Steve Jett, October 7, 1934 – February 21, 2023, passed away on February 21, 2023, at the age of 88. He was born in San Antonio, Texas, on October 7, 1934, to parents John Jett and Matiana Casias. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Barbara Ann Jett, brothers John Jett and Alfred Jett, sisters Cora Mc Colley, Esther Cavazos and Hazel Ochs. He is survived by son Steven Jett, nieces Ella Gatchell, Laura Ochs, Sandra Ochs, Cathy Ochs, Patricia Rose, nephew Ben Cass and numerous other relatives and friends. Steve joined the Air Force at the age of 17 and served in Korea. Upon leaving the Air Force, he worked in civil service at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio until his retirement in 1987. His late wife Barbara was an avid equestrian, and he joined her for trail drives until her death in 1981. He enjoyed fishing as well as deer hunting in south Texas brush country. He also enjoyed living and working on his small ranch near Devine. Services will be held on March 16, 2023, at Primrose Funeral Services in Devine, Texas. Visitation will begin at 2:00 P.M., followed by a memorial service at 3:00 P.M. There will be a reception following the memorial service at a nearby venue. The location will be announced at the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity of your choice or the Optimist Service Fund care of the Optimist Club of San Antonio.
Ronald Domingo Rodriguez, Sr., born November 15, 1959 went to be with the Lord on February 14, 2023. Ronnie “Freebird” was a beloved father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend to everyone. He was survived by his 3 sons Ronnie Rodriquez, Rudy Rodriguez, and Jesse Rodriguez, 8 grandchildren, and a million brothers and a million sisters. Ronnie was from Natalia but raised his family in Devine, Texas. He was an Army veteran (served overseas), Dallas Cowboys fan, free spirited & loved by all his family and friends. He also enjoyed a cold Busch at the end of the day. He will be proceeded to death with a Military Honors Burial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78201, Shelter #1 on Friday, March 3rd, 2023 at 10 am.
Linda Ann (Wingate) Stanton, 76, of Devine, Texas, passed away February 26, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was born in Pearsall, Texas, to JW and Delma (Perry) Wingate on January 3, 1947, and was the oldest of four sisters. Linda met her husband, Robert Stanton, when they were juniors in high school and were married on May 31, 1968, in Devine. Linda graduated from Devine High School in 1965 then proceeded to work and put herself through college over the next few years. She began teaching in Devine on an emergency certification in 1968. Linda graduated from Southwest Texas State University in 1972 with a BS in Education and went on to earn her Master’s in Education from Sul Ross University in 1980. Linda began her career teaching 8th grade English in 1968. In 1984, she started in administration, becoming the assistant principal for both the elementary and junior high schools in Devine. She soon found her home as principal of Devine Elementary where she served for over 20 years. When Linda “retired”, she had served over 40 years as an educator. Consequently, Linda was only able to stay retired for about a year or two, returning to substitute for several years before taking a position as an assistant at DEAP until the summer of 2020. She was a woman of tremendous impact who touched thousands of lives. Linda was born to teach, and then lead and mentor teachers. She was a fierce advocate for education and educators, and a tireless voice for the voiceless. She was often known to buy shoes for her students or give away her own children’s clothes to her school’s families in need. Linda was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was proud of her children and delighted in her grandchildren, who affectionately called her ‘Honey’. She tried to be present for every event she possibly could be for those she loved. Linda loved to travel, and she and Robert traveled all over the US, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, the Caribbean and much of Europe, but her favorite place in the whole world was Port Aransas, Texas. She wasn’t a swimmer, but she loved to be near the water and would spend her beach days reading. Linda is preceded in death by her parents JW and Delma Wingate and her youngest sister, Frances Durisseau. She is survived by her loving husband of nearly 55 years, Robert, and her children, daughters Pagette Callender (husband, Wayne) and Blythe Cone (husband, Jerome), and sons Shane and Ronnie. She will be forever remembered by her grandchildren Hudson (23), Carson (20), Jakob (18), Braylon (17), Sasha (17), Skylar (12), and Elliot (11), and her sisters Mildred Jemeyson and Phyllis Cowherd. Linda will be remembered with a celebration of life/memorial service on Saturday, March 11 at 10:30am at First Baptist Church in Devine, Texas. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Devine Dollars for Scholars: 2330 St. HWY. 173, Devine, TX 78016.
A few days after her 41st birthday, Kristin Fohn Byrd, known around Devine as, “The Baking Byrd,” (for her amazing cupcakes), went to work like any other day. In the blink of an eye she suffered a severe headache and collapsed in her office; she was rushed to the emergency room where she was diagnosed with a brain bleed. She was treated successfully and able to return home in early December with the expectation of making a full recovery with outpatient rehab. Unfortunately, that was short lived. Just two weeks later, she suffered serious complications and returned to the hospital just before Christmas, where she remains. She has undergone 11 surgeries to help her brain heal. Kristin is surrounded by family, friends, and amazing medical professionals. There are still many unknowns at this time, but we do know she is likely to need several more weeks and at least one more procedure before she can begin rehabilitating again. Her recovery this time will take much longer than originally expected. We invite you to come out to show your support for the Byrd Family (Husband Johnny, Daughter Brynlea, and Son Becker) on Saturday, March 11th at the Devine VFW Hall. BBQ Plate sales start at 11am until sold out. There will be a Corn Hole Tournament, Silent Auction and Dance. For questions contact organizers: Stacie (210) 410-4712, Brandi (210) 508-2489, or Kristen (210) 218-1552.
Tickets are on sale now for a big event coming up soon in Devine. On Saturday April 15, all of your favorite characters will be appearing at Devine Acres Farm for a meet and greet! The San Antonio Singing Princesses will also be performing this morning. While the exact character showtimes are still to be determined, Devine Acres will open the farm at 10 am. Your tickets include entry into the farm which has 50+ family fun activities for kids including catch and release fishing, a giant jumping pad, gem mining, hayrides, several playgrounds, a race track, barnyard animals, and much more. Families are welcome to stay for the Concert Under the Stars in the evening with live music by Keith Lutz and also the Drug Store Cowboys.
RESERVE YOUR FAMILY FUN DAY TICKETS NOW which include your entry to the farm and also getting to meet all of your favorite TV characters, as well as the evening concert: https://atcp.ticketspice.com/audrey-janes-light-2023 SHOW TIMES TO BE DETERMINED BUT FARM activities OPEN AT 10am
ALSO… PRINCESS & the PROTECTORS themed Fun Run Some Run….Calling girls and boys of all ages! Dress up like your favorite Princess or your favorite superhero Protector and join us in the fun run at 8:30 AM April 15th. If you sign up for the run, you will also get a day pass ticket.
All ticket sales will benefit the A-T Children’s Project in their mission to find a cure for a rare disease affecting more kids in Texas than anywhere else in the United States. This event is held in honor of little Audrey Capps, 5 of Devine, who is one of 40 people in Texas battling this disease.
There will also be a Silent Auction, Live Auction, and Food and Drinks for Sale to benefit Audrey’s family in their fight to find a cure.
The City of Devine will hold two Public Hearings on the on the $15.02 Million Dollar Bond proposed for drainage and flood control improvements. The voters will have the chance of voting for or against the bond during the May 6, 2023 elections at city hall. The council and mayor want the voters a choice to decide if they feel the need for the drainage projects with the understanding it will increase taxes and max out the tax rate and ability to borrow money for the next 20 years. One drainage project starts on Libold near the golf course and ends near the funeral home with changes to Burnt Boot Creek to accommodate the extra flow. The other drainage project that will also feed into Burnt Book Creek is to alleviate issues on Crouch Street.
You are invited to the public meetings which will be on Tuesday, March 14th at 6:00 p.m. and Tuesday, March 28th at 6:00 p.m. in the George S. Woods Community Center, 200 E. Hondo Avenue beside the library. The hearings will be in relation to the $15.02 Million Dollar Bond for drainage work which will be paid for with the levying of a tax increase. All interested parties, individuals or groups are encouraged to attend the hearing and participate in the discussion about the city’s bond election and ask questions. For additional information, please call the city at 830-663-2804.
Voting Early voting starts on April 24 and run to May 2 from 8am to 5 pm. Earl and late voting hours 7am-7pm on May 1 & 2. And one Saturday voting day Saturday, April 29 from 9am to 2pm. All at city hall. Election Day is Saturday, May 6 from 7am to 7pm. The City of Devine early voting and election day voting will all take place at city hall.
Nearly 100 years ago, the Lytle boys basketball took their game to State, and here we are again in 2023. The Lytle Pirates Basketball team is on fire, and making history. Siren escorts led them out of town as they headed for the big game and the feeling was electric as sirens brought them back into town as Regional Champs. It was smooth sailing as the Pirates cruised to a 67-33 victory over London last week, claiming the Regional title and are now Statebound! The Pirates will play in the State Semifinals on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 3pm at the Alamodome in San Antonio. All Lytle ISD campuses will have an early out so the community can attend the game. There is lots of talent and heart on the roster led by six seniors this year. Teammates are: Jordan Balderaz- Sr., Malakai Castro-Sr., Eli Vega-Sr., Jaelen Guevara-Sr., Tomas Benavidez-Sr, Zachary Perez-So., Andres Cardenas-Sr, Brandon Obando-Jr., Andrew Gonzales-Jr., Chase Guevara-Fresh, Derrick Diaz-Jr., Tristen Guevara-Jr. Demetrius Lopez-Sr., Lee Mills-Fresh.
By Anton Riecher
By a 6-0 vote the Devine ISD board of trustees voted Thursday (Feb. 16) to place a $31 million bond issue designated for “safety and security” improvements on the May election ballot.
On a motion by Chris Davis, seconded by board vice president Henry Moreno, the board approved two propositions for the May ballot. Both propositions would be supported by a tax increase if passed.
By Anton Riecher By a 6-0 vote the Devine ISD board of trustees voted Thursday (Feb. 16) to place a $31 million bond issue designated for improvements on the May election ballot. On a motion by Chris Davis, seconded by board vice president Henry Moreno, the board approved two propositions for the May ballot. Both propositions would be supported by a tax increase if passed. Complete video coverage of the school board special meeting is posted on the Devine News’ YouTube channel at youtu.be/iaZF6xhsJVo. Proposition A calls for $31 million on bond money for various projects such as a new district band hall, relocating high school administrative offices, improved site security through fencing and enclosed sidewalk corridors and a new early childhood center at Ciavarra Elementary.
Proposition B- on the ballot will call for for $1.2 million to cover new tennis courts and improvements to the stadium required under the Americans with Disabilities Act. “Any recreational things such as the stadium has to be put on a separate proposition,” board president Nancy Pepper said. Yet to be determined is if funds for improvements to the district’s special education building will be used for renovations or to replace the aging structure altogether. “We’re possibly going to build a new one rather than rescue the present building,” Pepper said. The pressure of record inflation weighed against equally dramatic increases in property appraisals colored much of the closing debate. Pepper said the board’s long term policy on handling the district’s debt rate put it in an improved position to pursue the bond issue. “Instead of lowering our debt rate every year as we paid off our bonds we kept it the same,” Pepper said. Now, by means of a defeasance, the district has set aside sufficient funds to cover a large portion of the debt associated with the new bond issue. In effect, the district has nearly $11 million to apply toward the new bond issue, Pepper said. “Because we’ve done that we could have called for as much as an $11 million bond issue and it would not have raised our taxes,” Pepper said. Still, board members questioned whether it might be better to wait until the next available election date in November. Others suggested using the May election as a test for what voters might view more favorably if it were put forward again in November. Board member Renee Frieda said that course of action would not show the board in the best light. “We could always go out (in May) and then go out again in November,” Frieda said. “But does that make us look organized and thoughtful.” On hand for the final debate were financial consultant Robert Tijerina of Tijerina Galvan and Lawrence and bond consultant Rose Kanusky of McCall Parkhurst and Horton. Casey Sledge of Sledge Engineering, construction consultants to the district, also addressed the council. Board member Carl Brown was absent from the special meeting.
A message from Devine ISD on upcoming bond election….
DISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to call for a $33.2 million bond election for Saturday, May 6, 2023. The decision was made at a called meeting, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.
Two propositions will be on the ballot. All projects are recommended with the priority given to improving the safety and security of DISD campuses and students. Proposition A recommends projects at all four campuses and the special education building. High school projects encompass measures to increase security, which include moving the DHS office downstairs and remodeling the current space into classrooms. Also on the list are a new band hall, and converting the existing band hall into a black-box theater. (A black-box theater is a simple space, typically a square room with black walls and a flat floor that will be used as a classroom for theater classes.) Recommended projects at the middle school are an expansion of the boys and girls locker rooms, expanding the library, and a repurposing/remodeling of the cafeteria. At the intermediate school, a secure vestibule (entrance) is recommended to increase safety and security. Ciavarra Elementary recommended improvements include closing in all outdoor corridors, a new building that will include office space with a secure vestibule, early childhood center, including PreK and special education classrooms, a gym and dining area, and improvements to the drop-off and pick-up areas. The new facility will bring the youngest children much closer to the central campus. A total of $2.5 million of the bond is allocated to renovating/expanding or building a new special education building. The current space at the facility is too small to accommodate the current number of staff members, meeting rooms, etc. “After results of the bond election, we will determine the most cost-effective way to proceed with the special ed building,” Dr. Grandjean said. Bond election regulations require recreation facilities to be separate propositions; therefore, Proposition B recommends the addition of four new tennis courts, doubling what is in existence currently. “We are planning to have discussions with all aspects of the community, citizens, clubs–everyone. We will do these in-person and also on a virtual platform,” Dr. Grandjean said. The current interest and sinking tax rate will not increase on the first $11.665 million of the bond. After that there will be a $0.1807 per $100 valuation tax rate increase to the interest and sinking rate. (Interest and sinking is the budget that pays for debt that has been incurred by prior bond sales. The maintenance and operating side includes all the day-to-day running of the district. Bonds can be sold for facilities, purchase of buses, technology.) That increase will bring the total DISD tax rate to $1.2753 per $100 valuation pending maintenance and operation tax rate compression at the end of the current legislative session. The following table assumes the Local Homestead Exemption of $40,000.
A few days after her 41 st birthday, Kristin Fohn Byrd, known around Devine as, “The Baking Byrd,” (for her amazing cupcakes), went to work like any other day. In the blink of an eye she suffered a severe headache and collapsed in her office, she was rushed to the emergency room where she was diagnosed with a brain bleed. She was treated successfully and able to return home in early December with the expectation of making a full recovery with outpatient rehab. Unfortunately, that was short lived. Just two weeks later, she suffered serious complications and returned to the hospital just before Christmas, where she remains. She has undergone 11 surgeries to help her brain heal. Kristin is surrounded by family, friends, and amazing medical professionals. There are still many unknowns at this time, but we do know she is likely to need several more weeks and at least one more procedure before she can begin rehabilitating again. Her recovery this time will take much longer than originally expected. We invite you to come out to show your support for the Byrd Family (Husband Johnny, Daughter Brynlea, and Son Becker) on Saturday, March 11 th at the Devine VFW Hall. BBQ Plate sales start at 11am until sold out, there will be a Corn Hole Tournament, Silent Auction and Dance. For questions contact organizers: Stacie (210) 410-4712, Brandi (210) 508-2489, or Kristen (210) 218-1552.
Ronald Domingo Rodriguez Sr. Born November 15, 1959 went to be with the Lord on February 14, 2023. Ronnie “Freebird” was a beloved father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend to everyone.
He is survived by his three sons Ronnie Rodriquez, Rudy Rodriguez, and Jesse Rodriguez, 8 grandchildren, and a million brothers and a million sisters.
Ronnie was from Natalia but raised his family in Devine, Texas. He was an Army veteran ( served overseas) , Dallas Cowboys fan, free spirited & loved by all his family and friends. He also enjoyed a cold drink at the end of the day!
His life will be celebrated with a Military Honors Burial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery , 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78201, Shelter #1 on Friday March 3rd, 2023 at 10 am.
