By Kayleen Holder Editor A quick but strong burst of wind ripped through the community of Natalia this past Tuesday evening, August 19. “There were trees and debris blown everywhere,” said Natalia PD Chief Martin Chavez. “Some said they saw funnel clouds–others said no–I am not sure on that, but it was severe enough to uproot some huge trees. It uprooted a Cottonwood tree near the intersection of 5th and Aubrey Streets that I believe was at least 45 years old and between 35-40 ft tall, as well as many others. Thankfully, it fell the opposite direction and not on the nearby house.” And in times of need, a little light always shines through in communities like ours. “What was really amazing is that while we were out there cleaning up debris I saw several groups of people who just brought out their chainsaws and went around helping neighbors in need. I wish I would have gotten their names, but they know who they are, and it was so nice to see that,” Chief Chavez said.
The Servants MC of Pearsall took a motorcycle ride last Sunday and presented $5,000 to the A-T Children’s Project in honor of sweet 7 year old Audrey Jane Capps at Devine Acres Farm. The “Servants MC” motorcycle club was founded in 2012 by Kevin LaBuhn of Pearsall, inspired by Bella Mazuca and her twin sister Yasmeen. They are a non-profit organization that raises money to fight childhood diseases and help children in need. The servants also blessed the Capps family with a gift card to cover gas for travel to medical/therapy appointments. It is people like this doing things like that which make the world go round,” said a family member. Photo by Kathleen Calame.
Seventeen members of the “Servants MC”, a motorcycle club from Pearsall took a Sunday drive to Devine to present 7 year old Audrey Jane Capps with a donation of $5,000 dollars for the A-T Children’s Project, which she is a member of. The members visited with Audrey Jane and her little brother Kenneth Wayne, her parents Josh and Brittany Capps, Grandmother K.K. Calame, Aunt Kayleen Holder, Aunt Emily and Uncle Ernie Morales family, friends Clint and Shelley Watson and the Shane and Chelsea Real family.
One of Brittany’s best friends Chelsea, and occupational therapist, met the president of The Servants MC recently and told him about the good the A-T Children’s Project does in trying to find a cure or treatment for Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T), a rare inherited and progressive disease, and about Audrey’s diagnoses at age 3.
Roger and the members and riders of Servants MC decided to give $5,000 to ATCP and a Children’s Hospital in SA this year. Servant MC members presenting the check Sunday were members Roger-President, Robert- VP, Vicki-Secretary, Pati- Treasurer, Juan- Road Captain, Tim-Road Guard, Pete- Road Guard, and members Tommy, Melinda, Maria, Rosa, Ronnie, Emma, Brandee, Nancy, Troy, and Erica.
The servants visited with the families and enjoyed some cookies and cold water. Little 3 year old Kenneth Wayne got a ride on one of the motorcycles as did Chelsea! A Harley just might be in someone’s dreams now.
The members of The Servants MC have kept the club going after the loss of Kevin LaBuhn a few years back to illness. The club colors are Purple, White and Gray. Purple to represent Royalty, which is how these brave children should be treated. White to represent their innocence and Gray representing their battle against awful diseases.
By Anton Riecher In one of two major initiatives pending on emergency response in Devine, the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4 board of commissioners voted Friday to contract with Castroville-based MCESD No. 1 for local ambulance service, replacing Allegiance Mobile Health. ESD4 board president Steve Smith said placing ambulance and fire protection under one command structure had become a continuing bone of contention for residents. “Do we want to see those operations combined as a community or do we want to leave it as is?” he said On a motion by board treasurer Patrick DuBose, the ESD4 board approved the new contract with ESD1 by a 2-1 vote with one-time board president Anthony Martin voting against the move. Current board president Steve Smith abstained from the vote. Of the three proposals for ambulance service under consideration, the lowest was Allegiance maintaining its current cost at $212,000 annually. The ESD1 proposal asks for $250,000 a year, not including costs specific to combining ESD 2 and 4 operations under joint administration. Merging ESD 2 and 4 operations under the administration of a battalion chief serving directly beneath ESD1 Chief Clint Cooke involves an estimated cost of $110,000 annually. A third proposition submitted by Hondo-based Community EMS doubled the…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!
Medina County commissioners voted unanimously Monday to set a proposed 2025 property tax rate of $.4434 per $100 valuation, down from the current rate of $.4511. (Editor’s Note: This can be confusing, because while the suggested tax rate is lower, tax payers question why their taxes are actually still increasing… Due to higher property appraisals as well as new properties, overall tax collections will be increasing by $2.3 million dollars. Every year, we are presented with the option to select a tax rate that would instead bring in the same amount of revenues as the previous year, rather than going up on tax collections, but that tax rate has not been selected in many years). Approved on a motion by Precinct 2 Commissioner Larry Sittre, seconded by Precinct 3 Commissioner David Lynch, the proposed rate is below the rate requiring voter approval at the polls. A public hearing on the proposed rate is set for 9 a.m. Sept. 8 at commissioners’ court chamber in Hondo. In other business, commissioners approved an order authorizing $4.5 million…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!
Former Devine Fire Department volunteer and Smoke Eater of the Year Daniel Ehlinger offers his opinion during the Aug. 19 ESD2 board meeting. Photo by Anton Riecher
By Kathleen Calame Publisher MCESD #2 Fire has called a meeting for Thursday, September 4 at 7:00 pm at the fire house in Devine to discuss the fire service contract which is up on October 1st. Proposals have been submitted by Devine Volunteer Fire Dept. as well as MCESD #1. They will also discuss other things, among them the tax rate which they proposed to increase to 10 cents per $100 valuation to provide for 24 hour around-the-clock full-time paid firefighters, which would be needed no matter which agency they decide to contract with (the 9.5 or 7.43 rates would not fund full time paid departments under either proposal). Their regular meeting will be on September 16 at 7:00 pm at the fire house. Prior to that meeting they will host a Public Hearing on the proposed tax rate and set the tax rate that night. Both meetings 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!
Mickey Myers is organizing a Burger in a Bag fundraiser to benefit those affected by the horrific flooding in the Hill Country. The burgers with trimmings, chips and bottle of water or soda will be $9. It will be held August 23 at 3 pm until sold out. Fundraiser organizers at Foxy’s Bar are looking for donations of silent auction items, raffle items, burgers, chips, sodas, brown bags, and to go boxes. Message the Foxy’s Facebook page or come by to donate or to sign up to help. Specifically this fundraiser will benefit the Together for Texas charity whose mission can be seen at the following link: https://give.salvationarmytexas.org/campaign/703236/donate
The City of Devine hired Cassandra Maldonado as the new Municipal Court Clerk. Maldonado worked for the City of Devine from 2015 to 2020 before crossing the creek and taking a job at the City of Hondo. Welcome back Cassandra! “I was raised in Devine, attended Devine ISD and graduated top 10% in 2004. In 2019, I graduated Cum Laude from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice, “ said Cassandra Maldonado. “I have 19 years of City Government experience most of that being in the Municipal Court Department, however, I also have extensive knowledge of Utilities, Finance and Administration departments as well. “I have a track record of success, and am poised to continue contributing to organizational success and efficiency as a dedicated Court Administrator for the City of Devine,” said Maldonado.
The City of Devine announced the hiring of Sophia Benavidez as the new Finance Director. Benavidez is originally from Del Rio, Texas. “Sofia resides in Devine, and brings a unique skill set with banking, business, and nonprofit organization experience. She will be trained and mentored by a certified Government Finance Officer that has over 30 years municipal finance experience. We are excited to add Sofia to our team!,” said David Jordan, City Administrator. “I bring an extensive background in banking, financial services, and business management, with a strong foundation in strategic planning, fiscal oversight, and operational leadership,” said Benavidez. “Prior to this new role, I had the privilege of serving our community through my work with the Devine Volunteer Fire Department, where I supported both administrative and financial operations. This new chapter is more than a professional milestone—it’s an opportunity to continue serving the city with transparency, accountability, and a long-term vision for financial health. I’m honored to be part of Devine’s future,” Benavidez said.
As has happened for the last 143 years, the famed St. Louis Day Celebration will again open the gates to visitors from all over the state. Dubbed years ago, by the Texas Tourist Agency as “The Homecoming for the State of Texas,” the giant festival will again serve tons of barbecued beef, Alsatian style sausage, and food, drink, music, games and fun all day long for friends who make the trip each year to historic Castroville. According to the Visitors Center guest book, the last few years have attracted visitors from more than 100 Texas towns and cities, 17 different states, and 14 countries. In only its 14th year on the shady Koenig Park grounds is one of fastest growing and most popular attractions: The St. Louis Day Biergarten. According to Frankie Kempf, Asst. Publicity Director, the Biergarten idea was born, appropriately enough, by a couple of parishioners sitting around a “kegerator” reminiscing about the fond memories of St. Louis Days gone by. The idea was presented to the general chairmen to have a Saturday evening biergarten party who then decided to give it a try, and now it hosts a huge crowd of visitors on Saturday evening the night before the actual celebration. So on August 23 at 6:30 p.m., the Super Saturday Biergarten Party will serve ice cold draught beer, wine, other refreshments and food, and live music for those who will make a weekend out of St. Louis Day. The Boardwalk games will be open for children Saturday night and the adults can enjoy the large Silent Auction, St. Louis Downs and the famous washer pitch and cornhole tournaments. Succulent all beef hot dogs, known as Sarge’s St. Louie Red Hots, pulled pork sandwiches and piping hot nachos will be served for guests as well. Also back by popular demand will be the giant pizza served by Dirt Road Cookers. As in previous years, the gala will be held under nature’s tent beneath the shady canopy of the park where party-goers will be able to spread out and do what is supposed to happen at a homecoming—visit with old friends and make new ones. Plenty of seating is available for those who wish to get off their feet, and it is not unusual to see guests bring their own lawn chairs and relax the night away to good music, ice cold beer and great conversation. According to Biergarten entertainment chairman, Duane Garza, the Saturday night featured entertainers this year will kick off with a great local favorite Bret Mullins Band at 6:30 p.m. Texas Tempo, another great local favorite, will follow at 8:30 and dazzle the crowd with spectacular guitar and vocal talent until 11 p.m. Sunday, August 24, is the actual festival day when thousands of visitors will flock to “The Little Alsace of Texas.” Besides the amazing BBQ plate, the day will be jam-packed with entertainment at two different venues on the grounds including the Biergarten Stage and the ever-popular Riverside Stage. Featured talent and bands this year include Fire on the Mountain Cloggers, the Alsatian Dancers of Texas, the Alamo City Community Marching Band, mariachis, local favorites Julie Guinther & Michele Mangold, and local Medina Valley High School senior and parishioner Chas Boehme will wow the crowd with his talents for the first time. Taking the stage at 3:30 will be the ever-so-talented Weston Ripps Band followed by crowd pleasers Jordan Gauna and The Yancey Highway Band. In addition, there will be the popular games for young and old including the popular bingo pavilion. Our Plant Booth and Just Treasures will provide great deals for visitors who like to shop. The spacious air-conditioned hall will house one of the best and biggest silent auctions along with the Country Store featuring homemade and canned items. This year will mark the 27th year of the extremely popular St. Louis Downs “Horseracing Track,” where another lucky person will have his or her name added to the Futurity Champions Wall of Fame. If a lucky volunteer would like to cool off, the popular ice bucket challenge will provide that opportunity as well. It’s a perfect time to make a weekend visit to historic Castroville and the St. Louis Day celebration August 23-24. For more information visit www.saintlouisday.com or like St. Louis Day on facebook.
Two proposals that could determine the future of Devine Volunteer Fire & Rescue were laid before the public Aug. 12 during an open hearing conducted by the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 2, governing the finances of fire protection locally. One proposal, presented by Clint Cooke, Chief of Medina County ESD 1, calls for that agency to assume direct responsibility for DVF&R operations. ESD1 would replace the DVF&R Volunteer Fire Board which currently handles fire department management. Cooke said the situation that Devine finds itself in regarding recent fire protection controversies is nothing new to Texas communities. “This has happened over and over across the state,” Cooke said. The second proposal regarding DVF&R’s future, presented by Eric Quintanilla, new president of the volunteer fire board, presented plans for organization restructuring in what he referred to as “a hard reset.” “I’ve had two weeks to really try to unpack a lot of things,” he said. “There are a lot of things that I saw where things could very much be improved.” Complete video coverage of the public hearing is posted on the Devine News YouTube channel. Recent improprieties haunting DVF&R include more than $76,000 in missing department funds and management issues. The ESD2 board authorized…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!
