By Anton Reicher
The Natalia ISD school board voted Monday to approve proposed 2022-2023 district budget of $13.5 million, a 7.6 percent increase from the previous year.
Also, the board voted 6-1 to institute the Texas School Guardian Program, an integrated school security program to manage the risk of active shooter violence by arming key members of the staff and faculty. The program is already in place in the Devine, Hondo and D’Hanis school districts.
Regarding the budget vote, the new budget raises the starting pay for classroom teachers five percent. Under the new compensation plan, teachers will see a minimum increase of $750 up to $3,850 depending on the years of experience held.
Board president Eric Smith attributed the balanced budget to district director of finance Norma Fiddle working closely with the district administrators.
In other action, the board heard presentations from the district administration and the Medina County Sheriff’s Office about the Guardian program, developed as an effort to have an armed defensive approach to an active shooter on campus.
“We will be working with the city and the sheriff’s office to select appropriate staff members for the program,” Smith said. “We also implemented a $500 stipend for the staff members who will be going through the rigorous training to be ready for the next school year.”
The action comes in the wake of the May 24 shooting massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde that left 19 students and two teachers dead. Smith said the action by the board was informed by a community survey conducted by the district in which 88 percent of the 700 responses favored research into the possible adoption of the program.
The program requires 16 hours of training by a licensed and certified Department of Public Safety instructor. Training requires live fire qualification and simulation exercises.
Paul Almendarez voted against implementing the new security program, with all other board members voting in favor.
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 Commissioners hears budget requests and concerns
By Anton Reicher
The Medina County Commissioners Court spent the week leading to the Fourth of July conducting one regular meeting and two budget workshop sessions with a strong emphasis on law enforcement requirements.
Making presentations to the court were Sheriff Randy Brown, District Attorney Mark Haby, County Court-at-Law Judge Mark Cashion, Precinct 2 Constable Jim Przybylski, Justice of the Peace Glenn Klaus, Juvenile Probation Officer Lynette Drury and pre-trial services administrator Dorothy Hastings.
Commissioners also heard from county clerk Gina Champion, county auditor Eduardo Lopez, elections administrator Lupe Torres and veterans’ services officer Ruben Gonzalez and representatives of the county’s agricultural extension service office.
Sheriff Brown addressed the court on his plans to increase jail revenue during the coming budget year. With the final completion of the jail addition and renovation project in January, the county expects an extra $375,000 in revenue to come from renting jail space to entities such as the U.S. Marshals Service.
The expected revenue is calculated based on $55 a bed daily divided by two.
“When we swing the doors open, we’re hoping to have enough jailers to handle it,” Brown said.
Also discussed during Brown’s presentation was the delay in delivery of nine Chevrolet Tahoes ordered by the county for the sheriff’s office in October 2021. The delays are being blamed on COVID-19 pandemic supply chain issues.
“I’m literally disgusted,” County Auditor Lopez said.
Equipment needed to put eight of the nine vehicles in operating conditions arrived at the “upfitting” facility on June 29, he said.
“They are telling me the ninth one is there but I can’t verify that,” Lopez said.
The county has been notified that two other vehicles ordered, a Ford F250 and a Ford F150, may be so behind schedule that the trucks delivered will be 2023 models, not 2022 models. Unfortunately, these vehicles will be subject to any price increases for the newer models.
“I have no idea what to expect on these vehicles,” Lopez said. “It’s a complete train wreck right now.”
Lopez, in a separate presentation, asked commissioners for $67,500 to cover indirect costs from the move to consolidate the public defenders’ office for five counties to be based in Medina County. He also asked for the hiring of a new full-time employee to be split between his office and human resources to help with new increase in personnel that the completion of the jail project represents.
Constable Przybylski presented his argument for a salary increase from $33,211 to $48,500, plus an increased travel allowance. He reported that since 2013 his office has made 2,937 traffic stops with 2,280 citations and arrest warrants served.
In citations, the office has collected $320,000 since 2015 with nearly $34,000 in civil process fines collected together with the justice of the peace’s office in the same period.
“We’re not just sitting there, running traffic and speed traps,” Przybylski said.
District Attorney Haby told commissioners his budget included slight increases in various categories but “nothing shocking.” Those increases included raises in salaries for prosecutors.
“Hiring and retaining skilled prosecutors in rural areas is a challenge,” Haby said, particularly when in close proximity to a large metropolitan county such as Bexar.
A first assistant district attorney in Medina County makes just over $90,000 annually, Haby said. In Bexar County, the same position pays nearly $177,000.
Juvenile probation officer Drury asked for an increase of $153,000 in her budget, calling the need “critical.”
“The majority of it is going to placements and detention,” Drury said. “Those are going up significantly across the state.”
Justice of the Peace Klaus asked to upgrade a part-time employee to help deal with the escalating number of drug cases filed in his jurisdiction.
Aside from law enforcement issues, veterans’ services officer Gonzalez took the opportunity to recognize a recent success for his office, correcting a Veteran’s Administration error that allowed one client to recover $408,000 in unpaid health care benefits.
During the regular court meeting on June 30, the commissioners heard a presentation from Mark Miller of Westwood County Engineering on the development of a master drainage plan for Medina County.
Priorities for the plan are to identify risk, develop project concepts, develop funding goals and partnerships, develop mechanisms to increase drainage infrastructure funding and coordinate the project with state and federal agencies such as the Texas Water Development Board and the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
In subdivision development news, the commissioners approved plans to vacate and replat Lot 20 in Holiday Villages located in Precinct 1 on County Road 151. No comments were heard during a public hearing on the request.
The commissioners gave final approval on Desert Willow Acres and Hunters Ranch Unit 14A, both in Precinct 3. The court also approved the construction plan for Amanda Park in Precinct 2, permitting building to begin.
Three arrested in deaths of 53 migrants
Capital Highlights Week of July 4 – 8
Three people were arrested last week by federal authorities in connection with a human smuggling incident that left 53 migrants dead.
The migrants were discovered inside a tractor-trailer on San Antonio’s Southwest Side, according to the San Antonio Express-News. The victims were from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.
Eleven other people were rescued from the trailer.
“We are devastated by the news,” Cesar Espinosa, an immigrant advocate with FIEL Houston, an immigrant rights organization, told the Express-News. “Unfortunately, this is not the first time, and unfortunately, it won’t be the last time that it happens as long as we don’t have a pathway for people to migrate safely into the U.S.”
Meantime, Gov. Greg Abbott announced additional truck checkpoints would immediately be established targeting semi-trucks, and strike teams consisting of 20 troopers are being sent to the Eagle Pass region “to detect and defer unlawful border crossings and apprehend illegal migrants.”
The trailer had passed through a federal Border Patrol checkpoint.
More cases of monkeypox reported
Multiple cases of monkeypox have been reported in Texas by the Texas Department of State Health Services and local health departments. A dozen cases have been identified in people who did not travel outside the state, meaning they were exposed in Texas.
“With the sharp increase in monkeypox cases worldwide, it’s not surprising to see the virus spread in Texas,” said Dr. Jennifer Shuford, chief state epidemiologist. “We want people to know what the symptoms are, and if they have symptoms, to avoid the types of close contact with other people that can spread the disease.”
Monkeypox is a viral illness with symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion. People who develop a rash should avoid direct contact with other people and contact their health-care provider for next steps.
A vaccine is available and can be given to people within four days of exposure.
Additional funding for school safety, mental health
Abbott and other state leaders last week announced the transfer of $105.5 million to support additional school safety and mental health initiatives through the end of August 2023.
“This additional funding will boost actions the state of Texas has already taken to make schools safer and support the mental health of children, teachers, and families following the tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde,” according to a news release.
Roughly half of the funds are going for bullet-resistant shields. Funding is also being provided for mental-health services and other school safety services.
Texans urged to ‘stay dry’ while boating
Boaters are being urged to fight back against the aquatic invasive species that threaten Texas lakes.
“The best way to prevent the spread of many destructive aquatic invasive species is to clean, drain and dry your boats and equipment – every time,” said Brian Van Zee with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
Zebra mussels and giant salvinia remain the biggest threats to Texas lakes, though other invasive species are being spread, including water hyacinth, crested floating heart and quagga mussels.
Zebra mussels are found in 33 Texas lakes, while giant salvinia is present on 23 East Texas lakes and numerous rivers, creeks and marshes between Houston and Beaumont.
“Boaters need to remove all plants, mud and debris from boats, trailers, vehicles and gear and drain all water from the boat, equipment and on-board receptacles before leaving the lake. In addition, boats should be dried completely before visiting another lake, preferably for at least a week,” according to TPWD.
Transporting prohibited aquatic invasive species is illegal and punishable with a fine of up to $500 per violation.
No surprise: It’s still hot and dry
Above-normal temperatures and a lack of rainfall in the past month mean the risk of wildfires remains high across the state.
“State and local first responders have been incredibly busy this year without much reprieve and forecast conditions indicate that we may be facing a very busy summer season as well,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service fire chief. “We urge Texans to be cautious and prevent wildfire ignitions this summer.”
There are three active wildfires, the largest being the Dempsey Fire which covers 11,598 acres and is 60% contained. A total of 181 counties are under burn bans.
COVID-19 cases rise once again
COVID-19 cases in Texas during the past week rose to 74,652, according to the Coronavirus Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University, up 21% from the previous week, with 111 deaths reported. The number of lab-confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations rose to 2,460 up 19.7% from the previous week, according to DSHS.
TPWD’s Weekly Fishing Report for this area; Choke Canyon, Rockport “GREAT”
By Texas Parks & Wildlife
Braunig
GOOD. Water stained, 88 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on reed beds using spinnerbaits and pumpkinseed or chartreuse soft plastics. Red drum have been good on live perch and tilapia for boaters and recreational shoreline anglers fishing 10-20 feet of water range trolling small silver spoons has been good around the dam area. Channel and blue catfish have been producing at night along the Jetty and recreational shoreline using cheese bait and shrimp.
Calaveras
FAIR. Water stained, 89 degrees. Red drum are fair on live baits, such as tilapia, perch and crawfish, on points with deep water access on the recreational shoreline and throughout the lake. Boaters trolling small silver spoons and dark colored soft plastics around the dam area have had fair results. Channel and blue catfish have been good on cheese bait, cut bait and shrimp in the 15-25 feet of water range. Hybrid stripers no report.
Choke Canyon
GREAT. Water stained; 78 degrees; 21.37 feet low. Black bass are good shallow in the mornings around the hydrilla biting on frogs and flukes. On the outer grass Carolina rigs, Texas rigs and crankbaits are working in 12-18 feet of water. Up in the river towards 72 boat ramp good morning frog bite. Crappie are really good on live minnows over brush piles. White bass are very good on live minnows on the lower end humps. Report by Charles Whited, Barefoot Fishing Tours.
Corpus Christi Lake
GOOD. 80 degrees; 6.80 feet below. The best bites are early morning, late afternoon, or at night. Catfish are fair in 5-10 feet of water on cheese bait, shad oil soap, and cut carp. Largemouth bass are fair at sunrise on topwaters. White bass are scattered across the lake under birds using spoons, minnows and small jigs. Crappie are fair in 5-10 feet of water on minnows and scented jigs around piers and structure. Freshwater drum are fair on worms and shrimp. Alligator gar are great on cut carp. Bow fishermen have found success on shallow flats. With summer heating up the daytime fishing will slow down tremendously. Early morning, dusk, and night when temperatures drop a little will be best. Report provided by Damian Hubbs, Mathis Bait Co.
Medina
FAIR. Water lightly stained; 86 degrees; 63.68 feet low. Fish are in the summer pattern. Black bass are fair early morning on topwaters, switching to crankbaits near docks and vegetation. White bass are fair on slabs chasing bait balls around the lake. Striped bass are fair with some schooling action biting on slabs and Alabama rigs on humps. Catfish are good with stink bait and cut baits.
Rockport
GREAT. 87 degrees. Waders are finding success on trout and redfish in the early morning on live bait and plastics. Redfish are great in the shoreline out to two feet of water, follow the birds and bait fish to locate big schools. Trout continue to be great in 2-6 feet of water using soft plastics and croaker. The topwater bite at first light has been deadly under birds on the grass flats. Drum are good in 2-6 feet of water on dead shrimp. Report provided by Damian Hubbs, Mathis Bait Co.
Port Aransas
GOOD. 87 degrees. Trout are good in Aransas Bay along the Quarantine Shoreline with croaker, and wade fishing at Trailer Island. Black drum and redfish are good at Ellen’s Bite using dead shrimp and cut mullet. Redfish Bay in Stedman’s Reef holding trout and redfish biting on croaker. Report by Captain Doug Stanford, Pirates of the Bay Fishing Charters.
Corpus Christi
SLOW. 84 degrees. Trout are good at the gas wells with croaker and live shrimp. Trout are good in Aransas Bay along the Quarantine Shoreline with croaker, and wade fishing at Trailer Island. Report by Captain Doug Stanford, Pirates of the Bay Fishing Charters.
Tour the public Fiber Mill in Devine-the only one in Texas
By Kayleen Holder
Editor
There’s only one public fiber mill in Texas, and it’s right here in Devine, says Sarah Winterstrom proudly. The Winterstrom family moved here from California and started this mill in Devine about a year ago, and they are plenty busy already.
“I had no idea we were going to be the only fiber mill for the public when we came to Texas,” Mrs. Winterstrom said with a chuckle.
You’ll find alpacas, lamas, all kinds of chickens, guineas, and ducks at the farm to greet you, and the fiber mill at the back of the property. Right at the front, there is a whole wall full of colorful yarns that were all processed right there at the farm.
An impressive operation, Mrs. Winterstrom showed us how it all worked, from start to finish–processing the wool of Alpaca and sheep for themselves and for others who raise wool-bearing animals.
“I had a friend in Oakhirst, California who shut down her business and all of our equipment came from there,” Mrs. Winterstrom said. “I had volunteered there at one time and that’s where I learned everything I knew about the fiber mill business.”
They produce yarn, roving, bats for quilting, and felted bats.
They also make beautiful afghans, crocheted dolls and animals, shoe insoles, felted soap, dryer balls, and bird pod houses from the fiber they process.
The Winterstroms sell products at farmers markets or to customers visiting the farm.
“People sheer and skirt their wool themselves, and then drop it off with us. We wash it, pick it, card it, and pin draft it into roving (the long braided rope like product). Then we spin it, ply it, skeinwine it, do a final wash, and ship it back to the customer.”
Party of Five
By Lindy Teetsel
Foster care has always been near and dear to our hearts. As an educator of 9 years, I have had many students who were directly affected by foster care and my husband actually aged out of the foster care system in Ohio. When we began trying to grow our family, we were faced with years of infertility. At the time, I was angry and resentful. Ever since I was little, all I wanted to be was a mom. I couldn’t understand at the time why God wasn’t answering my prayers. I now know it was because He had another plan in store for us.
We began the licensing process in October of 2019. After a lot of classes, paperwork, and interviews, we were finally licensed as a foster-to-adopt family, meaning we understood that the primary goal of foster care is reunification, however, in the event that reunification is not possible, we were willing to adopt.
After we received our license we waited for the call. We were ready to help for however long was needed, whether the child would be with us for 3 days, 3 months, or forever. After several days we had not received any calls. It seemed odd because we knew there had to be kids out there that needed us. During this time, my grandmother’s health had severally declined. All the medical staff kept saying she would be passing any day but she hung on. No one understood why.
On March 16th, I received the call saying my grandmother had passed away. We knew it was her time and found joy in knowing she was no longer in pain. Everyone was so surprised she had hung on so long. Less than an hour later we got the call about our daughters. I like to think that my grandmother helped bring these sweet girls to me.
Over the next month, we were able to meet the girls and provide respite for their current placement. At the time, the girls had just turned 2, 3, and 4. It was overwhelming but my husband and I loved them already. Shortly after that, they were placed us.
The first week was a huge adjustment for everyone. We went from having zero children, a spotless house, a completely free schedule and sleeping through the night, to juggling 3 kids, a house that looked like a zoo, running back and forth to appointments and living on caffeine and prayers. My husband would often joke and remind me that every girl in the house (including me the dog and I) had cried that day.
But the days got easier. We bonded as a family more and more each day. We worked through big feelings, explored new places, practiced giving grace, and so much more. We learned it truly does take a village to raise children and we cannot thank our village enough for all the love and support you have shown us.
If you are interested in “Being the Village” for youth in foster care, there are many ways you can help. First and foremost, I highly suggest educating yourself in Trauma Informed Care practices. These wonderful kiddos have experienced so much trauma in their little lives that their brains now process differently. It’s our job to be the calm to their storm. You can also become a licensed foster parent, respite provider, or baby sitter. You can contact local foster organizations and see what donations are needed, sponsor their back-to-school shopping, or even donate gift cards. If you know a foster family and would like to provide help to them, offer to drop off dinner or a gift card for a family outing so they can bond with new placements and make memories together. Have a gently used suitcase? Donate it to a local foster closet. No child deserves to carry their belongings in a trash bag. For more ways to help youth in foster care, contact your local foster care agencies and foster closets.
DYSA donates $42,350 to re-do basketball courts in Devine
At the June 20th school board meeting, the board approved the funding donated by DYSA to re-do the basketball courts across from the Intermediate School.
A motion made by Chris Davis to approve the funding, seconded by Carl Brown, passed by vote of five to zero.
The board also approved a $42,350 donation by the Devine Youth Sports Association to renovate a basketball court near the intermediate school. Donations to the district greater than $2,000 must be approved by the board.
Work planned involves stripping off the old asphalt, adding curbing around the court and filling it with fresh asphalt. Future donations by the association would cover the cost of painting the court.
“Quite a nice donation for them to take care of that basketball court,” board president Nancy Pepper said.
Shop LOCAL, downtown market coming up Saturday
It’s almost time for the monthly farmer’s market featuring the lots of homegrown and homemade goodies by local farmers, artisans, and more. It will be held from 9am-3pm at the Devine Community Center this Saturday, July 2.
Like many local farmers and artisans, the Scantlin family loves being part of the monthly market, selling their homemade jellies and jams
“I love the variety of items that we have at this market. Jams, jellies, canned goods, baked goods, fresh veggies, handmade jewelry, soaps, handmade decor and craft items, plants, lavender products, handmade wooden cutting boards, fresh processed meats, honey, herbal teas, and more,” Mrs. Laurie Scantlin said.
Laurie and her husband Scott Scantlin make 45 awesome flavors of homemade jams and jellies as well as candied jalapenos, pickled onions, jalapeno syrup and prickly pear syrup.
“We offer 5 lavender jams/jellies made with fresh culinary lavender from Doe-Re-Mi Lavender Farm in Moore, TX,” Scott and Laurie Scantlin said. “The Mango-Jalapeno is a customer favorite. Our newest flavor is Tropical Sunrise and we completely sold out of it at the last market.”
They offer 8 different pepper jellies, and several specialty jams/jellies such as carrot cake, chocolate-covered cherry, apple pie, cinnamon candy kiss, as well as plenty of regular fruit jams and jellies.
Is your mouth watering yet?
“We’re always coming up with new flavors,” Mrs. Scantlin said. “We’ve been making homemade jams and jellies for family and friends for many years, and once the Texas Cottage Food laws made things easier for home producers; we started our small business in late 2019. The two of us work together to make all our products from scratch in our home kitchen,” the Scantlins said. “We always offer FREE SAMPLES of our products at the markets, so our customers can try before they buy to make sure they are getting something they’ll enjoy.”
Local candlemaker, Sarah Banks, will be there with her homemade candles and wax melts as well. Making her own scents, “Country Boots and Strawberry Leather are definitely customer favorites,” she said.
By Kayleen Holder
Pursuit ends, fire erupts on family ranch near Devine
When deputies spotted a stolen vehicle coming down I-35 this Monday, June 28, things quickly took a turn for the worse. The driver fled, exiting the interstate and went straight through fences and into a family ranch just south of Devine. The two suspects are still at-large.
After going through fences, trees, and then stuck buried in the sand, the vehicle erupted in fire, burning 10 acres.
The thick brush and deep sand kept volunteer firefighters on scene for about five hours that afternoon, building fire breaks and putting out hot spots, Chief Greg Atkinson said.
“Two subjects fled on foot from the vehicle according to a witness,” Sheriff Randy Brown stated. “We did an extensive search but they are still at-large, most likely picked up by their pilot vehicle. They usually always run IA’s with a second vehicle close by. Often, as we try to stop the suspect vehicle, the pilot vehicle will attempt to block us by trying to ram or wreck our vehicles.”
The incident occurred on the same day that 50 illegal immigrants were found dead in a tractor trailer on a back road not too far away, southwest of San Antonio. It’s being recorded as the deadliest human smuggling incident ever.
“I blame each senseless death on the White House,” Sheriff Brown commented. “Close the border, and stop the human trafficking. There is a process to enter a country, not hidden in a vehicle, or a trailer. These people are paying big money for a trip to paradise… then they are lied to, raped, assaulted, robed, and left to die. Yesterday day we had a pursuit with a female driver, who is 9 months pregnant. She is now charged with human trafficking, sad what people will do for money.”
Rendon sentenced
to 35 years in prison
“A Medina County jury deliberated for only 45 minutes before finding Tina Gabrielle Rendon, 34, guilty of murder on Wednesday afternoon, declining to convict her of the lesser charge of manslaughter. Later the same day, that jury sentenced her to 35 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional division,” a press release, the Medina County District Attorney’s Office stated.
The crime occurred on August 22nd, 2020. Continued on page 8 7
“Brittnee Jones, 28, and Tina Rendon were living together in a Natalia mobile home park at CR 471 and 3rd Street, a home they had moved to just days before. Eye-witnesses described seeing Rendon and Jones arguing when Rendon entered a maroon minivan. Witnesses described Jones as trying to stop Rendon from leaving when Rendon hit the accelerator and ran over Jones. Investigators from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Highway Patrol Division, determined that Jones was dragged under the rear wheel of that maroon minivan for at least 126 feet. First responders arrived on scene within minutes of an eye witness calling 911, but Jones died from blunt force trauma as she was dragged on the street,” the press release stated.
Rendon must serve at least half the sentence before she is first eligible for parole. Rendon was represented at trial by the Hill Country Regional Public Defenders Office.
“This defendant would not accept responsibility for dragging the victim under her vehicle for over 100 feet, protesting that it was an accident. The jury saw through her defense and is holding her accountable for this senseless, brutal crime with such a swift conviction and strong sentence,” said Criminal District Attorney Mark Haby.
First Assistant District Attorney Julie Solis and Assistant District Attorney Christian Neumann prosecuted this case in the 454th Judicial District Court. Numerous agencies assisted in the investigation of the case, including the Natalia Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Medina County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Rangers.