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.

Sheriff: Criminals took local residents for $12 grand

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
“Phone scammers have taken over $12,000 from hardworking people in Medina County in the past two weeks,” said Sheriff Randy Brown. “And I know of at least two more who were on their way to the bank when they called me.”
A frustrated Sheriff Brown reiterates that Medina County Sheriff’s Office, nor any other local police department, will ever call you to get payment to avoid being arrested.
“I tell people all of the time, I post it on Facebook, I even stood up at church and told people at church to please stop talking to these phone scammers,” Sheriff Brown said. “This needs to be on the front page, because people, intelligent people, are falling for it.”
Many of these scammers will insist you…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!

Estrella wants to be an artist when she grows up

Estrella tends to take on a leadership role amongst her peers and leading the way to get things done. But she is not all business though, as she is very sociable and likes to laugh and play with others.
Estrella’s favorite restaurants are Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza, and her favorite food is pizza.
Estrella takes personal pride in her appearance and likes getting her hair and nails done.
She is both artistic and creative and enjoys making arts and crafts, scrapbooking and drawing. With those skills and talents, she is considering a career as an artist when she grows up.
At school she is on the A honor role. She is also involved in track and choir.
When outside she enjoys a variety of activities such as riding her bicycle, swimming and playing outside at the park. Inside she loves watching Disney movies, cartoons, and educational children’s television shows. Her favorite type of movies and games are Disney Princess related. Estrella’s favorite movies include Frozen and Cinderella.
Estrella’s forever family will be one that is loving and affectionate. Her family will offer her a safe and loving home environment where she will feel secure and loved. Her family will provide her with unconditional love, and emotional support.
In her own words … “Hello! I am Estrella! I am 10 and looking forward to finding a forever family! I may be shy and quiet, but I am a whole lot of fun once you get to know me. I am smart, happy, funny, and have a lot of energy. I really enjoy choir.”
If you think you could be a forever family for Estella 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.

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.