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Pirate Track & Field 4th in Region IV;Cantu, Garcia, & Hicks are STATE BOUND!

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Ten Pirate Track and Field student-athletes combined to score 28 points at last week’s Class 3A Region IV Meet in Seguin to secure a fourth place finish. There were 34 different schools represented.
Three of those 10 now move on as State Qualifiers after senior Jewell Hicks won the 400m Dash, Jacob Cantu won the 1600m, and Sebastian Garcia earned the Wild Card spot in the 800m Run after finishing third in the region but having the next best qualifying time from across the state.
Others competing at a high level not only at Regional but throughout the 2026 season were Adrian Reyna, Diego Reyna, Clayton Jopling, Noah Smoot, Angel De La Rosa, and Christopher Jacques.
Congratulations to all Pirate athletes and to Head Coach Sebastian Benavides and best of luck to Jewell, Jacob, and Sebastian at State!…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!

Lady Pirates complete ’26 Track and Field season at Regional

Lady Pirate Frances Scotello placed sixth in the 3200n run with a time of 12:17.78 at the regional meet in the Seguin. Photo by Moose Lopez.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Head Coach Gilbert Ruiz and two of his Lady Pirates did all they could to advance to the State Meet in Austin but fell just short of that season-long goal at Regional in Seguin last week.
Senior Klayre Cook made the finals in the 400m Dash after a preliminary time of 1:05.07 that placed her seventh. In the finals Cook shaved over two seconds off her previous time to place sixth with a time of 1:02.98.
Senior Frances Scotello placed sixth in the 3200m Run with a time of 12:17.78.
Congratulations to Klayre and Frances on a tremendous Regional-Qualifying season!

Arabians playoff run ends at Area championship

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports Editor
Devine’s softball season comes to an end after a tough loss to the Wimberley Texans, 11-12. Devine held the lead the entire game until the Texans pulled off a miraculous comeback, scoring 11 runs in the final inning.
Head coach Micheal Sotelo was almost at loss for words, admitting he had never experienced a game quite like this one.
“We got tired and the Wimberley hitters did a great job of making good contact off our pitching,” Sotelo said. “I thought there were a couple of balls that could have been caught that would have kept it close but that didn’t happen and we found ourselves down 12-7.”
It wasn’t just a breakdown by the Arabians; Sotelo noted that the Texans forced the issue, executing perfectly to produce that monster inning.
“It was mostly their offense figuring out our pitching. They put the ball in play safely,” Sotelo said. “Our defense has been getting better and better throughout the year and that night it was no different.”
Although the season may be over, Sotelo is confident this loss will propel the team into future successes as the girls will be extra motivated to improve this offseason.
“As far as a coach I still would like to us continue getting better in every facet of the game from running, weight room, and softball.  We are a young  team and we will continue growing as people first and players second.”
Sotelo wanted to acknowledge the city for their unwavering support this year, highlighting their commitment to the Arabians as a key factor in their success this season.
“We as a team would like to thank everyone that has helped make this a season to remember. From all the people behind the scenes, to the parents and finally the fans,” Sotelo said. “The support has been unbelievable and has made it easy for us to coach and play for the community of Devine.” 
The Arabians finished the season with an overall record of 20-15-1 and a district record of 8-4 where they held the two seed.
Congratulations to the Devine Arabians for a fantastic season!
Vs Wimberley
Batting: Sam Zamora- 2 R, 3 H, 3 RBI, 2 doubles, Abriella Kayl- 1 R, 1 RBI, Kenny Cruz- 1 R, 2 H, 1 RBI, Reece Schueling- 1 R, 1 H, Maddy Hester- 1 H, Tucker Traylor- 2 R, 2 H, 5 RBI, 1 double, 1 homerun, Karsyn Deleon- 2 H, 1 RBI, Karsyn Mann- 3 R, Olivia Taylor- 1 R, 1 H, Paislee Freisenhahn- 1 H
Fielding: Zamora- 1 for 1 on PO, Schueling- 3 for 3 on PO, Hester- 7 for 8 on PO, Deleon- 1 for 2 on PO, Ava Rangel- 3 for 3 on PO, Mann- 1 for 1 on PO, Taylor- 3 for 3 on PO, Freisenhahn- 2 for 2 on PO
Pitching: Sam Zamora and Tucker Traylor both stepped into the circle for the Arabians. Traylor threw 28 pitches and Zamora threw 128. Zamora threw 7 strikeouts on 32 batters faced over 6 innings pitched. 
Stat Leaders 
Homeruns: Tucker Traylor- 4, Maddy Hester- 3, Reece Schueling- 2 (Olivia Taylor, Karsyn Mann, Kenny Cruz, Karsyn Deleon and Sam Zamora all had one homerun this season.)
Stolen Bases: Zamora and Schueling- 8, Cruz- 7, Ava Rangel- 4 
Fielding Percentage: Schueling- 0.969, Hester- 0.899, Deleon- 0.896
Put Outs: Schueling- 156, Hester- 150, Deleon- 58
Runs: Cruz- 38, Zamora- 28, Hester- 25
Hits: Zamora- 45, Cruz- 43, Hester- 41
RBIs: Zamora- 36, Hester- 23, Schueling- 21
Doubles: Zamora- 12, Hester- 10, Deleon- 8
Triples: Cruz- 6, Zamora- 6, Hester- 3
Strikeouts: Traylor- 127, Zamora- 110, Taylor- 33

Mustangs ‘26 Baseball season comes to an end

Mustang Jacob Camacho had two assists in the field during game one against Jourdanton in the first round of the playoffs. Photo by Moose Lopez.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports Editor
The Natalia Mustangs’ season concluded after a two-game sweep by Jourdanton, despite a narrow 2-1 loss in the opener and a tough 16-1 result in game two. The Mustangs had an overall record of 9-16 and a district record of 4-6.
Congratulations to the Mustangs and the Natalia community on a hard-fought season!
Vs Game 1
Batting: Leo Buentello- 1 H, 1 RBI, 1 double, Xander Crouch- 1 H, Andrew Arizola- 1 R, 2 H
Baserunning: Zack Peralta- 1 SB
Fielding: Buentello- 1 for 2 on PO, Crouch- 1 PO, 1 A, Jacob Camacho- 2 A, Arizola- 4 for 5 on PO,1 A, Jordan Castro- 1 for 1 on PO, Moses Leija- 3 PO, 1 A, Peralta- 3 PO, 1 A, Andrew Monreal- 2 PO, Josh Garcia- 3 for 3 on PO
Pitching: Josh Garcia threw 2 strikeouts on 27 batters over 5 innings pitched. 
Stat Leaders 
Homeruns: Zack Peralta- 2 
Stolen Bases: Andrew Arizola- 16, Peralta- 10, Leo Beuntello- 7
Fielding Percentage: Josh Garcia- 0.947, Arizola- 0.899, Moses Leija- 0.800
Put Outs: Arizola- 59, Peralta- 46, Leija- 43
Runs: Arizola- 21, Buentello- 14, Leija- 11
Hits: Arizola- 20, Buentello- 13, Crouch- 11 
RBIs: Peralta- 10, Leija- 9, Buentello- 7
Doubles: Crouch/Leija/Buentello- 2, Peralta/Arizola/Andrew Monreal- 1
Triples: Arizola/Leija- 2, Buentello/Monreal- 1
Strikeouts: Arizola- 33, Camacho- 24, Garcia- 23

Medina County: Tax values rose from $2.8 M to $8.1 Min past 10 years

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
The numbers are now 28,980 homes in Medina County, up from 18,791 homes in 2017. It’s an increase of just over 10,000 new homes in 10 years, with just under 1/3 of those new homes popping up in the past two years alone. The appraised value of Medina County properties has nearly tripled from $2.8 million to over $8.1 million in ten years as well (2017 to 2026).

Total appraised values in Medina County :

2017: $2,857,428,102
2018: $3,007,626,516
2019: $3,476,214,251
2020: $3,832,984,245
2021: $4,374,084,631
2022: $5,232,813,305
2023: $6,240,126,321
2024: $6,994,751,873
2025: $7,693,299,977
2026: $8,173,758,160 Preliminary will certify values in July

Average Homes values in Medina County:

2022 – $253,805
2023 – $295,180
2024- $295,475
2025- $295,484
2026- $299,593

One of 9 data centers… FM 1343 between Devine and Castroville

On a drive down FM 1343 between Devine and Castroville, a large plot of land sticks out with a tall commercial chain link fence amidst the green rolling hills. It is the site of the 9th data center in Medina County. Data centers now account for roughly 2,673 acres in our county that we know of.
However, there is a large amount of land, over 12,000 acres, which has been taken out of Ag/wildlife exemption and it is unknown what it will be used for. Photo by Angelica Arriza.

By Kayleen Holder
Editor

Medina County has long been known for its rural landscape, farms and ranches. On a drive through the green rolling hills on FM 1343 between Devine and Castroville, a large plot of land sticks out. A tall commercial chain link fence has now replaced the old farm fencing on a long stretch of property. It’s one of the newest data center sites.
Over 41,000 acres once used for agriculture, has now either been developed or awaits its fate. To be exact, the county has lost 41,111 acres of farm and ranch land since 2013.

With this decrease in ag land, about 23,300 acres of land is now considered “vacant”, a designation given to recently purchased properties for which the use has not yet been determined. About half of that (11,464 acres) will most likely be subdivisions, according to the county, and it is unknown what is to come of the other 12,134 acres or so of land whose owners have let go of the ag and wildlife on it.
Land use classified as “Industrial” has seen a 999% boom in Medina County since 2013, now accounting for 7,023 acres across Medina County while “residential” has seen over 10,200 acres of homes and subdivisions added in the past 13 years.
According to officials, some companies have kept large amounts of acreage in Ag or wildlife exemption for years until construction began. So land that has been purchased but not yet developed, may still be classified as agriculture currently.

LAND USE

2026
 Residential acres- 50,409 acres total (including 11,464.62 acres coded as Vacant residential acres which will most likely be used for residential at some point)
 Agricultural acres – 746,379.29
 Open Land– 12,134.94 (not qualified for open-space ag & wildlife)  
 Commercial acres – 2,070.37
 Industrial acres – 7,023.10 (approximately are attributed to 2,673.53 data centers so far, with the majority of other industrial being quarries and large manufacturing sites)
*The above figures for 2026 show a more accurate picture of what development is in progress or projected, by breaking down and detailing the predicted use of newly vacant land that was lumped in the residential category due to state codes a couple years ago.

2025:
Agricultural acres – 749,385.49
Residential acres – 73,410.38
(figures included some vacant lands per new state code)
Commercial acres – 1,933.60
Industrial acres – 4,189.74

2024:
Agricultural acres – 753,514.84
Residential acres – 69,467.36
(figures included some vacant lands per new state code)
Commercial acres – 1,874.08
Industrial acres – 4,216.17

2023:
Agricultural acres – 769,136.34
Residential acres – 53,930.37
Commercial acres – 1,809.19
Industrial acres – 3,881.69

2018:
Agricultural acres – 778,444.10
Residential acres – 49,103.30
Commercial acres – 1,719.99
Industrial acres – 1,630.96

2013:
Agricultural acres – 787,490.67
Residential acres – 40,140.79
Commercial acres – 1,577
Industrial acres – 639.51
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Findings from Devine VFD audit forwarded to sheriff in fraud case

Findings from a financial audit of the Devine Volunteer Fire Department for fiscal year 2023-2024 were forwarded to Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown following its presentation to the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 2 board of commissioners during the board’s April 21 meeting.

By Anton Riecher
Findings from a financial audit of the Devine Volunteer Fire Department for fiscal year 2023-2024 were forwarded to Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown following its presentation to the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 2 board of commissioners during the board’s April 21 meeting.
Board president Todd Summers said the intent is to give the sheriff the most complete information available in the aftermath of substantial fraud uncovered in late 2024.
“Let the DA tell us if they believe we need to go further or not,” Summers said. “Is this going to be enough to prosecute the case to the fullest?”
In other business, the board voted unanimously to

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Council meeting…Mayor uses powers to nullify 3-2 vote, cites further research needed

A lingering dispute related to a controversial management change at the Devine Golf Course in 2022 was thought to be put to rest by the Devine City Council last week at its April 21 meeting when the council originally agreed to a 99-year lease exchange to retain clear access to a portion of the course’s paved golf path but the vote was cancelled after the meeting by Cook.
Two days after the meeting Mayor Butch Cook used his power to “nullify” the action so the item can be voted upon again.…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!