Category: Events

The State Operations (SOC) Center activated the Texas A&M Task Force among the many emergency responders going in to help the Hill Country Communities.
Devine’s Patrick DuBose and Castroville’s Clint Cooke are both members of this Texas Task Force 1 (TX-TF1) Urban Search and Rescue team in Kerrville helping with the search and rescue efforts after the devastating July 4 floods that sweep through children’s camps and rv parks and homes during the middle of the night.
The death toll as of July 7 was over a 100 already, as the Guadalupe River rose over 27.5 feet in less than 45 minutes in the dark of night.
Daily updates are provided for family members of the Task Force members from Merribeth Kahlich, Public Information Officer on the teams’ involvement with the ongoing search and rescue efforts in The Hill Country and other areas affected by the 4th of July Floods. 
“Our water squads and HSART have been engaged in assisting local officials since early morning. TX-TF1 and TX-TF2 Type 3 Teams are now in place in The Hill Country and will receive missions.   We are proud of the over 150 personnel we have in place to assist local officials and the residents of our State. Please join us in sending prayers and supportive thoughts to all that are in the affected areas.  Many have suffered great loss today.  All our teams have secured lodging for the night and will be up early and ready to assist. We are holding them close in our thoughts tonight and the days ahead, “ said Kahlich.
There has been an abundance of information, photos and updates about the damage and loss of life in the affected areas across all types of media showing the devastation.
“Our teams have been very engaged and assigned to a mission since their arrival,” said Kahlich. “Our water squads (some 75 folks) are true “road warriors” in this event as they have relentlessly followed the water since this began.  Our HSART members have been our “heroes in the sky” and have been right where they could do the most good for the most people on several occasions!  We are proud of all our members and the way they each embrace their specific jobs and perform well as a team,” said Kahlich. 
To give you some idea of the scope of this deployment, currently we have the following involved:
Texas A&M Task Force 1(TX-TF1)- A Type 3 Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) team with water capabilities
Texas Task Force 2 (TX-TF2)- A Type 3 Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) team with water capabilities
TX-TF1-9 Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Teams with inflatable rescue boats
TX-TF1- Helicopter Search and Rescue Technicians (HSART), rescue swimmers who will partner with Texas Military Department (TMD) and US Coast Guard (USCG) aircraft
12-Search Canines
27-boats in use between all teams
TF members represent some 50 Participating Agencies
Over 245 personnel deployed
Plus an additional Type 3 US&R team joined them on Monday.
The team has continued to be engaged in mission assignments throughout the area of operations, which consists of some 6 counties: San Saba, Kerr, McCulloch, Kendall, Lampasas and Burnet.  In addition to our team, USAR Resources continue to be requested via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).  Swift Water Boat Rescue Squads from Florida, Virginia, Louisiana and Oklahoma and a Canine Mission Ready Package (MRP) from Tennessee are in our state to enhance our capabilities.  Resources assigned to this incident continue to move and reposition to support the many requests for assistance. 
“Our task force is blessed with a wonderful Chaplain Corps as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor and a group of certified peer support counselors.  Today a First Responder Assistance Center (FRAC) was made available to our members. The FRAC is here to serve responders who would like some support or to talk to someone. The center’s practitioners are trained in psychological first aid, and trauma informed care.  We take the mental health of our members very seriously and we hope, if needed, they take advantage of this resource,’ she said.
“THANK YOU to all the members who have been out and working the past three days and a special THANK YOU to all of you who are holding down operations at your homes, stations and jobs. Join us as we keep our fellow Texans in our thoughts and prayers over the coming days,” she said.

Join us for an hour of support, education, and community connection. The event will be held from 6 – 7 p.m. on July 10 in Hondo. This meeting is open to the public. Community members, healthcare professionals, and local leaders are encouraged to attend. See this ad in this week’s paper for more details.

Get Complete and INSTANT digital access when you sign up and LOGIN at www.devinenewsmembers.com for only $36 per year. Support local news that counts!

This year the city will be partnering with the Lytle Chamber of Commerce for Lytle’s Annual Independence Day Celebration. The event will take place on July 4th at the John Lott Municipal Park.
There will be food trucks set up along with a DJ.
The Music and food trucks will start at 5:00 p.m. and end at 8:20 p.m. with fireworks beginning at dark for the grand finale.
We invite everyone to come out and enjoy the evening with family and friends. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs and dancing boots. If you don’t want to stay for the fireworks show feel free to visit the food trucks for a great dinner option and enjoy some live music.

As has happened for the last 143 years, the famed St. Louis Day Celebration will again open the gates to visitors from all over the state. Dubbed years ago, by the Texas Tourist Agency as “The Homecoming for the State of Texas,” the giant festival will again serve tons of barbecued beef, Alsatian style sausage, and food, drink, music, games and fun all day long for friends who make the trip each year to historic Castroville.

In only its 14th year on the shady Koenig Park grounds is one of fastest growing and most popular attractions: The St. Louis Day Biergarten.
According to Frankie Kempf, Asst. Publicity Director, the Biergarten idea was born, appropriately enough, by a couple of parishioners sitting around a “kegerator” reminiscing about the fond memories of St. Louis Days gone by. It was decided to give it a try, and now it hosts a huge crowd of visitors on Saturday evening the night before the actual celebration. So on August 23 at 6:30 p.m., the Super Saturday Biergarten Party will serve ice cold draught beer, wine, other refreshments and food, and live music for those who will make a weekend out of St. Louis Day.
The Saturday night featured entertainers this year will kick off with a great local favorite Bret Mullins Band at 6:30 p.m. Texas Tempo, another great local favorite, will follow at 8:30 and dazzle the crowd with spectacular guitar and vocal talent until 11 p.m. Sunday, August 24, is the actual festival day when thousands of visitors will flock to “The Little Alsace of Texas.”

Besides the amazing BBQ plate, the day will be jam-packed with entertainment at two different venues on the grounds including the Biergarten Stage and the ever-popular Riverside Stage. Featured talent and bands this year include Fire on the Mountain Cloggers, the Alsatian Dancers of Texas, the Alamo City Community Marching Band, mariachis, local favorites Julie Guinther & Michele Mangold, and local Medina Valley High School senior and parishioner Chas Boehme will wow the crowd with his talents for the first time. Taking the stage at 3:30 will be the ever-so-talented Weston Ripps Band followed by crowd pleasers Jordan Gauna and The Yancey Highway Band. In addition, there will be the popular games for young and old including the popular bingo pavilion. Our Plant Booth and Just Treasures will provide great deals for visitors who like to shop. The spacious air-conditioned hall will house one of the best and biggest silent auctions along with the Country Store featuring homemade and canned items.

This year will mark the 27th year of the extremely popular St. Louis Downs “Horseracing Track,” where another lucky person will have his or her name added to the Futurity Champions Wall of Fame.
For more information visit www.saintlouisday.com or like St. Louis Day on facebook.

Get Complete and INSTANT digital access when you sign up and LOGIN at www.devinenewsmembers.com for only $36 per year. Support local news that counts!

Kick off your weekend with a patriotic start to this most patriotic American holiday.  Before you head out for your 4th of July weekend, swing by the VFW at 12:00 noon for a free hot dog.  While guests enjoy their hot dogs, Post 3966 will have a reading of the Declaration of Independence before their 1:00 PM drawing to determine the winners of their ticket sale fundraiser.

The fund raiser is to raise money for repairs, maintenance and expenses to run our Post home, the “Old Green Alamo,” and for charitable projects and veteran assistance.  Tickets will be on sale until the drawing.  There will be three drawings:  1.)  Taurus G3C 9mm Pistol, 2.)  Tristan Cobra III 12 Gauge Pump Shotgun, and 3.)  Diamondback DB 15, 5.56 Rifle.

Free hot dogs will be given out starting at noon (while supplies last) and continuing through the one o’clock drawing.  Chips, sodas and other beverages will be available for sale in the Post Canteen.  Tickets are available from any Post member, at the Post Canteen during normal hours, Wednesday and Thursday evenings after 6pm this week, or by calling 210-289-6204.  You do not need to be present to win.

The drawing will be held at 1 PM, July 4, 2025, at VFW Post 3966, 211 W. College Ave., Devine, Texas 78016.  Winners can pick up their prizes at Calame Gun Store after completing State required paperwork. 

Before you head out for your 4th of July weekend, swing by the VFW at noon for a free hot dog. Post 3966 will be giving out free hot dogs before their 1:00 PM drawing to determine the winners of their ticket sale fund raiser.
The fund raiser is to raise money for repairs, maintenance and expenses to run our Post home, the “Old Green Alamo”, and for charitable projects and veteran assistance. Tickets will be on sale until the drawing. There will be three drawings: 1.) Taurus G3C 9mm Pistol, 2.) Tristan Cobra III 12 Gauge Pump Shotgun, and 3.) Diamondback DB 15, 5.56 Rifle.
Free hot dogs will be given out starting at noon (while supplies last) and continuing through the one o’clock drawing. Chips, sodas and other beverages will be available for sale in the Post Canteen. Tickets are available from any Post member, at the Post Canteen during normal hours, Wednesday through Saturday evenings after 6pm this week, or by calling 210-289-6204. You do not need to be present to win.
The drawing will be held at 1 PM, July 4, 2025, at VFW Post 3966, 211 W. College Ave., Devine, Texas 78016. Winners can pick up their prizes at Calame Gun Store after completing State required paperwork.

By Joseph Ramon
Devine News Intern
There’s lots of live music to find here in Medina County! Here’s where you can catch a tune in June.

June 26
Matt Castillo at Cora’s 471 Grill- 2204 FM 471 Castroville, TX

June 27
Garret Talamantes 7-10 p.m at Black Creek Bar & Grill- 1721 Highway 173 S Devine, TX

June 28
Brad Jenschke 7-10 p.m.at 702 Tejas Sports Bar y Mas- 15306 Main St. Lytle, TX

For fans of country, blues, and rock n’ roll be sure to grab a seat at one of these local spots.
To add a local live music show, email devinereporter@devinenews.com or call Joe 830-665-2211.

This year the city will be partnering with the Lytle Chamber of Commerce for Lytle’s Annual Independence Day Celebration. The event will take place on July 4th at the John Lott Municipal Park. There will be food trucks set up along with a DJ.
The Music and food trucks will start at 5:00 p.m. and end at 8:20 p.m. with fireworks beginning at dark for the grand finale.
We invite everyone to come out and enjoy the evening with family and friends. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs and dancing boots. If you don’t want to stay for the fireworks show feel free to visit the food trucks for a great dinner option and enjoy some live music.

The following programs are offered to Devine ISD students:

July 14 – 17 – Mini Cheer Camp for Kinder from 9 am to 12 noon and grades 1 through 8 from 9 am to 3 pm at DHS Gym. Cost is $45 for Kinder and $65 for grades 1 through 8. Theme days will be: Let’s Glow Monday (Neon); Tiki Tuesday (Beach/Hawaiian); Workout Wednesday (Workout Clothes); and Super Slay Spirit Thursday (Maroon/Gold).
July 14 – 17 – Warhorse Football Camp for grades 3 through 6 from 8:30 am to 11:30 am at the Warhorse Practice Field. Cost is $50.