How rare are train derailments? Since 2020, more than 4,000 trains have derailed with 70% of derailments happening in cities. A very publicized one you may recall was the Norfolk Southern freight train incident in East Palestine, Ohio in 2023. Some interesting train derailment statistics can be found on usafacts.org under “Are train derailments becoming more common?” Many of us cross railroad tracks every day in our county. We probably don’t think much about it, but trains have become longer and are very likely carrying hazardous materials that are highly explosive increasing the risk to the communities they pass through. This year, our preparedness focus for the Health Unit will include education on railway, truck and pipeline safety. Our office and the county Office of Emergency Management & Fire Marshal will be offering a seminar on identifying hazards like these in our communities and how to protect ourselves and our environment. The seminar will be open to the public and I hope to have some information on that soon. Future plans on this topic may include training for volunteers on identifying toxic chemicals and accident response. What would accident response look like for public health in a railway derailment situation or pipeline leak or explosion? For public health, there may be air, surface soils and surface water affected. There may be individuals affected with symptoms of chemical exposure. There may be evacuations or sheltering in place to plan for. If you are interested in attending some of our future events on this topic, email me at patricia.mechler@medinatx.org. It doesn’t mean you have to be a volunteer with us, it means you want to be aware of and able to spot some of the hazards these types of situations can produce and how you could be prepared to take care of yourself, your family and friends. Source: www.nlc.org Rail Safety in Communities Across the U.S.
Category: Health & Lifestyles
Birth Announcements, Engagement Announcements, Feature stories and photos about local residents in Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Bigfoot/Moore areas. Also special features on the latest research and healthcare trends.
HOMETOWN HISTORY:DEVINE WARHORSE “Firsts”
1986 – Scott Taylor, #32, Tim Hartings, #89, Patrick Sanchez, #45, Michael Espinoza, #80, and Ralph Ramirez, #36, make the path to a glorious game while junior varsity cheerleaders, Tammy Langley, Dawn Hoog, Bridget Hoog, and Sandra Haass hold up the “run-through” sign.” – from the 1986 Devine High School Yearbook *Check out the cheerleaders up high on their shoulders holding up the poles for the “run-through” sign.
“AS THE SMOKE CLEARS ALL ONE CAN SEE IS A HERD OF WARHORSES CHARGING ONTO THE FIELD!”
In the 103 years of Warhorse football, there have been many “firsts”, but this night in 2010 was extra special for the Devine Warhorse football team! For the very first time, they “charged” onto the field through their very own Warhorse Mascot Tunnel! It was an awesome sight for the fans, and the excitement from the team surged throughout the stands as well!
This was made possible through the fundraising efforts of special Warhorse fans and parents, who wanted to bring the ‘Horses up to the standards of other teams who had already been using these tunnels for several years. It was a special sight to behold, as the unique Warhorse head loomed solidly and proudly in Warhorse Stadium on that Friday night!
1990 run-through sign – from the 1991 Devine High School Yearbook.
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Shooting range complex, and gun store opens in Pearsall
By Catherine Richard
After years years of planning and construction, the Wolf Hawk Precision shooting range and gun shop opened its doors to the public this past Saturday, September 7.
The owner, William Bennett, a sixth generation Texan, has built the impressive complex on a 55 acre stretch of land within the Bennett family ranch. Coming from multiple generations of hunters, Bennett wanted the facilities to serve the needs of casual gun owners, new hunters, and professionals alike.
Inside the gun store there are a variety of firearms lining the walls, from CZs to Rugers, along with shelves of ammo and suppressor components.
The store is equipped to create customized suppressors, which can be assembled, stamped, and processed in the store.
The shooting range, meanwhile, provides an opportunity for gun owners to train with their firearms. There are two areas, the rifle range and the pistol pit.
Close to the range, there is a ground level area for those who want to improve their marksmanship or sight in their rifles. It is overlooked by elevated platforms, which more advanced marksmen can qualify to practice on.
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Want to join Devine Garden Club?
If you are a nature lover, a bird watcher, a landscape designer, conservationist or just enjoy seeing things grow, there is a position open just waiting for you to claim it. To be qualified, you must be able to see beauty and colors, smell fragrance, enjoy clean air, or touching the earth, flowers and plants and the taste of clean water.
You must be in the age range of 16 to 106 and have some experience in walking barefoot in the grass or picnicking in the park. Or maybe you have hiked in the woods and stopped to smell the roses. Beginners will find their wages are a few aching muscles and the pay-off will be a rise in spirits and a joyful heart. If you enjoy the experience, you may advance to the title of chairman of a project or an officer in the garden club.
Benefits include the security of social friendships with garden club members everywhere. The benefit of retirement is a wheelbarrow full of happy memories, a perennial remembrance of worthwhile accomplishments, the pleasure of learning from other gardeners and, perhaps, a beautiful garden that is all your own creation.
Vendor sign ups underway for locals first for Fall Festival
Sign up… deadline Aug. 23 for first dibs at fall festival
The Devine Chamber of Commerce will host its annual 2024 Fall Cactus Festival on the first Saturday of November as usual, set for November 2 in downtown Devine with a festival, street dance and carnival.
Sign up as a vendor
August 23 is the deadline for locals to get first dibs on vendor spots….This year preference will be given to chamber members to keep with the local first theme who sign up to be a vendor first. Then it will be opened to outside vendors. Only 3 of every kind of vendor will be allowed to provide a nice variety of vendors. The Devine Market Association has accepted the job of organizing the vendors and taking care of that part of the festival for the chamber. An August 23 deadline has been set for chamber members to apply to get dibs on a vendor spot. Chamber members will be given priority then local and then open to others. To give as much opportunity as possible to local people first. Think, Shop, Dine Devine!
Charley Richardt, DMA Market Coordinator is handing the vendors for the chamber with the help of Steve Smith. Charley can be reached at 210.790.2212 or by email at charley.katona@gmail.com Feel free to text with questions about vendors. The link to sign up is https://forms.gle/r3JW89SRLwsCb1C9A
Carnival
The carnival will be in town Thursday through Saturday as usual.
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Hastings will investigate interventions to increase human ‘health span’
Hastings is investigating interventions aimed at increasing the the number of years lived before the body develops a chronic disease that has a debilitating effect.
By Paul Schattenberg
Waylon Hastings ’15, Ph.D., has returned to his alma mater as an assistant professor in Texas A&M’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Nutrition with a mission to develop efficient methods to measure individual differences in aging.
Hastings, who began Aug. 1, earned undergraduate degrees in biochemistry, genetics and mathematics, as well as a master’s degree in educational administration from Texas A&M University. He also holds a dual-title doctorate in biobehavioral health and bioethics from Pennsylvania State University.
Prior to returning to Texas A&M, Hasting was a postdoctoral scientist in the Behavioral Neurodevelopmental Genetics Laboratory at Tulane University School of Medicine and council adviser for Bayer Healthcare LLC.
“We’re excited Dr. Hastings is returning to Texas A&M,” said David Threadgill, Ph.D., head of the Department of Nutrition. “He brings a wealth of knowledge from his graduate and postdoctoral training, especially regarding his focus on cancer and aging, including the impact of nutrition on the rate of aging. This represents an important new dimension in research for the department.”
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Fall indoor yard sale Sept. 7th in Lytle to benefit animals
Donations are being accepted for the Fall Indoor Yard Sale to be hosted at the Lytle Community Center on Saturday, September 7 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.
All proceeds will benefit Lytle Animal Allies and City of Lytle Animal Care and Control.
Getting your home ready for the holidays? Don’t know where to take your unwanted items? The City of Lytle Animal Care and Control will accept your donated items, Monday- Friday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. at their facility at 17971 FM 2790 South, Lytle, Texas 78052.
Please no electronics, computers, monitors or shoes.
Big FESTIVAL at St John Bosco this Sunday, Sept 1st…
The annual festival will be held at St John Bosco Catholic Church located at 502 5th Street, Natalia on Labor Day September 1. There are several fundraisers leading up to the big event.
There will be lots of bands. See page 2 for more details on the big event.
DRAWING TICKETS: Text Beatrice Morales at 210-482-9595 for tickets. September 1st is the Grand drawing. So don’t delay, get your tickets TODAY, $5 each. Father Antony will draw the $500 winning ticket on Sunday, August 11th after 11 a.m. mass.
The winning ticket and all the tickets will be put back into the raffle barrel for another chance to win $3k, $2k, & $1k and other prizes on September 1st. This drawing will be announced at the Labor Day Festival extravaganza.
Fun FOAM FINISH and Zumba 5K Run or Walk:
This is a fun event for the whole family. 1.7 miles through the City of Natalia; check-in is at 6:30 a.m.
Kids Run starts at 7:45 a.m. There will be activities for the kids during the race. Race starts at 8 a.m. for the runners, followed by the walkers.
When everybody returns they will have a Zumba session and end the day with a Fun Foam Finish.
Driscoll Public Library Summer Reading Champions
Diana, Jasmine & Bella Olvera
We are excited to announce all the kids who participated in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. Participants were required to record 300 minutes of reading time per log. A total of 368 reading logs were turned in by 92 total participants. All the logs turned in equaled a total of 1,886 hours of reading over the past 8 weeks! Participants earned tickets for a chance to win one of the 25 prizes we offered as incentives. For extra chances to win they could turn in up to 3 book reviews worth 1 ticket each. A total of 49 book reviews (min 30 words) were submitted.
The Reading Challenge is divided into 3 levels with medals being given for each level completed. The following are the participants and the number of logs and hours turned in:
Gold Medal Winners (19) – each of these participants turned in the maximum number of logs for a total of 40 hrs of reading and earned all three medals: Sophia Clavey, Gabriel Cubriel, Avery Cummings, Araceli Gallosa, Destiny Gulley, Trinity Gulley, Matias Mendoza, Nathaly Mendoza, Caydence Negrete, Landon Nel, Oakley Nel, Gaby Paramo, Noah Paramo, Madison Purchis, Shavelle Rosalez, Liv Silva, James Solomon, Joshua Solomon, and Madison Wolff.
Esme Eads
Silver Medal Winners (15) – each of these participants turned in 5 or more logs and earned two medals:
7 logs – 35 hrs : Kaytie Klein, Maddison Sollock, Lacey Steubing
6 logs – 30 hrs : Anthony F – 6 logs – 30 hr, Jessica Johnson
5 logs – 25 hrs: Carter Clayton, Miguel Cubriel, Madison Garcia, Nevaeh Gloria, Naomi Gomez, Khaleesi Hernandez, Diana Olvera, Jasmine Olvera, Sybil Saldana, Jon Solomon
Bronze Medal Winners (26) – each of these participants turned in 3 or more logs and earned one medal:
4 logs – 20 hrs: Esme Eads, Kyleigh Freeman, Kayson Klein, Ana Mendoza, Jacob Ramirez, Kris Ramirez, Mya Ramirez, Jay Solomon, Kara Steubing, Olivia Velasquez, Mckala Wolff.
3 logs – 15 hrs: Jensen Bennett, Ben Freeman, Jaxon Freeman, Jesse Gallosa, June Gallosa, Marissa Garcia, Miranda Garcia, Evie McElwee, Bella Olvera, Jason Solomon, Sam Steubing, Kaylynn Townsley, Robert Townsley, Maricela Velasquez, Sophie Velasquez.
The following participants turned in at least one reading log or/and book review: Anthony Alaniz, Caleb Alexander, Elena Alexander, Elaine Atkinson, Naomi Atkinson, Elena Barrera, Baylee Boehme, Brayden Boehme, Rebekah Boehme, Maggie Cuellar, Reed Glass, Rhett Glass, Tiffani Gregory, Vivian Gregory, Addison Guzman, Liberty Hayden, Xander Nava, Ariel Ottinger, Diesel Ottinger, Elena Ottinger, Collier Paige, Kamden Paige, Alliana Perez, Keegan Quiroga, Raelyn Rengalado, Liam Rodriguez, Sebastian Salazar, Grayson Sollock, Royce Trujillo, Camilla Trujillo, Aylin Urias, Bradley Zachry.
The staff of the Driscoll Public Library wishes to congratulate all participants on a job well done!
Thursday, August 1st the Friends of the Driscoll Public Library hosted an ice cream social for all of the participants in Summer Reading Challenge. Everyone got two scopes of ice cream and the choice of toppings and sprinkles. There were ice pops for everyone courtesy of Devine Police Department. Medals and prizes from the drawing were also presented. Special thanks the Lions Club of Devine for sponsoring our medals this year.
Solomon Boys-Jason, Jon, James, Jay & Joshua
Madison Wolf, Sybil Saldana & Mckala Wolf
San Antonio Food Bank Distribution by VFW Post 3966 has Record Distribution
The San Antonio Food Bank sent 22 pallets of food non-perishable goods the were distributed in Devine Monday, August 5th.
The monthly San Antonio Food Bank distribution by Devine VFW Post 3966 had a record distribution on August 5, 2024. San Antonio Food Bank notified the Post last week that they had an additional 10 pallets of non-perishable goods for distribution. The 22 pallets of food and non-perishables arrived in a full semi-trailer truck. With nearly twice as many pallets to unload, the distribution started later than usual at about 9:30 am. With 37 volunteers helping, the record distribution was still completed by 11:20. One hundred and sixty-six (166) families were served.
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