Author: admin

1960’s Devine News articles recount battles with Screwworms here

A devastating pest…

by Kayleen Holder
Editor
With the threat of screwworms entering the country again, nearly 60 years after they were erradicated in the United States, leaders once again find themselves looking for ways to combat the vicious insects.
An October 1962 article in The Devine News archives tells about the screwworm fly factory that was built in Mission, Texas and gave notice of a community meeting on the matter back then. Sterile male flies were released to breed and eventually wipe out populations.
According to the old article, “One of the pilots dropping flies in the area will explain procedures….Presently 800 flies are being dropped per square mile per week in this county [Medina County].”
Another old article published by The Devine News in August 1960 recounted the horrific story of how a stray dog that was roaming around the community of Devine with “half of its head eaten off” by…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!

Rollover shuts down I-35 N for nearly 14 hours

Stranded drivers abandon cars on interstate to grab lunch…

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
On Friday, May 16, the Northbound lanes of IH-35 were shut down for almost 14 hours, an unprecedented event in our area.
A rollover accident involving an 18-wheeler, happened just north of the City of Lytle, and traffic was backed up for miles and miles all the way past Devine on I-35.
According to Police Chief Richey Priest, it happened on the North Prong Atascosa River Bridge. The driver of the 18 wheeler had reportedly fallen asleep at the wheel when his truck went off of the bridge.
“He was coming south and hit the center wire and then hit the north side of the bridge and the truck fell into the river upside down,” Chief Priest said.
It happened around 2 am onFriday morning and crews were finally finishing up at the scene around 4 pm that day.
“They had to bring in cranes which were on I-35N to get it out of the water, and there was also a lot of chemical spilled on the roadway,” Priest added. “The truck caught fire as well. It was terrible.”
Meanwhile, drivers who were stuck on I-35 for hours were seen sitting on tailgates, napping, and even…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!

Memorial Day Service in Natalia May 25th

The City of Natalia is hosting the Annual Memorial Day Service on Sunday, May 25th, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in front of the Veterans Memorial Monument. This year the ceremony will be led by Mr. Homero Flores of San Antonio. He is a member of the American Legion Post 399 and VFW Post 6174 both of San Antonio. Mr. Flores served in Korea from 1969-71. He has a long history of family members serving our country commencing with his father who served during WWII; two brothers serving during Viet Nam and his son who is now retired from the Air Force.

Memorial Day starts the “Name Drive” for additional names to be engraved on the monument. The new names will be called out during the Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11th. This year the cost will be $175.00 per name. The increase in cost is for the engraver to come on site to at the monument to engrave the name. Please remember the individual you wish to honor with their name on the monument has to have been either born in Medina County, raised in Medina County or currently is living in Medina County. Applications can be downloaded from the City of Natalia of Natalia website, City of Natalia Office, and Natalia Municipal Development District. The deadline for all applications to be received is September 5th. All information is on the application form. Those attending are asked to bring their own lawn chairs.

MCESD#2 waiting on audits, learn insurance paid because Schulz was an auxiliary member

By Anton Riecher
Regarding the forensic audit authorized by the board, Summers said the district’s auditing firm is still working to complete basic audits for fiscal years 2022-2023, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 before work can commence on the forensic audit. That basic work will determine the definitive cost of the forensic investigation.
“Doing the actual audits is going to lead them down the path to how much more work is going to have to be done to do a forensic audit,” Summers said.
ESD2 Bookkeeper Nancy Pepper estimated that work on FY 2022-2023 will be completed by the end of May, allowing auditors to proceed to FY 2023-2024.
Delivering her report on the ESD2 finances, Pepper said the district has collected $270,266 in sales tax for the fiscal year to date with $50,736 in tax revenue collected in May. Total income for the district as of April 30 is $723,621. Total expenditure for the year to date is $260,000, leaving a budgeted balance of $462,597.
A recent letter from the Medina Central Appraisal District indicates that the preliminary appraised value for ESD2 is being estimated at $857.3 million, up slightly from the final appraisal of $856.9 million last year, Pepper said. Exemptions for homestead and over 65 exemptions are expected to total about $55 million, she said.
In Texas, a mechanism known as “compression” is applied to appraisal value to help mitigate the increase in property value on taxpayers. Pepper 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!

City of Devine looks to hire Police Chief, Finance Director and Court Admin./Utility Clerk Supervisor

The City of Devine has three positions open and is hiring a firm to handle the application process called Clear Career Professionals after learning of three position retirements or resignations.
Police Chief Kandy Benavidez announced her retirement a few weeks ago after 40 years of service. She will continue until the end of June 2025.
In the finance department Denise Duffy turned in her resignation, she has worked in the Treasurer/Accounting department in Devine for 13 years and 20 overall. Her husband recently retired as well.
Court Administrator/ Utility Clerk Supervisor Alma has been working at the City of Devine for the past 16 years, she recently announced her resignation.

Local fans back adding soccer to Devine athletics

Longtime dispute with contractor also settled

By Anton Riecher
Pablo Carmona, founder of the Devine Soccer Club, led a group of nearly 40 supporters attending the Devine school board regular session Monday urging the addition of soccer to the district’s athletic curriculum.
“When I moved here 20 years ago I was shocked to see that soccer was not in your school district,” Carmona said. “I come from the poorest school district in San Antonio and it is there. It is all over San Antonio.”
Carmona said he enrolled his son in soccer locally at age five. However, that program ended in the sixth grade “so we quickly moved him to San Antonio where he has been playing club soccer ever since.”
Meanwhile, students and players from across Medina County participate in the Devine Soccer Club locally.
“We started this soccer club for the sole purpose of ensuring that soccer players had an opportunity to play from five years old up to high school,” Carmona said. The club gives them the opportunity to choose pursuing the sport at a college or professional level.
“What is obvious is that soccer is a way for these students to earn a scholarship,” he said. “So by not having it in the school district you are really taking this opportunity away from these students.”
The infrastructure to support participating in University Interscholastic League soccer is already in place in Devine, Carmona said.
“You have the lighting and the field,” he said. “It would not take much except for those [official] steps through the UIL to be able to get approved.”
District superintendent Todd Grandjean said that adding soccer to the curriculum…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!

Understanding ISO Ratings: The importance to Fire Departments and Residents

When it comes to fire departments and the services they provide, one key factor often overlooked is the role of the Insurance Services Office (ISO) and its impact on a community. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of ISO ratings, what they mean for fire departments, how they affect residents, and their influence on homeowners’ insurance rates.
Natalia VFD- 2 and 10 outside 5 miles
Lytle VFD- 4 and 4X outside 5 miles
Castroville/LaCoste VFD- 4 and 5 outside 5 miles
Bigfoot VFD- 5 and 5X outside 5 miles
Hondo VFD- 5 and 9 outside 5 miles
Devine VFD- 6 and 10 outside 5 miles
Moore VFD- 9 and 9.5 outside 5 miles

The ISO and Fire Department Ratings
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) is an independent organization that assesses municipal fire protection efforts in communities throughout the United States. This assessment culminates in what is known as the Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating. The PPC rating scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 1 being the best and 10 indicating a department’s failure to meet the minimum requirements.
ISO ratings are determined based on four primary data points: emergency communications systems, such as 911 call centers (10%), the fire department itself, including staffing, training, geographic distribution of fire companies, operational considerations, and community risk reduction (50%), the water supply system, including the condition and maintenance of hydrants and the amount of available water (40%), and community risk reduction measures, including fire prevention codes and safety education (5.5%).

Importance of ISO Ratings to Fire Departments
An ISO rating serves as a nationwide standard for comparing the quality of fire protection services. For fire departments, a better ISO rating can serve as a benchmark of success, an indication of areas to improve, and a testament to the department’s commitment to providing superior fire protection services.

ISO Ratings and their Impact on Residents
For the residents of a city or town, the fire department’s ISO rating can have significant implications. An excellent rating can instill confidence and peace of mind knowing that their community is well-protected. However, perhaps the most tangible impact of an ISO rating on a resident comes in the form of homeowners’ insurance premiums.

ISO Ratings and Homeowners’ Insurance Rates
Insurance companies use ISO ratings as part of their decision-making process when setting homeowners’ insurance premiums. A lower ISO rating (closer to 1) indicates a superior level of fire protection and, therefore, a lower risk. Consequently, homeowners in areas with better ISO ratings are likely to enjoy lower insurance premiums.
Understanding ISO ratings and their implications is crucial for both fire departments and the communities they serve. For fire departments, striving for a better ISO rating is not just about prestige; it is about providing the best possible service to their community. For residents, a better understanding of what their community’s ISO rating means can lead to better-informed discussions about local public safety and potentially lower insurance premiums. Ultimately, an ISO rating reflects a community’s collective commitment to safety, preparedness, and prevention.
(Sources: Plantationfire.com Ratings from local fire departments in Atascosa, Frio and Medina Counties.)

$30,000 Reward for Fugitive

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Office of the Governor’s Public Safety Office is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of Trevor McEuen, who failed to appear for his court date while out on bond for capital murder. The Texas Department of Public Safety has added the suspect to their 10 Most Wanted Fugitive List.
“Trevor McEuen is exactly why Texas must fix its broken and deadly bail system,” said Governor Abbott. “A violent criminal like McEuen charged with capital murder should never be released on our streets. That’s why I made bail reform an emergency item that must pass this legislative session. I urge all Texans with information on McEuen to call the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline or submit an anonymous tip online to help law enforcement apprehend this heinous criminal. Working together, we will bring fugitives like Trevor McEuen to justice.”
In addition to the state reward, Kaufman County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $10,000 and Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office is offering a reward of up to $10,000, bringing the total reward amount up to $30,000.
Call the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477)
Submit a tip online through the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Brenda Ray Langley

Brenda Ray Langley was born on June 3rd, 1941, in Uvalde, Texas, and passed away on May 11, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. Brenda was the second child of four children – born to Temple and Isal Ray of Crystal City, Texas.
In high school, she was a member of the CCHS band where she played Alto Sax and was a twirler, and she was an active member in many clubs and organizations. She was elected most popular of her class. She graduated from Crystal City High School and went on to attend Southwest Texas State in San Marcos. She was an officer of her sorority, President of Angel Flight – an on-campus ROTC, and was voted as their Angel – She also was elected as president of the Panhellenic Association which oversaw all fraternities and sororities on campus. She graduated in three years with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a minor in Music.
Brenda married Charles Langley, from Big Wells, Texas, in 1963. They moved to Devine in 1971 – made it their home and raised their four children. Brenda had an outstanding teaching career and was loved by all of her students. She joined the First Baptist Church and was an active member of the choir where she shared her amazing singing voice.
After retiring from teaching, Brenda taught the GED class for Devine Community Education. She was so proud to have helped many in the Devine and surrounding areas obtain their High School Diploma. She served as president of the Devine Chamber of Commerce and also was awarded Devine Woman of the Year in 1986. She was also a proud member of the Devine Community Adult Band.
She later opened her own Arts and Craft shop – which she named “Country Hugs”. She always had a big hug and great conversation with all of her customers. She also volunteered for many years with the Devine Band Boosters, running the visitor’s concession stand with her husband Charles. She loved sports and was always cheering on her children and then her grandchildren – She was a true Filly, Colt, Arabian and Warhorse Fan for many years!
Brenda was preceded in death by her parents Temple and Isal Ray, beloved husband Charles Langley, and brother Jack Ray.
She is survived by her two sisters, Nova Ray Scoggins and Jill Ray Graham. Four Children: Steven Langley and wife Michele, Cynthia Langley Morales and husband Ernie, Tammy Langley Morales and husband Robert and Shelly Langley. Five Grandchildren – Sabella Morales Haass and husband Scott , Ernie Morales Jr. and wife Emily, Malea Morales, Makenna Morales Bacon and husband Josh and Walker Langley. Nine great grandchildren – Kade, Kyndal, Cade, Jace, Reese, Riley, Elijah, Emmett and Everett.
Brenda loved her family, her friends, and the Devine community. She will be remembered as a loving sister, wife, mother, grand-mother, great grandmother and friend to many. She will be greatly missed by all.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Brenda’s honor on May 29, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Devine, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Brenda Langley love fund through Security State Bank in Devine, Texas, for the care of her daughter Shelly.
Services are under the direction of Primrose Funeral Services in Devine, Texas.

Leatrice Alma “Ding Ding” Ehlinger Ahr

Leatrice Alma “Ding Ding” Ehlinger Ahr, of D’Hanis, Texas, passed away peacefully in San Antonio on May 13, 2025 at the age of 95. She was born August 23, 1929 in Devine, Texas, to George Martin Ehlinger and Alma Theresa Neatherlin Ehlinger.
Leatrice grew up in Devine and graduated from Devine High School. On August 29, 1950, she married the love of her life, Carroll Julius Ahr, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Devine. Their union was blessed with a daughter, Deborah Carol in 1952. They were fortunate to share forty-seven years of marriage. They enjoyed square dancing, attending Lions Club Conventions, and spending their weekends at the ranch in D’Hanis.
They made their home in Del Rio throughout their married life. While living in Del Rio, Leatrice worked for Painter Bus Lines and then for Capital Aggregates where she was known as “Gravel Gurdy”. When she became a grandmother, her grandchildren affectionately gave her the nickname “Ding Ding” and later on she became known as “Ding Ding” to the community of D’Hanis.
After her husband passed away, she moved to D’Hanis to be close to her family. She enjoyed traveling with family and friends to places including the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, and Branson, Missouri. Above all, she loved spending time with her family. She attended as many functions for her great-grandchildren as possible. Ding Ding always went out of her way to let her family know how much she loved them and that she was always praying for them.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Ray Harbison of D’Hanis; grandchildren, Cindy Harbers (Brad) of LaGrange, Texas and Clint Harbison (Christina) of D’Hanis; great-grandchildren, Kendal Boyd (Dalton), Tyler Harbison, Drew Harbers, and Trey Harbers; great-great-grandson, Carter Boyd; sister, Lillian Alexander of San Antonio; brother-in-law, Gaylon Davidson of Austin; as well as numerous other relatives, in-laws and friends.
Leatrice was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Carroll Ahr; sisters, Mary Heiser (Herman), Annette Whitley (Arth), and Rosie Davidson; and brother-in-law, Velda Alexander; and numerous other relatives and in-laws.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 22, 2025 beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in D’Hanis, with the Holy Rosary recited at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in D’Hanis, Texas.
Memorials may be made in Leatrice’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch or charity of choice.
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. www.tondre-guinn.com