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State lawmakers kick off new session on Tuesday

Kuempel says COVID-19 will bring challenges to the legislative process number of bills filed to how they will handle the swearing-in ceremonies to start the session.

By Darren Dunn (Seguin) -- The 87th Texas Legislative Session officially begins on Tuesday in Austin. A number of key legislative goals will be considered during this year’s session. State Representative John Kuempel will be among those participating this year. The Seguin Republican says COVID-19 will have a huge impact on everything during this session. He says it will impact everything from the

“We get sworn-in Tuesday, but leading up to that, since the pandemic broke out last March -- there was reservations of whether we’d be able to meet or not. We are constitutionally obligated to meet every other year for 140 days, and it was in the conversation of whether we were going to come back, (and) how we were going to come back. So with all that said, I think the safety protocols and what needs to happen and implemented, we will be sworn in next Tuesday with the very different feel. (My wife), Michelle, and I have to get COVID tested Tuesday morning at the capitol before we can go onto the House floor. We will be seated at different times on the House floor in different groups just to keep crowds and the number of people that are together down while we get up

there and get sworn in,” said Kuempel. COVID-19

was

already

placing some limitations on the opening of the session, but last week’s attack on the U.S. Capitol Building also

makes it a little bit harder for them to open things up this year. See LAWMAKERS, Page 2

MONDAY JANUARY 11, 2021

New speaker, new legislative session get started this week in Austin WWW.SEGUINTODAY.COM

Dade Phelan, a Republican from Beaumont, is expected to be easily elected as the Speaker of the House during the opening of the 87th Texas Legislative Session. LAWMAKERS continued from Page 1 building for a long time. He’s got a good case of a pandemic,” said Kuempel. “We had planned on opening the (Texas) level of common sense, and I look forward to Capitol back up Monday and as soon as what Dade’s leadership and really look forward to Kuempel says the governor and other state transpired in Washington D.C., the capitol was working with him,” said Kuempel. leaders were in a no-win situation during the closed and I assume it will remain closed as early days of the pandemic. He says he thinks we go through the ceremony of getting sworn There will likely be a number of COVID the state is better prepared for these kinds of in,” said Kuempel. related bills debated this session. There’s been situations going forward. lots of talk about how the state should handle The new session will begin with new leadership future shutdowns. Gov. Greg Abbott drew “In hindsight, you look back and see what he did in the Texas House of Representatives. praise from some and criticism from others in March and April. Was it the right thing to do at Kuempel says Dennis Bonnen will no longer during the shutdowns that occurred last year. the time? Probably because we didn’t know what serve as Speaker of the House, and it appears Kuempel says if there are any changes to how was going on but then we started understanding that Dade Phelan will become the new speaker. that happens in the future, it should be done so this virus and understanding what we could do collectively with input from the governor. safely and today, I think we’ve come back to “There is the presumptive speaker and you say some kind of normalcy and that’s just because presumptive, (he hasn’t) even been sworn in “Any decision that the governor made was people are wearing their mask, people are social yet, but it’s done. It’s a good friend of mine, going to be scrutinized one way or the other. distancing, people are keeping apart but again Dade Phelan from the Beaumont area. He’s a Now, we have a better template of what we after the holidays, here we go again. Nothing good University of Texas Longhorn, that has can do and maybe we do write something -- is going to be shut down anymore. It’s just too been in state government for a long time. He and I’d certainly asked the governor for help catastrophic for the state economy, but we’ve got was a staffer, I know, under Senator (Tommy) on it -- just for the future legislature to come a better idea of what we could do if this situation Williams and even Representative Williams in and to lay that template down, write down ever arises again,” said Kuempel. See LAWMAKERS, Page3 back in the day, and he’s been around the those rules and this is what will happen in the

MONDAY JANUARY 11, 2021

Kuempel says voting laws, pandemic responses likely to be discussed WWW.SEGUINTODAY.COM

LAWMAKERS continued from Page 2

The pandemic had a huge impact on voting during November’s general election. The governor extended the early voting period by a week, and some counties looked for creative ways to allow people to get to the polls early. Kuempel was asked if the state’s voting laws will be looked at during this session to better spell out the voting process in Texas. He says it’s likely that there will be lots of discussion about this issue. “There certainly will be election laws that will be introduced, election legislation that will be introduced and there will be talk. Our job I think is to just make sure that people trust the election system, it is transparent and trustworthy and knowing that they go vote, knowing that the folks that are voting by mail -everything is done on the up and up. We’ve seen certain instances in Arizona and Pennsylvania over the last two months but just erase any kind of doubt that something is going on that’s detracting from our fair and legal voting system,” said Kuempel. Kuempel says he believes in the voting system and process in Texas, but he says he’s open to looking at ways to make it better and to make sure the integrity of the state’s elections is not called into question. “People are going to form their own opinions about anything. I trust the system in the state of Texas, but there may be some hitches here and there. You can look back at Florida 20 years ago and some of the things that they implemented. Maybe we need to look at that, and other states need to look at some of things Florida

State Representative John Kuempel and family. Kuempel makes his return to Austin this week for the new legislative session. did. There’s different precedent across the country that make good sense that we shouldn’t fail to look at,” said Kuempel. This session hasn’t started yet, but it already feels a little bit different. There haven’t been heated discussions over social issues going into this session. That has not been the case in the recent past. Whether it was the bathroom bill or a ban on gay marriage, there not been the same level of rancor leading up to this session. There has been some talk about protecting the budgets of police departments across the state, but beyond that Kuempel says it’s been a much calmer start to the session. He says COVID-19 might have something to do with that, but it also might be a new way of doing things. “There is a quietness this time and I don’t know if that’s -- we are having a new speaker that

maybe they are just gauging what Speaker Phelan is going to do or how he’s going to manage, how he’s going to lead. But at the same time, there is a quietness and it going back to where we were talking about some of the social issues and driving issues that we’ve had in the past. They are just not there. They are not there. I think more people are worried how we are going to do it from a physical standpoint. How we get in? How we meet? How committees meet. What is going to be -- what is typically a normal process of bill movement. Who can come testify? Who are they going to let in the building? It’s going to be totally different,” said Kuempel. COVID-19 won’t just help frame some of the bills they discuss, but it will also likely have some impact on the overall legislative process. Kuempel says the Texas Capitol Building usually comes to life when the

legislature is in session, but he says things will definitely be different this year. “There will be days when we have the Farm Bureau out there or if we have the realtors out there, if we have the educators out there and that you can’t move an inch in that place and this time, it’s just not going to be the same case. I don’t know if they are going to be able for committee hearings -- when a bill is introduced and you hear it from a committee, if you can testify online or testify virtually, we just don’t know,” said Kuempel. This story is first of two stories that we will feature on the upcoming legislative session. On Tuesday, we’ll take a look at Kuempel’s views on some of the other key issues that are likely to come up during the session, including budget challenges, infrastructure needs, public education and redistricting.

MONDAY JANUARY 11, 2021

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Seguin boys hold off Veterans Memorial for first district win

(Seguin) - Seguin boys basketball survived a late rally by San Antonio-Veterans Memorial to find the District 26-5A win column for the first time this season, 77-72 on Friday at Goldie Harris Gym

The Matadors led by 18 points early in the fourth quarter, but the Patriots came storming back and narrowed the margin to four on two occasions with less than a minute left. Michael Cornelius and Kaleb McCann each drained a pair of clutch free throws in the closing seconds to deny Veterans Memorial the opportunity to make it a one-possession game. After close losses to Dripping Springs and Alamo Heights in the two games prior, Seguin head coach Guy Nowlin watched his team take a big step forward against the Patriots. “These guys learned how to perservere and win, especially when it comes down to crunch time,” Nowlin said. “I kept telling them Veterans Memorial is a good team. They’re going to keep going. They’re not just going to lay down for you, and sure enough they kept trying to fight back, and fought back. They made it a little too close than maybe it should have been, but I’m proud of the guys’ effort. They did a

phenomenal job, finally for four quarters, and came away on the right side of the scoreboard this time.” Cornelius led the Matadors with 19 points. He hit his first three of the season and went 8-10 at the free throw line.

Sophomore guard Devin Mathis added 18 and connected on three three-pointers. Mathis has averaged 16 points in his last three games and knocked down 11 threes in that span. Nowlin says Cornelius and Mathis are developing into a 1-2 punch that makes opponents defend the entire floor. “We always talk about being able to hurt them inside to open up the outside, and vice versa,” the coach said. “Those two guys are feeding off each other. Mike is super aggressive. He doesn’t back down from anybody. He might not be the biggest guy in there as far as forwards go, but he gets in there and battles, boxes out, and crashes the boards, and does a good job finishing for us.”

but Veterans Memorial responded with a 13-0 run to go up by seven points. A three-point play by John Jones at the end of the period cut the Patriots lead at 22-18. The Matadors dominated the second quarter 28-11 to take a 46-33 cushion into halftime. Seguin maintained control through the third period, and a Xander Harrell three from just inside the midcourt stripe at the buzzer pushed the lead to 63-47 going into the fourth quarter. McCann contributed eight points, Harrell scored all seven of his points in the second half, John Jackson added six, Jones and Jacob Andrade five each, John Aguilar three, Randall Wilke, Louis Flores, and Nic Magallanes two apiece. Veterans Memorial freshman Devin McCloud led all scorers with 25 points. All-District guard Jalen Bonds, who came in averaging 17.6 per game, only managed four points in the first half, but came alive in the second half to finish with 15. Izaiah Street also reached double figures with 11, all in the second half. The win moves the Matadors 1-5 in district play, 3-10 overall. Seguin hosts Kyle-Lehman on Tuesday at 6:45 p.m.

Supporting athletes! Supporting Allall of area Our Local Athletes! Seguin jumped out to a 15-9 lead in the first quarter,

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Seguin girls beat Alamo Heights, Marion girls drop fall to Veterans Memorial

(San Antonio) - The Seguin girls basketball team split Harris and Ashley Lingueno each finished with two. a pair of District 26-5A road games in San Antonio this past week, defeating Alamo Heights 41-33 on Thursday Individual stats from the Alamo Heights game were not at Harlan High School and coming up short to Veterans available at press time. Memorial 62-39 on Friday. The Matadors are 3-5 in district play, 6-10 overall. Seguin Tresalyn Roberts scored 10 points in the loss to Veterans hits the road again to face Kyle-Lehman on Tuesday at Memorial. Ashlie Aguilar added seven. Taylor Bode, Liv 6:30 p.m. The game will air live on KWED 1580-AM and Hernandez, and Regan Schmidt netted six apiece. Nayla Seguintoday.com. Pre-game coverage starts at 6:15.

Marion boys lock down NixonSmiley in district road win (Nixon) - Marion used a dominant defensive effort to move Easton Allen contributed six points, a team-high seven to 3-1 in the District 26-3A boys basketball race with a 50- rebounds, and two steals. Kadeem Blyden finished with six 30 road win over Nixon-Smiley on Friday. points, Samuel Montoya four, and they each pulled down six rebounds. Dominic Castellanos collected three points The Bulldogs held the Mustangs to 32 percent shooting on and two steals. the night and did enough offensively to establish a sizeable lead. The Bulldogs led 14-3 at the end of the first quarter, 23-14 at halftime, and 37-19 at the end of the third period. Ryken Autry scored 20 points and hit three threes to lead Marion. Fernando Romero added 11 points and dished out Marion (13-1, 3-1) hosts Great Hearts-Monte Vista in a four assists. district game on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday Schedule

Friday Schedule

Seguin girls basketball @ Kyle-Lehman, 6:30 p.m. (6:15 Navarro boys basketball vs. Gonzales, 6:30 p.m. pregame) on KWED 1580-AM and Seguintoday.com Navarro girls basketball @ Gonzales, 7:30 p.m. Seguin boys basketball vs. Kyle-Lehman, 6:45 p.m. Marion girls basketball @ Luling, 6:45 p.m. Navarro boys basketball @ Pleasanton, 7:30 p.m. Marion boys basketball vs. Luling, 7:30 p.m. Navarro girls basketball vs. Pleasanton, 6:30 p.m. Seguin boys soccer vs. Fredericksburg @ Dripping Springs, Marion girls basketball @ Comfort, 6:30 p.m. 4 p.m. Marion boys basketball vs. Great Hearts-Monte Vista, 6:30 Seguin girls soccer @ San Marcos, 6:45 p.m. p.m. Seguin boys soccer vs. Uvalde, 5:30 p.m. Saturday Schedule Seguin girls soccer @ Wimberley, 6 p.m. Seguin boys basketball vs. Buda-Johnson, 2 p.m. (Goldie Harris Gym Seguin girls basketball vs. Dripping Springs, 2:30 p.m. Thursday Schedule (Student Activity Center Gym) Seguin boys soccer vs. Victoria East @ Dripping Springs, Seguin boys soccer vs. St. Stephens @ Dripping Springs, 11 a.m. Noon

home game to NixonSmiley

(Marion) - Nixon-Smiley broke open a close game at halftime with a 28-11 run in the third quarter to hand the Marion girls basketball team a 78-56 home loss Friday night in District 26-3A. The Mustangs only led by two, 33-31, at the half. Molly Rooke scored 19 points to lead the Bulldogs offensively and made an impact on defense with a team-high five steals. Sarah Cook notched a 13-point, 15-rebound double-double. Jaslyne Williams added 10 points. She and Anessa Madrid each came up with three steals, and Madrid distributed three assists. Alicia Durbin finished with six points, Madrid five, and Kaelyn Taylor three. Marion is 2-4 in district play, 4-12 on the season. The Bulldogs travel to face Comfort on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

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Boyd

life, Sherwood “Don” Thompson. They were married in 1965 in Bay City and were devoted to each other for 54 years, until his death June 1, 2020. They have one daughter, Dr. Teresa Lynn Thompson, who was the center of their universe. Both Grace and Sherwood were active together in The Second Baptist Church and the McQueeney Lion’s Club. In addition, Grace served on the Mental Health Mental Retardation Board, Family Awareness Board and as a committee member for the Coalition for a Drug Free Community. She was a long time member of the Delta Kappa Gamma International Organization, an honorary Grace Esther Smith organization for key women educators. Thompson was lovingly welcomed into this world Grace loved and was loved by thousands of on December 5, 1945 by former students and their parents, her parents William and countless friends, neighbors, co-workers, Willie Mae Smith in Bay caregivers and everyone who was fortunate to City, Texas. She left this know her. world, surrounded by loving friends and family, She has now been reunited with Sherwood, her parents, and brothers Edward and Nelson, who on January 3, 2021. have preceded her in death. Grace was the third of five children and the only daughter. Her father was a master electrician, She leaves behind her daughter Teresa, brothers philanthropist and civil rights activist in Bay City. William and James, and an extensive family of Grace and her four brothers (William, Edward, cousins, nieces and nephews, brother-in-law and Nelson, and James) were taught at an early age to sisters-in-law. be active in church and community activities and to reach out to others with love and care. These Visitation will begin on Saturday, January 16, were lessons she never forgot: they formed who 2021 at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 1314 E. Cedar, Seguin, Texas, followed by funeral she was. service at 11 a.m. with The Reverend Dr. Brice Grace graduated from A.G. Hillard High School Mandaville and The Reverend Donald G. Leavell in Bay City, and attended Wharton County officiating. Interment will follow in Guadalupe Junior College before transferring to Texas A & Valley Memorial Park. All CDC protocols must I University in Kingsville, Texas. She received be followed including social distancing, limited her B.S. in Elementary Education in 1969, seating and face coverings worn. For those who later an M.S. in Education in 1976, and a Mid- desire, the services may be livestreamed at https:// Management Certification in 1986 all from Texas vimeo.com/498200725. A & I. She taught for 28 years in Kingsville ISD, before coming to Seguin in 1990. She spent In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made several years teaching second grade at Jefferson to any breast cancer treatment or research Ave. Elementary, then became the School organization. Counselor there until her retirement in 2002. After retiring, she returned to Seguin ISD to work You are invited to sign the guest book at www. as interim principal at McQueeney Elementary treshewell.com. Arrangements are under the and as Counselor at several elementary schools. direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912. See More OBITS page 9 While at Texas A & I, Grace met the love of her

coverings worn at all locations. Serving as pallbearers will be Joseph Boyd, Marty Sanchez, Jerrold Sanchez, Jesse Sanchez, Israel Sanchez Lilly Sanchez Boyd, age 72 of and Frank Mead. Memorial contributions may be Seguin, Texas, entered eternal made to the charity of one’s choice. rest on December 27, 2020. You are invited to sign the guestbook at www. Lilly was born on July 19, treshewell.com. Arrangements are under the 1948 in Kenedy, TX to direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Manuel and Adela (Diaz) Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912. Sanchez.

Lilly worked many years for Motorola before working 15 years with Seguin ISD food services. She was a hard-working woman who always thought of others before herself. Lilly enjoyed dancing and singing, she was outgoing, cheerful, and made a friend wherever she went, her light was so bright people just gravitated towards her! Lilly was the pillar of her family, bringing everyone together. She adored spending time with her grandchildren more than anything. Lilly will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Lilly is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Milton P. Boyd, her son Benjamin Thomas Boyd, and her brothers, Manuel, Gilbert and Ray Sanchez. Survivors include her loving husband, Manuel Moncada, her devoted sons, Joseph Donald Boyd (Lorraine Rodriguez) and John E. Boyd (Judy); grandchildren, Orion Josiah Boyd, John Eric Boyd and Kyle Evan Boyd; brothers, Joe, Jesse and Zeke Sanchez; sisters, Mary Castillo, Sarah Sanchez and Minerva Gonzalez; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving family members and many, many friends. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at Tres Hewell Mortuary from 5 to 7 p.m. The recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Friday, January 15, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in San Geronimo Cemetery. All CDC protocols must be followed including social distancing, limited seating and face

MONDAY JANUARY 11, 2021

Thompson

MONDAY JANUARY 11, 2021

mornings to discuss the game. She also loved watching the U. T. Longhorns play, especially when Russell played for the University of Texas. Patsy Allen Neumann She looked forward to these games up until the Erxleben, age 87 of Seguin, day she died. passed away on December Unfortunately, Patsy missed watching the 2020 29, 2020. Alamo Valero Bowl, where the Longhorns Visitation will be held at were victorious. Patsy also loved music! She Cross Church on Monday, was the director of the Youth Choir at Cross January 18 from 1:30- Church, while her children grew up. Most of 3:00pm, followed by all, Patsy loved her church! She helped with the a memorial service at memorials that were donated and counted the 3:00pm with Rev. Jim Price officiating. For money for the church faithfully every Monday those who wish services may be livestreamed for many years. Her appreciation of her church from the Cross Church – Seguin, TX facebook family and Pastor Jim Price was evident in her page. All CDC protocols must be followed conversations with her friends and family. Patsy including social distancing, limited seating and will be missed, but her legacy of generosity will face coverings worn. Private interment will be be evident for generations to come! You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.treshewell. held at a later date. com. Arrangements are under the direction of She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Seguin, years, El-Roy Erxleben and her brother, Clifton Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.

Erxleben

Neumann.

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her love and care of Sandra. Sandra spent her childhood in Beeville, Texas where she and her sister, Dorothy, have many fond memories and quite a few antics! She moved back to San Antonio and graduated from Providence High School. She married her sweetheart on December 26, 1955 and they raised 3 sons and a daughter. The family was very active at St. Luke’s Catholic Church where they made lifelong friends and memories. After many great years in San Antonio, they moved to Seguin and continued their adventure. Sandra was very active in St. James Catholic Church being a member of St. Ann’s Circle and Catholic Daughters. She loved playing bridge and was a member of several clubs in San Antonio and Seguin. Sandra also spent many fun hours with her beloved lunch bunch. Throughout her adult life, Sandra spent countless hours involved in many charitable endeavors.

Barron

Mamer or Momo, to her grandchildren, was always up for adventure. Though not a stereotypical grandmother, her fun loving, life Sandra Rehm Barron, age living spirit made for one special “Mamer/ 84, passed away December Momo.” Sandra was full of life, fun and was 30, 2020. Sandra was born incredibly witty! September 14, 1936 in San Antonio, Texas to Leona Sandra and Carroll loved to travel and were Margarite (Striedel) Rehm and always planning their next trip. From South America to Alaska, many cruise ships and tours Cyril Jacob Rehm Sr. through the U.S. and around the world, they were Sandra is preceded in death able to explore many places.

Survivors include her daughter, Cathy Beicker and husband, Donny and son, Russell Erxleben. Her grandchildren that affectionately called her “Ma” are Brent Beicker and wife, Katie; Clint Beicker and wife, Amy; Russell Erxleben II, Lauren Erxleben, Ryan Erxleben, and Erin Erxleben. “Ma’s” great-grandchildren are Brinley Beicker, Brylen Beicker, Bliss Beicker, Bowen Beicker, and Brooke Beicker. Her surviving sister-in-law is Bernice Neumann. Memorial contributions may be made to Cross by her husband Carroll Edward Barron, Jr; her Church (814 N. Bauer) or Seguin Sports Booster parents; brother Mickey Rehm and sister Martha Sandra’s greatest love was her dear Carroll. They did everything together. When he left in Barrows. Club (333 Beicker Rd) November for his greatest trip yet, she couldn’t Patsy was born on January 29, 1933 in Seguin, She is survived by her children Eddie Barron bear to be left behind. Their family finds great Texas to Willie & Olinska Salge Neumann. She (Debbie), Doug Barron (Lynn), Pam McCafferty comfort knowing they are together again! attended Seguin High School and graduated in 1950. She married El-Roy and they made their home in Seguin. Patsy worked at Randolph Air Force Base in Civil Service after she married until her retirement. She then spent her time with the grandkids and the things she loved to do. Patsy loved her church, her family, and her friends. One of her favorite things to do was watch sports! She kept up with the Matadors, listening to each Friday night game and calling Cathy on Saturday

(P.J.), Steve Barron (Irene); grandchildren Brian (Patti), Christi (Taylor), Keith (Jen), Beth (Mason), Rebecca (Josh), Sarah (Joseph), Sean (Stephany), and Kyle; 14 great-grandchildren; sister Dorothy Beavers, Brother-n-laws Buddy Barron and Glen Barrows; Sister-n-law Kay Rehm; numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.

Due to COVID-19, the family will host a private funeral with the mass of Christian burial officiated by her friends Msgr. Dennis Darilek and Father Greg Nevlud. Memorial Contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice. 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, The family would like to thank Khiana Hill for Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.

MONDAY JANUARY 11, 2021

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Health and Medical Page presented by

US Records Over 4,000 COVID Deaths (Undated) -- The U.S. is recording the most daily deaths from the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic. The COVID Tracking Project reports that over four-thousand Americans died Thursday. It’s the first time the daily death toll has crossed four-thousand. Over 132-thousand people are fighting the respiratory illness in the hospital, including over 23-thousand in ICUs. Over 364-thousand Americans have died from the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic. NCAA Announces COVID-19 Testing Protocols For Tournament (Undated) -- The NCAA is revealing its health and safety protocols for the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Tier One individuals will be required to have seven consecutive negative COVID-19 tests before arriving in Indianapolis. That includes players, coaches, trainers, and other staff members. They will also undergo daily PCR testing once they arrive in Indy and throughout the entire tournament. Individuals who have tested positive in the past 90 days, are at least two weeks postinfection and are asymptomatic will not be required to have daily testing. Those who are at least two weeks removed from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine are also immune to the daily testing. All Tier One individuals will also be required to wear

a device to monitor their movements and help with contact tracing. New COVID Strain Spreads To Eight States (Undated) -- A new and more highly contagious strain of coronavirus is now confirmed in eight states. Three revealed the news on Thursday. Connecticut has two patients who traveled outside the state. Texas has one case of a man with no travel history, while the person infected in Pennsylvania was exposed overseas. The new strain was first detected in England in November, forcing another lockdown. It has since spread to more than a dozen countries and five others states -- Colorado, California, Georgia, Florida and New York. Illinois Becomes Fifth State With 1M COVID Cases (Chicago, IL) -- Illinois is now the fifth state to pass a dark milestone of more than one-million coronavirus cases. And nearly half of them happened in the past two months. The spike in infections began in late October, averaging 62-hundred a day. A health official says this shows how devastating the disease can be. Illinois follows California, Texas, Florida and New York in reaching the onemillion mark.

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Adult Coloring Packet Pick-up The Seguin Public Library will have Adult Coloring Packets To-Go beginning Monday, Jan. 11. Coloring pages will be distributed while supplies last. Please call 830-401-2422 or visit library.seguintexas.gov for additional information. Toddler Time The Seguin Public Library will host an interactive Virtual Toddler Time at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12 on Zoom. Registration is required by visiting library. seguintexas.gov. Call 830-401-2422 for additional information. Seguin Chamber Centennial Celebration The Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce will have its Centennial Celebration, “History Has Its Eyes On You,” from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 12 via Zoom. The virtual Annual Meeting and Chamber Centennial will feature Chet Garner, the host of the PBS Texas travel show, The Day Tripper. To register for the Zoom webinar link call 830-379-6382 or email morgan@seguinchamber.com. Art Exhibition Walkthrough There will be a Homenaje a Reynaldo “Rey” Lujan Gaytan Art Exhibition Walkthrough from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, January 16 and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17 at the Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin Cultural Arts Center, located at 921 W. New Braunfels, St. in Seguin. Seguin Field of Honor 2021 BBQ Fundraiser There will be a Seguin Field of Honor 2021 BBQ Fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16 at the American Legion Post 245, located at 618 E. Kingsbury St. in Seguin. Tickets are $10 and include 1/2 chicken, cowboy potatoes, beans, and trimmings. Proceeds benefit the SS American Memorial. For tickets and more information call 830-243-2872. Seguin Hermann Sons Meeting Members and guests are invited to the Seguin

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Hermann Sons meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20 at the Seguin Lodge, located at 4918 Kingsbury St., next to Granzin’s Meat Market. The doors open at 6 p.m. For more information call 830-305-1142. League of Women Voters The League of Women Voters of the Comal Area (LWVCA) will have an online meeting to discuss how legislative districts are drawn in our state and steps we can take to ensure that the public is part of the process at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20. For more information, visit lwvcomal.org. Free Throw Basketball Contest The Knights of Columbus Council 16748 will have a Free Throw Basketball Contest at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23 at the St. James Catholic School gym, located at 907 S. Camp St. in Seguin. COVID-19 restriction will be followed. The competition is open to girls and boys ages 9 through 14. Eligibility is determined as of Jan. 1 Proof of age is required. For more information contact Joe Medina at 830-556-4224, or email medinaaurelio@sbcglobal.net. Christmas Tree Collection in City of Seguin Residents wanting to dispose of their live Christmas trees in the City of Seguin can simply place them at the curb with their garbage or on their designated Monday morning as part of the City’s brush collection rotation. Stands, lights, ornaments, and other decorations must be removed, and the tree must be cut in half before it will be collected. Brush collection dates in your zone can be found at www.seguintexas. gov by clicking on the Public Works page - Brush link. For more information call 830-401-2416. United Way Applications The Guadalupe County United Way will begin accepting new applications for organizations seeking funding for years 2022-2023 beginning January 2021. For more information on the funding application process, contact Executive Director, Mary Hargrave at 830-372-9009 or info@guadalupeunitedway.org.

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City Event and Reservation Cancellations As a result of rising COVID-19 cases in Seguin and Guadalupe County, the City of Seguin has cancelled all events held on City property, through Feb. 1, 2021. This includes bookings at the Seguin Events Complex and the Fairground facilities. Customers will receive full refunds for all facility bookings impacted by this public health emergency. Heritage Museum Calendars The Heritage Museum is selling 2021 calendars for $10 featuring historical buildings and information about Seguin. There is a limited supply and they are available for purchase at the Heritage Museum, Gift & Gourmet, the Aumont, the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce and Parker’s City Pharmacy. RAPPS Individual Sessions The Rural Area Parenting Program Services (RAPPS) will be providing Anger Management, Protective Parenting, Basic Parenting, Co-Parenting (Divorce), and Tobacco Awareness classes online through ZOOM. RAPPS classes are accepted by the Judicial System. To register or for or more information call 830-303-9225, email Seguinrapps@gmail.com, or visit seguinrappsorg.org. Free Hazardous Waste Pick-Up The City of Seguin was awarded an Alamo Area Council of Governments Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program grant and is offering residents who live in the city limits an opportunity to participate in the At Your Door Special Collection Program. Items accepted include pesticides, household chemicals, sharps, electronic waste, including televisions, batteries, fluorescent lights, automotive waste products (including oil), paints, thinners, and dozens of other items that don’t belong with your recyclables or regular curbside waste pickup. For a complete list of accepted items, or to arrange a collection, call 1-800-449-7587, or visit wmatyourdoor.com/residential. Collection times may vary.

To ensure non-profit organization’s meetings and events appear in this calendar, send information to: communitycalendar@kwed1580.com, fax 379-2238, 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.

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HELP WANTED: NAVARRO ISD IS TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR FULL-TIME CUSTODIAL POSITIONS - DISTRICT WIDE: Pay starts at $11/hour (experience necessary and will train), Day and Night Shifts available. Must be fingerprinted and pass background check. Applications accepted online at www.nissd.us or in person at 6450 N. State Hwy. 123, Seguin Monday through Friday 8am to 4:30pm. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN A GROWING SCHOOL DISTRICT.

RELIGION The Country Church Attic The Country Church Attic is now open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday.

Clothing Ministry The Refuge III Clothing Ministry continues to give away clothing, some furniture, dishes, and other items at 7535 Elm Creek Road in Seguin. For further information call 830-303-6478.

Free Bible Course The World Bible School is offering free Bible correspondence courses. Answer questions from the Bible and send in for grading. Visit studygod.info for further information. To be sure your religious organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meetings and events appear in this calendar, send information to: communitycalendar@kwed1580. com, fax (830) 379-2238, or drop off the information at the Seguin Daily News/KWED office located at 609 E. Court St., Seguin. For best results, submit information at least two weeks prior to the event.

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MONDAY JANUARY 11, 2021