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.

Bigfoot VFD BBQ Fundraiser Sept. 19

PRESS RELEASE–Bigfoot VFD will host its 18th Annual BBQ Fundraiser on Saturday, September 19 at the Bigfoot Park.
We will be serving our traditional smoked-all-night BBQ brisket and Kiolbassa® sausage, potato salad, green beans, all the trimmings and a drink for $15.00 starting at 11:00 am.
We’ll have a bake sale with homemade treats, a new T shirt design, and some great items for our bid sheet and ticket auctions too.
Bigfoot Cattle Company has generously donated a big 5 month old full blooded brahman bull calf for our silent auction at 1 pm. He’s ready to take his place in a new herd. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, September 19 for some great BBQ. We appreciate your support! If you would like to volunteer or donate, contact Denise at (210) 542-0774 or d4woody2gmail.com.

Medina County terminates 2021 tax deal with Microsoft

By Anton Riecher
Medina County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to terminate an economic development agreement between the county and Microsoft involving an 80 percent tax abatement for construction of the first in a growing number of area data centers.
In the wake of the growing controversy concerning data center development, Microsoft announced it would no longer seek tax abatements for new data centers and is actively working to unwind existing tax break agreements.

“The Microsoft position now on all these agreements is to terminate them like it never happened,” County Judge Keith Lutz said.
Earlier this year Microsoft President Brad Smith announced a “community-first” plan for artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure. As part of this initiative, Microsoft pledged to stop seeking local property tax abatements and pay its full share of local property taxes. The company also pledged to “unwind” exiting tax incentive agreements previously secured.
Initially, the termination of 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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Parade entries being accepted for Devine Fall Cactus Festival Parade Nov. 7, Enter early for best placement

Enter now to get in the lineup for the 2026 Devine Parade which kicks off the annual Devine Fall Cactus Festival. Enjoy the mighty Warhorse Marching Band and all the parade floats filled with kiddos. The Chamber of Commerce is encouraging those who wish to be in the parade to enter as soon as possible for the best placement in the parade. It is FREE, so be a part of one of Devine’s favorite traditions.

We invite organizations, businesses, schools, churches, service clubs and community groups to join us for a fun filled celebration. Theme is 250th USA so get out your red, white and blue and decorate with the theme or as you wish. Entries must be family oriented and respectful.
Entries can be made on paper or online. A form is available online on the chamber website at devinechamberofcommerce.org, or use the one in the newspaper or pick one up at the Devine News Office.
Email the simple form to devineparade@gmail.com. Or mail it to Devine Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 441, Devine, Texas 78016. Or drop off at Get More Insurance, 111A S. Teel Dr., Devine. Please return completed entries by October 25th.
Categories: commercial/business, youth group, ag entries, religious group, antique vehicles, chamber or association.
The parade will begin at the middle school and travel through downtown Devine, and conclude at the VFW.
Let’s make this the best parade yet! We can’t do it without you. For questions please email us at devineparade@gmail.com.

Touchdown!

Touchdown after touchdown, the Brown family, Brown Chevrolet, and Brown Dodge have been a part of the success of Devine ISD athletics and academics. Recently, they purchased a new digital scoreboard for Warhorse Stadium with all the bells and whistles to replace the last one which was at least 25 years old. The stadium was built around 1954. Brown Chevrolet has replaced at least three scoreboards for the field since its start in 1966.

Above, Devine Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Jacob Campsey, Supt. Todd Grandjean, and the Devine ISD School Board thanked Lanette Brown Cuevas, President of Brown Chevrolet, generations of the Brown family and Brown Auto staff at the first home game last Friday night at center field for the beautiful new scoreboard. And yes, Devine lit up the scoreboard multiple times for the Warhorses 35-17 win over Johnson City. Photo by Kathleen Calame.

Submit names….Medina County’s Veteran’s Memorial MonumentDeadline is Sept. 5

The “Name Drive” for additional names to be engraved on the monument began May 25th. The new names will be called out during the Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11th. This year the cost will be $175.00 per name. The increase in cost is for the engraver to come on site to at the monument to engrave the name.
Please remember the individual you wish to honor with their name monument has to have been either born in Medina County, raised in Medina County or currently is living in Medina County. Applications can be downloaded from the City of Natalia website, City of Natalia Office, and Natalia Municipal Development District. The deadline for all applications to be received is September 5th. All information is on the application form.

Dove outlook near record highs

Logan Curnutt, 13, gets his first dove of the season! For over 100 years, the South Zone has opened later than the rest of the state.
“I’m very excited about the earlier opener, especially in a year when we are seeing record numbers of doves down south,” said Owen Fitzsimmons, TPWD.

By Sarah Fuller
This year’s dove season opens statewide on Sept. 1 with estimated near-record-high populations of both mourning and white-winged doves.
Spring population surveys by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department indicate the state is home to 36.7 million mourning doves — a 2% increase from last year.
White-winged dove estimates increased 10% to 12.9 million birds.
White-tailed deer growth amid drought
This spring started dry for much of Texas, with 84% of the state in some form of drought during the first full week of April. Thankfully, significant summer rainfall across hard-hit areas of drought in the Edwards Plateau and southwest part of the state provided some relief and aided in vegetation and browse recovery for deer.
Blum said the timing of rains is critical to ensure adequate vegetation growth to support late gestation and lactation in does, as well as antler development in bucks.
“We see the most substantial antler growth in bucks during June through early…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Parking lot sale, Burgers in a Bag Sept 5th

The Devine Food Pantry is inviting our community to come out and support two special fundraising events on Saturday, September 5, at the pantry located at 309 N. Teel St. in Devine.
From 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., we will be hosting a Parking Lot Sale featuring a variety of donated items. You never know what treasures you may find!
Then, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., we’ll be serving our Burger in a Bag lunch for $8.00. Each meal includes a delicious cheeseburger, chips, and a soft drink.

Community members who would like to donate items for the Parking Lot Sale may bring them to the pantry during the week before the fundraiser. We gladly accept most clean, gently used household items; however, we are unable to accept…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Horses to host first home game

Photo by Brigid Howard.

The Warhorses will play their home opener against Johnson City this Friday, Sept. 4, kicking off at 7 P.M. at Warhorse Stadium.
Devine opened their season on blue turf against the San Diego Vaqueros and although they showed flashes of a brilliant offense, the Warhorses ultimately fell 39-21.

Despite the loss, Head Coach Jacob Campsey was encouraged by the way the offense answered back after San Diego had jumped out to an early lead.
Pictured is sophomore quarterback Nate Valle who threw 6/9 for 82 yards, connecting with receiver Brody Lane and for two touchdown passes. Brayden Mann pushed in the third and final touchdown.

Local Hospice Thrift Store is a huge community supporter

By Brianna Paredes

Within the past four years, Devine Hospice Thrift has donated $883, 208 to the community! Behind all of your favorite thrift finds from your local thrift store is a nonprofit organization whose mission is built from using 100% of the donations they receive to serve others.

This fiscal year, Devine Hospice Thrift donated a grand total of $213, 579 to organizations including a $15,000 donation to Wings and Reins, a $10,000 donation to Mission Devine, and a $6,000 donation to Driscoll Public Library, among many others.
If you want to support your local thrift store, their shopping hours are Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and additional their donation drop-off hours are Mondays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 216 S. Teel Dr Devine, Tx 78016.They are always looking for volunteers too!

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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!