Category: Top News Stories

Martin Marietta has applied to the TCEQ for a “air quality permit renewal” for it’s rock crushing plant in Medina County (Hondo area). The permit allows the facility to emit air contaminants including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, organic compounds, and particulate matter up to a certain amount…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 Angelica Ariza and Kayleen Holder
Amando and Ofelia Bustos, of Devine, are celebrating 59 years together. Their granddaughter nominated them to be featured in our Local Love Story series, explaining how the example her grandparents have set is “my true definition of love”.
“They have had their ups and their downs and leaned on God through it all,” said their granddaughter Haley Bustos. “Our foundation was rocked when my grandpa got sick and seeing my grandma take his hand and love him through it. She loves him with every breath she has.”
They met at the Azteca Dance Hall, Mrs. Bustos explained. She was just 20 when they met and he was 22, young, full of energy and not expecting that one dance would change everything.
“I was working and he asked me to dance for the first time. It was love at first sight! After that first dance we were inseparable,” she said.
They got married in Devine, July 12th, 1967, and are proud to have 2 children, 6 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren.
Mrs. Bustos was born in Black Creek but grew up in Devine, a place she’s always proudly called home. Her husband Amando, is originally from San Diego, TX. He first came to Devine for work, taking a job helping build I-35. What started as a work opportunity then became something much more. A new home and the beginning of their love life together in Devine.
“We didn’t waste any time. We got married right away six months after we met,” Mrs. Bustos.
He proposed at a local baseball game, no ring no big production and she said yes without hesitation.
“He asked me to marry him and I said yes!” she added.
She received her wedding band on their wedding day. The ceremony was simple but full of love. Her older sister baked their wedding cake, adding a personal touch to a day centered on love and family. Not long after, they welcomed their first child born on March 23, 1968, beginning a new life chapter together.
Looking back at their journey Mrs. Bustos mentioned, “We’ve had our ups and downs but God has been with us this whole time. My husband is the love of my life and I’m thankful to God for all the years He’s allowed me to be by my partner’s side.”
Mrs. Bustos worked at a local clothing store for a while. She then began to work at the local middle school where she spent many years dedicating herself to the students and community, and eventually retired from there. Her husband did a little bit of everything to provide, from construction work to becoming an electrician, and even spending time working the San Antonio Stock Show with livestock.
Faith has always been an important part of her life. A lifelong Christian, she says her beliefs carried her through the years. Her husband was raised Catholic but chose to join her church on the day they were married.
She prays others find a love that’s strong and kind, and above all peaceful. When asked for advice, together her and her husband encourage their loved ones to focus on themselves first, finish school, and build their futures and maybe not rush into marriage so early in life.
Mrs. Bustos’ advice to everyone is simple but powerful, “Pray every day, trust God. He’ll always answer your prayers, and always have faith.”
One of her favorite bible verses is John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”

It’s a verse she’s carried with her since childhood, back when she attended Bible school. A faithful reminder that stayed with her through every chapter of her and her husband’s life.

By Anton Riecher
Latest audit results for the Devine Volunteer Fire Department covering the years 2023 through 2025 reveals nearly $35,000 more in missing funds or fraudulent charges in an embezzlement scandal that brought a massive upheaval to local emergency management in the past year.
The new estimate is in addition to more than $76,000 missing from over a two-year period.
On December 5, 2024 the VFD office administrator Heather Shultz was arrested and still faces charges of “Tampering with evidence”.
Karl Goering, a certified public accountant with Armstrong…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 man identified as Miguel Angel Ayala, 23, of Jacksonville, Florida was transported by EMS after he was shot at a home on 3rd Street in Natalia around 11:24 am this past Saturday, February 21.
At this time, no arrests have been made, so the shooter has not been identified.
Ayala was identified as the boyfriend or ex-boyfriend of a 19-year-old female residing at her family’s home in Natalia at the time of the shooting.
According to Natalia PD Chief Martin Chavez, “Boyfriend and girlfriend lived in Florida previously. The female moved back to Natalia with her family. On Saturday, Ayala went to the family’s house in Natalia, and an altercation ensued, and Ayala was shot by the female’s brother with a shotgun. No one has been…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 Bulk and Brush Pickup for the City of Devine is scheduled for February 23 through 27. Ten days prior, starting on Friday, February 13 residents may start placing their brush and bulk pickup items out.
Then on Monday, February 23 the trucks will start the week long pickup cycle…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!

Stricker vs Gentry,
Pepper vs Balderrama

Devine ISD
Devine ISD will have their 2026 General Election on Saturday, March 3, 2026 for two positions on the board of trustees.
There are two new candidates for the District 3 seat, Britny Stricker and Kristi Gentry that Henry Moreno, Jr. currently holds. “District 3 Trustee Henry Moreno, Jr. had signed up prior to the deadline, but withdrew his application,” said Geri Woods, Executive Assistant to Superintendent & Board of Trustees, on Tuesday morning.
District 4 candidates are incumbent and Board President Nancy Pepper and challenger Matthew Balderrama.
Last day to register to vote is April 2, 2026. Early voting first day will be April 20, last day to early vote is April 28, 2026. Election is Saturday, May 2, 2026.
City of Devine
The City of Devine will not need to have an election in May.
District 3 Councilman Jeff Miller signed up for his second term, but has no opponent.
District 4 was open. Adrian Valle is the lone candidate to file for District 4.
District 1 Councilman Ray Gonzales did not seek re-election, but his term does not expire until May. No one submitted their name for this position. The council will have to make a decision before May what to do with this position.
City of Lytle
The City of Lytle will not need to have an election in May.
The only district with two candidates at one point was District 1, and one candidate withdraw his application.
Candidates filing for office are: District 1 Anna Carrillo, and incumbents District 4 Michael Rodriguez, District 5 Matthew Martinez, and Mayor Ruben Gonzalez.
Mike Vasquez withdrew his application for District 1.
Lytle ISD races draw five candidates for the May 2 election

Two Single Member Districts are up for election. The following candidates have filed to be placed on the ballot. 
Single Member District 3 – Incumbent:  Bobby Sollock and challengers Jamila Kuykendall and Wesley Garcia.
Single Member District 4 – Incumbent : Eva Burley and challenger Johnny Tschetter.
Only voters who reside within a specific Single Member District may vote for the candidate(s). Anyone may run for office pending eligibility requirements are met and does not have to live in the district they are running for. 
Last day to register to vote is April 2, 2026. Early voting first day will be April 20, last day to early vote is April 28, 2026. Election is Saturday, May 2, 2026.

Heads up…
TxDot announced they will be closing the IH 35 southbound main lanes and detouring traffic through Devine on SH 132.
This was scheduled to take place on two mornings (February 17 and February 20) to pour both halves of the new bridge.
“We anticipate only having the closure for 4 hours from 2:00 am to 6:00 am,” TxDot said in an email update, weather permitting.
All IH 35 southbound traffic will be detoured off of IH 35 at Exit 124 during this time.
This will allow them to set up a concrete pump truck on the existing southbound Chacon Creek bridge and pour a portion of the new deck.
The detour off of IH 35 at Exit 124, will travel west on FM 463, then travel south on SH 132 (through Devine) to the IH 35 southbound frontage road, and then travel back to IH 35 utilizing the entrance ramp on the frontage road.
This closure should be finished/picked up around 6:00 am, TxDot representatives stated.

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Jim and Kathy Lawler, affectionately known as “ma and pa” by many in the community of Devine, met on a blind date in Vail, Iowa. This February 15, they will celebrate 57 years of marriage. When it comes to how love and marriage works, I noticed that they nearly always spoke in a way that finished each other’s sentences.
“Our first date was to the big city celebration which was the Pony Show and carnival,” Kathy said.
It wasn’t long before Jim gave her a black pearl promise ring, and about a year and a half after they met, they were engaged to be wed.
“We got engaged on New Year’s Eve,” Jim said. “We were on our way to a party in our 1967 Oldsmobile Cutless.”
Kathy chimed in to explain, “He stopped at a stop sign and he said ‘Hey reach in the glove compartment and get something for me…..I don’t remember what it was that he said he needed. But all that was in there was a ring box.”
“I wanted to surprise her,” Jim said with a smile.
“I was shocked!” Kathy replied. “I think I said something like ‘You’re crazy, but yes!”
“So it was a good New Year’s Eve,” Jim said.
That was December 31, 1969.
Kathy came from a “large Irish family of 14 children,” Jim noted, joking “I got #5 of the litter!…I loved her from the beginning but the more I dated her–it just cemented my opinion.”
The Lawlers said they loved to go dancing, bowling, playing cards and hanging out with family. And they soon started a large family of their own, having six children.
But life hasn’t…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!

Opening of Goodwill last Thursday, February 12 amongst a large crowd of excited shoppers, local leaders, and Goodwill team members.
President and CEO Carlos Contreras was there to address the audience as well as board chair Eddy Salas and Mayor Gonzalez. The idea for a new location in Lytle was presented to the board about 4 months ago, they said.
“Goodwill exists for a mission, and that mission is to change lives through the power of work,” Contreras said. “Goodwill is much more than a store….we are delighted to be part of the Lytle community. This is the epicenter of everything south of Bexar County, and we are excited to be part of it.”
He noted that “every cent spent” will go towards that mission of helping people facing barriers to find work.
“Together we can create a ripple effect of positive change that will go throughout Lytle and beyond,” he said. In an interview after the event he added, “All of the Goodwills exist to help people gain employment. Many people struggle to find work due to a barrier of some kind,” and Goodwills workforce training is here to help.
Mayor Ruben Gonzalez also took…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!