04-12-26

  Commentary by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

  Hearing the news of Uvalde County Judge Bill Mitchell passing on Friday of this past week, a part of my world stopped for a moment — like the day it was announced that Rush Limbaugh had died. I saw the Facebook post by Gat Mitchell saying his dad had passed earlier that morning at 9:25 a.m.

  I realized one of the pillars of Uvalde County was gone.

  When my wife Julie and I moved to Uvalde County almost twenty years ago, Bill Mitchell wasn’t someone I immediately got to know. Having worked in print advertising sales, I wasn’t yet orbiting Judge William “Bill” Mitchell. Yet even living just outside the city of Uvalde, working in town, and being a member of the Rotary Club of Uvalde, I met him and heard him speak as a guest at our club meetings and at Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce banquets.

  Years later that changed when I started the Uvalde Hesperian over four years ago. Taking on the mission of reporting local news, I regularly attended Uvalde County Commissioners Court meetings, with Mitchell presiding. Those meetings were held Mondays at 10 a.m., twice a month, in the third-floor courtroom of the Uvalde County Courthouse.

  Locally in any Texas county, a county judge holds the most powerful political office someone can have.

Looking back, I’ve likely written hundreds of news articles about Bill Mitchell. Personally, I didn’t agree with all of his decisions as County Judge.

  But I can say this without hesitation: Bill Mitchell loved Uvalde. When I had a news question, I could stop by his office at the courthouse and see him. He always returned my calls and texts. On a few occasions he’d text me, “This is Bill Mitchell. Do you have a couple of minutes to come by the courthouse today?”

  When I saw his name pop up in a text, I felt like a junior-high kid called to the principal’s office. I’d wonder, “What did I do or write that got the County Judge’s attention?” But as soon as I stepped into his corner office, that anxiousness disappeared. Judge Mitchell usually just had a point or perspective on a news item he wanted to share. The meetings quickly turned into cordial, back-and-forth conversations. 

  In the aftermath of the May 24th Robb School tragedy, Mitchell was one of the first people I interviewed on camera.

  He signed a proclamation designating a particular day as official STEM Day ahead of one of the four educational expos I organized at the El Progreso Memorial Library.

Person to person, he wasn’t the often-intimidating figure sitting on the county commissioner’s dais. We’d always share a laugh at the end and a warm handshake.

  Many people may not know that Bill Mitchell started and ran his own local newspaper for a year or two back in the 1970s right here in Uvalde.

  Mitchell was always dressed to the nines. He probably knew John T. Molloy’s Dress for Success by heart.

  Bill Mitchell had huge supporters and detractors. He was a controversial figure for sure — an enigma to me as well. His political savvy was unparalleled. Politically, he was a formidable force.

 I found Mitchell to be neither a saint nor a villain, but a complicated man who wasn’t afraid to lead our county through many huge challenges. He was quick to celebrate with us when something good happened, and he stood with the people in the dark times.

Rest in peace, Bill.

by Michael Robinson| Uvalde Hesperian

Photo used with permission.

04-07-26

During the overnight hours of Sunday, April 5th and Monday, April 6th roughly around Midnight, two residents, both living within a half mile of a location about 7 miles North along Highway 55, reported hearing multiple explosions. One of the residents independently stated that several explosions occurred.

Both spoke with by the Uvalde Hesperian and shared their respective independent accounts which verified hearing up to 5 explosions. Both residents wished to remain anonymous.

The Uvalde Hesperian reached out to Uvalde County Sheriff Ruben Nolasco for a statement early this morning about 9 AM but has not received a response.

The Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department shared the following post on its Facebook Page:

 04-06-27

Top Image by Grok

Article submitted by: Stan Popovich

Having a healthy level of self-confidence can help you become successful in your personal and professional life. Here are some suggestions on how to improve your self-esteem.

1. Be kind to yourself: Get to know yourself. Determine what makes you happy and what you value in life. You might find it helpful to write things down in a journal. It’s important to challenge unkind thoughts about yourself. You might automatically put yourself down and not realize it.
2. Practice positive affirmations: These are statements that reflect your strengths, values, and aspirations. By consistently repeating positive self-affirmations, you’re rewiring your brain to focus on your capabilities and worth rather than dwelling on self-doubt or criticism.
3. Do things you’re good at: Your self-confidence starts to soar when you do things that you are good at. Your strengths become even stronger, which helps improve your belief in yourself. Your ability to build on your personal strengths is related to life satisfaction levels. Building on your strengths can help you increase your self-confidence in your personal and professional life.
4. Surround yourself with positive people: Take a moment and think about how your friends make you feel. The people you spend time with can influence your thoughts and attitudes about yourself. Surround yourself with people who care about you and want the best for you. Find others who are positive and can help build your confidence.
5. Remember your successes:Some people downplay their successes and focus on the things they struggle with. Remind yourself of your past accomplishments no matter how small they may be. Stop focusing on the negative parts of your life and remember your past achievements.
6. Create realistic goals: Set achievable goals on a regular basis and take small steps to accomplish them. Make sure your goals are measurable and monitor your progress. Don’t get upset if you don’t accomplish all your goals. You can always change direction. The more you achieve things, the greater your confidence in yourself and your abilities.
7. Step outside your comfort zone: Those with low self-esteem tend to avoid challenges and new opportunities. This can be due to fears or self-doubt. When you succeed in any big or small way, this will show you that you can persevere through life’s rough moments.
8. Do not compare yourself to others: Your self-worth shouldn’t be connected to how well other people are doing. People only share the best, most flattering parts of their life. A person who looks happy doesn’t mean they really are. Do not be deceived by outward appearances. Rather, look for ways to improve yourself. Remember there are always other people who are worse off than you. It is all on how you look at things.
9. Determine whose feedback matters: Just because someone gives you feedback, and criticism doesn’t mean you have to accept it. When it comes to opinions that do not make the cut, just listen as it comes in. Focus on finding the truth in what’s being said that you can grow from. Distinguishing constructive criticism from that is unhelpful and meant to damage your self-esteem.
10. Learn from your mistakes: Understanding your mistakes is crucial for building self-confidence. By acknowledging errors, analyzing what went wrong, and focusing on growth, you can transform setbacks into opportunities for improvement and build resilience. Mistakes are usually inevitable when implementing plans and goal-setting strategies.

BIOGRAPHY
Stan is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear” which covers 200+ techniques that can drastically improve your mental health. For more information, please visit Stan’s website at http://www.managingfear.com

 Press release from UvaldeRadio.net

03-03-26

Uvalde, Texas, March 30, 2026 – Robert Miguel, Owner, Program Director, and morning show host of UvaldeRadio.net, has been named Best On-Air Personality – Internet at the 16th Annual Texas Regional     Radio Music Awards, held March 23 at Texas Live! in Arlington.
Miguel’s station, UvaldeRadio.net, was also recognized as a Top 5 Finalist for Best Radio Station – Internet, highlighting the continued growth of the independent online broadcaster based in Uvalde.
According to Cindy Gail Smith Roberts, Vice President of the Texas Regional Radio Report and the Texas Regional Radio Music Awards, Miguel’s recognition reflects his influence on both listeners and the Texas music community.
“Robert Miguel is the driving force behind Uvalde Radio-an authentic voice who blends heart, humor, and hometown pride to lift up the artists and stories of the Texas Country/Red Dirt genre. His dedication to community-focused broadcasting, his championing of Texas/Red Dirt music, and his ability to connect with listeners on a deeply personal level are exactly why he was named the Texas Regional Radio & Music Awards On-Air Personality of the Year.”
Miguel hosts the weekday morning show “Robert Miguel Mornings” and the weekly Texas music showcase
“Friday Night Live,” which combines on-air artist interviews with a live performance event at Broadway 830, a popular artisan pizza and craft beer venue in downtown Uvalde that regularly hosts emerging Texas artists.

During his acceptance remarks at the awards ceremony, Miguel thanked his parents and children and acknowledged the Texas music artists who travel across the state to perform and connect with fans in Southwest Texas. The award also marked a full-circle career moment, coming roughly 30 years after he landed his first full-time radio position in the Dallas-Fort Worth area during the mid-1990s at KEGL 97.1 The Eagle.

Founded in 2019 following Miguel’s two-year stint as morning show host at a local FM station, UvaldeRadio.net operates under the community-focused tagline “We Live Work And Play Here.” The station highlights Mainstream Country Hits and Texas regional music while also producing numerous community events across the county, including live music showcases, trivia and karaoke nights, vendor markets, daddy-daughter dances, and live remote broadcasts.
Industry promoter Tami Millspaugh of Texas Record Chick Promotions, LLC-a premier promoter in the Texas Country and Red Dirt genre who works with artists such as Randy Rogers Band, Wade Bowen, Aaron Watson, Pat Green, Flatland Cavalry, Josh Abbott Band, Casey Donahew and William Beckmann-also praised Miguel’s work and the impact of the station.
“Congratulations to Robert Miguel who has been honored with the prestigious T3R Texas Music & Radio Awards Internet Personality of the Year for 2026. His contributions have elevated UvaldeRadio.net to the forefront as the premier station serving the Uvalde region.”
The evening celebrated numerous standout artists in the Texas Country and Red Dirt scene, including Entertainer of the Year Aaron Watson, Male Vocalist of the Year Josh Weathers, Female Vocalist of the Year Kylie Frey, Group/Band of the Year Randy Rogers Band, Vocal Duo of the Year Kylie Frey and Randall King, Single of the Year “Nothin But Texas” by Wade Bowen, and Album of the Year Whiskey, Lies & Alibies by William Beckmann.
Miguel has also acknowledged the station’s longtime local sponsors-Edwards Furniture, Uvalde Cabinetry, Visit Uvalde County, Medina Electric Cooperative, Uvalde Grand Opera House, Uvalde Memorial Hospital, the Tex Elliott Family, and Skyway Entertainment-whose support has helped keep the independent station operating since its launch in 2019.
Listeners can stream UvaldeRadio.net and its sister stations Uvalde Radio ROCKS and Uvalde Radio HITS online at uvalderadio.net or via the Live365 mobile app by searching “Uvalde Radio.”

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

04-02-26

 The Uvalde Hesperian reached out to Interim Uvalde County Judge Jerry Bates via email asking the following question:

It was reported recently that you have made the decision to not replace John Yeackle as Uvalde County Commissioner as he is currently running in the U.C. Republican Party run-off for Uvalde County Judge.

My news question to you is: Have you consulted with Uvalde County Attorney John Dodson on the legality of this decision and if so, is he on record approving your decision?”

Bates responded to the question and issued the following statement:

“Contact was made with the County Attorney John Dodson before decision was made.  County Attorney Dodson responded as follows; Commissioner Yeackle is considered a holdover official until either a replacement appointment is made by the County Judge or until his successor has been duly qualified.    There is no mandatory duty on the Judge to appoint a successor.  As a holdover he is required to continue his duties as a commissioner with pay.”

04-01-36

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Top Picture by Robinson: Texas State Representative District 8o Don McLaughlin and an meeting attendee view a map of proposed transmission line routes

VIDEO: Citizen questions eminent domain legitimacy of Howard Solstice Transmission Line Project

With the deadline ticking down on the deadline for landowners and those affected to file for intervenor status on the Howard Solstice Transmission Line Route, a three-member panel speaking for the newly formed non-profit Hill Country Preservation Coalition spoke to roughly 50 people at the Ssgt. Willie de Leon Civic Center informing the audience about the project, including going over action and decision deadlines and fielded questions about the project that will likely impact landowners in Uvalde County and surrounding areas.

According to the Public Utilities Commission website, “Intervenors are people directly affected by a particular issue or action and are full and active participants in a proceeding at the PUCT. They can make legal arguments, conduct discovery, file testimony, cross-examine witnesses, and, if they testify, can be cross-examined by other parties.”

The deadline is Wednesday, April 1st at 5PM to file for Intervenor Status. The application link can be found here. 

When filling out the form include docket 59336, your details, why it hits you (land crossed, nearby impact, whatever), sign and date today. Upload to https://interchange.puc.texas.gov/filer before five on Wednesday, April 1st by 5 PM.

According to Coalition VP Amanda Griffin, 48 of the 77 proposed routes go through Uvalde County.

Griffin indicated that stopping the project is likely unrealistic but with citizen engagement, the process could slow the route approval process down.

“We need to slow down the process,” she said.

According to Griffin, every property owner within 500 feet of a proposed transmission line should have gotten a packet sent to them. A few of those attending said they didn’t get a packet.

One couple who the Hesperian did talk to after the meeting had a map showing the location of their home just feet from a proposed transmission line.

“We don’t have any obligation to make this easy for them,” Griffin said.

Submitted by Kristi Gerdes

Hill Country Preservation Coalition

03-30-26

  If you’re interested in learning more about the Howard Solstice Project—the transmission project planned for our area—please join us for an important meeting this Tuesday.

The Uvalde County Commissioners Court has already filed a resolution opposing the project in 2025. Now it’s time for our community to come together and make our voices heard.
We’re asking community members to join us for a letter-writing workshop. The more letters we send, the stronger our impact. This is your chance to push back against what would be the largest transmission project in Texas.

Your voice matters—come be part of the effort.

 03-26-26

Press release from ERCOT

(Austin, TX) – The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT) today announced a collaboration with The University of Texas (UT) at Austin to study how fast-growing inverter-based technologies, like those used in solar, wind, and battery storage systems, can enhance grid reliability. Today’s announcement is part of ERCOT’s ongoing efforts to utilize emerging technologies and innovation to meet growing electric demand.

Inverter-based technologies generate electricity as Direct Current (DC) — the same type of power stored in a household battery — which must be converted to Alternating Current (AC) before it can flow into the grid. This conversion is handled automatically by an electronic device called an inverter. As these technologies become an increasingly larger part of the grid, understanding their impact is critical to maintaining reliable power for Texas homes and businesses.

As part of ERCOT’s Grid Research, Innovation, and Transformation (GRIT) program, UT will help ERCOT anticipate challenges related to simulation platforms, control interactions, and power quality issues that may come with very high penetrations of inverter-based resources on the Texas electric grid.

“Given the complexity and rapid development of this technology, this collaboration will help us look into the future, anticipate challenges, and identify solutions while we still have some time to prepare,” said Prashant Kansal, ERCOT Director of Grid Transformation. “By combining ERCOT’s operational insights and UT’s research expertise, Texans will benefit from a stronger, more reliable grid.”

Under this partnership, UT researchers will build computer simulations and models of inverter-based resources interconnected with the electric grid to test reliability in a range of potential real-world scenarios.

“Inverter-based resources are emerging rapidly and are very promising. However, their controllers introduce new behavior in grids and must be carefully coordinated,” said Professor Brian Johnson of UT’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

UT Professor Surya Santoso noted, “By studying their behavior under a wide variety of control and operating conditions, reliability, harmonics, and other power-quality-interaction risks can be better understood and managed.”

The findings will help determine whether these risks warrant additional monitoring and guide the implementation of mitigation strategies.

Fred Huang, ERCOT Senior Director, Grid Stability Analysis, said, “The ability to identify potential issues before they arise and develop practical solutions applicable to real-world grid operations helps ERCOT create a more reliable grid to serve Texans and meet the state’s evolving power needs.”

About Grid Research, Innovation, and Transformation (GRIT)
ERCOT’s Grid Research, Innovation, and Transformation (GRIT) initiative utilizes research and collaboration to identify and test emerging technologies that will better prepare the grid to meet increasing demands. Visit the GRIT webpages to learn more.

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ERCOT, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, manages the flow of electric power to more than 27 million Texas customers, representing about 90 percent of the state’s electric load. As the Independent System Operator for the region, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid that connects 55,000+ miles of transmission lines and 1,460+ generation units, including Private Use Networks. ERCOT also performs financial settlement for the competitive wholesale bulk-power market and administers retail switching for more than 8 million premises in competitive choice areas. ERCOT is a membership-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, governed by a board of directors and subject to oversight by the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Texas Legislature.