02-20-25

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

 At Monday night’s Uvalde CISD school board meeting on February 17th, 2025, the board of trustees approved the 2025 -2026 Academic Calendar Board approved Calendar C over two others that were under consideration for the 2025-2026 school year which according to Superintendent Ashley Chohlis, meets the State of Texas requirements of  75,600 minutes of classroom instruction per calendar year. 

 Three proposed calendars were voted on by teachers and staff members.

Uvalde ISD Chief Instructional Officer Amy Graeber presented the calendar agenda items. Under the proposed Calendar C, instructional days during four weeks during the month of October 2025 would be Monday through Thursday with Fridays being designated supplemental instruction to tier 2 students needing tutoring as well as utilized for professional development and planning time for teachers.  

Chohlis referred to October as “Shock-tober” as a long, difficult month for students soon after the start of the Fall Semester. 

 Additionally, because of the days off, it would reduce the operational costs on electricity use and not running school buses. 

 Under the new calendar, August 6th would be the first day of school for the 2025 Fall Semester and the last day of school would be May 28th, 2026.

Press Release from Southwest Texas College

02-20-25

Uvalde, Texas

  Martha Buford, clinical operations manager at the Uvalde Together Resiliency Center, delivered a compelling presentation on trauma-informed care to the faculty of Southwest Texas College (SWTX) during the “Dine with the Deans” events. The sessions were held on Feb. 7 in Eagle Pass and Feb. 13 in Uvalde.

  Buford, originally from Canada, shared her journey from nursing in Canada to living in the Cayman Islands and eventually settling in Texas. Her path to trauma care was shaped by personal and professional experiences, including her role as a first responder during the 2017 mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

  During her presentation, Buford emphasized the pervasive nature of trauma and the importance of recognizing and addressing it. She urged community leaders and educators to create safe environments that support learning and resilience. Buford also shared practical advice on creating safe spaces, recognizing trauma symptoms, and supporting individuals seeking help.

  “Trauma is everywhere, and it’s crucial to be empathetic and non-judgmental when dealing with individuals affected by it,” Buford said. “Creating a safe and supportive environment can make a significant difference.”

  The “Dine with the Deans” events aim to foster dialogue and collaboration among SWTX  faculty. The next event, scheduled for Feb. 28 in Del Rio, features Denise Welmaker, a clinical social worker and psychotherapist at the Uvalde Together Resiliency Center.

About Southwest Texas College
  Southwest Texas College is a regional, “open door” institution serving an 11-county area that stretches from the Texas Hill Country to the US-Mexican border. Since 1946 SWTX has provided accessible, affordable, high-quality education that prepares students to successfully transfer to senior colleges and universities; enter the job market; pursue their professional and personal goals; and contribute to the economic growth of the region. The company’s mission is to enrich lives and advance growth through the education of our diverse communities.

 

To learn more about SWTX, visit swtjc.edu. For more information on this story, contact Ismael Martinez, SWTX Social Media/Public Relations Specialist at 830-591-2942 or imartinez@swtxc.edu.

02-18-25
 Press Release from State of Texas Representative Don McLaughlin

McLaughlin is taking swift action to protect our families from dangerous offenders. House Bill 2956 creates the Family Violence Registration Program, a groundbreaking database that would stop offenders in their tracks and provide law enforcement and communities with real-time access to potentially life-saving information.

Creating a state-run database, this bill would establish a system to track individuals convicted of or granted deferred adjudication community supervision for family violence offenses. These offenders will be forced to register annually, more often if deemed a greater threat. Failure to register will result in criminal penalties, including a Class C misdemeanor.

“If you lay your hand on an innocent man, woman, or child, you will pay the price, and the state will ensure your sickening actions don’t lurk in our communities,” said Rep. McLaughlin. “This bill equips law enforcement, institutions, and communities with tools to track and stop offenders before they strike again.

There’s no excuse for domestic violence, and no abuser should get a free pass.”
Modeled after the Sex Offender Registration Program, the Family Violence Registration Program is a vital step in combatting domestic violence, providing communities with the resources necessary to protect themselves.

“This is a bipartisan issue,” continued Rep. McLaughlin. “Protecting Texans should not be debated. I urge my colleagues to come together and support this life-saving legislation. Opposition to this bill is a slap in the face to the families we represent, especially to women, who are at the greatest risk of domestic violence. I stand resolute in the fight to protect our communities, and I vow to always do what is right.”

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Top Photo: Bill Sweeney and Debra Crawford with Lyte Fiber presents PowerPoint presentation to Uvalde City Council.

02-14-25

Debra Crawford and Bill Sweeney of Lyte Fiber spoke to the Uvalde City Council on Tuesday, February 11th the high-speed internet firm would be coming to Uvalde to offer area customers a tiered flat rate internet service option to residents and businesses.

Crawford said the company primarily serves rural, underserved communities.

Crawford spoke to the City Council first stating the company will start the permitting process soon with the goal of offering services to 5500 homes in Uvalde.

She also said that the company would be surveying then laying fiber and be utilizing drones to map the areas where the work will be done. It was also said the company has acquired all the needed licenses to fly the drones and will abide by Federal Aviation Administration requirements including filing a flight plan with the FAA.

The company hopes to start providing service in the 3rd quarter of 2025.

It was also stated Lyte Fiber just launched an ISP (Internet Services Provider) in Baytown.

The company will install services in areas of 200-400 homes working toward providing services to the entire Uvalde area. Areas that will be equipped first will be advertised by signs posted at intersections in those areas and the company homes to further advertise its availability with door hangers.

“We want to be a good communicator with the city and the community as a whole,” Crawford said.

Uvalde City Councilman Chip King said, “So you are an internet service provider

According to information found on the Lyte Fiber’s website, it states:

“Fiber internet is a high-speed broadband technology that uses pulses of light to transmit data over ultra-thin strands of glass, also known as fiber-optic cables. Amazingly, fiber strands are as thin as human hairs! Fiber technology ensures a faster and more reliable internet connection compared to traditional services like cable, DSL, satellite or fixed wireless. This enables seamless video streaming, lag-free gaming, and quick downloads—all without interruptions!”

Press release from Tony Gonzales

02-14-25

This week, I voted in favor of H.R. 35, which increases federal penalties on anyone who evades law enforcement and engages in a vehicle pursuit.

For too long, high-speed car chases, particularly with human smugglers, have endangered our communities and our law enforcement officers. I’m committed to protecting our citizens and holding these criminals accountable.

Also this week, I voted on legislation (HR 736) that reduces red tape for small businesses by reducing excessive government paperwork. 

Government needs to let small businesses do what they do best: focus on their bottom lines, not on bureaucracy. I will always promote and support policies that protect small business owners!

Lastly, I was proud to vote on legislation (HR 224) that helps our veterans maintain access to proper housing by ensuring that disabled vets aren’t penalized by housing programs for receiving disability compensation.

We owe our veterans a tremendous debt of gratitude. I will always champion our veterans and fight to reduce any and all bureaucratic red tape so they can get the support they deserve.

Over the next two years, we have many priorities to accomplish. I look forward to staying in touch as we work to make our country safer and more prosperous!

God Bless,

Tony Gonzales

Press release from Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez

02-13-25

AUSTIN – Today State Senator Roland Gutierrez introduced SB 1246, the Auto Insurance Public Option Act, a game-changing insurance bill that aims to reduce auto insurance premiums in Texas by up to 50% or more. “It’s getting harder and harder for everyday working families to get by. The skyrocketing costs of groceries, health care, home and auto insurance have stretched Texans’ pocketbooks thin. It’s time that the state of Texas steps in and offers a public insurance option that will provide affordable, reliable coverage for everyone at a fraction of the cost,” said bill author State Senator Roland Gutierrez. Key Facts: Administered by the Texas Department of Insurance. Coverage level will meet or exceed Texas minimum liability requirements and offer additional coverage options, including uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection. All Texas residents are eligible, provided they meet residency and vehicle registration requirements. Will operate alongside private insurers to foster competition, stabilize rates, and provide consumer choice. Will start offering auto insurance plans one year after enactment. Insurance premiums for automobiles have increased up to 25.5% over the last two years alone, a trend that shows no sign of stopping. Gutierrez says that Texas can offer competitive coverage rates that will bring down insurance costs across the board. “The State of Texas can provide auto insurance at a lower rate because we aren’t getting squeezed by shareholders, paying a C.E.O. with an inflated salary, or racking up the bill on some huge marketing campaign. This is coverage that you can count on, that will force insurance giants to bring their prices down or justify the cost,” said Roland Gutierrez. Senator Gutierrez’s Auto Insurance Public Option Act can be found here.

###

Roland Gutierrez has served as the Texas State Senator for District 19 since 2021, previously serving six terms as a member of the Texas House of Representatives and two terms as a San Antonio City Councilman.

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Top Photo: Mi Vida

02-13-24

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, and several downtown Uvalde clothing stores have some amazing Valentines Day themed window displays that have been up for the past several weeks.

A lot of time and effort is often put into designing store front displays to feature clothing and create an overall window front displays that attract would be customers.

Window frontage that showcases a store’s very best is an art form that started when downtown shopping was the thing back in the late 1800- through the mid 20th century. The Patula Clark song Downtown (1964) captures the feel of shopping downtown.

Then many store fronts moved inside malls in mid to late 20th century and the glass store front displays moved along the various clothing stores.

With the introduction of big box stores and on-line shopping one might think that store window displays may be disappearing, but many clothing stores are now using Instagram, Tic-Toc and Facebook pictures and promo videos to showcase sales, clothing and other merchandise which may be a natural evolution of the traditional store front.

While times have changed and keep changing, in downtown area, small business owners are still dressing their store windows in the Uvalde downtown area.

It’s another reason to shop local and go shopping downtown!

Media Draft Agenda 02-11-2025