Category: Events

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
As sales of “humanoid robots” to the general public are officially projected to begin by the end of next year, Pope Leo calls attention to social isssues on many of our minds, for Catholic and non-catholics alike.
Since 1740, just 300 encyclical letters to address major social, and moral issues have been released. On May 15, Pope Leo XIV released an encyclical letter titled “MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS… ON SAFEGUARDING THE HUMAN PERSON IN THE TIME OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE”.
The lengthy 245 paragraph document addresses many perspectives.
The following is just one chapter of the lengthy document addressing the moral dilemma of rapidly expanding artificial intelligence:
“The res novae of our time

4. While Leo XIII spoke in his time of “new things” ( rerum novarum), today we cannot limit ourselves simply to repeating his insightful teachings. Instead, we must ask God for the wisdom to interpret the great trends of our time, particularly technological advances. In recent years, it has become increasingly evident how rapidly and profoundly digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are transforming our world. Technology should not be considered, in itself, as a force antagonistic to humanity. On the contrary, it has formed part of our history since the beginning as “a profoundly human reality, linked to the autonomy and freedom of man.” [5] Over the centuries, technological development has significantly improved the living conditions of humanity. At the same time, each phase of progress has also revealed the ambiguity of tools that can cause harm when not oriented toward the good. Today, however, we find ourselves facing a new situation. The power and prevalence of emerging technologies are interwoven into the fabric of daily life, shaping decision-making processes and deeply affecting the collective imagination: “Never has humanity had such power over itself.” [6] New technologies open up a horizon extending in directions that are imaginable but not yet fully predictable. This complicates the assessment of their potential impact and the long-term effects they may have on both the dignity of individuals and the common good.

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“TODAY WE HONOR THEM”

“Freedom carries a cost that is paid by real people with real families, real dreams, and real futures that were never fully realized.”

“It is a solemn occasion set aside by a grateful nation to honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to this country.”

Today we honored them – a few by name, but most grouped together as “the fallen” who gave All in fighting for freedoms in service of their country in wars and conflicts in places all over the world. We honored the ones who lost their lives in service and who never came home. But even if we did not know them personally, they all had names, all had families, and all continue to deserve our respect, honor, and appreciation for their sacrifices in the line of duty to protect the freedoms we hold so dear. “There is no passage of time that fully heals the loss of someone taken in service to this country.”
Retired veteran, Master Sergeant U.S. Air Force David Jordan introduced us today to one of the heroic fallen American soldiers who we honored today – Staff Sgt. John T. Self.
Staff Sgt. John T. Self lost his life on May 14, 2007 while on his 79th combat patrol as a fire team leader assisting Iraqis taking back the streets of Baghdad. An improvised explosive device tore through his vehicle killing him and wounding three fellow Airmen on the patrol. The Airmen were part of a police transition team belonging to Det. 3 of the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. (Air Force news article, May 21, 2007, Balad Air Base, Iraq)
“Our mission was not simple.” “Our Airmen and Soldiers moved daily through neighborhoods filled with ambushes, roadside bombs, and uncertainty. We trained local police officers while attempting to bring stability to communities overwhelmed by violence. Every patrol carried risk. Every street corner held the possibility of attack.” “He died a HERO while serving others.” “He died believing his mission mattered.”
“What continues to resonate about Sergeant Self is not only the way he died, but the clarity with which he understood service before he deployed. He understood Service before Self!”
When discussing the dangers of Iraq, he wrote words that deserve to be remembered: “Every time a military member comes to the desert, they’re in the heat of danger… It is my job to serve my country to the best of my ability and die for it if I must.”
“Most Americans will never be asked to make peace with the possibility of sacrificing their life for strangers thousands of miles from home; yet generation after generation, our military has been filled with individuals who willingly accepted that burden.” “Sergeant Self was one of them.”
“The people we lose never completely leave us.” “That is why ceremonies like this matter.”
Local Veterans, their families, community leaders and citizens assembled today by the large patriotic flag mural at the Devine VFW Post 3966 to honor the memory of these soldiers, like Sgt. Self, with prayer, speeches, a flag retirement ceremony, and the Missing Man Table ceremony. This day served as a powerful point of remembrance, symbolizing that the absent comrades are with us in spirit and never forgotten. “Nations survive not only because of military strength, but because they choose to remember sacrifice with honesty and dignity.” “May we never allow their sacrifices to fade into history unnoticed:” MAY WE NEVER FORGET!
*The Devine VFW Post 3966 would like to thank the many veterans, community leaders, and citizens who attended and participated in the annual Memorial Davy ceremony. Special thanks to Medina County Judge Keith Lutz & City of Devine Administrator David Jordan for their heartfelt speeches honoring our fallen veterans; to Boy Scout Troop 72 leader Chris Morris and Scout Gus, and Devine Fire & Rescue team for helping with the flag retirement ceremony; to Devine Current Events Club for providing ice cream; and to its Post officers and members who made the whole event possible. Thank you.

Lewis Stroud & Dennis Ortega prepare the table for the Missing Man Table ceremony for Memorial Day, with Gary Saathoff announcing.

VFW Post 3966 member Dennis Ortega at Memorial Day Ceremony.

May
27 – Collage Club at the Devine Driscoll Public Library from 5:30 – 7 p.m. | Registration Required
27 – Lytle Public Library Story Time ages 2-5 from 10:30-11 a.m.
28 – Devine Driscoll Public Library Crafting After Hours from 6 – 8 p.m. | Registration Required
28 – Lytle Public Library Craft With Us from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
28 – Live Music at Cora’s 471 Grill featuring Matt Kirk at 7 p.m.
30 – Lytle VFW Comedy Night featuring Patrick Christopher, Danny Ingle, Dallas Vann from 7 – 10 p.m.
30 – 2nd Annual Seed & Soil Scramble Tournament at the Castroville Alsatian Golf Club at 8:30 a.m.
31 – Live music at My Time Garden & Nursery featuring Matt Montamat from 9 – 2
June
3 & 4 – Free Summer Kid Movie Series at Castroville Rainbow Theater showing Bad Guys 2 at 10:30 a.m.
3-5 – Gospel Meeting w/ Bill Fergerson at the Church of Christ in Lytle, Tx at 7:30 p.m.
5 – Dr. Koala Book Signing during Fiorella Friday from 6-9 p.m. in Downtown Castroville
6 – Yard Sale at St. John Bosco Church Hall from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
6 – Comedy Night with Erik Knowles at the Castroville Rainbow Theater at 7 p.m.
6 – Gospel Meeting w/ Bill Fergerson at the Church of Christ in Lytle, Tx at 5 p.m.
7 – Cash Bingo at St. John Bosco Catholic Church Hall of Natalia | Doors Open 1pm | Early Bird 2pm
7 – Gospel Meeting w/ Bill Fergerson at the Church of Christ in Lytle, Tx at 10:30 a.m. & 3 p.m.
10 & 11 – Free Summer Kid Movie Series at Castroville Rainbow Theater showing How to Train Your Dragon at 10:30 a.m.
12 – L-Town Throwdown Hybrid Wrestling at 15126 Main St Lytle, Tx at 7 p.m.
12 & 13 – South Texas Heat 2nd Annual BBQ Cook-Off | Beans 11am | Chicken 12 pm | Pork Ribs 1pm | Brisket 2pm at 1074 CR 672 W Devine, Tx 78016
13 – City of Devine Flag Day Celebration at Briscoe City Park
17 & 18 – Free Summer Kid Movie Series at Castroville Rainbow Theater showing Gabby’s Dollhouse at 10:30 a.m.
24 & 25 – Free Summer Kid Movie Series at Castroville Rainbow Theater showing Dog Man at 10:30 a.m.
27 – Whiskey Showdown at the La Coste City Hotel age 21+ at 7 p.m.
July
4 – Castroville’s Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration | Parade 9-11 am in Historic Downtown Castroville | Fireworks & Festivities 6-10pm at Castroville Regional Park
7-9 – Camp Chaos 3-Day VBS at Zion Lutheran Church of Castroville from 9am – 1pm
11 – Smoke Showdown Fajita Cook-Off Edition at 18545 I-35 Access Rd #2 Lytle, Tx 78052 at 12 p.m.
If you want to add an event to this calendar, please email devinereporter@devinenews.com or call (830) 665 – 2211 and leave a message for Brianna.

By Anton Riecher
The legal authority of the county commissioners to regulate data center development is strictly defined by Texas state law and the state Constitution, County Judge Keith Lutz emphasized in comments Monday during the Medina County Commissioners’ Court hearing.
“The only authority that this court has or any court in the state of Texas is what is given through the state’s Constitution and laws,” Lutz said.
Lutz noted that the data center boom, particularly in Medina County, has been a hot topic on social media and during a May 12 town hall meeting in Devine on the proposed “El Camino” data center project south of town.
“The public is really finally taking notice of what’s going on around us,” he said.
The rapid proliferation of nearly 400 data centers statewide includes 80 near Bexar County and nine either operating or under construction in Medina County. Key concerns include water consumption and electricity usage.
Lutz said he has been dealing with data center issues since is first day in office as county judge.
“There are so many across the state that people are really engaged in the process,” Lutz said. “I do believe that more than anything people want answers. And it is a lot to absorb. People don’t know what they can and can’t trust. You have outside influences that make their way into different groups.”
The only tools available…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 Lions Club donated $500 to Mission Devine. Pictured are l to r Kellen Nixon, Bill Herring, Lewis Stroud give check to Mission Devine representatives Todd Summers and Cliff Redus.

By Anton Riecher
Taking the oath of office as Lytle mayor for the third time, nine-year city council veteran Ruben Gonzalez announced at the council meeting Monday that he plans to step down after completing his latest two-year term.
“I value this decision dearly,” Gonzalez said. “I want our council to move on and continue to do important things but this will be my last term.”
Medina County Judge Keith Lutz issued the oath to Gonzalez and three returning council members – District 1 Alderwoman Anna Carrillo, District 4 Alderman Michael Rodriguez and District 5 Alderman Matthew Martinez.
Gonzalez praised his fellow council members for creating a congenial atmosphere in which to administer the…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!

The Friendship Art Club recently received a donation from Lytle State Bank to support the club’s drawing held in conjunction with the Annual Arts and Crafts Show scheduled for September 26 at the Lytle Community Center. Bank President Randy Garcia presented the $100 donation to Club Secretary Elsa Rodrigues.
The drawing benefits art education, including scholarships for graduating high school students to pursue their education and artistic promise. And, the drawings success for many years can be attributed to the generosity of the business community and individual donors as well as the enthusiastic participation of the ticket-buying community at the art show.
Club members and guest artists at the annual show will exhibit their artwork—paintings, drawings, photographs, and 3-D pieces in wood, metal, ceramics, jewelry, etc.—in booths, as well as in a judged competition. The vote of the public at the show will determine the People’s Choice Award.
Information on artist applications to participate in the show will be released soon.

Medina County, Texas — The Walk Across Texas program brought community members together with a shared commitment to improving health and wellness, and the 2026 season proved to be a remarkable success across the county. Hosted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Walk Across Texas is an eight-week program that encourages participants to increase physical activity through friendly team competition and goal setting.
This year, Medina County teams logged an impressive number of miles, demonstrating dedication, teamwork, and a strong community spirit. Participants tracked miles walked, run, or completed through other physical activities, all contributing toward their team totals as they “walked” the distance across Texas (832 Miles) and beyond.
Team Results
After weeks of tracking steps and encouraging one another, the final results highlight the incredible effort of all participants:…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!

2nd Place – The Fast Trackers

3rd Place – Agrilife Extension- Medina County

HARTS Scholarship Committee awarded three scholarships to three area 2026 graduates. Pictured above are HARTS President Earline Schlortt, committee members Darlene Haby, Irene Dubberly, Esther Johnson and Scholarship Committee chair Elaine Neuman. Scholarship recipients (seated) are Kaylee Kavensky, Medina Valley, who will be attending Our Lady of the Lake; Cheyenne Vera, Pearsall, who has her eyes set on Tarleton University; and Mason Barr, Hondo, who has chosen Texas Lutheran.

The Alsatian Pioneers Children of the Republic of Texas (CRT) is reactivating. For information visit us on May 23 at the Medina County Museum between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. during the Heritage Day Celebration. Goody bags will be provided for current members and serious prospective members.