Category: Top News Stories

By Kayleen Holder
Editor, The Devine News

Five years…10 years…15 years…25 years…
30 years…40..50…60…65 years…

On a dance floor filled with married couples, surrounded by candlelight, the announcer called for couples to leave the dance floor as he called out the number of years they’ve been married. Toward the end, only 2 couples remained, their eyes filled with joyful tears as they recalled the last 65 years.
Don and Irma Dunford, of Devine, were 16 and 15 years old when they met, and it wasn’t long before they knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. They got married during Holy Week in 1961. This week, they sat down with us to share their whole story–from their humble beginnings, to the life and legacy that they have built over the past 65 years of marriage, one of the largest businesses in our area which is one of the biggest community supporters, Chaparral Ford.
“I think the thing that I like most about us–her and I– is we are basically proof that the American Dream really exists,” Dunford said. “We started with zero and we’ve done really, really well over the past 65 years.”
He later added, “I want younger folks to realize, they can do anything in their life that they want…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 Anton Riecher
The Devine school board voted unanimously Thursday (March 26) to continue with a hybrid class calendar for the 2026-2027 school year walking the the line between the traditional five-day school week and the amended four-day week found in many Texas rural systems.
Also, in another unanimous action, the board voted to continue its current plan to purchase two new school buses annually to comply with new legislation requiring all school buses in Texas be equipped with three-point seat belt restraints by September 2029.
Regarding the school calendar, district superintendent Todd Grandjean reported during the March 26 meeting that board members originally adopted a shortened school calendar in January 2025. Although the board chose not to resort to a four-day week calendar, the decision called for no less than 177 teaching days, each at least 450 minutes long.
The Texas Education Agency requires that school…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 High School One Act play cast and crew will be advancing to the Area round after a standout performance at the Bi-district contest in Navarro on March 24. This will be the first time the troupe has progressed this far in nine years and will take the stage April 7 in New Braunfels. Pictured above: Director: Mr. Jose Guardiola Cast/Crew: Maverick Beaty, Nolan Beaty, Melenie Cardenas, Jacelyn Delaney, Gwyn Deleon, Isabella Duron, Miranda Guerrero, Payton Hester, Manuel Leal, Dakota Nighswander, Emma Martinez, Nathan Sanchez, Griffin Blouin, Angelica Castillo, Zach Martinez, Natalie Gutierrez, Briana Balderrama, Jessica Ballesteros, Deidre Bishop, Kayla Dzierzanowski, Kassandra Fajardo, Taylor Garcia, VeraLee Martinez. Not pictured Mia Gonzales and Isaac Medina. STORY INSIDE

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Aidan Hildenbrand, son of Will and Miranda Hellums, recently deployed overseas as part of Operation Epic Fury. He is a part of the 9th SMOAX squadron and left for his deployment on March 18th.
Hildenbrand graduated from Devine High School with the Class of 2022, and enlisted in the Air Force his senior year.
He completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base. Hildenbrand finished his training on aircraft maintenance for the C1-30 at Shepherd Air Force Base in Wichita Falls before…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 Kayleen Holder
Editor
We had a short visit with Vonna Jo Smith, of Devine this week, who is thrilled to announce she is bringing her practice to Devine, where she has lived for about 20 years now. Smith received her Bachelor’s from A&M and Master’s from UTSA, and began practicing about 4 years ago in San Antonio, before deciding to launch her own business–Devine Counseling & Wellness right here at home.
“I love helping people solve problems!” Smith said with a welcome smile. “I love seeing people become empowered to feel better when they realize they don’t have to stay in mental pain.”
Her motto is a John Wayne quote, “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.”
Smith is especially passionate about working with grandparents and caregivers as well. Smith has a Master’s in Psychology and a minor in special education, which she feels is very helpful in understanding the complexity of being a caregiver, as well as those facing disabilities.
“It’s a passion for me. I understand the stresses, lack of support and long hours being a caregiver entails,” Smith said. “They are a population that is often misunderstood…Very few people understand the complexity of the situation.”
She lends…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!

Authorities responded to a serious rollover on I-35 around 8:20 pm this past 3/25 near mile marker 124 in Medina County.
According to a DPS report, “Preliminary information indicates that a 2003 Brown GMC Yukon was traveling north on IH 35, experienced a mechanical failure, and rolled over into the center cables.”
A total of 5 people were occupying the vehicle (3 adults and 2 juveniles).
“A 45-year-old female driver was ejected and transported to a hospital with serious injuries. A 21-year-old male passenger was also transported with serious injuries. The other occupants were not transported. This investigation is ongoing, and no more details are available at the time of this release,” DPS Sgt De Luna Jr. stated.
Crews on site hours…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!

Hali Mecklin
Staff writer
Uvalde Leader-News

Utopia Police Department’s website boasts a professional force dedicated to community-oriented policing, protecting the tiny town’s roughly 200 residents and keeping it “one of the safest communities in the Texas Hill Country.”
Even chief James R. Dawson bragged about the agency’s relationship with locals in a quote on the homepage. 
“Utopia is a small town, and that is our greatest strength. We know our residents by name, and we take pride in the trust this community places in us. Whether you need to report an incident, have a concern, or simply want to say hello, my door is always open.”
But Utopia PD doesn’t exist, and neither does Dawson.
“It’s definitely a scam,” Uvalde County Sheriff Ruben Nolasco said. “I know that they’re reaching out to actual institutions, they’ve contacted phone companies. They’re trying to obtain information from people.”
The sheriff’s office became aware of the fake police department in March, after Utopia “officers” solicited customer information from various companies including Rolex and Verizon. Now UCSO is collaborating with the Department of Homeland Security on an…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!

New policies to begin conducting routine evidence inventory and audits ultimately led to the re-opening of a cold case death that occured nearly 13 years ago.
This month, Hondo Police Chief Justin Soza announced that the Hondo Police Department has secured indictments in connection with the 2013 investigation involving the death of 17-month old baby Adrian Constante.
A press release details the case and how it unfolded: On Sunday, June 30, 2013, at approximately 3:13 p.m., officers with…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!

Natalia Bluebonnet Festival & Parade — Celebrating Community

Community
Our town comes alive on March 28, 2026, as neighbors, families, and friends gather in downtown Natalia for a full day of fun, food, music, and hometown pride. Festival grounds will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and we’d love for you to be part of it.
We’re still welcoming food and craft vendors as well as parade participants. If you or someone you know would like to join in, visit our website or Facebook page, stop by the library, or call Amy Edge at 210‑213‑1990.
Fun for All Ages
AC Amusements is returning with a carnival and midway the whole community can enjoy.
Local talent will shine throughout the day with music from DJ Ultra 12- 4 pm, Austin Guzman 6-7:30 pm and hometown group Train Wreck on stage beginning at 8 pm until 9:30 pm.
A Parade Full of Local Pride
The parade begins at 11 a.m., but folks traditionally start gathering early.
Road closes at 9:30 a.m., so plan ahead.
The route starts at Love’s, passes the Little League Field, turns onto Main Street, and ends near Aubrey Street.
Vendors, Activities & Local Support
There will be plenty to explore—food vendors…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 Anton Riecher
Adrian Valle, unopposed candidate for the Devine City Council, took the oath of office nearly six weeks early during the March 17 regular session to fill the District 4 vacancy left by the resignation of Josh Ritchey submitted in January.
On a motion by District 2 council member Michael Hernandez, seconded by District 1 council member Ray Gonzales, the council voted unanimously to approve appointing Valle to fill the council vacancy. The council also unanimously voted to cancel the May general election since the other two council races on the ballot involve unopposed incumbents.
Mayor Butch Cook had pushed to fill the District 4 vacancy since Ritchey’s resignation.
“In order for us to do our business and since (Valle) will be taking over as councilman it is my proposal that we bring him on board right now,” Cook 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 $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!