Press release from the City of Uvalde

Top Picture by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

05-17-26

Press release from the City of Uvalde : Opening: Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 12:00 Noon

01-24-26

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By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

01-14-26

On November 25th, 2025 the publisher of the Uvalde Hesperian, Michael Robinson submitted a public records request to the City of Uvalde for the following: building permits applied for and granted to Speer Ag, LLC. located at 3333 East Main Street, Uvalde, Texas 78801 from 2024 to the present.

On Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025, an email was received from the City of Uvalde Director of Planning and Development Susan Anderson. In the email, Anderson said, “This project began in 2021 with a Commercial Meter Loop permit. No additional work was done until 2024. At that time the project manager and owner claimed that the building was outside of city limits. Apparently, at some point everyone was under the impression that the city limits were within 200 feet of the road. We did not require other permits due to that misunderstanding. However, our city inspectors inspected the pre-foundation work before the slab was poured and the interior of the building after it was erected as well as connections to City water. We waived the fees for plumbing permits because we are unable to provide sewer service in that location.

  This project was not handled in the manner I would prefer, but it has helped us to tighten up our permit process.”

  On January 9th, 2025, another email was received from Anderson with an attached official timeline for the building’s timeline for the project as well as the electrical permit.

“We have taken measures to ensure that it doesn’t happen again,” Anderson said.

On Thursday, January 15th, 2025, a statement from Cline Speer of Speer Ag was received by the Uvalde Hesperian:

January 15, 2026
Mr. Robinson,
In response to your Open Information Request with the City of Uvalde pertaining to building permits for 3333 East Main St, we feel there are several inaccuracies in what that the City Provided.
The summary you received has dates and timelines that are mostly accurate. There are several other notations not pertaining to permits which are not. There was confusion with the city officials from the beginning as to which parts of the property were in the City Limits. Our contractor took all steps to comply with all City Codes and at their direction. There were even delays lasting weeks waiting on decisions from the city. This project took almost 18 months to complete. City officials have records and documentation of inspections and pictures of all phases of the project. This project was constructed to all codes, with all new material and modern building practices, to enhance the presence in Uvalde. This project was primarily built with local contractors and materials, which was a main goal of ours from the start.
Speer Ag comes from a family of 5 generations raised in Uvalde, we have always been committed to serving the Uvalde community and Agriculture Community in surrounding counties. This new storefront now supplies building supplies, housewares, plumbing, retail meat sales, livestock and pet feed, lawn and garden, and many more items. We are committed to ensuring this business will continue to grow and make Uvalde proud. This facility is proud to employee over 20 workers and give back to many local organizations.
Sincerely,
Cline Speer

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Picture by Robinson

01-10-25 

Are more deer moving into the City’s residential areas? If so? Why?

While driving along East Garden Street in Uvalde earlier today, I happened to spot a handsome buck with a decent rack of antlers standing near a house.  Having seen deer recently in other residential areas within the City, it prompted me to ask if the city’s deer population is on the rise?

Within the past few months, I have seen at least one dead deer on the bar ditch of U.S Highway 90 East and heard reports of vehicular accidents involving deer crossing Highway 90 East.

Possible causes might be the deer are looking for water and food and/or perhaps their natural habit areas just outside of town are disappearing due to land clearing and/or development.

See related article from the San Antonio Express News:

Deer, coyotes and caracaras stir San Antonio neighborhoods amid heat and drought

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian 

12-21-25

  The prospect of becoming homeless is scary close for many Americans housing costs and the cost of living continues to go up. Lose your home and you can easily become a persona non grata person, meaning an unacceptable or unwelcome person to society.

  In response to the U.S Supreme Court Grants Pass Decision, President Donald Trump has doubled down on commending that States to enforce laws that criminalize public camping, sleeping in public and even loitering.  Want to take a brief nap at lunch after lunch?  It could be illegal now.

 Think this only applies to only those homeless living in tents on public property? The law actually can affect those who live in a vehicle such as car, truck, van or RV who are parked overnight on public property or a public right of way.

  Trump signed an executive order on July 24th, 2025 called Ending Illegal Encampments and Restoring Our Cities and Public Spaces. 

   According to the order it reads, “Endemic vagrancy, disorderly behavior, sudden confrontations, and violent attacks have made our cities unsafe.  The number of individuals living on the streets in the United States on a single night during the last year of the previous administration — 274,224 — was the highest ever recorded.”

President Trump’s Executive Order instructs the DOJ to look at using civil-commitment laws more aggressively for people with severe mental illness or addiction who are repeatedly cited for camping.

 (On December 19th, 2025) “A federal judge on Friday blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from imposing new restrictions on more than $3 billion in grant funding used to provide permanent housing and other services to homeless people,” a Reuters article said.

  According to an Investopedia article published on September 24th, 2025 , it says, “The percentage of people living paycheck to paycheck increased 4% from 2024 to 2025, with 67% of Americans struggling financially, a new report said.

According to the article, it reads, “A 2025 financial wellness study that looks at what employees value found that 67% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. That’s up from 63% in 2024, according to the PNC Bank Financial Wellness in the Workplace Report.1 As the cost of living rises, it’s easy to understand why more people are strapped for funds,”

 “Texas is home to tens of thousands of homeless families and individuals who do not have access to affordable housing or even safe and adequate shelter, and who instead must live outdoors until housing is available to them,” According to the National Homelessness Law Center article

   A Texas statewide camping ban (House Bill 1925) went live September 2021. It’s a Class C misdemeanor (up to five hundred dollar fine) for anyone to camp in any public place that isn’t a designated campground. Cops can cite or arrest you on the spot—no shelter has to be available requirements like some other states. – Cities can’t opt out or make their own softer rules anymore. 

   The City of Uvalde has recently had its own issues with homeless camps set up on City property, specifically the land just south of Uvalde Memorial Park along the banks of the Leona River. 

   In 2024, the Uvalde Hesperian went to the location and spoke with several of those living there including a man named Michael who stated his truck was towed off from being parked on a Dollar General Store privately owned property, He went on to say he was told he had to come up with several hundred dollars to reclaim his camper. Homeless campers issued “Notice to Vacate” by the City – Uvalde Hesperian

 City of Uvalde Ordinances pertaining to Recreational Vehicles

   Even if you are not homeless and own an RV, the City of Uvalde’s has strict codes on where a resident can park a RV an prohibits anyone residing it according to City of Uvalde Code

17.36.010 – Permitted accessory uses: E

 Additionally Parking an RV on a city street is illegal within the City of Uvalde.

10.32.070 – Parking of oversize vehicles on public streets or highways. F

Press Release from City of Uvalde: Gloria Resma, Parks and Recreation Manager
12-09-25

UVALDE, Tex. (Dec. 18, 2025) – The City of Uvalde and national nonprofit KABOOM! participated in a plenary session at the Texas Children in Nature Network Summit, where leaders from Uvalde came together to share how play and access to nature can support children’s health, reclaim joy, and pave a way towards long-term resilience.

The panel, hosted by Jen DeMelo, Vice President of Innovation at KABOOM!, the national nonprofit committed to end playspace inequity, featured the following speakers:

• Gloria Resma, City of Uvalde Parks and Recreation Manager
• Tammie Sinclair, Director, El Progreso Memorial Library
• Mayra Vasquez, Vice President, Rotary Club of Uvalde
• Dolly Schultz, U.S. Navy Veteran and American Legion Representative

Panelists discussed the transformative power of play in the wake of tragedy, the role of participatory design in reclaiming purpose and joy, and the community’s evolution in creating inclusive playspaces and expanding access to nature.

KABOOM! expressed deep gratitude to the City of Uvalde for its steadfast leadership and partnership.

Together, KABOOM! and the City have created six new playspaces, with two additional projects planned for 2026, ensuring more children and families have joyful, safe places to play and connect.

“Uvalde continues to show what’s possible when a community comes together to center the well-being of its kids,” said Jen DeMelo, Vice President of Innovation at KABOOM!. “Play and access to nature aren’t just nice-to-haves. They are essential for children’s physical, mental, emotional, and social health. Playing in nature helps kids build confidence, strengthen relationships, process big feelings, and reconnect with joy. The leadership and partnership we’ve experienced here in Uvalde is extraordinary, and it’s fueling real progress toward playspace equity. KABOOM! is proud to stand with Uvalde as they create inclusive, joyful spaces where every child can heal, grow, and thrive.”

As the year comes to a close, KABOOM! celebrates the collaboration, creativity, and resilience that make this partnership and pursuit towards playspace equity in Uvalde possible.

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About the City of Uvalde
The City of Uvalde suffered an unimaginable tragedy on May 24, 2022, with the Robb Elementary School shooting—a day that forever changed our community. In the midst of our grief, KABOOM stepped forward with compassion and support, helping us transform parks that were long overdue for care. Their partnership created more than just improved spaces; it offered our community a place to breathe again, to gather, to remember, and to begin healing together. During one of the darkest moments in our history, these renewed parks became symbols of hope, purpose, and unity for the people of Uvalde.

About KABOOM!
KABOOM! is the national nonprofit committed to ending playspace inequity – the reality that quality places to play are not available to every child, especially in communities of color. Since 1996, KABOOM! has partnered with kids and communities to create or transform 17,000+ playspaces and ensure that more than 12 million kids have equitable access to the critical benefits and opportunities that playspaces offer. KABOOM! continues to make progress on its 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity through new partnerships with a goal of accelerating efforts in 25 municipal systems toward achieving their mission at scale across the United States. Learn more at kaboom.org or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.