Category: Events

Devine High School juniors Melenie Cardenas, Esteban Mendoza, and Margarita Vizcarra have teamed up this year for their STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) event in FCCLA. They have two goals: to raise awareness about domestic violence and to educate their community.
Vizcarra stated, “Our project, Break the Cycle, can be found on Instagram at @BREAK_THE_CYCLE_AND_SPEAK_UP, where we share updates on everything we are doing for our FCCLA project. We would greatly appreciate your support with a follow — we have already reached 227 followers, and every new supporter helps us spread awareness.”
The team would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our local sports nutrition store,
KickStart Nutrition (kickstartnutrition_devine), for helping them spread awareness and collaborating with them by offering purple drinks during No Violence November (November 17–30, 2025). Thanks to this partnership, 100 purple beverages were sold to support their cause.
They also sincerely thank Devine Middle School for allowing them to present to the 8th-grade students on December 11, 2025, where they discussed domestic violence and the importance of knowing right from wrong. The trio presented to 120 students, making this an impactful experience for the team. They will be presenting to Mrs. Outlaw’s FCS classes in January and doing an activity where students receive a handout listing five things they could say to someone experiencing domestic violence.
Thanks to these collaborations, the group has successfully completed two major events and is planning additional ones for the Spring semester.

Internal promotions and structural shifts ensure a seamless transfer of knowledge
(Hondo, Texas) – 1/12/2026 – Medina Electric Cooperative announces a strategic reorganization of its leadership team and the appointment of a new Chief Member Relations Officer, effective January 2. These changes are driven by a commitment to operational excellence and a strategic realignment of departments to better serve the cooperative’s growing membership following several key retirements.
New Chief Member Relations Officer Appointed
Leading a new team is Katie Kothmann Haby, who has been promoted to the recently created role of Chief Member Relations Officer. A veteran of the utility industry with 16 years of experience, Haby has spent the last 13 years at Medina EC, demonstrating a deep understanding of the cooperative’s mission and its members’ needs.
Under this new structure, communications, business development and member services will be consolidated under Haby’s leadership. This move is designed to streamline member touchpoints and ensure a cohesive strategy for community engagement and growth.
Strategic Departmental Realignment
To further optimize operations and prepare for the future, Medina EC is realigning several key internal functions.
Human Resources will move under the Chief Financial Officer, linking workforce development with long-term fiscal planning.
Safety will transition under the engineering department to further integrate safety-first protocols into technical workflows.
Facilities will move under operations, aligning physical asset management with field activities.
Honoring a Legacy of Service
The reorganization comes as Patti Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer, prepares for retirement after a distinguished 27-year career with Medina EC. Taylor is joined by several other dedicated team members also retiring this year; collectively these individuals represent over 176 years of industry knowledge and service to our members. Additionally, the cooperative is pleased to announce that Armando Castillo has been promoted to Manager of Southern Region Operations, filling a vacancy created by a concurrent retirement in the field.
“While it is bittersweet to see long-time leaders like Patti move into a well-deserved retirement after nearly three decades of service, we are incredibly excited about the future of Medina EC,” said Trey Grebe, CEO. “By promoting proven internal talent like Katie and Armando, and strategically grouping our departments, we are ensuring that our cooperative remains agile, efficient, and—above all—dedicated to the members we serve.”
Looking Ahead
These leadership changes represent Medina EC’s proactive approach to a changing energy landscape. By aligning member-facing departments under a single chief officer and integrating support services like HR and safety into core operational hubs, the cooperative is positioned for continued stability and enhanced service delivery in the new year.

Medina County Fire/EMS released the year-end report which includes service for ESD1, ESD4, ESD2 and ESD6.
In total, Medina County Fire/EMS responded to 3,183 emergencies. Of the total 3,183 calls, 60 were regarding grass/brush fires, 33 concerning residential fires, and 40 responding to vehicle/RV/machinery fires. With that, the departments average response time was 8.1 minutes.
ESD1, requested and we began providing transport EMS on May 30, 2025, responded to 2,110 total calls for the year. Of those calls, 1,422 were EMS responses excluding MVC’s. There were 688 Fire calls including MVC’s.
ESD2, requested, and we began providing fire response on October 1, 2025, responded to 66 fire calls.
ESD4, requested and we began providing transport EMS on October 31, 2025, responded to 390 total EMS calls.
ESD6, the department responded to 615 total calls, with 360 being fire calls including MVC’s and 255 EMS calls excluding MVC’s.
Overall, the Medina County Fire/EMS department experienced a year of significant growth through the increase of staff levels for fire/rescue and bringing the total to 4 of Medina County’s six primary ESD’s (4/6) now being covered by their personnel. (ESD1 Castroville/LaCoste area Fire/EMS, ESD2 Devine area Fire, ESD4 Devine/Natalia/part Lytle EMS area, ESD6 Hondo Fire).
Source: Medina County Fire/EMS.

From left, Pat Bourcier and Debbie Randall take the oath of office from County Judge Keith Lutz Monday as new members of the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4 board of commissioners. Incumbent Brenda Butler will take the oath for a new two-year term at a later date. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

From left, Kenneth Nighswander, Abigail Beatle and Jerry Stevens, all incumbents on the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 2 board of commissioners, are sworn in to new two-year terms by Medina County Judge Keith Lutz Monday in Hondo. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

(Hondo, Texas) – 1/5/2026 – Members interested in running for a position on Medina Electric Cooperative’s board of directors will need to complete an online petition with at least 30 valid signatures from members who have electric service in the voting district the potential nominee wishes to represent.
Online petitions opened on January 2 and close at 5 p.m. on March 2.
Medina EC is run by a nine-person board of directors elected by members who receive power from the cooperative. Each one of Medina EC’s three voting districts has a position open for election each year. Elections generally take place in September, and the petition and paperwork are the first steps to being considered as a candidate for the election. The board is responsible for setting operating policies for the cooperative and making decisions regarding the financial health and well-being of the organization.
For more information regarding the online petition process including deadlines, the link to the petitions and the required paperwork to be considered, visit MedinaEC.org/Nominee. Email MyCoop@MedinaEC.org or call 1-866-632-3532 ext. 1008 with any questions.

WHAT and WHO:
Please come help the Current Events Club with the removal of wreaths from veteran graves at St Joseph Catholic and Devine Evergreen cemeteries in Devine, Texas.
WHY and WHEN:
This is the final step in the 2025 Mission of Wreaths Across America is scheduled for Saturday, January 10th at 9:30 a.m.
WHERE:
Meet along Colonial Parkway entrances to both cemeteries. Look for an information table.
DETAILS:
Wear long sleeves and good shoes; garden gloves, too. Bring a broomstick to help you collect wreaths, and if you have a pickup available, you may help deliver wreaths to the County Precinct 4 Barn, on Hwy 173.
If you are part of a school or youth organization, Current Events Club members will sign community service hour forms for you. Please bring a list of your student volunteers.
We look forward to seeing you there on the 10th! Thank you for your help in the Mission of Wreaths Across America right here where we live!
Watch Video
Thanks to Anton Riecher of the The Devine News this year’s Wreath Across America Ceremony was video taped and produced for your viewing. Go to the Devine News You Tube Channel to view.

The Alsatian Pioneers Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas is pleased to announce the 2026 DRT essay competition for all 4th & 7th grade students in Medina County. The purpose of this contest is to stimulate interest in early Texas history for the students in our state.
*The 4th grade essays topic for this year is: Alabama-Coushatta Tribe in the Republic of Texas: Their interaction with the settlers and assistance during the Texas Revolution.
*The 7th grade essay topic this year is: Many flags were used during the Texas Revolution. Choose 3 and tell why they were designed; who designed them; what the design meant; and how and where they were used.
Contest information and requirements have been emailed to local teachers and administrators on the appropriate school campuses throughout Medina County. Homeschooled or other 4th or 7th grade Medina County students may contact the committee chairs for contest information
Essays will be due on February 2, 2026. They can be mailed (and postmarked) to: Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Alsatian Pioneer Chapter, P.O. Box 1519, Castroville, Tx. 78009, on or before Feb. 2, 2026. For drop off, contact committee chairs.
Thank you,
DRT Alsatian Pioneer Chapter – Essay & Scholarship Committee Chairs
Beth Bauer – beth.rihnbauer@gmail.com or 210-288-8163
Nancy Saathoff – gnsaathoff@aol.com or 210-289-6205