By Anton Riecher A wireless internet provider based in LaCoste is proposing a partnership with Medina County to strengthen its chance at securing $96 million in state grant funding to extend fiber optic infrastructure throughout the county. Rodney Hitzfelder, president and founder of Sago Internet, addressed county commissioners during the commissioners’ court meeting Monday in Hondo. “We’re not asking for any funding,” Hitzfelder said. “In fact, we will probably be putting in matching funds through our corporation because it gives us advanced points toward the application.” Medina County is one of 20 Texas counties approved to apply for a portion of the $729.9 million available thought the Texas Broadband Development Office’s BOOT II competitive grant program aimed at funding countywide infrastructure projects that bring broadband access to eligible areas of the state. The deadline for applying for the funds is August 26.
This historic Mill & Elevator in Devine, Texas employed hundreds of local adults and youth in its long and storied history. Depending on your generation, you may call it, “SWT”, the “Co-op”, “Devine Mill & Elevator”, or just “The Mill”, but no matter the name, the mission was the same . But in 1915 ground was broken here to build the first mill in Devine as the “Adams Company Corn Sheller”. The elevator was added soon after to load the corn into the rail cars after they were shelled. Hometown History…. By Nancy Ehlinger Saathoff, Devine Historical Committee Devine Mill & Elevator – Tri-County Farmers Co-op – SWT Farm & Ranch Supply was a large employer of full-time, summer, seasonal, and high school workers in Devine for many decades! It was also the go-to Feed & Seed business for area farmers & ranchers, as well as home gardeners. Customers were greeted with the smells and sounds of a busy feed store like baby chicks peeping, grain drills churning, and the regular train whistling as it traveled on the nearby tracks. The sights, sounds and smells are often engrained with other memories, whether from a customer or people who worked there.
With those memories in mind, the Facebook page posted this picture of the Mill, and asked followers for any special memories they might have of the Mill. My dad, Arthur Ehlinger, worked at the Mill for over 30 years so the memories of the people, sights, sounds, and smells are very familiar and special to me too. And every time I pass by that elevator tower at the Mill, I think of him and those memories. *Here are some memories that were posted this week, and a follow-up article will add more. Some of these memories are from customers, former employees, and even children or grandchildren of customers or employees, and give us a good idea of the value that this old building and tower represent in our community. “Back when we were kids, our grandparents raised parakeets. We used to go with our grandpa to get birdseed from there. There was an older man that worked there who didn’t have an arm. I was always so shocked he could carry those big bags of seed. He also used a wooden dolly.” “I remember watching him load our feed/seed. I don’t think I ever knew who he was, just that he was a nice man and always there. I always loved the way that feed store smelled.” *Mr. Timoteo Ambriz (Timo) was a strong and friendly employee of the Tri-County Farmers Co-op for many years. He lost his arm in an accident at the Mill, but returned to work there and was a great example for everyone with not only his physical strength, but his strength of character. “My father, Tucker D. Irwin, worked as the bookkeeper throughout the 50s and 60s until he was forced to retire due to health issues. When I was a child, I used to walk there after school, just to spend time with him and watch him work. I was in awe of him and marveled at his interactions with others, giving advice to farmers about which seeds to plant, and when, which fertilizers to use on which crops and which feed to feed livestock. I thought he was one of the smartest men I knew! I remember the smells of seed, fertilizers, livestock food, and pesticides and can still smell those things to this very day. Some of my fondest memories were there with him. Mr. Alton Martin and Mr. Arthur Ehlinger were there and were good friends with my dad for all those years. And yes, I remember that terrible day Paul Bain Marin was injured, and nearly died, when a ton of, I believe, cotton see hull fell on him while he was working with it. Amazing place and amazing days of my life.” *There are articles about Paul Bain Martin in the Devine News archives, including one written by him a few years ago. *Mr. Tucker Irwin was a veteran of WWII, who was wounded and lost his legs in battle. He, like Mr. Timo Ambriz, never let their injuries stop them from working full time and supporting their families. “I remember the chiclet machine. I worked there one summer typing names and addresses of the farmers on envelopes and sending out invitations to the stockholders’ meeting. Mr. Timo Ambriz worked there for years. He was always so kind and funny with us kids, especially when all of us kids (siblings) came in.” “I remember going there with my grandfather, Tharon Savage, to buy feed and Mr. Hope would give me a DumDum sucker. When we moved back to Devine, I bought feed there several times, but they closed shortly after.” “I worked there a bit while in high school. There was an old guy there that worked in the mill that could out work any man there, no matter his age. He had to be in his mid-60s.” “My brother worked there for awhile under Butch Roberson. I was too young and so I worked for Floyd Newman in the peanut fields moving irrigation pipes. I liked the smell of the feed store when I walked in there. I have happy memories of my Grandpa Leo Bohl St. taking me there. He would buy me chicks at Easter time.” “We shopped there frequently. I always liked the smell.” “My brother and I worked there during our Jr. and Sr. years in high school. After graduation by brother continued to work there a few years longer.” These are but a few of the memories, and more with be shared in a later article.
We would love to hear YOUR MEMORIES of the MILL too, so if you have any stories, pictures, or even small memories, please share them on the Facebook page for the Devine Historical Committee or contact me, Nancy Saathoff at gnsaathoff@aol.com, Facebook messenger, or call or text me at 210-289-6205.
By Kathleen Calame Publisher, The Devine News The MC ESD4 which provides emergency medical services to Devine and Natalia is wanting to increase taxes by 2.85 cents per $100 value which is an increase change of 57% over last year’s tax rate according to a notice this week. Tax on an average homestead will have a change of 64 to 73% increase it states. ESD 4 is going to start their own ambulance service on October 1 instead of using a contractor like they have for many years. The announcement was made months ago, and a director of operations was hired.
Jerel Beaty-Staff Writer Lytle High School Gymnasium is the place to be Wednesday, August 14 as the community is invited to celebrate the beginning of new school year and sports seasons. Recognition of football, volleyball, and Cross Country teams as well as acknowledgement of band members, training staffs, dance teams, and cheerleading squads is on the fun-filled agenda as well as some motivational speeches by local community members. It begins at 6:00pm! Don’t be late!
The San Antonio Food Bank sent 22 pallets of food non-perishable goods the were distributed in Devine Monday, August 5th.
The monthly San Antonio Food Bank distribution by Devine VFW Post 3966 had a record distribution on August 5, 2024. San Antonio Food Bank notified the Post last week that they had an additional 10 pallets of non-perishable goods for distribution. The 22 pallets of food and non-perishables arrived in a full semi-trailer truck. With nearly twice as many pallets to unload, the distribution started later than usual at about 9:30 am. With 37 volunteers helping, the record distribution was still completed by 11:20. One hundred and sixty-six (166) families were served.
Playing sports, pets, and making music are just a few of their favorite things. Brothers Jose and Moses, 12 and 14, are two extraordinary South Texas kids who want and deserve a family of their own.
Meet Jose and Moses, two extraordinary South Texas kids. Jose is a very active 12-year-old who likes playing basketball and any sports in general. He can be described as having an extroverted personality and is a fan of playing video games with his brother. At school, Jose enjoys his orchestra class where he plays the violin and taking part in gym class. Jose is still undecisive on what he wants to major in at college, but knows he still has a few years to think about it. But he doesn’t have to think long of an answer when asked his favorite food, as its lemon pepper wings from Wingstop. Moses is the older brother at 14, and a little more quiet than his younger brother who he enjoys spending time with. He also likes helping around the house and being involved in family activities.
“Our kids are the hardest working kids I have ever been around”
Mustang Football is expecting around 60-65 kids to come out this season. New Head Coach and Athletic Director Jason Reynolds said they will carry 2 teams this season, a JV and a Varsity. “On day one our energy and effort was through the roof! I felt that our kids did a great job taking what we did over the summer and were able to just continue the work that we have been putting in since the spring,” Coach Reynolds said. “Defensively, I was very impressed with how fast our kids adapted to our scheme,” Coach Reynolds adds. “Offensively our kids practiced with a lot of tempo, and I loved the amount of communication and accountability I was seeing between players.”
Lytle Police activity for the past week included, but was not limited to, responding to 39 calls for service and conducting 66 traffic stops. Of the 66 stops, 57 resulted in citations and 9 were warnings. The “top speeder” of the week was “clocked” by Sgt. G. Hanson speeding 73 mph in a 35-mph zone on Railroad St. That’s 38 mph over the limit! That reminds me of the old Cannonball Run movie from 1981, it was packed full of stars. Sadly, most of them have passed on. Fair warning, if you look up the theme song and listen to it, it may get stuck in your head. Now on to something of more substance. Only two property crimes were reported to us last week. #1 -H.E.B. Plus reported that an unknown female shoplifted some unknown items. That is a lot of unknowns. #2 – A resident of N. Benton reported scratches on the rear hatch of her vehicle.
Super busy week and weekend! My awesome stay in Devine ended last Thursday morning, when we left from my grandsons’ home to bring me back home! That afternoon, grocery shopping and a nap were the order of the day, Friday, I baked cakes for the church picnic and Saturday, I spent a large portion of the day helping make the cream cheese and poppy seed rolls that are a main fundraiser. It was fun and everything turned out really good. Sunday was picnic day and was a really busy day. However, I was finished working and after lunch watched the auction for a bit and came back to the house, hard work but also a fun time. This column is truly a “Did you know…column, as I’ve noticed several things over the past several weeks/months and even years, that you may or may not have noticed. For instance: we all know that for years, bacon is no longer sold by the pound (16-ozs) but comes in packages that contain 12-ozs, and yes, it is still the same price or higher than the 16-oz packages were.
Making a reference to the TV show Candid Camera will definitely put me into the Official Old Geezer category. A quick Google check tells me the program began production in 1947 or 48. As a kid growing up in the 50’s, I recall watching it on the little black and white set we had that allowed 2 channel options. We thought that our lives moved to “high cotton” conditions where Channel 12 was added to Channels 4 and 5! The show generally documented people’s behaviors in surprising and unusual contrived situations when they were unaware of the recording. It caused many a laugh for me and my family and was a “must see” part of our TV schedule watching.
