Celebrating 126 Years of Serving the communities of Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Bigfoot, and Moore in Medina, Frio, and Atascosa Counties
Keep up with what’s going on in Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Bigfoot and Moore areas in Medina, Frio, and Atascosa Counties.
Please join us to Celebrate the retirement of Brenda T. Gardner on May 27th from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. in the John J. Ciavarra Elementary Library, 112 N. Bentson, Devine, Texas.
The Natalia ISD school board voted April 25 to approve a $1.6 million package of capital projects including renovations to the junior high gymnasium.
Continue reading “Natalia ISD approves $1.6 million in projects for schools”
Preliminary figures compiled by the Medina County Appraisal District anticipate a 31.84 percent increase in residential property market value in Medina County in 2022, said chief appraiser Johnette Dixon.
Continue reading “Taxable increase of 19.93% projected for Medina County property”
On April 11th, the Lytle City Council was held at 6:30pm. Starting with the pledge of allegiance, the meeting included a discussion on street names and the history behind the street name that the city recently removed/replaced.
Continue reading “Lytle discusses 80 foot sign, showing IHOP as proposed tenant near I-35”
MEDINA COUNTY–A pursuit that began on I-35 ended up in a scary incident as a smuggler’s truck crashed into the home of an elderly woman this past Tuesday, April 12.
“The vehicle crashed through the garage door, pushed a pool table through a sliding glass door, and then 12-14 illegal immigrants bailed out and started running through the house,” Sheriff Randy Brown said.
“We believe they knocked her over, and the homeowner was checked out by EMS, “ Sheriff Brown said. “It’s really sad what’s happening. We used to have a few chases a year, and now we have them every day. Thankfully this woman in her 80’s wasn’t injured, but it could have been really bad.”
The chase came off of I-35 and then went up the access road near Love’s before heading down a long driveway leading to the woman’s home outside Natalia. Seven of the estimated 12-14 illegal immigrants were captured and turned over to Border Patrol. Unfortunately the smuggler was able to escape.
“These smugglers and IA’s are destroying property every day, stealing vehicles and running through fences, crashing through gates,” Sheriff Brown said.
And he notes, that Medina County has already seen two fatalities this year from pursuits of smugglers.
“There was a fatality in a chase that went out past Calame Store a few months ago near Devine, and there was also a roll over that happened in Hondo near the Cowboy Church a few months ago that ended in a fatality,” Sheriff Brown said.
While the Hernandez family suffered a total loss of their home and belongings, they are thanking God that everyone is okay after a fire erupted early this morning in the children’s bedroom.
It happened around 4:30am at their home off FM 3175 on Duck Pond Rd in Lytle.
A donation drive is ongoing to get the family set up with clothing, shoes and furniture (see end of article for info).
Mother Veronica Hernandez told The Devine News, “There was an electrical shortage where our a/c window unit was plugged in, and it caused a fire. My children’s clothing was in that area that quickly got engulfed and the fire grew rapidly. It started in my kids room.”
The family has 2 girls aged 4 and 7 and a son age 5.
“They yelled out to us, and I saw their room with flames. My husband’s first reaction was to get us all out safely, and our pet, and thank God,” Mrs. Hernandez said.
She said her husband, Enrique, fought the fire as. best he could using a water hose until the fire dpt could get there.
“The fire burned one part of the home completely, and the other part is completely heat and smoke damaged but a total loss,” Mrs Hernandez said. “We lost all our belongings.”
Many have requested clothing sizes so the community can help out, and you can find them here:
“My daughter Sarahí who is 7 wears 10/12 in clothing and shoes 2/3, my son Isaac who is 5 wears 8/10 in clothing and 1/2 in shoes, my little girl Irma who is 4 wears 6/7 in clothing and 11/12 shoes, my husband Enrique wears pants 34×32, shirt size large and shoe size 10, and I am Veronica Hernandez, I wear size XL, pant size 18/20 and shoes 8.”
Donations can be dropped off in Lytle at Nutrition on Main in Lytle right now.
On Monday and Tuesday, donations will be accepted at Devine News as well.
One seat on the Devine City Council is up for grabs in the upcoming General Election scheduled for Saturday, May 7 to be decided by District 4 voters.
Continue reading “Devine City Council and DISD School Board seats up for election in May”
In the city newsletter, Lytle mentioned that the elections would be held by the three (3) counties. Due to unforeseen problems, this is no longer the case. The city will be holding the elections instead.
The purpose for this election is to vote for Aldermen for Districts 4 & 5 and a Mayor.
Incumbent Mayor Ruben Gonzalez faces challenger Tom Cate, the longtime City Attorney for Lytle.
Newcomers Michael Rodriguez and Marshall D. Witter are facing off for the District 4 seat after incumbent Jerry Stone did not file for re-election.
District 5 Councilman Charles Cate is unopposed.
The good thing is that all the voting, early and election day, will be held at the Lytle City Hall located at 14916 Main Street, downtown.
Early voting will be held April 25th thru May 3rd from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
On election day, May 7 the polls will be open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
All voting for the City of Lytle alderman and mayoral elections will be at City Hall.
A new voting machine was approved. Paper ballots will be used and hand counted.
Early voting is April 25 through May 3. Votes can be cast at Lytle City Hall, located at 14916 Main Street, Lytle.
Lytle ISD- The Lytle ISD election was canceled due to all unopposed candidates.
