Seguin Electric Co. recognized as Texas Treasure Historic Business
Cindy Aguirre-Herrera
(Seguin) -- For nearly eight decades, Seguin Electric Co. has helped power homes, businesses and growth across the community. Now, the family-owned company is being recognized for helping write a chapter in Texas history.
The Texas Historical Commission’s Heritage Division has named Seguin Electric Co., a Texas Treasure Historic Business, an honor reserved for businesses that have helped shape the story of Texas through decades of service to their communities. To qualify, a business must have operated continuously for at least 50 years, maintained employment records and continued providing the same service since its founding. Today, over 700 businesses across the state have earned the designation.
For owner Ralph Boehnke, the recognition was an emotional moment because it represents much more than the success of the company.
“It’s a tribute to my dad. Him and Frank Klein started the business back in 1947 and that started with just those two guys,” said Boehnke. “Then... my brother bought out Frank, and it was my brother and my dad and then in ‘77, I bought out my dad and now Michael has come in. Michael, he’s going to be the third generation, and it just means a lot to me.”
Business, pg. 3
Parvo outbreak forces Guadalupe County Animal Services to euthanize 47 dogs
(Seguin) -- Guadalupe County Animal Services was recently forced to make one of its most difficult decisions after a parvovirus outbreak threatened every animal in its care – forcing the euthanization of 47 dogs.
The outbreak occurred last week after officials say an infected stray dog was unknowingly brought into the county shelter.
Lt. Zachary McBride, public information officer for the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office, which oversees Guadalupe County Animal Services, said despite vaccination and screening procedures, the virus quickly spread throughout the overcrowded facility.
“Last week, we had a parvo outbreak within the shelter. Unfortunately, despite our vaccination efforts and screening, one of the stray dogs brought a virus into the shelter and it spread, as parvo does, and it affected the entire shelter,” said McBride.
After consulting with local veterinarians, Seguin Animal Services and other area shelters, McBride says officials determined there was only one course of action to prevent the virus from continuing to spread.
“We had, unfortunately, after consulting with a local veterinarian’s office, we reached out to Seguin Animal Services and some of the other shelters in the area, based on what they’ve experienced. And they prescribed a full facility disinfection, but that required euthanizing all the animals that were affected or directly exposed. So, in all, we had to euthanize 47 animals,” said McBride.
Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that attacks a dog’s gastrointestinal system and is especially dangerous for puppies, older dogs and animals with
weakened immune systems.
McBride says the shelter vaccinates every dog against parvo upon intake, but no vaccine provides complete protection, particularly when animals may already have been exposed before arriving at the shelter.
“Even though when we do vaccinate for parvo upon intake, that is one of the vaccinations that we provide, but it’s not 100 percent effective. And then once you get that virus in your facility, it’s on the ground... it’s spreading from animal to animal. So even if you get it under control in one dog, it’s going to persist in the facility,” said McBride.
McBride says not helping is the fact that the stray population the shelter serves is especially vulnerable.
“It’s a very deadly disease. Most dogs that are the most vulnerable are going to be your older dogs or your younger dogs. But in the capacity of the shelter and the population that’s there, are a lot of dogs that are vulnerable just because of their status of being strays, malnourished, coming in off the streets. They’re all highly susceptible to dying from this,” said McBride.
McBride says euthanasia was considered only after every available resource had been exhausted.
“This was definitely not our first... go-to. We didn’t seek out to do this. We only did it after consulting with the local veterinary offices, with other shelters in the area. Seguin Animal Services was very helpful and provided additional disinfectant that was a little bit more powerful than one that we had been using... So, we sought out all the help that we could get to make sure that we’re doing the right thing,” said McBride.
Parvo, pg. 4
Cindy Aguirre-Herrera
New Berlin residents pack city hall over development concerns
(New Berlin) --Although no official plans have been submitted to the City of New Berlin, concerns over a proposed residential development recently drew a standing-room-only crowd during its council meeting, signaling growing anxiety among area residents about the future of the community.
City officials reported that approximately nine residents signed up to speak during the Citizens to Be Heard portion of the agenda.
Much of the discussion centered around reports of a large residential development that could be planned for property believed to be part of the former Sagebiel family land holdings at Ginn and Linne Roads. While city leaders emphasized that no formal application has been submitted and no official details on a specific plot of land have been presented to the city, residents still voiced concerns ranging from traffic and infrastructure to crime, schools and water availability.
Some residents cited figures of up to 400 homes being discussed for the property, although city officials stressed that they have not received any documentation confirming the number of homes, lot sizes or exact acreage involved.
Business, continued.
Cindy Aguirre-Herrera
Mayor Walter Williams told attendees that city officials are prepared to review the project once developers formally bring plans forward.
Williams explained that the property is located within the city’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ), an area where state law limits the authority cities have over development compared to property located within city limits.
As a result, some of the regulations and requirements residents may expect the city to enforce do not apply in the ETJ. City leaders encouraged residents to familiarize themselves with state development laws and to contact their state legislators regarding concerns about regulations that fall outside municipal control.
Residents expressed concern that existing roads and infrastructure may not be capable of supporting a large-scale residential project. Particular attention was given to the condition of local roadways and the impact construction traffic could have on the area.
Additional concerns were raised regarding the closure of two nearby bridges — one on Gin Road and another near Interstate 10 —
The company’s roots trace back when Ralph’s father, Ed Boehnke, and Frank Klein launched the business from a garage after learning the electrical trade while serving with the War Department in North Africa during World War II. Over the decades, ownership remained in the family, eventually passing to Ralph and now preparing for a third generation of leadership.
Looking back over the years, Ralph says the recognition reflects the company’s commitment to both its customers and to Seguin.
“We’ve accomplished a lot. We tried to do the right thing with everybody,” said Ralph. “It’s not very many people can say they’ve been in business for 79 years. It
and uncertainty surrounding repair timelines. Residents questioned how those closures could affect traffic flow if significant residential growth occurs in the area.
Others worried about the potential strain additional homes could place on water resources and local schools, while several residents also voiced concerns about the possibility of increased crime accompanying population growth.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the project, city officials said they are committed to keeping residents informed throughout the process. Once developers submit plans, city leaders said a pre-development meeting would be required before the project proceeds through the city’s review process.
Officials also indicated they hope to host a community town hall meeting once more concrete information becomes available, giving residents an opportunity to learn about the proposal.
Williams emphasized that transparency will remain a priority as the city navigates what could become one of the most closely watched development proposals in recent New Berlin history.
means a lot. We try to represent Seguin. Seguin is a great community. It’s treated us very well.”
That next chapter, however, now belongs to Ralph’s son, Michael Boehnke, who returned to the family business after spending more than a decade in corporate America.
Michael says the journey away from Seguin Electric ultimately prepared him to lead it into the future.
“This 100 percent is a blessing from God. God takes you where you don’t think you need to go to bring you back where He had a plan for you the entire time,” said Michael.
After working for both independent companies and a large corporation, Michael says one lesson stood above all the rest.
Business, pg. 4
Business, continued.
“The one thing that I learned through all that is that businesses do not exist. People exist,” said Michael. “A huge gratitude to all the people in the community that have believed in us... and also a testament to the quality of the people that dad has surrounded himself with. Most of our employees have been with us for 15, 20 years plus. So, it’s all about the people.”
Ralph credits his son’s experience and leadership for positioning the company for continued growth.
“He’s going to take it and run with it and expand,” said Ralph. “He has taken it full steam ahead. He’s doing a great job.”
In regard to the electrical industry, Michael says he hopes to attract a new generation of skilled tradesmen while continuing the company’s longstanding values.
“I want to have the pride at the end of the day to really tell our guys, we actually change the world every day. It’s my job to try to keep it going, and that’s
Parvo, continued.
Since the outbreak, the shelter has undergone a complete disinfection and has reopened. McBride says only a handful of dogs are currently housed there while staff continues monitoring for any signs of the virus.
He also noted that overcrowding complicated the situation. At the time of the outbreak, the shelter was housing approximately 47 dogs – he says that’s despite having only about 30 kennels, forcing some animals to share space.
McBride says the incident also highlights broader challenges facing the county’s aging shelter,
going to be tough, but I can promise you it’s not going to be for lack of trying,” said Michael.
Also, at a time when many family businesses are being purchased by large corporations, Michael says Seguin Electric has every intention to remain locally owned.
“We’re not for sale, we’re not going to be,” said Michael. “I just have to try to keep the integrity and the work ethic that my grandfather and my dad have had until today moving forward... I’d like to be here 30 years from now and say, we’re still owned by the Boehnke family. We still have great employees. We are going to charge people an honest price for an honest day’s work, and that’s what’s going to keep us going.”
Seguin Electric celebrated the statewide recognition during a community reception Thursday afternoon at its North Austin Street location.
The company now joins four other Seguin businesses that have also received the Texas Treasure Historic Business designation. Those businesses include Starcke’s Furniture, Davila’s BBQ, Dietz Flower Shop and Seguin Produce Co-op.
including limited space and the lack of a dedicated quarantine area for diseases like parvovirus.
As been reported, he says the sheriff’s office has been exploring long-term solutions, including partnerships with area municipalities and outside organizations, while continuing discussions with the Guadalupe County Commissioners Court about improving shelter operations.
McBride also addressed the criticism that the shelter has received on social media following the incident.
“A lot of folks disparage us online and think that we do this intentionally and of course that is not the truth. We... are very caring and try to do
the best we can with the resources that we have. We have an outdated shelter... it’s small... it’s inadequate for what we need, and it’s been that way for some time,” said McBride. “We take our responsibility for these animals very seriously and it’s very unfortunate that this happened, but based on what we have, the resources that we have, it just... there was no alternative.”
In moving forward, McBride says one of the most effective ways to reduce overcrowding and help prevent similar situations is through responsible pet ownership. He says spaying and neutering of pets reduces the number of stray and unwanted animals entering the shelter.
Press Release from GRMC for the Community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chelsea Maldonado
Executive Director of Marketing chmaldonado@grmedcenter.com (O) 830.401.7829
Cardiologist Ronnie Garcia, MD, Joins Guadalupe Regional Medical Group
Seguin, Texas (Thursday, June 26, 2026) – Guadalupe Regional Medical Group is pleased to announce that Ronnie Garcia, MD, has joined GRMG and begins seeing patients on July 6, 2026 at the Laurel Medical Office Building.
Patients can continue their cardiovascular care with Dr. Garcia at his new office location:
Guadalupe Regional Medical Group, Cardiology Associates
108 Medical Drive
Seguin, TX 78155
Phone: 830-253-4560
To obtain medical records, patients will need to complete a Medical Records Release Authorization form, available through the Baptist Heart & Vascular patient portal. If you need assistance accessing the form or completing the release, please call 830-401-4880.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Garcia, please call 830-253-4560.
Pentagon Reverses Flu Shot Decision After TX Outbreak (Washington, DC) -- The U.S. military is back to requiring flu vaccines after hundreds of soldiers became ill earlier this month. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth declared back in April that the mandatory flu vaccine for military personnel would become optional under the Pentagon’s new vaccine policy. On Wednesday, a Pentagon spokesman said exceptions have been approved for the Army, Navy, Air Force and other branches of the military that would require flu vaccines for certain service members. The move comes after a flu outbreak at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas affected about 220 recruits.
CDC Issues National Measles Warning After Cases Top 2K (Atlanta, GA) -- The CDC is issuing a formal Health Alert Network notice after measles cases top more than 21-hundred. The federal health agency says summer travel will accelerate the spread of this highly infectious disease. Measles outbreaks in 41 U.S. jurisdictions account for 93-percent of the confirmed cases. So far, 98 people, mostly children and teens, have been hospitalized but there’ve been no deaths. The CDC says each infected person can spread measles through the air to nine or ten others nearby.
Congo’s
Ebola Outbreak Tops 1K And Threatens Health Workers
(Undated) -- Congo’s Ebola outbreak has topped one-thousand cases with no sign of slowing down. That’s according to the World Health Organization which says there is no vaccine for the rare Bundibugyo strain that has also infected twenty people in neighboring Uganda. The WHO says the biggest challenge is contact tracing with frontline health workers facing, “abduction threats, crimes and being in the wrong place at the wrong time.” The health agency says workers are being targeted by locals who are wary of outsiders after being scarred by decades of war. Some locals think Ebola is a hoax and are angry that they’re not being allowed to bury family members, according to their customs, because of precautions enacted to keep the deadly virus from spreading.
SCOTUS Protects Pesticides In Key Roundup Case
(Whippany, NJ) - The Supreme Court is handing a major legal victory to the Missouri agrochemical company Monsanto and its NJ-based parent company Bayer. Justices have restricted Americans’ ability to sue pesticide makers over alleged health harms stemming from their products with Thursday’s sevento-two ruling. It reined in thousands of lawsuits pursued in state courts that accused Bayer of failing to warn users that the active ingredient in its Roundup weedkiller causes cancer. The high court agreed with Bayer that a U.S. law governing pesticides precludes failure-to-warn claims that are brought under state law from moving forward in court.
Summer Reading Experience Underway at Seguin Public Library
The Seguin Public Library is inviting readers of all ages to participate in its 2026 Summer Reading Experience, “Unearth a Story.” The free program features books, activities, special events, and opportunities to win dino-mite prizes throughout the summer. Children, teens, and adults are all encouraged to join. Registration is available in person at the library or online at Seguin Public Library Summer Reading Experience. No library card is required to participate. Participants have until Aug. 6, 2026, to complete their activity boards and be entered into drawings for raffle prizes.
National Reunification Month
SJRC Texas is recognizing June as National Reunification Month, a time to celebrate the safe reunification of children with their families and to raise awareness about the importance of family preservation. Reunification is the primary goal for children in foster care whenever it is safe and appropriate. Learn more about the services and support available through SJRC Texas.
Field of Honor Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary
The public is invited to celebrate America’s 250th Birthday at the Field of Honor’s Birthday Party on Saturday, June 27, beginning at 10 a.m. The event will feature guest speakers, live music by Clint Taft, free hot dogs, chips and drinks while supplies last, plus family-friendly activities including a fish pond, duck pool, bean bag toss, coloring table and prizes for children. Flag dedications will also
be available. Organizers invite the community to join them as they help kick off the Fourth of July festivities.
Junior Lifeguard Program
The Seguin Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a Junior Lifeguard Class from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, June 25 at the Seguin Wave Pool, located at 1 Wave Pool Drive. The class is open to participants ages 9 to 15 and will teach basic first-aid, CPR, water safety, rescue techniques, communication skills and lifeguard responsibilities. Participants must be able to swim and complete a swim-tread-swim sequence. This is not a learn-to-swim program and does not provide official lifeguard or CPR certification. The cost is $40 per participant. Participants should bring a swimsuit, sunglasses, towel, water, hat and a cold sack lunch. For more information, call Seguin Parks and Recreation at 830-401-2480.
July
Freedom Fiesta on July 4
The community is invited to celebrate Independence Day at Freedom Fiesta on Saturday, July 4, in Central Park in downtown Seguin. Activities begin at 6 p.m. and continue until 11 p.m. The event will feature music from DJ D’Trayne and Clint Taft and the Buck Wild Band. There will also be food vendors, a beer garden, inflatables, family activities, and the annual Kiddie Parade. Admission is free. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of patriotic fun as Seguin celebrates the Fourth of July and America’s 250th birthday. Freedom Fiesta is hosted by KWED Ra-
dio and is open to the public. For more information, call KWED Radio at 830-379-2234.
Kiddie Parade Set for July 4 in Seguin
Children and families are invited to take part in a patriotic Kiddie Parade at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, at the gazebo on Donegan Street in downtown Seguin. Participants can march or ride decorated bicycles, scooters, strollers, and other patriotic “floats” behind Uncle Sam, portrayed by Guadalupe County Sheriff Joshua Ray, as the parade makes its way around Central Park. Prizes will be awarded for the top entries in riding, walking, stroller, and motorized categories. Participation is free and open to the public. The event is organized by the Guadalupe County Republican Women. For more information, contact Kelly at 830-463-7549 or email kdfoll123@yahoo.com.
CASA of Central Texas Foster Care Simulation
CASA of Central Texas will host a free Foster Care Simulation from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at Gruene United Methodist Church, 2629 E. Common St. in New Braunfels. Participants will experience the challenges and realities of the foster care system through an interactive simulation. Registration is required. For more information, visit casacentex.org.
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.
