Category: Top News Stories

Corpus Christi, TX – May 3, 2025
The Warhorse Robotics team under the leadership of Mr. James Wilcox delivered a standout performance at the Buc Days Robotics Competition in Corpus Christi on May 1-3, 2025. With a strong showing of teamwork, technical execution, and competitive spirit, the team emerged with a first-place alliance victory, the Spirit Award, and a total of $1,550 in prize money.
Over the course of the event, Warhorse Robotics participated in 16 of the 40 matches, consistently demonstrating their robot’s reliability in both autonomous and manual control phases. Their strategic alliance with the Robonauts EveryBot 10118 and the Robo Raiders 3561 proved pivotal, propelling the alliance into the finals and securing a first-place win.
In recognition of their energy, enthusiasm, and team camaraderie, Warhorse Robotics was also honored with the Spirit Award — a testament to their positive presence and sportsmanship throughout the competition.
The team’s senior members — Eli James, Tate Wisenbaker, Felix Mendoza, and Roy VanDerSlice — provided experienced leadership and guidance throughout the season. Juniors Curtis Kuykendall, Gwyn DeLeon, Zack Martinez, and Jacelyn Delaney made significant contributions across all aspects of the competition, from design to strategy. Sophomores Marshall James and Oscar Perdoma played key support roles, helping keep the robot running smoothly throughout the event.
The team also featured a strong group of freshmen — Nate Favela, Kassandra Fajardo, Nora Palmer, Asher Mills, Landon Kendrick, and Kasen Oaks — whose energy, enthusiasm, and quick learning added depth to the team and promise for the future.
The Warhorse Robotics team’s achievements at Buc Days highlight their dedication, collaboration, and passion for innovation — setting a strong foundation for continued success in seasons to come.

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Chief Deputy Gilbert Rodriguez reported that in the last month the sheriff’s office has had to order phone dumps for 40 cell phones. Thirteen of those phones were evidence in human trafficking cases, he said. Above from left, Criminal District Attorney Mark Haby, Deputy Alfonso Oranday, and County Grant Administrator Beverly Ham take the podium to advocate for this technology. (Photo by Anton Riecher).

By Anton Riecher
The Medina County Sheriff’s Office was granted permission by the county commissioners Monday to apply for a grant to obtain equipment and training to download cell phone information as evidence in criminal investigations.
Commissioners voted 3-0 on a motion by Precinct 2 Commissioner Larry Sittre, seconded by Precinct 1 Commissioner Jessica Castiglione, to approve the request. Precinct 4 Commissioners Danny Lawler, scheduled for elbow surgery, missed the Monday meeting.
Chief Deputy Gilbert Rodriguez said that the latest cell phone technology allows owners to program phones to wipe all data and that imposes a time limit on law enforcement when the phone is evidence in an investigation.
“Currently we either have to take it to Austin or Laredo to have it downloaded,” Rodriguez said. “With this system we can do it instantaneously on site.”
The amount being requested is $18,806, he said.
“Hopefully we will get fully funded,” Rodriguez said. “If we don’t we have also gone out to all the area law enforcement agencies in Medina County asking them if they are willing to participate and, if so, to share the cost.”
Criminal District Attorney Mark Haby made his support for the measure known to the commissioners.
“For a prosecutor’s standpoint, this is absolutely essential,” he said. “It is just unbelievable the wealth of evidence you get off cell phones nowadays.”
At present, the technician that downloads the cell phone must be available to testify in court when any evidence is submitted, Haby said.
“We are having to bring in witnesses from out of the area,” he said. “If these individuals doing these phone dumps work for agencies across the state we are kind of at the mercy of their schedule.”
Rodriguez reported that in the last month the sheriff’s office has had to order phone dumps for 40 cell phones. Thirteen of those phones were evidence in human trafficking cases, he said.
Deputy Alfonso Oranday has been spearheading the cell phone project for the sheriff.
“Nearly every case that we investigate, from child exploitation to drug trafficking, violent crimes, there is always a cell phone involved,” Oranday said. “There is critical information on all these devices, from pictures to locations to contacts that will help us to stop the crime that is going on in Medina County.”
Commissioners also approved providing a contact number for participating entities to use the Statewide Automated Victim Notification Service. The free, automated, computer-based system provides federal crime victims with information on scheduled court events, as well as the outcome of those court events.
It also provides victims with information on the offender’s custody status and release.
In other business, the commissioners approved renewal of a bi-annual agreement with the Texas Department of State Health Services for regional and local services. Grant administrator Beverly Ham said the two-year grant for $92,282 would start in September this year.
In action directly affecting Devine, the commissioners voted 3-0 to accept the resignation of Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4 board member and assistant treasurer Juan Zamora.

Devine ISD school board cast the deciding vote on a new home for the Medina Central Appraisal District when it sanctioned a resolution April 29 approving MCAD’s purchase of a building to serve as the replacement for its present headquarters in Hondo.
A motion cast by board member Renee Frieda, seconded by Chris Davis, passed by a 6-1 margin. Alixana Buvinghausen stood as the single board member opposing the action.
The school board became the thirteenth of 15 eligible taxing entities to vote in favor of the purchase, the required supermajority needed to authorize acquisition.
“I wish you had picked a better year to do this,” Davis told MCAD Chief Appraiser Johnette Dixon.
Dixon replied that MCAD had been pursuing the project for nearly 10 years. The school board was the last Medina County entity scheduled to be approached about the building project.
Plans call for MCAD to buy a 7,900 square foot office complex in Hondo known as The Ridge to be the district’s future home. The property is located at 728 18th Street and was the former home of the Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Center.
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