Category: Events

Gary Escobar graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas State with a degree in Business Administration, Management. YES, he celebrated by jumping into the San Marcos River as many graduates do in tradition after the commencement ceremony!
Gary is the son of Gary & Andrea (89) Escobar and grandson of the late Joe Villarreal & Janie Villarreal.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports Editor
There’s an old saying in Texas: “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.” The old adage alludes to dramatic weather changes the region has and those mood swings happened right as Mission Devine began its first day of projects. 
While last year, the volunteers braved temperatures in the hundreds, this year they had to deal with the torrential downpour of rain. Chairman Todd Summers was inspired by the resiliency of their volunteers, despite the weather conditions. The skies may have been gray, but the volunteers’ spirit couldn’t have been brighter. 
“We were a little concerned when it rained all day on our first workday, but the crews continued to push through and accomplish as much as possible,” Summers said. “I am always amazed by the hard work and dedication of the many volunteers who show up year after year. When you’re doing God’s work, obstacles don’t seem to get in the way.”
Some of the volunteers preferred the rain. Project leader Matthew Gonzales wasted no time heading to his job site, mapping out the dimensions of the deck he was building while becoming increasingly drenched. Gonzales welcomed the rain, explaining that the moistened dirt will speed up the digging portion of the project. Moreover he expressed his delight in not working under an unrelenting sun.   
During Mission Devine’s 22nd year, they completed 35 projects throughout the community including: exterior painting, roof repairs, bathtub-to-shower conversions, handicap ramps and numerous mowing and yard work projects. Summers explained the organization’s annual work week has touched the lives of almost every family in Devine throughout the years. Whether it be personally, a family member, donating to the cause or becoming a volunteer, “chances are Mission Devine has had an impact on your life.”
“In many ways, it feels like a family reunion each year as we see the same friends, neighbors, and family members return to serve,” Summers said. “During the 15 years I’ve been involved, I’ve watched young children grow into young adults and I’ve watched those young adults come back with families of their own to volunteer.” 
Besides serving those in need, Summers highlighted another positive aspect from Mission Devine: the unity that is established by the volunteers. Summers emphasized that beyond aiding those in need, Mission Devine fosters a powerful sense of community and connection among participating volunteers. They come from all walks of life and represent every age group. From families with young children and teens earning service hours to everyday residents, everyone has a blast together. 
“At least once each year, the people of Devine come together, set aside their differences and unite with a common purpose: serving others,” Summers said.

Volunteers Jeff (left), Mike (middle), and Madison (right) were all smiles, even in the intense humidity. Mission Devine had over 100 volunteers through the first two days of the work week and sustained over 50 the rest of the week. Photo by Moose Lopez.

Sylvia Hawkins (far right) stands with Devine police officers after receiving a hydration donation for the Mission Devine work week.

Sylvia Hawkins (left) accepts a check from Lytle State bank President Randy Garcia (right) on behalf of Mission Devine.

Project leader Tony Alvarado has been serving with Mission Devine since 2014. Photo by Moose Lopez.

On June 6, the Alsatian Pioneers met for the last meeting of the spring of 2026 meetings will begin again starting in August 29, 2026. At the June meeting, the Alsatian pioneers chapter installed three new members; had an exceptional program by Pat Burell on his family’s antecedent through a genealogical researcher’s eye. Report was given on activities year to date of our chapter; we have been very busy.
Munchies were provided by chapter members. The chapter set a new date for the first meeting of the fall.

Come join us monthly in Natalia at the American Legion Post #371 Bradshaw Herring McCoy Post on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 in the city council chambers, main street Natalia. All veterans including current military are welcome to join. It is open to the public. Donations and volunteers are always welcome. For further information contact Lainey Franklin at 210-789-1649.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service course will help keep Texas livestock moving

By AgriLife Today News Team
Gov. Greg Abbott announced the launch of a free online course on June 13 to expand the number of certified New World Screwworm, NWS, inspectors across Texas.
This course, created by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Education Development and Engagement unit on its AgriLife Learn platform, will allow more Texans to inspect their animals and certify documentation required to safely move them, which is critical to ensuring cattle and livestock commerce continues uninterrupted.
A first-of-its-kind program, New World Screwworm Preparedness and Response Education, was developed by AgriLife Extension in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Texas Animal Health Commission, TAHC, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD.
“The State of Texas will use every tool to protect our cattle industry and wildlife while we eradicate this pest,” Abbott said. “Texas A&M AgriLife and TAHC moved quickly to launch this training. Now more people, including private industry, will be able to inspect and certify animals for movement. Through this program, Texas will…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!

June 4, 2026
DEL RIO – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) uncovered a stash house and captured a wanted criminal illegal immigrant gang member during Operation Lone Star in Maverick Co. last week.
On May 29, 2026, just after 12:00 a.m., DPS Troopers received information about a possible stash house operating out of a hotel in Eagle Pass. Troopers made contact with a female inside one of the rooms, who consented to a search after Troopers detected a strong odor of marijuana. Upon entering, Troopers discovered the room was being used as a stash house and located four illegal immigrants from Honduras hiding under blankets.
Troopers identified two of the illegal immigrants as Joseph Angel Gusman, 21, and Daniel Castillo Dionisio, 21, both Rollin’ 30s Crips gang members with a history of illegal reentry and alien inadmissibility by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Further investigation also revealed Dionisio was wanted by the New Orleans Police Department on multiple felony warrants for armed robbery and aggravated assault with a firearm. He was arrested and booked into the Maverick Co. Jail. Gusman and the other two illegal immigrants were referred to Border Patrol.
Two American citizens, Juella Monet Brown, 27, of Grandview, Mo., and Starr Ricki Drake, 26, of Euless, Texas, were both charged with operation of a stash house and booked into the Maverick Co. Jail.
Video of the event is available here.
Texas Stash House Rewards Program
DPS urges the public to be on the lookout for potential stash house operations and to report any suspected stash house operations to law enforcement. Under the Texas Stash House Rewards Program, Texas Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification of stash houses, pill press operations and methamphetamine conversion laboratories used in transnational crimes.
To be eligible for the cash rewards, tipsters must use one of the following three methods:
• Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477)
• Submit a web tip online at: https://www.p3tips.com/650
• Submit a Facebook tip by clicking the “SUBMIT A TIP” link (under the “About” section).
All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.