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.

Gabriella, 16, has a huge heart and can’t wait to share it with forever family

If you think you could be Gabriella’s forever family or one of the other wonderful children we have featured, please call 1-800-233-3405 for more information or visit www.adoptchildren.org

Say hello to 16-year-old Gabriella, who is a thoughtful, young girl. Gabriella is empathetic, often offering kindness, support, and acceptance to those around her. She has a strong sense of faith and demonstrates a sincere desire to grow spiritually and personally.
Gabriella is self-motivated and regularly seeks opportunities for reflection. A creative soul, she enjoys reading, drawing, and writing poetry that expresses her thoughts and experiences. Music is also a meaningful outlet for her–an inspiration for both her art and poetry. Gabriella aspires to not only better herself but also to encourage growth and positivity in those around her.
Gabriella loves to do family-oriented things as go out to dinner and play at a swimming pool. But Gabriella really enjoys shopping, just for about anything. Currently Gabriella is not on any sports teams at school, but she is interested in playing basketball. And she loves doing yoga.
Fun Facts about Gabriella
Thinking about a career as a cosmetologist
Loves to read
Enjoys doing arts & crafts
Would like to have a pet dog
Participates in singing at church
Gabriella wishes to be in a loving family. Gabriella also wishes to have younger siblings so she can grow with and learn from them, all while being a great guide and example for them. Gabriella has a huge heart and cannot wait to share it with her forever family.
If you think you could be a forever family for Gabriella or another Texas child, please call 1-800-233-3405 for more information or visit www.adoptchildren.org where you can find a schedule of online public information meetings, and learn about the foster/adoption program.
You can also view the www.heartgallerystx.org website, where South Texas children have their portraits along with individual personal stories they wish to share, with their future forever family.

UIL Marching Contest this Saturday in Hondo and SA

The 2025 UIL Marching Contest for Hondo, Texas, is the Region 11 Marching Band Contest for classes 1A-3A, taking place on October 18, 2025, at Barry Field in Hondo ISD.
The schedule for the 4A-6A region contest will be held at a different location, Rutledge Stadium in Judson ISD, on the same date.
Inclement Weather Date: October 21, 2025

Region 11 Marching Band Contest ( for 1A-3A)
Date: October 18, 2025 starts at 1:00 -6:00 pm
1:00pm-2:45pm the 1A/ 2A bands compete followed by results.
4:00pm-5:45pm the 3A bands compete followed by results
Location: Barry Field, Hondo ISD
$10 general Admission (cash/card). Free for children 4 and under.
1A/2A performance times: Rocksprings 1:00, D’Hanis 1:15, Leakey 1:30, NC 1:45, Brackett 2:00, La Pyror 2:15, Sabinal 2:30, Charlotte 2:45. Results 3:00 pm
3A performance times: Dilley 4, Poteet 4:15, Natalia 4:30, Cotulla 4:45, Jourdanton 5:00, Lytle at 5:15, Crystal City 5:30 and Hondo 5:45. Results 6:00 pm.

Region 11 Marching Band Contest ( for 4A-6A)
Date: October 18, 2025 from 12pm-4:30pm
Location: Rutledge Stadium, Judson ISD
$10 general Admission (cash/card). Free for children 4 and under.
Performance times: Pleasanton 12, CS 12:15, Somerset 12:30, Uvalde 12:45, Kennedy 1:00, Pearsall 1:15, Memorial 1:30 and Devine 1:45. Results announced 2:00pm
5A bands perform between 2:30 and 4:30 pm. Results at 4:45.
Area E Marching Contest Dates
General Admission $7, child 5 and under free (Online tickets only)
4A- Sat, October 25, 2025 at Calallen HS, CC,TX
3A- Saturday, November 1, 2025 at AC Jones HS in Beeville, TX.
2A- Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Odem HS, Odem, TX.

STATEBOUND!

The DHS Land Judging Team is STATEBOUND!! The team placed 5th qualifying them for state. Brady Loeffler was 3rd overall individual with a score of a 259 and 1st in the seniors division receiving a $3,000 scholarship.
The Team consists of Brady Loffeler, Quay Ortiz, Jack Rumfield, Madison Fritz, Zachary Ortiz, Gage Allen, and Alvin Mann. State will be held at Tarleton State in April.

Company Statement on accident at data center

This is a followup on last week’s article, in which we reported that a young man had sadly been run over in a fatal accident at the data center construction site outside Lytle on Monday, October 6th. As reported, several others at the scene were also checked for “possible radiation exposure” due to a radiography tool being damaged during the accident. Chris McFadden with the Turner Construction Company sent the following statement, and we are happy to learn that it was determined by thourough testing that there was “no release of radiation” afterall.
“As part of our immediate response, we confirm that a commonly used testing device was damaged as a result of the incident. Out of an abundance of caution, qualified personnel conducted radiation testing, which determined that there was no release of radiation. To provide additional verification, the…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 $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

A Hail Mary for the win!

The crowd and the sidelines go wild after Mustang Quarterback Mason Giera threw a hail mary and connected with receiver Juan Gonzales who made the game-winning catch. Still shot from video that captured this amazing play.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports writer
The Natalia Mustangs pulled off what some might call a miraculous win against Nixon- Smiley High School, 18-15, after Quarterback Mason Giera threw a hail mary and connected with receiver Juan Gonzales who made the game-winning catch. Head Coach Jason Reynolds described the game as one of the most exciting games he’s ever been a part of.
Reynolds said he was proud of the way his team “rose to the occasion” against a tough opponent like Nixon and how locked in the defense was during an exhilarating display of football.
“It was the craziest ending to a football game that I have ever been a part of or even seen,” Reynolds said. 
Gonzales’ game winning catch will garner the most attention and rightfully so, but Reynolds broke down how the most amazing of sequences set up the team three to four plays before…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 $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Kevin wants to be a police officer when he grows up

Kevin is one of many South Texas kiddos waiting to find his forever family.

Kevin is an energetic 13-year-old who can easily engage in conversations with others. Kevin is also friendly, kind, cheerful and outgoing. He is a very responsible teen who enjoys staying busy. He is also detail oriented and always works to present his best possible appearance.
For fun indoors he likes to play video games and watch YouTube videos. Outdoors, it’s exploring nature and being active riding his bike.
Kevin enjoys going to school to work on his math & science skills, visit with his friends, and he can play football & basketball.
Kevin has special talents when it comes to music, as he is in a mariachi band where he plays the guitalele (comparable to the guitar) and has also started learning how to play French horn, next he would like to learn how to play the trumpet.
When asked about any ideas as to a career when he gets older, Kevin says he would like to be a police officer.
Although Kevin does not have any pets of his own, he likes animals of all kinds. His favorite foods are, pizza, breakfast tacos, Chick-fil-a and any Mexican restaurant. Other activities that he looks forward to taking part in is indoor rock climbing and spending the day at a water parks.
Kevin stated he wants to be adopted by a family no matter how big or small to love him like their own.
If you think you could be a forever family for Kevin or another Texas child, please call 1-800-233-3405 for more information or visit www.adoptchildren.org where you can find a schedule of online public information meetings, and learn about the foster/adoption program.
You can also view the www.heartgallerystx.org website, where South Texas children have their portraits along with individual personal stories they wish to share, with their future forever family.

Firefighters rescue man and his dog from burning home

John King was rescued by FF Robert Vasquez and lifted out a window from his burning home.

By Kathleen Calame
Publisher, The Devine News
Forty-six-year-old John King was rescued from his burning home after the front bedroom and porch caught on fire blocking his escape, in a heroic act by firefighters and first responders near downtown Devine last Sunday, October 5, 2025. King was rescured and transported to SAMMC with burns. His dad, 82-year-old, Fred King, was transported as well.
“It is rare to get a save in a house fire. Most people go a whole career without one. That just doesn’t often happen. In my 30 years I have only been a part of one until now, “ said Fire Chief Clint Cooke, MCESD1. “All the crews did really well, they did a great job from Devine and Natalia.”
“Fire fighter Robert Vasquez was able to drag the victim through the house and lift him up out of the window,” Chief Cooke said. “This hardly ever happens in house fires. I’m in awe at how it all went. Proud of him and everyone there. We couldn’t have done it without them all… ESD1 crew, Natalia VFD, Devine PD, MCSO, and others all working together,” Cooke said.
This was this ESD1s fifth…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 $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Young man loses life in accident at new Data Center construction site

news of a young man who was tragically killed in an awful accident this past Monday, October 6th. The 9-1-1 call came in around 9 am that morning. The young man, Maurice McGowen 28 years old, was reportedly struck by heavy equipment operating on the construction site of the newest data center located just outside of Lytle on Hwy 132.
After first responders arrived, Bexar County Hazmat was called to the scene also, as several people at the scene were checked for possible radiation exposure.
“The young man was working on the ground taking a soil sample when he was unfortunately hit by a large dump truck,” said Sheriff Randy Brown. He was pronounced dead on scene.
A tool that contains radioactive materials (which was being used to test the soil) was also damaged during the accident, thereby requiring extra precautions.
“The levels were high enough that they determined the testing needed to be done, because of the equipment that was damaged during the accident,” Sheriff Brown added.
While our knowledge of this subject is limited, Sheriff Brown did confirm that…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 $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!