SDN: April 8, 2026

April 8, 2026

Seguin ISD announces 2025-2026

Teachers of the Year

(Seguin) – The Seguin ISD is celebrating its top teachers for the 2025-2026 school year. Across the district, campuses are celebrating the daily accomplishments of all teachers, especially those selected as Teacher of the Year for their respective schools.

The Seguin ISD this spring is recognizing its top 13 teachers. The teachers were each selected as Teacher of the Year by their campus peers.

Those earning the title include Trenton Burt of Ball Early Childhood Center; Carmen Young of Barnes MS; Stephanie DuBose of Koennecke Elementary School. Zoe Clower of Jefferson Ave. Elementary; Laura Patranella of Vogel Elementary; Xander Bien of Seguin HS; Shena Hudson of McQueeney Elementary School; TOY, pg. 3

Guadalupe County makes updates to Major Thoroughfare Plan

Officials rollout potential dates for review, public comment

(Seguin) -- Guadalupe County leaders are not only refining the timeline for the county’s proposed master thoroughfare plan -- they are also already making adjustments in response to resident concerns.

Even though the previous dates reported earlier have changed, county officials say the effort to keep the public informed and involved remains the same.

During Tuesday’s meeting and after discussion with the court, Guadalupe County Judge Kyle Kutscher updated a more detailed timeline for when residents could expect to review the latest version of the thoroughfare plan as well as opportunities to participate in upcoming meetings.

“I know it’s very detailed in this timeline, but if it does work out like this, the public would have access to the updated maps. Again, this is all draft form. Some things could potentially change, but the public would have access to the updated final draft plans for their review by May 5. And the plan would be to have it out for about two weeks. with us then having a first workshop May 19th in the afternoon, which is

corresponding existing commissioners court day. If it was May 19th, the first one here, and then June 2nd on that court date, but in the evening, you know, late afternoon, evening, then we could still potentially come back and formally approve or consider adoption and approval of the finalized plan July 7th,” said Kutscher.

This aim for transparency has already reportedly begun to take shape as residents voiced concerns with issues they have with Kothmann Road -- one of several areas highlighted on earlier draft maps.

Three residents, Clayton Kennedy, James Henderson and William Franks, all addressed the court, sharing concerns about how a proposed roadway at or near Kothmann could impact their properties and future plans.

Commissioner Pct. 1 Jackie Ott, who has already been working directly with residents and staff was able to extend some good news to the property owners following their words to the court.

Plan, pg. 3

Hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen vehicles leads to arrest

(Seguin) -- A coordinated law enforcement effort on Interstate 10 has resulted in the recovery of six stolen vehicles valued at more than $470,000 and the arrest of two men believed to be transporting them out of the country.

According to the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office, deputies assigned to its Auto Theft Unit, K9 Unit and Patrol Division, working alongside the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office, intercepted two semi-tractor trailers traveling along Interstate 10 early Monday morning.

Arrest, pg. 3

TOY, continued.

Bily Maples, of Seguin Alternative School; Jane Barlow of AJB Middle School, of Patlan Elementary; Kayleigh Wolfe of Weinert Elementary; Alma Carmona of Rodriguez Elementary School

Plan, continued.

and Michelle Pafort of the MercerBlumberg Learning Center.

Each of these teachers will now go on to compete for the district title of Teacher of the Year and Secondary Teacher of the Year. That announcement will be made during the Seguin ISD’s end-of-the-

“Kothmann Lane residents and neighbors. One of your neighbors contacted me. We talked a little bit back and forth and I’ve written emails back and forth with several folks that are near or on Kothmann Lane. So, I wanted to let you know that we did meet about that and we did remove that road from the proposed thoroughfare plan. in the version that we most recently submitted to engineering. Mr. Black and I did work on that together, and then he submitted that version digitally to Pape Dawson. We discussed the removal of that new proposed road. He did indicate that digitally on the map. So, I wanted to let you know that I have met with several of you and heard your concerns. I think the concerns are legitimate, which is why I requested that proposed road to be removed. as long as there are no other pieces of feedback from Pape Dawson or anything like that comes back, that should stay removed,” said Ott.

Ott also took the moment on Tuesday to emphasize how feedback from residents plays a critical role in shaping not only the throughfare plan but all projects decided by the county.

“We wanted to let you know that we have heard your concerns. Thank you for sharing them. Thank you for reaching out and coming to speak and sending messages. And we really appreciate that because that really helps us to focus on things sometimes that when, you know, a company or contractor gives us back a product that maybe they don’t see that, you know, you as the landowners see, you know, just certain details that if they’re looking on paper. They don’t see if they don’t drive it every day. So again, the feedback from all of you is very valuable. And

Arrest, cotninued.

Authorities say the trailers were found to be carrying six stolen vehicles believed to be en route to Honduras.

Two Honduran nationals were taken into custody. They were identified as Pedro Velasquez, 19, who authorities say is currently residing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Dany Arias-Tucios,48 of Honduras. Both suspects have been charged with theft of property valued between $150,000 and $300,000.

year awards ceremony to be held on Wednesday, May 6 at the Seguin Coliseum.

The teachers will also represent the district during the Seguin Chamber of Commerce’s annual Teacher of the Year banquet scheduled for Friday, May 8.

I appreciate all of you taking your time to advocate for yourselves and for your neighbors. And I’m glad to have heard you,” said Ott.

Among those who spoke was Franks, who told the court he moved to Guadalupe County from the Universal City area in part for the larger property and space it provides. He expressed concern that a proposed roadway could cut into his land and limit plans for a future side business that would require additional room.

After hearing Ott’s update, Franks returned to the podium to express his appreciation to the court. Franks, shared with the court how he moved to Guadalupe County from the Universal City area for the larger and quieter property. His concern was that the proposed roadway could cut into his land and limit plans for a future side business that would require additional room.

“Thank you two for hearing us and it means a lot. You know, because it, like I said, we’ve put a lot of heart and time and everything into our land and our community just coming out here. So, it definitely means a lot that you guys hear us and take into consideration our feelings as well. So, thank you very much,” said Franks.

County officials say the thoroughfare plan is designed to look ahead at long-term transportation needs as Guadalupe County continues to grow. Officials say that “forward-looking approach can sometimes include conceptual roadways in undeveloped areas” – “a reality that has prompted concern from property owners seeing those possibilities mapped out.”

Officials say once the date and location for the June public meeting can be confirmed, then they’ll be sure to get the word out so that folks will have plenty of time to plan for a review of those maps.

Officials reported that the trucks, trailers and recovered vehicles remain in custody as investigators work to confirm ownership and determine whether they are subject to seizure.

The Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office say the investigation into

the origin of the stolen vehicles is ongoing, and additional arrests or charges may be forthcoming. Anyone with information related to this case or other vehicle thefts in the area is encouraged to contact Guadalupe County Crime Stoppers. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 1-877403-TIPS (8477) or by visiting guadalupecountycrimestoppers. org. Tipsters are also invited to use the P3Tips mobile app. Officials say eligible tips that lead to an arrest may qualify for a cash reward.

Russell Named SCAC Hitter of the Week

SEGUIN, Texas -- Senior outfielder Harleigh Russell (Fort Worth/ Boswell) have been named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Hitter of the Week for her performance in last weekend’s series at Centenary.

Russell hit a team-best .714 over the three-game sweep while also leading the team in RBIs (7), home runs (2), slugging percentage (1.857). For the weekend, Russell maintained an .800 on-base percentage and stole home twice. After an inside the park home run earlier this season, Russell hit the first fenceclearing home run of the season and of her collegiate career on Friday. Russell went 1-for-3 with the two-run homer, a walk and a run scored. On Saturday, Russell went a combined 4-for-4 with two walks, five RBI, two doubles, and two stolen bases. In game two, Russell was responsible for a run in every plate appearance, driving in a career-high five runs via a bases loaded walk, a twoRBI double, and a two-run homer. Russell helped the Bulldogs to a sweep with yet another 2-for-2 performance in the finale, scoring two of the Bulldogs five runs. Russell scored twice in all three of the Bulldogs contests.

After this weekend, Russell is currently tied for fourth in the SCAC in home runs (3), sixth in slugging percentage (.645), and seventh in walks (15).

The weekly honor is the second of her career. Russell is the third different Bulldog to earn SCAC Hitter of the Week honors this season.

Russell and the Bulldogs return to action in Seguin this weekend as they take on Hendrix College in a three-game series at Ed Kruse Stadium, Apr. 10-11, in a first-time ever matchup between the two programs. First pitch of Friday’s doubleheader is scheduled for 3 and 5 PM. All three games will stream on FloCollege. All streaming and live stats links can be found on tlubulldogs. com.

For more information on Texas Lutheran softball, follow the Bulldogs on Facebook (@txlutheransoftball), X (Twitter) (@TLUsoftball), and Instagram (@tlu_softball) and as always you can find updates on all Texas Lutheran athletics on tlubulldogs.com and all official TLU social media channels (@ tluathletics on Twitter, @tlu_athletics on Instagram and TikTok, and @ tlubulldogs on Facebook).

VITAL STATISTICS

ZUROVEC

Anne “Angie” Jenene Zurovec, age 50, of Seguin, Texas, went to be with the LORD our Savior on Friday, April 3rd at her home in Seguin, Texas. Born on December 9, 1975, she brought great joy and love to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

Angie is survived by her husband Joe, daughters Maryanna, Macy, and Maegan Zurovec of Seguin, and daughter Madison and husband David Risner of Tyler, TX; her stepfather, Jon Timmermann of Seguin; her brother Kevin and wife Becky Raymond of McKinney, TX; step-brother, John and wife Laura Timmermann of New Braunfels, TX; step-sister, Dana Timmermann of New Braunfels, TX; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Rosemary and Terry Zurovec of Seguin, TX; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Cathryn and husband Glenn Chiappe of Lago Vista, TX, Sarah and husband Will Haltom of Seguin, TX and Carl and wife Wendy Zurovec of Seguin, TX; several aunts, uncles, numerous cousins, other loving family members and many friends.

TSCHOEPE

Emil “Chuck” Tschoepe, III, age 74 of Marion, passed away on March 20, 2026. Chuck was born on September 12, 1951, in Anderson, Indiana, to Virginia Bertha (Babel) Tschoepe Howard and Emil Tschoepe, Jr.

After graduation from Marion High School in 1969 Chuck attended Texas A&M University where he served in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. After graduation with a degree in mechanical engineering, he went to work for Haliburton. He later retired from Southwest Research in San Antonio. He also took courses at Texas State University and Our Lady of the Lake University. He substitute taught at both Marion and Randolph Schools.

Chuck loved the outdoors and his favorite place to be, the farm in Marion! A lover of music, Chuck, played in the Good Ole Boys Band throughout the surrounding area. He was multi-talented, playing both the guitar and fiddle while also serving as lead singer.

She is preceded in death by her son Mark Allen Zurovec, mother, Barbara Jenene Timmermann of Seguin, father, Cecil ‘Buddy’ Raymond of Weed, NM, grandparents Troy and Leona Swanson of Seguin, and grandparents William and Cleo Raymond of Alice, TX.

Serving as pall bearers will be GlennRoss Chiappe, Jordan Odale, Scott Raymond, Chad Swanson, Troy Swanson, Hunter York, and Ajay Zurovec.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at Tres Hewell Mortuary Chapel from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at McQueeney Baptist Church with the Reverend Dale Jones officiating. Interment will follow in Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park. A reception will follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to McQueeney Baptist Benevolence Ministry, P. O. Box 44, McQueeney, Texas, 78123 or to the South Texas Pregnancy Care Center, P. O. Box 1962, Seguin, Texas, 78156.

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.

Chuck is preceded in death by his wife, Lynette “Lyn” Weir Tschoepe, his parents, and his sister, Kathryn “Kathy” Reed.

Survivors include his loving wife, Paula Bass Tschoepe; daughter, Sarah E. Mihelich and husband, Robert Cox, Jr.; step-son, Eddie Snow and wife Celeste;, daughter-in-law, Haley Meador; grandchildren, Caleb Lawrence Mihelich, Caroline Lorraine DeUnger, Aryana Meador, Autumn Marie Snow, Summer Lilla Snow, Hayden Meador, Robert Pfeiffer, Dominick Snow, and Dylan Snow; siblings, June Brietzke, Carol Sassman and husband Freddy, and Kelvin Tschoepe and wife Sissy; brother-in-law, William “Bill” Reed; numerous nieces, nephews, other loving family members and a host of friends.

A memorial service celebrating Chuck’s life will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Tres Hewell Mortuary Chapel with the Reverend Tom Jones officiating. A reception will follow at the Geronimo VFW Hall. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Pl, Memphis, Tn, 38105-9959.

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, 7815, 830-549-5912.

U.S. Research Teams Discover New Ways To Grow Knee Cartilage

(Undated) -- In what’s being hailed as a medical first, research teams at four American universities say they’ve found ways to regrow damaged knee cartilage and bone. Biomedical engineers at Duke University and the University of Colorado-Boulder are using injections and infusions, while researchers at Northwestern say they’ve created a rubbery goo to do the job. Meantime, researchers at Columbia University say they’re using 3-D printed scaffolding containing bone and cartilage cells to regrow an entire knee. So far, all the experiments have been on animals, but human trials are expected to begin within 18-months. That’s welcome news for the 32-million Americans who suffer from painful osteoarthritis of the knee.

Eye Drop Recall Expands To More Than Three Million

(Pomona, CA) -- A big eye drop recall is expanding to include more than three million bottles nationwide. K.C. Pharmaceuticals out of California initially issued a recall about a month ago because of what the company calls lack of assurance of sterility. There’s eight different types of drops on the recall list. There’s no reported negative health impacts so far.

Dietician Highlights Benefits Of Dark Chocolate

(Cleveland, OH) -- Lots of folks are eating candy for the Easter season and one doctor wants to remind folks of the health benefits of dark chocolate. Dietician Beth Czerwony [[ zer-rone-ee ]] at the Cleveland Clinic says dark chocolate can decrease the chances of suffering a heart attack and stroke and also has less sugar than other chocolates. She says it helps with brain health as well. Czerwony recommends one square piece of chocolate or one ounce of it per day. The best kind she says is anything with 70 percent or more cocoa and less than eight grams of sugar.

WHO Says Renewed Commitment For Health In Urban Areas

(Geneva) -- The World Health Organization says there’s a new commitment to health related actions in dozens of cities around the world with more than half of the world’s population now living in urban areas. At the recent Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit, officials say a number of organizations and cities shared ideas and commitments to improving health outcomes. That includes Athens, Greece expanding access to naloxone to prevent opioid overdose deaths and Mexico City, Mexico redesigning streets for safer cycling. Bengaluru, India is strengthening smokefree laws and banned public hookah use.

ETLINGER

Robert “Bob” Etlinger, 72, was surrounded by family when he was called home to God on April 4, 2026.

Bob was born on October 8, 1953, to Germaine (Lambrecht) and Clemens Etlinger in Seguin, Texas. He was baptized, confirmed, and received the Eucharist at St. James Catholic Church and attended its school, then known as St. Joseph’s Catholic School. He attended Seguin High School, graduating in 1972, and went on to graduate from Texas Tech University in 1976 and St. Mary’s University School of Law in 1979. He began a career in law as Assistant District Attorney in Bexar County for four years, receiving honors as a Hidalgo de San Antonio de Bejar from the Commissioners Court for his work, before transitioning into private practice for almost two decades.

Bob was proud of the community he was born and raised in, working not only to pursue justice as the Assistant County Attorney for Guadalupe County for over 22 years, but also serving the community through various organizations like Seguin Main Street Advisory Board, Guadalupe County Republican Party, South Texas Children’s Habilitation Center, and Boy Scouts. As a pro-life advocate, he supported the work of South Texas Pregnancy Care Center.

Dedicated to his faith and Lord, he was a lifelong parishioner of St. James and served his parish community through various ministries, including the youth group, A.C.T.S. Retreats, UNITAS marriage preparation, the annual Fall Festival, and serving as lector. He was also a Third Degree Knight and

Advocate for the Knights of Columbus Msgr. Bruno Hubertus Council #3412. He could frequently be found at the Perpetual Adoration Chapel at St. James reading his Bible and praying.

At his wife’s insistence, Bob finally retired in 2023 and spent his time tinkering around his farm, gardening, serving at the Knights of Columbus, fishing at the coast with his son, and spending all the time he could with his grandchildren.

Bob is preceded by his parents and stepmother, Josephine (Blume) Etlinger. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Jackie Etlinger; children, Zachary Etlinger and wife Thea, Candace Bryant-Lester and husband Levi, and Jayme Bryant; grandchildren, William Bryant, Jacob Etlinger, Jackson Etlinger, and Abigail Etlinger; siblings, Kay (Etlinger) Bloch and husband Albert Bloch, Jr., and Michael Etlinger; numerous nieces, nephews, other loving family members and many friends.

Visitation will begin on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, followed by the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 10:30 a.m. and the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with the Reverend Canon Stanislaw Fiuk officiating. Interment will follow in the St. James Catholic Cemetery. A reception will follow in the Columbus Club Seguin Hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. James Catholic School, 510 S. Camp St., Seguin, Texas, 78155 or to the Knights of Columbus, P.O. Box 115, Seguin, Texas, 78156.

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.

GCCAC Golf Tournament to Benefit Children’s Advocacy Center

The Guadalupe County Children’s Advocacy Center will host its annual golf tournament fundraiser on Thursday, April 16 at The Bandit Golf Course. The 4-person scramble begins with registration at 7:30 a.m. and an 8:30 a.m. start. The event will also feature opportunities for prizes, including a hole-in-one contest, along with food, drinks, and activities throughout the day. For more information, visit gccac. net.

Job Fair Planned at New Braunfels Food Bank Area residents looking for employment opportunities are invited to attend a Job Fair hosted by the New Braunfels Food Bank and Workforce Solutions Alamo. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 8 at the New Braunfels Food Bank, 1620 S. Seguin Ave. in New Braunfels. Job seekers will have the opportunity to connect with multiple local employers who are actively hiring. Attendees are encouraged to bring copies of their resumes and dress professionally.

Seguin Art League Announces April Events, Classes & Deadlines

The Seguin Art League is hosting a series of upcoming events and classes throughout April, along with a deadline for its annual High School Art Show. Art in Action, a community-wide live art event, will take place April 11 to 12, with finished works displayed April 14 to 24. A Needle Felted Landscapes workshop is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 18, followed by an Ink and Watercolor Landscapes class from 1 to 4 p.m. on April 29, both at the Seguin Art League Gallery. Entries for the Annual High School Art Show are due from 4 to 6 p.m. April 30 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church McKeogh Hall, with an awards reception set for May 2. Classes have limited space and require registration. For details, entry forms, and registration information, visit seguinartleague.com or call 830-305-0472.

Pantherpalooza Kids & Family Expo

Navarro ISD will host Pantherpalooza, a Kids and Family Expo, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11, at Navarro Intermediate School. The free event will feature family resources, student organizations, local businesses, games, food trucks and information about summer recreation and student job opportunities. For details or vendor information, visit navarroisd.us/pantherpalooza.

Child Abuse Awareness Fundraiser: Fiesta of Heroes and Villains

An 8th annual Child Abuse Awareness fundraiser, “Fiesta of Heroes and Villains,” will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 11 at the Comal County Sheriff’s Posse, 3826 Morningside Drive in New Braunfels. Hosted by Guardians of the Children Hill Country Chapter, the event will include a fun run, bike show, silent auction, raffle drawing, vendor booths, and a free bike giveaway for youth. Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite superhero or villain. Proceeds will benefit Guardians of the Children, a nonprofit organization supporting abused children.

Navarro ISD to Host Pre-K and Kindergarten Roundup

Families with young children are invited to learn more about enrolling in Navarro ISD during the district’s upcoming Pre-K and Kindergarten Roundup events at Navarro Elementary School in Geronimo. Pre-K Roundup will be held from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, followed by Kindergarten Roundup from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 21. Parents will have the opportunity to meet teachers, tour classrooms and speak with district representatives about transportation, child nutrition and special education services while learning about the enrollment process for the 2026-27 school year. Children must be 4 years old for Pre-K and 5 years old for Kindergarten by Sept. 1, 2026. For details and required documents, visit navarroisd. us/roundup.

Pachanga 2026 to Benefit Teatro de Artes de Juan Seguín

The Center for Mexican American Studies and the Mexican American Student Association at Texas Lutheran University are inviting the community to Pachanga 2026, a free fundraiser supporting Teatro de Artes de Juan Seguín. The event will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, April 17 at the TLU Alumni Plaza. The evening will include a silent auction, dinner, dancing, and live music featuring Llamativa, DJ Navarro, Mariachi AJB, the Seguin Starlettes, and Danza Guadalupana. The event is free and open to all ages.

Wildlife Association annual meeting

The Guadalupe County Wildlife Management Association will hold its

annual Spring Meeting on April 17 at the Texas Agriculture Education & Heritage Center (Big Red Barn), 250 Corodova Road in Seguin. The meeting begins with a social hour at 6 p.m., with the dinner meeting set to begin at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in Guadalupe county wildlife management is encouraged to attend. Dinner cost $15. RSVP by sending an email to RSVP:GuadalupeCountyWMA@gmail. com.

Small Business Unite Symposium Coming to Northeast Lakeview College

The Texas Tri-County Chamber of Commerce will host the Small Business Unite Symposium on April 17–18 at Northeast Lakeview College in Paluxy Hall in Universal City. The two-day event is open to entrepreneurs, business owners, students, and community leaders. The symposium will feature business education sessions, networking opportunities, industry panels, and a Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certification included with registration. Registration is now open at busines.txtricountychamber.org.

Field of Honor BBQ fundraiser

Seguin Field of Honor will have a BBQ fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 18 at Cash America Pawn, located at 1111 E. Court St. The plates are $12 each and consist of half a chicken, cowboy potatoes, beans and trimmings. Presale tickets are available from committee members, or call Connie at 830-243-2872.

SW Prep PTO hosts Bingo Night Fundraiser

The Southwest Preparatory School PTO is hosting a game night fundraiser to help build a new playground for students at the Seguin charter school. The event will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 23 in the Southwest Preparatory School Cafeteria, located at 2400 E. Walnut St. Entry is $10 and includes a game book. Tickets will be available at the door or from any PTO member. Students in 6th grade and up may participate, but must be accompanied by an adult.

Texans Reaching Out 2026

Come one, come y’all to celebrate in true Texas style at St. Andrew’s “Texans Reaching Out” on Friday, April 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the church parish hall, 201 E. Nolte. The event features a lip-smackin’ fish fry by Johnny’s BBQ and music by The Magpies! You’ll also enjoy appetizers, drinks, and a handheld dessert bar. Tickets are free of charge, but reservations are required. A collection will be taken to benefit the local and international outreach ministries of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Seating is limited so reserve prior to April 17 by calling the church office at 830.372.4330 or emailing secretary@ standrewseguin.org.

Seguin ISD Matador Family Bash

A Matador Family Bash will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 24 at Matador Stadium in Seguin. Hosted by Seguin ISD, the free event will feature games, concessions, and family activities. A movie showing of “Zootopia 2” will follow from 7 to 9 p.m. Families are encouraged to bring blankets and pillows for the movie.

Geronimo Creek Spring Stream Cleanup

A spring stream cleanup for the Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Watershed Partnership will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 25. Volunteers in the Seguin area will meet at the Seguin ISD Outdoor Learning Center, located at 1865 E. U.S. Highway 90. Participants will help clean local waterways as part of a regional effort to improve water quality. Cleanup supplies will be provided, and a limited number of event T-shirts will be available for those who register. Free breakfast tacos and coffee will also be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up in advance at geronimocreekwatershed.org.

World Tai Chi & Qi Gong Day Celebration

A World Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day celebration will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 25 on the east lawn of Emanuel’s Lutheran Church, 206 N. Travis St. in Seguin. Local practitioners will gather as part of a global event promoting peace, harmony, and wellness, joining others around the world during the same hour. The free event is open to all skill levels, including beginners and those who wish to observe and participate. Participants are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and water.

Denim Day Event Raises Awareness for Sexual Assault Prevention

The Thriving Hearts Crisis Center is inviting the community to take part in Denim Day, a special awareness event focused on supporting survivors of sexual assault. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1

p.m. Wednesday, April 29 at Seguin Central Park, located at 201 S. Austin St. in Seguin. Community members are encouraged to attend, show support, and help raise awareness with the message that consent matters.

Evening with the Texas Rangers Set for April 30

The Seguin Heritage Museum is inviting the community to “An Evening with the Texas Rangers,” a special program featuring history and live entertainment. The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 30 at the Palace Theatre, located at 114 S. Austin St. in Seguin. Entertainment will be provided by Dottsy Dwyer and the Hudiburgs, with concessions available during the evening. Admission is $20. Tickets can be purchased online at seguinheritagemuseum.org or locally at the Seguin Heritage Museum, Parker’s City Pharmacy, and Gift and Gourmet.

Seguin Art League High School Art Show Now Accepting Entries

The Seguin Art League will host its 16th annual High School Art Show, with artwork submissions accepted from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 30 at St. Andrew’s McKeogh Hall, located at 201 E. Nolte St. in Seguin. The show is open to all students in grades 9 through 12. Cash prizes will be awarded during a reception scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 2. For more information and a prospectus, visit seguinartleague.com or call 830-491-0778.

SHS students offer free tax help

Seguin ISD students are offering free tax preparation assistance through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The service is available from 4:10 to 5:10 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays through March 31 at the Seguin High School Library. The program is provided by IRS-certified students in the Seguin Independent School District Career and Technical Education business pathway and is open to individuals and families earning about $67,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers. Appointments are encouraged. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Helen Stamper at hstamper@seguin.k12.tx.us

Free Tax Help at Texas Lutheran University

Texas Lutheran University is offering free tax preparation assistance through its IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. The clinic will be held Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon through April 15 at the Beck Center on the Texas Lutheran University campus, 1020 Beck Drive in Seguin.

The service is provided at no cost by accounting students from Texas Lutheran University and is open to individuals and households earning $69,000 or less, as well as seniors, people with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers.

Energy Assistance Available

The Community Council of South Central Texas is accepting applications for utility bill assistance through the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). Funding is limited and available in select counties, including Guadalupe County. Apply online at ccsct.org/utility-assistance-apply-for-services/ and schedule an appointment with your county office. An appointment does not guarantee assistance.

Homestead Exemption Audit Process Begins for Property Owners

Property owners in Guadalupe County are being advised of a new requirement involving homestead exemptions. Under a new state law, appraisal districts across the state, including the Guadalupe Appraisal District, will begin conducting audits of homestead exemptions. As part of the process, property owners with an active homestead exemption may receive a notice asking them to reapply for the exemption every five years to verify eligibility. The appraisal district does not calculate taxes based on exemptions. Any tax adjustments will be handled by the Guadalupe County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office and reflected either in amended bills for previous years or on the current year’s tax bill issued in October. Property owners who receive a notice should follow the instructions provided by the Guadalupe Appraisal District.

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.

Small steps to extend a car’s life expectancy

Vehicles continue to get more expensive. The automotive experts at Kelley Blue Book indicate the average American car buyer paid $50,080 for a new vehicle in September 2025, which was the first time the average price for a new car ever topped $50,000. More drivers are looking for ways to push their current vehicles past the 200,000-mile mark to save money.

According to S&P Global Mobility, the average age of a vehicle on the road hit a record high of 12.8 years in 2025. Although major mechanical failures concern drivers of older vehicles, it’s actually much smaller things that can affect vehicle longevity. There are small actions anyone can take to significantly extend a car’s life.

• Use caution on cold starts. When a vehicle sits, oil settles at the bottom of the engine. To help combat damage that can occur, drivers can wait about 30 seconds before shifting into gear, as this will allow the oil pump to circulate the lubricant to the upper valve train and help prevent extra wear on the engine. Modern fuelinjected engines warm up faster and more safely

by being driven gently rather than sitting still, so it’s not necessary to idle for a long while with the vehicle in the driveway, says Smart Motors Toyota. In fact, long idles actually can strip away oil.

• Treat fluids wisely. According to EngineeringCivil.org, checking and replacing fluids is cheaper than replacing hardware. Recent data suggests that consistent oil changes can add between 50,000 and 100,000 miles to an engine’s lifespan. It’s important to follow a vehicle’s manual for time-based intervals for fluid replacement, rather than just going by mileage.

• Drive faster on occasion. Oil will never get hot enough to evaporate internal condensation for those who primarily drive short distances under 10 miles. Once every few weeks, it’s important for drivers to drive at least 20 minutes at highway speeds to help get rid of contaminants.

• Drive smoothly on roads. Aggressive driving will not just burn more gas; such driving also creates heat, which can impact longevity. According to Kia, hard braking generates immense heat that can warp rotors and stress

suspension bushings. Likewise, it’s key to ease into acceleration. Rapid acceleration forces the transmission to downshift abruptly, increasing wear. Reports from The Zebra, an insurance shopping company, indicate that mindful driving can reduce mechanical strain by up to 30 percent.

• Fight corrosion. Rust can kill a car before the engine actually fails. People who live in areas where roads are treated with salt in the winter should use a winter car wash that includes an undercarriage spray. Auto Recycling World says road salt can eat through brake lines and fuel lines. In addition, applying a coat of wax twice a year can prevent UV rays and other damage to the clear coat, which protects the metal body from the elements.

• Address engine lights promptly. CarMD says addressing a “check engine” light immediately is 20 percent cheaper than waiting until the vehicle has a driveability issue. For example, ignoring a $150 oxygen sensor can eventually destroy a $1,500 catalytic converter. Small habits can help prolong the longevity of vehicles and help people save money.