Celebrating 126 Years of Serving the communities of Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Bigfoot, and Moore in Medina, Frio, and Atascosa Counties
Most of the brush and trash from the Winter Service projects done locally were transported back to Devine First UMC where it was picked up by South Texas Refuse Disposal Inc. (STRD). Thank you to Freddie Cuellar and Blake Caesar with STRD for making this happen! Thank you also to the college students from the Texas A&M Wesley Foundation for your generous time and hard work in Devine! “We like helping, especially churches,” said Cuellar.
By Anton Riecher
In what amounts to an annual tradition, Medina County commissioners voted Monday to borrow up to $1.980 million from the county general fund to pay upcoming debt obligations that will eventually be covered by tax collection.
County Auditor Eduardo Lopez said he did not anticipate needing to use the entire amount authorized by the commissioners.
“We haven’t collected enough from the tax office yet, so what we do every year is borrow from the general fund,” Lopez said. “As soon as we receive revenue from the tax office we pay back the general fund.”
The borrowed funds will be used to make payment on a certificate of obligation, plus two tax anticipation notes (TANs). A TAN is a short-term debt security issued by government to fund project secured by future tax revenue.
Lopez said he anticipates receiving the December 2024 tax report from Medina County Tax Assessor-Collector Melissa Lutz within the next few days.
On a motion by Precinct 2 Commissioner Larry Sittre, seconded by Precinct 1 Commissioner Jessica Castiglione, the commissioners approved borrowing the funds by a 3-0 vote. Precinct 3 Commissioner David Lynch was absent from the meeting due to illness.
The monthly auditors report presented by first assistant county auditor Jennifer Konegni showed a cash balance of…
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After a recent visit to a grocery store, I noticed a vegetable that I hadn’t seen in a long time. It is something that I have eaten, as my dad worked in a grocery store and would occasionally bring home some unusual vegetables. However, while I know that Mother cooked almost anything he brought home, (one outstanding no-no was parsnips), this vegetable is kohlrabi, I don’t have any recollection as to how she prepared it, but chances are it was boiled until done and seasoned with salt and pepper and either bacon drippings or butter.
It is a winter vegetable, and the name kohlrabi is a German word that means “cabbage turnip” which describes its shape and the similarity in taste to cabbage. Kohlrabi is a cultivar of cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower as well as collard greens, Savoy cabbage, kale and Brussels sprouts. (This article that I found compares the taste to broccoli, but the one I found this morning compares it to cabbage)! Kohlrabi is a good source of many nutrients, mainly Vitamin C, and is a good source of fiber. It is a vegetable you can eat raw, as in a slaw type salad or cooked, as in a stir-fry dish. One of my daughters told me she had been given kohlrabi at one time and made it into a slaw. The texture of a raw kohlrabi, is pretty much the same as the texture of a turnip.
Many of the recipes I found looked as if they’d be tasty, but mostly they had a video to watch, which didn’t help. I tried pulling up several of the recipes, but was not successful, the ingredients would be listed, but the directions weren’t available.
One of the things that “goes with the territory” of it being late Summer is that I spend a good bit of time looking over the pictures captured on various trail cameras from multiple settings on various ranches.
I do this primarily because it is now possible to begin to “spotlight” some of the information I want to evaluate and share with other interested parties. Some are property owners, and some are guests who will be invited to spend hunting time on my own land later in the year.
From the age and gender “counts” I am looking for indications of overall health of the wildlife, especially the whitetail deer, that are all native and on low fenced acreage. I don’t do much work on high fenced properties these days, but the principles are the same. Of particular interest to me are how many fawns “made it” to this time of the year. I am also carefully trying to identify certain males that are on the “hit list” for removing, as well as the “DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT LIST” due to several reasons explained a little bit later in this Tale.
Lytle P.D. news for the week ending Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, … Your officers conducted 71 traffic stops, resulting in 35 citations and 36 warnings. Officers handled 46 calls for service. Our overall call numbers have remained on the low side. While, in general, our call numbers are a good indicator the real “Are we busy?” is the seriousness of the calls you receive. Fortunately, we haven’t had an increase in serious calls. Serious calls are the type of calls that require a lot of time for investigation and preparation for filing.
Our only property crime was a lost/stolen cell phone at the H.E.B. Plus. The complainant reported he left an iPhone 15 behind in a shopping cart.
Officers had two arrests last week. #1 – Officers were dispatched to Lytle H.S. for a report of a student with an active burglary warrant out of Atascosa Co. Medina Co. Sheriff’s SRO Rick Valdez released the student to Capt. Dear, who transported him to the Atascosa Co. Juvenile Detention Center in Jourdanton. #2 – A traffic stop for speeding resulted in the arrest of a 21-year-old male for possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. He was booked into the Atascosa Co. Jail.
In other news … officers transported two adults from the Camino Real to San Antonio area hospitals. One on a mental health warrant and another on a transfer of an emergency detention. Ofc. Reyes responded to H.E.B. Plus for a report of a “baggie of drugs” left at a self-checkout. I bet that even if the owner reads this, he won’t come in to claim it.
On the personal side, my wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary last Saturday. Man, time sure does fly.
Happy deuce and a quarter. Seems we started the New Year on the positive side when we got 9 tenths of an inch of rain on the 10th day of 2025, Hallylewya!! We ended 2024 with 20.3 inches of measurable rain out in the Black Creek metroplex.
Hope everybody what celebrated too much on New Year’s Eve woke up with a grand hangover and the promise of “never again”…. Last year we got to see our Dallas Cowboys live up to expectations, UT had hopes of a National Championship and the Houston Texans are moving into the role of Texas’ Team. They have been a favorite of mine until they fired Bum Phillips and moved to somewhere up north.
We get to start the New Year with a Commander in Chief with a spine and a genuine love of America. Don’t have to go through all the failures and falsehoods that riddled the last 4 years…they are all in the news. I believe that we are making a U-turn.
The Homestead Exemption motion for ESD 4 failed for lack of a second and I am sure that this periodical will cover the meeting in depth so, I won’t expound on the subject.
This is short because I am late in my submission to the paper. Continue to pray for rain. Promise to have more next time.
Monday, January 06
12:23 AM – N. Benton St. @ Railroad St. / Adams St. – Officer responded to a report of the Railroad Crossing Arms malfunctioning.
1:42 AM – 15300 Blk. Main St. – Officers responded to an active alarm and discovered an unlocked door. After an interior search, the business was secured.
1:57 AM – Assist Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office – 400 Blk. Meadowview Dr. – Officers responded outside the city limits of Lytle to assist with a 911 hangup. Everything was okay.
5:45 AM – 19500 Blk. S. Somerset St. – Officers provided an escort for a military member re-deploying.
8:21 AM – 17900 Blk. Wisdom Rd. – Officers responded to the report of an assault between an ex-husband and ex-wife.
9:43 AM – 19500 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to an unwanted customer.
10:37 AM – 19900 Blk. FM 3175 – Officers responded to a report of an irate consumer. The consumer was transported to the San Antonio Behavioral Hospital for an Emergency Detention.
12:38 PM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to a suspicious female juvenile but could not locate her.
Tuesday, January 07
9:30 AM – 19500 IH 35 – Officer responded to a verbal disturbance between a brother and sister.
10:03 AM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer responded to unlock a 2005 Ford F-250.
10:41 AM – 14800 Blk. Main St. – Officers provided a funeral escort to the Lytle Community Cemetery.
12:50 PM – 18100 Blk. FM 2790 N. – Officer responded to a deer that had been struck by a vehicle. The Texas Game Warden was notified and advised that they would make the scene.
1/6/2025 – An Officer was dispatched to the 800 Blk 5th street for a suspicious person upon the officers arrival no one was at location.
1/6/2025 – An Officer was Dispatched out the 300 Blk of Miller St for a suspicious person walking in People’s yard upon arrival officers spoke to the individual who stated that they were picking up trash.
1/6/2025 – Officer assisted Medina County Sheriffs on IH-35 with traffic control.
1/7/2025 – An officer was dispatched to IH-35 for an abandoned vehicle upon arrival he spoke to the owner who advised that he was getting a truck and a trailer to remove the vehicle.
1/8/2025 – Officers responded to 400 Blk of Palfrey St in reference to a juvenile runaway the juvenile was located in the San Antonio area.
1/9/2025 – Officer was dispatched to the Love’s Truck stop for a theft case that is under investigation.
1/12/2025 – An officer was dispatched to the Loves warehouse for an alarm build was all secure.
May 7, 1941 – January 9, 2025
Carole Ann passed away in Lytle, Tx. surrounded by devoted family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, and her loving son, David DuBose “Chip”.
Beloved by her family, she was the cherished mother of Dawn (Ron), Susie, Damon (Lisa), and Brendan (Kelly), and the proud grandmother of Carole, Tim, Cami, Derryk, Cynthia, Hanna, Brittany, Brandi, Brooke, Jason, Korey, and Karissa.
Her work ethic was unmatched, but she will always be remembered most for her years at Triple C Steakhouse. With service delivered with a smile—and often a joke that left you in stitches—she created lasting memories for everyone she encountered.
She cherished her years volunteering at the Hospice Thrift Store in Devine, raising funds for hospice care.
Her door was always open, welcoming anyone who needed a place to land. You’d often find a grandchild or two by her side, whether it was a casual day or one of her legendary sleepovers. She spoiled them with popcorn, cokes, and candy as they stayed up watching True Crime marathons. There wasn’t a case on TV she couldn’t solve.
If she was out and about, you definitely knew it. Whether cruising in her white car or sliding in on two wheels in her green Mustang, music blasting—Last Kiss by Pearl Jam (please play this loudly for her today)—you could hear her coming from a mile away.
More than just a mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, and friend, she was a one-of-a-kind soul. She checked in on her loved ones daily, cared for her neighbors, and adored all animals. Her kindness, humor, and heart made her truly unforgettable.
There will never be another like her. Forever loved, always missed.
In honor of our mom and all the waitstaff, please raise your glass—whether it be coffee, tea, or a cold beer.
Her graveside service will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, 2:00pm., at Evergreen Cemetery in Devine, TX.
With a “Carole Ann Toast” immediately following at Triple C Steakhouse.
Maria Miranda, departed this life peacefully on January 12, 2025, at the age of 81. Born on April 1, 1943, Maria embodied the essence of compassion and dedication throughout her life, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all who knew her.
Maria’s career as a caregiver was not merely a profession; it was a true calling. She approached her work with a warmth that nurtured those around her. Her gentle spirit and tireless dedication to helping others epitomized her loving nature. Maria embraced every moment spent with family, reveling in the laughter, stories, and shared experiences that forged lifelong bonds. She had a unique ability to make everyone feel cherished and important, always bringing a sense of joy and comfort to those in her care.
One of Maria’s proudest accomplishments was learning English as a second language, a testament to her perseverance and desire to connect with those around her. This determination enriched her life and created opportunities that she valued deeply. Her legacy of love and strength will continue to inspire those she leaves behind.
Maria is survived by her beloved sons: Frank Miranda, Jorge Miranda, Stephen Miranda, and Roman Garcia, who will forever hold dear the lessons of love and compassion imparted to them by their mother. She is also survived by her siblings: Reyes De La Garza, Juan Antonio Garcia, Gregorio Garcia, Rosalinda Rodriguez, and Leticia Curup. Last she is survived by 11 Grandchildren and 9 Great Grandchildren, as well as numerous Nieces and Nephews.
