22 from The DLC graduating Class of 2025 of Devine ISD received diploma

By Kathleen Calame
Publisher
Twenty- two students earned their high school diplomas Monday night, August 18 from Devine ISD through the, Devine Learning Academy, designed to convenience students who need just a few more credits to graduate because “life happened” and they didn’t get the chance to finish until now.
When JodiAnn Dzierzanowski met new superintendent at the time, Todd Grandjean, back in 2019/2020 about establishing the program to help students who were just a few credits short of completing their education, she knew she had her work cut out for her and her staff. She designed the academy which now thrives and helps so many students find success and inspires them to go on to more education or jobs.
Without a high school diploma, it hinders the youth from many job opportunities and careers. It has been a win-win for all involved. Over 84 students have accomplished the goal of getting a high school diploma with the alternate program that requires only a few hours a week and has a staff to help them achieve it. The biggest class so far was 2024 at 22 graduates, and 21 this year.
The current semester (2025-2026), the DLC has 15 students in the morning and 15 different ones in the afternoon, totaling 30 students looking to complete their diplomas. And a waiting list.
“I stand here before you today with a group of inspiring young men and women who can bring to mind only one word…perseverance. I have known these students for many years. I have seen them grow from being young teenagers to young adults. Along the way, they have tried, fallen, pulled up their boot strings and tried again, more than once. All of these students had made it to the senior year in high school with a few lost credits along the way…when… what I like to say is “life happened” and again it got them off track. So close. With this opportunity given by both Dr. Grandjean and the Members of the Board, All these students picked themselves up once again and persevered! Mrs. Brenda Kilpatrick, Mr. Zachary Robles and I are so proud of them and all so honored to have been able to work with them. Welcome to the Graduation ceremonies of the Fall class of 2025,” said Jodi Dzierzanowski, Devine Learning Center, DAEP Principal and Truancy Prevention Coordinator.
CERTIFICATION OF THE CLASS – “On behalf of the staff of Devine Learning Center, we wish the Fall class of 2025 congratulations and continued success in your future.”
“Dr. Grandjean, President Pepper, members of the Devine I.S.D. school board I certify that the Fall of 2025 of Devine Learning Center has met the graduation requirements as mandated in board policy and the state of Texas to participate in this commencement ceremony,” said Dzierzanowski.
Presenting the Summer 2025 Graduates:
Manuel Ralph Aguilar, son of Bianca Rodriguez.
Javier Alejandro Baltazar Castellanos, son of Erica Baltazar Omaz and is a TRAP Music Artist.
Kenneth Lee Byers III, son of Kenneth Lee Byers Jr and Julia Anna Byers.
Xavier Eduardo Calvillo-Morales, grandson of Pedro and Amelia Morales and plans to attend UTSA.
Raymond Gerald Desalme, son of Pablo and Betty Salazar, will be attending Pima Medical Institute for Radiology.
Venancio Eufracio Zamora, son of Venancio and Dora Eufracio and is working for a welding company.
Alexa Sade Garrido, daughter of Carmen and Maykoll Garrido and will be attending Palo Alto for Criminal Justice Forensic Science.
Jathaniel Hidalgo Garza, son of Jesus Garza and plans on going to college for Criminal Justice/Forensic Science.
Jayden Marie George, daughter of Anthony and Robin George will be attending Southern Careers Institute for ART.
Aciel Gonzalez Reyes, son of Yonelis Reyes, plans to be an Aviation Mechanic Apprentice.
Jacob Edward Guajardo, son of Mario and Marisol Guajardo.
Joanni Marie Hyzer, daughter of Robert and Mary Reichel, will be attending college to be a Pre-K teacher/Special Ed.
Luis Daniel Jimenez, son of Rosalinda Jimenez and John Basaldua, joined the military.
Sumner Glenn Leggitt, son of Scott and Sara Leggitt, plans to be a Texas A&M Certified Safety and Health Official.
Jacob Cardenas Lomas, son of Ufemia and Evlio Lomas and stepson of Jacob Gutierrez.
Jessalin Rose Culver, adopted daughter of Chris and Melanie Culver, will be attending college to be a therapist.
Nickalous Joseph Macias, son of Yolanda Luna and Richard Macias.
Jocelyn Danielle Plemmons, daughter of David and Cindy Plemmons, will be studying to be a dental assistant.
Diamond Alexis Sanchez Cantu, daughter of Oscar and Violet Cantu.
Deisy Crystal Ramirez Cabrera, daughter of Lluvia Cabrera, plans to attend a Cosmetology trade school.
Jorge Alberto Silva Castillo, son of Noeyda Castillo and Leonardo Reteria, is working on a ranch.
Diego Adrian Valdez, son of Melaine and Bobby Valdez Sr., has a job waiting at Toyota once he turns 18.

BBQ benefit forIglesias family Aug. 30

Family, friends, and the community are invited to support one of our neighbors who is going through a hard time. Gilbert Iglesias, of Devine, has been hospitalized for several months and underwent heart surgery. There were many complications that eventually led to amputation of both of his legs.
The BBQ plate fundraiser will be August 30 at 3. See ad for more details.
Fundraiser organizers at Foxy’s Bar are looking for donations of silent auction items, raffle items, briskets, sausages, chips, sodas, brown

Lytle council reduces new tax rate from earlier proposal

By Anton Riecher
In the last scheduled budget workshop for the upcoming 2025-2026 fiscal year, Lytle City Manager Zachary Meadows presented the city council with a reduction in the previously approved proposed tax rate of $.446405 per $100 valuation.
The new rate put forward Monday by Meadows is $.439434 per $100 valuation. The previous proposed rate was approved by the council at its Aug. 11 meeting.
“After going through and trying to rework some of the numbers, along with trying to get the water fund back closer in line, we moved some of the payment over to debt service,” he said. “By doing that it adjusted the tax rate.”
The proposed rate still amount to an increase over the current 39 cent rate. Still, Mayor Ruben Gonzalez noted that even at 43 cents “we’re still way below anybody around in this area, both in Atascosa and Medina County.”
A graph submitted by Meadow shows that the proposed rate is slightly below the highest tax rate paid by Lytle residents in the last 10 years.
An adjusted general fund summary submitted to the council now shows an expected surplus of $20,298.
“We’re in the black which is great,” Meadows said.
The proposed city budget shows total general fund revenue of $4.767 million against total department expenditures of $4.747 million.
Quorum for the budget workshop included District 1 Alderwoman Anna Carrillo, District 2 Alderman Richard Hughes and District 4 Alderman Michael Rodriguez.

Medina and Atascosa County landowners to be affected by proposed transmission line project

By Kayleen Holder
CPS Energy submitted the following answers to questions we asked regarding the Howard-Solstice Transmission Line Project. The project is a proposed 370-mile high-voltage line stretching from San Antonio to Fort Stockton, crossing up to 14 Texas counties, including Medina and Atascosa Counties”

Will ya’ll be using eminent domain, or will it be along the roadway?
We need to acquire new easements to safely construct, operate, and maintain the new lines. We negotiate with land owners to purchase the necessary easement, and will only use eminent domain as a last resort.

Does it involve Medina County or Atascosa County and to what extent?
CPS Energy and AEP Texas are evaluating multiple geographically diverse transmission line options for the project, which includes Medina and Atascosa counties. The PUCT will ultimately select the transmission line option that will be used. At the moment, there is no selected route, only preliminary segments at this time.

What is the driving factor behind this new transmission line?
The project is proposed ERCOT’s forecast of rapidly growing energy demand in the Permian Basin.
To learn more about the transmission project, visit cpsenergy.com/infrastructure. Please visit our public displays athttps://www.cpsenergy.com/content/dam/corporate/en/Documents/Infrastructure/howard-solstice/Open_House_Displays_ADA_72425.pdf
If ya’ll move forward with this project, at what point, would affected landowners be notified?
In February 2026, CPS Energy and AEP Texas plan to submit an application to the PUCT and will notify affected landowners at that time of the application submitted. Once the PUCT approves this project and selects the final Transmission line route (around August 2026), we will once again notify affected landowners of their decision.

  1. How are these lines different from existing transmission lines? As in are they really bigger than others we currently have?
    The 765 kV transmission lines are only slightly taller than our typical existing 345 kV transmission lines. However, they are wider to maintain safe clearance between the phase conductors. The big difference is the ability 765 kV lines have to transmit higher amounts of power, and do so with less (power) loss than a 345 kV transmission line. Essentially, there is an efficiency gain by using a higher voltage. A typical 765 kV transmission circuit can transmit the same amount of power as approximately six single 345 kV transmission circuits. From this perspective, a single 765 kV line will occupy much less overall space than running the equivalent six 345 kV circuits in parallel with one another.
  2. How large is each structure supporting transmission lines approximately?
    The typical tower height will range between 140 and 160 feet. The base of the self-supporting lattice structures will be about 45 feet wide. For the guyed structures, the guy wires will be attached to the ground about 60 feet from the center of the structure.

The typical span length (between structures) will range between 1,250-1,400 feet….structures may be closer or further apart to account for terrain or other constraints.

  1. How many miles would the line be in Medina County and Atascosa County and where can I see a detailed map?
    The length of the transmission line in each county will be dependent on the route that the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) selects and won’t be known until the final route is approved.
    The preliminary study area map showing all segments and counties. Direct link to the map is here: https://www.cpsenergy.com/content/dam/corporate/en/Documents/Infrastructure/howard-solstice/Howard_Solstice_Study_Area_Map_ADA_71625.pdf

ESD4 hears proposals; talks with Miller family

By Anton Riecher
Family members of late Devine EMS director Jason Miller made clear at the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4 board meeting Aug. 13 that work place stress concerned Miller before his recent death.
Miller’s brother, Javier Suniga, speaking for Miller’s wife Allison, told the board that the family felt entitled to an apology as closure to their tragedy. Also attending was Miller’s mother, Rita Wilson and other relatives.
“That’s really the only thing we are here for,” Suniga said.
Mental health awareness was something Miller tried to help others through during his career.
The board also heard a requested proposal from Hondo-based Community EMS to take over ambulance service provided by ESD4. A similar proposal by Medina County ESD1 is currently under consideration by the board. Allegiance was again asked for a proposal as well.
Miller, formerly a Texas Division of Emergency Management liaison officer in Wilson County, died in May, slightly more than a year after being hired by ESD4 as part of its plan to operate its own local ambulance service rather than continuing to contract with third-party providers.
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Devine VFW Donates to Devine Police National Night Out

Pictured, L-R, Devine Police Lieutenant Chris Andrews – National Night Out Event Coordinator, Post 3966 Quartermaster Rick Marcrum, Devine Chief of Police Joe Brown III, Post 3966 Commander Gary Saathoff, and Post 3966 Senior Vice Commander Steve Lopez.

Members of Devine VFW Post 3966 donated $500 to the Devine Police Department for their National Night Out. This community event hosted by the Devine Police Department will be held on the evening of October 7, 2025, at the Devine Golf Course. The $500 should cover the cost of hot dogs for the event. In addition to covering the cost of hot dogs, Post 3966 will be providing the Color Guard for the opening ceremony.
National Night Out is a national community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships. VFW Post 3966 is proud to participate in this event.

Lytle Class of 1975 to celebrate 50 years

Calling all students who attended Lytle schools with the class of 1975. You are invited to attend Lytle Ex-Students Homecoming October 24 & 25, 2025. You did not necessarily have had to graduate with the class, all classmates are invited.
Our events will include the Pirate football game at Walter H. Joyce, Jr. Stadium on Friday night at 7:00 pm, the Homecoming downtown parade on Saturday at 10 am, followed by a social and recognition session at Lytle HS cafeteria at 2 pm.
Please call Bertha Haass at (210) 415-1979, if you have any questions.

Mr and Miss LHS: Mark Sostarich and Bertha Guzman.

Do you enjoy painting/drawing?

Come paint/draw with us at the Friendship Art Club. We meet every Tuesday from 9:30 until Noon at the Church of Christ located at 15340 Main Street Lytle, TX.
You can find us on Facebook, Instagram or email us at thefriendshipartclub@gmail.com. Please call Mary Ann Buckheit on 443-466-6600, for additional information. We are also having a rummage sale on April 5, 2025 from 9-2, hope to meet you there.

Local Police Report

Natalia Police Report

8/11-25 – Officer was dispatched to the 200 block of 8th Street regarding a Theft.
8/12-25 – Officer responded to a dog bite at 6th & Palfrey Street.
8/13-25 – Officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Bennett for animal control.
8/14-25 – Officer was dispatched regarding Theft of items at 300 block of Aubrey Street.
8/16-25 – Officer responded to 400 block of Bartlett regarding a Disturbance.
8/16-25 – Officer was dispatched to Town & Country Lane for a Disturbance.
8/18-25 – Officer responds to a dispatch call for Shots Fired at 5th & Bartlett Street.

Devine Police Report

August 8
1:25AM – Baseball storage building was open; officer closed and secured.
11:21AM – Complainant on IH 35 NB called in reference to a spindle of cable wire in roadway. Officer patrolled area but unable to locate.
15:00PM – Officer dispatched to IH 35 S for semi truck on fire in parking lot.
16:45PM – Complainant on Teel Dr reported lost wallet three days ago.
20:33PM – Warrants served on male subject. Subject jailed for resisting arrest on Moore Ave W. Assisted by MCSO deputy
August 9
5:52AM – Complainant on Teel Dr advised a male wearing a white shirt and jeans tried to open her car door. Deputy located male subject, stated just needing a ride. Gave ride to Shell Station in Lytle.
6:14AM – Complainant on Wilson Dr S called in reference to strange noises heard during late hours. Advised complainant to call when she hears again so officers can check area out.
10:00AM – Officer attended back to school event on IH 35 S
19:40PM – Officer dispatched to Hondo Ave E for male subject that attempted to get into a white Dodge Ram. Subject jailed.
20:00PM – Officer dispatched to Hondo Ave E for a burglary. Male subject jailed.
August 10
0:00AM – Complainant on Moore Ave advised gate open to backyard at vacant house for sale. Checked residence to make sure doors were secured. All okay; secured gate.
0:35AM – Complainant on Curtis Ave advised of loud music/sound. Patrolled area but no loud music/sound heard. All okay.
15:16PM – Complainant on IH 35 NB advised of maroon pickup driver falling asleep at wheel. Took off on Frio County So going northbound, vehicle turned southbound. Unable to locate.
20:03PM – Complainant on Wilson Dr reported a reckless driver. Vehicle struck curb and got suck and then left the scene. Subject jailed.
21:02PM – Officer initiated stop on Wilson Dr for DWI/DUI. Female subject indicated over legal limit on breath test. Subject was jailed.
August 11
0:40AM – Complainant on Warhorse advised of loud music coming from residence. Homeowner turned down music.
7:20AM – Officer dispatched to IH 35 S for theft of $26.46 of merchandise. Offense was enhanced due to subject having previous convictions for theft. Male subject jailed.
10:03AM – Officer dispatched to Hondo Ave E for a minor accident.
14:36PM – Complainant on Upson DR N advised of graffiti and vandalism at Little League Field.
18:00PM – Officer assisted other agency by taking mother of driver in accident to location.
August 12
1:50AM – Officer observed a white van at side of building with its lights on. Van was secure, appeared to have been left on by accident.
5:45AM – Officer issued citation to male subject on Hondo Ave for liquor law violation.
12:32PM – Complainant on Hondo Ave requested welfare check on male on motorcycle. Bike blocking was ATM and male sitting on ground with head down.
16:44PM – Officer dispatched to IH 35 for major accident. EMS took passenger to Frio Regional Hospital and driver was evaluated but not transported.
August 13
1:35AM – Officer made contact with female on Windy Knoll Dr. All was okay.
5:10AM – Complainant on Zig Zag advised of loud TV. TV was turned down.
14:01PM – Complainant on Hondo Ave called in reference to female walking in under garments. Female wearing a bikini swimsuit.
16:41PM – Officer dispatched to Hondo Ave for a minor accident.
August 14
1:55AM – Complainant on Steven St advised of suspicious activity / subject outside. Unable to locate.
13:44PM – Officer assisted with fingerprinting for school.
15:21PM – Officer found iPhone with case on Colonial Pkwy
18:52PM – Officer dispatched to Williamsburg Rd to assist Fire Dept with fire. Homeowners air fryer caught fire.
19:30PM – Complainant on IH 35 S advised lost wallet at Walmart, believed to have been lost 8/13/25 between hours of 1530-1600.
22:28PM – Complainant on Hondo Ave called regarding suspicious activity. Officer provided courtesy ride to male subject.

Lytle Police Report

Monday, August 11
10:09 AM – Assist Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office – 200 Blk. Los Palomas – Officer responded outside the city limits of Lytle to assist in an active disturbance.
1:57 PM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to a report of a male selling fake jewelry. Officer made contact with the male, who was a suspect in a theft of a gold necklace from last week. A 28 year old male and a 28 year old female were detained. It was discovered that they were both wearing ankle monitors (for immigration violations). Paperwork showed they were Romanian and under ICE supervision. A check with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) confirmed they had not reported as required. The details of the situation were revealed to ICE, and they asked that we detain them. They were both picked up at the PD and taken into Federal custody. The stolen necklace from last week was recovered and returned to its owner.
3:45 PM – Lytle PD – Officer obtained a written statement for an open theft case.
4:40 PM – Assist Lytle VFD – 16600 Blk. FM 2790 – Officer responded outside the city limits of Lytle to a fire to assist the Fire Department.
5:00 PM – Lytle PD – Officer released a Gold Chain to the owner that was recovered from a theft on 8/8/2025 at the HEB Plus.
8:38 PM – 16100 Blk. Farmer – Officers responded to a report of a vehicle doing donuts in the street but could not locate it.
11:50 PM – 18800 Blk. Pine St. – Officer observed an open vehicle door. Everything was okay.
Tuesday, August 12
8:30 AM – Lytle PD – Officer fingerprinted two females for employment purposes.
8:41 AM – IH 35 NB – Officer responded to assist a male driver in changing a flat tire.
4:49 PM – 700 Blk. SH 132 – Officer released the keys to an impounded vehicle.
5:44 PM – 19500 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer responded to a report of a verbal disturbance between a male and a female. The male had departed before the officer’s arrival.
8:30 PM – 18800 Blk. N. Prairie St. – Officer provided a courtesy ride to a local resident.
Wednesday, August 13
12:34 AM – 19200 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer observed water running in the parking lot and turned the hose off.
12:57 AM – 15000 Blk. Main St. – Officer observed an open door and was unable to secure it.
8:37 AM – 300 Blk. San Jose St. – Officer responded outside the city limits of Lytle for a neighbor dispute over filling a ditch.
2:50 PM – 20000 Blk IH 35 – Debris in the roadway.
3:45 PM – 14800 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer provided a courtesy ride to a citizen.
3:53 PM – Best Western Plus – Officer responded to the location after city crews reported a water meter missing
4:26 PM – 20000 Blk. Hyde Park – Officer responded to the location for a report of a suspicious vehicle. Officer located the vehicle, and all was fine.
8:00 PM – 400 Blk. Naeglin Rd. – Officers responded outside the city limits of Lytle to assist the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office with a disturbance.
Thursday, August 14
5:30 AM – FM 2790 N @ FM 463 – Officers responded to the location for a report of a water leak. Public Works was notified, and all was fine.
3:21 PM – 19500 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer responded to the location for a report of $250 worth of lottery tickets stolen from the store office.
3:54 PM – N. Prairie St. @ Laredo St. – Officer responded to the location for a report of a suspicious person. Officer was unable to locate the vehicle.
4:53 PM – 19700 Blk. IH 35 – Officer responded to the location for found property (small purple bag).
5:41 PM – 19500 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to the location for a report of an intoxicated driver. A 38 year old male was arrested and booked into the Atascosa County Jail for Driving While Intoxicated.
8:17 PM – Family Disturbance – Officers responded to the location for a disturbance. Investigation resulted in the arrest of a 16-year-old male for two counts of Assault Bodily Injury – Family Violence, Assault on a Public Servant, and Resisting Arrest. The juvenile was booked into the Atascosa County Juvenile Detention Facility.
Friday, August 15
5:57 AM – 19500 Blk. IH 35 – Officers responded to the location to check the welfare of a female who appeared to be involved in a disturbance. Officers located the parties, and all was fine.
11:51 AM – 14600 Blk. FM 2790 – Officer was flagged down and assisted a lost motorist with directions.
11:54 AM – N. Somerset St. @ Laredo St. – Officers responded to the area for a report of a suspicious person. Officers located the subject who had a solicitor’s permit from the city.
2:35 PM – 20000 Blk. Huckleberry St. – Officers responded to the area for a suspicious male walking around. Officers located the male who was soliciting without a permit.
3:19 PM – IH 35 @ MM 132 SB – Officer responded to the area to red-tag a 2008 Ford F-250 left abandoned along the highway.
5:15 PM – 15100 Blk. Norvell St. – Unlocked 2020 Jeep.
5:17 PM – IH 35 MM 132 SB – Officers responded to the location for a report of three vehicles that had struck debris in the roadway, causing damage to their vehicles.
5:30 PM – IH 35 MM 132 SB – While officers were investigating the previous crash, it was determined that the road debris was from a vehicle that had been red-tagged and then moved. The owner arrived and advised that an unknown person attempted to move his vehicle, which caused the damage and debris in the roadway.
5:55 PM – 19400 Blk. S. Somerset St. – Child Custody Civil Matter.
7:38 PM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to the location for a minor single-vehicle accident.
9:05 PM – Assist Atascosa EMS –19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to the location to assist with a medical call.
10:35 PM – 15300 Blk. Main St. – Officers responded to a minor 2-vehicle accident. Officers determined that the vehicle that caused the accident departed before police arrived after striking a parked vehicle.
Saturday, August 16
1:27 AM – 19600 Blk. S. Benton St. – Officer responded to the location for a 911 hang-up. Officers contacted the resident and determined the call was an accident.
2:36 AM – Davis St. @ Main St. – While on patrol, the officer checked the welfare of a female observed walking alone and crying. The officer learned that the female was involved in a verbal disturbance at a local establishment and was walking home.
11:39 AM – Oak St. @ S. Somerset St. – Officer was flagged down by a passing motorist who had questions about flooding along CR 6846. The subject was advised to contact the Medina County Sheriff’s Office.
12:05 PM – 15200 Blk. Hester St. – Officer conducted a follow-up related to a minor accident that occurred at 702 Tejas. Officer was able to identify the other vehicle and driver.
5:49 PM – 19200 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer responded to the location for the report of a male urinating in public. Upon arrival, it was learned that the subject had already departed.
9:56 PM – Tassel Branch @ Voyagers Way – Officers responded to the location for a reported suspicious vehicle. The officer determined it was a cleaning crew, and all was fine.
10:30 PM – 19500 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer was flagged down by a motorist who needed a jump start.
10:33 PM – 14500 Blk. Railroad St. – Officers responded to the location for a reported disturbance. It was determined that all was verbal and there was no criminal offense.
Sunday, August 17
12:34 AM – 19200 Blk. First St. – Officers responded to the location for a harassment report. While investigating, the Officer determined the complainant had an active warrant out of Bexar County for Burglary of a Habitation. A 39 year old male was booked into the Medina County Jail.
1:20 AM – 15500 Blk. Main St. – While on patrol, the officer checked the welfare of a female seen sitting in the grass. Officer discovered the female had been involved in a verbal disturbance and left. Officer gave a courtesy ride to the Whataburger.
2:33 AM – Assist Atascosa EMS – 19800 Blk. Doc Holiday Dr. – Officer responded to the location to assist EMS.
8:00 AM – 15200 Blk. Hester St. – Lost Wallet.
9:32 AM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to the area to check the welfare of a homeless male. The man was okay.
10:49 AM – 19800 Blk. Creek St. – Officers responded to the location for a verbal disturbance between two brothers.
12:58 PM – 15200 Blk. Hester St. – Officer was contacted via a phone call by a resident who wanted the PD to identify a male cutting grass at a neighbor’s house. The complainant was advised that the PD could not identify a subject cutting grass.
1:31 PM – Pumphouse Express Wash – Unlocked a 2014 Ram P/U.
1:40 PM – HEB C-Store – Officer was contacted by a subject who wanted to inform the PD that he was doing better since his last police contact.
3:17 PM – Main St./ @ FM 2790 N – Officer contacted the motorist to advise that their gas tank lid and cap were open.

Sheriff warns of phone scammers

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
“Phone scammers have taken over $12,000 from hardworking people in Medina County in the past two weeks,” said Sheriff Randy Brown. “And I know of at least two more who were on their way to the bank when they called me.”
A frustrated Sheriff Brown reiterates that Medina County Sheriff’s Office, nor any other local police department, will ever call you to get payment to avoid being arrested.
“I tell people all of the time, I post it on Facebook, I even stood up at church and told people at church to please stop talking to these phone scammers,” Sheriff Brown said. “This needs to be on the front page, because people, intelligent people, are falling for it.”
Many of these scammers will insist you missed jury duty, have a civil case to settle, or have some other kind of warrant for your arrest.
“Just hang up immediately and block their number, because they are good at what they do,” Sheriff Brown said. “They have their phone systems set up so that if they call and you call them back, it sounds very professional. Some even have phone prompts for the different departments you want to speak to, and even have pre-recorded background noise.”
“We will not call you for that. I don’t know of a single law enforcement agency that would ever call you for that. If there is a warrant for your arrest, we will just come find you….The bottom line is do not even talk to anyone claiming you have a warrant, civil case, or missed jury duty summons,” Sheriff Brown said.

The sheriff noted, he himself, has been targeted by these scammers, and there’s little to nothing they can do.
“People keep falling for it and it is very, very sad. Once you read that card number, your money is gone, and there is nothing we can do about it. We get calls daily from people who were contacted by scammers like this.”
Most of these scammers will eventually ask you to buy a pre-paid Visa card or insert money into a Bitcoin machine to pay, he explained.
“They also use the names of local people like my name, Chris Champion, Malcolm, and many others. Someone can sit in another country and spoof the number to make it appear like it is our office calling.”
“They are good at convincing people that if they don’t take this opportunity to pay, they will be going to jail,” Sheriff said. “The only thing worse than a thief is a lying thief, and that’s exactly what these people are.”