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Bond issue for courthouse restoration approved by county commissioners

The Medina County Radio Emergency Communications Assistance Team (REACT), the Medina County Amateur Radio Corporation and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) were honored during the county commissioners court Monday for their actions during the July flood emergency.
This group of volunteers is essential in being the “eyes and ears” on the ground throughout the county during hazardous weather situations like the flooding this year. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

By Anton Riecher
Issuance of certificates of obligation not to exceed $11 million to finance restoration of the historic Medina
County Courthouse and possibly other renovation projects such as the Texas Department of Public Safety building
in Devine was unanimously approved by county commissioners Monday.
“The number one primary objective of this project is the complete restoration of the courthouse,” County Judge Keith Lutz explained during Monday’s meeting.

Of seven bids received from across the country by the 10 a.m. deadline, the commissioners approved…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Medina County approves potential 2026 tax rate

Precinct 3 Commissioner Larry Sittre countered accusations of racism against him during the Medina County Commissioners Court meeting Monday.
Sittre will face democratic opponent Eli Arroyo in the November election. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

By Anton Riecher
On a motion by Precinct 4 Commissioner Danny Lawler, a proposed zero increase 2026 tax rate of $0.4434 per $100 valuation for Medina County was unanimously approved by county commissioners during their regular
meeting in Hondo Monday.
A public meeting on the proposed tax rate is scheduled for Sept. 8.
County Judge Keith Lutz gave the no-new-revenue tax rate calculated by the Medina Central Appraisal District as $0.4306 per $100 valuation. Based on MCAD figures, any tax rate above $0.4653 would require voter approval.
“The proposed tax rate is the same as last year’s,” Lutz said.
The motion made by Lawler was seconded by Precinct 3 Commissioner David Lynch.


Commissioners also voted unanimously in support of a proposed zero-increase special road tax rate of $0.0364 per $100 valuation for precinct 2. A public hearing on that rate was scheduled for Sept. 11.
The no-new-revenue tax rate based on MCAD figures was given as $0.0349 per $100 valuation. The maximum…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Lutz apologizes for comment on data center negotiations

By Anton Riecher
Medina County Judge Keith Lutz issued a public apology Monday for publicly stating that he had never signed any non-disclosure agreement when, in fact, he signed NDAs with at least two data center developers negotiating with the county for infrastructure approvals and economic incentives.
Lutz delivered the apology at the close of the Medina County Commissioners Court regular session Monday. He said it was connected to an unscripted half-hour audio interview he gave Precinct 3 Commissioner Larry Sittre in October 2025 that recently resurfaced on Facebook.

“I never went back and even listened to the interview until this weekend after it was brought to my attention,” Lutz said. “In that interview I was asked about signing an NDA about any of the largest centers. I did a very poor job of articulating what my thoughts were during that time.”
A non-disclosure agreement is a binding legal contract between people or companies that keeps sensitive
information private. It prevents…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

New tax rate, budget still pending at ESD4

ESD1 Chief Clint Cooke, foreground, addresses Medina County Emergency Services District No. 2, board members during its Aug. 18th board meeting. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

By Anton Riecher
Action is still pending on a proposed 2026 tax rate and a fiscal year 2026-27 budget for Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4, with the latest in an ongoing series of budget workshops scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday (Aug. 26).
Board president Steve Smith said he expects a proposed tax rate and budget to come out of that meeting.
“We will start with our budget next week at the meeting,” Smith said. “We will develop the budget based on what we anticipate it is going to cost us for the year. From there we will back it out to see what our proposed tax rate would be.”

ESD4’s current ad valorem tax rate is $0.521 per $100 valuation, an increase of 14 cents for the district’s median households. That rate supports an approved budget for fiscal year 2026-26 of $1,038 million.
Based on information from the Medina Central Appraisal District, the no-new-revenue tax rate for 2026 is $0.0507 per $100 valuation. The maximum increase allowed…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Train derailment was third in a string of 4 incidents that day

In a rare occurence, there were major train derailments in four communities within five hours of each other, with the first one just before Noon and the last one around 5 pm. Photo by Moose Lopez.

By Kayleen Holder
Editor

A train derailed near the Medina/Bexar County line on Macdona LaCoste road this past Thursday, August 20 around 2:45 pm. The incident was the 3rd of 4 train derailments occurring that afternoon in Texas.

It was a rare occurrence as four separate Union Pacific trains derailed that afternoon within about 5 hours of each other. Official causes…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Local first responders “address” a big problem

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Labeling your address on your mailbox is critically important. In life-threatening emergencies, police, fire trucks, and ambulances waste precious minutes searching for unmarked homes. Clear numbers let crews find you fast.
“The street number and your name is not needed on the mail box,” said Russell Johnson of Natalia Volunteer Fire Department. “People really need to make sure their address is posted along the road in big, reflective letters…Sometimes it is so cluttered with the address and street name on the same mail box and they are such small letters.”
According to 911Ready, letters should be at least 3 inches tall to be clearly visible.
Devine Fire Departments Batallion Chief Beau Powers echoes that concern.
“Lack of either numerics on mailboxes or painted curbside can cause delays in response…Having your street number labeled can ensure a fast response from Fire or EMS.”
Bigfoot Lieutenant Denise Woody also commented on the matter.
“We always tell people if we can’t find you, we can’t help you,” Woody said. “Please put big numbers that can be seen day and night on a fence or post or something that’s near the road on the same side of the road as the address, not across the street on a mailbox.”
“Houses that are…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Meet Jax

Meet Jax
Meet Jasmine who likes to go by Jax, who has an interest in learning to play the guitar and listening to music (like rock and metal), dancing, and drawing in black and white format. 
At school one of Jax’s favorite classes is choir, along with an interest in learning French, German, and Dutch.
On the topic of learning, Jax is looking forward to learning how to drive and obtaining a drivers license. 
When asked about possible career ideas, Jax says the love of drawing may lead to a career as a tattoo artist. 
Jax currently does not have any pets; however, as an animal lover, having any pet ranging from large farm animals, to a small bird, or a house pet any size in between would be great!
If you think you could be a forever family for Jax, or another Texas child, please call 1-800-233-3405 for more information or visit www.adoptchildren.org where you can find a schedule of online public information meetings, and learn about the foster/adoption program.
You can also view the www.heartgallerystx.org website, where South Texas children have their portraits along with individual personal stories they wish to share, with their future forever family.

Evelyn Lassere

Evelyn Lassere was a woman whose love knew no bounds, whose smile could light up an entire room, and whose heart had a place for everyone she met. She never met a stranger and possessed a remarkable gift for making people feel loved, welcomed, and as though they were part of her family.
Evelyn’s greatest love story began in 1959 when she met the love of her life, Bobby Lassere, at a restaurant. Their love quickly blossomed into a lifelong devotion, and they were married in November 1961. Together, they shared nearly 65 years of marriage, building a beautiful family and creating a partnership that became an example of enduring love to all who knew them.
Throughout their lives together, Evelyn and Bobby experienced some of life’s greatest joys as well as its deepest sorrows. They endured the heartbreaking loss of two children, Debbie and Robbie, carrying their precious memory in their hearts every day. They were later blessed with two children, Bobby and Jeanine, whom Evelyn loved fiercely and unconditionally.
Family was the center of Evelyn’s world. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a cherished grandmother and great-grandmother. Her greatest joy came from being present for those she loved. Whether it was a football game, volleyball match, steer show, or countless 4-H and FFA events, Evelyn could always be found cheering from the stands or standing along the show ring fence. She celebrated every accomplishment as if it were her own and never missed an opportunity to support her family.
Long before she had grandchildren of her own, Evelyn had already earned the title of “Memaw” in the hearts of many. She loved other people’s children as though they were family, and when her own grandchildren and great-grandchildren arrived, her heart somehow grew even larger. She treasured every moment spent with them and created memories that will be carried forward for generations.
Evelyn also dedicated herself to serving the students of Natalia High School as a special education aide. She loved her work, but most importantly, she loved the children she worked with. Those students held a special place in her heart, and the kindness, encouragement, and care she gave them extended far beyond the classroom. Through her compassion and gentle spirit, she made a lasting difference in countless lives.
A true social butterfly, Evelyn loved people and was loved in return. Her beautiful smile, infectious personality, and genuine interest in others made everyone feel valued and appreciated. Whether she was with family, friends, students, neighbors, or someone she had just met, she had a way of making every person feel special.
Above all else, Evelyn was love. She loved her husband deeply, her children fiercely, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren beyond measure. She loved her friends, her students, and the many people who became family along the way.
Her family takes comfort in knowing that Evelyn is no longer suffering and has been called home. They find peace in imagining her reunited once again with her sweet children, Debbie and Robbie, and lighting up Heaven with the same beautiful smile that brightened so many lives here on earth.
Evelyn is survived by her loving husband of nearly 65 years, Bobby Lassere; her son, Bobby Lassere; her daughter, Jeanine (Quinton) Mello; her cherished grandchildren, Madison (David) Romero, Jayden Mello, and Cord Lassere; and her beloved great-grandchildren, Walker Romero and Evelyn Romero. She also leaves behind numerous extended family members, dear friends, former students, and countless others whose lives were touched by her kindness, generosity, and love.
She was preceded in death by her two children, Robbie Lassere and Debbie Lassere; her parents, Ivalene and Walter Giesick; her sister, Barbara Giesick; and her brothers, David Giesick and Brian Giesick.
Evelyn leaves behind a legacy far greater than words can express: a legacy of faith, family, kindness, laughter, devotion, and unconditional love. She taught those around her the value of showing up, loving deeply, and making every person feel important.
Though she will be missed more than words can say, her love will remain woven into every family gathering, every ballgame, every steer show, every laugh, and every cherished story shared about the remarkable woman so many were blessed to call Mom, Memaw, Wife, and Friend.
A public viewing will be held in her honor on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at Primrose Funeral Services in Lytle, Texas from 5:00pm – 8:00pm. We will also have A Celebration of Life on Friday, August 28, 2026 at 9:00am at Primrose before taking her to her final resting place in Mission Park Cemetery South (1700 SE Military, San Antonio, TX 78214).
Her beautiful life may have come to an end, but the love she gave will never end.
The family requests that attendees wear bright colors to Evelyn’s service as a celebration of her beautiful life and the joy, love, and light she brought to everyone who knew her.
Funeral Services are under the care of Primrose Funeral Services of Lytle, Texas. If you would like to share a memory, or express condolences, please do so at primrosefuneralservices. com.

Eldon Wayne Brauchle

Eldon Wayne Brauchle of Charlotte, Texas, passed away at his home place on August 14, 2026, at the age of 87. He was born on February 20, 1939, in San Miguel, Texas, to Stanley and Alma Brauchle. 
Named Mr. CHS by his peers, Eldon graduated from Charlotte High School with the Class of 1957. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Trinity University in 1961. After college, he served in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 81st Armor, 1st Armored Division—“Old Ironsides”—where he was a tank commander. During his service, Eldon rose to the rank of First Lieutenant, receiving his promotion in May 1963. Following his military service, Eldon returned to South Texas, where he spent much of his life farming and raising Beefmasters. 
He was a co-founder of Mid County Peanuts and spent decades farming peanuts and working the land around Charlotte. Agriculture was more than his livelihood; it was a way of life that he loved and valued deeply. Eldon also had a lifelong interest in hunting, fishing, and wildlife management. When he wasn’t farming, much of his time was spent as an avid outdoorsman, managing the land and habitat and enjoying the wildlife of South Texas and beyond. 
Eldon was married to Susan Forester Brauchle for more than 60 years until her death in 2022. Together, they raised four children and made Charlotte their home. 
He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan Forester Brauchle; his parents, Stanley and Alma Brauchle; and brothers Marlin and Fred Brauchle.
Eldon is survived by his daughters, Kris Summers (Troy), Pamela Brauchle, and Jennifer Kellner (Frank); his son, Tobin Brauchle (Stephanie); his grandchildren, Hayley Summers, Collin, Ryan, Austin, and Owen Skiba, Elise Young (Noah), and Claire Kellner, Logan Chansley, and Wyatt Brauchle; as well as his many nieces and nephews. 
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on September 17, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Charlotte, Texas. Interment will immediately follow at the Charlotte City Cemetery. 
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of the following Atascosa youth scholarships: Atascosa Cattlemen Association Youth Scholarship or the Atascosa Merit Scholarship P.O. Box 379 Leming, Texas 78050