“Juanita B. Monreal, of Devine, Texas, has passed away at the age of 74. She was born March 14, 1950 and went to be with the Lord on August 26, 2024.
Juanita loved to garden, gamble, travel, and she loved the beach.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Geronimo and Emma Balderrama, siblings; Enrique Balderrama, Lalo Fabrow, Jerry Balderrama, Adelfa Ortiz, Alicia Nunez; and grandson, Julian Andres Rodriguez.
Juanita leaves behind her children, Jose Rodriguez (Yamel), Donna Monreal, Malinda Monreal, Michelle Monreal, granddaughter; Stevie Rae Ramirez (Lalo), siblings; Ernest Balderrama, Robert Balderrama, Esteban Balderrama, Angelina Solano; she also leaves behind 19 grandchildren, many great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Visitation will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devine, Texas, on Thursday, August 29, 2024 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm with Rosary recited at 7:00 pm. Mass celebrated on Friday morning at 10:00am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Interment to follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Devine, Texas.
If you would like to share a memory or express your condolences, please do so at www.primrosefuneralservices.com
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Primrose Funeral Services in Devine, Texas.”
Author: admin
Mary Van Zandt McCall
Mary Van Zandt McCall passed away Aug. 20, 2024, at home with her family, in Lytle, Texas. She was born Aug. 24,1930 in Ira, Texas to the late Christopher Columbus Van Zandt and Evie Bihl Van Zandt. She was the last of eleven children, six daughters and five sons.
She was known for her loving, caring generosity over the years. She headed many fundraisers helping families in need in her community. She loved her horse, Champ, along with her many friends that rode in the Laredo Trail Rides to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo each year.
She married John McCall, Jr., January 8, 1949, in San Angelo, Texas. Becoming the wife of a U.S. Air Force service man led to many years of assignments and moving to different states and Countries as well as raising four daughters. Over the years John and Mary remained diligent members of The Masonic Lodge and Eastern Stars during their moves and travels with Mary receiving her 50-year pin.
The highlight of her life was her family and the annual Van Zandt Family Reunion at Lake Nasworthy in San Angelo. The reunion was her special time to catch up with family members from the oldest to the newest.
She is preceded in death by her husband, John E. McCall, Jr., her parents C.C. and Evie Van Zandt, sisters, Viola Foreman, Ruby Wishert, Lula White, Edith Kleiner, and Christine Constable. Her brothers, Charlie Van Zandt, Albert Van Zandt, Lambert Van Zandt, Raymond Van Zandt, Roy (Red) Van Zandt, and granddaughter Jaime Adell Robinson.
Survivors include her four daughters, Pam (Franklin) Wanjura, Sandra (Charles) Wells, Debra (Kenneth) Robinson, and Janice (Allen) Homeier, Grandchildren, Tricia (Brandon) Kelley, Tyson (Vicki) Wanjura, Angela Steele, Daniel (Stacie) Wells, Jeffery Robinson, John (Shea) Robinson, Justin Bruce, Michael (Tiffany) Sanders and 18 Great Grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, all those who called her Aunt Mary, and Deborah Collins, who was like a daughter.
A visitation was held on Monday, August 26th, at 10:00 a.m. The funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m., in the Chapel of Primrose Funeral Services, 14822 Main Street, Lytle, Texas 78052.
In lieu of flowers you may send support to: Lytle Animal Allies, PO Box 874, Lytle, TX 78052
Big FESTIVAL at St John Bosco this Sunday, Sept 1st…
The annual festival will be held at St John Bosco Catholic Church located at 502 5th Street, Natalia on Labor Day September 1. There are several fundraisers leading up to the big event.
There will be lots of bands. See page 2 for more details on the big event.
DRAWING TICKETS: Text Beatrice Morales at 210-482-9595 for tickets. September 1st is the Grand drawing. So don’t delay, get your tickets TODAY, $5 each. Father Antony will draw the $500 winning ticket on Sunday, August 11th after 11 a.m. mass.
The winning ticket and all the tickets will be put back into the raffle barrel for another chance to win $3k, $2k, & $1k and other prizes on September 1st. This drawing will be announced at the Labor Day Festival extravaganza.
Fun FOAM FINISH and Zumba 5K Run or Walk:
This is a fun event for the whole family. 1.7 miles through the City of Natalia; check-in is at 6:30 a.m.
Kids Run starts at 7:45 a.m. There will be activities for the kids during the race. Race starts at 8 a.m. for the runners, followed by the walkers.
When everybody returns they will have a Zumba session and end the day with a Fun Foam Finish.
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Numerous interviews and multiple search warrants lead deputies to Arsonists
Press Release–Medina County Sheriff’s Office began conducting an investigation with the assistance of the Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office after responding to multiple grass fires in various areas of Medina County between August 9th 2022 and August 12th 2022.
After a lengthy investigation with numerous interviews and multiple search warrants, two suspects were developed. These suspects were identified as Christopher Robert Castro Jr. and Martha Eugenia Caroline Day. Both individuals were interviewed and admitted to starting fires in Medina County between August 9th through August 12th, 2022. Both individuals stated they used a lighter to ignite matches and would throw them out the window and catch the grass on fire.
On August 16, 2024, both individuals were arrested at their homes without incident and booked into the Medina County Jail for the Criminal Offense of Arson. Bonds are set at $50,000 surety for both individuals.
The case is still an ongoing investigation and as the investigation progresses, we will continue to keep the public informed with any significant developments, however due to the sensitive nature of this investigation there are details that we cannot disclose at this time to avoid compromising our efforts.
Locals to get first dibs….
Now is the time for Vendors to sign up… deadline Aug. 23 for first dibs at fall festival
The Devine Chamber of Commerce will host its annual 2024 Fall Cactus Festival on the first Saturday of November as usual, set for November 2 in downtown Devine with a festival, street dance and carnival.
Sign up as a vendor
August 23 is the deadline for locals to get first dibs on vendor spots….This year preference will be given to chamber members to keep with the local first theme who sign up to be a vendor first. Then it will be opened to outside vendors. Only 3 of every kind of vendor will be allowed to provide a nice variety of vendors. The Devine Market Association has accepted the job of organizing the vendors and taking care of that part of the festival for the chamber. An August 23 deadline has been set for chamber members to apply to get dibs on a vendor spot. Chamber members will be given priority then local and then open to others. To give as much opportunity as possible to local people first. Think, Shop, Dine Devine!
Charley Richardt, DMA Market Coordinator is handing the vendors for the chamber with the help of Steve Smith. Charley can be reached at 210.790.2212 or by email at charley.katona@gmail.com Feel free to text with questions about vendors. The link to sign up is https://forms.gle/r3JW89SRLwsCb1C9A
Carnival
The carnival will be in town Thursday through Saturday as usual.
Entertainment
A mix of entertainments will feature local youth dance and cheer groups, live music on two different stages, a master of ceremonies and possibly karaoke.
Live music on the main stage will feature the Solis Bros Band, Jeremy Richards Band and Small Town Habit. On the back stage will be Claude Morgan and friends. Keith Lutz will take care of the sound.
Grand Marshal
The 2024 Devine Parade Grand Marshall will be Devine’s own Lewis Stroud. Stroud was born and raised in Devine and continues in his retirement from teaching to promote the community and help spread awareness and help to organizations and those in need through the Devine Lions Club. He and his wife Marsha raised their two sons in Devine and both continue to help others daily and volunteer in the community.
Parade Theme
This year’s theme is Devine Pride since Homecoming is the very next week. So get out your maroon and gold and let’s decorate the floats in hometown style.
The Alzafar Shiners have signed up for the parade this year. They always are a wonderful addition to the parade with their clowns, cars, and members. The Chamber is excited to have them involved in the parade again.
Medina County budget to raise tax revenue by 16.2%or $3.7 Million
Public hearing next Monday, Aug.26
Medina County will have a public hearing on August 26 at 9 AM in the Medina County Courthouse Annex located in the Commissioner’s Court room in Hondo.
The current proposed budget will increase the budget by $3.7 million compared to last year.
Many top county elected officials recieved raises this year, which can be seen on page 19. Increasing home and property values/taxes and new homes in the county have both contributed to the increased tax levy.
What can you do?
Attend public hearings like the one this coming Monday and speak during citizen’s comments, or reach out to elected officials. The Medina County commissioners are Larry Sittre, David Lynch, Danny Lawler, and Jessica Catiglione.
How much has Medina County tax base grown?
Despite massive growth, elected leaders of the County have not chosen to select the “no new revenue rate” in many years. The number of homes in Medina County has grown from 18,791 homes in 2017 to 25,938 in 2024 (as of May), according to Medina County Chief Appraiser Johnette Dixon, who provided the sobering facts and figures.
According to Dixon, Medina County also saw a 237% increase in net Taxable Value on property in the county from 2017 to 2024 (as of May).
Average home values in Medina County jumped by $41,000+ in just two year’s time from 2022 to 2024 (as of May).
As the tax base in a county or city increases, elected officials have the opportunity each year to lower the tax RATE to a % that would generate the same amount of revenue as the prior year.
That rate is what’s referred to as the “no new revenue” rate and would reduce the tax burden on residents.
Eat & play at 702 Tejas y mas in downtown Lytle
Free pizza, ice cream & snow cones 11-1 this Saturday!!!
If you are looking for some great eats and family fun, look no further than 702 Tejas in Lytle, Texas. They have an old fashioned ice cream shop, food and drinks, coffee, and Italian ice.
In their cafe, they serve all kinds of food on the menu including burgers, Hunt’s Brothers Pizza, Turkey legs, wings Chicken on a Stick, Frito pie, Sausage Wraps, and much more. Ask about their Barbacoa Pizza! And they plan to serve some baby back ribs on the weekend as well!
While you are dining in, you can also play pool tables, dart machines, or your favorite tunes on the juke box and more.
Tom and Julie Crandall are excited to announce their Grand Opening celebration is this Saturday, August 24. They will be serving FREE PIZZA, Blue Bell ICE CREAM, and SNOW CONES from 11-1 to celebrate!
Don’t forget to enter the drawing for a chance to win a new bicycle too. They will have a ribbon cutting at 11.
They also serve mixed drinks and you can enjoy football games, UFC fights, etc, on their big screen TVs while you eat. Don’t forget to try their famous margaritas and daiquiris!
They will be open 10am-10pm Sunday-Thursdays, and they will be open late on Friday and Saturdays from 10am-Midnight. They are located where H&S Ice Cream Shop used to be at 15306 Main Street in Lytle.
They are excited to announce that they will have a few ARCADE GAMES coming soon to add to the fun! Check The Devine News each week for their specials!
Water alliance pushes storage project planning to meet state funding deadline
By Anton Riecher
A more specific outline of the massive 50,000 acre-feet per year storage project being proposed by the recently formed Medina County Regional Water Alliance took shape August 12 during the alliance’s monthly meeting in Hondo.
Listed as one of the principals on the Medina County Regional Aquifer Storage Recovery Project (MCRASR) team, Russell Persyn presented a PowerPoint presentation updating the project’s pre-feasibility report.
“We’ve made a lot of good progress on the front end but a lot of the tough decisions are coming up as far as determining locations where things might be feasible and how this will play with all the partners,” he said.
However, some “partners” have yet to commit. Of the nine elgible to join–listed by Persyn – the cities including Hondo, Castroville, Devine, Natalia and La Coste and water supply operations including East Medina County Special Utility District, Yancey Water Supply Corporation, West Medina WSC and Atascosa Rural WSC – neither Devine nor Natalia have agreed to participate.
In November, the Texas Water Development Board will review regional water planning throughout Texas in anticipation of adopting an updated state water plan. With hopes of qualifying for funding, a draft report on MCRASR project is expected to be completed by Sept. 20.
Continue reading “Water alliance pushes storage project planning to meet state funding deadline”
Commissioners impose immediate burn ban on Medina County
By Anton Riecher
Effective Monday Medina County joined more than 100 Texas counties west of Austin imposing a ban on outdoor burning in the midst of hot and dry weather across the state.
On the recommendation of Medina County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Chadwell, the county commissioners voted unanimously to impose a burn ban beginning at 11:59 p.m. Monday.
“It’s really dangerous right now out there for burning,” Chadwick said.
In Texas, county governments are empowered to restrict outdoor burning for public safety during drought conditions. Of the 254 counties in Texas, 108 are currently under burn bans, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
An important factor in determining fire risk is the Keetch-Byram drought index which balances precipitation against soil moisture. An index of 800 indicates absolutely dry conditions. As of Monday the local index stood at 572, Chadwick said.
Continue reading “Commissioners impose immediate burn ban on Medina County”