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Warhorses grind out wins over Pleasanton, Carrizo Springs

The Varsity Warhorse basketball team pose with their seniors after their final home game of the season against Carrizo Springs. Photo by Brigid Howard.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Devine picked up two monster wins over District 27-4A foes Pleasanton and Carrizo Springs over the last week to boost momentum and confidence as the postseason begins next week at a time and place to be determined as of press time on February 17.
vs Pleasanton
To the dismay of many Eagles fans…one in particular (if ya know, you know)…Devine withstood a fourth quarter rally by Pleasanton to get the win 65-63 on Sessions Court on February 13.
Mason Beaver and Christian Beaver tied for game-high scoring honors with 20 points each while Mason led the way in rebounding with 10. Christian had 9.
Karson Ray had 9 points and had four humongous blocked shots throughout the game.
Devine dominated the game throughout, but it definitely got hairy the last 90 seconds of the game after the Horses built what looked like a more than comfortable 10-point lead at 61-51. However, Pleasanton sank four consecutive free throws after a couple of Devine technical fouls to pull within 6 points. In a blink of an eye, Pleasanton added another two-point shot after getting the ball at halfcourt to make it uncomfortable at 61-57 with 1:22 to go.
Being pressured all the way up court, Mason made a full court layup to put Devine up 63-57 at the 1:16 mark. Consecutive Eagle layups closed the gap to 63-61 with 37: to go. Ray’sean hit a free throw to make it 64-63 with :27 on the clock then hit another free throw with :12 to go to give Devine a big four-point advantage at 65-63m essentially making Pleasanton’s last two free throws a nonfactor.
Warhorse Nation definitely showed out for senior night as the stands were full and the atmosphere was electric from the opening tip.
Devine led early 13-10 and was also up 31-21 at the break. The Horses held on to that 10-point lead going into the fourth quarter as they were ahead 44-34.
Devine had as much as a 15-point lead but if District 27 4A action has taught us anything it is that no lead is safe.
Pleasanton’s 29-21 fourth quarter scoring run was not enough to erase the full deficit, allowing Devine to leave their home court for the final time in 2026 with a win.
The Horses…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!

65 years of dancing, singing, and I love you’s

Bobby and Evelynn Lassere of Devine, 87 and 82, share a love story spanning 65 years, and counting. Photo by Hip View Photography.

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Bobby and Evelynn Lassere of Devine, 87 and 82, are celebrating 65 years of marriage this year. The Lasseres were kind enough to share their love story with us this week as we celebrate Valentine’s Day and think about this fun thing they call love.
Their love story didn’t begin with a super romantic first date or a fancy proposal, but it has culminated in a marriage that’s spanned six decades and then some.
The two love birds first met at a little cafe on the south side of San Antonio.
“I was in there eating a steak when the waitress said ‘hey there’s somebody back there in the corner that wants to talk to you. It was Evelynn and her sister. I thought she was a pretty good looking gal.”
Their first date wasn’t exactly what either of them hoped for though.
“We went to the drive-in theatre at Lackland, and I fell asleep,” he said with a chuckle, explaining he had a long day that day. “I called and asked if she wanted to go to a movie again the next weekend, and when I went over to her mother’s to pick her up, I brought a big bunch of marigolds with me. I minded my p’s and q’s! We went to the movie and straight home. I had to have her back by midnight.”
The marigolds came from his own crop, as he was farming flowers and vegetables at that time.
Mrs. Lassere recalls the couple writing love letters back and forth to each other when she went to West Texas to visit her grandmother for a short time during their courtship.
“It was just a few days, but you couldn’t call each other in those days. Everything was long distance.”
Mrs. Lassere also recalls, “Most of our dates were to the farm…I watched him pick flowers, and once in a while he’d bring some home for me.”
They got married at St. Joseph’s in South San Antonio on November 25, 1961.
The couple began their honeymoon in Castroville at a little hotel where the Bill Miller’s stands now, followed by a trip to the coast. They both laughed as they recalled, “We went out fishing for our honeymoon. I remember the boat captain stood up and said ‘I want to make an announcement. This couple just got married and he’s taking her fishing for a honeymoon!” Mr. Lassere said with a smile.
“It was funny, but we enjoyed it,” Mrs. Lassere added.
Then, “We rented an old, abandoned house for $30 a month,” Mr. Lassere said. “We didn’t have a lot of money to go anywhere, but we did a lot of puzzles and paint by number. We did everything together….If I went hunting or fishing, I always brought her along. I’d go buy some shotgun shells and bring home a rabbit to eat.”
“If it wasn’t for rabbits and ducks, we wouldn’t have had much to eat,” Mrs. Lassere reminisced fondly.
“We were broke, but we were happy,” they said, emphasizing that money troubles can’t outweigh love. They fondly recalled memories of all the ways they found a way keep the family fed and have fun.
“We just thought of each other,” Mrs. Lassere said.
“Yeah,” Mr. Lassere agreed. “When you love each other, you’re just happy and have fun anyway.”
They both laughed as they remembered how they brought home bull frogs for supper one night, and how they were leaping out of the pot!
Mr. Lassere warmly recollected how sometimes just taking a long drive through the Hill Country together was the only adventure they needed.
“Just about all I had was an old pickup truck. So we’d get a tank of full of gas, load up, and just go riding. We’d ride and ride. We’d take some barbeque with us and sometimes we’d stop and eat or camp by the lake.”
They loved to go…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!

When it comes to why Bobby loves Evelynn, he couldn’t quite put it into words. “It’s just something that happens, it’s not something you can point your finger at.” Photo by Kayleen Holder.

$166.7 MILLION DOLLAR AQUIFER STORAGE PROJECT

By Anton Riecher
A resolution to convert the regional water alliance spearheading a proposed $166.7 million aquifer storage and recovery project into a public utility agency eligible to file for grant funds was unanimously approved by Medina County commissioners Monday in Hondo.
To date, Yancey Water Supply Corporation has served as the administrative agency for the Medina County Regional Water Alliance, County Judge Keith Lutz said.
As a public utility agency, the water alliance…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!

“CHANCE MOORMAN DAY” NAMED FOR LYTLE’S REINING WORLD CHAMP!

Chance Moorman, foreground left, a three-time Ultimate Bullfighters World Champion and reigning 2025 Bullfighters Only World Champion, is presented a proclamation by Lytle Mayor Ruben Gonzalez declaring Moorman’s upcoming birthday, August 3, 2026, as Chance Moorman Day in Lytle. Moorman is the only bullfighter to hold world champion titles in both organizations. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

Clean Comedy Night with Rik Roberts promises “big laughs”

The First Baptist Church of Castroville will be hosting a Clean Fun Comedy Night on Friday, February 20, bringing in a great comedy act all the way from Nashville Tennessee.
Comedian Rik Roberts has been featured on multiple television stations and channels including CMT, DRY-BAR, Pure Flix, and more!
Most recently, Rik co-starred in “Mayberry Man.” In this family friendly movie, Rik plays a “Barney Fife Impersonator” at a Mayberry Festival. The movie and a 5 episode series are available on Amazon Prime.
According to a press release, “Rik has a real knack for choosing the right material for the audience, making everyone feel like they belong, and delivering big laughs in the most unexpected places.”
“With a show that primarily revolves around family and navigating the world we live in, he unites the audience in ways few performers can.”
You can also hear Rik’s comedy daily on SiriusXM satellite radio channels Laugh USA and Jeff & Larry’s Comedy Roundup.
See the ad on page 3 for information on how to purchase your tickets for this performance.

City addresses water line breaks

All hands on deck…Public Works employees Jose, Dalton, Ray and Pedro of The City of Devine work to drain the area of mud and water during a recent water line break. Courtesy Photo.

12 breaks in last 6 months

Over the past six months, the City of Devine has experienced twelve water line breaks, which is mainly a result of an aging infrastructure that demands attention; parts of which cannot handle the increased pressure of ongoing water and wastewater system improvements.
“When City Administrator David Jordan was hired, the City Council made it clear that the integrity of our water and wastewater systems must be a top concern and he is meeting that challenge head on,” said Mayor Butch Cook.
The availability and quality of our water sources remain among the highest priorities for the City of Devine.
In 2024 Jordan…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!

Recommendations on ESD2 fire truck updates expected

At right, ESD1 Chief Clint Cooke addresses the ESD2 board during a called meeting Thursday on fire truck repairs. ESD1 Battalion Chief David Powers, left, is in direct charge managing ESD2 fire operations. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

By Anton Riecher
Board members with Medina County Emergency Service District No. 2 took no action during a special meeting Thursday on a proposal to increase the maximum expenditure limit the board president may authorize in vehicle repairs.
ESD1 Chief Clint Cooke told the board he has never had a need for the kind of “acute authorization” under discussion.
“When it comes to repairs, you’re either going to repair it or get rid of it, right?’” Cooke said.
The proposal came up with regard to nearly $10,000 in repairs required for two ESD2 fire engines. However, the board did not authorize additional funds because the repairs fell within the $23,000 budgeted for maintenance in the present fiscal year.
ESD2 bookkeeper Nancy Pepper noted that the board president is already authorized to approve up to $2,000 in additional funds to cover an unexpected expenditure.
Cooke said that ESD1 has plans in place to ensure that apparatus are available in case of maintenance issues. That planning has already been utilized to cover for ESD2 apparatus temporarily out of service.
“At no time when all three of your apparatus went out of service was the community not serviced because we have reserve apparatus for this…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!

Family thankful Andie is safe and home

Praise God Andie is safe and home. We thank so many who helped to locate and bring her home. Our thanks to the following, knowing we cannot identify everyone, because so many were contacting and sharing behind the scenes. Many thanks to: 
Sheriff Randy Brown, Chief Deputy Gilbert Rodriguez and the entire Medina County Sheriff Dept; Bexar County Sheriff Dept; United Cajun Navy, Ground Zero, Team Texas K9s; Doc Pete Chambers; Devine ISD, particularly Mr. Michael Gomez; our entire Devine community including many local churches and parishes; many family and friends who called, texted, shared on social media, and posted flyers points north, south, east and west! We ask for continued prayers for the thousands of runaways and missing persons who are reported each day in our country. Your prayers and support carried our aching hearts during this painful and frightening time. Other families need your prayers also.
With thankful hearts, Dennis, Bertha, Andie, Jimmy, Deborah, John, Beth, Scott, Sabella and our entire family

LYTLE: Leaders take action to increase amount of water rights new subdivision developers must contribute

By Anton Riecher
Action to increase the amount per home in water rights that new subdivision developers must contribute was unanimously approved by the Lytle City Council Monday.
City Administrator Zachary Meadows recommended the increase from a third of an acre-foot in water to a complete acre-foot per each new home.
“Looking at our requirements in comparison to other communities and water districts around us most of those districts are requiring developers to bring a much high ratio per living unit equivalent,” Meadows said. “For each home built they have to bring X amount of water rights.”
Requiring less per home puts Lytle at a distinct disadvantage when the Edwards Aquifer Authority imposes steep water restrictions of up to 40 percent in the wake of recent drought conditions, he said.
“What we are looking to do with this particular ordinance is make it a one-to-one scenario so that when a developer comes in they need to bring one acre-foot of water rights per living unit equivalent,” Meadows said.
The increase would not apply to any existing agreements already negotiated with developers.
“We can’t retroactively change any of that,” Meadows said.
Mayor Ruben Gonzalez said the increase would give the city “a more fair adjustment” to the amount developers would bring to the city.
The action was approved on a motion by Precinct 4 Alderman Michael Rodriguez, seconded by Precinct 3 Alderman David Emery.
In other action…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!