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.

Stroud sets new record, 51 years in a row

59 years of basketball refereeing overall

Southwest Texas College in Uvalde, 59 years of basketball refereeing overall

2024 was the 51st year in a row for Lewis Stroud to be invited to referee the tournament in Uvalde at the college, now called Southwest Texas College, formerly SWT Junior College. “What makes this tournament so special is the people that run the tournament. They always treat you nice and go out of their way to run a good tournament”, said Stroud.
“This is very special to me. Some of the people that I will always remember and never forget are Landra and Rob Fowler, Gary Eagle, James Volz, John Coronado, Clint Urby, Kenneth Dismuke, Ricky and Jesse Rubio.” Lots of good memories are made at these tournaments. Pictured are referees John Reinhart, and Lewis Stroud with Landra and Rob Fowler and James Volz.
“This is my 59th year as a basketball referee,” said Stroud.
This is one record that we doubt anyone will ever beat!

Devine Current Events Club says, “Thank you Walmart!”

The Devine Current Events Club was the recipient of Walmart’s “Spark Good Grants” program. The $1,000 grant will be used by Current Events to help support one of the many local organizations such as Wreath Across America. This event will take place Saturday, December 14th at 11:00 at the Evergreen and St. Joseph’s cemeteries where over 650 wreaths will be laid at veterans’ graves. A team of Walmart employees have generously volunteered their time to also lay wreaths. Thanks to Walmart and all the local businesses and individuals that have sponsored wreaths and donated time to honor our veterans. Pictured left to right: Current Events members Sarah McAlpin & Dinah Argo, Walmart Management PJ Corona and Cindy Cruz, and CE member and Wreaths Across America Coordinator, Martha Wall.

FCCLA launches “Give a Pet a Home”

Devine 7th grader Kamden Paige

Devine seventh grader Kamden Paige is setting a goal to help our local Devine Animal Control shelter this year for his FCCLA project titled, “Give a Pet a Home”.  Last week, he organized a donation drive at Devine Middle School for the most needed items the shelter is in need of.  To generate interest, he was given permission by Mrs. Darnell to offer an incentive for the grade level that donated the most items.  At the end of the week, the drive garnered 127 items and the 7th and 8th graders tied!  Paige donated the items on Monday, November 25th.  
He has also created a board that is placed at Triple C Steakhouse in Devine with pictures and biographies of available pets for adoption.  Paige plans to update it every other week, as required, to keep it current for those looking to add a pet to their family.
When asked why he chose this for his project, he stated, “Because I wanted to help animals get adopted.  I’m an animal lover and want them all to have a home.”

Continue reading “FCCLA launches “Give a Pet a Home””

Caitlin’s Christmas Lights to benefit Devine teen battling lukemia

2nd Annual “Caitlin’s Christmas Lights” Competition 2024

PRESS RELEASE–It’s hard to believe that it has been 2 years since we lost our beloved Cailtin Jaworowski to Cancer. 

This town rallied behind Caitlin and the family while she was going through treatments.  When we lost her, they continued to support the family in so many loving ways.  So, in lieu of flowers it was decided that the kids needed to have a decorated yard for Christmas and so this is how it all began.

In memory of Caitlin, Justin Jaworowski and the family wanted to help other families in similar situations.  This year’s recipient is Cheyenne Alexis (Lexy) Martinez, daughter of Roland and Kayla (Sellers) Martinez, of Devine.  Cheyenne was diagnosed on September 13, 2024, with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia. All proceeds collected from this fundraiser will go directly to Cheyenne, better known as Lexy!

Entry Forms & donations or just donations can be turned in at Country Gal’s Market located at 109 W Benton Ave, and The Devine News located at 216 S. Bright Street both located in Devine!

There’s something to be said about living in a small town. Small town yes, but full of people with big hearts. Thank you will never be enough!

ABOUT THE LIGHT CONTEST

The first place prize will be $500 gift card donated by Alamo Truck Accessories and the 2nd place prize will be $250 donated by Vail Photography.

To join the light contest, all you have to do is submit the entry form with any donation you want to make whether it’s $5 or $500.

Make sure your lights are on December 21 and 22nd when judging will occur.  Who’s eligible?  Homes and businesses in Devine, Natalia, Moore and surrounding areas.  Please submit a photo of your lights with your entry if you live outside city limits.

Hospice… Where every dollar you spend goes to good cause!

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
This summer marked the end of another fiscal year for our local DEVINE AREA HEALTH AND HOSPICE RESOURCE, which helps so many in our community.
Everything the thrift store makes is donated back into a good cause, so remember them as you do your Christmas shopping and anytime you have gently used items to donate.
In the most recent fiscal year, Devine Hospice donated over $201,000 to area charities, scholarships, and people in need including $6,000 in scholarships, $10,000 to the Bigfoot VFD, $11,000 to St. Jude’s, $10,000 each to the Seton Home, Fischer House, Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, and Texas Children’s Hospital, $8,000 to Mission Devine, and more.
In the past five fiscal years, they have raised an amazing $734,000+ for area charities, scholarships, and people in need.
Devine Area Health and Hospice Resource, Inc. is a 501(c)3 corporation.
Below are just a few of the goodies you might find there!

Medina County water alliance proposal to seek aquifer storage funding

By Anton Riecher
Plans to apply for grants and funding to support the Medina County Regional Water Alliance’s proposed 50,000 acre-foot aquifer storage and recovery project have been approved by the Texas Water Development Board planning group for central Texas.
Russell Persyn, engineering consultant on the project, reported during the MCRWA’s Nov. 5 meeting in Hondo that he had been conferring with the TWDB’s Region L planning group and a decision about including the project in the latest draft of the state water plan that was expected on Nov. 7.
“Since the last time (Region L) met the regional planning group has put together the project,” Persyn said. “They’ve presented it to their executive committee with no issues there.”
Aquifer storage and recovery is the use of a well to store potable water in a suitable aquifer during times of plenty to be withdrawn during periods of drought. Supporters of the project have compared it to a bank account.
Persyn’s presentation on Nov. 5 included an extensive update on planning with cost now projected at nearly $480 million since Region L became involved.
“We were north of $700 million when we started talking, so obviously that kind of got my attention when I was working with them,” he said.

Continue reading “Medina County water alliance proposal to seek aquifer storage funding”

Welcome home, soldier!

Levon Ramirez was welcomed home by his two boys Rylan and Regan and wife Roxanne last week. Ramirez is in his 10th year of service after graduating in 2013 and enlisting in the Army the following year.

SGT Ramirez was coming home from a 9 month deployment in Europe. Levon is stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado. Proud parents are Carol & Victor Maldonado.

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Devine HS Homecoming

Devine High School crowned Homecoming King and Queen – Matthew Gomez and Araceli Caceres before the game this past Friday night. Photos by Brigid Howard. These photos and many more available on Devine News Smug Mug site. That is a direct link to the site, which also has hundreds of Sports photos.

You can access these photos at the following link:

https://devinenews.smugmug.com/

Class Reps are as follows:

Freshmen Class Reps- Zachary Ortiz and Greeley Malone

Sophomore Class Reps – Rowdy Esparza and Rylie Wells

Junior Class Reps – Mario Vicente and Valerie Molina

Senior Class Boys Nominees: Aidan Salazar, Alfredo Ramirez, Matthew Gomez

Senior Class Girls Nominees: Dani Gutierrez, Amya Polen, Charlee Rangel, Katie Rios, Araceli Caceres

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