Category: Top News Stories

Keep up with what’s going on in Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Bigfoot and Moore areas in Medina, Frio, and Atascosa Counties.

School opts for exemption to Chapter 37 armed security guard requirements due to funding/ staffing constraints

DMS Principal Kandi Darnell speaks about the campus C accountability rating among other campus news. Enrollment figures were shared to show the school’s size and grade distribution. With an enrollment of 445 students, 151 students are sixth graders and 158 are seventh graders, making the seventh grade the largest of the three middle school grades.

Board approves a final payment of $85,456 for the new tennis courts

By Anton Riecher
At this week’s Devine ISD school board meeting, the board voted 5-0 to approve a final payment of $85,456 to Austin-based Hellas Construction for the new tennis courts at the athletic facilities outside Warhorse Stadium. Completion is scheduled for mid-November.
The motion to approve final payment was made by board member Chris Davis and seconded by Ali Buvinghausen. Board members Candace Esparza and Carl Brown were absent for the Monday meeting.
Exemption to armed security guard requirement
By a 5-0 vote, the Devine School board approved a resolution for an exemption to the new state requirement, which required public school districts to place at least one armed security officer at every district campus during regular school hours (Texas Education Code Section 37.0814).


Because of funding and staffing constraints, the board determined the district qualifies for a good-cause exemption and will use an alternative safety plan.
With the exemption, our district’s alternative plan includes…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!



Lytle’s 75th Anniversary celebration

The City of Lytle celebrated it’s 75th anniversary with a block party, night time parade and some great live music. Photos by Brianna Paredes and KK Calame. More photos on page 15.

The winner of the grito contest as Lytle’s big 75th anniversary celebration last weekend.

The Night time parade was a big hit as always! Lytle celebrated its 75th anniversary this past Saturday.

You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this! Click the link to sign up today! www.devinenewsmembers.com

Fairwell to EJ’s…

Jimmy and Elaine Shoemake stop for a photo inside EJ’s Drive Thru which closed on its sale this week. Story on page 7.

A staple to the community for nearly three decades, EJ’s drive thru has been owned and operated by Elaine and Jimmy Shoemake. The store first opened its doors in 1998 and kept running throughout seven different Presidential administrations, the 2008 economic downturn, and the COVID-19 pandemic. For many in the community, EJ’s became a go-to place to grab a Bug Juice before Little League game, fill up their ice chest before a trip, or even look for a first job. Elaine will miss seeing every one of your faces (and cars) in the drive thru each day. 

Elaine did business “the old-fashioned way”…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Devine council approves tax decrease

By Anton Riecher
Without further public debate, the Devine City Council unanimously approved a zero increase tax rate of $.5900 per $100 valuation to support a previously approved fiscal year 2026-2027 budget of $5.865 million.
While average homestead values within the city have increased by about 4.25% , the council voted for a rate even lower than the no-new revenue rate which will decrease the total tax levy from $1.57 million to $1.54 million. (Editior’s Note: While you will often see boards vote for a “tax rate decrease” it generally still generates more total revenue than the previous year. However, Devine City Council opted for a true tax decrease).

Due to the increasing home values, tax on the average homestead will still see a slight increase from $1,093 to $1,140 (about $46) on the average homestead.
On a motion by District 3 Council Member Jeff Miller, seconded by District 1 Council Member Ray Gonzales, the council approved the combined maintenance and operations tax rate of $.48640 together with the debt service tax rate of $.10360. Separate votes on the M&O and debt service rates preceding the combined vote were also unanimous.
Mayor Butch Cook noted that the new tax rate was consistent with the preliminary figure discussed during the approval of …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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!


ESD4 board approves 4.79 percent tax rate hike for 2026

Battalion Chief David Powers delivers reports to local emergency service district board members.

By Anton Riecher
The Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4 board of commissioners voted Sept. 16 to approve a fiscal year 2026-2027 budget of $927,821 supported by a 2026 ad valorem tax rate of $0.0548 per $100 valuation, the maximum rate allowed under state law without the risk of a repeal election.
According to Medina County Appraisal District calculations, the new tax rate represents a 5.18 percent increase over the previous year. The average homestead taxable value is calculated at $201,873, an increase of 4.79 percent over the previous year.
No comment against the increase was raised during a public hearing preceding the 4-0 vote of the board on both the budget and the tax rate. Board treasurer Debbie Randall was absent for the meeting.
Board vice president Patrick Bourcier made the motion supporting the new budget and seconded the motion favoring the rate hike.


“Because we have so much going on I’m a little concerned not so much about what we know as what we don’t know and could pop up and bite us,” he said. “I know that we have the legal right to go to the voter approved rate. And if we get through next year and come out in great shape and decide we…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Legacy Bowl bragging rights belong to the Mustangs after thrilling 60-43 victory!

This year’s Legacy Bowl bragging rights belong to the Natalia Mustangs after a Thrilling 60-43 victory over the Lytle Pirates. This is the first time the Mustangs beat the Pirates in the Legacy Bowl since the 2022-2023 season. Traditionally, they name an offensive and defensive MVP for both teams. On Lytle’s side #3 Weston Jackson was awarded the offensive MVP and #12 Seth Pierce earned the defensive MVP. Jackson manned the quarterback position and put up 192 yards (147 of those rushing) with 2 throwing TDs and 2 rushing TDs. Pierce had 4.5 tackles with 3 solo tackles. For the Mustangs the offensive MVP went to #1 Leo Cortinas, the quarterback had a historic night putting up 468 rushing yards and 7 rushing TDs. The defensive MVP was #23 RJ De La O. Presenting the MVP trophies are Brenda Fernandez and Eric Smith.

DA still building misconduct case about missing money, ESD2 president says

Medina County ESD2 bookkeeper Nancy Pepper and board assistant treasurer Jerry Stevens confer during the Sept. 15 board meeting after hearing an update on the investigation into funds missing from the former Devine Fire Department. Photo by Anton Riecher.

By Anton Riecher
An update on possible prosecution stemming from the December 2024 arrest of the former office administrator of the Devine Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department was presented by Medina County Emergency Services District No. 2 board president Todd Summers at its Sept. 15 meeting.
“I was surprised to find out that the lady hasn’t even been indicted,” Summers said.
The board also voted to approve a zero increase 2026 ad valorem tax rate of 10 cents per $100 valuation, the maximum rate permitted under state law, and adopted a proposed 2026-27 budget producing $179,300 less revenue than the prior year.
Regarding allegations against former DVF&R office administrator Heather Schultz, Summers and board treasurer Jerry Stevens met with Medina County Criminal District Attorney Mark Haby, county chief deputy Gilbert Rodriguez, chief investigator Tommy Grimes and others in July to discuss progress in the investigation.
Haby explained that the “woman in question” had not yet been indicted because prosecution requires more than suspicion or the fact that money is missing, Summers said. Building a case requires enough admissible evidence to prove the charges filed in court.
The DA urged detectives…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!




Engineering work on railroad improvements near Lytle data center approved by county

In action taken Monday, the Medina County Commissioners Court approved the cost of engineering services by Union Pacific Railroad for improvements near the Project Cinco data center construction with the cost to be reimbursed by the project developer, Rowan Lytle LLC.
Both approved unanimously, the two motions required were made by Precinct 3 Commissioner David Lynch and seconded by Precinct 4 Commissioner Danny Lawler.


The action by the county was necessary because Union Pacific refused to contract directly with anyone other than a government entity, County Judge Keith Lutz said. The work discussed centered on preliminary engineering services for improvements to railroad tracks and roadway in the area of the construction site near County Road 683 and State Highway 132.
That engineering phase would determine the extent of any further construction necessary related to the railroad tracks and right-of-way…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!