A public notice this week details several violations relating to Devine city water that occurred last year. Most of the violations pertain to the “failure to test” over a dozen major routine contaminants. Two other violations were regarding failure to provide notice to the community. One violation was for high levels of Ecoli discovered in the LC Martin well after the well went down in the ice storm and was disconnected from the water system. You can find details in the public notice and in this article. The 10 page report states that the City of Devine failed to test for the following contaminants and were in violation for a 1 year period (January 2022 through December 2022) while sampling began. “When Isamel retired and left, there was miscommunication about what reports and sampling needed to be done. To get back in compliance, they required public works to do 40 samples which we started collecting in March of 2022,” said interim City Administrator Dora Rodriguez in an interview Tuesday. “Everything has been coming out good since we started getting samples,” Public Works Director Pete Sanchez added. “We did have some samples with Nitrate that were a little high, but not over the limit.” The contaminants in question were: Nitrate, Trichloroethane , Dichloroethylene, Trichlorobenzene, dichloroethane, dichloropropane, benzene, chlorobenzene, styrene, Toluene, Trichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, xylenes, ethylbenzene, chlorobenzene, carbon tetrachloride, tetrachloroethylene, dichlorobenzene, and dichloromethane. Explanations cite that it is important to monitor these levels as they are known to cause problems with liver, kidney, nervous system, circulatory system, cancer, immune system, adrenal gland, decrease in blood platelets, and/or anemia, IF any of them were to be high. Specifically, nitrate is especially dangerous for newborn babies under the age of six months as high levels can cause serious illness or death, shortness of breath or blue baby syndrome. HOWEVER, city officials assured us that none of these contaminants showed as being over the limit in this time frame, according to Rodriguez and Sanchez. The report states that all of the reporting issues have been resolved, except the positive Ecoli samples from the LC Martin well which was found in October of 2022. According to Rodriguez and Sanchez, per the Ecoli violation, this LC Martin well where Ecoli was detected had been out of operation since February 202–for months before the sample was taken. After the ice storm, the well went down and they disconnected it, Rodriguez said. They were hoping to get it back online but after three positive Ecoli samples, they abandoned the hope of using the well for the time being, Sanchez stated. “It wasn’t even connected to the water system at the time of the positive samples,” Rodriguez said. “We take samples every month for bacteria, so we are confident that there was no Ecoli when the well was in use, and it is still disconnected at this time,” Sanchez added. Sanchez noted that the city is also testing the asbestos level every quarter voluntarily because of the ongoing construction. Also in the report, were two violations for failure to notify consumers of high levels of LEAD (violation April 1-4, 2022) and had a public notice violation on September 2, 2022.
By Anton Riecher By a vote of 4-0, the Devine City Council approved an ordinance to freeze property tax rates for residents over the age of 65, mirroring previous measures taken by the county and school district. “I couldn’t be more in favor of it personally,” Mayor Butch Cook told the audience for the June 20 regular session. On a motion by District 4 Council Member Josh Ritchey, seconded by District 2 Council Member Michael Hernandez, the council approved the ordinance stating that no Devine property owner will pay more in city property taxes than the year of their 65th birthday. Effective beginning the 2022 tax year, the tax relief ordinance also applies to permanently disabled citizens unable to work. District 5 council member Debbie Randall chose to abstain from the vote. Johnette Dixon, chief appraiser for Medina County, described how the county tax freeze works. “Whatever they would pay in 2022, anyone who is over 65 right now would pay whatever 2022 taxes were from here on out,” Dixon said. “The rate can come down but can never go above it.” Former District 4 County Commissioner Jerry Beck spoke in support of the action, saying it meant relief from “skyrocketing appraisals.” Devine resident Bill Montgomery also spoke in support of the ordinance. “The city isn’t going to be out any major amount of money,” he said. “The value of my property is still going to go up.” Mayor Cook initially wanted to table the ordinance until a draft could be prepared. However, Dixon warned that it would have to be in place before the appraisal district’s tax certification scheduled for July 20. Otherwise, the tax relief would not apply until the 2023 tax year. City Attorney Thomas Cate recommended proceeding with a vote on the ordinance to assure making the deadline. Dixon earlier addressed the council regarding the proposed 2024 budget for the Medina County Appraisal District approved by its board of directors. “Our 2024 preliminary budget proposal is $1,585,200,” Dixon said. “Our final budget last year was $1,559,155, which is an increase of $26,000.” Part of the increase is the number of protest hearings scheduled by taxpayers, she said. At present, the district has nearly 4,500 protest hearings scheduled, almost 500 more than last year. For the entire county, the 2023 preliminary taxable value issued by the appraisal district in late April totaled $309.3 million, a $32.3 million increase in value from the previous year. From that increase, the appraisal district generated an additional $159,000 in revenue. Devine’s pro rata share of that taxable value in 2024 is $22,801, an increase of $963 from 2023 “So, of that $159,000, we are asking for $936 more dollars” from Devine to fund the appraisal district in the coming year, Dixon said. Ritchey used the opportunity to criticize the appraisal district process. “From what I understand, the entire appraisal process is very opaque and any disagreement with the board is met with some rather subjective opinions and response. How can we drive through this process more transparency and more objective standards in the appraisal of properties?” Dixon said the best way to challenge any appraisal is by using comparisons with other property nearby. “If you can find comps in your neighborhood that’s what we do,” Dixon said. “We first look in the neighborhood. If we find comps we use those. We try to get as close to the subject as possible. From that point, if there aren’t any in that subdivision directly then we can expand out to the school district and we’ll try to find something as much like the property as possible.” On a motion by Ritchey, seconded by Pyron, the council passed the budget increase for the appraisal district. Aside from the property tax ordinance, Ritchey placed two other items on the council agenda – consider upgraded software for governmental budgeting and review options to ease bureaucratic challenges to local building contractors. Both items were tabled. Under software, Ritchey asked the city staff to review a possible transition to ClearGov software designed to streamline the annual budgeting process by improving the collection, creation and communication of their budgets. The item was tabled because the city is currently taking applications for a new city administrator. Interim City Administrator Dora Rodriguez advised that the applicants may have their own opinion on which software is best for the job. On Ritchey’s request to make challenges to contractors easier he said that a “multitude” of contractors he has talked to refuse to work in Devine. “Their explicit feedback is the city is too difficult to work with, requiring a lot of documentation and additional inspections over what they would expect in other places,” Ritchey said. Mayor Cook also reported similar complaints from contractors he has dealt with. However, Ritchey nor Cook were ready with what Pyron referred to as “concrete examples.” “We need some concrete examples rather than complaints like ‘I’m just annoyed that I have to fill out this paperwork,” Pyron said. Rodriguez said the main reason contractors are required to fill out fresh paperwork about themselves for each project is to make sure their required licensing has not expired. It was noted by Randall that the city has not had a code compliance officer for nearly two years. Ritchey countered that he did not necessarily want to bring immediate action before the council. “I just want to start a conversation,” he said.
This year the city will be partnering with the Lytle Chamber of Commerce for Lytle’s Annual Independence Day Celebration to make the event even better. The event will take place on July 4th at the John Lott Municipal Park. There will be food trucks set up along with live entertainment from both Chuck Wimer and Matthew Ryan. The music and food trucks will start at 5:00 pm and last till around 8:20 pm with fireworks being the Grand Finale. We invite everyone to come out and enjoy the evening with family and friends. Don’t forget the bring your lawn chairs and dancing boots. If you don’t want to stay for the fireworks show feel free to visit the food trucks for a great dinner option and enjoy some live music.
As one of Medina Healthcare’s most tenured executives, Billie helped advance the system’s growth strategy and clinical initiatives over the years.
Hondo, Texas, June 23, 2023 — Medina Healthcare System officially welcomes Billie Bell as their new Chief Executive Officer who began her new role on June 5th, 2023. Billie Bell succeeds Janice Simons, who announced her retirement from the Healthcare System in March. Her appointment came after an extensive selection process by the board. “The Board and I are confident that Billie Bell will continue with the advancements of Medina Healthcare System” Tim Hardt, President of the Medina County Hospital District Board of Directors, continued. “She is a seasoned leader with significant experience working as CNO and we are lucky to have her as our next CEO.” Billie Bell has served as Medina Healthcare System’s Chief Nursing Officer for the past 7 years. In this role, Billie has focused on building exceptional teams and strategies to deliver high quality care. As one of Medina Healthcare’s most tenured executives, Billie helped advance the system’s growth strategy and clinical initiatives, through service line expansions, a commitment to exceptional patient care, and investments in healthcare technologies. Before joining Medina Healthcare System, Billie spent 2 years at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas as a Senior Manager. “I am honored to be chosen as the next Chief Executive Officer for Medina Healthcare System,” said Billie Bell. “By working together with my partners and colleagues, I am determined to use my role to build a stronger more cohesive healthcare system for our residents, families, and friends.”
By Autumn Copeland Hector and Felicia Garza are excited to introduce to you Hometown Cutz, a new full service barbershop located at 500 N Transportation Dr. in Devine. Their goal for their shop is to give people in the community a more affordable and caring option for men’s and boy’s haircuts and other services including waxes, hot towel shaves, beard trims, perms, and steamed facials. Hector and Felicia are lifelong residents of Devine, high school sweethearts, and the parents of four boys- Xavier, Hector, Alonzo, and Ezekiel. Felicia worked in the food service industry at the Mexican restaurant Las Palmas from the time she was in high school until she was 32 years old. Hector worked in the oil field, but was never able to return to that line of work again after being in an accident and sustaining injuries to his arm and back. During her time in quarantine with her family, Felicia realized she loved cutting her sons’ hair and was ready for a change in her work life. After getting the chance to go back to school, Felicia decided to attend a barber program and, with her husband’s patience and creativity, convinced him to go as well. The couple went to barber school for a year and bought the old Valdez Restaurant in November of 2022. Immediately they began to remodel the building, turning the old restaurant into a modern yet classic barbershop in six months. “I just really want to be a big part of the community,” said Felicia. “I am for the customer. When you take care of your customers and care about your job, they take care of you in return.” Being a mother of four boys, Felicia knows the struggles of getting haircuts with the steepening prices. She believes basic necessities such as haircuts should be affordable, so they offer child rates. “Everybody who’s on a budget these days just can’t really afford it, so we really want to give them an affordable option,” said Felicia. Another concern of Hector and Felicia’s is the accessibility of affordable haircuts for seniors. A 62 years and older senior citizen haircut costs $12 at the barbershop. “What happened to the cut that went up from $8 to $12 to $15 that’s now at $35?” said Felicia. “We have senior citizen prices, we have kid prices, and regular haircut prices are affordable. In the two weeks their barbershop has been open, Hector and Felicia have seen great support from the community. To show how much they appreciated customers giving them a chance, Hector and Felicia gave out 52 free haircuts during their first week of being open. “If you go in with a good attitude and a positive mind, the positive outweighs the negative,” said Felicia. “Our doors are always open and we are ready to serve our community and welcome anybody.” Hector and Felicia’s strong love of family and the bond they have with their hometown is shown through everything they do. It is truly a family business as you will often find their little helpers around the shop including their 16 year old Hector, who helps clean. “What sets us apart is that we’re from here and we care,” said Felicia. “We care about the school, we care about the kids, we care about our community.” Hometown Cutz is open from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Saturdays. See their weekly ad in the Devine News for more information.
Selah Mae (16) holds a bright red tomato grown in their garden. The Schultz family shares the story behind thier business, Mato Tomato girls and how it got its clever name.
By Kayleen Holder Editor This week we would like to feature an awesome family business that is truly “homegrown”. You may have heard of the Mato Tomato Girls, and this is their inspiring story. The Schultz family–Selah Mae (16), Micah (12), and their momma Heather Schultz work together to create a variety of handmade and homegrown goods. Along with the many goods they produce to sell, they also invite customers to get a taste of farming by visiting the farm animals and offering “sustainability classes and campouts” throughout the year. They also have some exciting news about a future “you-pick” raised bed garden in our community!
Selah Mae (right) works alongside her momma Heather Schultz (left) to grow and create a variety of handmade and homegrown goods which they sell at farmer’s markets all around the area.
“One way we are moving forward in feeding people is with the support of the Texas Department of Ag grant for our raised garden bed project. We are in the second quarter of the grant project and things are moving along nicely. During the project at our home farm, we will outfit a better greenhouse and build an acre of raised garden beds. Our plan is to have the garden easily accessible to our visitors for you-pick vegetables. The Red Barn Community Garden will give customers the opportunity grow their knowledge of where their food comes from and how it is produced naturally, without any use of pesticide or herbicide,” Heather said. They are about 3 months into the project which is expected to take up to 18 months to get up and running. The name “Mato Tomato Girls” has a story too. As a young girl, Selah Mae was known for eating every ripe tomato she could get her hands on, straight off her mom’s plants…large or small, it was her’s. Her momma, Heather jokes that she had to plant 10x as many tomato plants to keep up with her little tomato lover. Selah Mae quickly became known as “Mato Tomato” and little did they know, many years later, the family business would be named after her. The family moved to Devine almost five years ago, where they have just over 10 acres of land. With room to grow their business, they planted a large 50’x100′ garden. The garden thrived and business grew to include farm-fresh vegetables. They have expanded our vegetable selection to offer additional items by growing in-ground and in hot houses. The vegetables they market come from Devine, Pearsall, Poteet, and northern Bexar County. The family business has also expanded the business to include even more canned goods which Memaw Lawan also helps with: all types of pickles and pickled veggies like asparagus, okra, green beans, tomatoes, carrots; salsas – mild to spicy; Cowboy’s Candy; jams – with a favorite of Strawberry Habanero; jellies; preserves; and fruit butters; baked goods: cookies, Selah’s mini bread loaves, yeast bread, pies, and occasional sourdough; hand-fashioned soap; homegrown loofah sponges grown on farm; crocheted Plushies, hats, clothing, and more; jewelry; and sewn items: to include recycled and reused Fabric Lined Feed Bag Totes, stuffed Critters, and more items on the way. Mato Tomato Girls’ home market, the Red Barn Market, is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 am – 6 pm at 918 County Road 5710, Devine (just outside the city limits of Devine) for customers who want to come and shop during the week. They also offer farm tours to visit the animals while you are there. Their products can also be found in a local retail establishment, Country Gals Market, as well. Several local restaurants also rely on their fresh vegetables to complete their menus. Selah Mae is offering baked goods at he new Black Creek Coffee in Devine. Selah invites you to stop by to pick up a slice of pie, muffin, keto friendly, gluten/dairy free Glazed Blueberry Cake Doughnuts, and much more soon to come at the new coffee shop. “It is a blessing to be able to provide the needed items to these businesses and help reach even more of our community with our naturally grown, quality produce,” Heather said. MTG also employees 9 full-time and 7 part-time contractors at our multiple locations, including the Red Barn Market. Business has not always been smooth, Heather notes. “In May of 2022, our world was rocked to its core. We lost Steven, our main provider and husband/father. His loss brought our family closer together and strengthened us beyond belief. We have grown our business even further after his loss in order to support the family financially,” Heather said. With every challenge, they strive to make a way through or around the problem, she notes. “We have struggled with water well issues, drought, and the February 2021 freeze when we lost almost all of our crop in Devine. This led us to begin searching for more land to plant on. We have also struggled with the supply chain issues. Canning jars, specialty flours and sugars are hard to come by at times. We have begun to purchase in bulk quantities, whenever possible,” Heather said. They also ask customers to return their jars for credit so they can recycle and reuse as much as possible. “We are not just a produce farm…we are a homestead that is wholly production based. We host many farm animals and use all we can from what they provide to us. At Mato Tomato Girls, we produce all the beef, pork, and chicken meat we consume. We also eat and sell eggs from our 300+ laying chickens, ducks, and turkeys. We save their shed feathers for crafts and jewelry. Our steers are processed, and their hides are tanned for use as leather or skins, and tallow rendered. Our seasonal pigs love to root around our stock tanks, eating all kinds of brush, grass, and grubs along the way. They provide beautiful pork and buckets of lard. Our three goats are named Huey, Dewey, and Louie and are here helping us clear brush.” Mato Tomato Girls LLC is known for their canned goods and their specific flavors. Their Bread & Butter Pickles and Kosher Dill Pickles are some customer favorites. And of course, you know, the Mato Tomato Girls have to have some great tomato products. “We make Tomato Preserves from my grandmother’s recipe,” Heather said. “It has become a favorite of our customers. Our homegrown tomatoes are used in all of our salsa and tomato products, as well as sold freshly off the plant in our home’s Red Barn Market and at all of the farmers’ markets we attend each week.” The family stays busy with markets year-round. Every Saturday you can find the trio at local markets. “Rain or shine, hot or cold…we market. It is of the utmost importance to be consistent and provide the best source of food to our customers and friends. We currently service most of Medina County, but are looking for ways to expand our reach,” Heather said.
Every 1st Saturday we attend the First Saturday Market in Devine. -2nd Saturdays are at the Second Saturday Market in Lytle at Chaparral Pre-owned. -3rd Saturdays are spent in Castroville at Schattenbol at the DeCock Farmers’ Market. -The Fourth Saturday of each month is spent in Hondo at the Fourth Saturday Market at the train depot right off of highway 90. -2nd and 4th Fridays are spent at Spring Creek Gardens in Spring Branch. “We pride ourselves in shopping local. We don’t just ask our customers to #eatlocal #thinklocal and #supportsmallbusiness, we always shop and eat local first…even if the price is higher than a big box store. When we purchase strawberries for our jam, jelly, and syrups, we purchase from a local favorite organic strawberry farm in Poteet. We do our best to always purchase from locally owned businesses. We also strive to give good counsel to other small businesses. We have helped numerous young entrepreneurs obtain their LLCs, licensing, and other business needs when first starting out. We pride ourselves in having a great relationship and reach with our vendor friends. Our motto is Eat to Live. We strive to provide wholly nutritious ways for our family, friends, and customers to Eat to Live better,” Heather said. Mato Tomato Girls just received our Food Manufacturer’s License and is a proud GO TEXAN partner. The GO TEXAN program is a Texas Department of Agriculture initiative dedicated to identifying and supporting Texas-based businesses and connecting them with customers across the Lone Star State and around the world. Heather loves to feed people! She is known for ‘feeding an army’ each time she cooks. When she is choosing seeds for the farm, animals for processing or eggs, or specialty flours for baking, she is looking for the best of the best for her family and yours. The MTG crew also hosts sustainability classes and campouts throughout the year. American Heritage Girl Troops and homeschool groups visit the farm for learning opportunities and service projects. You can find Mato Tomato Girls online (Facebook, Instagram, or their website) or visit the farm in person at 918 County Road 5710, Devine. You can call them at 210.710.1176 or email them at matotomatogirls@gmail.com. You can order products online at www.matotomatogirls.com
The horse on the left is her performance horse, VS Highroller, who she shows in events such as horsemanship, hunter under saddle, western riding, trail, etc. The horse on the right is her reining horse, RS Code For Smart, who she shows in reining.
Elizabeth “Liz” Marmor, of Devine, Texas is one of the five riders in America selected to represent Team USA in the 2023 Youth World Cup. The American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup (YWC) is an international event held every two years and hosted by different countries. The 2023 Youth World Cup will be held in Bryan/College Station, Texas, where she will compete against youth from 16 different countries. Liz Marmor is 17 years old and daughter of Lucretia and Kevin Marmor and granddaughter of Leslie and Latina Esquell. Liz has lived her entire life in Devine and has been riding in American Quarter Horse events for only 5 years. She shows in both AQHA Performance events (horsemanship, trail, hunt seat equitation, and hunter under saddle) and in Reining. She was selected for Team USA out of hundreds of applicants. “I have loved horses for as long as I can remember. As soon as I was able to talk, I began begging my parents for a horse, and when I turned 4, my parents bought my first horse. His name was Diego, and he was a paint gelding. My dad always tells me, ‘We always thought the horse thing was just a phase that most little girls go through, but we were very mistaken. Getting Diego for you just fed the fire.’ I feel that horses will remain a very central aspect in my life. I was recruited by multiple Division I NCAA college teams and have committed to Texas A&M’s NCAA equestrian team. Riding for Team USA at Youth World Cup is such an honor … GO TEAM USA!” In a short interview, she told us a little bit about her relationship with horses and how theyhave helped her grow into the extraordinary young lady she is. “My favorite thing about horses is how much they teach you, especially from the standpoint of realizing that every emotion does not have be expressed in words,” Marmor said. “They also teach you that you aren’t going to get very far being harsh or mean; the more understanding you are the more they are willing to give you and the further you get as a team.” Marmor attends the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Yancey, and has previously served as the president of Devine 4H Horse Club. Following undergraduate school, Marmor plans to attend medical school to study neurosurgery. “The brain is so intricate, and there is very little that we know about it,” Marmor said. “It will definitely be a challenge, and I enjoy a challenge.” More about the World Cup Marmor and over one hundred youth competitors comprised from 16 other countries will compete in Bryan/College Station, Texas, from late June to early July, for this international showdown. Throughout the competition, each country’s riders will ride for gold medals in cutting, reining, horsemanship, ranch riding, trail, hunt seat equitation, hunter under saddle and showmanship. The Youth World Cup is more than just a competition; it offers a chance for international American Quarter Horse enthusiasts to learn from the industry’s leading riders and trainers, as well as to build relationships with fellow youth from across the world. To level the playing field, competing Youth World Cup team members do not show their own horses. The host country provides each team’s horses for clinics and competition. While at the event, five youth riders plus one coach and manager from each country will draw a pen of five horses from lots and have only two days to designate a horse from their pen for each event and must show every horse in their pen of five. Five additional youth from each country are invited by each international affiliate to attend the education and leadership portion of the week’s events and to cheer on their teammates according to AQHA.com. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is the pinnacle of a youth’s career in the Quarter Horse industry.
Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown wants to clear up rumors circulating about an incident that happened earlier this afternoon. While a deputy was injured, he assures the community that he was not shot.
“The deputy was injured in pursuit of subjects while assisting Hondo police,” Sheriff Brown explained.
He was transported to University Hospital.
“Hondo Police attempted a trafficking stop on Hwy 90 near McDonalad’s, the vehicle was found to be trafficking illegals. Two ran from the vehicle while five were detained. While pursuing illegals on foot the deputy was injured after falling from a moving vehicle,” Sheriff Brown added.
The deputy is thought to be in stable condition, was alert and talking according to Sheriff Brown.
Soloist Stefan GrigsbyQuartet members Cambri Davila, Victoria Garcia, Citlali Ferreira, and Natalie Williams.
On February 5 Lytle High School Band students participated in Solo and Ensemble and advanced to Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest in Pflugerville. On Saturday, after the dust had barely settled from graduation, soloist Stefan Grigsby (11) and quartet members Cambri Davila(12), Victoria Garcia(11), Citlali Ferreira(12), and Natalie Williams(12) went to TSSEC held at Hendrickson High School. This was Stefan’s first trip to TSSEC and he earned a 2nd division, silver medal, on his French Horn Solo. For the past six years a flute ensemble has gone to state. This was Cambri and Citlali’s, third time at state. They actually qualified all four years of high school, but were unable to go in 2020 due to Covid. They also received gold medals every year they participated. For Natali and Victoria, this was their second time to qualify and participate at this competition, also receiving gold medals both times. “I am so proud of these young women as they brought home 1st division gold medals, especially since this will be the last event for our seniors,” said MJ Robles, Lytle JH Band Director.
Hayden is a very high-spirited young guy, who is often referred to as the funniest child ever, as he loves to joke around with his peers and make those around him smile. He is also a really good listener, and that is what makes him a great friend to his peers. Like many children his age, Hayden loves playing video games especially on his Nintendo Switch. One of his favorite things to do is to go swimming as he really enjoys time in the pool. He also loves to use his creative side, building and constructing ideas he has, of things he designs. When it comes to eating, Hayden loves to be adventurous, trying all kinds of foods, and looks forward to expanding taste pallet. Hayden enjoys attending school, as he likes to learn about the world around him. Hayden hopes to have a forever family that will encourage his interests and provide him the memories of sharing in new family activities. When asked, he says he would like a two parent family, where a mom and dad can help love & guide him as he grows. If you think you could be Hayden’s forever family or for another Texas child, please contact the department at 1-800-233-3405, for more information about adoption or https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Application/TARE/Home.aspx/Default You can also find a schedule of online public information meetings where you can learn more about the foster/adoption program.
