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.

“Predator Poachers” group tracks suspect to Devine

Press Release by Devine PD–On September 1, 2024, at 1:21 PM, Officers from the Devine Police Department responded to a disturbance at Walmart, located at 175 IH 35, involving two males. Upon arrival, Officers spoke with Alex Rosen, who is part of Predator Poachers, a group that conducts online investigations into the sexual solicitation of minors.

Rosen stated that the other individual, identified as Eric Rey Castillo, age 25, had come to Walmart to engage in sexual activities with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old boy.

Rosen provided the Officers printed messages exchanged between Castillo and the purported minor, whom Rosen was impersonating.

After being informed of his Miranda Rights, Castillo stated he knew the boy was not real but insisted he needed to verify this for himself. He claimed his visit to Devine was motivated by a need for mental “help” and anticipated police presence. Castillo was subsequently arrested and transported to the Medina County Jail, facing charges of Online Solicitation of a Minor, a second-degree felony. A second-degree felony in Texas can result in 2–20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Medina Co makes breakthrough in 1974 Cold Case

Press Release–The Medina County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce a significant breakthrough in a decades-old cold case. After nearly 45 years of persistent investigative efforts, an unidentified body discovered off Red Wing Road, now County Road 371 Castroville, TX in 1979 has now been positively identified as Gary Alan Robbins.


On November 26, 1979, the remains of an unidentified individual were found approximately 90 feet north of Red Wing Road in the brush. Despite extensive efforts at the time, investigators were unable to determine the identity of the deceased, leading the case to go cold.


Recent advances in forensic science, particularly in DNA analysis, have provided the tools necessary to revisit this case with renewed vigor. Working closely with Identifinders International, Intermountain Forensics, and through Gray Hughes Investigates’ financial support. Medina County Sheriff’s Office has successfully identified the remains as those of Gary Alan Robbins, born in Chicago Illinois on July 25, 1946.


Medina County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest gratitude to the community for its support and to the forensic teams whose dedication and expertise made this identification possible. This breakthrough would not have been possible without the resources provided by Gray Hughes Investigates, whose commitment to justice and community safety has made a profound impact.
While this discovery brings closure to one aspect of the case, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Gary Alan Robbins death continues.

We urge anyone with information related to this case to come forward. You can contact Sergeant Investigator Alfonso R. Oranday at 830-741-6150 or by email alfonso.oranday@medinatx.org


You can also submit tips anonymously to the Medina County Crime Stoppers Hotline, at 1-800-FOR-CUFF (1-800-367-2833) or by APP: P3 TIPS (Available on IOS & Android Devices)

The victim has now been positively identified as Gary Alan Robbins.

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EMS tax hike proposal draws concerned citizens to contentious meeting

MCESD4 District provides EMS service to Devine and Natalia and the surrounding area. It has been planning to switch over on October 1 from hiring a third party amublance service to starting their own EMS business with the thought the taxpayers would get more service. Apprarently not all board members were on the same page, as Board Members Juan Zamora and George Moralez tabled the actions when he learned that Allegiance was already providing TWO 24 HR Ambulances. He was under the impression the ESD was only getting 1.5 ambulances, and the new business would bring that up to 2 ambulances. He questioned why that was misrepresented to the him and Moralez the two newest board members.
As of press time Tuesday, August 27 a new public hearing was happening to see what the board plans to do with tax rate and if Allegiance will be asked to keep providing the service instead of it stopping on Sept 30 since as the board has already cancelled their service as of that date.

By Anton Riecher
With anger and frustration boiling over during an August 20 public hearing, the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4 Board of Commissioners voted to postpone action on a proposed 57 percent tax rate increase to support its transition to operating its own ambulances rather than contracting with an outside provider. The new tax rate would cause a 73% increase in the actual tax bill of the average homestead will pay.
Former Devine mayor and county commissioner Jerry Beck and Natalia ISD board president Eric Smith among a room full of others were very concerned in the often heated opposition to both the tax increase and the revamp of ambulance service.
“We didn’t know you were going to raise our taxes until it came out in the newspaper the other day,” Beck said. “We wanted to ask, number one, why, but it’s already been decided. You’ve already fired the contract company. You’ve already hired new people.”
Video coverage of the ESD4 public hearing is posted on the Devine News YouTube channel.
Friction was also apparent between board president Anthony Martin and board treasurer Juan Zamora over the issue of whether…

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Cruz control!

Devine Arabian setter Kyndie Cruz was honored for having reached 1,000 career assists. Quick on her feet, she sets up one kill after another for her team.

Junior Kynedie Cruz dished up her 1,000th career assist in Devine’s match versus Ingram August 20.
There is still a lot of playing time left over the next two seasons, so watch for this number to possibly double by the time it is all said and done.

First auto in Devine-1905- created quite a “stir”

This was the first reported automobile to have been driven through Devine, and it surely created quite a “stir”!

By Nancy Saathoff
Just imagine the excitement, curiosity, and maybe a little fear that this Packard Touring Car might have brought to the dusty streets of Devine in 1905.
Can you imagine the curious looks when seeing an automobile for the very first time? On July 3rd, 1905, perhaps the first automobile that ever ran on the streets of Devine was viewed by a number of citizens who had never seen an automobile before! This early Packard Touring Car must have been a wild spectacle, not just for them, but probably for the horses too! Those were still horse and buggy days in Devine at that time and even though the horses were accustomed to the trains, this was something different! The trains stayed on their own tracks, but for the horses, this vehicle roamed on “their” streets!
Editor R. Peterson and E.B. Baker, a prominent cotton buyer, drove their auto all the way from Paris, Texas with their sights set on heading to Mexico City! Paris was in Lamar, County, in northeast Texas on the Red River, so that was quite a trip planned for them. They were out…

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Big FESTIVAL at St John Bosco this Sunday, Sept 1st…

The annual festival will be held at St John Bosco Catholic Church located at 502 5th Street, Natalia on Labor Day September 1. There are several fundraisers leading up to the big event.
There will be lots of bands. See page 2 for more details on the big event.

DRAWING TICKETS: Text Beatrice Morales at 210-482-9595 for tickets. September 1st is the Grand drawing. So don’t delay, get your tickets TODAY, $5 each. Father Antony will draw the $500 winning ticket on Sunday, August 11th after 11 a.m. mass.  
The winning ticket and all the tickets will be put back into the raffle barrel for another chance to win $3k, $2k, & $1k and other prizes on September 1st.  This drawing will be announced at the Labor Day Festival extravaganza. 
Fun FOAM FINISH and Zumba 5K Run or Walk:
This is a fun event for the whole family. 1.7 miles through the City of Natalia; check-in is at 6:30 a.m.
Kids Run starts at 7:45 a.m. There will be activities for the kids during the race. Race starts at 8 a.m. for the runners, followed by the walkers.
When everybody returns they will have a Zumba session and end the day with a Fun Foam Finish.

Numerous interviews and multiple search warrants lead deputies to Arsonists

Press Release–Medina County Sheriff’s Office began conducting an investigation with the assistance of the Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office after responding to multiple grass fires in various areas of Medina County between August 9th 2022 and August 12th 2022.
After a lengthy investigation with numerous interviews and multiple search warrants, two suspects were developed. These suspects were identified as Christopher Robert Castro Jr. and Martha Eugenia Caroline Day. Both individuals were interviewed and admitted to starting fires in Medina County between August 9th through August 12th, 2022. Both individuals stated they used a lighter to ignite matches and would throw them out the window and catch the grass on fire.


On August 16, 2024, both individuals were arrested at their homes without incident and booked into the Medina County Jail for the Criminal Offense of Arson. Bonds are set at $50,000 surety for both individuals.
The case is still an ongoing investigation and as the investigation progresses, we will continue to keep the public informed with any significant developments, however due to the sensitive nature of this investigation there are details that we cannot disclose at this time to avoid compromising our efforts.

Locals to get first dibs….

Now is the time for Vendors to sign up… deadline Aug. 23 for first dibs at fall festival

The Devine Chamber of Commerce will host its annual 2024 Fall Cactus Festival on the first Saturday of November as usual, set for November 2 in downtown Devine with a festival, street dance and carnival.
Sign up as a vendor
August 23 is the deadline for locals to get first dibs on vendor spots….This year preference will be given to chamber members to keep with the local first theme who sign up to be a vendor first. Then it will be opened to outside vendors. Only 3 of every kind of vendor will be allowed to provide a nice variety of vendors. The Devine Market Association has accepted the job of organizing the vendors and taking care of that part of the festival for the chamber. An August 23 deadline has been set for chamber members to apply to get dibs on a vendor spot. Chamber members will be given priority then local and then open to others. To give as much opportunity as possible to local people first. Think, Shop, Dine Devine!
Charley Richardt, DMA Market Coordinator is handing the vendors for the chamber with the help of Steve Smith. Charley can be reached at 210.790.2212 or by email at charley.katona@gmail.com Feel free to text with questions about vendors. The link to sign up is https://forms.gle/r3JW89SRLwsCb1C9A
Carnival
The carnival will be in town Thursday through Saturday as usual.


Entertainment
A mix of entertainments will feature local youth dance and cheer groups, live music on two different stages, a master of ceremonies and possibly karaoke.
Live music on the main stage will feature the Solis Bros Band, Jeremy Richards Band and Small Town Habit. On the back stage will be Claude Morgan and friends. Keith Lutz will take care of the sound.
Grand Marshal
The 2024 Devine Parade Grand Marshall will be Devine’s own Lewis Stroud. Stroud was born and raised in Devine and continues in his retirement from teaching to promote the community and help spread awareness and help to organizations and those in need through the Devine Lions Club. He and his wife Marsha raised their two sons in Devine and both continue to help others daily and volunteer in the community.
Parade Theme
This year’s theme is Devine Pride since Homecoming is the very next week. So get out your maroon and gold and let’s decorate the floats in hometown style.
The Alzafar Shiners have signed up for the parade this year. They always are a wonderful addition to the parade with their clowns, cars, and members. The Chamber is excited to have them involved in the parade again.