By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Continue reading “Young girl’s family searching for living kidney donor”
Young girl’s family searching for living kidney donor
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.
Medina County burn ban remains in effect
By Anton Riecher
A burn ban in place in Medina County since June 24 remains in effect after county commissioners tabled further action this month.
The ban was scheduled to expire on Sept. 21. However, permission to burn under exceptions to the ban can be obtained from the Medina County Sheriff’s Office dispatch.
A decision on whether permission is granted depends on changing conditions day-to-day, Medina County Emergency Management Coordinator Keith Lutz told county commissioners this month.
The ban allow exceptions to burn for activities related to public health and safety approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Those exceptions include firefighter training, public utility operations involving natural gas pipeline or mining or harvesting of agricultural crops.
Also exempted are burns conducted by a prescribed burn manager certified under Section 153.048 of the Natural Resources Code. Finally, ceremonial fires are exempted provided that advance notice is given to the sheriff’s office and appropriate fire officials of time and location.
Burning of brush on property cleared by a landowner is permissible granted that permission is obtained from the sheriff’s dispatch and the county fire marshal. The landowner or the contractor must remain on scene to supervise and appropriate fire containment equipment must be on hand.
Breaking the burn ban is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $500 per violation.
MAJOR ROAD CLOSURE:
Northbound ramp in Lytle at IH-35 to be closed for weeks starting today
TXDOT will be closing the NB entrance ramp to IH-35 (the one by Lytle State Bank) from Sept. 21 thru Oct. 4. They will be doing construction / road work. While that ramp is closed you will need to use Main St to access the NB entrance ramp just inside Bexar County (once you cross the overpass).
MAJOR ROAD CLOSURE:
Northbound ramp in Lytle at IH-35 to be closed for weeks starting today
TXDOT will be closing the NB entrance ramp to IH-35 (the one by Lytle State Bank) from Sept. 21 thru Oct. 4. They will be doing construction / road work. While that ramp is closed you will need to use Main St to access the NB entrance ramp just inside Bexar County (once you cross the overpass)
Public hearing on Medina County tax increase on Thursday, September 22
While the tax rate has gone down some, higher appraisals have skyrocketed, and will bring in substantially more tax revenue.
The proposed tax rate, which is the highest allowed without holding an election will be .4743. Total property tax revenues under this rate will raise $23.7 Million, about 7% or $1.5 million more than the previous fiscal year.
The average taxable value of a home in Medina County increasd from $190K to $215K, an increase of about $25,444 or 13.38% increase.
The local Pct. 4 county commisioner urges residents to voice their opinions.
“You are going to hear how low the Tax Rate is and how it has gone down each year for the past several years. But remember that our Property Appraisals are higher than they have ever been,” said Comissioner Jerry Beck. “Our taxes have never gone down or even leveled off.”
New DHS Principal voices concerns about number of failing students
By Anton Riecher
The Devine ISD school board voted Monday to approve the district’s annual financial audit report showing total expenditures of $22.1 million for the current year.
Continue reading “New DHS Principal voices concerns about number of failing students”
Teachers rally to help Ricky get a new hip, local custodian touched by community’s kindness
By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Ricky Campa is a custodian at Devine Intermediate School, and friends are hosting a fundraiser to help Campa get a hip replacement. Juan Ricardo “Ricky” Campa is a Devine native and graduated from DHS with the class of 1987. Anyone who would like to help out can donate online or by mail.
“Every day, Ricky arrives at work to sweep and mop the floors, clean the toilets, wipe down tables and take out the trash for the students and staff. When the custodian staff is shorthanded, not only does he tend to his own responsibilities, but he also helps fill in for the ones who are missing,” Mrs. Farrah Schueling said, a teacher at Devine Middle School who met Ricky while he filled in for another custodian at the Intermediate last year.
“Despite the daunting workload, Ricky tends to it with a smile on his face and a positive attitude. Aside from his limp, you would never know that Ricky is in pain. For 3 ½ years, Ricky has been burdened with pain in his hip. Doctors have said that Ricky will need a full hip replacement surgery to relieve his pain,” Mrs. Schueling said.
“Ricky is a humble faith-filled man who would never ask for financial help from anyone. Please donate to show your love and support for Ricky,” she adds. “Your donation will help pay for his surgery and any expenses that occur while he recovers.”
In response to the fundraiser, Campa was very touched.
“I was so surprised when they told me about what Mrs. Schueling was doing. Nobody has ever done anything like that for me. I want to thank her and everyone involved. My right hip has been bone on bone for a long time, but I just keep on going. I have worked all my life, for years as a carpenter and now as a custodian. The thought of a fundraiser never crossed my mind,” Mr. Campa said.
“There are still a lot of caring people out there, and it’s a blessing from God that somebody would go out of their way to help me,” Mr. Campa said.
You can donate using the go fund me that can be found on Mrs. Farrah Schueling’s facebook page, or you can mail a donation to Mr. Juan Ricardo “Ricky” Campa at 207 Crouch in Devine, TX 78016.
New restaurant Beef Say Whaaat
now open downtown offers variety of fresh foods, cooked to order
By Kathleen Calame
Publisher
If you are looking for a great burger or delicious food in downtown Devine now open is BEEF SAY WHAAAT!!! They are located in the red restaurant building at 201 1/2 W. Hondo, Devine across from South Texas Trophies and have an extensive menu using fresh local vegetables. I had the pleasure of interviewing the owners and sampling some foods this week.
Owner Benjamin Salinas Jr. and his wife Vanessa own and operate the restaurant. He has 20 years of experience in the food business and got his start in Pearsall with a food truck, then a walk up style restaurant and now a sit down and dine in restaurant that also offers calling in to go orders.
This month’s lunch special from 11am to 2pm for September is the popular Classic Double Cheeseburger for only $6.99 which includes a side of your choice from fries, onion rings or tots and a drink.
In the afternoon from 2 to 6 pm they offer an after school and supper family special of 4 Hamburgers with a family side for only $27.99 which includes a choice of fries, onion rings or tots.
“We have a lot of people who drive right by here in the afternoons after school so we thought we would offer a family meal deal for those on the go or don’t want to heat up the kitchen,” said Salinas.
“We have people tell us all the time that ours is the best burger they have ever eaten. Which makes us happy. We only use 100% beef, no fillers. We do season them while they are cooking on the grill to give it that home cooked feel like mommas!”
“Since we are an open kitchen, and I am behind the grill I can adapt an item to particular diets or needs, so diabetics sure appreciate that or people who prefer keto style meals and such. I aim to please and can adapt or cook just about anything. I love special orders and filling their requests.”
“I hear country fried steak and gravy is a favorite of the locals. It is hand breaded and delicious, served with country style gravy and potatoes.”
I got to sample the country fried steak, it was so delicious and so tender you can cut it with a fork, no knife even needed. I also got to sample the loaded baked potato fries. They were so good too, loaded with cheese, bacon bits, and drizzled with ranch on top. A great combination the two made along with a nice glass of sweet tea!
They have an extensive menu with all sorts of specialty burgers from the classic to the popular avocado bacon cheeseburger to the Philly Cheese Steak on a bun to the unique Egg in a Hole Cheeseburger.
On the menu is also all sorts of grilled or fried chicken burgers, fajita burgers, tenders hand breaded and sandwiches.
For deserts they have funnel cakes, fried Oreos, and fried banana moon pie amongst all kinds of unique desserts on special days.
During football season they offer bone-in wings with hand crafted sauces, also a big hit with the locals.
Appetizers include fried pickles, bacon cheese fries, chili cheese fries, and baked potato fries.
Kids meals range from chicken tenders (hand-breaded), chicken bites, grilled cheese and of course hamburgers.
See their advertisement in this week’s Devine News for more details.
Lytle approves
$8.5 million bond sale to finance water, sewer improvement
By Anton Riecher
The Lytle City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve the sale of $8.5 million in certificates of obligation, the majority of which will be used to finance water and sewer improvements.
On a motion by District 3 Alderman David Emery, seconded by District 2 Alderman Sam Cortez, the council voted to sell the certificates amortized over 20 years at a 3.94 percent interest rate. The sale closes on Sept. 28.
To see full video of the latest Lytle City Council session visit the Devine News channel on YouTube at youtube.com/channel/UC5NvVUNwMPeR-VVmLSKY-Ng.
Andrew Friedman, representing SAMCO Capital Markets, the city’s financial advisor, told the aldermen that the sale required establishing a credit rating for the city.
“We went through a rating process with Standard and Poor’s,” Friedman said. “They look at not only audited financials but also want to get a sense of who Lytle, Texas, is on top of what you can read on paper.”
As a result, the city attained a strong AA- credit rating, the highest rating possible is AAA, followed by AA+, AA and AA-, Friedman said.
“When you drop below that you have to go out to pay for municipal bond insurance,” Friedman said. “We were able to avoid that.”
City Administrator Matt Dear told the council that $6.1 million of the certificate sale will go toward water system improvements, including building a water tower to feed a new looped water system. The certificates will also finance a $1.4 million sewer plant project.
Aside from utilities, $1 million will be designated for streets and sidewalks, Dear said.
A portion of the debt will be paid from the interest and sinking (I&S) portion of the city tax rate, Friedman said. However, the $7.5 million going to water and sewer improvements will be repaid from revenues generated by the city’s utility system rates.
Emery questioned Friedman about whether the debt could be refinanced if interest rates improve in the future. Friedman replied that the current rates would be “locked in” until February 2031 when the certificates can either be purchased from the investors using cash or the interest rates can be renegotiated.
In other business, the council voted to table action on proposals to address traffic issues on Lytle-Somerset Street, including the use of speed humps to slow vehicles. Dear informed the council that state law requires an official study by a traffic engineer.
Without state sanction, anyone who damages their vehicle going over a speed hump could potentially have a legal claim against the city, Dear said. In 2021, a plan calling for six speed humps and appropriate signage was estimated to cost at least $10,000, he said.
With inflation, that price is now calculated to be at least $15,500, Dear said.
A motion by District 4 Alderman Michael Rodriguez to table the matter until public sentiment about adding speed humps passed 4-1. District 5 Alderman Charles Cate, a reservist presently serving overseas, monitored the meeting by internet and voted against tabling the action.
Lake Shore Estates resident Trace Joyce once again addressed the council regarding flooding in the subdivision. Joyce reported that his home flooded in 2010 and has been threatened by rising water several times since.
Dear said he has filed a request for quotes from engineering firms in hopes to negotiate a price for the project. It is also under legal review, he said.
“Realistically, this project will probably take a year or two,” Dear said. Resolving drainage issues that stretch back to the beginning of the subdivision is not going to be cheap either.
Joyce asked if the city might have legal recourse against the engineering firm that developed the initial drainage plan for the subdivision.
Action on the item was tabled pending further research into the exact cause of the flooding.
On a motion by Emery, seconded by Rodriguez, the council voted to enter into an amended and restated solid waste contract with Waste Management, Inc., a waste and environmental services company.
Also on a motion by Emery, seconded by Cortez, the council voted to enter into a one-year extension of the CPS Energy gas systems contract.
Lytle increases rates
At the September 12 meeting, the City of Lytle voted to increase water/sewer rates. See details in public notice on page 13 this week.
Criminals lead out of town troopers on 2 pursuits to and through Devine, 11 found in Sunday morning bailout
A long DPS pursuit that reportedly began near LaPryor came into Devine Sunday morning around 8AM ending near Ingram Road. Local deputies were able to use a maneuver to bring the chase to an end after a dangerous 60+ mile pursuit up and down local highways and many city streets that morning. Later that afternoon, another pursuit crashed-out right in the middle of Devine after skidding across Hwy 173.
The first out of town pursuit (from LaPryor) came up I-35, to SH 132 and then went straight down Teel, Colonial, and Allman street near the cemetery, according to local law enforcement, who noted the chase began approximately 60 miles southwest of Devine.
The pursuit ended near the intersection of Ingram, where three subjects reportedly bailed out.
“Our officer who assisted at the scene stated that 11 people including the driver were captured. Two were transported to the hospital, while others were transported to be turned over to border patrol,” Devine PD Lieutenant Chris Andrews said.
Later on Sunday afternoon, the driver of a stolen vehicle flew straight across Hwy 173 in downtown Devine as suspects evaded another out of town DPS pursuit.
“The vehicle went across the library parking lot, took out one of the concrete barriers, jumped the canal and went across Hwy 173 before hitting a backhoe at the old co-op,” said Sheriff Randy Brown. “It’s real lucky nobody got killed.”
Ernie Morales, Sr., of Devine, was thankfully sitting at a stop sign, and hadn’t yet turned in the path of the pursuit, as the chase flew across Hwy 173 right in the middle of town.
“I looked to my left and just saw this car fly by. It was going so fast…all I saw was dust. He zoomed across 173,” Morales said, thankful that he wasn’t yet on Hwy 173 when the car came crashing across it.
Note: The DPS units that initiated these pursuits were reportedly from other counties, and no additional information was available about any charges that the suspects evading arrest may face as of press time.