You’re invited….BUST N BURN this weekend in Devine…

The 12th Annual DJ Carlson Memorial BUST N BURN will take place this Friday and Saturday, September 12&13 at The Farm, 2238 FM 2200 West, Devine just past the airport in memory of DJ Carlson.
New this year- a steak cooking contest on Friday with a first place winner and a local Champion, open to all competitors.
And a Kid’s Q cookoff for kinder through high school seniors on Saturday with a 4pm turn in time. Meat will be provided by the sponsor DCDC for the kids cookoff.
The public is welcome to join in on the weekend events with the purchase of a $10 cover charge wrist band (covers both days) feature a barbeque cook-off (State Championship Cook-off), a 12 station sporting clay shoot, corn hole tourney, and music.
Champions Barbeque Alliance State Championship Cook-off will feature chicken, ribs, brisket, and pork butt; with a $5000 Pay Out.
The 12 station registered sporting clay shoot always draws a lot of sponsors and teams and many awards and buckles are given including scholarships. A $1,000 YOUTH scholarship is given to the top male as well as the top female youth in the clay shoot! Plus many other buckles are won by kids in the various age groups. There is still space for teams in all categories.
Please tell all the kids you know that enjoy hunting to join in on the youth shoot. There are a lot of prizes and beautiful buckles.
Friday cookers arrive at 10 am and start setting up (5pm cook meeting, 7pm steak, 8pm Chef’s choice, 9 pm dessert). Cornhole registration starts at 6:15pm with a 8:00pm start time. Karaoke will liven up the night on Friday from 7-11 pm.
On Saturday shooter registration is at 8:00 am. Shoot will start after all teams are registered, shooters meeting and prayer.
Silent Auction tickets sold all day Saturday with winners drawn that evening after the awards and during the dancefeaturing the Matt Hawk Band from 8-12 midnight. Charlie Collins will open up the live music from 6-8 pm.
A $10 cover charge wrist band will cover both days.
Food will be available on Saturday and drinks, but BYOB both days.
The event will be hosted at The Farm, 2238 FM 2200 West, Devine, just past the Devine going towards Yancey.
To register for the BBQ contact Misty Stricker at 830-200-1015. To register for the clay shoot or any further question contact Shannon Frazier 210-471-1856 or Stacie Mann 210-410-4712 or Kelli Maxwell 979-219-1385.
For more details see bustnburn.com or their facebook account.

Huge Art show in Lytle Sept. 27

Do you have an interest in painting and/or drawing? Do you want to find a place to paint and draw with others with the same interests? Every Tuesday morning the Lytle Friendship Art Club meets from 09:30 until Noon at the Church of Christ located at 15340 Main Street Lytle, TX.
Additionally, we will hold our annual Art Show at the Lytle Community Center on September 27, 2025, and a food truck will be on the premises. Participants’ artwork will be on display, kicking off around 9am. Additionally, there will be an exhibit for high school students on display. Artists will also be showing and selling their fine art work and finely executed crafts. If you are a fine artist or create original crafts, please feel free to contact us at friendshipartclub@gmail.com. We also have a drawing to raise money for the Scholarships granted to deserving high school students who pursue their education and have proved their ability and love of visual art. Tickets will be sold before and during the show. Please call Jane Brown at 210-415-2546, for additional information.

Devine Cheerleaders, Mascots, Pep Squad Across the Years to be honored at Homecoming – Sept. 26 & 27

Click here to see who is pictured above

1997-98 DHS Varsity Cheerleaders & Mascot: Top Row – Keri Ehlinger, Bianca Pittman (Mascot), Rebekah Lively; Middle – Clarissa Fernandez, Samantha McClure; Seated – Kayci Waters, Marci Long *picture from the 1998 DHS yearbook

No matter the years or styles of uniforms, Devine cheerleaders, mascots, and pep squad members have always been known for not only their spirited talents and enthusiasm, but for their hard work and dedication for a sport that puts you out in front of huge audiences in gyms and stadiums! That is no easy task, but for decades, young women, and a few young men, from Devine put in the time and effort to become skilled at what they did best!
On Friday night, Sept. 26th all former cheerleaders, mascots, and pep squad members will be asked to stand, or sit, and wave to the fans as they will be recognized for their leadership and dedication in carrying on the Spirit of the Devine Warhorses and Arabians!
On Saturday, September 27th all former Devine cheerleaders, mascots, and pep squad members from Devine Middle School/Jr. High and High School will be honored at the annual DExSTA Homecoming celebration, starting at 1:00pm at the Devine VFW (Green Alamo), at 211 W. College Ave., across from the post office. Lots of cheering pictures, uniforms, and more, from over the years, will be on display, and special photos will be taken. So please join us for the special day honoring these special leaders of the Warhorse & Arabian Spirit!
*DExSTA members will get in free, with guests at $5 each. *Annual DExSTA membership is only $15 a year, with an option for a Lifetime Membership at $100. *You are welcome to join at the Homecoming football game on Friday night, or at the Saturday event at the VFW, or you can even send it by mail to Devine Ex-Student Teachers Association at PO Box 586, Devine, Tx 78016. If you send it by mail, please include a note with your name, class year or teacher, and a current address. *Proceeds are used toward the cost of the hall, refreshments, stamps, supplies, and scholarships.

DEVINE EX-STUDENTS/TEACHERS ASSOCIATION HOMECOMING FESTIVITIES ON SEPT. 26-27!

All Devine alumni and teachers welcome…

The Devine Ex-Students/Teachers Association (DExSTA) is looking forward, again this year, to welcoming Devine Exes to Homecoming!
It all starts Friday night, Sept 26th, at Warhorse Stadium where the Devine Warhorses will take on the visiting San Antonio Christian in a gridiron battle! Get there early for registration & name tags at the DExSTA table by the ramp, then gather in the south end of the home stands with other Devine Exes. The DHS Homecoming activities will begin about 6:30, followed by the DHS School Song played by the Warhorse Band, and kick-off at 7:30pm. Be ready to cheer with the DHS Cheerleaders and stand for “Two Bits”!
During the game, the announcer will call out for any former Cheerleaders, Mascots, and Pep Squad members to stand or wave from their seats to be recognized and honored for their contributions to the unwavering Devine Spirit! Other classes having special reunions may be announced also, so keep listening for your class to stand or wave! At halftime the DHS Honor Class of 1975 will be down on the track to be introduced for their 50th Class Reunion.
The annual DExSTA “Main Event” will be held again this year at the Devine VFW Post 3966 (old Green Alamo) at 211 W. College Ave., in Devine. The event begins at 1:00pm with Registration, Visiting, Refreshments and includes displays of many old school pictures & class posters, cheer squad memorabilia and a wonderful slide show. At 2:00pm the Homecoming Program opens with Two Bits, the National Anthem & Pledges, and School Song, followed by a brief DExSTA annual meeting, introductions of ex-students & teachers, special recognition of former Cheerleaders, Mascots, & Pep Squad members, & classes with reunions, and a feature of the Honor Class of 1975. Afterwards there will be more opportunities for visiting and taking pictures together!
It will be an afternoon of special memories for all! *Group pictures of the Cheerleaders, Mascots, Pep Squads, plus Classes of 1975, 1965, 1955, 2010, and any other classes with reunions, will be taken outside the hall on the front steps.
This gathering is a very special time to not only remember and celebrate our own school days, but to meet other Devine Exes, and hear about what made their days in Devine special to them. You will find that the Warhorse-Arabian Spirit ties us all together! Please make plans to join us for Homecoming 2025 on September 26th and 27th!
Devine Ex-Students/Teachers Association: “Preserving the Past, Celebrating the Present, Promoting the Future” DExSTA Contact Information: Facebook page – Devine Ex-Students Teachers Association
Nancy Ehlinger Saathoff ’75 @ 210-289-6205 or gnsaathoff@aol.com. Join and fill out the form on page 3.

PAST DHS CHEERLEADERS/MASCOTS/PEP SQUADS INVITED TO HOMECOMING 2025

Click here to see who is pictured above

1983-83 DEVINE VARSITY CHEERLEADERS & MASCOT: Cindy Langley, Rhonda Edwards, Mikki McGinnis, Charie Boyd, Monica Trollinger, Kirsten Schneider and Suzanne Crouch

All former Devine Cheerleaders, Mascots, and Pep Squad members are invited to this year’s Homecoming on Friday, Sept. 26 at the HC football game and on Saturday, Sept. 27th at the annual HC social sponsored by the Devine Ex-Student/Teacher Association at the VFW.
On Friday night sit at the south end of the home stands with other former DHS spirit squad members to relive memories of your own nights cheering on the Warhorses & Colts in past years. During the second quarter the announcer will call for all former Devine Cheerleaders, Mascots, & Pep Squad members to stand or wave to be recognized and honored for their past leadership to your school!
At 1:00pm on Saturday, come on over to the VFW hall at 211 W. College Ave. to the annual DExSTA Homecoming Social and festivities! There will be plenty of cheer & pep squads and mascots to see, with megaphones and pom poms galore! All former cheering squads will be individually introduced and honored for their leadership and contributions to the traditional DEVINE WARHORSE – ARABIAN – COLT – FILLY – SPIRIT! Group Photos will also be taken for the paper and the DExSTA Facebook page.
See you at HC 2025!

RUNNING OUT: TEXAS’ WATER CRISIS

Texas is running out of water. Here’s why and what state leaders plan to do about it.

The state’s water supply faces numerous threats. And by one estimate, the state’s municipal supply will not meet demand by 2030 if there’s a severe drought and no water solutions are implemented.

BY ALEJANDRA MARTINEZ AND JAYME LOZANO CARVER, GRAPHICS BY CARLA ASTUDILLO AND YURIKO SCHUMACHER
See the full article on texastribue.org

MARCH 13, 2025
Texas officials fear the state is gravely close to running out of water.

Towns and cities could be on a path toward a severe shortage of water by 2030, data compiled in the state’s 2022 water plan by the Texas Water Development Board indicates. This would happen if there is recurring, record-breaking drought conditions across the state, and if water entities and state leaders fail to put in place key strategies to secure water supplies.

At risk is the water Texans use every day for cooking, cleaning — and drinking.
State lawmakers are debating several solutions, including finding ways to bring new water supply to Texas, and dedicating more money to fix dilapidated infrastructure.

For most other Texans, however, the extent of their knowledge of where water comes from is the kitchen faucet and backyard hose. But behind every drop is a complicated system of sources, laws and management challenges.

So, where does Texas get its water? Who owns it? And why are we running out? Let’s break it down.
Where does Texas get its water?
Texas’ water supply comes from two main sources:

Groundwater makes up 54%. It is water that is stored underground in aquifers.
Surface water makes up 43%. It is water from lakes, rivers and reservoirs.
Texas has nine major aquifers and 22 minor ones. They are large formations underground made of sand, gravel, limestone and other porous rocks. The formations act as giant tubs that hold and filter the water.

The largest is the Ogallala Aquifer underneath the Panhandle and West Texas. It is also the biggest aquifer in the U.S., and Texas shares it with seven other states. It’s a lifeline for farms and ranches in the Texas High Plains. However, overuse is rapidly depleting it.
Another major source is the Edwards Aquifer, which provides drinking water to San Antonio and the surrounding Hill Country.

The state also gets water from 15 major river basins and eight coastal basins, lakes, and more than 180 reservoirs. Reservoirs are man-made lakes created by damming rivers to store water for drinking, agriculture and industry. Like aquifers, they are not endless supplies — water levels can depend on rainfall. And climate change, which alters precipitation patterns, leads to more droughts and fluctuating water levels. Major surface water sources include the Rio Grande, Colorado River, and reservoirs like Lake Travis in Austin and Toledo Bend in East Texas.
Does water supply vary region by region?
Yes, and where you get your water from depends on where you live. Groundwater is not equally available across the state. As water expert Carlos Rubinstein puts it: “People don’t all live next to rivers, and the aquifer isn’t a bathtub with the same amount of water everywhere. Rocks and sand get in the way.”

For example, people living in Lubbock get their water from several sources — two water well fields, Lake Meredith and Lake Alan Henry. Texans living in Fort Worth get their water from mostly surface water sources — lakes, reservoirs and the Trinity River.

Is my city going to run out of water? How can I check?
Since water supply varies by region, the Texas Tribune created an address-search tool. This tool shows where your local water supply comes from and what supply and demand projections look like for the future.

The tool also explains how you can get more involved in water planning. This can be by attending meetings with regional groups who plan for water needs and use, providing public comments to the water development board as they draft new water plans, or by reaching out to lawmakers.

Devine’s Fall Festival Sat. Nov. 1, Carnival 4 days Wed-Saturday

We’re thrilled to announce that applications are now open for the 2025 Devine Cactus Fall Festival—our largest and most anticipated event of the year! This two-day, family-friendly celebration will take place on Friday, October 31st and Saturday, November 1st, 2025, in downtown Devine as usual.
This year’s festival will be packed with live music, food trucks, artisan vendors, local organizations, games, contests, family activities, and more—drawing hundreds of attendees from Devine and surrounding areas.
Whether you’re a returning vendor, nonprofit, school club, or a new business, we’d love to have you be part of this exciting community event!
Event Details
Dates: Friday, October 31st (Evening Halloween Celebration) and Saturday, November 1st (Full-Day Festival)
Location: Highway 173 & Bright Street, Downtown Devine
Times: Friday 31st 2 pm-10 pm and Saturday 1st 8 am-12am
Friday night will focus on Halloween fun! All participating vendors are required to bring candy for trick-or-treaters—costumes and themed booths are encouraged!
Booth spaces are limited and will be assigned on a first-confirmed basis, spots are not guaranteed.
How to Apply:
Attached to this email is the official festival application, which includes booth fees, guidelines, policies, setup instructions and other important information. Please complete and return the application as soon as possible.
Note: Application review and approval may take up to 2 weeks. Once your application is reviewed, we will personally email you.
Price details are included on the form—booth spots are not reserved until payment is received, spots are NOT guaranteed.

Special Notes:
All food vendors must comply with Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) regulations, including any required permits, labeling, licensing, and certifications.
Cottage Food Vendors must follow Texas Cottage Food Law. Products must be non-potentially hazardous, made in a home kitchen, and properly labeled. A food safety training course is required.
Hot Food Vendors must have all appropriate permits and operate from an approved facility. This includes food trucks, trailers, or booths serving food that requires temperature control.
Cactus Fall Festival Application- email us for a copy of it.
We can’t wait for another amazing Cactus Festival and look forward to showcasing all the talent, creativity, and community spirit that makes Devine so special.
“If you have any questions or need assistance with the application, please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m happy to help!” Savannah Kendrick, Devine Market Association Secretary.
Email: DevineMarketAssociation@gmail.com

Local rapper to be featured on iheart, releasing “So Throwed” album this Sept.

“Vanilla Gorilla”, aka Jason Keown of Devine, describes himself as a rap artist with a country twist. His album “So Throwed” will be released on September 30 on all platforms, and he will perform a song on iheart radio Blazin420 WPAM live pay per view event on Sept 22. His new single “ In The Barrio” featuring So San Antone will be released at the iheart event.

Medina County proposed tax rate will raise $2.3 Million more in tax collections

Medina County commissioners voted unanimously Monday to set a proposed 2025 property tax rate of $.4434 per $100 valuation, down from the current rate of $.4511.
(Editor’s Note: This can be confusing, because while the suggested tax rate is lower, tax payers question why their taxes are actually still increasing… Due to higher property appraisals as well as new properties, overall tax collections will be increasing by $2.3 million dollars.
Every year, we are presented with the option to select a tax rate that would instead bring in the same amount of revenues as the previous year, rather than going up on tax collections, but that tax rate has not been selected in many years).
Approved on a motion by Precinct 2 Commissioner Larry Sittre, seconded by Precinct 3 Commissioner David Lynch, the proposed rate is below the rate requiring voter approval at the polls.
A public hearing on the proposed rate is set for 9 a.m. Sept. 8 at commissioners’ court chamber in Hondo.
In other business, commissioners approved an order authorizing $4.5 million…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!

ESD#2 Fire board proposes increase to 10 cent tax rate to fund full time service, debates who to hire

Click here to see who is pictured above.

Former Devine Fire Department volunteer and Smoke Eater of the Year Daniel Ehlinger offers his opinion during the Aug. 19 ESD2 board meeting. Photo by Anton Riecher

By Kathleen Calame
Publisher
MCESD #2 Fire has called a meeting for Thursday, September 4 at 7:00 pm at the fire house in Devine to discuss the fire service contract which is up on October 1st. Proposals have been submitted by Devine Volunteer Fire Dept. as well as MCESD #1. They will also discuss other things, among them the tax rate which they proposed to increase to 10 cents per $100 valuation to provide for 24 hour around-the-clock full-time paid firefighters, which would be needed no matter which agency they decide to contract with (the 9.5 or 7.43 rates would not fund full time paid departments under either proposal).
Their regular meeting will be on September 16 at 7:00 pm at the fire house. Prior to that meeting they will host a Public Hearing on the proposed tax rate and set the tax rate that night.
Both meetings are…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!