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Meet Robert Hildt: Devine ISD candidate Q&A series

ABOUT ME: My family came to the United States from Austria in 1867 and became farmers in black creek area of Medina County.
I graduated from Texas A&M University, College Station with a Bachelor of Science Degree and was commissioned second lieutenant US Army Field Artillery in Dec 1987.
I served 24 years active duty and did two combat tours in Mogadishu, Somalia and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Decided after the military to become an educator helping students with learning disabilities and language barriers.
I have 4 years of service in my teacher’s retirement account at Bandera ISD in early childhood and middle school. After Bandera ISD worked at Medina Valley ISD as a school bus driver. Decided to go back into education and became a student at Alamo College as a Social Science and English Support Language (ESL) student working towards teacher certification. In addition to being a student, I am very active at Texas A&M Alum with the 12th Man Foundation for Athletics scholarships and the Presidents Foundation – Heritage Society for Sul Ross Scholarships. I am very dedicated to helping students find a way to afford college and achieving their educational goals in life. Help me educate my kid and your kids together in Devine ISD.

Please see our article under Top News with all voting dates and times, as well as additional candidate questionnaires as part of this series.

Meet Chris Davis: Devine ISD Q&A series

Chris Davis Q&A

  1. What do you believe the role of a school board member is? Why are you interested in serving ?

Role of School board

Set the vision and goals for the district

Adopt policies that give the district direction to set priorities and achieve its goals

Hire and evaluate the superintendent

Adopt and oversee the annual budget

Continue reading “Meet Chris Davis: Devine ISD Q&A series”

Meet Candace Esparza: Devine ISD Candidate Q&A series

1. What do you believe the role of a school board member is? Why are you interested in serving?

A school board member is essential in shaping a district’s educational vision and policies. They help set standards for education, manage budgets, and advocate for students, parents, and staff. Working closely with teachers and the community is crucial to making sure every student has the opportunity for a quality education. I’m eager to serve because I truly care about education and believe that every student deserves the resources and support, they need to succeed. My background and dedication to community service motivate me to make a positive impact in our district’s educational environment.

Continue reading “Meet Candace Esparza: Devine ISD Candidate Q&A series”

Renee Frieda: Devine ISD Candidate Q&A series

  1. What do you believe the role of a school board member is? Why are you interested in serving ?

I appreciate this question as there is often confusion surrounding board responsibilities. All newly-elected board members attend state-mandated training on their role/responsibility to focus on student academic success. I am thoroughly committed to the mission of preparing our young people for their future success.

Continue reading “Renee Frieda: Devine ISD Candidate Q&A series”

Early voting ongoing in Devine ISD Election Day, May 3rd last day to vote

Devine ISD is hosting their annual trustee election on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Early voting started on Tuesday, April 22 at central office.
There are four candidates seeking the two At-Large positions. The two candidates who get the most votes will win the positions which are for a three year term.
Candidates include Chris Davis (incumbent) and Renee Frieda (incumbent), Candace Esparza, and Robert Travis Hildt. Frieda (incumbent), Candace Esparza, and Robert Travis Hildt.
Carl Brown, District 2 is unopposed.
All registered voters living in the Devine ISD school district boundaries may vote for the 2 positions from the 4 candidates.
Early Voting dates and hours are: April 22-25 plus April 28-29, all at the DISD Central Office from 8 am to 5 pm daily.
Election day voting is from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on Sat. May 3 at the central office as well, 605 W Hondo Ave, Devine.

Candidate Q&A will be published soon.

Bat with rabies found inside Castroville residence

Castroville Animal Control has notified the public about a dead bat found on Thursday 4/17/25 inside of a residence at the Country Villa Apartments in Castroville, Tx. The bat was picked up by Animal Services of Castroville and submitted for testing and came back positive for Rabies.  Another post on social media noted that a raccoon displaying symptoms of rabies was also captured in the City of Castroville recently. We have reached out about this incident but have not heard back on whether or not rabies was confirmed in the raccoon also.

According to a social media post by Castroville Animal Control:

We would like to take this time to remind the public to take the necessary steps to reduce possible transmission of Rabies.

In general, if you find an injured, sick, or dead bat, do not touch it. If you need assistance, contact your local animal control agency or local health department.

Bat bites are not always visible.

Continue reading “Bat with rabies found inside Castroville residence”

HEALTHY IDEAS

3 tips to get a more restful night’s sleep

There is no magic formula to ensure long-term health. However, if there were such an equation, sleep would be a critical component. Though adults may be able to function with less sleep than doctors recommend, the National Institutes of Health note that consistent lack of sufficient sleep can interfere with work, social functioning and driving ability.
The National Institute on Aging notes that adults of all ages generally need the same amount of sleep, typically between seven and nine hours of rest per night. That’s an important distinction, as busy adults in mid-life might feel as though they can operate on less sleep without adversely affecting their overall health. However, in addition to the problems noted by the NIH, the NIA reports that ongoing lack of sleep, or even consistently poor sleep quality, can increase risk for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and obesity.
Adults who feel their sleep quality is poor or those who aspire to sleep more each night can consider these three strategies to ensure a more restful night’s sleep.
1.Keep devices out of the bedroom.
Screens are everywhere in modern life, and that includes the bedroom. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation’s 2022 Sleep in America® Poll found that 58 percent of survey participants acknowledged looking at screens within an hour before bedtime. The NSF reports that device usage so close to bedtime can adversely affect sleep quality because the blue light emitted from screens has shorter wavelengths than other colors in the visible light spectrum, which results in more alertness than warmer tones. The blue light actually confuses the brain into thinking it’s earlier in the day, thus making it harder to fall asleep.

  1. Skip late afternoon naps.
    Short naps can help people reenergize, but the timing of naps could adversely affect how well people sleep at night. The Mayo Clinic notes that napping after 3 p.m. can make it harder to sleep soundly at night. And while short naps can provide a necessary jolt, it’s important that naps be no longer than 30 minutes. Naps that exceed a half hour can contribute to feelings of grogginess and even compromise your ability to get restful sleep overnight.
  2. Avoid alcohol.
    Some may consider alcohol a sleep aide, and there’s good reason for that perception, even if it’s misguided. Hackensack Meridian Health notes that alcohol acts as a depressant for the central nervous system that can cause brain activity to slow down. As a result, alcohol can increase feelings of relaxation and tiredness. However, that effect is not long-lasting, and as alcohol levels in the blood drop, individuals are likely to wake up and may even find it hard to fall back asleep. Waking up in the middle of the night cuts down on the time individuals spend in the most restorative stage of sleep, which is why individuals often feel as if they got little rest after a night of drinking.

Local Police report

Lytle Police report

Monday, April 14
8:50 AM – Lytle PD – Officer spoke to a parent regarding a civil matter.
9:09 AM – 19800 Blk. Creek St. – Officers responded to speak to a female regarding harassment from an ex-boyfriend.
10:12 AM – Lytle PD – Officer spoke to HEB Risk Management regarding a brisket theft that occurred on 3/15/2025. The case is under investigation.
10:20 AM – IH 35 Frontage RD @ MM 131 – Officers responded to a report of a reckless driver and were unable to locate the vehicle.
10:41 AM – 14600 Blk. FM 2790 – Officers met with a complainant regarding two fraudulently passed checks totaling $1,702 on 3/15 and 3/18/2025. The case is under investigation.
1:10 PM – Lytle PD – Officer spoke to a male regarding the repossession of a vehicle in the 15700 Blk. of Main St.
3:13 PM – 19900 Blk. FM 3175 – Officers responded to speak to a consumer regarding staying at the facility.
5:05 PM – 19900 Blk. FM 3175 – Officers responded to speak to a consumer wanting to leave the facility.
5:45 PM – Lytle PD – Officers responded to issue a citation involving theft of service to a male for illegal dumping on 4/1/2025 at Primrose Funeral Home.
9:06 PM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to a two-vehicle non-injury accident.
10:29 PM – 14800 Blk. Main St. – Officer responded to an active alarm. The business was secure.
Tuesday, April 15
10:45 AM – 19500 Blk. Benton St. – Officer completed a follow-up on an open investigation.
11:20 AM – 14900 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers assisted in pushing a stranded vehicle into the City Hall parking lot.
12:14 PM – Lytle – Officers spoke to a parent regarding child custody.
1:16 PM – Lytle PD – Officers met with a complainant regarding a phone scam. The complainant was led to believe his mortgage company would reduce his payments, resulting in a total loss of $4,236.
3:31 PM – Lytle PD – Officers spoke to a female regarding harassment.
8:08 PM – 19500 Blk. IH 35 – Officers responded to unlock a 2004 Cadillac.
10:58 PM – Laredo St. @ N. Somerset St. – Officers provided a courtesy ride to the driver’s home for a stranded motorist.
Wednesday, April 16
1:12 PM – 15300 Blk. Oak St. – Officer responded to the death of an 88-year-old female.
1:38 PM – 19500 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to unlock a 2001 Ford F-150.
3:40 PM – 15000 Blk. Main St. – Officers responded and placed a 51-year-old male under emergency detention and transported him to the Camino Real Crisis Center in Lytle.
6:58 PM – 19700 Blk. IH 35 – Officers responded to a two-vehicle non-injury crash that struck the gas meter and building.
7:39 PM – 19500 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer was dispatched to a two-vehicle non-injury accident.
7:49 PM – IH 35 NB @ MM 133 – Officers were dispatched to a two-vehicle non-injury accident. BCSO, ACSO, and DPS were on scene.
11:11 PM – FM 2790 East @ IH 35 N. Access Rd. – Officers directed traffic for a temporary closure of IH 35 NB.
Thursday, April 17
3:39 AM – 19700 Blk. IH 35 – Officer initiated a traffic stop for speeding, which resulted in the citation and release of a 25 year old male for possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
8:30 AM – 15400 Blk. Houston St. – An 83 year old male came to the PD to make a complaint and was arrested for Terroristic Threats. Subject was booked into the Atascosa County Jail.
9:45 AM – 19000 Blk. Priest Blvd. – Officer attended the Lytle Community Outreach Program.
3:38 PM – N. Prairie St. @ Houston St. – Officers responded to a two-vehicle non-injury accident.
4:10 PM – N. Somerset St. @ Railroad St. – Officers responded to a two-vehicle accident with injuries.
6:56 PM – 15900 Blk. Whitecap Dr. – The officer responded to a civil matter.
Friday, April 18
12:17 AM – 19500 Blk. S. Somerset St. – Officers observed a vehicle parked in the roadway without any lights, which resulted in the arrest of a 31 year old female for DWI. Subject was booked into the Atascosa County Jail.
11:30 AM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to unlock a 2002 Infiniti Q45.
12:00 PM – Coal Mine Subdivision – Officers assisted in escorting the Easter event to St. Andrews Catholic Church.
2:03 PM – 19900 Blk. FM 3175 – Officers responded to a report of a consumer leaving the facility. Everything was okay.
2:22 PM – McDonald St. @ IH 35 – Officers responded to a report of a vehicle in the roadway but could not find it.
2:49 PM – Assist Atascosa EMS – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to assist a patient having a medical emergency.
5:22 PM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer responded to a report of a stolen vehicle. The driver forgot where he was parked.
8:00 PM – IH 35 @ MM 131 – Officer responded to a report of debris in the roadway, and the tire was moved to the side.
9:00 PM – 14800 Blk. Main St. – Officer responded to an active alarm. The business was secure.
9:20 PM – N. Somerset St. @ Cottage St. – Officers initiated a traffic stop for stopping in the roadway, which resulted in the arrest of a 47 year old male for DWI and Unlawfully Carrying of a Weapon. Subject was booked into the Atascosa County Jail.
Saturday, April 19
1:30 AM – 200 Blk. CR. 6841 – Officers responded to a verbal disturbance between a parent and her adult son.
3:30 AM – Assist Medina County Sheriff’s Office – IH 35 @ MM 131 – Officer responded to assist a deputy with an intoxicated driver.
9:57 AM – John Lott Park – Officers attended the Lytle Annual Easter Egg Hunt.
10:30 AM – IH 35 SB @ MM 132 – Officers responded to a report of a male sitting on the bridge railing but could not locate him.
10:45 AM – 14500 Blk. FM 2790 W. – Officers responded to a suspicious vehicle report but could not locate it.
11:50 AM – 15000 Blk. Adams St. – Officers responded to unlock a 2006 Ford F-150.
12:18 PM – 19400 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to a two-vehicle non-injury accident.
1:29 PM – 14600 Blk. Main St. – Officers responded to a 911 hang up and were unable to locate the caller.
1:38 PM – 15200 Blk. Main St. – Officers responded to a two-vehicle non-injury accident.
5:48 PM – N. Somerset St. @ Live Oak St. – Officers initiated a traffic stop for an expired motor vehicle registration, which resulted in the arrest of a 60 year old male for an active warrant out of Atascosa County for Possession and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Subject was booked into the Atascosa County Jail.
10:17 PM – IH 35 Frontage Rd @ Creek St. – Officer responded to a report of shots fired and was unable to locate any gunfire.
Sunday, April 20
2:06 AM – Assist Medina County Sheriff’s Office – 15300 Blk. Main St. – Officer responded to a female knocking on a door to discover the female was involved in a disturbance outside the city limits of Lytle in Medina County. MCSO was notified.
3:24 AM – 20200 Blk. IH 35 – Officers responded to check on a male. MCSO provided a ride to the man’s residence.
3:44 AM – Main St. @ Somerset St. – Officer initiated a traffic stop for speeding, which resulted in a 32 year old male’s arrest for DWI. Subject was booked into the Atascosa County Jail.
8:01 PM – Main St. @ FM 2790 N. – UPRR train disconnected, resulting in crossings being blocked until a repair could be made.
8:38 PM – Assist Medina County Sheriff’s Office – 19100 Blk. 1st St. – Officer responded to discover the caller was involved in a disturbance outside the city limits of Lytle in Medina County. MCSO was notified.
9:30 PM – 19500 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer responded to a report of a homeless male refusing to leave the business but was unable to locate him.
9:30 PM – Assist Atascosa EMS –19500 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer responded to assist a patient having a medical emergency.
10:41 PM – 19500 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded regarding the homeless male refusing to leave. The employee stated everything was okay.

Natalia Police Report

4/14/2025 – Officer responded to the 200 block of Pearson for criminal mischief that had occurred.
4/14/2025 – Officer responded to the 300 block of Kearney for criminal mischief that had occurred.
4/15/2025 – Officer was dispatched to the post office for vandalism that had occurred on the property.
4/17/2025 – Officer conducted a warrant service near 471S.
4/18/2025 – Officers were dispatched to the Loves Truck Stop for an accident.

Thomas John Estes

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Thomas John Estes, a beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather, who departed from this world on April 9, 2025, at the age of 88. Born on June 1, 1936, in Birmingham, Alabama, Thomas lived a life rich in love, service, and adventure, with a heart as vast as the skies he once soared.
At the tender age of 16, Thomas answered the call of duty by joining the United States Navy, a choice that marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. Shortly thereafter, he transitioned into the United States Air Force, where he dedicated over two decades of his life before retiring after 20 years and 1 month of honorable service. His unwavering commitment to his country exemplified his strong character and selflessness. One memory Thomas shared from the Air Force was that when it was time for Holidays, those in his team who could not go home would go over for a meal at Thomas’s home, and he would let the team call home on his expense.
In 1985, Thomas extended his dedication beyond the military, embarking on a profound spiritual journey as a pastor. His passion for ministry touched countless lives and his sermons brought comfort, perspective, and hope to those who were privileged to hear him speak.
An avid lover of the great outdoors, Thomas found joy in hunting, fishing, and traveling-activities that reflected his zest for life and love for creation. He was a true storyteller, weaving tales of adventures that engaged and entertained family and friends alike, leaving a legacy of cherished memories.
Thomas is survived by his devoted children, Cynthia Head, Gary G. Estes (Daisy), Eric James Estes; Grandchildren Eva Arguello, Noel Joe Head; six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild who will carry forward his spirit and values. His impact will also reverberate through the generations that follow, as he was a cherished great-grandfather to many, and a beloved great-great-grandfather whose legacy extends beyond the confines of this life.
Thomas was preceded in death by his loving wife of fifty years, Doris Madeline Estes; son Thomas John Estes, Jr.; and parents Thomas and Francis Estes.
A celebration of Thomas’s remarkable life was held on Thursday, April 17, 2025, 10:00 AM at Black Creek Baptist Church in Devine, Texas with a committal shelter service held at 2:15 P.M. at shelter # 2 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.
In this moment of sorrow, let us remember Thomas John Estes not for the end of his journey, but for the rich tapestry of love, service, and hope he wove throughout his life. May he rest in peace, knowing he inspired, encouraged, and loved deeply.