Category: Events

Austin Wyatt, 11, reeled in this 5 and a half pound bass in Moore, Texas over Spring Break. It’s not the only fish he caught this week, but it’s certainly the biggest!

Apply by April 1

(Hondo, Texas) – 3/3/2026 – Medina Electric Cooperative is accepting applications for their Community Empowerment Program, which will provide up to $10,000 in grants during 2026. The deadline for applications is quickly approaching. Applications are due on April 1.
Grants will be awarded for capital projects that support community and economic development in any of the 17 counties served by Medina EC, which include Atascosa, Brooks, Dimmit, Duval, Edwards, Frio, Jim Hogg, Kinney, LaSalle, McMullen, Medina, Real, Starr, Uvalde, Webb, Zapata and Zavala.
Emphasis will be placed on projects that:
Encourage economic diversity.
Contribute to community health and development.
Improve the quality or quantity of services essential for the development of viable communities.
Find the 2026 eligibility information and grant application at MedinaEC.org/Grant.
Medina EC’s CEO Trey Grebe said, “A cooperative is only as strong as the communities it serves. Through our CEP grants, we put the principle of Concern for Community into action—empowering local nonprofits to drive economic growth and investing in the long-term prosperity of our service area.”
More than $89,000 has been contributed to different nonprofits and local governments since the Community Empowerment Program was started in 2015.

Stricker vs Gentry,
Pepper vs Balderrama

Devine ISD
Devine ISD will have their 2026 General Election on Saturday, May 2, 2026 for two positions on the board of trustees.
There are two new candidates for the District 3 seat, Britny Stricker and Kristi Gentry that Henry Moreno, Jr. currently holds. “District 3 Trustee Henry Moreno, Jr. had signed up prior to the deadline, but withdrew his application,” said Geri Woods, Executive Assistant to Superintendent & Board of Trustees, on Tuesday morning.
District 4 candidates are incumbent and Board President Nancy Pepper and challenger Matthew Balderrama.
Last day to register to vote is April 2, 2026. Early voting first day will be April 20, last day to early vote is April 28, 2026. Election is Saturday, May 2, 2026.

Natalia Elementary Fire Prevention Poster Winners did really well. These posters will go to SFFMA Convention this summer in Waco in June. Left – Right: Tayton Hughan 2nd place of the Intermediate Division (3rd & 4th grade), 1st Place Charlee Brown of Intermediate Division, Ruston Hughan of Kindergarten Division, Delton Hughan 3rd Place of Intermediate Division. Congratulations to all these kids.

By Anton Riecher
In a status report on subdivisions, Lytle City Administrator Zachary Meadows said that 190 homes of 392 planned for the Saddle Ridge subdivision stand completed. Phases one and six of the development are completed, and phase five, including 50 homes, has reached the midway mark.
Meadows presented the report during the Feb. 23 regular session of the Lytle City Council.
Although 15 more permits for construction at Saddle Ridge have been granted, no further construction has begun, Meadows said. Developers were was granted a six-month extension by the council in November 2025 on its approved plat for phases three and four, involving 147 homes,.
Final plats for phases three and four are expected to be presented to the planning and zoning commission and the city council in the coming months.
According to the San Antonio Express News, subdivision…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!

By Anton Riecher
A decision on how best to comply with state requirements that all school buses be equipped with three-point seat belts restraints for every passenger by 2029 is expected in March from the Devine ISD school board.
The cost of retrofitting the existing fleet of 23 buses not already in compliance is estimated at $447,000, said Kandy Stein, school district director of facilities, at the board’s Feb. 16 meeting.
“Basically, Senate Bill 546 is amending the transportation code requiring three-point seat belts in any school bus no matter the age and applies to all school districts in the state,” she said.
Options…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 4H competed in the SALE (San Antonio Livestock Exposition) Consumer Decision-Making contest this past Saturday, February 21, 2026. The competition is among the many that students can participate in during the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Teams are made up of 3–4 students. Junior teams have members in 3rd—5th grade, Intermediate teams are for 6th-8th-grade students, and Senior teams are for high school students. Devine 4H had 1 Junior team, 1 Intermediate team, and one Senior team this year.
Competitions at SALE are open to any 4H members and teams in the state. The Junior Division had 23 teams this year. The Devine Junior team placed 1st this year! Members are Uriah Gonzales, Travis Lawler, Richard LaFond, and Sam Steubing. Three members placed in the Top 10 for individuals: Travis Lawler, 4th; Uriah Gonzales, 7th; Richy LaFond, 9th.
The Intermediate team placed 10th out of 26 teams this year. The students complete the same test that the Juniors do, but they also have to do a speaking part in one of the classes, and are judged on their ability to explain their reasons for ranking the items the way they did. This score is combined with the test score to give the final score. Team members are Kelvey Cortez, Coltyn LaFond, Kamden Paige, and Lacey Steubing. Coltyn LaFond placed 8th individually.
Ashlynn Stricker competed with a Medina County team made up of other Hondo members that placed just outside the Top 10 at 13th.
The Senior team was made up of Rozlyn Courtade, Maya McElwee, and two members from Hondo to represent Medina County. The team placed 19th out of 38 teams.
Consumer Decision-Making is an event that teaches students how to compare prices, test for quality, and make purchases based on facts and research. Overall, the goal is to help them, at a young age, improve their money management, smart purchasing, and decision-making skills.
The teams will compete again during the District 10 4H Spring Round Up in Fredericksburg on April 24th. Teams are coached by Madeline Steubing and Korrey Paige.

Senior Team members Maya McElwee and Rozlyn Courtade.

Junior Team members Richy LaFond, Uriah Gonzales, Travis Lawler, Sam Steubing.

estival and Parade will be held March 28, 2026, in downtown Natalia. The Festival grounds are open from 9 am to 10 pm. We are still accepting food/craft vendors and parade registrations. Visit the website, facebook page, stop by the library or call Amy Edge at 210-213-1990.
Come out and enjoy this year’s festival! AC Amusements will be providing our carnival amusements and midway. They are bringing additional attractions this year to round out the entertainment. Wristbands will go on sale soon, so please check the Facebook page for availability.
Musical entertainment will be provided by a DJ and local musicians. Please check out the website for updates!
We will have a Car Meetup at the festival. If you have an…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!