Retraction Demanded - The Navasota Examiner
The Issue
On May 21, 2026, General/Area Sports Reporter, Matthew Ybarra, of The Navasota Examiner published an article entitled "Petri accused of dishing waste onto neighbor's property". The article incorrectly implies that E. coli kills cattle, leading to unwarranted fear and anxiety gripping our community. Misinformation and sensational reporting have painted a false narrative that not only threatens the well-being of my neighbor and his property but also risks destabilizing peace among all of us who call this area home. This leaves us to question whose family cattle operation will be targeted next and on whose personal agenda will this attack be launched. Many of our neighbors and fellow property owners here in Grimes County, Texas own cattle and have for many generations. As a community we need to stand together, side-by-side, and hand-in-hand to protect our land, the inheritance of future generations, and the reputations of fine, upstanding, longtime residents.
According to the Washington State College of Veterinary Medicine, "Generic E. coli is a normal flora resident of the bovine gastrointestinal tract. E. Coli O157 is a transient resident of cattle. It can be found on most cattle farms at various times." The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that "virulent strains like E. coli O157:H7 live naturally in the digestive tracts of healthy cattle and are shed in their feces without causing the animals any harm." The article mentions that "the neighbor's soil tested positive for E. coli, according to the office" while failing to inform concerned citizens these results could have been caused by the very cattle themselves. Furthermore, according to the National Institutes of Health, "Scientific consensus confirms that while E. coli (specifically strains like O157:H7) can be deadly to humans, it generally does not kill mature, healthy cattle. Cattle are natural, asymptomatic carriers of these bacteria."
The article in question implied bold claims without verifying facts, relying on speculation rather than constructive journalism. This has resulted in a ripple effect, amplifying tension and mistrust among neighbors who have lived side by side for years. Such reporting lacks journalistic integrity and does a disservice to the community by spreading fear instead of truth.
Journalistic ethics demand accountability and accuracy. The Navasota Examiner has a responsibility to uphold these principles. By printing a public apology and issuing a retraction, they can begin to rebuild trust with the community and rectify the damage done.
A simple statement of regret can have transformative effects, healing wounds and restoring faith in a trusted local news source. We must urge The Navasota Examiner to take this vital step for the good of our community.
Sign this petition to demand accountability from The Navasota Examiner and help bring peace and truth back to our community.
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The Issue
On May 21, 2026, General/Area Sports Reporter, Matthew Ybarra, of The Navasota Examiner published an article entitled "Petri accused of dishing waste onto neighbor's property". The article incorrectly implies that E. coli kills cattle, leading to unwarranted fear and anxiety gripping our community. Misinformation and sensational reporting have painted a false narrative that not only threatens the well-being of my neighbor and his property but also risks destabilizing peace among all of us who call this area home. This leaves us to question whose family cattle operation will be targeted next and on whose personal agenda will this attack be launched. Many of our neighbors and fellow property owners here in Grimes County, Texas own cattle and have for many generations. As a community we need to stand together, side-by-side, and hand-in-hand to protect our land, the inheritance of future generations, and the reputations of fine, upstanding, longtime residents.
According to the Washington State College of Veterinary Medicine, "Generic E. coli is a normal flora resident of the bovine gastrointestinal tract. E. Coli O157 is a transient resident of cattle. It can be found on most cattle farms at various times." The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that "virulent strains like E. coli O157:H7 live naturally in the digestive tracts of healthy cattle and are shed in their feces without causing the animals any harm." The article mentions that "the neighbor's soil tested positive for E. coli, according to the office" while failing to inform concerned citizens these results could have been caused by the very cattle themselves. Furthermore, according to the National Institutes of Health, "Scientific consensus confirms that while E. coli (specifically strains like O157:H7) can be deadly to humans, it generally does not kill mature, healthy cattle. Cattle are natural, asymptomatic carriers of these bacteria."
The article in question implied bold claims without verifying facts, relying on speculation rather than constructive journalism. This has resulted in a ripple effect, amplifying tension and mistrust among neighbors who have lived side by side for years. Such reporting lacks journalistic integrity and does a disservice to the community by spreading fear instead of truth.
Journalistic ethics demand accountability and accuracy. The Navasota Examiner has a responsibility to uphold these principles. By printing a public apology and issuing a retraction, they can begin to rebuild trust with the community and rectify the damage done.
A simple statement of regret can have transformative effects, healing wounds and restoring faith in a trusted local news source. We must urge The Navasota Examiner to take this vital step for the good of our community.
Sign this petition to demand accountability from The Navasota Examiner and help bring peace and truth back to our community.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on May 30, 2026