Category: Top News Stories

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
It’s a little known fact, but there were actually over 100 seismic events (very small earthquakes) in local counties in the past month and over 1,470 in the past twelve months. Though almost all of these are too small to feel, there were two earthquakes recorded in Frio County in the past few days that were strong enough to feel.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), tearthquakes below 4.0 rarely cause any surface damage according to USGS. However, earthquakes typically become noticeable to humans at a magnitude of 2.5 or higher, according to USGS.
The largest one in Frio County was a 3.6 magnitude earthquake this past Sunday, July 12 about 7 miles east southeast of Dilley. It occurred at 8:52 pm at a depth of 6.8 km.
Then on Monday, July 13, a 2.8 magnitude earthquake was reported at 1:44 am. It was a little over 8 miles east southeast of Pearsall. The depth was 6.6 km.
As mentioned, there were actually 100+ reports of seismic activity in local counties over the past month, with a majority of those in the Pearsall and Dilley areas. However, most of those quakes were very small–between 1 and 2 in magnitude–so they wouldn’t be felt by residents.
According to experts, most of these small earthquakes are considered “induced seismic activity”. These can be caused by oil and gas operations like fracking or just wastewater injections in general.
Of all of the quakes reported locally since June 5th…. Continue reading by logging in at www.devinenewsmembers.com

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Many first responders in Medina County are already running on little to no sleep after downpours beginning Monday night led to multiple vehicles being swept off the road and over 30 road closures. Local officials are keeping a close eye on things as the National Weather Service is forecasting more rain–a lot more.
As of Tuesday around 1 pm, we haven’t seen anything catastrophic but forecasts have reporters from all over the nation calling local officials, they said.
As of Tuesday morning, we haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary, said Fire Chief Clint Cooke. “However, if we get another 10 inches tonight (Tuesday night), that’s going to be a problem,” Cooke added. “They are predicting we could get 20 inches over the next couple days. We’ll see.”
NWS has forcasted “Considerable to locally catastrophic flash flooding impacts likely in this region. Pockets of an additional 10-20 inches of rain in this region are possible. Storm totals across the rest of the area under the Flood Watch of 2 to 6 inches are possible.
We spoke to Medina County Emergency Manager Mark Chadwick about some of the water rescues and flooding that is occurring from Monday night and Tuesday morning rains.
“We’ve had four water rescues in the county,” Chadwick said.

Continue reading “Local officials keeping close eye on flooding”

Devine Lions Club President Lewis Stroud donates box fans to Project Breeze. Accepting the fans is Police Chief Joe Brown. If you would like to contribute, or are in need of a way to keep your home cooler, contact the Devine Police Department about Project Breeze.

By Anton Riecher
A proposed city budget of $5.865 million for fiscal year 2026-2027 was presented to the Devine City Council during the first of a series of budget workshops scheduled throughout the summer.
During the budget workshop interim financial assistant Cassandra Maldonado reviewed general fund and the sewer and water fund proposals for the coming year.
“This workshop focuses on the city’s major operating funds and highlights the financial strategies , capital investment and policy decisions included in the budget,” she said.
Also, in a special city council session following the workshop, the council unanimously approved posting a notice of intention to issue city certificates of obligation not to exceed $2.750 million to cover urgent infrastructure repairs including water system lift stations and the wastewater treatment plant.
Council also voted unanimously to…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!

By Anton Riecher
During the special session of the Devine City Council regarding issuance of certificates of obligation for infrastructure improvements, Jack McLiney of SAMCO Marketing Capital, financial consultants to the city, explained that the financing could be done with no impact to the city tax rate.
“What we have here before us today is the notice of intention resolution,” McLiney said. “This is not a commitment to borrow money. It is merely the first legal step in the process of a bond sale.”
One lift station near the golf course included in the improvements was described as on “life support,” while another was…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!

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Craftsman Collision Center is kicking off with a huge Grand Opening party this Saturday from 10 til 1 pm in downtown Devine. They are located at 512 E. Hondo Avenue. They will be giving away lots of great stuff for adults and kiddos too, so bring the family out! They will also have DJ Reggie Pena there to get the party started.
FREE FOOD & DRINKS….
You can find FREE BBQ Sliders from Get Some BBQ (first 125 free), snow cones from Addy Snowcone (first 150 free), and Bobby Contreras’ famous lemonade (first 50 free)
DRAWINGS
They will be giving away 13 great prizes. Simply check in at the front desk to show that you liked or followed their Facebook page, to get 2 tickets to put in the drawing. Among the many prizes are a large TV, ice chest, detail kit, and Milwaukee tools!
ENTERTAINMENT
They will doing a public walk through at 11:30. DJ Reggie will be there from the time things kick off til it winds down. They will also have some cool hot rods to look at while you are there!
See their weekly ad for details and specials throughout the next few months.

Prestenbachs pursue stem cell treatment for baby Everett

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Roughly 300 million people across the globe are battling a rare disease, and about half of them are children. Battling a rare disease brings with it a unique set of challenges, as families are left to research and seek out off-label treatments–many times internationally. Such is the case for this South Texas family pursuing a stem cell treatment for their son Everett, 2 years old, who is living with a rare genetic disorder as well as spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.
The rare genetic disorder that baby Everett has is so rare that it doesn’t even have a name per say.
“It’s a chromosome abnormality,” said his mother Sarah Prestenbach. “Deletion of 5, and duplication of chromosome 7.”
Everett is one of only two known cases 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 $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

The City of Lytle invites residents and visitors to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the USA at their annual 4th of July Fireworks Display at the John Lott Park on Saturday, July 4 starting at 6:00 p.m. It’s a FREE event, a community tradition filled with patriotism, family fun, and a spectacular evening show lighting up the South Texas sky.
Food will be available via multiple food trucks. Music via a DJ will lead into a night-time spectacular. Helpful tips for attendees: Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Arrive early for the best viewing spots. Stay hydrated and dress for warm weather. No glass bottles allowed.

By Anton Riecher
A new ambulance substation in Natalia is coming closer and closer to reality as the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4 board of commissioners voted 3-to-0 at its June 24 meeting to approve borrowing $700,000 on a 10-year note to finance the project.
The vote followed shortly after groundbreaking ceremonies featuring the board and the Natalia City Council held at the proposed construction site.
Board president Steve Smith said the prefabricated building itself has already been ordered with delivery expected in the next six-to-eight weeks.
“Our target is”…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!

New World Screwworm (NWS) is a parasitic fly that poses a serious threat to livestock, exotic livestock, fowl, and exotic fowl in Texas. NWS flies lay eggs in wounds or soft tissues of live warm-blooded animals; the larvae hatch and burrow into living tissue, leading to the painful condition NWS myiasis. As the infestation worsens and the wounds become larger, it can cause serious injury, secondary infection, and can be fatal if not treated.
NWS is recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture as a foreign animal disease that has poses a threat to U.S. agriculture, wildlife, public health, and the economy.
On January 29, 2026, Governor Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster proclamation for all counties in Texas due to the threat NWS poses to the state’s livestock industry, economy, and the potential for widespread and severe property damage for Texas. Governor Abbot has renewed the proclamation each month since.
On June 5, 2026, Governor Greg Abbott issued a new statewide disaster proclamation for all Texas Counties in response to a detection of NWS in Texas.
The Texas Animal Health Commission (the “Commission”) is authorized under Chapter 161, Texas Agriculture Code, to establish movement restrictions against all or a portion of a state in which an animal disease exists to protect livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, and exotic fowl in this state from the disease.
As specified in…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!