06-15-26

Article and photo by Diana Olvedo-Karau

Every second Saturday of the month, volunteers gather at Uvalde Dual Language Academy to prepare food for local families. Cars line up early, and the pace of the distribution depends largely on one thing: how many volunteers show up to help.
Lead organizers have built an efficient system, and once the line begins moving, the process runs quickly. Still, every step depends on volunteers working together to keep food flowing to the families who need it.

The San Antonio Food Bank began building a formal, recurring presence in Uvalde in December 2019 by supplying regional pantries. After the tragedy of May 2022, it expanded emergency support and established monthly drive-thru distributions, typically hosted at UDLA.

According to food bank representatives, 200 families were served in May 2026. In June, that number rose to 275 families, reflecting the higher need often seen during summer months.

The need is significant. Uvalde County continues to face high food insecurity driven by poverty,
vulnerable populations, and reliance on SNAP benefits. The county’s poverty rate is estimated
at about 22% to 24%, higher than state and national averages. Child poverty is roughly 31%,
and about one in four residents relies on SNAP to buy groceries.

Editorial Remarks:

After volunteering at the May and June distributions, I saw firsthand how many of our
neighbors depend on this support, especially elderly residents and families facing difficult
circumstances. But in the middle of that need I also saw gratitude, dignity, and hope. Having
experienced food insecurity myself, I know the value of a helping hand. Whether you have
walked in those shoes or simply want to serve, consider volunteering at this distribution or
another local opportunity. Let’s be the hands and feet of Jesus; the rewards are eternal.

06-12-26

Top photo: file photo by Michael Robinson

News reports submitted by Diana Olvedo-Karau

The Uvalde City Council met Tuesday, June 9, before a packed chamber. Most attendees came to address rezoning or conditional use permit requests seeking final council approval.

Two residents also asked the city for help with long-standing flooding on their properties in the 800 block of North Camp Street, near the Uvalde CISD practice fields.

The council discussed potential City Charter changes. City Manager Joe Cardenas presented issues raised over the past year, including council terms, term limits, officer compensation, insurance, boards and committees, and city manager residency requirements. Any changes would require voter approval.

Cardenas also reviewed issues from the June 3 public workshop, which was a result of the request by EMC Strategy Group to add lobbying services to their contract. The concerns mirrored those residents have raised for years, with street improvements topping the list. “Obviously the City has many needs; with needs comes ways of financing some of those items,” Cardenas said, noting similar studies completed 20 to 30 years ago. “I go back and there are several studies that we’ve done that go back to the late 90’s and early 2000’s and if we compare what was discussed then, what was discussed this past week, they pretty much mimic one another.”

Editorial Remarks:

The reality is clear: Uvalde does not have the resources to tackle major street repairs without either taking on debt or aggressively pursuing state and federal grant funding. Adding lobbying services to EMC’s contract would give the city a stronger path to turn identified needs into actual funding opportunities, especially when paired with the agreement’s grant-writing component. EMC has already met with city departments to assess priorities and with TxDOT to explore future funding. Now the council needs to quit treating this issue as political theater, act in residents’ best interests, and remember that three council seats will be on the ballot this year.

The Uvalde Hesperian will run one campaign announcement from any candidate running for an elected office in either the Democratic or Republican Party Primary free of charge.

Submitted by Diana Olvedo-Karau

11-28-25

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

09/14/25

At the Monday, September 8th, Uvalde County Commissioners Court meeting, Uvalde County Judge William “Bill” Mitchell appeared to respond to the clothing Diana Olvedo-Karau had worn at the meeting. Karau was wearing a campaign t-shirt promoting her bid for a seat on the Uvalde County Commissioners Court for the 2026 election. A few weeks ago, Karau had announced on her Facebook page she would be running for Uvalde County Commissioners Court Precinct as a Democrat.

Mitchell said, “As we get into the political season, this courtroom is not a political platform for anybody. There will be nobody wearing any type of advertising, any candidate, themselves or anyone else that walks in this courtroom. It’s been a policy of the court for a long time. We are not going to allow people to use this (as a) debate pulpit…(words unclear on video) You are welcome to make your statements.”

The Uvalde Hesperian met with Mitchell Friday, September 12th to get clarification on the appropriate dress according to the policy of the Commissioners Court.

When asked about what policy the Judge Mitchell was referring to, he presented a document listing the rules of procedure, conduct and decorum which reads, “Proper attire for men, women and children is mandatory. Those members of the public who are improperly attired and/or who do not conduct themselves in an orderly and appropriate manner will be ordered to leave the meeting. “

What specifically is deemed as “proper attire” is not specified.

“No signs or placards for or against an issue shall be allowed in the commissioners courtroom.”

According to Mitchell, he stated to the Hesperian that a t-shirt with a political message falls under the sign or placard clause of the printed rules.

Karau stated to the Uvalde Hesperian she believes wearing a campaign t-shirt falls under the 1st Amendment as a right granted by the U.S. Constitution.

  The issue of appropriate clothing has been challenged before at the Uvalde County Commissioners Court.  Brett Cross wore a t-shirt featuring a profane word (F-word) when speaking before the Uvalde County Commissioners in 2024 following a meeting where Cross was arrested for using profane language.

08-30-25

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

05-12-25

Diana Olvedo-Karau spoke at the Monday, May 12th, 2025 Uvalde County Commissioners Court criticizing the Uvalde County Auditor for not providing public records she had requested two months ago pertaining to the Uvalde Together Resiliency Center’s full budget.

She also asked why the decision was made to change certain Uvalde County Road Department employee’s compensation on a salaried basis vs. hourly pay. According to Karau, salaried employees would not receive overtime pay. She claimed she had talked to some road department employees, and they preferred to be paid on an hourly basis.

Karau also asked the court why county offices staffed with more than one employee would close during the noon to one lunch hour vs. leaving the office open during that hour and staggering employee’s scheduled lunch times allowing citizens better access to those services.

Guest Article submitted by Diana Olvedo-Karau

Top Picture by Diana Olvedo-Karau

01-06-25

  2024 has come to an end and as a community advocate, I am reflecting on politics in Uvalde County and how it will affect us into 2025. Take time to read these thoughts and remember, you have to look beyond the obvious.

    2024 was a presidential election year and in Uvalde County every person that ran for a county office, except maybe one individual, ran on the Republican ticket; after being lifelong Democrats. And almost every individual that ran for an elected office related to law-enforcement, and was present at the Robb School mass shooting, was elected to office.

   City politics had many ups and downs in 2024 beginning with Cody Smith winning the mayor’s race in November 2023 and resigning in April 2024, after defeating Kimberly Rubio, the mother of a child killed in the Robb School massacre. This placed the city council in a position of appointing Lalo Zamora as mayor pro tem, until a runoff election for the mayor’s position had Zamora defeated by Councilman Hector Luevano, a retired DPS officer.

    As happens almost every year, property taxes went up again. In the middle of all this, the Uvalde CISD petitioned the voters for an increased tax rate to help offset a $2 million deficit and Uvalde County commissioners approved a request by the Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department to petition the voters for the creation of an Emergency Service District, which would create another taxing entity. Voters said no to more taxes and defeated both propositions in the November 2024 election.

   The City of Uvalde closed out the year by considering a petition by the Carper Capt family and other investors for the creation of a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) to develop land surrounding the new Legacy Elementary School. The Capt’s donated the land for the new school, which provided a significant tax break for them and also created a burden for the City of Uvalde on how to deal with inadequate streets and infrastructure to handle expected increased traffic and growth in the area. So the perceived solution by too many on the city council is approving the TIRZ to pay for burdens created by accepting the donated land for the new school; thus allowing the Capt’s to develop the land for a profit. In a nutshell the Capt/investors get to use public funds for private gain.

   2025 will be an interesting year to watch in local politics, with the big question being, will Bill Mitchell run for reelection after being County Judge since 1987? There are plenty of people waiting in the wings hoping to take his place; but only if and when Mitchell decides to step down.

   Good old boy, status quo politics was alive and well in Uvalde County and looking to transition smoothly into 2025. Will Uvaldeans continue to sit back and do nothing to change this reality? I for one will continue to work towards change because it’s the only right thing to do. What about you?

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

11-26-24

At a public hearing following Uvalde County’s acceptance into the State of Texas Countywide Polling Program, Diana Olvedo-Karua spoke critically about the Uvalde County Elections Office failure to adequately inform registered voters of the change of two polling locations and how the Countywide Polling Program works.

“I was very surprised and very disappointed that the (polling) locations were announced right before the election,” Karau said.

Uvalde County Election Administrator Melissa Jones said, “There is a swath of people that made it to the Civic Center (to vote).”

Jones said that on election day, some of of the precinct polling locations within the County only had votes in the single digits

Rhonda Vigil blasted the Court calling the Countywide Polling Program illegal as it reveals how voters vote.

“Under the Constitution, this countywide voting is illegal at the State and Federal level,” Vigil said

She continued saying that many voters had no clue where to go and that the community does not know about Countywide voting.

Vigil continued making the claim that a non-citizen with a green card was allowed to vote with an ID.

Judge Mitchell informed Vigil she was then speaking off topic and her public speaking time was revoked. Vigil defiantly kept speaking saying, “This is my court.” Mitchell then summoned the court bailiff to remove Vigil from the Courtroom but Vigil sat down before the officer could approach her.

Jones countered Vigil’s claim citing the the non-citizen in question was provided a provisional ballot and that when the ballot board reviewed the provisional ballots, the non-citizens vote was rejected.

Uvalde County Commissioner John Yeackle disagreed with Karau and Vigil.”Countywide voting worked out perfectly. Where ever you showed up, you could vote,” he said.

Article submitted by Diana Olvedo-Karau

 August 4th, 2024

Where was Uvalde County Republican Chair, Charlie Downing on Monday, July 29th when the Uvalde County Commissioners held a special meeting to push through approving to apply to be part of the Countywide Polling Program (CPP)?