Category: Events

VFW Post 3966 will present a Memorial Day ceremony for the public on Monday, May 26, 2025, at 9:30 am. The ceremony will be held at VFW Post 3966, 211 W. College Ave, Devine TX. This year the ceremony will take place on the east side of the Bingo Hall across from the Post Office. South Upson Drive will be closed for the ceremony. Memorial Day honors members of the military who died in service to our country.

The Post will hold the ceremony under the patriotic mural painted on the east side of the Bingo Hall. As part of this ceremony, we will recognize veterans who have passed away. If you wish to honor a veteran who has passed away, we will have a sign up prior to the event.

As in years past, the Post will have a flag retirement as part of the ceremony. If you have a flag that is no longer serviceable, please bring it to the ceremony to be retired. If you cannot attend and have a flag to be retired, you may drop it in the flag drop box at the main entrance to the VFW (near the flagpole).
Following the ceremony and flag retirement VFW Post 3966 will have free hot dogs in the Bingo Hall or courtyard, depending on the weather.
The Devine Current Events Club will be kicking off their Wreaths Across America program with an informational table at the ceremony site. After the ceremony they will be giving away ice cream in the Bingo Hall or courtyard.
If you need more information about the event, please contact Gary Saathoff at 210-289-6204 (text or call) or email to vfw3966commander@yahoo.com.

The City of Natalia is hosting the Annual Memorial Day Service on Sunday, May 25th, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in front of the Veterans Memorial Monument. This year the ceremony will be led by Mr. Homero Flores of San Antonio. He is a member of the American Legion Post 399 and VFW Post 6174 both of San Antonio. Mr. Flores served in Korea from 1969-71. He has a long history of family members serving our country commencing with his father who served during WWII; two brothers serving during Viet Nam and his son who is now retired from the Air Force.

Memorial Day starts the “Name Drive” for additional names to be engraved on the monument. The new names will be called out during the Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11th. This year the cost will be $175.00 per name. The increase in cost is for the engraver to come on site to at the monument to engrave the name. Please remember the individual you wish to honor with their name on the monument has to have been either born in Medina County, raised in Medina County or currently is living in Medina County. Applications can be downloaded from the City of Natalia of Natalia website, City of Natalia Office, and Natalia Municipal Development District. The deadline for all applications to be received is September 5th. All information is on the application form. Those attending are asked to bring their own lawn chairs.

When it comes to fire departments and the services they provide, one key factor often overlooked is the role of the Insurance Services Office (ISO) and its impact on a community. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of ISO ratings, what they mean for fire departments, how they affect residents, and their influence on homeowners’ insurance rates.
Natalia VFD- 2 and 10 outside 5 miles
Lytle VFD- 4 and 4X outside 5 miles
Castroville/LaCoste VFD- 4 and 5 outside 5 miles
Bigfoot VFD- 5 and 5X outside 5 miles
Hondo VFD- 5 and 9 outside 5 miles
Devine VFD- 6 and 10 outside 5 miles
Moore VFD- 9 and 9.5 outside 5 miles

The ISO and Fire Department Ratings
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) is an independent organization that assesses municipal fire protection efforts in communities throughout the United States. This assessment culminates in what is known as the Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating. The PPC rating scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 1 being the best and 10 indicating a department’s failure to meet the minimum requirements.
ISO ratings are determined based on four primary data points: emergency communications systems, such as 911 call centers (10%), the fire department itself, including staffing, training, geographic distribution of fire companies, operational considerations, and community risk reduction (50%), the water supply system, including the condition and maintenance of hydrants and the amount of available water (40%), and community risk reduction measures, including fire prevention codes and safety education (5.5%).

Importance of ISO Ratings to Fire Departments
An ISO rating serves as a nationwide standard for comparing the quality of fire protection services. For fire departments, a better ISO rating can serve as a benchmark of success, an indication of areas to improve, and a testament to the department’s commitment to providing superior fire protection services.

ISO Ratings and their Impact on Residents
For the residents of a city or town, the fire department’s ISO rating can have significant implications. An excellent rating can instill confidence and peace of mind knowing that their community is well-protected. However, perhaps the most tangible impact of an ISO rating on a resident comes in the form of homeowners’ insurance premiums.

ISO Ratings and Homeowners’ Insurance Rates
Insurance companies use ISO ratings as part of their decision-making process when setting homeowners’ insurance premiums. A lower ISO rating (closer to 1) indicates a superior level of fire protection and, therefore, a lower risk. Consequently, homeowners in areas with better ISO ratings are likely to enjoy lower insurance premiums.
Understanding ISO ratings and their implications is crucial for both fire departments and the communities they serve. For fire departments, striving for a better ISO rating is not just about prestige; it is about providing the best possible service to their community. For residents, a better understanding of what their community’s ISO rating means can lead to better-informed discussions about local public safety and potentially lower insurance premiums. Ultimately, an ISO rating reflects a community’s collective commitment to safety, preparedness, and prevention.
(Sources: Plantationfire.com Ratings from local fire departments in Atascosa, Frio and Medina Counties.)

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Office of the Governor’s Public Safety Office is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of Trevor McEuen, who failed to appear for his court date while out on bond for capital murder. The Texas Department of Public Safety has added the suspect to their 10 Most Wanted Fugitive List.
“Trevor McEuen is exactly why Texas must fix its broken and deadly bail system,” said Governor Abbott. “A violent criminal like McEuen charged with capital murder should never be released on our streets. That’s why I made bail reform an emergency item that must pass this legislative session. I urge all Texans with information on McEuen to call the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline or submit an anonymous tip online to help law enforcement apprehend this heinous criminal. Working together, we will bring fugitives like Trevor McEuen to justice.”
In addition to the state reward, Kaufman County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $10,000 and Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office is offering a reward of up to $10,000, bringing the total reward amount up to $30,000.
Call the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477)
Submit a tip online through the Texas Department of Public Safety.

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Mission Devine volunteers are hoping to complete around 33 projects this year for those in need. They need volunteers of all abilities, but they are especially in need a few people with at least some carpentry/plumbing experience to lead teams of volunteers.
They always have more projects pending on finding enough leaders with a little experience who are willing to take the reins.
“We have a 4-5 elderly residents needing handicap ramps, and I know we have one volunteer who will be the lead on some of those, but we have more than one project leader can handle. So we need someone comfortable with taking on a couple of those ramp projects,” said volunteer Cliff Redus.
Another great need are handyman volunteers to install handicap bathroom items.
“We have several elderly and or handicap residents needing bathroom remodels where we are taking out a bathtub and installing walk-in showers, and we will need leaders for some of those projects as well,” Redus said.
Project leaders aren’t necessarily professional contractors, but have at least a little bit of experience, and will help guide a group of 4-5 volunteers on their teams.
“Whenever our leaders feel like they get into an issue that is a little more than they can handle, we have some professions who are on-call to help out when needed,” Redus said.
On the other end of the spectrum, Mission Devine has smaller projects as simple as yard work, installing a ceiling fan, and exterior paint jobs.
Mission Devine will also be helping four local families in need of roof repairs this year.
What makes Mission Devine special?
“The scriptures teach us to be doers of the work,” Redus said. “To me, it’s a wonderful opportunity to set aside your own agenda for a week and give back to other who just need a little bit of help….to be the hands and feet of the Lord.”
When is it?
Mission Devine work week will be Monday June 2nd through Friday, June 6, though occasionally volunteers will complete projects before or after the main work week.
The Kick off service will be at Devine First Baptist Church. During the week of Mission Devine, St Joseph Catholic Church will host.
What can you help with?
Ways to help: Painting crew, tree and yard service, our prayer team, carpentry work, electrical, plumbing, roofing and much more.
We start every morning with breakfast and devotionals. Come back at noon for noon meal. Please help spread the word

Where can you sign up?
If you need to fill out an application online, please go to Missiondevine.org.
TO VOLUNTEER, you can contact Heather Yanta on Facebook or call Todd Summers at 210-287-6883.

San Antonio, TX – This Friday, May 8, 2025, the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) is taking its Rooted in Texas Drive-Thru plant giveaway on the road, arriving at the Lytle Community Center, located at 19031 Priest Blvd, Lytle, TX 78052, to pass out free purple coneflower and turk’s cap plants to attendees. The giveaway will start at 10 a.m., include goodie bags filled with EAA promo items, and continue until supplies are exhausted.
The EAA’s Rooted in Texas Drive-Thru plant giveaway is an ongoing effort that began with the inaugural event taking place in 2024 at EAA headquarters in San Antonio, Texas. This initiative has garnered attention within the community as a way for Texans who reside within the EAA jurisdiction to come together and cultivate an appreciation of, and preference for, Texas native plants.