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Voting card errors explained in City of Devine election, corrections made

“As for the how the incorrect precinct/districts were assigned, it was due to a clerical error made during the redistricting process”, said Lupe C Torres, Elections Administrator for Medina County.
During Early Voting for the City of Devine municipal elections, it was discovered by the City’s Voting Clerk, Dora Rodriguez, and her Election Judges, that the certified list of registered voters for the City of Devine was not correct.
“The Official List of Registered Voters (OLRV) was sent to both the City of Devine and ESD2 prior to the start of Early Voting.  Since we did not hear from either entity, it was understood that all voters had been correctly assigned to their districts/precincts,” said Torres.
“As for the Mayor’s contest (City of Devine, Butch Cook vs Cory Thompson), all voters should have received that contest on their ballot, as this is a city wide contest and not a district/precinct contest,” said Torres.
“However, as for the Council Pct. 2 contest (Michael Hernandez vs Angela Pichardo, which is specific to that District), any legal action to be taken if any, will be a decision for a candidate to make, “ explained Torres when asked if the difference in the Council Pct. 2 contest ended up being six votes or less.
“We were informed that there were voters who had been assigned to the incorrect precinct with the City of Devine, however voters have been identified and placed on the correct precinct,” said Torres. The errors were discovered during the first couple days of early voting.
As for MCESD2, it was isolated to two voters who had also been assigned to the incorrect ESD.  As soon as it was brought to our attention, the list was reviewed and corrections were made to ensure that all MCESD2 registered voters were in the correct jurisdiction/precinct.  
The following is a public notice that explains the situation that was published online on The Devine News social media last week upon the discovery of the errors.
It reads as follows:
During Early Voting for the City of Devine municipal elections, it was discovered by the City’s Voting Clerk, Dora Rodriguez, and her Election Judges, that the certified list of registered voters for the City of Devine was not correct. The certified list was provided to the City by the Medina County Elections Administrator. By statute, the Elections Administrator has the duty to provide the City with a certified list of voters. The list of voters provided to the City listed voters as residing in City Council Districts in which they actually did not live.
When the residency error was discovered, the Voting Clerk and her staff reviewed the list of voters provided by the Elections Administrator. There were over 201 voters whose residency was inaccurately listed. After reviewing the sign-in sheets for voters, it was determined that six voters who actually lived in District 2 were not given ballots for the District 2 election contest. This problem has been reported by the Voting Clerk to the Elections Division of the Texas Secretary of State.
Because of the incorrect list of voters provided to the City by the Medina County Elections Administrator, there may be a slight delay in the voting process. Now that they are aware of the problem, the Voting Clerk and Election Judges are taking the necessary time to determine the correct residence of each voter.
The early voting totals are up this year from the prior City of Devine election. And the county election officials are saying they have had a steady stream of voters at the Medina County Annex across from Tractor Supply in Devine as well (Devine ISD, ESDs, and Lytle ISD elections).
Election day is this Saturday, May 6, 2023. Early voting ended Tuesday.
Voting is taking place 7am to 7pm on May 6 at City of Devine office, Medina County Annex in Devine, Lytle ISD Admin office, and all polling locations in Medina County. Devine ISD also have a polling location in downtown Bigfoot. See stories for complete locations.

Butch Cook challenging
incumbent Cory Thompson in City of Devine Mayor’s race

One day of voting left……

Mayor Cory Thompson is a local freelance home builder and developer. He has served as mayor for close to four years. Previous to being appointed mayor, he also served on city council.
Mayoral Candidate Butch Cook is a local businessman, who owns South Texas Trophies/ Image Matters. A long time Devine resident, he also served on city council from 1997-2003.

Early 1900’s
in downtown Devine

Drug stores like this one were more than just pharmacies.

By Nancy Ehlinger Saathoff
Back in the horse & buggy days of early Devine, Texas it might be surprising to know that we had several drug stores and doctors here, even though the population was pretty small! They had some healthy competition and drug stores were more than just pharmacies. They were essential in providing home remedies and prescription drugs, but were also very diversified in their services by having confectionaries with ice cream, malts & milkshakes, & candies, plus things like school supplies, stationary, jewelry, watch repairing, and more. Often the doctors would have their offices above the drug store, or in a back room. That must have worked well for “One-Stop” medical service back then!
The early drug stores in Devine were basic wooden structures with plain-looking facades, but that all changed when the Lion Drug Store built their brick building with such beautiful architecture. I have not located information about exactly when it was built, but probably between 1900 & 1910. The Lion Drug Store was in business in 1900 or earlier, and this was probably not their first store, but it was their most iconic! It was unclear who the early owners were, but Dr. Evans purchased the store and had his office in the back and his daughter, Miss Kate Evans, was the proprietor & pharmacist in the front. That was an unusual occupation for a woman in those days, but she continued in that profession for years.
This brick Lion Drug Store was situated on the east side of the railroad tracks between the first Loggins & Lilly store (old Locker Plant) and Hayden Street, and across the street from the Adams National Bank, on what is now Transportation Street. On older maps, Transportation was named either East Front Street, East Main Street, or East Depot Street and was the first business district in Devine! Businesses in this area included cafes, mercantile stores, cotton gins, a blacksmith shop, and of course, a drug store, or two! The schools were located farther east on the hill around Bowman Ave., and many residents built houses in this area before more businesses were built on the west side of the tracks.
In 1931 the Lion Drug Store may have been torn down, but it is not entirely clear if this brick building was the one that was, or if it was an older store. As I find more information, I can update this.
*This Picture, and others like it, of old, ornate buildings that were once standing in Devine can evoke all kinds of emotions, even today. As beautiful as they were, it is kind of sad that they no longer exist in our community to enjoy and bring a stronger sense of history to us now. But we are very fortunate to have some of these pictures still around and have the technology to share them with others. One of the goals of the Devine Historical Committee is to research and share the history of Devine that we find.
*If you have any photos, memorabilia, or stories of Devine that you would like share, please contact me anytime. And if you are on Facebook, please check out our Devine Historical Committee page for the wonderful pictures and stories that so many have shared. For more information, contact Nancy Ehlinger Saathoff at 210-289-6205 or gnsaathoff@aol.com.

Devine ISD hires two new teachers, elections divided into 2 propositions

Devine ISD hired two teachers at this past week’s meeting, and also accepted some exciting grants.
Renee Frieda moved and seconded by Chris Davis to approve hiring Kaelyn Campsey and Merritt Gensen as recommended by the Superintendent. Both will work on the Intermediate Campus.
Renee Frieda also moved and was seconded by Keri James to authorize the superintendent to hire professional staff for the 2023-24 school year between April 18, 2023 and August 21, 2023 as presented.
Carl Brown moved and seconded by Henry Moreno to Approve Devine Education Foundation Grants as presented.
This includes two micro-grants–one is for $594.44 for art class to make Cultural Heritage Skateboards and the 2nd is for $1,042 to fund a field trip to HR Farms to study plants.
There are also two innovative teaching grants totaling $8,754.88 which will be funded next school year. These grants have not been announced to the recipients yet, and will remain a surprise until the end of year ceremony.

Devine ISD bond elections divided into 2 propositions

DISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to call for a $33.2 million bond election for Saturday, May 6, 2023.
The decision was made at a called meeting, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.
“It was after much thought and discussion that we decided that this is the best route for the district. Facilities Committee members looked at and considered many things before they made their presentation to the board detailing what they thought were our most important areas, especially those concerning the increase of safety and security,” DISD Board President Mrs. Nancy Pepper said.
Calling for a bond election comes after several months of Facilities Committee meetings to determine the district facility priorities.
“We formed this committee in the fall. We reached out to both our staff and the community so that everyone could have input,” Superintendent Dr. Todd Grandjean said.
Two propositions will be on the ballot. All projects are recommended with the priority given to improving the safety and security of DISD campuses and students.
Proposition A recommends projects at all four campuses and the special education building.
High school projects encompass measures to increase security, which include moving the DHS office downstairs and remodeling the current space into classrooms. Also on the list are a new band hall, and converting the existing band hall into a black-box theater. (A black-box theater is a simple space, typically a square room with black walls and a flat floor that will be used as a classroom for theater classes.)
Recommended projects at the middle school are an expansion of the boys and girls locker rooms, expanding the library, and a repurposing/remodeling of the cafeteria.
At the intermediate school, a secure vestibule (entrance) is recommended to increase safety and security.
Ciavarra Elementary recommended improvements include closing in all outdoor corridors, a new building that will include office space with a secure vestibule, early childhood center, including PreK and special education classrooms, a gym and dining area, and improvements to the drop-off and pick-up areas. The new facility will bring the youngest children much closer to the central campus.
A total of $2.5 million of the bond is allocated to renovating/expanding or building a new special education building. The current space at the facility is too small to accommodate the current number of staff members, meeting rooms, etc.
“After results of the bond election, we will determine the most cost-effective way to proceed with the special ed building,” Dr. Grandjean said.
Bond election regulations require recreation facilities to be separate propositions; therefore, Proposition B recommends the addition of four new tennis courts, doubling what is in existence currently.
“We are planning to have discussions with all aspects of the community, citizens, clubs–everyone. We will do these in-person and also on a virtual platform,” Dr. Grandjean said.
The current interest and sinking tax rate will not increase on the first $11.665 million of the bond.
After that there will be a $0.1807 per $100 valuation tax rate increase to the interest and sinking rate. (Interest and sinking is the budget that pays for debt that has been incurred by prior bond sales. The maintenance and operating side includes all the day-to-day running of the district. Bonds can be sold for facilities, purchase of buses, technology.)
That increase will bring the total DISD tax rate to $1.2753 per $100 valuation pending maintenance and operation tax rate compression at the end of the current legislative session.
The following table assumes the Local Homestead Exemption of $40,000.
Home Value Less Homestead Exemption Daily Increase Monthly Increase Yearly Increase
$100,000 $60,000 $0.30 $9.04 $108.45
$150,000 $110,000 $0.54 $16.57 $198.82
$200,000 $160,000 $0.79 $24.10 $289.19
$250,000 $210,000 $1.04 $31.63 $379.56

Election Info…

City of Devine Voters-

All registered voters in Devine can vote in the mayoral race, and early voting is now underway at City Hall.
There are two contested races in the City of Devine, including:
Mayoral Race
-Cory Thompson (i) and
challenger Butch Cook.

District 2 Race
-Angela Pichardo (i) and challenger Michael Hernandez

Distict 5 councilwoman Debbie Randall is unopposed.

Early Voting:
April 24-28, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.;
May 1-2, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Early Voting one Saturday, April 29 – 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Election day: May 6, 2023, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
You can Vote at City Hall, 303 S. Teel, Devine.

Devine ISD Voters-
Polling locations in both Medina and Frio Counties

Vote For or Against the following Bond issues:

Proposition A – 31.5 Million for Safety and Renovations of Schools, Band Hall

Proposition B – 1.5 Million – for 4 New Tennis Courts

Medina County Polls:
Vote at Medina County Precinct 4 Annex Building this year (317 TX-132 N, Devine).
Early Voting: April 24-28, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; and Saturday April 29 9am-2pm; May 1-2, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. May 6, 2023 (Election Day) 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Election day: May 6, 2023, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Frio County Polls-
Voting at the Bigfoot Alternative Center, 13777 FM 472, Bigfoot, TX 78005
April 24-28, 2023 (Early Voting) 8:00 am – 5:00 pm; April 29, 2023 (Early Voting) 9:00 am – 2:00 pm and May 1-2, 2023 (Early Voting) 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
May 6, 2023 (Election Day) 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Medina County- Vote at Medina County Precinct 4 Annex Building
(across from Tractor Supply)
Voters can vote in the ESD District elections, where they are registered to vote.
Medina County ESD 2 – (Devine Fire area) – add 1.25 % to sales tax
Medina County ESD 5 – (Natalia Fire area) – add 1.25% to sales tax
Medina County ESD 4 – (EMS Devine/Natalia areas – add .50% to sales tax
ESD4 overlaps both fire districts (2&5), since EMS can bill for services they are asking for only .25 from each district, so .25+.25= .5% sales tax
*Note: 8.25% is the maximum any city or county in Texas can charge for sales tax. Medina County is at 6.75% currently, so that leaves 1.5% open.
ESD 2, 4, and 5 – All Voting at County Building:
Election day: May 6, 2023, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Early Voting: April 24-28, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; and Saturday April 29 9am-2pm and May 1-2, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
May 6, 2023 (Election Day) 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Lytle ISD- Vote for one or none, Single Member District 2


Trustee Special Election for Single Member District 2 will be on May 6, 2023 between Jessica Perales , and one write-in candidate Jeremy Davenport.
Voting in a trustee for Single Member District 2. (Voters must vote in the Single Member District where they are registered to vote.)
Note: Lytle ISD is only conducting the special election. They were able to cancel the general election, which is the annual election due to unopposed candidates. The special election is due to having two SMD vacancies however, they canceled the SMD 5 election, but not the other as there was one write-in candidate for SMD 2 before the deadline.
Polling places:
Lytle ISD Administration Office, 1537 Cottage St., Lytle, Tx.
Medina County Courthouse Annex, 1300 Ave. M Room 108, Hondo, Tx.
Medina County ESD No. 1, Station #15, 17934 FM 1957, Rio Medina, Tx.
Medina County Pct. 4 Annex, 317 State Hwy. 132 N. , Devine, Tx.
Medina County Pct. 2 Annex, 8366 FM 471 S. , Castroville, Tx.
Early Voting weekdays: April 24-28, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; and May 1-2, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday April 29 9am-2pm.
Election Day: May 6, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

City of Lytle – cancelled election due to uncontested races.
Natalia City/Schools – no elections
LaCoste City – no elections

Golf Tournament Saturday… Audrey Jane – Divine Savior Lutheran Church
“Gift of Hope”

At 10:45 am Saturday, April 29, the Divine Savior Lutheran Church’s 7th Annual Gift of Hope Golf Tournament gets underway at the Devine Golf Club Course with a tee time of 11:00 am. The Devine Golf Club and course are at 116 Malone Drive, Devine, Texas.
This tournament was not played when scheduled in the fall of 2022 due to bad weather. The tournament proceeds will go to our 2022 beneficiary, Audrey Jane Capps. The proceeds are to help her directly with her needed therapies. The “Gift of Hope” is a charity established in 2015 by Divine Savior Lutheran Church members to help Medina County families with debt due to a debilitating disease.
Tournament play calls for four-person teams, the maximum handicapped for women is 24, and the maximum handicapped for men is 18. The entry fee for each player is $75.00. The entry fee includes a free meal, golf cart, and green costs. Mulligans are $10.00 per tournament player. Other competitive activities planned are Chipping Contest at $20.00 per participant and Tiger Drive at $40.00 per team. Winners of these competitions will receive a cash prize.
Door prizes for all golf tournament participants are to be awarded.
Cash awards for tournament players winning 1st place, 2nd place, and 3rd place depending on the number of entries.
Hole number four on the course is dedicated to celebrating the golfing life of Jerry Wayne Busby, the Hondo Municipal Golf Course manager who recently passed away from colon cancer. The $500.0000 award goes to the golfer who scores a hole-in-one on hole number four.
Our beneficiary Audrey Jane Capps, daughter of Josh and Brittany Capps, is the recipient of our November 2022 fundraiser and spilling over into 2023 due to the unforeseeable weather delaying the golf tournament.
Audrey was born with a rare genetic disease called Ataxia Telangiectasia. The A-T disease is rare, occurring only in one out of forty thousand births. Audrey just turned five and is now attending school. She is a precious little girl who believes in all princesses. Her imagination is incredible.


A child with A-T disease usually cannot walk by age ten.
Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T) is a genetic disease. It causes loss of muscle control, balance, cancer, and lung disease and comprises the immune system in children and young adults.
Devine Acres Farm hosted a benefit last Saturday. The benefit is known as “Audrey Jane’s Light” and is used to raise funds for the “A-T Children Project,” an organization dedicated to finding a cure for all who have A-T. Carriers of the A-T gene are approximately one per hundred in the general population compared to the typical population. The cancer rate in children with A-T is a thousand times higher, and the cancer rate of carriers can be up to four times higher. The “A-T Children Project” has become worldwide.
Last Saturday, at Devine Acres Farm, I was handed a book called “Life’s a Journey” written by Colten Jay Skinner, a young man diagnosed with this disease at birth. “Life’s a Journey” is a nonfiction biography of a boy’s hardships which have become a blessing.
Colten was born in a small town in Illinois in 1992. He was diagnosed with A-T at birth. Colten and his brother Duey, who passed at age twenty-nine, were confined to a wheelchair in elementary school. His brother died of cancer at the age of twenty-nine.
A-T spokesperson for this disease was at Devine Acres Farm last Saturday. She took a picture of my husband and me holding Colten’s book. She immediately sent the photo to Colten, and he immediately responded. What a blessing God gave us. This book will soon become a movie. Colten’s life has become a journey every single day. He is a young man who lives every day of his life to help others.
The “Gift of Hope” has helped many children and adults through the last seven years. We all need to realize that expenses pile up when treatment is necessary. Our gift is only a tiny portion. Donations to the “Gift of Hope” have
helped many families during this journey. I hope to see you all on April 29. This one is for Audrey Jane.

Crash and bailout puts school on high alert

The smuggler in this bailout last Tuesday just left the car in “drive” as she and the occupants bailed out of the vehicle on Hwy 132 just outside Devine. The vehicle actually hit the deputy’s unit after she jumped out, and authorities who are growing more weary every day from the constant bailouts, began the search. There have been over 1,223,000 CPB apprehensions on the Southwest Border in the past six months (October-March) according to US Border Patrol.

Authorities used dogs in an attempt to track down smugglers and several people who bailed out of this vehicle (below). The vehicle’s windshield was shattered to pieces as it crashed through a fence on Zig Zag near the school this Tuesday, April 25. Thankfully the pursuit ended before going through the school zone traffic. Parents got an alert about the situation around 7:30AM as kiddos were being dropped off at school, and authorities secured the area to make sure there was no threat to the students. Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown had only a few minutes to talk as he was in the middle of another bailout case just a few hours later the same day.

Two Devine teams Statebound!

Congratulations to the Devine High School girl’s golf team for making it to state! Pictured above left to right are Arabians Kaylee Romano, Brianna Schafer, Raynee Allen, Gabby Morales, and Kelsey Dishman. The exciting news came in right as we were going to press, so look for full story in next week’s Devine News. We are proud of you Arabians!
Devine Tennis players Johnathon Gelinas and Kelsey Dishman are Regional Champs in Mixed Doubles. Now they are headed to STATE! Congrats and good luck!

Anita (Ann) Jaramillo Gallegos

On April 11, 2023, Anita needed to rest, angels came and gently took her peacefully to her final resting place. Anita lived a full life while on this earth. She grew up Catholic and her daily prayer was necessary to get her through each day.
Ann, as she was known in her professional life enjoyed taking trips to interesting places with her longtime friend from Hondo. Their shopping excursions were epic to say the least. Ann had a sense of style that I admired so much. I once told her that she could put on a potato sack, jewelry and of course her scarf and nobody would know the difference. We shared some good laughs because she had a great sense of humor. Ann enjoyed celebrating special occasions with family and friends, these occasions were especially important to her. She always had her camera with her; she documented so much of our family history in pictures. With each celebration, came her homemade cakes and pies, she was known for these delicious treats. She also extended her gift of baking to family and friends during their time of need.
Anita was born in Devine, Texas on July 15, 1937, to Salome A. and Carlota J. Gallegos. Anita was born during hard and lean years, and those years provided her with important knowledge. And as the years drifted by, she learned more valuable lessons of survival and these lessons carried her through the years. Working hard was an instinct she applied throughout her life.
Ann had many professional friends. Those friends and acquaintances were more than generous in giving her advice and guidance throughout her career. Eventually a couple of people saw her potential and that was the beginning of a long and prosperous adventure. Ann was hired in a clerical position in the funeral home business; and she loved it! Ann was over the moon with gratitude given this opportunity in her life. She worked hard and learned every aspect of the business and eventually became the makeup artist for Hurley Funeral Home. She cared for every family that came in with love, compassion and dignity. She worked for over 60 years for the same company, in Devine and in Pearsall.
After retirement she stayed busy with baking, sewing, flower arranging, gardening, and doing her own thing. She also became like a surrogate mom to our family after losing our own mother. Anita stepped in and took the role. It was like second nature to her to take care of family.
As a sister, I always admired her tenacity to advance in life and live her life to the fullest. She was always an inspiration to me. Anita will be missed by her family and friends. She was a person of great spirit. She enjoyed having fun, laughing, celebrating special events, with a good barbecue, a margarita, Mexican food and music.
Anita (Ann) is preceded in death by her parents, Salome A. Gallegos & Carlota J. Gallegos; infant brother and sister, Baldemar & Anita; brothers, Joe A. Gallegos; Robert J. Gallegos; Willie J. Gallegos; Johnny J. Gallegos; sister, Mary Lou Gallegos Rodriguez.
She survived by her sister, Dora Gallegos Dodds of Mico, TX; sisters-in-law, Mary Gallegos; Beverly Gallegos; Rose Gallegos; brother-in-law Ruben Rodriguez; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
I love you sister and miss you dearly, Rest in Peace.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to St Jude Hospital in Memphis, TN, her favorite charity. Arrangements made by Primrose Funeral Home Services, Devine, TX.
Memorial Services are pending.

Patricia Ann Wilson Whitehurst

Patricia Ann Wilson Whitehurst, 70, passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Lytle, Texas.
Patricia (Pat) was born on May 22, 1952, in Memphis, Texas, to Willie Ben Wilson and Gloria Gosch Wilson. She grew up in Memphis, Texas until moving to San Antonio, Texas, with her mother in 1964 after her father’s death.
Pat graduated from Edison High School in 1970. She started her career in San Antonio, Texas and later went on to work many years in Lytle, Texas at Long & Associates and Lytle State Bank.
Pat married the love of her life, William Russel Whitehurst, III (Russel) on June 6, 1970, in San Antonio, Texas. The couple had 2 children, William Russel Whitehurst, IV (Billy) and Katherine Louise Whitehurst Ehlers (Katie) and shared 48 wonderful years of marriage before Russel passed away in 2018.
Pat was an avid reader who loved classical music and was an unbeatable opponent in Trivial Pursuit.
She is survived by her son, Billy (Kayme), her daughter Katie (Matt), her grandchildren Chelsea Whitehurst, Emily Whitehurst, Cinco Whitehurst, Lily Ehlers and her great-grandchildren Avery Landeros and Logan Landeros.
Patricia is preceded in death by her father, Willie Ben Wilson, her mother, Gloria Gosch Wilson Sparkman, and her husband Russel Whitehurst.
Graveside service will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023, starting at 10:30 A.M. at Evergreen Cemetery in Devine, Texas.
Anyone wishing to leave condolences, share memories, or sign the online guestbook may do so at www.primrosefuneralservices.com
Arrangements are under the direction of Primrose Funeral Services in Devine, TX.