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Mr. Jack Walter Moore has danced his dance….Moore passed away surrounded by loved ones this past September 15, leaving behind lots of his love, laughter, and courage in the hearts of those whose lives he touched. He and his beautiful wife, Cindy, celebrated a love story that spanned 63 years…and many inevitably found and celebrated their own love stories at the legendary Cowtown Dancehall, which the Moores and the Friesenhahns operated for over 15 years.
In fact, they proudly recall featuring Mr. George Strait himself at the Grand Opening when they purchased the venue. Locals recall many-a-story of the dancehall that originally opened in the 70’s.
The following eulogy was submitted by the Moore family:
Jack Walter Moore was born at home on August 27, 1940 to Ellis Crosby and Adela Jonas Moore. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones on September 15, 2025.
He was the 2nd of 6 children. He was the father of 5, grandfather of 11 and great grandfather of 13. He was the husband of only one, his true love, our mom, Cindy Carolus Moore. They were married on June 16, 1962 in Mexico – that’s an interesting story all on its own. Just out of the Navy he got a job on June 6th and ten days later they drove to Mexico and got married – after he asked her grandmother if he could take her for a walk.
One of my favorite stories he shared of his childhood was watching the Lone Ranger. When he said “Hi Ho Silver Away” he and his siblings jumped up hollering and running excitedly. He said “mama was so mad she threatened to tell Daddy, but she never did. He wasn’t a coal miner’s daughter, but he did get a new pair of shoes each year when his dad sold a hog.
Jack attended 1st and 2nd grade at Leon Valley where his dad also went to school. Third through sixth grade he and his siblings went to school in Lytle and he attended 3 years at John Marshall High School before he joined the Navy. He was assigned to the USS Shangri-La and travelled to many places around the world during the Korean conflict. He sailed up and down the West & East coasts of the U.S. and then from Florida to England, spending more than 35 days at sea. He visited Japan, Taiwan, The Philippines, Chile, Italy, France, Spain and many other places. He was a good sailor and excelled at every task assigned to him. He wasn’t without mischief though… stories of stealing ice cream and frog legs meant for officers, a stay in the brig – once for 20 days because he was 3 days late coming back from leave – all entertained us for years. While in the Navy he earned $71 per month, half of which he sent back home, but since room and board were covered by the Navy all he had to worry about was money to play poker.
While in the Navy Jack first came in contact with asbestos. After his discharge he worked as a master mechanic for 45 plus years being further exposed to asbestos. While he was working to provide for his wife and family, he was being poisoned by people who knew better. In the summer of 2023 this led to him being diagnosed with mesothelioma, a disease you cannot beat. He fought a good fight though, enduring immunotherapy and clinical trials. He had numerous surgeries and too many blood draws & IVs to count during this time. Anyone who knew him was aware of his extreme dislike of needles. He bore it all with determination and bravery still trying to keep us upbeat and laughing through it all.
In 1992, our daddy had a heart attack which led to a lifestyle change. His motto became “if it tastes good spit it out.” The grandkids learned a new game called 50/50. When Papa ate a boiled egg, they split it 50/50. He took the “healthy” white part and they got the yoke. Each year on January 20th we celebrated Happy Heart Day – the day he survived that attack with the help of our mom and her healthy food changes. As soon as he was released by his cardiologist, he returned to work, and once again earned Technician of the Year. He was put on blood thinners after his heart attack and…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
Action to approve the proposed 2025-2026 budget for the city of Devine originally slated for the Sept. 16 Devine City Council meeting has been formally postponed until Sept. 29 in light of incorrect information published by the city as to the no new revenue rate.
Mayor Butch Cook noted that the official notice given by the city to be published in The Devine News incorrectly stated that the proposed tax rate of $.05900 per $100 valuation is not greater than the no new revenue rate. In fact, it is greater than the no new revenue rate of $.05675. (The error was on the city’s part.)
“For the sake of transparency we have prepared a statement that went to the newspaper today,” Cook said. The statement was also published on social media also.
A corrected notice was published in the newspaper on Sept. 17.
A motion by…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
With no opposition voiced during a preceding public hearing, the Lytle City Council voted 4-0 Monday to approve a 2025 tax rate of $.439372 per $100 assessed value effective Oct. 1. The council also voted 4-0 to approve an $8.086 million budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
Mayor Ruben Gonzalez said Lytle continues to offer an ad valorem tax rate lower than any of the surrounding communities.
“That speaks highly of our city staff and everything that we are doing as a council to take care of the citizens,” he said.
District 4 Alderman Michael Rodriguez offered both the tax rate motion and the budget motion, both seconded by District 3 Alderman David Emery. District 5 Alderman Matthew Martinez was absent from the regular meeting.
The final tax rate represents a reduction from the proposed rate of $.446405 approved by the council at its Aug. 11 meeting. The rate approved by the council represents an increase over the 2024 rate of 39 cents.
In separate actions requiring a roll call vote, the council approved a debt service rate of $.078293 and maintenance and operations tax rate of $.361079.
As with the tax rate, a preceding public hearing on the proposed city budget heard no comment in opposition.
In other action…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
At a public meeting held Sept. 16, the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 2 board of commissioners took final action to approve 2025 ad valorem tax rate of 10 cents per $100 valuation, effectively a 43 percent increase.
On a motion by board vice president Jeff Howard, seconded by assistant treasurer Jerry Stevens, the tax hike was approved by a 4-0-1 vote. Board secretary Abigail Beadle was absent for the vote.
The approved rate represents the maximum that state tax law allows an ESD to set its rate. It also exceeds the voter approval tax rate calculated at $.0630, leaving the district vulnerable to a possible election petition.
Also approved was a 2025-2026 budget of $1.3 million, including $900,000 to cover the management takeover of local fire protection by Medina County’s Castroville-based ESD1 led by Fire Chief Clint Cooke. As with the tax rate, the budget was approved by a 4-0-1 vote following a motion by Stevens, seconded by board treasurer Ken Nighswander.
Complete video coverage of the board meeting is posted on the Devine News YouTube channel.
Not including the new management contract, the new budget represents a $179,100 increase over the previous budget, ESD2 bookkeeper Nancy Pepper said. Revenue over expense leaves a $293,000 surplus, not including an upcoming $80,000 forensic audit ordered in the investigation of recent financial improprieties.
On hand for the meeting was ESD1 Battalion Chief David Powell, scheduled to take charge of Devine fire operations effective this past Monday,Sept. 22.
“My last day as a battalion chief (in Castroville) is Sunday morning at 0600 hours,” Powell said.
Devine Fire Assistant Chief Scott DeLucia confirmed to the ESD2 board that Jessica Martinez, named chief by the Devine volunteer fire department after the resignation of Greg Atkinson last February, has herself resigned effective October 1.
Of the two district residents to comment during the public hearing preceding the tax rate vote, both spoke in support of the rate hike. Former city council member Debbie Randall said she supported the increase despite being a retiree living on a fixed income.
“How I see it is this raise in the tax rate is allowing our community to have a much better level of service from our fire and EMS, so much more than we’ve had in the past,” she said.
According to her calculations, a homeowner with a $100,000 home can expect to pay $31.30 more a year. The owner of a $300,000 home can expect to pay $94 more a year, or $7.84 a month.
Former county commissioners Jerry Beck, currently serving on the ESD4 board, said that older homeowners will have the increase offset by the new homestead exemption approved by the district this year.
“So it won’t be that big a deal for all of us,” Beck said.
In other financial matters, the board voted 4-0 to amend the current 2024-2025 operating budget by adding $100,000 to the sales tax revenue account. As of August, sales tax revenue stood at $448,000 with another $35,000 received in August, ESD2 bookkeeper Nancy Pepper reported. Already $48,124 more than expected. September sale tax revenue is $35,991.
Included in the $100,000 amendment is $85,000 in additional funds given to the Devine Volunteer Fire Department, plus $9,000 in interest and sinking fees not included in the budget, $3,500 in website development and $2,000 as a financial cushion, Pepper said.
“That’s pretty close to what our budget was with some changes here and there,” Pepper said.
As of August, revenue for the current budget stands five percent short of the projected amount, Pepper said. The district ended the fiscal year with $438,000 in revenue over expenses.
With the balance on the note for the DVFD DuBose Fire House standing at $81,687 as of August, Pepper recommended paying it off to save the interest on continuing monthly payments. The move would leave nearly $40,000 in the district’s interest and sinking account.
“We need to leave some money in there because we keep that account open for delinquent taxes that will be coming in,” she said.
She recommended taking $35, 000 from interest and sinking and the balance due from the general fund. On a motion by Nighswander, seconded by Howard, the board voted 4-0 to pay off the note.
A financial report by provided by the Devine Fire Department Volunteer Association president Eric Quintanilla showed an opening balance 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!