New policies to begin conducting routine evidence inventory and audits ultimately led to the re-opening of a cold case death that occured nearly 13 years ago.
This month, Hondo Police Chief Justin Soza announced that the Hondo Police Department has secured indictments in connection with the 2013 investigation involving the death of 17-month old baby Adrian Constante.
A press release details the case and how it unfolded: On Sunday, June 30, 2013, at approximately 3:13 p.m., officers with…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
Author: admin
Bluebonnet Festival &Parade this Saturday
Natalia Bluebonnet Festival & Parade — Celebrating Community
Community
Our town comes alive on March 28, 2026, as neighbors, families, and friends gather in downtown Natalia for a full day of fun, food, music, and hometown pride. Festival grounds will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and we’d love for you to be part of it.
We’re still welcoming food and craft vendors as well as parade participants. If you or someone you know would like to join in, visit our website or Facebook page, stop by the library, or call Amy Edge at 210‑213‑1990.
Fun for All Ages
AC Amusements is returning with a carnival and midway the whole community can enjoy.
Local talent will shine throughout the day with music from DJ Ultra 12- 4 pm, Austin Guzman 6-7:30 pm and hometown group Train Wreck on stage beginning at 8 pm until 9:30 pm.
A Parade Full of Local Pride
The parade begins at 11 a.m., but folks traditionally start gathering early.
Road closes at 9:30 a.m., so plan ahead.
The route starts at Love’s, passes the Little League Field, turns onto Main Street, and ends near Aubrey Street.
Vendors, Activities & Local Support
There will be plenty to explore—food vendors…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
Audit says City of Devine is financially stable
Devine Mayor Butch Cook, left, issues the oath of office to new District 4 council member Adrian Valle during the March 17 council meeting. Valle, the only candidate on the May ballot for the District 4 vacancy, is taking the position early since former council member Josh Ritchey has already left the community. (Photo by Anton Riecher)
By Anton Riecher
Adrian Valle, unopposed candidate for the Devine City Council, took the oath of office nearly six weeks early during the March 17 regular session to fill the District 4 vacancy left by the resignation of Josh Ritchey submitted in January.
On a motion by District 2 council member Michael Hernandez, seconded by District 1 council member Ray Gonzales, the council voted unanimously to approve appointing Valle to fill the council vacancy. The council also unanimously voted to cancel the May general election since the other two council races on the ballot involve unopposed incumbents.
Mayor Butch Cook had pushed to fill the District 4 vacancy since Ritchey’s resignation.
“In order for us to do our business and since (Valle) will be taking over as councilman it is my proposal that we bring him on board right now,” Cook said…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
Devine goes for grant to combat “deteriorating infastructure”
Waterline breaks in the aging system have kept City crews extremely busy and resulted in repeated outages for residents.
By Anton Riecher
At the Devine City Council meeting March 17, City Manager David Jordan asked the council to consider participating in a $5 million grant program through the Texas Water Development Board requiring no matching funds from the city as a means to finance an additional water supply line.
Under House Bill 500 passed by the 89th session of the Texas Legislature approximately $1 billion in funding was approved to finance water supply system infrastructure systems statewide.
“As we all know water is a hot commodity in the state of Texas,” Jordan said. “The infrastructure of our cities is rapidly deteriorating. So the City of Devine is in critical need of an additional water line into the city.”
At present, Devine has only one main 12-inch water supply line…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
Officer honored for heroic action
Mayor Butch Cook presents an award for quick thinking in an emergency situation to officer Kevin Lara during the March 17 city council session. On Feb. 12, Lara responded to an accident scene where a man had injured his forearm, damaging an artery. A tourniquet applied by the officer is believed to have saved the injured man’s arm. (Photo by Anton Riecher)
By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Devine man Nate Perales struck an artery in his forearm while at home on February 12, an injury that can lead to unconsciousness or death within minutes if it’s not stopped. Devine PD Officer Kevin Lara was the first on scene, and without hesitation, he took action saving the man’s life.
We reached out to Mr. Perales this week and he shared a little more about the story. Perales said he was chopping wood…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
Local museum hunts for more artifacts…here’s how you can help
The local Alsatian Pioneers group tours the Medina County Museum and gets an up close look at the historic D’Hanis brick factory steam engine! This impressive early 1900s model steam engine generated 175 horsepower, powering the entire factory. It is one of many fun exhibits at the museum which is looking to prepare more new exhibits soon with the community’s help.
By Kayleen Holder
Editor
From the sight of a steam engine powered D’Hanis Brick and Tile in 1903 to the historic-feel of a one-room schoolhouse, the Medina County Museum has over 2,000 fascinating artifacts that bring local history to life, and they are on the hunt for more for an upcoming exhibit!
Want to help improve and curate the Medina County Museum? You can now help the museum by donating or loaning artifacts of the natural history of the county; fossils, arrowheads, native American artifacts that represent Medina County.
If you would like to visit, the museum’s Spring hours are SATURDAY 10:00 to 3:00 and SUNDAY 1:00-3:00.
The museum is…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
Contreras wins 1st and Breeding Champion at 2026 RGVLS
Driscoll Public Library Announces 2026 Duck-Oration Contest: A Cosplay Duck Adventure!
Devine, Texas — Get ready to unleash your creativity and a little bit of quacky fun! The Driscoll Public Library and the Friends of the Driscoll Public Library are excited to announce their first ever Duck-Oration Contest, inviting community members of all ages to transform an ordinary rubber duck into an extraordinary costumed character.
Beginning March 30–31, participants may visit the Driscoll Public Library circulation desk to pick up their very own 4-inch rubber duck to decorate. Each person may take one duck (while supplies last). Once you have your duck, take it home and bring your imagination to life by creating a costumed duck inspired by this year’s theme: COSPLAY!
Participants are encouraged to design ducks that represent a character, costume, or unique persona. Whether your duck becomes a superhero, storybook character, historical figure (hint America250), or something completely original, the goal is to have fun and show off your creativity. All entries must be family-friendly and appropriate for a public library setting.
Decorated ducks must be returned to the library by 5:00 pm Thursday, April 9, 2026. Entries will be displayed in the library for People’s Choice voting April 10–16. Decorated ducks and accessories must not exceed 10 inches in size. Ducks will be judged on creativity, originality, use of materials, and overall presentation
Judging will take place Friday, April 17, with winners announced at 5:00 pm. Ribbons will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place, and People’s Choice.
Library staff reserve the right to disqualify entries that do not follow contest rules.
For more information, visit the Driscoll Public Library or call the circulation desk at 830-663-2993. Follow us on Facebook @Driscoll Public Library – Devine for all things happening at the library.
Upcoming local events
March
25 – Devine Driscoll Public Library Collage Club from 5:30 – 7 p.m. | Registration Required
25 – Lytle Public Library Story Time ages 2-5 from 10:30-11 a.m.
25 – Devine Chamber of Commerce meeting at Charlie’s Daughter on the Green from 12-1 p.m.
26 – Free Lunch & Learn at 11:30 a.m. at Primrose Funeral Services Lytle TX
26 – Craft with Us at Lytle Public Library from 5:30-7 p.m.
26 – Devine Driscoll Public Library Crafting After Hours 2.0 from 6-8 p.m. | Registration Required
26 – Live music at Cora’s 471 Grill featuring Kyle Park from 7-9 p.m.
26 – Music Bingo Night at Rooster’s Ice House from 8 – 10 p.m.
27 – Live music at La Coste City Hotel featuring Frank Tovar from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
27 – Live music at Outlaw Seafood Bar & Grill featuring Felix Truvere from 8 p.m. to 12 p.m.
28 – ASÉ Wellness Workshop Resonate from 12-2 p.m. at ASE Yoga & Pilates Studio
28 – Devine Police Department Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Walmart from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
28 – Devine Golf Course Warhorse Football Golf Tournament and Crawfish Boil at 12:30 p.m.
28 – Castroville Rainbow Theater Comedy Night starring Bellagio Benny, Otis Hicks and Just Greg from 9 – 10:30 p.m.
28 – My Time Garden & Nursery Spring Fling & Trade School Scholarship Fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
28 – Roosters Icehouse Vendor Market from 4-7 p.m.
28 – Venta de Garage at Apostolic Worship Center 11 a.m.
28 – Natalia Bluebonnet Festival & Parade | Parade begins at 11 a.m.
28 – Devine Acres Farm Spring Country Fest
29 – Devine Acres Farm Spring Country Fest
31 – Devine Driscoll Public Library Preschool Story Time at 10:30 a.m | Limit 15 | Registration Required
31 – Free Country Dance Lessons at Rooster’s Ice House from 7-9 p.m.
April
- Live Music Night at Roosters Ice House featuring Jay Martinez and the boys
3 – Lytle Nursing Home Annual Easter Egg Hunt Egg-stravaganza at 10 a.m.
3 – Devine Acres Farm Spring Country Fest
4 – Devine Acres Farm Spring Country Fest
4 – Live music at Billy’s Dining and Dancing presenting the Nick Lawrence band at 9 p.m.
4 – Easter Egg Hunt at Devine Golf Course | Age 0-4 at 3 p.m. | Age 5-8 at 3:20 p.m. | Age 9 & up at 3:40 p.m.
4 – City of Lytle Easter Eggs-travaganza 10am-noon at John Lott Municipal Park, $1 per child or a canned good
4 – Lytle VFW Easter Egg Hunt at Lytle Memorial VFW Post from 1 to 5 p.m.
10 – El Gallo Fiesta Night at Rooster’s Ice House from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
10 – Poteet Strawberry Festival
11 – Poteet Strawberry Festival
11 – Cookin’ for a Claus BBQ Cook-Off at The Farm in Devine from 9 a.m. to TBD
11 – Farm Tour: Conservation in Action at Smith Pastures in Devine, TX from 1 – 3:30 p.m.
11 – Devine Education Foundation Fifth Annual Golf Tournament at 10 a.m. tee time
12 – Poteet Strawberry Festival
18 – Country Music Festival @ Devine Acres for Audrey Jane’s Light fundraiser
19 – Natalia Athletic Booster Golf Tournament at Devine Golf Course at 12 p.m. tee time
25 – Devine Masonic Lodge Golf Tournament at Devine Golf Course 1 p.m. tee time
May
1 – 4 Way Tournament at Devine Golf Course all weekend
1 – Lytle VFW Ranch Trash Smoke Showdown BBQ Cook-Off | DJ 12-3 p.m. | Alejandro Escamilla Band 3-7 p.m.
2 – Lytle VFW Ranch Trash Smoke Showdown BBQ Cook-Off | DJ 12-3 p.m. | Alejandro Escamilla Band 3-7 p.m.
2 – 1 – 4 Way Tournament at Devine Golf Course all weekend
2 – Inmaculada Concepcion Church Community Yard Sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
9 – Mother’s Day Market at My Time at The Garden at 5 p.m.
13 – Storytime with Jamie Lin Wilson at the Castroville Rainbow Theater with special guest Wade Bowen at 7 p.m.
17 – Blackie Boehme Tournament at Devine Golf Course at 12 p.m. tee time
If you want to add an event to this calendar, please email devinereporter@devinenews.com or call (830) 665 – 2211 and leave a message for Bri
2026 Natalia Municipal Development District Easter Egg Hunt
Thank you to this group of people who organized the NMDD Easter Egg Hunt in Natalia this past Sunday, March 22. Standing (l to r) Daniel Orr (NVFD), Brandi Byrd (NVFD), Eugene Sanchez (NVFD), Anthony Bollman (NVFD), Natalia PD Officer Gary Rogers, Easter Bunny Samantha Morales, Sparky Starlett Byrd, Stephanie Solis, Brenda Fernandez, Dorothy Woodson and Rookie Justin Byrd. Front row Beatrice Morales, Mayor Tommy Ortiz and Ruby Vera.
Pictured above are the winners of the NMDD Easter Egg Hunt this past weekend.
Children, ages baby to 10 years old, enjoyed hunting Easter eggs and filling up their baskets as Rookie and the Easter Bunny, as well as their parents/grandparents, watched.
Natalia Volunter Firefighters were on hand to show children how to use a fire hose and let them try to spray it. Photos by Mable Byrd and Brenda Fernandez.