 2026

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THU. October 1, 2026

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THU. October 1, 2026

CDC Officially Updates Measles Death Tracker With Second Fatality (Atlanta, GA) -- The CDC is officially recognizing a second measles death. The agency’s numbers are still short of Pennsylvania’s official report of four measlesassociated deaths in an outbreak that topped 900 cases this week. This after months of criticism from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro over the CDC’s omission of his state’s reported measles-related deaths from its tracker. Pennsylvania first reported two infant deaths related to the illness in late August and added two in mid-September. Medicare Unveils 2027 Rates (Washington, DC) -- Millions of Medicare enrollees could see lower premiums for private Medicare Advantage plans next year, while prescription drug premiums are expected to rise slightly. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services says the average Medicare Advantage premium will drop to $12 a month in 2027, down from about $14.37 this year. Average premiums for stand-alone Part D drug plans will rise by less than a dollar, to about $36 a month. Medicare plans must notify enrollees of changes by September 30th, with open enrollment running October 15th through December 7th. Experts are urging seniors to review their coverage, including premiums, drug lists and provider networks, before choosing a plan for 2027. Experimental UVA Drug Reversing MS Damage In Mice (Charlottesville, VA) -- Scientists at the University of Virginia are finding ways to reverse damage caused by MS. According to a UVA Health study published this week, an experimental drug called K-9 helped paralyzed mice move again and restored lost vision. K-9 comes from HIV and hepatitis B drugs, but researchers changed it so it targets the damage caused by multiple sclerosis [[ skluh-ROH-sis ]] in the brain and spinal cord. The team says K-9 still needs clinical testing for MS before doctors know whether it can restore function in human patients. Study Shows Insomnia Leads To Higher Risk Of Stroke And Depression (Undated) -- A new study shows insomnia results in a 26-percent increased risk of stroke and about the same percentage increase in hospital admissions. The Sleep Medicine Review research also suggests insomnia is linked to depression and dementia. The study’s lead author says insomnia deserves attention as a warning sign of the status of brain and mental health. Insomnia is the inability to get sufficient sleep.

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THU. October 1, 2026

Proudly supporting

the People People && the Traditions of of our our Traditions Community !! Community LOCAL GOODS LOCAL GOODS SOURDOUGH

Find Us: Minutes from Downtown Corner of Court St. & Hwy. 46 120 SS.. state state Hwy Hwy 46 Seguin,, TX Se TX 78155

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21 COMMUNITY

Seguin Noon Lions Fall Fling The Seguin Noon Lions Club will host its Fall Fling Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Seguin Silver Center, 510 E. Court St. The event will feature drive-thru pork steak dinners prepared by Next Door Catering. Tickets purchased by Sept. 24 are $15 and will be $20 at the door, if available. Tickets are available from Noon Lions members, Starcke Furniture, Tri County Air and the Silver Center. Proceeds benefit local youth and sight projects. TLU Krost Symposium Texas Lutheran University will host its annual Krost Symposium Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 on the TLU campus. This year’s theme is “The Science of Learning” and will feature keynote speaker Dr. Arturo Hernandez, professor of psychology and author of Mastery. Most symposium events are free and open to the public. La Vernia Happy Soles Square Dance Open House The La Vernia Happy Soles will host a free Square Dance Open House Friday, October 2, from 6 to 9 p.m. at 9585 Highway 87 West in La Vernia. Light refreshments will be served, and newcomers are invited to come give square dancing a try. Beginning square dance lessons start Friday, October 9, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Lessons are $5 per person and will be led by caller Billy Grimsley. For more information, call Billy at 830-305-9114. First Presbyterian Church 175th Anniversary Festival First Presbyterian Church will celebrate its 175th anniversary with a free community festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, on the church grounds. The event will feature water slides, bounce houses, food trucks and activities for all ages. The celebration continues at 4 p.m. with a free family movie at the Palace Theatre. The festival and movie are free and open to the public. Annual Pumpkin Patch 2026 First Methodist Church of Seguin will begin Pumpkin Patch 2026 on Saturday, October 3rd at 710 N. Austin St. The Pumpkin Patch is open daily from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday through Saturday and noon to 7:00 pm Sundays in October. A second load of pumpkins will arrive on October 17. For more information call 830-379-4112 or go to www. SeguinMethodist.org. Praise in the Pumpkin Patch On Sunday evenings during the month of October there will be a short worship service with live music in the Storytelling area of the Pumpkin Patch at First Methodist Church from 6:30 pm – 7:00 pm. All are welcome. For more information call 830-379-4112. Fall Stream Cleanup Scheduled for October 3 Help protect local waterways by volunteering at the 7th Annual Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Fall Stream Cleanup on Saturday, October 3. Volunteers will meet from 9 a.m. to noon at either the Seguin ISD Irma Lewis Outdoor Learning Center, 1865 E. U.S. Highway 90 in Seguin, or the Oak Creek Estates Pool parking lot, 250 Escarpment Road in New Braunfels. The event is free and open to individuals, families, businesses, schools, churches and community groups. Volunteers will receive breakfast tacos, coffee, an event T-shirt and cleanup supplies. Free pre-registration is requested to ensure enough supplies are available. Register online at www.geronimocreekwatershed.org. Guadalupe County Farm Bureau Annual Convention & Dinner The 2026 Guadalupe County Farm Bureau Annual County Convention & Dinner will be held Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Texas

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Agricultural Education & Heritage Center’s Red Barn. Social hour begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 and the meeting at 7 p.m. RSVP to Blake at 830-379-4456 or bbrand@ txfb-ins.com by Sept. 27. Guests are also invited to bring a favorite dessert to share. Guadalupe County Jury Pool Cancelled The Guadalupe County Jury Pool scheduled for Monday, Oct. 5, at 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. has been cancelled. Jurors summoned for either of those times do not need to report. After-Hours Networking Event The Guadalupe County Fair Association will sponsor a Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce After-Hours Networking Event from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Guadalupe County Fair, 728 Midway in Seguin. The community is invited to attend the evening networking event. Living with Alzheimer’s Symposium A Living with Alzheimer’s Symposium will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Seguin Public Library, 313 W. Nolte St. Dr. Neela Patel of UT Health San Antonio will discuss the latest advancements in Alzheimer’s disease, including early detection, treatment options and local resources. The event is designed for caregivers, families and members of the healthcare community. On-site respite care will be available for loved ones so caregivers can participate in the symposium. Registration is required and space is limited. For more information, call 830-379-5046. Saddle Up for Second Chances Playday Benefit A Saddle Up for Second Chances Playday Benefit for Happened by Chance Horses will be held Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Seguin Rodeo Complex, 950 S. Austin St. Exhibitions begin at 9 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. Participants are encouraged to register early, with special raffle prizes available for early entries, including a $100 SmartPak Equine gift card and a veterinary horse care package. Proceeds will benefit Happened by Chance Horses. Land + Water Symposium The Land + Water Symposium will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Luling Foundation. The event will connect Texas landowners with experts in soil, water, livestock and wildlife management. Topics include water quality, rainwater harvesting, feral hog management, grazing management and Natural Resource Conservation Service programs. Two TDA IPM continuing education units are available. Pre-registration is $30 through Oct. 14, with registration at the door costing $40. The fee includes lunch and a certificate of completion. For more information or to register, visit the Caldwell-Travis Soil & Water Conservation District website. Big Red Barn Pecan Fest The Texas Agricultural Education & Heritage Center will host its Big Red Barn Pecan Fest on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 250 Cordova Road in Seguin. Activities include a visit to the world’s largest pecan, tours of the heritage village, hayrides, an antique tractor pull and the annual pecan baking contest. Admission and parking are free, with a free trolley available to downtown Pecan Fest activities. Calvary Baptist Academy Fall Festival Fundraiser Calvary Baptist Academy will host its Fall Festival Fundraiser from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 in New Braunfels. The family-friendly event will feature musical performances by School of Rock and other local musicians, dance performances by Rize Above Dance Studio, an aerialist, vendor market, food trucks, children’s games and prizes, a chili contest and raffles. Proceeds will support campus improvements and classroom

THU. October 1, 2026

supplies at the nonprofit private school. World Polio Day Walk for Polio The Seguin Rotary Club and Suburban Running & Recreation will host a free two-mile community walk on Saturday, Oct. 24, in recognition of World Polio Day. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m., with a group photo and walk starting at 8 a.m. at Suburban Running & Recreation at the Seguin Schoolyard, 225 N. Saunders St. The event is free and open to all ages. Donations will also be accepted for Rotary International’s PolioPlus program. To sign up, visit the Seguin Rotary Club website and look for the World Polio Walk flyer, or contact Dr. Julie Leos at drjuliealeos@gmail.com or the Seguin Rotary Club at rotaryclubseguin@gmail.com. First Methodist Church Blood Drive First Methodist Church of Seguin will host a South Texas Blood & Tissue blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the church, 710 N. Austin St. The bloodmobile will be on site, and donors will receive a free T-shirt. Appointments can be scheduled by scanning the QR code on the event flyer. Grace & Glory Women’s Conference Ministry Spoken will host its 2026 Grace & Glory Women’s Conference on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The theme is based on Second Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Tickets are $30. For more information, call 512937-2608. Puppies & Pumpkins in the Pumpkin Patch On Saturday, October 24th from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, First Methodist Church will have the Blessing of the Animals in the Prayer Garden and the Seguin Animal Control will sponsor Puppies in the Patch with puppies for adoption until 2:00 pm. The Patch is open daily from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday through Saturday and noon to 7:00 pm Sundays in October. For more information call 830-379-4112 or go to www.SeguinMethodist.org. Gather & Give: A Women’s Community Social The Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce Women’s Council will host its Gather & Give community social from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Seguin Schoolyard, 225 N. Saunders St. The event will feature local nonprofits sharing information about their missions and work in the community, along with networking and refreshments. Guests are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item and/or hygiene product to benefit the Christian Cupboard. The event is free and open to everyone, including non-Chamber members, but registration is required. Seguin Rotary Club Hosts “Rock the Fright” Event The Seguin Rotary Club will host Rock the Fright: A Rotary Halloween Bash Thursday, Oct. 29 at The School Yard, 225 N. Saunders St. in Seguin. The event includes a cornhole tournament beginning at 5 p.m., a VIP dinner at 6 p.m. and a concert featuring Mischief Soul at 7 p.m. There will also be a costume contest and 50/50 raffle. Proceeds benefit Rotary’s polio eradication efforts, education initiatives and community projects. 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.

22 VITAL STATISTICS

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THU. October 1, 2026

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THU. October 1, 2026

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THU. October 1, 2026

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THU. October 1, 2026