Celebrating 126 Years of Serving the communities of Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Bigfoot, and Moore in Medina, Frio, and Atascosa Counties
The Natalia High School senior class will be hosting a Turkey Trot 5K on November 8th at the NHS gym. Check in will start at 9 am with the bike ride beginning at 9:30 am and the 5K at 10 am.
Register by October 31 and get a free T-shirt and burger in a bag. To register go to https://square.link/u/xFPMsv00
The run will be $30 per person which will include a T-shirt and burger bag. The bike ride will be $20 per person and will also include a T-shirt and burger bag.
by Kathleen Calame
Publisher, The Devine News
Three local bands are excited after earning a trip to the UIL State Marching Competition coming up November 10-12, 2025. They earned the right with their performance last weekend in the Area E Marching Finals.
On Saturday, November 1, the Lytle Pirate Band made school history by earning back-to-back trips to the UIL State Marching Contest! “The rain could not put out our fire today…instead, they set fire to the rain, and lit ‘em up in Beeville!” said Lytle ISD Band Director Joshua Chessher. “This makes the Pirate Band STATEBOUND for the second time in 2 years!”
What a honor it is for the students and their leaders to be able to represent their schools at the State Marching Competition. The band leaders and students start their workouts during the end of summer and have been working hard all during the fall season to get the chance to advance to State. It doesn’t happen that often, so it is a big big deal. It is hard for smaller rural schools to compete with the schools who have much more resources, and band directors. When you see schools drive up with 18 wheelers full of equipment and props at Area, and park next to the trailers small schools have it is an eye opening experience. But small schools have a lot of passion and their hard work pays off when they get a chance to advance to State.
The Pirate Band delivered an outstanding performance at the UIL Area E Marching Contest qualifying the band for State competition. “A tremendous accomplishment that reflects the dedication, talent, and teamwork of our incredible student musicians,” said Chessher.
“This year’s milestone marks the 8th consecutive 1st Division rating in Marching for the Pirate Band at Region — a tradition of excellence that continues to make Lytle ISD proud. We are so incredibly proud of our students, directors, and staff for their unwavering commitment and passion that make achievements like this possible,” said Chessher. Now they have added back-to-back wins at Area which qualified them for trips to STATE.
Congratulations to all 89 members of the Pirate Band on this remarkable success — and best of luck as they prepare for the next level of competition at State, on November 12 in the Alamodome in SA.
Lytle will perform in the 2025 State Marching Band Championships in the 3A division on Wednesday, November 12 in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. They will compete against 23 bands for a chance to march in the finals that evening. Lytle High School Pirates will take the field at 12:55 for a 1:00 performance. Every 15 minutes another band performs. Jourdanton High School also qualified to State and will perform at 2:15. Hondo High School also qualified and will perform at 3:45 pm.
An Exhibition Band will be the last performance of the morning/afternoon session at 4:00 pm followed by the announcements at 4:15 of the top ten finalists. Finals will begin during the next session at 7:00 pm that evening, ending at 10:00 pm with an awards presentation.
Ticket Information-Single Session Tickets: $22 plus fees. Double Session Tickets: $38 plus fees.
Double Session Ticket Options: Sessions 4 and 5 are the 3A division bands. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early to avoid congestion at the doors. The Box Office will open 75 minutes prior to first performance of the day and doors will open 45 minutes prior to the first performance in each session.
Tickets are available at the Alamodome box office or through Ticketmaster.
They do have a clear bag policy.
See additional story on the UIL State Band Marching Competition in this week’s newspaper.
2025-2026 Lytle HS Band Leadership Team:
Head Drum Major – Collin Sprenger
Assistant Drum Majors – Camila Vega and Nadia Daniels
Color Guard Captain – Journee Mendoza
Color Guard Lieutenants – Haylee Ward and Lily Morales
Woodwind Captain – Nadia Daniels
Woodwind Drill Instructors – Brooke Tollett, Emiliano Cardenas
Flute Section Leader – Orlando Gutierrez
Clarinet Section Leaders – Julyana Frausto
Sax & Low Reed Section Leader – Emma Emery
Sax & Low Reed Section Leader – Emma Emery
Brass Captain – Koby Lara
Brass Drill Instructors – Gabi Cortez and Timothy Gutierrez
High Brass Section Leaders – Maddie Maldonado and Auslyn Beazer
Low Brass Section Leader – Lidon Hernandez
Drumline Section Leader – Nevaeh Kassin
Front Ensemble Section Leader – Taryn McDonald
Band Directors – Joshua Chessher, MJ Robles, Javier Lopez, Bertie Salazar, and Errian Morin
The Lytle Boys cross country team are back-to-back state champs! They are: Jacob Cantu 6th, the highest Lytle individual finish since 2012 when Cesar Gonzalez won the individual title. Diego and Adrian Reyna finished 13th and 14th, Sebastian Garcia placed 47th, Nathan Garza finished 51st, Bryan Montes-Rodriguez was 60th and Jaden Castro placed 77th out of 151 runners.
Authorities took possession of over 1,500 vaping devices and illegal THC wax products while executing a search warrant at Devine Food Mart this past Wednesday, October 29 in downtown Devine. Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown warned that it will be the first of many in the county if stores selling illegal products don’t quit.
“We seized about 1,500 items and will be seeking to destroy it all,” said Sheriff Brown. He described the seized items as “vaping devices and THC wax products” (like a lip balm).
“They have about as much wax in them as you can get out your ear and they sell for over $60. Quit supporting these stores. I don’t care if gas is $4 cheaper. To those who wish to make a real difference–I’ve got a suggestion. Let’s turn our attention toward the stores in our communities that sell drug paraphernalia and illegal e-cigarettes that far too often end up in the hands of our children. Every time you shop there, you are supporting this type of business.”
Suspects involved will…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!
Devine High School student, William Edgmon competed against some of the best in the world.
Devine High School student, William Edgmon, claimed two National Championships in two of the events he entered during the Fitasc international shoot off.
This was William’s 9th year to compete in the National Sporting Clays competition. “Nationals is considered the World Series for sporting clays,” said the Edgmon family. “It is the biggest event of the year with 49 states represented and 7 countries. William had an outstanding performance at this year’s Nationals and claimed 2 National Championships in two of the events he competed in.”
Edgmon earned Master Class 1st Place and Junior Class (Ages 16-21) Runner-up in what the Egdmons describe as “a shoot off against some of the best in the world.”
In addition, in the 5-stand event, he ended up Master Class 1st place and Junior Class (Ages 16-21) Runner-up!
Edgmon participated in his first Nationals shooting event at just 8 years old.
“He has an amazing talent, and we are so proud of him!” the Edgmons add.
By Anton Riecher
Medina County commissioners took action Monday to update public improvement districts agreements governing infrastructure improvements for various housing subdivisions across the region.
Clay Binford with McCall, Parkhurst and Horton, representing the county as special counsel, took the opportunity to bring the commissioners up to speed on the infrastructure projects involved.
Chapter 312 of the state’s local government code requires that the commissioners “affirm the plan or change the plan that we adopted at the time we put these public improvement districts in place,” Binford said.
A public improvement…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!
Mark your calendars for St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Turkey Bingo on Sunday, November 16th from 2 to 5 pm at the St. Joseph’s Hall located at 108 S Washington Drive in Devine.
There will be several bingo packages available and special bingo games. The Guadalupañas will be selling various concession items to keep you energized and focused on the games.
“Happy are those who dare courageously to defend what they love.”
-Ovid (Roman poet)
The Vietnam War, pitting communist North Vietnam against South Vietnam and its primary ally the United States, was a long and divisive conflict. It occupied American attention and involvement for over 20 years, with our combat forces in-country and on the ground from 1965-1973. Over 58,000 Americans lost their lives in the war. Those who served in Vietnam answered their country’s call when needed. They deserve our gratitude and respect for their service.
One of those who served was Mr. Ricardo Cortez, a combat- wounded veteran from Lytle, Texas. I recently had the honor of speaking with Mr. Cortez and wanted to share his story.
Ricardo (Richard) Cortez was just 18 years old in 1965 when he was drafted into the Army during the war in Vietnam. He experienced much as a member of the U. S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division (nicknamed the Ivy Division for the pronunciation of the unit’s number in Roman Numerals – IV). While engaged in combat operations, Mr. Cortez saw plenty of action. From Camp Jackson Hole, near the Cambodian border in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam, men of the 4th Infantry were tasked with continuing search and patrol missions. They scouted and tracked enemy positions engaging North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces at every opportunity. The 4th Infantry endured some of the worst fighting of the war. After volunteering for an extra support and combat mission, Mr. Cortez was wounded when his unit was ambushed as their convoy navigated the Ho Chi Minh Trail inside Cambodia. In the midst of a firefight, the truck he was driving hit a landmine. Blown from the cab with severe injuries, he survived the fight, saved by stalwart Army medics and a medevac helicopter crew.
After treatment in-theater, he was sent to hospital in the Philippines and was later transferred to Madigan Army Medical Center in Seattle for recovery and rehab. With Purple Heart in hand, Mr. Cortez was discharged in 1967 (during his combat tours he also received a Bronze Star). In 1978 he joined the Army Reserve and went on to serve during the Gulf War in Operation Desert Storm as a 1st Sergeant with the 1st Cavalry Division. He currently serves as a member of the Honor Guard with his local VFW chapter. In the past 22 years he has helped perform ceremonial duties for more than 2,000 military funerals.
Leading a proud military legacy, Mr. Cortez’s sons have also served. Army veterans Sergeant First Class Dion Cortez and Staff Sergeant Richard Cortez, Jr. are proud of their dad. Along with Mr. Cortez and his twin brother Henry, both sons served in the Gulf War. Mr. Cortez’s life has been marked by a heart for service. He loves his country, and he was proud to serve. He is an ordinary hero. And those are the best kind.
Recently, students at Lytle High School produced a short documentary film about Mr. Cortez and his family’s military service. They were awarded a bronze medal for the film in the state finals for the UIL Young Filmmakers competition. You can watch the documentary on YouTube (“He Will Continue to Serve – UIL Young Filmmakers State Bronze Medal 1-3A Documentary Award”).
Mr. Cortez’s heart for service continues today with what started out as a simple idea to raise the spirits of his comrades. And this service is tied to America’s favorite soft drink, Coca-Cola.
Historically, the Coca-Cola Company has been a great supporter of our military. During WWII, the company pledged to supply every service member in uniform with a bottle of Coke. At the request of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, they even set up portable bottling plants to supply American G.I.s and Marines in combat with Coke. Today the company continues to support the military through partnerships with the USO and other organizations.
Albert Cortez, Mr. Cortez’s youngest son, shared with me his father’s artistic bent and new creative project idea involving Coke. His dad collects empty pill bottles and other containers. After disinfecting the containers, he creates a collage on each, using pictures for a military service theme along with Coca-Cola logos. He and his boys like Coca-Cola. He then fills the bottles with candy and other small gifts, giving them out to veterans and other VFW friends. He also passes these out to patients and nurses at the local hospital. His containers are beautiful, patriotic, and show his love for America…and Coke.
Inspired, Mr. Cortez had the brilliant idea of presenting this to the Coca-Cola Company. He would like to design special commemorative Coke cans for Veterans Day. I think this idea for Veterans Day Coke cans, designed and created by a veteran, is a genius-level marketing concept. Americans would surely love patriotic Veterans Day Coke cans.
I have forwarded a copy of this column, along with Mr. Cortez’s contact info to the Coca-Cola Company in hopes that they adopt his idea and enlist his help in creating Veterans Day Coke!
Thank you, Mr. Cortez. You are an inspiration to us all. We honor you, your beautiful wife Ninfa, and your family as you continue to serve…
© 2025 Jody Dyer
typewriterweekly.com
George Perez faces third degree felony charges after illegally dumping a motorcycle off the bridge into San Francisco Perez Creek. During the course of the investigation, deputies discovered that the motorcycle had been reported stolen. Perez was subsequently arrested and booked into the Medina County Jail on October 31, 2025.
Sheriff Randy Brown stated, “We have deployed cameras in various locations around the county. It’s absolutely sickening that anyone would think it’s acceptable to dump their garbage on our county roads or into our creeks and waterways. Let this be a warning, we are watching, and you will be arrested when caught.”
