Category: Top News Stories

Keep up with what’s going on in Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Bigfoot and Moore areas in Medina, Frio, and Atascosa Counties.

Local 2nd grader airlifted to SA with serious injuries

Millie’s family is happy to report that she is out of ICU. Friends and family have started a fundraiser to help with the long road to recovery.

On the evening of Monday, Februrary 6, eight-year-old Mileena “Millie” Rios, of Lytle, was hanging out with her mom and her pony, Einstein. All of the sudden, she was thrown from the pony and gravely injured. Lifeflight was called and she was taken to University Hospital via helicopter. Millie is a 2nd grader at Lytle Primary School. After a very scary week in the ICU, Millie was moved to a lower acuity floor, and her family is happy to report she is eating and walking on her own some now, as of this Monday.
“We are finally out of icu,” said her mother Dana Rios. “She walked today and laughed for the 1st time since the accident. The doctors are all pleased with her progress, it’s truly a blessing from God how well she’s done. We still have a long road to recovery, but she’s tough! No word on when she’ll be released.
Family and friends came together to create a fundraiser in this time of great need. The family submitted the following information about Millie’s condition and letting the community know how you can help:
“Millie was in critical condition and it was touch and go, we thought we were going to lose her. Thankfully she is now improving every day. Millie has several skull fractures, a broken collar bone and some broken ribs. She was initially intubated and sedated to protect her brain but, thankfully, was extubated today and breathing on her own. Her prognosis is good but still uncertain and her family needs your support. We all know how medical bills, food and transportation can add up and we truly appreciate all of your help.”
“Millie is a sweet but sassy little girl and so much fun! She definitely has her momma’s attitude. She loves Jesus and going to children’s church at Cowboy Fellowship. She loves jujitsu and is ready to put anyone into submission at any time. She also loves rocks and anything that involves science. Millie is a joy to be around and is loved so much by her friends and family!”
“Life sometimes throws curveballs and there is nothing more inspiring than to see people pull together when someone is in need! Dana and Ernest’s focus needs to be on this sweet angel and her recovery. We have no idea how long she will be in the hospital and not to mention how long she will need rehabilitation and aftercare when that time comes. So please help in any way possible as every single dollar will make a positive impact. There is no donation too small or too large as this will go directly to this beautiful family in such a devastating time. Mileena is one tough cookie so we’re all rooting for her from many states across the US and even other countries! “
Millie is the daughter of Ernest and Dana Rios.
Mrs. Rios stated, “We are so grateful to have such a wonderful support system. I don’t think I could have made it without them.”
The Go Fund Me can be found at:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-courageous-mileena?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer
The fundraiser was organized in part by Krysti Schneider. Around $8,000 of the $50,000 goal has been raised.

$500 Million dollar
“Server Farm”
coming to our area

By Anton Reicher and Kayleen Holder
A major industrial project is in the offing on County Road 6712 between Natalia and Lytle. The site will soon be what some local officials refer to as a “server farm,” explained as a cluster of thousands of computer servers interconnected to provide maximum performance.
According to Stephanie Blanks, it will be a “hyperscale data center” and they closed on the land at the end of October. “It’s estimated to be a 500 million dollar investment, creating around 20 jobs. They are still conducting due diligence so there is no date for estimated start of construction,” Blanks said.
Pct. 3 Commissioner David Lynch said it will significantly raise the tax base in his precinct, and he will be meeting with representatives soon about the high-dollar development.
Supplying water to the site is expected to require “about a mile and a half of upgrades,” said Superintendent Bruce Alexander at East Medina Water district.
As to the name of the company, local officials are still under a NDA. Look for more details soon.

Several Devine FCCLA students
STATEBOUND !

ABOVE….Devine FCCLA students competed this past weekend in Corpus Christi. Several will advance to State (see article). Pictured in top row: Felix Mendoza, Collier Paige, Lalo Hernandez. Middle row: Hailey Eads, Brianna Chavez, Sirley Chavez, Hilary Barnett, Katelyn Dinwiddie, Maddie Dubose, Ashley Mattke. Bottom row: Cassandra Elias, Makayla Breiten, Kourtni Geyer, Barbara Merlo, Cynthia Maldonado, and Mariah Carrillo. See article for regional placements and list of teams advancing to State.

Devine FCCLA students had a great outcome at the Region V Conference this past weekend held in the American Banking Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Competitors included:
Spotlight on Projects
Arabelle Davalos – Career Connections
Priscilla Fuentes and Miracle Tovar – Stand Up
STAR Events
Ashley Mattke and Cynthia Maldonado – National Programs in Action Level 3
Hilary Barnett and Katelyn Dinwiddie – Focus on Children Level 3
Those placing and advancing to state include:
Mariah Carrillo and Maddie Dubose – National Programs in Action Level 2 – 1st place
Sirley Chavez and Cassandra Elias – Interpersonal Communications Level 3 – 1st place
Brianna Chavez and Hailey Eads – Interpersonal Communications Level 2 – 2nd place
Kourtni Geyer and Makayla Breiten – Chapter Service Project Display – Level 3 – 2nd place
Felix Mendoza – Job Interview Level 2 – 3rd place
Collier Paige – Nutrition and Wellness Level 1 – 1st place – Devine FCCLA’s first middle school competitor
Barbara Merlo served as Region V’s VP of Achievement for this year and led the House of Delegates meeting and the 2nd General Session meeting. She also organized a successful Leadership Track for members to attend on Distracted Driving. She contacted Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Services to have a representative come present to FCCLA members.
Lalo Hernandez served as Region V’s VP of Competitive Events and helped to organize and lead all competitive events for the conference.
Our chapter won the Texas FCCLA News Across Texas Award for Region V, as well.
Overall, Devine FCCLA will have 10 members advance to state in Dallas March 30 – April 2.  Our two Region officers will also be completing their obligations for 2023 at the State Conference.

Water Board: review of Devine’s
$9.9 million loan and some “potentially ineligible” costs

Shortly before press time, Chief Communications Officer for the Texas Water Development Board, Lauren Munguia, gave the following update on The City of Devine’s $9.9 million dollar loan that is currently under review:

Continue reading “Water Board: review of Devine’s
$9.9 million loan and some “potentially ineligible” costs”

Public Hearing on Devine Water Improvements Project Monday, Feb 6 at 5:05 pm

The City of Devine received a Texas Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) Program grant, 7220119, from the Texas Department of Agriculture for a Water Improvements Project. A public hearing has been called for 5:05 p.m. on Monday February 6th, 2023, at the City Hall, 303 S. Teel Drive, Devine, TX 78016  to review the program performance of the activities completed under this grant which will include an explanation of the actual use of the Texas Community Development Block Grant Program funds and invite comments.

The City’s $9.9 million dollar loan is under review by the Texas Water Board.

Devine: Special Meeting Feb 2 to Consider Bond Election and to Select Projects

Notice of Meeting of the Governing Body of The City of Devine

NOTICE OF A SPECIAL LIVE STREAM MEETING OF THE DECINE CITY COUNCIL. GO TO CITYOFDEVINE.COM AND CLICK ON LIVE MEETINGS.

Notice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of the governing body of the City of Devine will be held on the 2nd day of February, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Dr. George S. Woods Community Center, 200 E. Hondo Avenue, Devine, Texas at which time the following subjects will be discussed, considered or action taken:

Discuss and consider for the Council to move forward with a Bond Election and to select projects.

Devine to hold public hearing “performance of activities” under grant

The City of Devine will hold a public hearing at 5:05 p.m. Monday, January 30th, 2023 at City Hall to review and discuss issues regarding a large grant the city received. The grant was designated for a Sewer improvement project and those attending the public hearing will hear a report on the performance of the activities which were completed under the grant. The explanation will include discussion of the actual use of the Block Grant and those present will be invited to comment.
Devine City Hall is located at 303 South Teel Drive in Devine.

Fundraiser for baby Ledger and the English family

Ledger James English was born on January 21st and flown to a larger hospital with a NICU. He weighed in at 5lbs. 4oz.

The English family was on vacation out of state when an emergency sent them to the hospital. Mrs. Brittany (Word) English delivered her baby prematurely and he was airlifted to another hospital to the Newborn Intensive Intensive Care Unit. Friends and family have launched a fundraising page to support the family in this trying time.
Brittany and Garret English welcomed their new baby boy, Ledger James English, in Colorado on January 21st. He weighed 5lbs. 4oz.
Baby Ledger is being kept in the NICU in Colorado while he continues to develop and grow strong enough to get back home to Wheeler, TX but with this comes many expenses including lodging, gas, food, etc.
Brittany (Word) English is Devine graduate Class of 2010, and resides in Wheeler, Texas with her husband Garret. Proud grandparents are Darla and Jimmy Word of Devine, and Sam and Kim English, great-grandmas Dee Jenkins of Devine, Joyce Word of Victoria, and great-grandparents Charles and Barbara Gautney and Billy Joe and Faye Chancey.
If you would like to help this sweet family you can donate on the Go Fund Me Page or drop off donations at The Devine News office on Monday or Tuesday or weekday afternoons. Please make checks to Brittany and Garrett English.

Link to the Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/garrett-and-brittany-english?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&utm_medium=sms&utm_source=customer

Laredo Trail Ride celebrates…
61 Years of Cowboy Tradition Feb 4-10, riding through Devine

In 1962 Archie Paige along with the help of the Medina County Trail Riders, decided to make another leg of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Trail Rides that promote and advertise the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Original members included Rodney Mangold, Marvin Hause, Babe Gilliam, and others. They originally began their trek at the international bridge between Laredo and Nuevo Laredo. At that time, the ride was approximately 210 miles long.
Through the years, because of tick bans, and various other logistics, the trail ride now starts 10 miles south of Artesia Wells at the Oscar Moreno’s ranch. Current Trail Boss Jerry Chessher follows a long line of trail bosses. His father Jerry Chessher Sr, and his grandfather Jimmie Chessher were all trail bosses through the years, past trail bosses also included Missy Sultenfuss, Floyd McOsker, Roy Jarvis and Archie Page.
This February the Laredo Trail Ride will celebrate 61 years of this grand tradition. We will be starting from Oscar Moreno’s Ranch once again with a kick-off party on Friday evening February 3rd and leaving Saturday morning Feb. 4th for our 1st night stop in Cotulla, TX; where there will be a dinner and dance at the American Legion grounds. The public is invited. The dance is from 7pm to 11pm and a $5 cover charge for the public. Music provided by DJ Rooster Rick Chavez. We will leave Sunday morning the 5th for our Dilley night stop, at the Dilley Lions Club. Monday night the 6th we will stop at the A&D Ballroom in Pearsall, TX for a dinner and dance, the public is invited. The dance is from 7pm to 11pm and a $5 cover charge for the public. Music provided by DJ Rooster Rick Chavez. Tuesday the 7th, we will stop at the N6 Farms outside of Lytle, Texas. Wednesday the 8th we will depart Lytle for our night stop at Country Gold Dance Hall for a dinner and dance with Paul Sanchez & Wrangler Country the public is invited. The dance is from 7:30pm to 11:30pm and a $10 cover charge for the public. Thursday the 9th we will be at the Morlandt Electric Co, and Friday we will be meeting South Texas Trail Riders for our final leg into the official Stock Show Grounds. Any young single cowgirls between 16 to 20 years old is invited to participate in our Laredo Trail Ride Queen Contest. We look forward to promoting the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo throughout South Texas and hope that community will come out to greet the Trail Riders and join us at our dinners and dances. For more information look us up on Facebook under Laredo Tail Ride.