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.

PD searching for other victims in Assault and Online Solicitation case

The Sandy Oaks Police Department (about 45 minutes northeast of our area) is requesting the public’s assistance following the arrest of John Ramirez III (DOB: 12/10/2004, Age 20) in connection with multiple charges involving a minor.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Ramirez is urged to contact the Sandy Oaks Police Department at (210) 850-6437.
Arrest Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Charges Filed:
Sexual Assault of a Child
Online Solicitation of a Minor
Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor
Bond Violation (Filed by Bexar County Pretrial Services)
At the request of the Sandy Oaks Police Department, the Texas Rangers are assisting in the investigation. No further information is available at this time.

Attention Devine sports fans

It is time to show your Devine spirit in the Community Spirit Contest!
For a chance to win a pair of tickets to any home football, volleyball or basketball game, decorate your place (business, home, windows, etc.) in maroon and gold for our Warhorses and Arabians.
Seven lucky winners will be picked, and the first winner will be announced August 8 at meet the Warhorse and Arabians night! Tickets are donated by proud sponsors of the Warhorse/Arabian Nation! See page 3 for more info and scan the QR code with your camera to enter.

Two dead, 3rd hospitalized in horrific double-murder

What began as a report for “suspicious activity” ended in deputies arriving at a horrific scene near Hondo this past Friday, August 1. Deputies with the Medina County Sheriff’s Office quickly found and detained the suspect who was found walking a short distance from the scene of the double-murder.
“Autopsies were expected to be completed today,” Sheriff Randy Brown said. “One of the victims appears to have been beaten to death with a pickaxe, and the other two victims were shot. The third victim is hospitalized but expected to survive.”
Sheriff Brown noted that it appears that the parties involved knew each other, and assured everyone that the suspect is “locked up.”
The MCSO issued a press release shortly after the incident stating: The Medina County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a tragic shooting incident that occurred on August 1, at approximately 12:40 AM in the 200 Block of CR 4636, Hondo, Texas. Deputies responded to the scene following a 911 call received by dispatch in regard to Suspicious Activity.
Upon arrival…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!

BBQ benefit for Gilbert Iglesias family

Would you like to help?


Family, friends, and the community are invited to support one of our neighbors who is going through a hard time. Gilbert Iglesias, of Devine, has been hospitalized for several months and underwent heart surgery. There were many complications that eventually led to amputation of both of his legs.
The BBQ plate fundraiser will be August 30 at 3. See ad for more details.
Fundraiser organizers at Foxy’s Bar are looking for donations of silent auction items, raffle items, briskets, sausages, chips, sodas, brown bags, and to go boxes. Message the Mickey Myers Facebook page or stop by Foxy’s Bar to donate or sign up to help.

Water line installation to serve Lytle data center expectedin mid-August

Work to install water lines to service construction of a massive $500 million “hyperscaler” data center near Lytle’s Coal Mine neighborhood is expected to start in mid-August, East Medina County Special Utility District field manager Ronnie Lemmons told the EMCSUD board July 22.
The contractor is “anticipating starting around mid-August and actually installing lines on the eastern end of the district, starting where the plant is going to be,” Lemmons said.
The 440-acre plant site owned by Rowan Digital Infrastructure is located in Lytle’s extra territorial jurisdiction, referring to an area surrounding a city’s corporate limits where it has powers related to land development and annexation, but not full municipal services.
Dubbed “Project Cinco,” the data center is expected to bring nearly 600 construction jobs to the community.
Lemmons said the initial water lines will cross CR 679 and CR 6712 to reach the Project Cinco property. Later phases of the construction will involve running a water line from FM 471 to CR 570 by way of FM 463.
Projected cost on the water lines alone is $7.5 million, Lemmons said.
By comparison to the $1.4 billion Microsoft data center project located along U.S. 90 W and FM 1957 near Castroville, Project Cinco is farther ahead with regard to water line development, Lemmons said. Both projects are…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!

Devine Rocks invites you to take one, share one, leave one

Our kindness rock project has begun…. Just remember to take one for inspiration, share one for motivation & or add one to help our garden grow. Feel free to tag this page so that we may see how far our rocks have traveled. All for fun and to hopefully make someone’s day a little brighter. One message at just the right moment can change someone’s entire day, outlook, or life! #devinerocks #kindnessmatters #kindnessisfree@ followers

$1M Cocaine siezed

Press release, 07/28/2025–HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at Hidalgo Port of Entry seized more than $1 million in cocaine in a single enforcement action.
“This substantial cocaine seizure reflects the strong dedication of our officers to safeguarding the border, as well as their skillful use of experience and technology,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo Port of Entry.
Packages containing nearly 77 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo International Bridge.
The seizure occurred on July 26 at the Hidalgo International Bridge when CBP officers referred a 2020 Renault Oroch for a secondary inspection. A canine inspection resulted in an alert and a nonintrusive imaging system scan revealed anomalies within the vehicle. Upon closer physical examination, CBP officers discovered 30 packages containing a total of 34.90 kilograms (76.94 lbs.) of alleged cocaine hidden within the vehicle.
The narcotics had an estimated street value of $1,027,316.
CBP seized the narcotics and vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations special agents initiated a criminal investigation.

Public encouraged to come hear options on possible fire department changes

MCESD#2 who collects tax dollars to provide fire protection in the Devine area, has called a August 12th meeting as they are discussing contracting with ESD1 for fire services. They are having a called meeting on August 12th at 7:00 PM at the firehouse. Their regular meeting will be the following week.
“As always we appreciate participation and really hope that everyone who’s concerned would be able to make it and hear our options alongside of us,” said Abigail Beadle, ESD2 Commissioner.
Devine Volunteer Fire Department currently provides the service with a mix of paid fire fighters and volunteers. Less than a year ago, DVFD added 6 paid positions and have recently discovered it needs much more money to keep it going than originally proposed by the prior fire chief Greg Atkinson who resigned. Chief Cook of ESD1 talked at the last meeting about the various choices and wants to keep the local volunteer department while providing leadership and fire services through ESD1.

Meet Severo…

Severo is an active child with a big imagination, who is friendly and likes playing with his toys and peers.
Severo likes Mario Brothers characters and games, along with his collection of the Mario Brothers toys. He is also a fan of superheroes movies and action figures. For Halloween he is thinking about dressing up like a superhero.
Severo is currently not in any school activities at school but enjoys being active.
Severo is not sure what he wants to do when he grows up, but has a big imagination, so the sky’s the limit on his possibilities, with the guidance of his future forever family, encouraging him along the way, as he grows to reach his full potential.
Severo enjoys eating out, going to the movies, going to stores, and collecting replicas of his favorite characters. A fun fact about Severo, one of his favorite foods is “Hot Pockets”.
Severo does not have any pets at home but likes animals, as he enjoys playing with dogs and cats.
If you think you could be a forever family for Severo or another Texas child, please call 1-800-233-3405 for more information or visit www.adoptchildren.org where you can find a schedule of online public information meetings, and learn about the foster/adoption program.
You can also view the www.heartgallerystx.org website, where South Texas children have their portraits along with individual personal stories they wish to share, with their future forever family.