Ricardo “Ricky” Campa is a Devine native, and graduated from DHS with the class of 1987.
By Kayleen Holder Editor Ricky Campa is a custodian at Devine Intermediate School, and friends are hosting a fundraiser to help Campa get a hip replacement. Juan Ricardo “Ricky” Campa is a Devine native and graduated from DHS with the class of 1987. Anyone who would like to help out can donate online or by mail. “Every day, Ricky arrives at work to sweep and mop the floors, clean the toilets, wipe down tables and take out the trash for the students and staff. When the custodian staff is shorthanded, not only does he tend to his own responsibilities, but he also helps fill in for the ones who are missing,” Mrs. Farrah Schueling said, a teacher at Devine Middle School who met Ricky while he filled in for another custodian at the Intermediate last year. “Despite the daunting workload, Ricky tends to it with a smile on his face and a positive attitude. Aside from his limp, you would never know that Ricky is in pain. For 3 ½ years, Ricky has been burdened with pain in his hip. Doctors have said that Ricky will need a full hip replacement surgery to relieve his pain,” Mrs. Schueling said. “Ricky is a humble faith-filled man who would never ask for financial help from anyone. Please donate to show your love and support for Ricky,” she adds. “Your donation will help pay for his surgery and any expenses that occur while he recovers.” In response to the fundraiser, Campa was very touched. “I was so surprised when they told me about what Mrs. Schueling was doing. Nobody has ever done anything like that for me. I want to thank her and everyone involved. My right hip has been bone on bone for a long time, but I just keep on going. I have worked all my life, for years as a carpenter and now as a custodian. The thought of a fundraiser never crossed my mind,” Mr. Campa said. “There are still a lot of caring people out there, and it’s a blessing from God that somebody would go out of their way to help me,” Mr. Campa said. You can donate using the go fund me that can be found on Mrs. Farrah Schueling’s facebook page, or you can mail a donation to Mr. Juan Ricardo “Ricky” Campa at 207 Crouch in Devine, TX 78016.
Owner Benjamin Salinas Jr. and his wife Vanessa own and operate the restaurant.
By Kathleen Calame Publisher If you are looking for a great burger or delicious food in downtown Devine now open is BEEF SAY WHAAAT!!! They are located in the red restaurant building at 201 1/2 W. Hondo, Devine across from South Texas Trophies and have an extensive menu using fresh local vegetables. I had the pleasure of interviewing the owners and sampling some foods this week. Owner Benjamin Salinas Jr. and his wife Vanessa own and operate the restaurant. He has 20 years of experience in the food business and got his start in Pearsall with a food truck, then a walk up style restaurant and now a sit down and dine in restaurant that also offers calling in to go orders. This month’s lunch special from 11am to 2pm for September is the popular Classic Double Cheeseburger for only $6.99 which includes a side of your choice from fries, onion rings or tots and a drink. In the afternoon from 2 to 6 pm they offer an after school and supper family special of 4 Hamburgers with a family side for only $27.99 which includes a choice of fries, onion rings or tots. “We have a lot of people who drive right by here in the afternoons after school so we thought we would offer a family meal deal for those on the go or don’t want to heat up the kitchen,” said Salinas. “We have people tell us all the time that ours is the best burger they have ever eaten. Which makes us happy. We only use 100% beef, no fillers. We do season them while they are cooking on the grill to give it that home cooked feel like mommas!” “Since we are an open kitchen, and I am behind the grill I can adapt an item to particular diets or needs, so diabetics sure appreciate that or people who prefer keto style meals and such. I aim to please and can adapt or cook just about anything. I love special orders and filling their requests.” “I hear country fried steak and gravy is a favorite of the locals. It is hand breaded and delicious, served with country style gravy and potatoes.” I got to sample the country fried steak, it was so delicious and so tender you can cut it with a fork, no knife even needed. I also got to sample the loaded baked potato fries. They were so good too, loaded with cheese, bacon bits, and drizzled with ranch on top. A great combination the two made along with a nice glass of sweet tea! They have an extensive menu with all sorts of specialty burgers from the classic to the popular avocado bacon cheeseburger to the Philly Cheese Steak on a bun to the unique Egg in a Hole Cheeseburger. On the menu is also all sorts of grilled or fried chicken burgers, fajita burgers, tenders hand breaded and sandwiches. For deserts they have funnel cakes, fried Oreos, and fried banana moon pie amongst all kinds of unique desserts on special days. During football season they offer bone-in wings with hand crafted sauces, also a big hit with the locals. Appetizers include fried pickles, bacon cheese fries, chili cheese fries, and baked potato fries. Kids meals range from chicken tenders (hand-breaded), chicken bites, grilled cheese and of course hamburgers. See their advertisement in this week’s Devine News for more details.
Andrew Friedman, representing SAMCO Capital Markets, reviews the details of an $8.5 million bond sale to finance water and sewer improvements with the Lytle City Council during their Monday (Sept. 12) meeting.
By Anton Riecher The Lytle City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve the sale of $8.5 million in certificates of obligation, the majority of which will be used to finance water and sewer improvements. On a motion by District 3 Alderman David Emery, seconded by District 2 Alderman Sam Cortez, the council voted to sell the certificates amortized over 20 years at a 3.94 percent interest rate. The sale closes on Sept. 28. To see full video of the latest Lytle City Council session visit the Devine News channel on YouTube at youtube.com/channel/UC5NvVUNwMPeR-VVmLSKY-Ng. Andrew Friedman, representing SAMCO Capital Markets, the city’s financial advisor, told the aldermen that the sale required establishing a credit rating for the city. “We went through a rating process with Standard and Poor’s,” Friedman said. “They look at not only audited financials but also want to get a sense of who Lytle, Texas, is on top of what you can read on paper.” As a result, the city attained a strong AA- credit rating, the highest rating possible is AAA, followed by AA+, AA and AA-, Friedman said. “When you drop below that you have to go out to pay for municipal bond insurance,” Friedman said. “We were able to avoid that.” City Administrator Matt Dear told the council that $6.1 million of the certificate sale will go toward water system improvements, including building a water tower to feed a new looped water system. The certificates will also finance a $1.4 million sewer plant project. Aside from utilities, $1 million will be designated for streets and sidewalks, Dear said. A portion of the debt will be paid from the interest and sinking (I&S) portion of the city tax rate, Friedman said. However, the $7.5 million going to water and sewer improvements will be repaid from revenues generated by the city’s utility system rates. Emery questioned Friedman about whether the debt could be refinanced if interest rates improve in the future. Friedman replied that the current rates would be “locked in” until February 2031 when the certificates can either be purchased from the investors using cash or the interest rates can be renegotiated. In other business, the council voted to table action on proposals to address traffic issues on Lytle-Somerset Street, including the use of speed humps to slow vehicles. Dear informed the council that state law requires an official study by a traffic engineer. Without state sanction, anyone who damages their vehicle going over a speed hump could potentially have a legal claim against the city, Dear said. In 2021, a plan calling for six speed humps and appropriate signage was estimated to cost at least $10,000, he said. With inflation, that price is now calculated to be at least $15,500, Dear said. A motion by District 4 Alderman Michael Rodriguez to table the matter until public sentiment about adding speed humps passed 4-1. District 5 Alderman Charles Cate, a reservist presently serving overseas, monitored the meeting by internet and voted against tabling the action. Lake Shore Estates resident Trace Joyce once again addressed the council regarding flooding in the subdivision. Joyce reported that his home flooded in 2010 and has been threatened by rising water several times since. Dear said he has filed a request for quotes from engineering firms in hopes to negotiate a price for the project. It is also under legal review, he said. “Realistically, this project will probably take a year or two,” Dear said. Resolving drainage issues that stretch back to the beginning of the subdivision is not going to be cheap either. Joyce asked if the city might have legal recourse against the engineering firm that developed the initial drainage plan for the subdivision. Action on the item was tabled pending further research into the exact cause of the flooding. On a motion by Emery, seconded by Rodriguez, the council voted to enter into an amended and restated solid waste contract with Waste Management, Inc., a waste and environmental services company. Also on a motion by Emery, seconded by Cortez, the council voted to enter into a one-year extension of the CPS Energy gas systems contract.
Lytle increases rates At the September 12 meeting, the City of Lytle voted to increase water/sewer rates. See details in public notice on page 13 this week.
The first high speed chase lasted 60+ miles before local deputies put an end to it near Ingram Rd. in Devine around 8AM.
A long DPS pursuit that reportedly began near LaPryor came into Devine Sunday morning around 8AM ending near Ingram Road. Local deputies were able to use a maneuver to bring the chase to an end after a dangerous 60+ mile pursuit up and down local highways and many city streets that morning. Later that afternoon, another pursuit crashed-out right in the middle of Devine after skidding across Hwy 173. The first out of town pursuit (from LaPryor) came up I-35, to SH 132 and then went straight down Teel, Colonial, and Allman street near the cemetery, according to local law enforcement, who noted the chase began approximately 60 miles southwest of Devine. The pursuit ended near the intersection of Ingram, where three subjects reportedly bailed out.
Around 6:30 Sunday evening the driver in a second pursuit busted straight through one of the concrete barriers at the library in Devine and then flew across the drainage ditch and highway. Thankfully no one else was hit as it flew across Hwy 173 in the middle of town.
“Our officer who assisted at the scene stated that 11 people including the driver were captured. Two were transported to the hospital, while others were transported to be turned over to border patrol,” Devine PD Lieutenant Chris Andrews said. Later on Sunday afternoon, the driver of a stolen vehicle flew straight across Hwy 173 in downtown Devine as suspects evaded another out of town DPS pursuit. “The vehicle went across the library parking lot, took out one of the concrete barriers, jumped the canal and went across Hwy 173 before hitting a backhoe at the old co-op,” said Sheriff Randy Brown. “It’s real lucky nobody got killed.” Ernie Morales, Sr., of Devine, was thankfully sitting at a stop sign, and hadn’t yet turned in the path of the pursuit, as the chase flew across Hwy 173 right in the middle of town. “I looked to my left and just saw this car fly by. It was going so fast…all I saw was dust. He zoomed across 173,” Morales said, thankful that he wasn’t yet on Hwy 173 when the car came crashing across it.
Note: The DPS units that initiated these pursuits were reportedly from other counties, and no additional information was available about any charges that the suspects evading arrest may face as of press time.
Foster parents will reside in the homes rent free, with a vehicle included to care for local foster children and sibling groups in need of a home. HANK will be there to provide financial support and anything these kids need along the way. This new home in Hondo and one home in Devine are both in need of foster parents to lead the way. In Medina County, six large sibling groups entered foster care last year; sadly, none were able to be placed in Medina County, Powers said, showing the true need for community foster homes like this.
By Kayleen Holder Editor If you have ever wanted to help foster children, but simply didn’t have the financial resources to do it, HANK is offering the perfect opportunity in Medina County. The homes are ready, the beds are made, and the play ground in the front yard is already set up….All you need to bring is your love. HANK is actively searching for two couples or single parents who would like to be the heart and soul of HANK, Inc’s community homes, welcoming foster children in Devine and their newest home in Hondo which celebrated its grand opening this Tuesday, September 13. Foster parents will reside in the homes rent free, with a vehicle included, as well as 24/7 support to care for local foster children and sibling groups in need of a home. HANK will be there to provide support and anything these kids need along the way. “In the last year there has been an increase in the number of children being removed from their homes of origin and brought into foster care. In the last year, Medina County had 32 children entered the foster care system. Many children are placed out of their home community, due to a lack of foster family placement options. Last year in Medina County there were 6 sibling groups brought into care,” explained Rachel Powers, director of child placement for SJRC. The process of opening a licensed foster facility can be a daunting one and so that is why Hank and generous supporters created our three community foster homes. Striving to make the process as easy as possible, so that children entering foster care can stay close to home and not be separated from their siblings, the Saint Jude’s Ranch for Children’s program is partnering with HANK to walk interested parents through the whole process. In addition, the state does provide income for loving families who have it in their hearts to take care of foster children, and Saint Jude’s program, along with HANK, are here to make the process of becoming foster parents a little easier. HANK homes are one of very few places locally, where 5 or 6 brothers and sisters in foster care can be placed together. “Children brought into foster care often come with only the clothes are their back. The only thing they have is each other and even that is being taken away from them far too often. We’re asking for the communities help to become foster parents, to care for these children and keep sibling groups together,” Powers said. This Tuesday, September 13, several people gathered in Hondo to celebrate the opening of the newest community foster home in Hondo, a truly momentous occasion. Mrs. Debbie Southwell, who will carry on HANK, dedicates this home to her late husband John who passed away recently, but continued working diligently until his final days to help these kids, who are in his own words. “the most precious thing on earth”. “Because of John‘s faithfulness and diligence, God opened the door for these foster homes so that these unfortunate children can stay in their community and sibling groups can stay together. John fought hard to stay alive to see this home opened. John had someone drive him out here where he saw that everything was done. He passed away a week later. John, we dedicate this home in your memory,” Mrs. Southwell said. Co-founder Debbie Southwell recognized HANK board members Molly Daniel, Lyle Riff, and Roger Hernandez, as well as the HANK Stitchers (Lou Ann Caywood and Nancy Barrett) who laid a beautiful quilt on each of the 6 warm beds in the home. Pastor Beverly Kelling opened the celebration of this organization that is truly God’s work, with a prayer. “Every year these remarkable women make quilts for all of the HANK kids, and they truly love getting one of these quilts. It lets them know that the community here loves them,” Mrs. Southwell said. “I would also like to thank our many donors who are the sole reason HANK can help the abused and neglected children in our area. It really does take a village.” Southwell also recognized County leaders Tim Neuman, David Lynch, and Jerry Beck who were also there to celebrate HANK and everything they do. “Through Hank, John and Debbie Southwell have done an amazing job of providing safe and loving homes for numerous children in our county,” Lynch said. “Hank is a blessing to Medina County,” said Neuman. “The many things they do all year round to make sure foster children do not get left out, and to make sure siblings stay together.” According to Powers, six local sibling groups removed from homes in Medina County recently, and none were placed in Medina County. “This shows how we desperately need more Medina County foster homes, to keep the children in their community,” Powers said. Along with their community homes, HANK Inc also provides local foster children with Christmas gifts, school supplies, and anything in between that they may need. There are many situations in which the state doesn’t provide things needed, and that is where HANK steps in with open arms. “It truly takes a village to care for the community’s most precious children. We want our children and families to remain in their schools and in their home communities. That is what we’re here to celebrate, adding to our village, to help keep children in their community, with the expansion of the 3rd HANK home,” Powers said. Judge Robert Falkenburg, who presides of child protection cases in Medina County and 6 other counties, talked about the importance of organizations like HANK. “Every county in Texas, including Medina County, has issues finding placement for children in foster care. It’s a chronic, ongoing issue across the state. I along with many other judges work really hard to get children out of what’s called CWOP (Children Without Placement) and to minimize the number of times children have to pick up and move. Anytime we have placements available in our community, that’s a huge blessing. There have been times when we had no other alternative than to send children out of county. HANK is a great community resource that will help make sure we have a place for these kids in our community.” If anyone is interested in learning more about becoming a licensed foster parent and the HANK homes, they can contact Rachel Powers, Director of Child Placing Agency at 512-791-9410 or rpowers@sjrctexas.org If you would like to make a donation to HANK Inc helping provide community homes and Christmas/birthday gifts to local foster children in Medina, Uvalde, Real, Atascosa, and Frio Counties, you can mail donations to Hank Inc., 450 CR 246, Hondo, TX 78861.
Gwyn DeLeon, 14, gets a visit from a hospital therapy dog. Her family received shocking news this February that Gwyn is in end stage kidney failure. This young lady, so full of fun and full of life, is searching for a living kidney donor. The human body can fully function with one kidney according to experts, and doctors believe a living donor would be best for Gwyn. The past 7 months have been full of trials as Gwyn undergoes 8 hours of dialysis every day, but these trying times have also brought out Gwyn’s incredible strength and the kindness that makes a community like ours go round. Earlier this year, an 8-year-old little girl asked her mommy to sign her up to be a kidney donor for Gwyn. While age limits make it impossible for her to give a kidney, the kindness and generosity of this little girl will surely be transplanted into the hearts of many others who can.
Earlier this year, an 8-year-old child asked her mommy to sign her up to be a kidney donor for her friend Gwyn. While age limits make it impossible for her to give a kidney, the story of this little girl’s kindness and generosity will surely be transplanted into the hearts of many others who can.
Medina County Judge Chris Schuchart addresses supporters of a proposed anti-illegal immigration declaration during the commissioner’s regular session on Aug 25.
By Anton Riecher The Medina County Commissioners Court voted unanimously Aug. 25 to approve a resolution in support of Texas governor Greg Abbott continuing opposition to illegal immigration across the state’s border with Mexico. “Now therefore be it resolved that the Medina County Commissioners Court recognizes the failure of the federal government to perform its duties and supports Governor Abbott’s actions to attempt to Secure the Texas Border,” the resolution states. Timothy Neuman, precinct 1 commissioner, made the motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Larry Sittre, precinct 2 commissioner. However, County Judge Chris Schuchart stood firm in his opposition to the legal wording of a “declaration of invasion” supported by other Texas counties and elected officials that cites the U.S. Constitution as granting states the power to expel migrants crossing the border in the event of invasion. Schuchart, who made his opposition clear at the commissioners’ Aug. 11 meeting, restated his position to supporters of the original “declaration” version of the anti-illegal immigration document. “The document that you want us to pass is flawed,” Schuchart said. “It basically doesn’t follow the law. It cites five different footnotes that I can only confirm one of them to be fact.” At the root of the impasse is the definition of the word “invasion” as accepted by U.S. Courts.
Mona Walters addresses the Medina County Commissioners Court Aug 25 voicing her opposition
“The Supreme Court has never overruled three federal appellate courts who say an invasion is not illegal immigrants coming across,” Schuchart said. “We all agree we have a huge problem but it doesn’t fit the definition of an invasion.” Abbott, himself a former attorney general of the state, has taken no formal action on the declarations. Schuchart, a retired attorney, also took issue with the proclaiming the document a declaration rather than a resolution. Of the 18 counties that have taken a position on the “invasion” issue, six have chosen to pass resolutions rather than declarations. “There is a difference between a declaration of invasion and a resolution,” he said. “We will pass a resolution.” Speaking in support of the original “declaration,” Hank Seay of La Coste said the present immigration situation “definitely fits my definition of an invasion.” To call it anything else amounted to “playing semantics.” “I understand that politics always seems to get in the way and muddy the waters,” Seay said. “I believe that’s exactly what has happened here.” Robert Oberlender of Natalia and David Logan also spoke in support of the “invasion” declaration. “I think it’s an invasion regardless of the terminology and the definition of the word,” Logan said. Mona Walters, another declaration supporter, inferred that refusal to back the original language amounted to an attack on Medina County Republican Party chairperson Julie Clark who spoke in favor of the declaration at the Aug. 11 meeting. “Members of our Republican party who support Julie Clark have become alarmed,” Walters said. “Several have called and told me that threats have been made against Julie and her husband.” Schuchart said he and the commissioners were on the same side as the declaration supporters on the anti-illegal immigration issue. “We are all Republicans,” Schuchart said. “Everybody sitting (on the commissioners’ court) is a Republican. But for some reason the tactics that are being used against us are astonishing to me…” Passage of an anti-illegal immigration resolution will not save citizens threatened by crime in the county, he said. “That man over there (pointing to Sheriff Randy Brown) and his staff will save citizens,” Schuchart said. To aid in that effort, the commissioners have added six new deputies to the sheriff’s office, plus three more school reserve officers (in Medina Valley ISD schools) who, during the summer, become part of the sheriff’s staff, Schuchart said. The county is also buying the sheriff 14 more emergency vehicles. “We are spending money to protect the citizens,” Schuchart said. You can watch our video coverage of the meeting at: https://youtu.be/vHNS1kR4nKo
Frio County Precinct 2 Commissioner Richard Graf and Frio County Attorney Joseph Sindon address questions from the audience during a community meeting in Moore.
By Anton Riecher and Kayleen Holder Opposition to a rumored solar panel farm being planned in Moore brought a capacity crowd together Thursday evening (Aug. 25) at the local community center. Ray Freitas, manager of the Moore Water Supply Corporation, told the audience that a neighbor on Black Creek Road/CR 1660 had confirmed leasing acreage for a solar farm, sometimes referred to as a photovoltaic power station, using a large array of solar panels to convert sunlight into electrical energy. In an interview afterward, Freitas expressed the concern that “one of the properties leased is part of the Black Creek system and could possibly contaminate the watershed.” A landowner in the area, Darla Bacon, explained that in all, the solar farm project could span close to 600 acres. “Solar farms form what’s called a thermal heat island effect, which increases temperature. I am surrounded on three sides so I will be right in the middle of that. It can increase temperature by 5 to 7 degrees,” Bacon said. “I am going to lose my dove hunting operation, and I am probably going to lose my cattle operation too. I have talked to a man in Deport,Tx who lives near a solar farm like this, and he said the humming sound that it makes is another thing that has driven people nuts. Replacing land with photovoltaic panels will likely increase runoff volume and reduce recharge for our water tables.” Local bee keeper David Park also lives near the proposed solar projects. “The biggest thing I am worried about is how it will de-value my property. We live in a house on a hill and can see for miles. We have lived here for 17 years. Who wants to look down on 500 acres of solar panels?” Like most residents, Graves Wallace, had more questions rather than answers. “Well, it’s certainly not something that you would expect to happen right next door to you. I did not see it coming. How will it affect the value of my property? What are the effects to our environment? And what are my rights? I truly don’t know. Those are questions I haven’t been able to find a positive answer to. One thing is for sure, time will tell us.” When it comes to progress, Wallace said, “Electricity is great. Technology is great. But that old hand-crank ice cream maker–it always works.” Moore VFD Fire Chief JD Earls has his own concerns on the firefighting side. “Equipment, extinguishing agents, training, costs…..What is needed and how do we obtain it? Where do we get specialized training we’ll need?” Chief JD Earls said. “You cannot put water on electricity.” At the meeting…. A pamphlet presented at the meeting titled “Drawbacks of Living Near a Solar Farm” set down a litany of possible issues with solar farms ranging from health concerns about electromagnetic waves, increased risk of fire from the radiated heat and the potential that harmful chemicals such as cadmium, arsenic, silicon, copper and lead could contaminate the environment. The concern is that damaged units may release contaminants into the environment. Frio County Precinct 2 Commissioner Richard Graf presided over the meeting. Also on hand to field questions were Frio County Attorney Joseph Sindon and incoming precinct 2 commissioner Mario Martinez who takes office in November. Graf told those attending that his office received nearly a dozen calls last week concerned about the rumored solar farm project. “I’d really like to say that as of this date (the county) still has not been formally asked or told that a solar company is coming in,” Graf said. “Don’t get me wrong. I don’t doubt at all that they are coming in.” However, unless the company applies for tax abatement, it is under no obligation to inform the county of its plans. Graf said he brought the rumored project before the Frio County Commissioners Court during its regular meeting on Aug. 24. “Based on all the information I’ve got it will be my pleasure to recommend to the court that we do not give them one,” Graf said. He said the commissioners were “very attentive to what I had to say and were anxious for this meeting to happen so that I could get back with them.” Graf and Sindon both stressed that the county has no regulatory authority to restrict industrial development. “We all like living in Texas because we don’t want a lot of regulation,” Sindon said. “The government lets us do what we want.” People are largely allowed to do what they want “unless it upsets the neighbors,” Sindon said. He noted that the commissioners approved tax abatement for a solar panel farm located on a large ranch with no immediate neighbors to the project (in the Pearsall area). “Nobody complained,” Sindon said. Martinez said he was in agreement with Graf in opposing the project. “For the most part I’m with everyone here,” Martinez said. “I’m not saying we’re going to please everyone 100 percent but we want to look out for your wellbeing.” Here is the link to the Moore Community Center meeting about the solar farm: https://youtu.be/qQs6pLCOX9g Please note, there was some confusion at the meeting about how much acreage the Moore solar farm would include, but has since been settled and is reflected in this article as of information we received Tuesday. The company which has leased land in Moore is based out of Chicago, a landowner said, and is not the same company that received tax incentives in the Pearsall area solar farms that are expected to become operational in 2023.
The Davis family has lived on the land for 23 years and had no idea what was hiding underneath. Now explorers will work to find any caves that could be connected to the massive cavern discovered last week. Pictured above is Matthew Taylor. Photography by Bennett Lee
By Kayleen Holder Editor MEDINA COUNTY–When landowners stumbled upon a hidden sink hole with a small hole on the Seco Valley Ranch north of Hondo, they dropped a rock inside, “and it took a long time to hit bottom.” They knew then they had found something special, but had no idea just how truly extraordinary it would be. A neighbor who had grown up exploring the ranch knew of at least one sink hole on the property, the Davis family said, so they called out the local grotto. Little did he know as a young boy, there truly was a treasure beneath the surface of the family ranch. “Located only a few hundred yards from our foreman’s residence, this sinkhole was concealed in a brushy area no-one had ever explored due to the rocky terrain,” said landowners Mr. and Mrs. Don and Debbie Davis. “We knew of one (other) large sinkhole on the property that our neighbor Randy Rugh told us about many years ago. Randy is the great-nephew of the previous landowner and grew up exploring the entire property.” Last Monday, August 22, two lucky cave explorers went inside and discovered the massive underground room, measuring about 130 tall x 70 feet around. Cave explorer, Bennett Lee was the first one in the hole, along with fellow explorer Matthew Taylor. This was certainly a day to remember for Lee, who is a computer tech man by day and a “caver” just for fun. “There are only a few caves in Texas with a room this big. It’s really rare to find a room and formations this big,” Lee said. “As a caver, you go to hundreds of sites and stick your head in, and most of the time, almost always, it’s nothing. This is one we are all looking for!” Lee has been exploring caves since the 80s and has seen a lot over the years, and he notes that any possible connecting caves could be even more remarkable. “The underground world is something that most people will never see. It’s like the last frontier,” Bennett said. “Every mountain top, every stream, someone has walked it, but these underground caves have been sealed up for hundreds of thousands of years. It’s like walking on the moon. We know we are the first people to ever set foot down there,” Lee said. “It is hundreds of thousands of years old,” he said, and there are impressive formations all over the walls of the cave. “The two main formations in there dwarf the others,” Bennett said. “One was about 30 feet high, and then there are two stalagmites that grew together about halfway up, and those are about 20 feet. The photo was taken on the uphill side, so it does not show the full height. Formations this large take a very long time to form.” Another unique feature is what he calls a “broomstick column” which is formed by a stalagmite and a stalactite which grew together from above and below. He spoke a little about how sink holes form. “Usually what happens is the ceiling of a cave collapses, slowly over time. Over hundreds of thousands of years, little pieces of rock fall from the ceiling, one after another, into this now huge cavern underground. The rock above the cave becomes weak and as it erodes and falls, eventually, you start to see this sink hole form on the surface,” Lee said. “Exploring caves is a very fun, exciting, and dangerous business!” In this stunning underground room, named Woot Cavern, explorers will search for a connecting cave, which could be even more marvelous than the initial discovery. Lee has worked on a project near Leakey, for example, where cavers found a cave spanning over six miles long, underground, with no end in sight. “With a room this size, there was obviously something there at one time,” Lee said. “We just have no idea what to expect. We have to go back down there and poke around, see if we can find a connecting cave and get past the breakdown. There are several large boulders. We may never get past the break down,” Lee said. The 1,883-acre ranch in northeast Medina County has several sink holes, but nothing like this one. When you are looking for a sink hole, you might look for “a circular depression about 10-30 feet in diameter, that’s about 6 feet lower than the ground around it,” Lee said. “Sometimes smaller, sometimes only 2 feet deep.” “Winter time is a great time to walk the ranch. If you see any steam coming up from the ground, that’s a huge sign. Or after a huge rain, water might run down into a sink hole. Sink holes are important recharge zones for the aquifer.” If you suspect you see a sinkhole on your land, you can contact the Bexar Grotto team, and they will come check it out for free. Limestone is typical of caves and Texas is covered with limestone. From San Antonio to Austin, sink holes are actually very common, he says. The Grotto group does what’s called “karst walks”, where we have a line of people and walk across the land looking for signs “There’s a lot of caves around here, especially around the Hill Country area,” Lee said. “It’s just a matter of finding them.” Q&A with the Davis family at Seco Valley Ranch: How did ya’ll first see it? Last February, we invited members of Bexar Grotto, a non-profit caving group, to explore the cave associated with the sinkhole about which we knew. They opened up passages enough for people to crawl in and discovered a large room with ancient stalagmites and stalactites (remember your school mnemonic; Stalactites hold tightly to the ceiling and Stalagmites might make it to the ceiling someday). The Hydrologist with this group explained to us this sinkhole and others in the area were springs in the Paleolithic Era where aquifer waters were forced upwards and fed the shallow sea that covered this area. These openings now serve to direct rainfall down into the aquifer. YouTube video with images of this karst feature. https://youtu.be/t1556eJzKow Prior to initiating exploration of that karst, we named DWD Grotto, our ranch foreman Jaime Sanchez discovered a second sinkhole while clearing juniper brush. We still plan to excavate this cave that is located near a wet weather creek. https://youtu.be/B0XAGk0pgN0 The EAA uses precise satellite hill shade maps to identify depressions on the land surface. They located two more areas of interest. The third turned out to contain the small opening to this spectacular cavern. We invited Bexar Grotto out again. Bennett Lee and Matthew Taylor rappelled 80’ down from the tiny entrance and discovered a huge open room with a spectacular column of glistening flowstone and a second tower. https://youtu.be/kYWKgqm_rfU Our ranch is located along the Balcones Escarpment, an area known for its high aquifer recharge ability due to fracturing from the ancient Balcones Fault line. The aquifer supplies water to the city of San Antonio, among others. Due to climate change and increased urban water needs, the Edwards Aquifer Authority is actively seeking private lands to enroll in conservation easements, a program that pays landowners a percentage of the current land value to restrict development in perpetuity. We decided along with several of our neighbors, to conserve this significant area. As part of the research conducted by EAA, a team of Geologists and Hydrologists work in cooperation with Biologists with Green Spaces Alliance, a 501(C)3, to survey the properties, mapping noteworthy features. How many sink holes have ya’ll found in all? 4 What did ya’ll do when ya’ll first found the hole? While shining a light down the small opening, we could see there was a floor. Tossing in a rock was our first attempt to determine the depth of the cavern. It took 3 ½ seconds to hit the bottom. Next, I tied a cord to a rock and lowered it, so I could measure the length of cord. I measured roughly 70 feet. Did ya’ll imagine it was going to be anything like it turned out to be? Heavens no! We could tell the room opened up after the tiny entrance, but could only see darkness. We never dreamed this would be larger than the first karst we explored. How long have ya’ll lived there? 23 years Please share any ranch history or interesting stories? We are about 2 miles northeast of the large Valdina Sinkhole on the Seco Creek. There are numerous caves in this area. This ranch was pieced together in the 1930’s by Charlie Rugh. He left the property to his two nephews that divided the ranch. We purchased half from one brother and our neighbor Randy and his brother inherited their side from their parents Ronnie and Carolyn. Charlie was a sheep and goat farmer. His nephews leased the grazing for cattle and goats. When we took over management, we converted to a cattle operation where we produce grass-fed beef on a small scale for sale to end users. What is it like–knowing there could be a massive cave running underground across your ranch from this site? Very, very exciting. We are conservation ranchers. We manage our grazing holistically to sustain soil health while raising a Critically Endangered breed. In a drought year such as this one and the previous two, it is hard to regenerate the soils, but we do our part not to cause damage to soil health and maintain groundwater retention. We already were making plans to create some kind of land trust, so when we are gone, a living herd of conservation genetics Texas Longhorns will be perpetuated for public appreciation, education and scientific research. The Texas Longhorn is the only breed that evolved in this region by natural selection. They are uniquely adapted to thrive in this environment and promise to be of economic importance to the future of our nation’s food supply as our climate changes. Although there are tens of thousands of horned cattle in this country, only perhaps 3000-3500 animals possess Iberian-descent genetics not mixed with other breeds. These are the cattle we raise. Protecting and developing these karst features for the same public use falls right into our conservation goals. Our ranching operation is also Audubon Certified Bird Friendly Land. This area is sanctuary for endangered Golden-cheeked Warblers and many colorful songbirds. We do not have any children to inherit our property, so our focus is conservation for the public good.
Frio County deputies Matthew Cuellar and the late Corp. Justin Longria.
By Kayleen Holder When Patrol Deputy, Matthew Cuellar stepped into his vehicle this past Tuesday, August 23, he had only one thing on his mind– protecting the citizens of Frio County. That night, he and other deputies encountered a human smuggling operation, and he was involved in a dangerous pursuit that left his vehicle totaled and Deputy Cuellar unconscious. It was a night that he won’t soon forget, for more reasons than one. “Yesterday was a very scary one,” he said. “It’s still eating me up inside to see how careless this subject was that we were in pursuit of. These people don’t care about vehicles, lives, property or anything for that matter, only about the money they’re making to commit this crime.” Cuellar noted that deputies are facing multiple pursuits every day and week, but this one ended a little differently. “I lost control of my patrol unit while in pursuit of a suspect and went into a tree,” Cuellar said. “I was unconscious.” When he awoke, he found himself “alone on the county road with everything destroyed”–but in that moment he also realized something special had just happened. Suddenly he recalled “seeing a unit approach from the east, the opposite direction my team went. As it approached, I realized it was my best friend Justin (Deputy Justin Longoria who died in a vehicle accident last year). Justin put his arm out and said ‘You’re going to be alright come on.’ “Once I touched him, I woke up and heard the radio going off.” At that point, he awoke from unconsciousness, and was able to crawl out and call for help, he said. “This moment still has me torn because I miss my brother so much, but to know when people say he’s always there, and having experienced that, I believe it,” Cuellar said, still emotional thinking about what happened. Deputy Cuellar thanked his fellow heroes and community for the unwavering support they have shown. “Thank you to Sheriff Mike Morse and Chief Peter Erica Salinas for being there throughout the night at the hospital,” Cuellar said. “And of course thank you to my community, the love and prayers that have been sent my way have kept me strong. I woke up this morning feeling like a train hit my body. I’m grateful I was able to leave with a few cuts and a minor concussion. It’s going to be a long week but I will get better. Love everyone.”
