Category: Events

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.

(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

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)

Get your presents early as the lst two weeks of the month Devine Area Hospice will be closed for a Christmas Break from Monday, December 22, 2025 thru January 5, 2026. They will reopen on Wednesday, January 7 to customers.
Thank you volunteers for your dedication. Enjoy your time off with your family during the Christmas Holidays.
The thrift shop has been serving the community for over 26 years.
Please shop, shop, shop in the earlier weeks. And please do not leave donations outside during the holidays.
They will start taking donations when they reopen on January 7.

The Medina Valley Soil & Water Conservation District in conjunction with the Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board is sponsoring Poster and Essay Contests for school age children residing in Medina County. The theme of this year’s contest is “Soil. Where It All Begins”.

The Poster Contest is open to students in kindergarten through 6th grade.
Students in grades 7-12 may enter the Essay Contest.
A monetary award will be presented to the first and second place winners who will also advance to the TSSWCD Area II Awards competition.
The sponsoring teacher will also receive a monetary award for promoting conservation education.
For more contest details, refer to the information in this publication or at the address below or on Facebook @mvswcd. Flyers will also be sent to Medina County schools.
All entries must be postmarked, requested for pick up, or brought to the MVSWCD office by January 24, 2026. The address is Medina Valley SWCD, 257 Hwy 173 Ste. A, Hondo, TX 78861. Winners will be selected and notified in February 2026. For more information, contact Janet Zerr at (830)426-2521 ext. 3 or by email at janet.zerr@tx.nacdnet.net.