Emergency Repairs to bridge approved this week

By Anton Riecher
Medina County Commissioners voted unanimously Oct. 5 to approve $264,000 in discretionary funds for the emergency repair of the County Road 5723 bridge crossing the Medina River near Castroville, recently closed due to extensive damage.
“Obviously, one of the biggest concerns to us is safety,” County Judge Keith Lutz said. “We know this is a safety concern.”
On a motion by Precinct 3 Commissioner David Lynch, seconded by Precinct 4 David…….. READ MORE by becoming a subscriber at www.DevineNewsMembers.com

Up for election in 2024…10 Medina County positions on the ballot next year, Deadline for candidates to file is December 11th, 2023

There are eight Medina County officials whose terms will expire in December 2024, but the deadline to file for these offices is this December 11, 2023.

-Sheriff of Medina County Randy Brown
-Tax Assessor/Collector of Medina County Melissa Lutz
-454th Judicial District Judge Daniel Kindred
-Criminal District Attorney Mark Haby
-PCT 1 County Commissioner Jessica Castiglone
-PCT 3 County Commissioner David Lynch
-Constable Pct 1 Robert Tschirhart
-Constable Pct 2. Jim Przybylski
-Constable Pct. 3 Steven Duffy
-Constable Pct. 4 Malcolm Watson

The filing dates to be on the ballot in 2024 are from November 11, 2023 to December 11, 2023. All local candidates are to file with their respective Party Chair’s Office. Name, phone number and email address is listed on the candidate filing information on our website.

A complete list of local positions in Medina County showing the expiration dates of terms can be seen at: https://www.medinacountytexas.org/page/medina.Elections > Internet Posting Requirements > Candidate Filing Information.

County Treasurer Debbie Southwell retires

Medina County Treasurer Debbie Southwell gave her letter of retirement to Commissioner’s Court this past Monday. Her retirement will take effect October 31, according to County Judge Keith Lutz.
“There is a small window of time if anyone wants to file for election from November 11-December 11 if anyone wants to run for Treasurer,” Judge Lutz said.
In the mean time, Judge Lutz adds, “We (commissioner’s court) will appoint someone to the position, but it will be on the November ballot again very soon. And unlike other elections, the newly elected treasurer would take office immediately after votes are canvassed.”
In her letter of resignation addressed to County Commissioners Jessica Castiglione, Danny Lawler, David Lynch and Larry Sittre as well as Judge Lutz, Mrs. Southwell stated:
“It has been a pleasure serving the people of Medina County, and I have gained valuable insight into the inner workings of county government. I wish all of you the best of luck in the future and pray that Medina County continues to grow and thrive.”

Medina County to collect $2Million more in taxes at new tax rate

By Jerry Beck
On September 7, the focus of the Medina County Commissioners Court session was on Employee raises, the Tax Rate and the 2023-24 Budget.
The current tax rate for Medina County is $0.4743 per $100 evaluation. The rate that was approved was $0.4356 per $100 evaluation.

Continue reading “Medina County to collect $2Million more in taxes at new tax rate”

The Medina County Hospital District Appoints New Board Member

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2023
Hondo, Texas, August 28, 2023 – The Medina County Hospital District is pleased to announce the appointment of one new board member, Mary E. Mangold. The Medina County Hospital District Board of Directors is composed of seven elected directors. Four directors are elected by the voters in the four county precincts, and three directors are elected at-large. Mary E. Mangold was appointed as Director at Large, Place 5 during the Board of Director’s meeting on Monday, August 28th, 2023.

Continue reading “The Medina County Hospital District Appoints New Board Member”

County judge casts deciding vote on measure to change apportionment of road funds

By Anton Riecher

Medina County Judge Keith Lutz cast a rare deciding vote on commissioners’ court action August 17, joining with two other members to approve a measure amending how funds for road construction and maintenance are apportioned to the precincts.

The vote followed Precinct 2 Commissioner Larry Sittre abrupt departure after several terse exchanges with Precinct 3 Commissioner David Lynch on the proposed amendment.

Continue reading “County judge casts deciding vote on measure to change apportionment of road funds”

Battling large, difficult fires in Medina County

This 30-acre fire broke out Sunday night on CR 265 in the Rio Medina area, and was 60% contained as of Monday morning. By Monday afternoon, weary crews were working another large fire on FM 471 in the Tarpley area.

Sheriff Randy Brown operated a bulldozer used to cut a fire break during a 30-acre wildfire that broke out near Rio Medina Sunday night.
The fire involving rough terrain and heavy brush in the 800 block of County Road 265 was 60 percent contained Monday morning, said Medina County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Chadwick.
Numerous Medina County fire agencies responded with the county serving as incident command, he said. The Texas Forest Service also assisted.
Officials on the scene included County Judge Keith Lutz, Precinct 2 Commissioner Larry Sittre, Sheriff Brown and Chadwick.

Severe Drought forces Burn Ban in Medina County

Severe drought forces burn ban for Medina County

On August 10, 2023, Medina County Commissioner’s Court implemented a countywide burn ban due to the severe drought conditions and fire danger. The ban is effective for 90 days and may be extended if the current conditions persist.
“We need to do our utmost to prevent fires of that nature from occurring in Medina County,” said Mark Chadwick, county emergency management coordinator.
No outdoor burning is authorized other than the approved exceptions. Per the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Chapter 111 residents may burn “domestic waste” consisting of kitchen garbage, cardboard, cloth, leaves, and grass. However, the burning of domestic waste during the ban is limited to the following:

  • Burning within a burn barrel with no waste protruding from the top of the barrel.
  • The barrel must be covered with a small opening grate no more than a one-inch gap between the grating to reduce the likelihood of embers flying.
  • A water source must be readily available next to the barrel.
  • The person burning MUST call the Medina County Sheriff’s Office dispatch non-emergency number of 830-741-6153 to provide their name, address and phone number prior to burning.
  • The person burning must stay in the immediate vicinity of the burn barrel until the fire is extinguished and not leave the fire unattended at any time.
  • Burning in a barrel is to be accomplished in the morning hours between 7:00 am and 11:00 am.
  • No burning is authorized in a barrel at night.
  • If the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning, no burning will be authorized that day.
    For residents who are doing land clearing and require to conduct burning of brush piles, Medina County has rules for how to obtain a Burn Notice Exception. The resident will need to make an appointment for the Medina County Fire Marshal, by calling 830-455-0129, to do an inspection of the burn site and the landowner/tenant/operator will need to sign for responsibility of the fire.
    The rules for burning under a Burn Notice Exception are:
  • All brush piles must be of a reasonable size. If you have a contractor who is pushing up brush, make sure that they are not creating massive brush piles or the piles will have to be broken down in size before burning.
  • As with domestic waste, no burning is authorized if the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning under any circumstances.
  • Burning is not authorized if the winds are over 10 mph.
  • The person burning MUST call the Medina County Sheriff’s Office dispatch non-emergency number of 830-741-6153 to provide their name, address and phone number prior to burning.
  • The person burning must have means of communication (cell phone) with them in case emergency services are needed.
  • The person burning must have a water source or heavy equipment immediately available prior to burning.
  • The burn pile cannot be left unattended at any time. This means that if several piles need to be burned, the person will need to plan to burn them individually over separate days or times.
  • No burning is authorized at night and all fires MUST be extinguished by nightfall.
    All around the State there are catastrophic fires burning that are endangering lives and property.

Local official arrested, faces felony charges


Law enforcement arrested former Precinct 1 Commissioner Timothy Neuman July 19 on charges of felony fraud and evidence tampering related to recycled metal funds, local media reports.
Neuman, who resigned July 10, citing “personal reasons,” faces charges of misapplication of fiduciary property between $2,500 and $30,000, a state jail felony, and a third-degree felony charge of tampering with evidence, according to KSAT News.
Both Medina County Assistant Criminal District Attorney Margaret Swyers and a representative of the Texas Rangers confirmed to the Devine News that Neuman was under investigation last week.