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.

REGIONAL BOUND!

Regional bound Warhorses and Arabians:
Zach Guerra, Ryan Botello, Urijah Velasquez, Shawn Lowe, Jesus Cisneros, Zane Fritz, Rafael Rodriguez, Claire Jones, Allison Balencia, Amy Outlaw, Kaytie Klein, Claira Gulley, Kaylee Villarreal, Isabel Turner, and alternate Jovianne Gomez.
Individually, Guerra, Jones, Balencia and Outlaw all placed in the top 10 for their respective races as well.

Regional bound Lytle Pirates and Lady Pirates are:
Jacob Cantu, Adrian Reyna, Shawn Robinette, Jaden Castro, Sebastian Garcia, Nathan Garza, Frank Cantu, Annalise Quintanilla, Elyse Cortinas, Kaycee Galindo, Addison Wagner and Sophia Herrera.
Cantu and Quintanilla both took the Gold individually with Cortinas, Reyna, Robinette, Castro, Garcia, and Garza all placing in the top 10 individually as well.

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! Click the link to sign up today! www.devinenewsmembers.com

Data center annexation, zoning draws heat during Lytle special hearings

Citizens gather Monday evening for a series of public hearings regarding the Rowan Digital Infrastructure data center east of County Road 683 and north of Highway 132. (Photo:Anton Riecher)

By Anton Riecher
At a series of public hearings Monday by the Lytle City Council regarding annexation and zoning for the 284-acre Rowan Digital Infrastructure data center project, speakers repeatedly stressed that the project should not move forward without clearer facts on issues ranging from water use and traffic to effects on neighboring property values.
Coal Mine neighborhood resident Jesue Valdez noted that Gov. Greg Abbott has placed a temporary pause on new data center permit approvals pending a comprehensive audit underway by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
“Knowing that they can’t even get the state permits are you (the city council) going to postpone the vote so we can see the outcome of what happens?”
Of the 26 speakers to take the podium at the Lytle Community Center, those joining Valdez included Letica Alston, Arcol and Linda Bujol, Ayman Helms, Frank and Monica Ybarra and Lainey Franklin. None of the speakers spoke in favor of the project.


City Administrator Zachary Meadows set the stage for the hearings for Project Pirate (also known as Project Cinco) regarding proposed annexation, rezoning to industrial use and creation of a reinvestment zone, a designated area to encourage economic development, new construction and business expansion.
“I recognize that a project of this size raises important questions and I want to acknowledge the residents for taking the time to show their concerns about drainage, lighting, setbacks, noise, water, infrastructure and the long-term impact this project may have on our community.
Jurisdiction is the city’s main legal issue, Meadows explained. The project is already located in the city extra-territorial jurisdiction, a designated unincorporated area of land located immediately outside a city’s official corporate limits.
Annexation would allow the city to regulate the site more directly and direct agreements with the developer would limit the property to data center use even with industrial use zoning, Meadows said.
Benefits from the project claimed during the hearing included…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!

Man charged with “Bestiality” after break in at ag barn

“I have heard of things like this, but in all of my career, I have never had to work a case like this,” said Chief Justin Soza in a short interview as the case unfolded.
Josedoro Barrios Gomez, 60 years old of Hondo, has been charged with Bestiality as well as burglary following an incident at the Hondo Independent School District’s agricultural facility that was caught on video.
The following is a press release from the Hondo Police Department:
The investigation began after Hondo ISD officials discovered suspicious activity while reviewing surveillance camera footage.

The footage showed an individual allegedly entering the AG Barn unlawfully during the late evening hours of October 10, 2026, and allegedly engaging in…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!

Fatal Shooting of 15-year-old

HONDO, TX – On October 19, 2026, at approximately 9:34 p.m., Hondo Police Department officers responded to the intersection of 14th Street and Avenue Q regarding a reported shooting.
Upon arrival, officers located a 15-year-old juvenile suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers immediately initiated lifesaving measures until EMS arrived. The juvenile was transported to a local hospital where they succumbed to their injuries.
Through witness statements and a coordinated investigation, officers and detectives quickly identified and…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!

Circus comes to Lytle this Sunday!

The circus is coming to town thanks to Lytle VFW. See their ad on page 20 for a link to discounted pre-sale tickets.

Big cats, fire eating, foot juggling, daredevils & more!

The Culpepper and Merriweather Circus is coming to Lytle on Oct. 18 at the Lytle Memorial VFW Post 12041. There will be two separate showtimes at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. There will be a concession stand, pony rides, face painting and inflatable rides an hour before the show. As for the circus performance, you can expect to see big cats, contortion, aerialists, fire eating, dogs, foot juggling, daredevils and so much more!
Advance Purchase Ticket prices are as follows: Advance Adult – $14/ Advance Child/Senior – $8
Circus Day- Adult – $17/ Circus Day- Child/Senior – $10
*Tickets are cheaper if you get them ahead of time and are available to purchase at the Lytle Memorial VFW Post 12041, Lytle State Bank, Lytle City Hall or online at https://cm-circus.square.site

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! Click the link to sign up today! www.devinenewsmembers.com

A cord of 3 strands is not easily broken…Mays celebrate 75 years

Two love birds getting hitched at the home of the Baptist preacher in 1951, and here they are today, still as in love as ever…..

Calvin and Shirley (Stinson) Mays are celebrating 75 years of marriage this year, a rare feat that only 0.0016% of couples ever meet. They were married Nov 9, 1951, at the home of the local pastor at Natalia First Baptist Church, and were high school sweethearts.
In fact, Calvin said he first noticed Shirley because she was such a good softball player. He soon grew to love spending time with her and making her laugh. One day he told her they just needed to get married.
Calvin enlisted in the Air Force at 19 years of age and they spent 20 exciting years living in Alaska, Oklahoma, Illinois, Texas, Newfoundland, CA, northern California, the gulf coast of Mississippi, SC, and Arkansas, while raising five children.  Calvin is also a Vietnam veteran, who served a year as a combat controller near the DMZ in 1971. He is also a Master parachutist trained in survival in hostile areas.


 When asked for their best advice for a long marriage, Calvin said…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!

Early voting begins Monday

Medina County Voting Information:
Early voting locations:
Medina County Courthouse Annex, 1300 Ave. M, Room 110, Hondo, TX
Medina County Pct. 2 Annex Building, 8366 FM 471 S., Castroville, TX
Medina County Pct. 4 Annex Building, 317 State Hwy 132 N, Devine, TX

Times:
Mon., Oct. 19 – Fri., Oct. 23 – 8 am to 5 pm
Sat., Oct. 24 – 7 am to 7 pm
Sun., Oct. 25 – 9 am to 3 pm
Mon., Oct. 26 – Fri., Oct. 30 – 7 am to 7 pm

Contested local elections are:


Medina County Commissioner Precinct 2
Eli Arroyo (D)
Larry Sittre (R)

Medina County Hospital District Board At-large Place 5
Mary E. Mangold (Nonpartisan)
Bobby Pittman (Nonpartisan)

…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!

Multipurpose Center ribbon cutting Oct. 20th in Natalia

The City of Natalia is inviting everyone to join in on the ribbon cutting ceremony for the “coming soon” Multipurpose Center which will be located across from city hall on Highway 132 in Natalia.
The ribbon cutting will be on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 10:00 A.M., ceremony address is 2079 State Highway 132 N., Natalia. Following the ceremony will be a Go Medina meeting.
Come help the City of Natalia celebrate, as a stronger community and a brighter future!…You can 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! Click the link to sign up today! www.devinenewsmembers.com

Community invited to DHS Fall Play “Operation:Save Humanity”

DHS Theatre students are excited about their upcoming play, a cautionary comedy about humanity’s reliance on AI and technology. Top row: Griffin Blouin, Sakura-Genesis Schoenfeld, Kassandra Fajardo, Samuel Alcantar, Adyn Holloway, Emma Gardner, Cody Castleberry, Viola Dzierzanowski, Vicente Ramirez, Rebecca Sanchez, Payton Hester, Gloria Green, Katelynn Toner, Ben Ramon, Phoenix Reyes, Kayla Dzierzanowski, Gabrielle Paramo, Kamden Paige, Elena House, Josiah Mills, Sebastian Balderas, Dakota Nighswander, Natalie Gutierrez, Emma Martinez, Lucas Hoffman and Briana Balderrama. Bottom row: Marissa Sosa, Sophia Alcantar, Jenavive Esquibel, Ella Bowyer, Jessica Ballesteros, Angelica Castillo, Isabella Duron, Jaeden Land, Patrick Foss, Angeliana Rendon-Zapata and Jazlyn Fajardo. Photo by Brianna Paredes.

Performance Details: Under the direction of Mr. Jose Guardiola, the Devine High School Theater cast and crew present the world premiere of Glenn McGinnis’s hit new comedy on Thursday, October 29, at 7pm. Doors to the DSAC Auditorium open at 6:30pm.
About the Production: Join this highly successful, award-winning ensemble for the inaugural performance of a cutting-edge cautionary-comedy about humanity’s reliance on technology.


Story Synopsis: Operation: Save Humanity follows Doug Johnson, a…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!

Students are hard at work rehearsing. Photo by Brianna Paredes.