By Sarah Fuller
Experts from various state, federal and private agencies will discuss wildlife surveillance, economic impacts and the latest news about the New World screwworm during the “Preparing for Screwworms in South Texas: Training Workshop for Ranch Managers, Wildlife Managers and Livestock Producers” on July 23 in Uvalde.
The free workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Uvalde County Event Center, 215 Veterans Lane. Registration for the event is required at https://tx.ag/UvaldeWorkshop, and lunch will be provided.
The workshop will offer two general and one integrated pest management continuing education units, CEUs, from the Texas Department of Agriculture for pesticide applicators who attend all workshop sessions.
The event is organized through a collaborative effort among Uvalde County, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, East Foundation, Uvalco Supply, Texas Farm Store, Texas Wildlife Association, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Texas Animal Health Commission.
“This workshop is a great example of the importance of a unified approach to tackling the New World screwworm threat,” said Roel Lopez, Ph.D., director of the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute and head of the Texas A&M Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management. “By bringing together a range of stakeholders, participants will learn about specific resources and best practices for livestock and wildlife surveillance, reporting and response measures.”
Topics covered
The workshop will feature expert speakers from various state and federal agencies, as well as private operations. Topics include:
Learn more about screwworms
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has released an updated fact sheet about the New World screwworm.
Read the fact sheet at https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/new-world-screwworm/
Screwworm background and status update – Neal Wilkins, Ph.D., president and CEO, East Foundation.
Economic impacts – David Anderson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension livestock and food marketing economist and professor, Texas A&M Department of Agricultural Economics.
Agency role in New World screwworm response – Luisa Collins, DVM, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Livestock surveillance, reporting and response measures – Sandra Leyendecker, DVM, regional director, Texas Animal Health Commission.
Wildlife surveillance, reporting and response measures – Kory Gann, big game program director, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and Lopez.
Preventive treatments and animal husbandry – Jason Sawyer, Ph.D., chief science officer, East Foundation.
New advancement in research and development – Phillip Kaufman, Ph.D., professor and department head, Texas A&M Department of Entomology, and Kim Lohmeyer, Ph.D., research entomologist, USDA Agricultural Research Service.
A panel discussion and Q&A session will follow the presentations.
For questions or additional event details, contact Noel Troxclair, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Uvalde County, at Noel.Troxclair@ag.tamu.edu, or Parr Rosson, Ph.D., professor and associate department head for AgriLife Extension in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, at parr.rosson@ag.tamu.edu.
Category: Events
Local Events in Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Bigfoot, Moore in Medina, Frio, and Atascosa Counties!
Governor Abbott Announces Over $1.9 Million In Emergency Grants to Kerrville, Llano Hospitals Impacted by Texas Flooding
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott announced today that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is awarding over $1.9 million in grant funding to hospitals in Kerrville and Llano impacted by recent catastrophic floods.
“Our healthcare professionals are working tirelessly on the front lines to help heal Texans who have been injured during these devastating floods,” said Governor Abbott. “This over $1.9 million in emergency funding will help repair damages to Kerrville and Llano hospitals and equipment, provide staffing support, and address any operational issues to ensure Texans continue to receive the quality care they need. I thank all our first responders and healthcare personnel for working day and night to protect and care for their fellow Texans in impacted communities.”
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to support these hospitals in Kerrville and Llano as they continue to provide much-needed services to their communities,” said HHS Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young. “Serving Texans is our priority, and these resources allow these hospitals to continue helping those who need it most right now.”
Peterson Regional Medical Center in Kerrville and Llano Regional Hospital will receive emergency hardship grants of $1.5 million and more than $396,000, respectively.
The emergency hardship grants will help the hospitals cover unplanned expenses related to the flood. The funds can be used to repair structural damage, fix equipment, provide staffing support and address operational issues.
HHSC provides grant funding and administers programs for rural hospitals in alignment with the Rural Hospital Services Strategic Plan, which aims to ensure rural Texans have access to hospital services. For more information on rural hospital grants and other related programs, visit the HHSC Rural Hospital Finance and Coordination webpage.
Heartbreaking search continues in wake of flood claiming over 108 lives
By Kayleen Holder and KK Calame
Editor and Publisher
Our neighbors in Kerr County suffered the brunt of the catastrophic flooding that occurred from heavy rains falling overnight into Friday, July 4. The widespread damage and gut-wrenching losses caught the attention of the Nation as daylight began to show the devastation fully. Entire families and so many bright, young children were cruelly swept away in the floodwaters and later found deceased (with many more still missing).
On Monday, July 6th, the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office announced they had recovered 68 deceased in Kerr County, but that number has sadly grown to 84 deceased in the last 24 hours.
“As of 2 p.m., 84 deceased have been recovered in Kerr County, including 56 adults and 28 children. Identification is pending for 22 adults and 10 children. At present, 10 Camp Mystic campers and one counselor remain unaccounted for,” the sheriff’s office stated in an update July 7th. “We share our deepest condolences with all affected by this tragedy.”
News sources have stated there have been 108 deaths across six counties affected by the flood.
Camp Mystic, where so many children lost their lives, is located in the small community of Hunt, Texas along the steep banks of the Guadalupe River. There were over 750 staying at that camp.
Local Sheriff Randy Brown is among the many first responders continuing the search.
“We have been busy, and busy is good….because when we stop we feel the pain of all those people, and it hurts like hell,” Sheriff Brown said, in a difficult statement this past Tuesday.
Initial reports indicated the Guadalupe River crested at 39 feet+, surpassing the county’s second biggest flood in modern times which occurred in 1987, according to a press release by Kerr County. The National Weather Service later reported that the flood gauge in Hunt had a crest of 37.2 ft surpassing the recorded record of 36.6 ft set July 2 of 1932. The third highest crest was 28.4 set July 17, 1987, according to the NWS.
The raging Guadalupe which was at less than a ft according to guages, rose over 33 feet in the darkness overnight.
The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office notes, “We know there are many people concerned and affected by this tragic situation. Please be careful about social media rumors and misinformation. False information can cause pain to families and those already devastated by this event.”
On Monday, a search and rescue helicopter collided with a privately operated drone. Thankfully the pilots were not injured, but were forced to make an emergency landing. Over and over officials have emphasized the importance of standing back and letting first responders do their job.
On July 6, FEMA was activated following President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration. According to a press release by Homeland Security, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) is also working around the clock on search and rescue operations.
“Today, USCG continues to fly two helicopters in the Llano, Texas area and is assisting with two helicopters and three C-144 airplanes equipped with thermal cameras to find more survivors. 850 people have been rescued,” the July 6 statement says.
In awe of the way Texans take care of others, Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem, stated in a press conference to Texans….”You are an example to the nation of getting through difficult times, but I want you to also know, you are not alone.”
Patrick DuBose, of Devine, was one of the many heroes who responded to the scene.
Amidst the widespread damage, teams of volunteers were also called upon in the beginning to assist in search and rescue efforts downstream. When Centerpoint Volunteer Fire Department issued a plea for volunteers to help with search and rescue in their area, the Kuykendalls, Jennifer Savage and John Gorham, of Devine, along with family members Gary and Trace Savage were among the volunteers who answered the call.
“The devastation is unbelievable,” Ms. Savage said in the days that followed. “But so is the love that’s there. The Holy Spirit is there.”
“It is so much different than what the pictures show you, you can’t express it with words,” Savage added. “Center point really needed the help badly, and I called my brother and we started packing at 10 o’ clock that night. We were up there by 7:30 that morning and we walked the river banks until 3:30 that day. They gave us direction and told us where to search. It was in an area where a cadaver dog had alerted,” Savage said, noting that sadly, the next group after them did recover a deceased child.
Kimi and Kenny Kuykendall, of Devine were also among volunteers assisting that day. When they arrived, they bumped into locals Eugene Rodriguez and Eugene Sanchez as well.
“The volunteers were separated into groups of 20,” Kuykendall said. “Each group had active duty or prior military personnel. We were assigned a mile along the banks to go through. Each group lined up and walked and searched one way and then we turned around and searched the same area back.”
“All the brush that was washed downstream and piled up,” Kuykendall said. “We saw kayaks, car doors, mattresses, clothes, toys, totes, and many dead animals.”
According to Governor Abbott’s office, the State of Texas has deployed more than 1,000 state responders and more than 800 vehicles and equipment assets, and more than 15 state agencies are currently responding to the flooding threat across the state.
“This is a time when we, as a state, need God more than ever,” said Governor Abbott. “The one thing I hear the most are the prayers that are being sent for those who are in harm’s way. There is an extraordinary collaboration to make sure that we address everybody’s concern as quickly as possible. As part of this, I am signing a disaster declaration to ensure counties have access to every tool, strategy, and personnel that the State of Texas can provide to them, which will be limitless.”
Individuals who sustained losses in the designated areas should first file claims with their insurance providers and then apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, provide FEMA the number for that service.
Devine FFA and Athletics collecting gift cards for flood victims
Below is an important message from the Ag Teacher in Kerrville/ Ingram. If you’d like to help, please read on!
To all the FFA chapters who’ve reached out—thank you for truly “Living to Serve.” Your support means so much!
Here’s how you can help:
Donation sites are full, and cleaning supplies are being covered locally. Instead, we are asking for gift cards to better meet families’ needs.
Requested Gift Cards: Walmart, H-E-B, Lowe’s, Home Depot and Visa or Mastercard. These will help families purchase essentials like clothes, food, towels, and bedding.
Drop-Off Location: Devine High School – Ag Building or Devine Central Office on Monday, July 7 through Thursday, July 17 from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM. If you have any questions please contact Mr. Saunders at chad.saunders@devineisd.org.
We’ll make sure your donations reach Kerr County families in need. Thank you and God bless you all!
Death toll climbs in Hill Country flooding; legislators will investigate response to crisis
Gov. Greg Abbott said Sunday he’s likely to instruct the Texas Legislature to investigate early warning systems and other governmental responses to July 4 flash flooding that killed at least 82 people in the Hill Country.
Lawmakers are set to convene in Austin on July 21. Meanwhile, as of late Sunday an additional 41 people were still missing. In addition to local first responders, more than 1,300 state personnel were dispatched to the scene.
Abbott has issued a disaster declaration covering 21 Hill Country counties, where rain continued to fall through the weekend.
“We will be relentless in going after and ensuring that we locate every single person who’s been a victim of this flooding event,” Abbott said. “We’re not going to stop today or tomorrow.”
Appeals court: Immigration law unconstitutional
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has blocked a 2023 Texas immigration law that would have permitted local police to arrest people believed to have illegally crossed the Texas-Mexico border. The vote was 2-1, The Texas Tribune reported.
“For nearly 150 years, the Supreme Court has recognized that the power to control immigration — the entry, admission, and removal of aliens — is exclusively a federal power,” the ruling says.
The Trump administration earlier this year dropped the federal government’s opposition to a suit filed by two immigrant rights groups and El Paso County challenging the constitutionality of the Texas state law. It would have made it a Class B misdemeanor to cross the border between ports of entry. Subsequent offenses could have resulted in a second-degree felony.
It was not immediately known whether the state will appeal the Fifth Circuit ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Interfaith parents sue to block Ten Commandments law
Two separate lawsuits are challenging a law passed during the last legislative session requiring posters of the Ten Commandments be hung in all public-school classrooms. The San Antonio Express-News said the latest suit was filed against several Austin, Houston and San Antonio-area districts.
“Permanently posting the Ten Commandments in every Texas public-school classroom — rendering them unavoidable — is plainly unconstitutional,” one of the suits states.
The plaintiffs are parents from Jewish, Christian, Unitarian Universalist and Hindu faiths, plus some who are nonreligious. They are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Church and Faith.
The new law, which would take effect in September if a court doesn’t halt it, would require all publicly funded schools to hang a 16-by-20-inch framed poster of the Ten Commandment in a “conspicuous place” in every classroom.
First case of West Nile illness in state reported
The first case of West Nile illness in Texas this year has been reported by the Department of State Health Services in a resident of Brazos County.
West Nile is transmitted by mosquitoes and 80% of people exposed do not get sick, but the rest can have symptoms such as fever, nausea, headaches, muscle fatigue, and muscle and joint pain. Fewer than 1% suffer more serious symptoms, including some fatalities.
“Texans should be aware that mosquitoes transmit disease, and some of these illnesses, like West Nile and dengue, can be severe,” said Department of State Health Services Commissioner Jennifer A. Shuford, MD, MPH. “But taking steps to prevent mosquito bites and eliminating mosquito breeding areas around homes are proactive measures that can reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illness.”
Several steps can be taken to avoid West Nile, including wearing long sleeves and pants, using insect repellent, and removing standing water in outside containers. A total of 455 cases of West Nile disease were reported in 2024, including 56 deaths.
Adult education programs squeezed by federal funding freeze
A federal hold on funding for adult education programs is affecting Texans enrolled in such programs as GED classes, workforce training, and instruction in English. The Texas Standard reported $78 million the state was slated to receive for these programs this month has been paused.
Sharon Bonney, CEO of the national Coalition on Adult Basic Education, said people enrolled in adult education programs could have their studies interrupted in the next few weeks.
“Closures will start immediately,” Bonney said. “We’ve already heard from a number of local programs. This is going to be across-the-board mass closures and layoffs.”
The funding usually goes to states from the Department of Education as part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act, passed in 2014.
Northeast Texas farmer plans run against Abbott
A former firefighter and farmer from Wood County plans to run next year as a Democrat against Abbott, the Houston Chronicle reported. Bobby Cole is vowing to “take back the government for working people of the state.”
“Republicans have spent 30 years in office, and working men and women have been having to pay the cost,” Cole, 55, said. “It has to stop.”
Cole retired as a firefighter in Texarkana and later Plano. He maintains a family farm in Quitman where they raise 300 head of cattle and also chickens.
Abbott has been governor since 2014 and has already announced plans to run for reelection.
Funding boost for schools comes with strings attached
Texas lawmakers are providing public schools with $8.5 billion in new funding, but some school administrators say the money comes with provisions that limit their independence to a greater degree than previously, The Tribune reported.
The largest portion of the new money goes for teacher raises, with districts having little discretion on who gets raises. Lawmakers did not significantly raise the base amount school districts receive, leaving some districts struggling to pay for non-teacher items, such as rising operational costs and compensation for support staff.
Some educators say that while they are grateful for the teacher pay raises, they are disappointed in a lack of flexibility in how money is spent.
“I think that that’s really, really dangerous when you don’t trust leaders in public education to do the best they can for kids,” said Megan Simoneau, an educator of 21 years who teaches high school math in the Leander school district. All that “most teachers, and most principals, and most superintendents are really attempting to do, is do the best they possibly can for the students, and the families, and their communities.”
Summer anti-drunk driving campaign launched
More than 1,000 deaths were recorded in Texas last year from alcohol-related crashes, and the Texas Department of Transportation is again launching a public awareness campaign to cut down on those fatalities.
The agency’s “Drive Sober. No Regrets” campaign is underway, along with increased law enforcement continuing through mid-July. Officers are on heightened lookout for impaired drivers in hopes of reducing DUI crashes and fatalities across Texas.
Gary Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30-year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, and Cedar Park. Email:gborders@texaspress.com.
Natalia Athletics Accepting Donations for Flood Victims
Natalia Stands with the Hill Country – Let’s come together to support those affected in the TX Hill Country!
Donation Dates: July 7th – 9th
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Natalia High School Parking Lot or Field House Parking Lot
Every contribution makes a difference!
Items Needed Include:
Hygiene Products
Non-Perishable Food
Cleaning Supplies
Medical Supplies
Clothing
Baby Needs
Let’s show the strength of our community through compassion and generosity.
Donations for flood victims accepted at Devine City Hall
So many families and children were swept away by floodwaters in one of the most tragic events anyone in this area can recall. Over 1,000 personnel were assisting in search-and-rescue operations as of July 6th, according to the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
The City of Devine, along with our Police Department and Devine Fire & Rescue are collecting donations for the Kerrville flood victims.
In response to the devastating flooding in Kerrville, we are also asking our community to come together to support the families and survivors.
Donations can be dropped off at Devine City Hall.
Items needed:
Gift Cards
Non-perishable food
Bottled water
Clothing (all sizes)
Towels and blankets
New socks and underwear
Toiletries (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products)
Baby items (diapers, wipes, formula, baby food)
Cleaning supplies (bleach, gloves, trash bags, disinfectant wipes)
Pet supplies (pet food, leashes, carriers)
Devine Cheer Camp/ Football Campin July
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 the 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.
Texas Task Force deploys 245 personnel and 12 canines in search and rescue ops after catasrophic flooding
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.
Community Mental Health Meeting July 10, hour of support and ideas
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.
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