Bring the family and grab your friends for an evening of arts and community in historic downtown Devine. The Devine Markets Association, best known for our monthly farmers markets in Devine, Hondo and soon, Lytle, wish to show appreciation for supporting all our hardworking producers. After the First Saturday Market on this Saturday, April 1st, we’re closing the streets and opening our downtown businesses to showcase local artists and share a great evening. Come out from 6-9 PM to mingle with friends, meet the artists and check out our local small businesses. For the kiddos, Ms. Mickie from Dove Street Deals will host a children’s art project area. For the big kids, Sandy Oaks will have their mobile cocktail and beer sales. For everyone, Doe Re Mi Lavender Farm will be playing music on the streets. Please join the DMA for fun and casual night out to share just a few of the great things about Devine. For more information artists can contact skerxleben@yahoo.com and general inquiries can be directed to steve@smithpastures.com . WE’RE CLOSING THE STREETS for this FREE event sponsored by the Devine Markets Association. All to thank you for supporting our member-producers at the First Saturday Market. If you’re a regular or haven’t made it out yet, allow us to show appreciation for being a part of a supportive, welcoming community. See y’all there! Earlier in the day the Market will host their monthly Farmer’s Market from 9 am to 3 pm.
Dollars for Scholars president Bob Bendele, left, accepts a check for $2,994 from Devine ISD Superintendent Todd Grandjean as the district’s latest contribution to the foundation. Founded in 2009 by four 1950s era graduates of Devine High School, Dollars for Scholars invests the donations and uses the interest to fund scholarships for Devine High graduates seeking a post secondary education. More than $30,000 in scholarship have been awarded annually by the foundation since 2013. (Photo by Anton Riecher)
By Anton Riecher Devine ISD has been awarded $200,000 in state grant funds to be used for safety initiatives, district superintendent Todd Grandjean told the Devine school board Monday. He explained that assistant superintendent Daryl Wendel had submitted applications for two school safety grant programs “and we have actually been approved for one of the grants so far.” The other application is still in progress, Grandjean said. State officials approved the transfer of $105.5 million to support additional school safety and mental health initiatives through August 31, 2023. This additional funding will boost actions the State of Texas has already taken to make schools safer and support the mental health of children, teachers, and families following the tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. The money was transferred to state agencies and programs to enhance school safety and mental health services in Uvalde and throughout Texas. Campus administrators continue to work and train their staff using the Safe and Supportive Schools system. SSSP is a coordinated multi-tiered support system that addresses school climate with regard to social, emotional, behavioral and mental health concerns. Special programs director Abigail Beadle “is conducting grade level and departmental meetings at the secondary level the last few weeks to explore the impact of our curriculum instruction initiatives and our vision,” Grandjean said. A “secondary education walk” is scheduled for Tuesday, he said. “That’s where we take all the principals in the district and central administration and we walk them through elementary and intermediate,” Grandjean said. “We pop in and out of teachers’ classes so the other campuses get to see what is happening at the different grade levels.” The board met in executive session, and a motion was made by Carl Brown moved and seconded by Henry Moreno to approve extending administrator contracts as recommended by the superintendent. The motion passed, 7-0. The following contracts were extended for the 2023-24 school year: Jesse Hinojosa Mandy Cross Lysandra Reyes LeeAnn Runnels Jeffery Stivors Evan Eads Jodiann Dzierzanowski Michael Gomez Magdalena Strickland Abigail Beadle Kandi Darnell Valerie Dykstra Juan Gonzalez Shannon Ramirez Dawn Schneider Daryl Wendel James Sessions
Complete video coverage of the public hearing is available at the Devine News’ YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/fmw2W0XsPsc
The City of Devine’s long term debt is now $1,487,418 (governmental activities) plus $10,226,680 (business type activities) equaling = $11.754 million dollars according to the annual audit for fiscal year October 1, 2021- September 31, 2022 as presented on March 21, 2023 at the regular city council meeting. Long term debt of the City consists of various series of general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and capital leases. General obligations bonds are payable from a levy of ad valorem taxes upon all taxable property within the City and from certain net revenues derived from the operation of the city’s water and sewer system. Revenue bonds are generally payable from pledged revenues generated by the water and sewer fund. Capital leases are payable from revenues generated by the City’ governmental activities and the levy of ad valorem taxes. The debenture agreement for water and sewer bonds requires that funds be available for 1/12th of the principal and 1/6th of the interest requirements of the next fiscal year. Leases: On May 1, 2018, the City entered into a capital lease agreement with John Deere Financial for the purchase of golf course maintenance equipment, which is the security on the lease. Lease payments are paid out of the governmental activities. The lease contains (1) a provision that default on the note occurs when the lessee fails to pay any amounts due on the obligation, (2) lessee becomes insolvent or the subject of bankruptcy, (3 ) lessee fails to obtain insurance on the equipment, (4) equipment is impounded, and (5) lessee fails to produce collateral for inspection within 10 days upon demand. The City leases photocopy and postage machines with agreements having 5-year terms. Payments of $1,407 are made monthly which consist of principal and imputed annual interest of 3.91%. No assets are pledged as collateral for these leases. A summary of right-to-use lease arrangements for the year ended September 30, 2022, is as follows: CWTP Copy Machine Lease, 2020= Original Lease Liability $1,000,000, interest paid this year $1,178. New lease agreement $38,126, Principal paid this year $10,459, Principal Outstanding at 9/30/2022 of $27,667, Principal due within one year $10,745. CTWP Postage Machine Lease, 2021 Original Lease Liability $23,894, interest paid this year $578. New lease agreement $23,894, Principal paid this year $3,361, Principal outstanding at 9/30/22 of $20,533, Principal due within one year $4,544. Total right to use lease liabilities outstanding of $48,200 with $15,289 in principal due this year. Debt/Governmental Activities Payable: 2021 General Certificate of Obligation Combined Tax and Revenue of $1,000,000, outstanding balance of $990,000, with $65,000 due within one year. Series 2020 Tax Note: $475,000 with outstanding balance of $320,000, with $160,000 due within one year. Loan Payable: $135,000, finished paying off and interest of $2,589. Capital Lease Payable: $226, 514, finished paying off and interest of $3,189. Right to Lease Liabilities: $34,548, balance outstanding $25,740, due within one year $9,288. Accrued Vacation and Leave: $151,678 Debt/Business Type Payable: 2019 General Obligation Combined Tax and Revenue, $1Million, interest paid $17,568, balance $780,000, due within a year $105,000. Revenue Bonds: 2013 General Obligation Refunding Bonds: $1.84 Million, interest paid this year $18,005, balance $550,000, and due within one year $175,000. 2018A Revenue Bonds/Utility System: $2.75 Million, interest paid this year $53,280, principal paid this year $70,000, balance $2.475 Million, due within one year $75,000. 2018B Revenue Bonds/Utility system: $6.645 Million, zero interest paid, principal paid this year $115,000, balance of $6.355 Million, due within one year $115,000. Right to Use Liabilities: $27,472, balance $22,460, due within one year $6,001. Accrued Vacation and Leave: $44,220. Total City’s long term debt is $1,487,418 (governmental activities) plus $10,226,680 (business type activities) equaling = $11.754 million dollars. (Above Figures for Long Term Debt and Right To Use Lease Liabilities Payable taken from 2021-2022 Audit presented at the meeting).
Rios, Barnett, and Featherly with home runs! The Arabians were hard at work over spring break, totaling three wins for the week. Last Friday the Devine varsity Arabian softball team took on the Carrizo Springs Wildcats. Hilary Barnett came to the ballpark and meant business on Friday, tallying four hits and leading the Arabians to a 13-3 win over Carrizo Springs. Barnett doubled in the first, homered in the second, doubled in the fourth, and singled in the fifth. The Arabians hit three home runs on the day. Rios, Barnett, and Featherly each knocked the ball out of the park during the second inning, contributing to a six run inning. The Arabians collected 15 hits. Barnett, Yaya Rodriguez, Denise Contreras, and Rios all managed multiple hits. Barnett went 4-for-4 at the plate to lead in hits. Pitcher Barnett surrendered three runs on five hits over five innings, striking out ten and walking one. Stats for the match are as follows: Batting: Hits: Valle-1, Rios-2, Rodriguez-3, Cruz-1, Featherly-1Barnett-4, Dugosh-1, Contreras-2. Runs: Valle-1, Rios-1, Rodriguez-3, Cruz-1, Rivera-2, Featherly-1, Barnett-1, Dugosh-1, Contreras-2. Fielding: Outs: Valle-1, Rodriguez-10, Featherly-2, Contreras-2. Pitcher: Barnett: Hits Allowed-5, Walks-1, Strikeouts-10. Barnett throws a no hitter! The Arabians next match over the holiday took place midday against the Pleasanton Eagles. Hilary Barnett was brilliant in the circle on Tuesday, as she threw a no-hitter to lead the Arabians past Pleasanton 9-0. Leading in hits was Arabian Kynedie Cruz who went 4-for-4 at the plate. Cruz singled in the first, singled in the third, singled in the fifth, and singled in the sixth. The Arabians put up five runs in the sixth inning. The pressure was put on with a single from Cruz, and a home run from Maddie Brown. Pitcher Barnett lasted six and two-thirds innings, allowing zero hits and zero runs while striking out 18 and walking one. The Arabians racked up 13 hits in the game. Cruz, Kate Featherly, and Brown all managed multiple hits for the Arabians. Cruz led the Arabians with five stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base path. Stats for the match are as follows: Batting: Hits: Valle-1, Rios-1, Cruz-4, Featherly-2, Barnett-1, Hernandez-1, Brown-2, Contreras-1. Runs: Valle-1, Rios-1, Cruz-1, Coronado-2, Brown-1, Contreras-1. Fielding: Outs: Hernandez-18, Dugosh-1, Blanton-1. Pitching: Barnett: Hits Allowed-0, Walks-1, Strikeouts-18. Blanton with a homerun! The Arabians final match over spring break was another midday game versus our rival Hondo Owls. The result was an easy 12-2 victory. The Arabians got things moving in the first inning, when Hilary Barnett doubled on a 1-0 count, scoring one run. The Arabians tallied five runs in the fifth inning. The offensive firepower by was led by Janelle Coronado, Natalie Valle, Kynedie Cruz, and Skylar Blanton, all driving in runs in the frame. Pitcher Barnett went five innings, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out nine. A threat in the batter’s box, Blanton launched one home run in the fifth inning. The Arabians tallied 12 hits in the game. Blanton, Valle, and Allie Dugosh all managed multiple hits for for the Arabians. Blanton went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead in hits. Batting: Hits: Valle-2, Rios-1, Cruz-1, Barnett-1, Hernandez-1, Dugosh-2, Coronado-1, Blanton-3. Runs: Valle-1, Rios-1, Cruz-2, Barnett-1, Dugosh-2, Coronado-1, Blanton-2. Fielding: Outs: Valle-2, Cruz-1, Barnett-2, Hernandez-9, Brown-1. Pitching: Barnett: Hits Allowed-4, Walks-3, Strikeouts-9. The winning streak has placed the girls at third in district with a 3-2 record. Tuesday, March 21st, the Arabians will travel to Somerset to take on the Lady Bulldogs. The following Friday, March 24th, the Arabians are scheduled to travel to Pearsall to take on the Lady Mavericks. Good luck Arabians!
Last Friday, March 10th, the Natalia Lady Mustangs took on the Poteet Aggies. The Lady Mustangs took the lead late and defeated Poteet 5-3 on Friday. The Mustangs trailed 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning when Marina Billalobos homered on a 1-0 count, scoring three runs. Billalobos led in hits as well, driving in runs on a single in the first, a double in the third, and a home run in the fifth. On the mound Billalobos surrendered three runs on eight hits over seven innings, striking out eight and walking one. Stats for the match are as follows: Batting: Hits: Skylene Gallegos-1, Saenz-1, Billalobos-3, Laque-1. Runs: Jimenez-2, Skylene Gallegos-1, Seovia-1, Billalobos-1. Fielding: Outs: Jimenez-8, Skylene Gallegos-1, Saenz-2, Syrene GAllegos-1, Figueroa-3, Segovia-2, Billalobos-2, Laque-2. Pitching: Billalobos: Hits Allowed-8, Walks-1, Strikeouts-8. The Mustangs had one match over the break. An early lead helped Natalia defeat D’Hanis 12-6 on Tuesday, March 14th. The girls scored on a single by Araceley Segovia in the first inning and a groundout by Syrene Gallegos in the second inning. The base paths were crowded in this high-scoring game. The Mustangs pulled away for good with two runs in the second inning. In the second Valerie Saenz reached on a dropped third strike and Gallegos grounded out, scoring one run. The Mustangs notched three runs in the sixth inning. Marina Billalobos, Segovia, and Isabel Laque all moved runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning. Billalobos pitched the Mustangs to victory. The pitcher went seven innings, allowing six runs on 13 hits, striking out five and walking one. Laque went deep in the third inning, totaling one home run for the day. The Mustangs scattered ten hits in the game. Segovia, Billalobos, Figueroa, and Laque each collected two hits to lead the Natalia Lady Mustangs in hits. Stats for the match are as follows: Batting: Hits: Ramirez-1, Skylene Gallegos-1, Figueroa-2, Segovia-2, Billalobos-2, Laque-2. Runs: Ramirez-1, Jimenez-2, Skylene Gallegos-1, Saenz-1, Figueroa-1, Segovia-3, Billalobos-2, Laque-1. Fielding: Assists: Jimenez-1, Segovia-1, Billalobos-1. Outs: Jimenez-6, Saenz-5, Syrene Gallegos-1, Segovia-3, Billalobos-5, Laque-1. Pitching: Billalobos: Hits Allowed-13, Walks-1, Strikeouts: 5. The two wins have put the Lady Mustangs at a 4-1 district record. They will play their rival Lytle Lady Pirates Tuesday, March 21st and Crystal City Friday, March 24th, at home. Make sure to come out and cheer them on. Congratulations and good luck Mustangs!
Natalia Lady Mustang three time State Champion Jiselle Olivarez takes first place. Congratulations!
Last Thursday, March 16th, Natalia’s Lady Mustangs traveled to the THSWPA State Powerlifting Championship held in Frisco, Texas to compete. Three out of the six Lady Mustangs placed in the state meet. As a team the Lady Mustangs placed third overall. Araceley Segovia placed third in her weight class, Isabel Laque placed fourth in her weight class, and Jiselle Olivarez is now a three time state champion! Way to compete ladies and congratulations on a successful as well as impressive season as it has come to an end. Jiselle Gonzales, first place, squat 500, bench 305. dead lift 375, total 1180. Araceley Segovia, third place, squat 435, bench 275, dead lift 355, total 1065. Isabel Laque, fourth place, squat 295, bench 180, dead lift 315, total 790. Dominique Banda, eighth place, squat 275, bench 120, dead lift 295, total 690. Abigail Fulton, tenth place, squat 285, bench 135, dead lift 255, total 675. Ashley Aguirre, Disqualified, squat 335, bench 145, dead lift 325, total 0.
Jerel Beaty Staff Writer Devine was one inning from beginning its District 29-4A schedule 3-0. Devine took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning in Pleasanton March 14, but the Eagles finally put the wood on the ball to score three times in the bottom of the sixth to pull out the 3-1 victory. “It was a heartbreaker, but we really did not do what we needed to do to pull out the win,” Head Coach Heath Poppe stated regarding his squad collecting only four hits and striking out 13 times against Eagle pitching. Caden Hanson was masterful on the mound for five innings, but ran into a jam in the sixth allowing three earned runs. On 84 pitches, Hanson struck out four, while allowing only four hits and one walk. Devine’s lone run came after Sam Guardiola opened the second inning on a hit-by-pitch then stole second before scoring on Corey Dirck’s RBI single. A different story awaited the Horses in Jourdanton as Devine pounded out 11 hits and scored 8 runs in their 8-2 victory last Thursday. Korbin Campbell got the victory, tossing four innings, giving up one earned run, striking out two, and walking only three on 62 pitches. Shayne Scarbrough came in as relief to throw the final three innings, striking out three and walking four. Camden White, Jack Schneider, and Henry Ramirez got two hits apiece, while Anthony Saldivar, Gabriel Esquibel, Logan Camarillo, Sam Guardiola, and Corey Dirck each got one hit. White led the RBI department with three, Dirck was next with two, and Saldivar and Ramirez each knocked home one run. Up next Devine is now 8-4-1 overall and 2-1 in district play. They will have played Somerset Tuesday, March 21 at Warhorse Field before matching up against Pearsall on the road March 24.
Congratulations to Lytle’s own Natalie Pacheco for placing first at state.
Last Thursday, March 16th, Lytle Lady Pirates Nivea Sanchez, Brianna Paredes, and Natalie Pacheco traveled to the THSWPA State Powerlifting Championship held in Frisco, Texas to compete for gold. Of these three girls, Natalie Pacheco was the only to place, and with a first place title at that! Way to go ladies! Congratulations on a successful season as the 2023 girls powerlifting season has come to an end. Natalie Pacheco, first place, squat 475, bench 255, dead lift 415, total 1145. Brianna Paredes, eleventh place, squat 335, bench 120, dead lift 290, total 745. Nivea Sanchez, disqualified, squat 405, bench 0, dead lift 315, total 0.
Devine Arabian powerlifter Neenah Guerro places fifth place at state. Congratulations!
Last Friday, March 17th, Devine Arabian senior Neenah Guerrero traveled to compete in the THSWPA Powerlifting State Championship held in Frisco, Texas. Her hard work throughout the season earned her a fifth place title. What’s more impressive is the fact that this was Neenah’s first year being a member of the powerlifting team. Way to compete and congratulations on a successful season! Neenah Guerrero, first place, squat 250, bench 130, dead lift 225, total 605.
03/13/2023-Terroristic Threats – Officer on duty responded to call which involved a letter received in the mail that contained an unidentifiable white power. Outside law enforcement agencies were contacted and the white powder was found to be non harmful. 03/15/2023-Parking Violation – Officer on duty observed an 18 wheeler illegally parked and issued a violation citation. 03/16/2023-Evade Arrest – While Officer on duty was conducting routine patrol rounds in the city of Natalia, he encountered a person of interest and made contact with the individual. The Officer confirmed the individual had an active outstanding warrant. As the Officer started to take the subject into custody the subject pulled away and evaded arrest. 03/18/2023-Disturbance – Officer responded to a disturbance involving two girlfriends who had been drinking. The Officer spoke to both parties and offered a courtesy ride home for the night until the alcohol wore off. 03/18/2023-Welfare Concern – Officer on duty responded to a welfare check on a man in a motorized wheelchair traveling on TX-132and FM 471S. Contact was made and all was well. 03/18/2023- AOA – Officer on duty was dispatched to Town and Country to assist the resident get his wheelchair up the handicap ramp. 03/19/2023-Traffic Hazard – Officer on duty was dispatched to an accident on IH35. Officer ensured all parties involved were not injured and contacted a tow truck to take possession of the vehicles involved in the accident.
