VFW Post 3966 is having a BBQ plate fundraiser on Saturday, February 7, 2026. The plates will have BBQ Chicken, Kiolbassa Sausage, beans, rice and all the trimmings. The plates will cost $10 each and will be available for pickup at the VFW from 11:00 AM until 2:00PM. Tickets are available from VFW Post members or plates can be picked up on Saturday, February 7, 2026.Please come out Saturday to support our local VFW Post.
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.
Orion…
Orion is a vibrant 7-year-old boy with a big heart and even bigger smile, as he is one of the happiest children you will ever meet.
When his homework is done, it’s his personal reward to turn on his Nintendo Switch and play a few video games. When Orion is not gaming, he likes to play with his toy trucks and let his creativity run wild while building with his Legos.
Orion is a determined child and works to improve himself daily, he is also very independent. He has a great laugh and enjoys spending time with the people he cares about. He also has a spirit of life and determination which makes him a bright light in the lives of those around him.
Orion envisions his forever family loving and supporting him with all of his needs. Orion’s forever family will be one who can dedicate ample time to spend with him, as he values one on one time together.
Fun fact about Orion, he really likes to keep his hair styled long.
If you think you could be a forever family for Orion, 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.
Medina County Jr. Livestock Showers
Reyna Crain of Devine (center) shows her goat which took 5th place at the MCJL Stock Show this past week. Stock Show photos by Brigid Howard and Mable Byrd.
Fire takes life of Devine woman
A tragic fire Monday night, January 19, sadly claimed the life of Zorida Lozano, of Devine. Her husband was able to get out of the burning trailer, but she was not. Calls for help came in around 11 pm for the fire located at 1118 CR 669, a few miles from Devine.
Firefighters from Natalia, Devine, Lytle, Hondo and LaCoste responded, but there was little they could do as the home was already fully involved.
“It’s just a tragedy. Every inch of that place had fire rolling out of it,” said Natalia VFD Assistant Chief Russell Johnson. “It was a small…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 water well project moves to phase two
By Anton Riecher
By a 4-0 vote, the Devine City Council approved the second phase of a continuing project to rehabilitate the long unused L.C. Martin water well to provide quality water and increased pressure to southwest Devine.
On a motion by District 3 Alderman Jeff Miller, seconded by District 1 Alderman Ray Gonzales, the council approved spending $31,716 to install a new motor and repair neglected pump equipment to bring the well back on line.
“I think it would be great progress for that side of town,” Public Works Director Pete Sanchez told the council.
The council previously approved $37,000 for treating and cleaning the well to see if it could be put back into use, City Administrator David Jordan said.
“That was phase one,” he said. “This is phase two. Equipment that was on site was kept outside and needs to be rehabilitated and repaired. This is the approval to be able to drop the pump back down inside the well.”
Sean Marlowe, president of Advanced Water Well Technology, said rebuilding 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!
Survivors come forward,DA’s office secures Guilty Verdict on 5 counts
On Thursday, January 15, 2026, the Medina County District Attorney’s Office secured guilty verdicts in the 454th District Court against Raymundo Ruiz Jr. on five counts of Sexual Assault of a Child and one count of Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact (Cause No. 23-04-14694- CR), as well as one count of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child Under 14 Years of Age (Cause No. 25-03-15559-CR). The cases were tried together, and a jury assessed punishment at 36 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child charge.
As ordered by Judge Donna Rayes, that sentence will run concurrently with the additional sentences totaling 28 years on the remaining charges.
Two survivors came forward and courageously testified in open court. In addition to sexual violence, acts of physical abuse and emotional abuse were detailed; the children described unsafe and degrading living conditions, threats, and physical harm they would endure if they did not comply with the Ruiz’s demands for sex. The children were also made to perform daily strenuous labor, including…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!
Natalia man killed in crash, 3 others severely injured
Tragically, Juan Peralta, 58, did not survive, and three others were seriously injured including Peralta’s son-in-law Johnny Aguinaga (48), his grandson Alonzo Aguinaga (21), and a close co-worker, Jeremy Jones.
A local family is facing an unimaginable tragedy after a devastating car accident early Thursday morning, Jan 22, changed their lives forever. Tragically, Juan Peralta,58, did not survive, and three others were seriously injured including Peralta’s son-in-law Johnny Aguinaga (48), his grandson Alonzo Aguinaga (21), and a close co-worker, Jeremy Jones.
Today, Johnny and Jeremy remain in the ICU. They are recovering and showing strength, but still have more surgeries ahead. Alonzo has been moved out of the ICU but is still hospitalized after undergoing another surgery for a complete knee reconstruction, the family said.
“Doctors say all three face a long and uncertain road to recovery. We ask for continued prayers and support as they heal,” the family said, noting they are caught between grief and hope—mourning the loss of a beloved father and grandfather while standing strong beside three loved ones still battling to heal.
The crash involving an 18 wheeler carrying jet fuel happened on Wetmore Road and Loop 410 in San Antonio near the airport.
All four men were the sole providers for their families. With the loss of Juan and the other three unable to work for the foreseeable future, the financial and emotional burden has become overwhelming.
In the wake of the tragedy, the family stated, “Juan was a great man whose love for his family knew no bounds. He treasured spending time with grandkids and great-grandson and never missed a single sports game, always there to cheer them on. He was a proud Natalia Mustang and showed his support with enthusiasm and heart. His presence, love, and dedication will always be remembered. But more than anything, Juan loved his wife, Dora, and cherished her with all his heart. They shared countless memories, from their crazy casino trips to the quiet moments where he always held her hand wherever they went. Their love was constant and full of joy. My dad will truly be missed by many and forever remembered.”
Friends and loved ones are asking the community to come together during this incredibly difficult time. Any support—whether through financial donations, prayers, or simply sharing this message—can make a meaningful difference.
The family also wishes to say “a heartfelt thank you to Natalia ISD, Natalia Athletics coaching staff, family, friends, and everyone who has shown continued love and support. It truly means more than words can express.”
The following donation info was provided by the family:
Cash App:
$AmandaAguinagaO
$peraltadora56
Meet Jocelyn and Aide…a dynamic duo
Both sisters agree on several things … they want to be adopted together, by forever parents who will always love them… and a home with pets as they love all types of animals.
Meet Jocelyn and Aide… a fun and dynamic duo! This pair is full of love and energy. Not only are they sisters… but best friends as well, and they love doing everything together.
Jocelyn at 12 years of age, is a bubbly and effervescent child. She is extremely energetic, happy, and full of personality. Jocelyn enjoys spending time outdoors, going to the park and playing outside. She also enjoys indoor activities such as watching movies, watching music videos, singing and dancing.
Some of Jocelyn’s favorites.
Attending school – seeing her friends
Any kind of pet
Going bowling
And … Peter Piper Pizza and McDonalds
Aide at 8 years of age, and like her big sister, she is sweet, loving, and fun. Even though she is not even a teenager yet, she already has a pretty good idea of what she wants to attend college for, to become a school teacher when she grows up.
When it comes to fun … Aide likes taking part in outdoor activities, as much as she likes getting dressed up to go window shopping.
Some of Aide’s favorites are:
Class at school – Reading
Restaurant – McDonalds (chicken nuggets)
Color – Purple
Activity – Dancing
Anything she can do with her sister by her side.
Aide loves her sister and is looking forward to being adopted with her big sister into their forever home. As Jocelyn and Aide are each other’s biggest supporters and really rely on each other.
If you think you could be a forever family for these sisters … 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.
Negotiations continue…Lytle council rejects bank proposal to bring $7 M dollars in investment pool back home, mayor breaks tie
By Anton Riecher
Lytle Mayor Ruben Gonzalez cast the deciding vote Jan. 12 to effectively kill proposed action to transfer $7.1 million in city funds placed with a well-known state government investment pool back to its original home at Lytle State Bank.
Instead, the council voted to table further action until a future council meeting to allow bank officers and City Administrator Zachary Meadows to negotiate favorable terms for the suggested transfer of nearly $2 million of the total invested by the city with TexPool.
“Is that an option to work through this?” Gonzalez asked the bank officials, noting that a large portion of that new deposit is scheduled to cover major infrastructure projects over the coming year.
TexPool, overseen by the state comptroller, is the largest public funds investment pool in the state, created for local governments to combine funds for safer, higher-yielding investments. The pool provides investment services to more than
Valero recieves maximum possible sentence for beating, torturing multiple women
By Medina County District Attorney’s Office:
Dennis L. Valero, 33, of San Antonio was sentenced to twenty years in prison, the maximum possible sentence, following a Motion to Adjudicate on an Aggravated Assault Causing Serious Bodily Injury in the 454th District Court.
On July 9, 2022, Dennis Valero brutally beat his girlfriend at the time, A.L., causing two brain bleeds, and a broken nose and orbital socket. She required surgery and implementation of a metal plate under her left eye to restore her eye socket and cheek bone. He was driving her car at the time and engaged in an accident to attempt to make it seem as if her injuries were caused by the crash.
A Department of Public Safety Trooper, worked a crash. He identified the female…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!