Category: Top News Stories

By Anton Riecher
East Medina County Special Utility District is designated to receive $500,000 in Texas Department of Agriculture community development block grant funding awarded to Medina County, district superintendent Bruce Alexander reported during the Oct. 15 district board meeting.
Also reviewed were plans to apply for $2.3 million in state funding to connect EMCSUD to a subdivision water system near Dunlay. Discussion also included new requests for water service from multiple digital data centers in the district.
The CDBG funding will be used to rebuild under used water lines along County Road 5710, Alexander said.

“A city can go out and get their own community development block grants,” he said. “The water systems must go through the county.”
Medina County applies for these grants through the Alamo Area Council of Governments, rotating them among the various water systems.
“We actually applied for this grant three years ago,” Alexander said. “COVID put a slow walk on it, delaying it. Last year we were up for it but the city of Castroville scored higher and got the grant away from us.”
Interconnection Grant
In other grant news, EMCSUD has been approved to make application to the Texas Water Development Board for $2.3 million to cover the cost of an interconnection between the district’s Unit Two water plant and the Creekwood Ranches subdivision water system acquired by the district two years ago.
“That’s pretty good news for us,” Alexander said. “That’s a potential 100 percent grant to the district from TWDB.”
The subdivision is located six miles east of Hondo, north of Highway 90. The Creekwood Ranches Water Supply Corporation was acquired by EMCSUD in May 2022.
As with the CDBG funding, the breakthrough with the TWDB application is the result of repeated attempts.
“We applied a year and a half ago,” Alexander said. “In the first round of funding we didn’t qualify so they asked us to reapply.”
That second application was added to a priority list by TWDB. In August, EMCSUD was approved to make application for the grant. The deadline for that application was Oct. 18.
TWDB conducts a meeting every month to review applications, Alexander said.
“Depending on how long it takes them to review the application it’s possible it could be funded as early as the middle of next month,” he said.
Data Centers
As to the requests for water service from several digital data centers Alexander said he was not at liberty to discuss the requests in detail.
“I can’t really talk about them because the district, at their request, has entered into non-disclosure agreements with them,” Alexander said. “They are very protective of their information.”
According to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filings, two Microsoft data centers are reaching completion near Castroville. The combined centers total 106,012 square feet and cost $230 million to construct.
In addition, Microsoft is expected to break ground on an additional $482 million data center near Castroville in spring 2026, TDLR filings show.
In addition to the unnamed data centers, Alexander said the district is working to extend service to several small subdivisions as CONTINUE READING by becoming a member

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The Lytle Police Department recieved a $112K grant to help with an additional police officer position over three years. The award is being presented by Congressman Henry Cuellar above. More info in this week’s TIDBITS.

By Anton Riecher
By unanimous vote during an Oct. 10 special meeting the Natalia ISD school board approved action to terminate the contract of Marshall Lee Myers, director of student support services and former high school principal.
No information was disclosed indicating the nature of the allegations leading to Myers’ dismissal. A press release issued by the district Monday read as follows:
“On October 10, 2024, at a properly called special board meeting, the Natalia ISD Board of Trustees voted 7-0 in favor of the Superintendent’s recommendation to propose the termination of district employee Marshall Lee Myers administrator term contract.
“As previously stated, the District is unable to discuss specific personnel matters in public. However, the District can confirm that the third-party, independent investigator’s report was considered by the School Board in closed session and based upon the findings and recommendation of the District Administration, the Board took action.”
The press release also states that a related law enforcement investigation is ongoing.
“The District will continue to handle this matter in accordance with its policy. And the Board is committed to doing what is in the best interest of the District and to ensure a safe working environment for all staff.”
Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown confirmed that…

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Meet Juan A. Farias…

“You don’t pick art,” he said.
“Art picks you.”

By Catherine Richard
Art is not for the faint of heart. It is a dynamic and often unsure career, pulled by the currents of artistic inspiration, marketability and passion. However, artists like the Devine resident, Juan A. Farias, have sailed on these currents for decades, gaining recognition as they make art a way of life.
Farias has worked as an artist ever since he retired from the military after serving in Vietnam. His work can be seen in murals throughout Texas with multiple pieces in the University of Texas at San Antonio art collection, and a few books on Chicano movement. Whether it is sculpture, photography, curating art for exhibits or writing, he is always searching for new ways to create art.
Today, Farias creates art at his home on the outskirts of Devine. He moved from San Antonio around 20 years ago to be near his sister.
Large canvases covered in moody colors hang all over the walls of his house, barn, and more can be found set up in his living room…some finished or still in progress.
However, living out this dream is “no walk in the park,” Farias said. “You have to hustle.”
When he was a young man, Farias had planned on being a soldier. Right after graduating high school in 1969, he enlisted and was deployed to Vietnam. He served as a…

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
The Vasquez family lost their home to a horrible fire this past Thursday, October 3rd, but like many families going through crisis, they have seen the love of our great little community with a big heart. The fire which started in the garage spread quickly. Multiple fire departments responded to the scene, but weren’t able to save it.
“All in all it was a county wide effort with several mutual aid trucks keeping us in the fight by doing water runs,” said one volunteer fireman.
With deepest gratitude, Raul Vasquez Jr. and Reyna Vasquez submitted the following statement to The Devine News: “In the wake of the devastating fire that destroyed our home, words cannot fully express the depth of our gratitude for the incredible outpouring of support we’ve received from the community. During such a difficult time, we’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of friends, neighbors, and even strangers who have stepped up in so many ways—offering shelter, donations, meals, and emotional support.”
“ We never expected to be in this position, but knowing we’re surrounded by such a caring community has been a source of strength for our family. While we face a long road ahead, we are beyond grateful for every act of kindness that has come our way. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who has supported us during this challenging time. Your generosity has lifted us when we needed it most, and we will never forget the kindness we’ve been shown.”