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.

STATEBOUND!

The DHS Land Judging Team is STATEBOUND!! The team placed 5th qualifying them for state. Brady Loeffler was 3rd overall individual with a score of a 259 and 1st in the seniors division receiving a $3,000 scholarship.
The Team consists of Brady Loffeler, Quay Ortiz, Jack Rumfield, Madison Fritz, Zachary Ortiz, Gage Allen, and Alvin Mann. State will be held at Tarleton State in April.

Company Statement on accident at data center

This is a followup on last week’s article, in which we reported that a young man had sadly been run over in a fatal accident at the data center construction site outside Lytle on Monday, October 6th. As reported, several others at the scene were also checked for “possible radiation exposure” due to a radiography tool being damaged during the accident. Chris McFadden with the Turner Construction Company sent the following statement, and we are happy to learn that it was determined by thourough testing that there was “no release of radiation” afterall.
“As part of our immediate response, we confirm that a commonly used testing device was damaged as a result of the incident. Out of an abundance of caution, qualified personnel conducted radiation testing, which determined that there was no release of radiation. To provide additional verification, the…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!

A Hail Mary for the win!

The crowd and the sidelines go wild after Mustang Quarterback Mason Giera threw a hail mary and connected with receiver Juan Gonzales who made the game-winning catch. Still shot from video that captured this amazing play.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports writer
The Natalia Mustangs pulled off what some might call a miraculous win against Nixon- Smiley High School, 18-15, after Quarterback Mason Giera threw a hail mary and connected with receiver Juan Gonzales who made the game-winning catch. Head Coach Jason Reynolds described the game as one of the most exciting games he’s ever been a part of.
Reynolds said he was proud of the way his team “rose to the occasion” against a tough opponent like Nixon and how locked in the defense was during an exhilarating display of football.
“It was the craziest ending to a football game that I have ever been a part of or even seen,” Reynolds said. 
Gonzales’ game winning catch will garner the most attention and rightfully so, but Reynolds broke down how the most amazing of sequences set up the team three to four plays before…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!

Kevin wants to be a police officer when he grows up

Kevin is one of many South Texas kiddos waiting to find his forever family.

Kevin is an energetic 13-year-old who can easily engage in conversations with others. Kevin is also friendly, kind, cheerful and outgoing. He is a very responsible teen who enjoys staying busy. He is also detail oriented and always works to present his best possible appearance.
For fun indoors he likes to play video games and watch YouTube videos. Outdoors, it’s exploring nature and being active riding his bike.
Kevin enjoys going to school to work on his math & science skills, visit with his friends, and he can play football & basketball.
Kevin has special talents when it comes to music, as he is in a mariachi band where he plays the guitalele (comparable to the guitar) and has also started learning how to play French horn, next he would like to learn how to play the trumpet.
When asked about any ideas as to a career when he gets older, Kevin says he would like to be a police officer.
Although Kevin does not have any pets of his own, he likes animals of all kinds. His favorite foods are, pizza, breakfast tacos, Chick-fil-a and any Mexican restaurant. Other activities that he looks forward to taking part in is indoor rock climbing and spending the day at a water parks.
Kevin stated he wants to be adopted by a family no matter how big or small to love him like their own.
If you think you could be a forever family for Kevin 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.

Firefighters rescue man and his dog from burning home

John King was rescued by FF Robert Vasquez and lifted out a window from his burning home.

By Kathleen Calame
Publisher, The Devine News
Forty-six-year-old John King was rescued from his burning home after the front bedroom and porch caught on fire blocking his escape, in a heroic act by firefighters and first responders near downtown Devine last Sunday, October 5, 2025. King was rescured and transported to SAMMC with burns. His dad, 82-year-old, Fred King, was transported as well.
“It is rare to get a save in a house fire. Most people go a whole career without one. That just doesn’t often happen. In my 30 years I have only been a part of one until now, “ said Fire Chief Clint Cooke, MCESD1. “All the crews did really well, they did a great job from Devine and Natalia.”
“Fire fighter Robert Vasquez was able to drag the victim through the house and lift him up out of the window,” Chief Cooke said. “This hardly ever happens in house fires. I’m in awe at how it all went. Proud of him and everyone there. We couldn’t have done it without them all… ESD1 crew, Natalia VFD, Devine PD, MCSO, and others all working together,” Cooke said.
This was this ESD1s fifth…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!

Young man loses life in accident at new Data Center construction site

news of a young man who was tragically killed in an awful accident this past Monday, October 6th. The 9-1-1 call came in around 9 am that morning. The young man, Maurice McGowen 28 years old, was reportedly struck by heavy equipment operating on the construction site of the newest data center located just outside of Lytle on Hwy 132.
After first responders arrived, Bexar County Hazmat was called to the scene also, as several people at the scene were checked for possible radiation exposure.
“The young man was working on the ground taking a soil sample when he was unfortunately hit by a large dump truck,” said Sheriff Randy Brown. He was pronounced dead on scene.
A tool that contains radioactive materials (which was being used to test the soil) was also damaged during the accident, thereby requiring extra precautions.
“The levels were high enough that they determined the testing needed to be done, because of the equipment that was damaged during the accident,” Sheriff Brown added.
While our knowledge of this subject is limited, Sheriff Brown did confirm that…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!

Local “love birds” reach rare milestone

Bill and Audrey Boyd, of Bigfoot, shared their first kiss on a Ferris Wheel over 75 years ago…

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Seventy-five years of marriage represents three quarters of a century, and it is very rare indeed to reach this milestone coined a “Diamond Anniversary.” According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only one-tenth of 1 percent of marriages even reach 70 years. These two “love birds”, Bill and Audrey Boyd of Bigfoot, are celebrating 75 years of love and laughter through good times and bad.
“They had their first date to the Poteet Strawberry Festival, and shared their first kiss on the ferris wheel,” said their daughter Melissa Hengst. “Not only do they love each other–but they still ‘like’ each other.”
No more ferris wheel rides, but now they love to sit in their recliners and watch the Wheel of Fortune, their favorite show.
“They are always putting each other first,” Hengst explained. “If I say ‘hey I’m going to the grocery store and ask dad if he needs anything, he will say ‘Let’s ask mama if she needs anything.’”
They are both in their 90’s now, he is 97 and she is 93.
“Dad waits on her hand and foot, just like she did back in the day,” Hengst said. “I remember not only did she have supper ready for him when he got home, but daddy has always loved sweets, so she always had something baked for daddy too. Now, he gets around a little better than her, so anything she needs–he’s right there. They have always made a great team. They treat each other with respect.”
They were married on the 8th of October at the…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!

County proposes changes to fire codes citing issues that have arisen

The state issued fire code violations to Medina Valley ISD, and there has also been an issue fighting over the requirement of a fire hydrant with a new development in Yancey recently. Medina County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Chadwick addresses the county commissioners on the new county fire codes under consideration. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

By Anton Riecher
Action remains pending on a proposal to adopt the latest version of the International Fire Code specifically to Medina County as an alternative to the state imposed fire code developed by the National Fire Protection Association.
Medina County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Chadwick, who also serves as the county fire marshal, updated county commissioners in September on the fire code proposal, noting several current projects where strict adherence to the state code would prove costly to the developers.
In one case, fire protection for a 4,000 square foot office building nearing completion in Yancey would have required the Yancey Water Supply Corporation to install large water mains and pumps to pressurize a required fire hydrant to the appropriate pounds per square inch.
“That would be the only fire hydrant in Yancey, Texas,” Chadwick said.
Chadwick instead offered developers a variance on the state fire code based on the structure’s one-hour rated interior fire walls and proximity to a fire department fill point. However, the engineers for the project were still determined to fight for the hydrant.
“That’s ridiculous, in my opinion, to force them to have to spend what would probably have been over $100,000 for a 4,000 square foot building,” he said.
Passage of fire codes specific to Medina County can protect against that, Chadwick said.
The 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) is a model code created by the International Code Council to provide minimum standards for fire prevention and protection. It covers topics such as emergency planning, fire protection systems, hazardous materials and fire service access. The IFC is updated every three years and is the basis for fire codes adopted by many states and local jurisdiction, often with specific local amendments.
Likewise, the NFPA codes such as NFPA 1 and NFPA 101 are model fire and life safety documents that jurisdictions can adopt. With no county fire code in place, the state requires compliance with the NFPA standards. While IFC is a single, comprehensive code, NFPA is a collection of various standards that IFC often references.
Another recent issue cited by Chadwick arising from the lack of county fire codes involved a third-party inspector dispatched by the state writing up violations on 17 buildings in the Medina Valley school district. As an alternative, Chadwick offered to do a re-inspection of the buildings if the district invited the county to serve as a consultant.
The penalties involved totaled $17,000. Correcting them would require extensive internal demolition and reconstruction during the school year, he said.
“To me, that’s ludicrous,” Chadwick said. “I know that’s a pretty powerful statement but to me, that’s ludicrous.”
Of the 17 violations cited, he said he only regarded one as valid. Instead, he recommended the district develop a corrective action plan to address the minor issues cited during the next summer break.
The aftermath of the summer flooding in Kerrville is going to result in more pressure on counties to adhere to state codes, Chadwick said.
“We’re going to be held responsible for how buildings are built in this county,” he said. “We either have to build them to state codes or we have to have our own codes that we can justify that we are building to to keep our citizens and the public safe.”
General requirements that the new codes are expected to address include:
Address identification visible from the road fronting the property with numerals not less than four inches high.
Walls with a minimum of a one-hour fire rating including interior walls with half-inch thick sheetrock on both sides.
Electrical wiring installed with appropriate connections and covers on all outlet and junction boxes.
Ground fault circuit interruption (GFCI) protection outlets installed in areas of higher risk electrical shock near water or moisture such as in bathrooms, kitchens, garages and laundry rooms.
Breaker panels with appropriate breakers installed.
Smoke detectors installed which draw primary power from the electrical system, using batteries as a backup power source.

Second Phase of Devine Water Rate Increase to take effect October billing

In July 2024, Communities Unlimited conducted a water rate study that showed the city of Devine was in the deficit of almost $1.1 million dollars in its water and wastewater system. The city council was informed that the city had not realized a rate increase for almost eight years. As a result, the revenue generated over the past eight years from regular water and sewer usage was insufficient to cover the city debts.
The council was also advised that it was necessary to implement a considerable rate increase to pay for the city’s current and future debt obligations and maintenance and operations.
The two options recommended by Communities Unlimited for the water and sewer system increases were the following:
Water usage: Increase the usage charge for all usage over minimum base charge by 48.2%. Increase all minimum charges by 48.2%
Sewer Usage: Increase the discharge for all usage over minimum base charge by 91.4%.
Increase all minimum charges by 91.4%
It was also recommended that after this rate adjustment, the city continue to increase water rates by a minimum 2% to 5% each year to maintain pace with inflation and future costs.
The city council decided to adopt these recommendations, by implementing the increases into two phases without an additional 2 to 5 % increase. The first phase was in February 2025, and the second phase will be in October 2025.
In September 2025, an analysis of phase 1 of the water rate increase was conducted by the Devine city administration and our bond counsel, SAAMCO Financial Services. The purpose was to identify how much revenue was captured by the first-rate increase. It was determined the city generated approximately $620,000 in revenue.
As anticipated the city has not met its necessary obligation of $1.1 million, therefore we have determined it will be necessary to implement the second phase during the October billing cycle.
We anticipate this second increase should raise the similar amount of revenue and dramatically decrease the city’s deficit.
Community Impact: While the adjustments may pose short-term challenges, they are crucial for the city’s long-term sustainability and service quality