On October 23, it was announced that the remaining lakes on the Guadalupe River would be available for recreational use with restrictions. Please see the article below for more details.
https://www.tpr.org/post/new-report-frees-guadalupe-valley-lakes-limited-recreation
The lakes safety report has been released. Please click on link below for complete report.
On Monday, October 7, GVEC presented a Power Up grant for $20,000 to the McQueeney Volunteer Fire Department. One of the missions of the Power Up program is to reinvest money into the communities which GVEC serves by presenting grants to local nonprofit groups. The funds for the grant are acquired by members allowing GVEC to round up their electrical bill to the nearest dollar, and collecting the difference as a donation. Approximately 20% of collected funds are distributed for community assistance to help low income and elderly members pay their electric bills. The other 80% are distributed through grants to nonprofit groups and civic organizations. Applications are completed by the organizations requesting the grants and evaluated by a Review Committee
The funds awarded to McQueeney VFD will be used to purchase new battery powered extrication tools. We’re excited to add this new equipment to our department so we can continue to provide the highest level of service to our community.
McQueeney VFD volunteers and their families attended National Night Out on Altwein Lane on Tuesday, October 1st. The party hosted approximately 60 guests including county law and public officials as well as the McQueeney first responders.
On September 11, 2019, about 2000 first responders from all around Texas and the nation took part in the Seventh Annual San Antonio 110 9/11 Memorial Climb at the Tower of the Americas to honor the first responders who perished in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001. The participants climbed the tower, 64 flights, twice, exceeding the 110 flights at the World Trade Center. Each wore a tag bearing the name and picture of one of the firefighters who died in the attack. As they completed the climb, each participant rang a bell and read the name of the firefighter on the tag that they had worn. Seven McQueeney VFD volunteers participated in the climb: Chief Tim Bogisch, Assistant Chief Ray A. Salas, President Jawad Sheikh, Firefighters Joshua Harlow, Steven Talavera, Brandon Bogisch and Mike Wiedner.
About 2000 first responders gather for the annual San Antonio 110 9/11 Memorial Climb at the Tower of the Americas 
McQueeney VFD participants included
Front Row: Josh Harlow, Steven Talavera, Jawad Sheikh; Back Row: Brandon Bogisch, Tim Bogisch, Ray A. Salas and Mike Wiedner 
Group lines up to begin the climb 
Search and Rescue dogs participated as well, each wearing the name of a dog that perished in the tragedy 
Brandon Bogisch, Mike Weidner and Tim Bogisch sign the flag upon completion of the climb 
McQueeney VFD President Jawad Sheikh calls out the name of the firefighter he represented in the climb 
Each climber rang the bell in remembrance of the firefighter he represented and placed his name bar on the board to the right 
White doves were released during the opening ceremony. Some remained perched on the roof above the entry way 
Today a settlement was reached with the GBRA for the issuance of a Temporary Injunction which will stop the draining of the lakes. This settlement protects our community and economy, and will bring all sides to the table to find meaningful, long-term solutions to save our lakes. Effective this Thursday, September 19, 2019, all Guadalupe
Valley Lakes will be closed to ALL activity for at least 30 days. During this 30 days, a panel of safety experts (one appointed by us, one appointed by GBRA and one agreed upon by the two of us) will examine the lakes and all engineering reports to determine if any safety issues exist. Upon that determination, the panel of experts will develop zones where recreational activities will be limited and/or restricted. This settlement would not have been possible without the support of our entire community, our dedicated legislators, our County Judge, County Attorney and Sheriff, our attorneys, our educators, our moral and financial supporters, the property owners and the leadership at GBRA. We are asking that ALL property owners and your guests respect the restrictions that are enacted and ordered. It will take the cooperation of all involved for us to be successful long-term.
August 29, 1962 – August 25, 2019
Maria “Wally” Herrera-Hernandez of Seguin, Texas entered into eternal rest on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at the age of 56. She was born on August 29, 1962 in San Antonio, Texas to Victor G. Herrera and Maria Trinidad-Pais.
Maria is preceded in death by her son, Javier Enrique Ramirez; daughter, Carolina Christina Ramirez; brother, Daniel Herrera; maternal grandparents, Inez and Carolina Ramos and paternal grandparents, Ernesto and Victoria Herrera.
She is survived by her father, Victor G. Herrera; mother, Maria Trinidad-Pais and step father, William Pais; son, Joe Angel Hernandez; grandchildren, Kalanie Hernandez and Joe Anthony Hernandez; siblings, Victor G. Herrera II, Ernesto Inez Herrera, Marisella Patriz Luna and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
Maria was a loving, fun and caring spirit. She was very intelligent, creative and artistic. She was always willing to help anyone in need and would give the shirt off her back. So much so that she spent time volunteering at the McQueeney Fire Department as well as for the Blue Santa with the San Antonio Police Department. Maria was known for her protective nature, she was 4’11 and three quarters but was a force to be reckoned with. She was known for always protecting her family especially her brothers. She was also an avid shopper at the Dollar Tree and Dollar General, if it was within a 30 mile radius of her home you could find her shopping in it. Maria will be deeply missed by her family and all of those lives she touched. The Dollar Tree and Dollar General have also lost their #1 customer.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. followed by reciting of the rosary at 10:30 a.m. Funeral Service will follow at 11:00 a.m. and funeral services will conclude at the church.
In lieu of flowers the family asks to make donations to The McQueeney Fire Department.
McQueeney Fire Department
9315 FM725, McQueeney TX 78123
Tel: 1-830-557-6702
Web: https://www.mcqueeneyvfd.org/
On August 24th and 25th the McQueeney Volunteer Fire Department sponsored a Mastering Fire Ground Command–Calm the Chaos class. Participants included firefighters from Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, as well as all parts of Texas. The instructors were from California. Participants recieved both classroom and hands on training at the Guadalupe County Fire Training Facility.
At the conclusion of the 2 day training, the hosts treated the out of town students and instructors to dinner at the Power Plant Restaurant 
On August 11, 2019, McQueeney VFD was called to provide mutual aid to Lake Dunlap volunteers with a structure fire in the Zipp Road area off of FM 725. Marion, Schertz, and New Braunfels fire departments also assisted along with the Seguin and Guadalupe County fire marshals.
Patrick Pinder, Guadalupe County Fire Marshal has announced that beginning August 7, 2019 at 6:00 a.m. the burn ban will go into effect. Outdoor burning is prohibited in the unincorporated areas of the county for 90 days unless the order is rescinded prior to that proposed date.