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.

Water, sewer analysis puts Devine utility half a million in the red within five years

By Anton Riecher
Without appropriate water rate increases the city of Devine could find itself nearly half a million dollars short in covering expenses within the next five years, according to a utility rate analysis prepared by a non-profit consulting group.
The analysis prepared by Community Unlimited, a national organization that provides technical assistance at no cost to rural communities shows that very little growth in water sales is anticipated in the near future.
“Unless I missed something you don’t have too many new customers,” Community Unlimited regional coordinator Raul Gonzales reported to the Devine City Council on Dec. 10. “So that doesn’t help.”
The city council took action to help resolve the issue in November, approving a water rate increase ranging from 21.5 percent for low-end residential customers to 38.8 percent for high-end commercial users effective January 1.
That increase is only part one of a two-step plan that would see the lowest level water rate increase 18.14 percent by October 2025 as required to obtain $11.5 million in state financing to cover the mandated replacement of lead water lines serving local homes.
Mayor Butch Cook prefaced Gonzalez’ report with….

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YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Carter Clayton was recognized as the Youth Citizen of the Year by Lytle City Council this week. Mayor Gonzalez described him as “an unbelievable person” who began volunteering at the animal care and control center and eventually adopted a dog named Freckles. Together the pair began visiting the local nursing home with Freckles serving as a therapy dog to the residents

Bomb Squad X-rays backpack

Authorities took every precaution after the report was made, with the FBI,
SA Bomb Squad and many others responding to help.

Chief explains Donation was neither a hoax nor bomb

We spoke to Chief Justin Kohler this Tuesday, who wants to clear up any confusion about the incident, which was neither a hoax nor a bomb.
This past Monday, December 9, a man set the backpack down near the donation station beside the Diamond Shamrock/ Dairy Queen area in Castroville, and quickly drove off.
Castroville PD was notified and after inspection, contacted the SA Bomb Squad who quickly responded to help.
“Basically what happened is it was a backpack that had material in it that looked suspicious. So we contacted the SA Bomb Squad, and they agreed,” Chief Kohler said.
The investigation and procedures eventually led to shutting down HWY 90 around 3:40 pm.
“They did an X-ray of the package and were concerned enough…

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4-day week debate

Speakers voiced concerns on both sides of the Devine 4-day week debate.

By Anton Riecher and Kayleen Holder
A decision on whether Devine ISD will move to a four-day school week remains in limbo after the big school board meeting Dec. 4.  Citizens, staff, and school board spoke on both sides of the important issue.
Trustees Chris Davis, Carl Brown and Henry Moreno voted in favor of the four-day week with Davis making the motion. Renee Frieda, Keri James and Ali Buvinghausen opposed the measure.
All eyes focused on board president Nancy Pepper when the stalemate became apparent. Pepper said she had strong feelings on both sides of the fence, and chose to abstain from voting for the change.
“I feel I need to abstain since it’s a split vote,” Pepper said…

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First Natalia Night Parade met with enthusiasm

The Arriola family’s float was awarded with “Most Lights” at the first annual Night Christmas parade which was a huge hit!

By Catherine Richard
A large crowd gathered in the cold, breezy night last Thursday, and Christmas music drifted through the air as everyone waited for the parade to begin. Cars lined the half mile stretch in front of the Natalia Veterans Memorial Monument, with families sitting on tailgates and lawn chairs while others shopped the Christmas market set up nearby.
At 6:30 p.m., runners dressed in their Santa suits raced past the crowd, drumming up excitement for the beautiful hour-long parade that followed.
There were more than 60 floats in the lineup!
After the display of lights, the appearance of iconic Christmas characters such as Santa and the Grinch, and even fireworks (courtesy of Scooterz Fireworks) aded tons of fun. Many kiddos lined up excitedly to meet with Santa at the Natalia City Offices.

Biker Santa from Calvary Chapel

Destino Danzzar Performance Group Dancer

Fire Department Santa

Lytle council presents 2024 Citizenship Awards

The City of Lytle awarded its annual citizen awards last Monday, Dec 10. Pictured above is the winner of the adult category Sammy Aguinaga with Mayor Gonzalez and the council.

Lytle council presents 2024 Citizenship Awards
By Anton Riecher
With the holiday season upon us, one local personality that Mayor Ruben Gonzalez dubbed “one of Santa’s helpers” was among this year’s recipients of the City of Lytle Annual Citizenship Awards presented Monday.
Adorned with a large white beard, Sammy Aguinaga received the 2024 award in the adult category for his work with local children. In the youth category, pre-teen Carter Clayton was recognized for his volunteer work at the local animal care and control facility.
Gracie Gallegos received honorable mention for a wide range of activities including the local food bank and health care outreach to elderly residents.
About Aguinaga, Gonzalez called him “a great, great person” who is “always there to help out in the sense of being able to take care of kids in different ways.” The community previously recognized him for his work with children by naming him grand marshal of the 2024 Lytle Homecoming Parade.
“On a personal note he’s gone through a lot of challenges and he’s always been very positive about it,” Gonzalez said.
As for Clayton, the mayor described him as “an unbelievable person” who began volunteering at the animal care and control center in 2022. Eventually, Clayton adopted a dog named Freckles and together the pair began visiting the local nursing home with Freckles serving as a…

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Lytle’s Christmas Lighting and Santa’s Hayride this Saturday

Every year Lytle holds its Annual Christmas Lighting and Santa’s Hayride. The festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 14th at the Lytle Community Center. Santa arrives at the Community Center to turn on the lights at the Community Center and Main Street. After the lighting, Santa accompanies the children and their guardians on his hayride.
The 2024 Annual Christmas Lighting and Santa’s Hayride will start loading trailers at 5:30 p.m. at the Community Center, 19031 Priest Blvd., Lytle, Tx.
Admission is $1.00 or one canned good.
For information call 830-709-3692.
Please also join us at the Shops of Lytle at 15126 Main Street where we will have Santa’s Workshop with events for the kids to include an Ornament Workshop, the North Pole Post Office and Gingerbread Bakery.
The event is brought to you by the City of Lytle, Lytle Chamber of Commerce, Pena Family, Patriot Automotive, Lytle VFW Post 12041 and HEB Plus.

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Devine school board split, with 3 for and 3 against four-day weeks

By Anton Riecher and Kayleen Holder

The Devine ISD school board meeting tonight ended with a split vote 3 to 3 on the four-day work week.  There were speakers both for and against the big move.

Chris Davis made a motion to enact a 4-day school week, and Carl Brown seconded the motion, with Henry Moreno in agreement, however board members Renee Frieda, Keri James, and Ali Buvinghausen advocated and voted against the big change.  Board President Nancy Pepper abstained from casting the deciding vote at this time.

It is uncertain if the matter will be taken up again at a school board meeting later this month.

See more updates in next week’s Devine News, and subscribe to support third party coverage of important city, school, and county news at www.devinenewsmembers.com

A speaker takes the podium before the split vote.

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