Category: Top News Stories

Clarifies updated Ag exemption rule will not be based on size alone

This is good news for many farmers and ranchers who have small operations in Medina County and became concerned after reading through the updated 2024 MCAD Ag guidelines reported on last week. In an email to The Devine News this Monday, Medina County Tax Appraiser Johnette Dixon clarified that “The 20-acre minimum is recommended, not required.”
Dixon noted they are looking at re-wording the new guidelines to better reflect that.
“Anyone that has ag (exemption) now and continues to use it…

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Devine wells leaves city with less than half-day of water supply, crews work all through the night to fix

By Anton Riecher
Simultaneous ruptures in twin 12-inch water lines connecting Devine’s two municipal water wells to above ground storage left the city with less than a half-day supply of water during the May 11 weekend, Mayor Butch Cook reports.
“Once again, we really need to commend our public works department,” he said. “After working all through the night to get the water line back up the city never lost water.”
The city currently depends on two water wells located on FM1343 that draw from the Edwards Aquifer, Cook said. Those wells are…

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Flag retirement ceremony Monday, May 27

By Gary Saathoff
Buddy Poppies…On Saturday, May 25, 2024, members of Post 3966 will be giving out Buddy Poppies in front of Walmart. The Buddy Poppies are free, but if you would like to make a donation, it will go to help disabled veterans.
Memorial Day Ceremony
On Memorial Day, May 27, 2024, Post 3966 will hold a flag retirement ceremony to be followed by a Memorial Ceremony. South Upson Street between the Devine Post Office and the Bingo Hall will be closed for the ceremonies. The ceremonies will take place in the street below the patriotic mural on the Bingo Hall starting at 9:30 am.
Art students adding to mural
Devine High School art students have completed…

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May 29 in Lytle about creating a Stormwater Utility Fund

The City of Lytle is having a Town Hall Meeting Wednesday, May 29, 2024 about a Storm Water Utility Fund.
What is a Stormwater Utility Fund and how will it benefit the city and its residents?
Why is the City creating the Stormwater Utility Fund?
Who pays and what are the costs?
Join the City Hall Staff and Engineer as they…

TO CONTINUE READING…CLICK HERE or go to www.devinenewsmembers.com

With Medina County farms and ranches being subdivided rapidly, land being used for agriculture decreased by over 15,600 acres in one year (2023-2024). The amount of ag land lost last year is more than the amount of agriculture land lost than in the previous five years combined. Land used for residential increased by over 15,500 acres in Medina County in the same 1-year time period (2023-2024).
In the past 11 years, nearly 34,000 acres of farms and ranches have been developed and are no longer used for agriculture.
Vanishing farm and ranch operations is a statewide and nationwide problem. With Texas leading the nation in ag operations…

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Ready, set, runoff!

Medina County runoffs for 2 county commissioner races, constable, congressman begins May 20th

Early voting for the Republican Primary Runoff races will be held May 20 through May 24 between 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Election Day will be May 28.
US Rep. District 23 Congressman Tony Gonzales is in a Runoff with challenger Brandon Herrera. Precinct 1,2,3, and 4 can vote in this runoff which includes other counties as well in District 23.
There are also three local county level Republican runoff races.
The County Commissioner Precinct 1 seat will be determined by a runoff between Jessica Castiglione, who received…

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May 29 in Lytle about creating a Stormwater Utility Fund

The City of Lytle is having a Town Hall Meeting Wednesday, May 29, 2024 about a Storm Water Utility Fund.
What is a Stormwater Utility Fund and how will it benefit the city and its residents?
Why is the City creating the Stormwater Utility Fund?
Who pays and what are the costs?
Join the City Hall Staff and Engineer as they share information and provide answers to any…

TO CONTINUE READING…CLICK HERE or go to www.devinenewsmembers.com