It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Sherry Ann “Clawson” Hebert. On June 29, 2024, the world lost a kind and resilient soul. Sherry was born on September 6, 1963, and during her life, she touched the lives of many with her infectious laughter and unwavering positivity.
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Essie Louise DuBose
Essie Louise DuBose age 89 of Devine, Texas entered eternal rest on Friday, July 5, 2024. She was born on April 18, 1935, to parents George Ashby and Cora Ethel Garrett in Frio County, Texas.
Essie was a loving, caring, mother and friend. Everyone who knew her was blessed to know such a kind heart.
Local church invites you to visit replica of Our Lady Guadalupe, now on display in Natalia
Our-Lady-of-Guadalupe-in-Mexico-courtesy-of-iStock-copyright-David-Ramos-cmuk-1397631432
Residents are welcome to go visit the missionary image of Our Lady Guadalupe at St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Natalia. She will be on display through July 7.
This digital replica, is the exact size and color of the original miraculous image that Our Lady left on Saint Juan Diego’s tilma in 1531. It is certified by Cardinal Norberto Carrera, Archbishop of Mexico.
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Coming soon to Devine…
Summer Fun at the Driscoll Public Library… Come out and see the presentation on July 10 at 1pm by BK Bones Paleontologist (cap 200).
BK Bones, paleontologist
Summer Fun at the Driscoll Public Library…..
July 8 – Lego Club (5+ yrs) 4:30 pm
July 9 – Preschool Story Time (9 months-5/6 years) 10:30 am; D6-Tweens 2-4pm
July 10 – BK Bones Paleontologist (cap 200) 1 pm
July 16 – Preschool Story Time (9 months-5/6 years) 10:30 am
July 17 – Movie – Trolls Band Together (PG 91 min) 1 pm
July 18 – Teen Club – TBA 3 to 5 pm
July 22 – Reading Challenge Deadline; Art Club (7+ yrs) 4:30 pm
July 23 – Preschool Story Time (9 months-5/6 years) 10:30 am
July 24 – Movie – Elemental (PG 104 min) 1 pm
July 30 – Preschool Story Time (9 months-5/6 years) 10:30 am; Quest 4 Teens 2 to 4 pm
July 31 – Spikey Mikey Magic Show (cap 200) 1 pm
August 1 – Awards Ceremony; Ice Cream Social 1 pm
Magician Spikey Mikey and more!
Gonzales executed….
2001 Capital Murder Case went unsolved for almost two years before confession of kidnapping/murder
PRESS RELEASE by Medina County District Attorney’s Office June 27, 2024–On June 26, 2024, Ramiro Felix Gonzales was executed for the rape and murder of 18-year-old Bridget Townsend. The death penalty is something that is never taken lightly by the State of Texas.
In the case of Ramiro Gonzales, he had a fair trial and he confessed to the crime and led authorities to her body. Prior to his confession, the family of Bridget Townsend had to deal with the uncertainty of Bridget’s fate for a year and nine months. After the discovery of her body, the family has had to endure the repeated reminders of their loved one’s murder as every appellate effort was exhausted during the 18 years following the jury’s death penalty verdict.
“Heinous actions call for severe consequences and nothing can bring back Bridget Townsend. Those intending to commit a capital murder must know that the State of Texas will seek and carry out the death penalty when the facts and circumstances call for it,” said Medina County Criminal District Attorney Mark Haby.
“Nothing about an execution is easy. Nothing about losing a loved one to murder is easy. However, it seems to be a fitting end that the defendant was executed on the birthday of the person he killed, Bridget Townsend. May both their souls find peace,” Haby adds.
Background of the case:
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Devine council hopes to reduce speed limit on part of Hwy 173 in Devine from 45 to 35 MPH
speed limit sign istock photo
Parking on either side of Oak Hill Drive prohibited
By Anton Riecher
The Devine City Council voted unanimously at its June 18th meeting to prohibit parking on both sides of Oak Hill Drive near Wal-Mart due to ongoing complains about dangerous traffic and pedestrian conditions.
Acting on a suggestion by Devine Fire Chief Greg Atkinson, the council voted to establish a fire lane on both sides of Oak Hill Drive. The motion was made by District 5 Council Member Debbie Randall and seconded by District 3 Council Member Jeff Miller.
Police reported that despite previous action to restrict parking to the north side of Oak Hill Drive at least 26 citations have been issued in the past year to drivers of 18 wheelers parked illegally. The large trucks restrict access to emergency vehicles, particularly fire trucks.
Because many of those drivers are Mexican nationals traveling the Interstate 35 corridor collecting parking fines remains difficult, police said.
Mayor Butch Cook reported that the management at…
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Local group seeks to meet the skyrocketing demand here for one of life’s basic necessities…. WATER
Over 7,000 homes have been built in Medina County from 2017-2024. Local leaders are forming an alliance to help with water security as more rights are needed to meet future demands.
All the while, subdividers continue bringing more plats for approval at local city council and county meetings. The water alliance held a meeting this past Tuesday in the Medina County Commissioner’s Court room (look for coverage on that meeting next week as the meeting was held on press day).
The alliance eventualy hopes to secure state funding and to construct a Aquifer Storage and Recovery System for Medina County. Photo by Anton Riecher
By Kayleen Holder
If you take a quick glance at the State’s projections regarding the supply and demand of water in Medina County, the numbers might not look so bad. But those numbers are rather misleading or outdated as one local expert explains, and here’s why.
“This report was based on our historic growth rate of 2-3%. Over the past three years, we have increased the number of water services by nearly 25% increasing the amount of additional water needed to meet future demands,” said Bruce Alexander of East Medina Water.
The number of homes in Medina County has grown from 18,791 to 25,938 in the past seven years (2017-2024), with many more huge developments still underway such as the 750+ home subdivisions coming in on I-35 just south of Devine.
Preliminary stormwater utility rate set by Lytle council
By Anton Riecher
A rate of $7 per equivalent residential unit in the proposed creation of a stormwater utility fund to better manage drainage issues was approved by the Lytle City Council during their June 24 regular session.
The council also approved issuing exclusions for church owned properties of 50 percent.
In Texas, cities are authorized to adopt local stormwater drainage utility systems to protect public health from flooding and health issues. Through the utility, communities organize maintenance activities and capital projects to better manage the situation.
Equivalent residential units or ERUs are a taxable unit representing the average square footage of impervious area for a…
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Natalia ISD to limit phone use, approves $16.3 million budget
Principal Fernando Torres proposed the Yondr phone-free system to members of the school board. The system will be implemented in the fall semester of 2024. Photo by Catherine Richard.
By Catherine Richard
Five members of the Board of Trustees for Natalia Independent School District met and approved measures to prevent phone use during class and to approve the 2024 budget and bond sales plan on the evening of June 24.
The majority of the discussion concerned the new phone restrictions that will begin in the fall semester.
Principal Fernando Torres presented a new program by Yondr, a company that aims to create phone-free spaces with magnetized pouches that prevent students from accessing their phones.
In this system, each student will be given a pouch which will be locked at the beginning of the school day. Only members of the Natalia ISD staff will have the equipment to unlock these pouches.
This action has been proposed due to concerning trends within Natalia ISD and…
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