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.

Local city/school ELECTIONS…Feb 14 filing deadline


City of Lytle council ballot

Filing ends at 5:00 pm on February 14, 2025 at the City of Lytle office, 14916 Main St. Positions expiring May 1 are: Districts 1, 2 and 3 currently being held by Aldermen Aguirre (1), Hughes (2) and Emery (3).
Filings so far for a place on the ballot are Richard Hughes for District 2 and David Emery for District 3, as of Tuesday morning, Feb. 4. The City of Lytle operates with a Mayor-Council form of government. The council consists of five Aldermen that each serve a single member district.
The City Council’s primary duty is policy making. The council identifies the needs of the city’s residents and provides programs to meet the changing requirements of the community and measure the effectiveness of ongoing services in the city. See qualifications for becoming a Council member at lytletx.org. Currently serving are : Ruben Gonzalez-Mayor; Miguel Aguirre-Alderman, District 1; Richard Hughes-Alderman, District 2; David Emery-Alderman, District 3; Michael Rodriguez- Alderman, District 4; and Matthew Martinez- Alderman, District 5.

Nine more days to file for City of Devine council
February 14 deadline
The City of Devine will be calling for a mayoral and city alderman election to be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Positions currently held by Butch Cook, Mayor and Michael Hernandez (District 2) and Debbie Randall (District 5) are expiring.
Filing so far are: Butch Cook for Mayor, Hal Lance, Jr. for District 5 and Michael Hernandez for District 2. Deadline to file for a position is Friday, February 14th by 5:00 p.m. at city hall.
All voters can vote in the mayoral election. You have to live in the district you want to run for. And you must live in the district to vote on a district race.

Feb. 14 deadline to file for Devine ISD trustee election
Devine ISD will be calling for a school board election for District 2 and the two At-Large positions to be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Positions currently held by Carl Brown (District 2), Renee Frieda (At-Large) and Chris Davis (At-Large) are expiring. So far only Chris Davis has filed for election, At-Large position, and Carl Brown (District 2).
Deadline to file for a position is Friday, February 14th by 5:00 p.m. at the Superintendent’s Office.

Bigfoot man airlifted after being attacked with Machete

A Bigfoot man was airlifted after being attacked with a machete this past Thursday, January, 23rd in the 8000th block of E FM 462 in the community of Bigfoot. Suspect Jonathan Lee Pruitt, 34, was quickly identified and arrested in the case. Frio County deputies responded quickly to the incident reported around 2:42 am.


According to deputies, the victim was outside on his front porch when he was attacked. Upon arriving at the scene officers found two witnesses outside who advised them that the injured party was inside of the residence.


“Upon entering the residence, Deputies found a subject sitting on the couch. When asked where he was injured the subject advised that he was not injured but he was the one that committed the assault. Deputies at that time detained the subject and identified him as Jonathan Pruitt,” a press release states.


“Deputies then followed a trail of blood down the hallway where they discovered the victim lying unconscious….LOGIN to READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT WWW.DEVINENEWSMEMBERS.COM

Roney inspires others one painting at a time

Just holding a paintbrush is difficult at times for her. That’s because the 30-year-old Ellisville, Mississippi resident Daphne Roney is battling a rare genetic disease called A-T. But she won’t let it stop her from doing what she loves most…painting.
For years, she has shared her abstract painting with family and friends in her community, but she is excited to announce her artwork is featured in a book!
The book, “Art from the Heart: A 30-Day Devotional” features her striking artwork on every page, set amongst inspirational and Christian quotes. The book was designed and published by newspaper editor Kayleen Holder, of Devine, TX, whose niece Audrey Capps is also battling A-T, like Daphne.
On the back of her paintings, Roney often leaves a message that was shared with her years ago when she was having a hard day.
“It’s my favorite scripture: ‘I can do anything through Christ, Who strengthens me,’” Roney said.
Even better, all profits from the book will go to The A-T Children’s Project, to help find a cure for the many children battling the neurological disorder Ataxia telangiectasia, or A-T for short.
To support this worthy non-profit, and this inspiring artist, you can find the book on Amazon by searching for “Art from the Heart” by Daphne Roney and Kayleen Holder.
You can also purchase the book locally at The Devine News office or Country Gals Market.

 

Continue reading “Roney inspires others one painting at a time”

$5,000 REWARD-2014 cold case disappearance of woman in Atascosa Co.

Featured in the January 29, 2025 Crime of the Week–CRIME STOPPERS along with the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office are hoping that a reward of FIVE THOUSAND-DOLLARS cash will help investigators determine what happened to missing person Michelle Longoria, also known as Michelle Villarreal. Longoria, age 34 at the time of her disappearance, was last seen on January 31, 2014, and was reported missing to the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office on March 10, 2014. Sheriff’s investigators have followed up on multiple leads which have all led to dead ends.

A FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR CASH REWARD will be paid to anyone that can provide information that leads to Longoria’s whereabouts or leads to a Grand Jury indictment of the person or persons responsible for her disappearance. To be eligible for the CASH REWARD, the caller must call Crime Stoppers at 830-769-2255. When you call Crime Stoppers, you will not be asked your name. Remember, Crime Stoppers guarantees that you may remain anonymous.

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for one week only for information that leads to this missing person. Crime Stoppers also pays cash rewards for information on any unsolved felony offense. When you call Crime Stoppers you will not be asked to reveal your name. You will be assigned a code number instead. To be eligible for this reward you must call Crime Stoppers at 769-2255.

***MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY***

***CALL CRIME STOPPERS***

(830) 769-CALL

Showtime

Baylee Boehme 11 New Zealand Black rabbits 6th place CMYK

Local kiddos have been working hard raising their animals and now bringing them to the stock show this past week. Look for results in a future edition of The Devine News. Look for dozens of photos in this week’s edition of The Devine News.

Devine Education Foundation to award $30,000 in grants !

One of our favorite shots of Coach Jim Sessions, cheering his team on from the sidelines in one of many games he coached in the DSAC.

Sessions Family honored with court dedication

The evening will kick off with the dedication of the basketball court to the Sessions family. The court will now be officially known as “Sessions Court” in recognition of the family’s exceptional contributions to Devine ISD and the community.
In December, the DISD Board of Trustees approved the name change, acknowledging the Sessions family’s decades of service. From teaching and coaching to volunteering as scorekeepers and bus drivers, Don, Gayle, Neva, and Jim Sessions have given more than 108 years of dedicated service to the district.
“The Sessions Family has a longstanding and meaningful connection to Devine ISD. Through their leadership in the classroom, on the field, and as volunteers, they have shaped generations of students and set a standard for excellence in the district,” said Jerel Beaty, who coached with Jim and is a family friend. “The family has upheld values of integrity, dedication, and respect…

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Missing boy found

UPDATE: In an update around 3pm this Thursday, January 23, Sheriff Randy Brown stated the missing 15-year-old young man from the Hondo area has been located.

The young man went missing this past Monday, January 20th.

“We are actively searching for him, and running down all leads,” said Sheriff Randy Brown in a short interview this Thursday, January 23.

Authorities issued a plea to the public about three hours ago, around 11 am.

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Look for updates and additional information on this case and others in next week’s Devine News which will also feature our special Snow Edition with pages full of pictures from the big snow this year.

Devine man faces 1st degree murder charges in Fowler case

This past Tuesday week, new information led to the arrest of the suspect, 38-year-old Mannie Ricord. The suspect is charged with 1st Degree Murder. The victim, Lloyd “Roger” Fowler, 78 , was found at his home with a single gunshot wound to the head on Sunday, January 12.
“The suspect was the victim’s roommate,” Lieutenant Chris Andrews said. “When we interviewed the suspect…..LOGIN for full DIGITAL access at www.devinenewsmembers.com