Celebrating 126 Years of Serving the communities of Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Bigfoot, and Moore in Medina, Frio, and Atascosa Counties
Keep up with what’s going on in Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Bigfoot and Moore areas in Medina, Frio, and Atascosa Counties.
Reyna Crain of Devine (center) shows her goat which took 5th place at the MCJL Stock Show this past week. Stock Show photos by Brigid Howard and Mable Byrd.
A tragic fire Monday night, January 19, sadly claimed the life of Zorida Lozano, of Devine. Her husband was able to get out of the burning trailer, but she was not. Calls for help came in around 11 pm for the fire located at 1118 CR 669, a few miles from Devine.
Firefighters from Natalia, Devine, Lytle, Hondo and LaCoste responded, but there was little they could do as the home was already fully involved.
“It’s just a tragedy. Every inch of that place had fire rolling out of it,” said Natalia VFD Assistant Chief Russell Johnson. “It was a small…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
By Anton Riecher
By a 4-0 vote, the Devine City Council approved the second phase of a continuing project to rehabilitate the long unused L.C. Martin water well to provide quality water and increased pressure to southwest Devine.
On a motion by District 3 Alderman Jeff Miller, seconded by District 1 Alderman Ray Gonzales, the council approved spending $31,716 to install a new motor and repair neglected pump equipment to bring the well back on line.
“I think it would be great progress for that side of town,” Public Works Director Pete Sanchez told the council.
The council previously approved $37,000 for treating and cleaning the well to see if it could be put back into use, City Administrator David Jordan said.
“That was phase one,” he said. “This is phase two. Equipment that was on site was kept outside and needs to be rehabilitated and repaired. This is the approval to be able to drop the pump back down inside the well.”
Sean Marlowe, president of Advanced Water Well Technology, said rebuilding the…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
On Thursday, January 15, 2026, the Medina County District Attorney’s Office secured guilty verdicts in the 454th District Court against Raymundo Ruiz Jr. on five counts of Sexual Assault of a Child and one count of Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact (Cause No. 23-04-14694- CR), as well as one count of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child Under 14 Years of Age (Cause No. 25-03-15559-CR). The cases were tried together, and a jury assessed punishment at 36 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child charge.
As ordered by Judge Donna Rayes, that sentence will run concurrently with the additional sentences totaling 28 years on the remaining charges.
Two survivors came forward and courageously testified in open court. In addition to sexual violence, acts of physical abuse and emotional abuse were detailed; the children described unsafe and degrading living conditions, threats, and physical harm they would endure if they did not comply with the Ruiz’s demands for sex. The children were also made to perform daily strenuous labor, including…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
Tragically, Juan Peralta, 58, did not survive, and three others were seriously injured including Peralta’s son-in-law Johnny Aguinaga (48), his grandson Alonzo Aguinaga (21), and a close co-worker, Jeremy Jones.
A local family is facing an unimaginable tragedy after a devastating car accident early Thursday morning, Jan 22, changed their lives forever. Tragically, Juan Peralta,58, did not survive, and three others were seriously injured including Peralta’s son-in-law Johnny Aguinaga (48), his grandson Alonzo Aguinaga (21), and a close co-worker, Jeremy Jones.
Today, Johnny and Jeremy remain in the ICU. They are recovering and showing strength, but still have more surgeries ahead. Alonzo has been moved out of the ICU but is still hospitalized after undergoing another surgery for a complete knee reconstruction, the family said.
“Doctors say all three face a long and uncertain road to recovery. We ask for continued prayers and support as they heal,” the family said, noting they are caught between grief and hope—mourning the loss of a beloved father and grandfather while standing strong beside three loved ones still battling to heal.
The crash involving an 18 wheeler carrying jet fuel happened on Wetmore Road and Loop 410 in San Antonio near the airport.
All four men were the sole providers for their families. With the loss of Juan and the other three unable to work for the foreseeable future, the financial and emotional burden has become overwhelming.
In the wake of the tragedy, the family stated, “Juan was a great man whose love for his family knew no bounds. He treasured spending time with grandkids and great-grandson and never missed a single sports game, always there to cheer them on. He was a proud Natalia Mustang and showed his support with enthusiasm and heart. His presence, love, and dedication will always be remembered. But more than anything, Juan loved his wife, Dora, and cherished her with all his heart. They shared countless memories, from their crazy casino trips to the quiet moments where he always held her hand wherever they went. Their love was constant and full of joy. My dad will truly be missed by many and forever remembered.”
Friends and loved ones are asking the community to come together during this incredibly difficult time. Any support—whether through financial donations, prayers, or simply sharing this message—can make a meaningful difference.
The family also wishes to say “a heartfelt thank you to Natalia ISD, Natalia Athletics coaching staff, family, friends, and everyone who has shown continued love and support. It truly means more than words can express.”
The following donation info was provided by the family:
Cash App:
$AmandaAguinagaO
$peraltadora56
Esai Sanchez, a senior Warhorse Band member earned his first trip to perform in the Texas All-State Symphonic Band.
Esai Sanchez, a member of the Devine High School Warhorse Band has qualified to rehearse and perform with the 2026 Texas All-State Symphonic Band. Esai will perform on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at San Antonio’s Henry B. González Convention Center, during the 2026 Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention.
Esai was chosen for this prestigious honor through a competitive process held this year across the state at District, Region, and Area levels. Esai is a student of Bert Sanchez (his dad) and plays at school under the direction of Mr. Bert Sanchez, who is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, a 20,400+ member organization headquartered in Austin. This is Esai’s first time to perform as a member of a TMEA All-State organization. Esai is the child of Humberto (Bert) and Monica Sanchez.
High school students selected to perform in All-State concerts have competed through auditions to qualify at the state level. All-State is the highest honor a Texas music student can achieve. Students are selected through a multi-level adjudication process that begins with about 60,000 students from around the state vying for this honor to perform in one of 18 ensembles. Texas Music Educators Association sponsors the Texas All-State competition.
This competitive process begins throughout the state in auditions hosted by 33 TMEA Regions. Individual musicians perform selected music for a panel of judges who rank each instrument or voice part. From this ranking, a select group of musicians advances from their Region to compete against musicians from other areas in eight TMEA Area competitions. The highest-ranking musicians judged at the TMEA Area competitions qualify to perform in a TMEA All-State music group.
Only the top 3% of musicians who initially audition become All-State musicians. Directed by nationally recognized conductors, All-State students participate in four days of rehearsals during the TMEA Clinic/Convention. Their performances for thousands of attendees bring this extraordinary event to a close.
For the All-State concert and conductor information, go to the Performances section of tmea.org/convention.
Check out the Medina County Jr. Livestock Show this week!
Hundreds of local students are seeing their hardwork come to fruition as they compete in the Medina County Jr. Livestock Show in Hondo this week.
The Premium Sale will be this Saturday, Jan.24. Buyer registration will start at 9:30am and the Sale will be at 11am. See schedule on page 3.
LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
See the listing of rural roads set to be worked on for Medina County as well as Frio and Atascosa along with maps on page 8 and 9. Note: projects at various locations are not shown on maps. The Public Comment meeting for each county is as shown below. Maps courtesy of TxDot.
By Kayleen Holder
Editor
The community is invited to attend meetings in the following counties to participate and learn more about TxDot’s projects in Medina, Atascosa, Frio, Bandera, Kendall, Kerr, McMullen, Uvalde and Wilson Counties. The presentation outlines projects planned from 2027 through 2030.
Purpose: The purpose of this meeting is to provide information and receive comments on which transportation projects may be coming to your area.
You can also submit public comments by email or by mail as outlined below.
Public comments on the draft plan may be submitted in the following ways:
If you would like to have your feedback to be included in the official public meeting record, all comments must be postmarked or otherwise received by Friday, April 10, 2026.
• By Email: to Ivonne.delarosa@txdot.gov, Attention: Rural TIP.
• By Mail:
TxDOT San Antonio District
Attn: Rural TIP
4615 Northwest Loop 410
San Antonio, TX 78229
All comments must be postmarked or otherwise received by Friday, April 10, 2026.
In-person presentation meeting details
TX Dot’s San Antonio District will present the 2027 – 2030 Rural Transportation Improvement Program (Rural TIP) at the dates and local locations below:
Medina County Commissioner Court
Monday, Jan. 26, 2026
9 a.m.
Medina County Courthouse
Annex. 1300 Avenue M (Room 165),
Hondo, TX 78861
Frio County Commissioner Court
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026
3 p.m.
Frio County Courthouse
500 East San Antonio Street,
Pearsall, TX 78061
Atascosa County Commissioner Court
Monday, March 9, 2026
9 a.m.
Atascosa County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Circle Dr. Suite 203,
Jourdanton, TX 78026
According to…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
Both sisters agree on several things … they want to be adopted together, by forever parents who will always love them… and a home with pets as they love all types of animals.
Meet Jocelyn and Aide… a fun and dynamic duo! This pair is full of love and energy. Not only are they sisters… but best friends as well, and they love doing everything together.
Jocelyn at 12 years of age, is a bubbly and effervescent child. She is extremely energetic, happy, and full of personality. Jocelyn enjoys spending time outdoors, going to the park and playing outside. She also enjoys indoor activities such as watching movies, watching music videos, singing and dancing.
Some of Jocelyn’s favorites.
Attending school – seeing her friends
Any kind of pet
Going bowling
And … Peter Piper Pizza and McDonalds
Aide at 8 years of age, and like her big sister, she is sweet, loving, and fun. Even though she is not even a teenager yet, she already has a pretty good idea of what she wants to attend college for, to become a school teacher when she grows up.
When it comes to fun … Aide likes taking part in outdoor activities, as much as she likes getting dressed up to go window shopping.
Some of Aide’s favorites are:
Class at school – Reading
Restaurant – McDonalds (chicken nuggets)
Color – Purple
Activity – Dancing
Anything she can do with her sister by her side.
Aide loves her sister and is looking forward to being adopted with her big sister into their forever home. As Jocelyn and Aide are each other’s biggest supporters and really rely on each other.
If you think you could be a forever family for these sisters … or another Texas child, please call 1-800-233-3405 for more information or visit www.adoptchildren.org where you can find a schedule of online public information meetings, and learn about the foster/adoption program.
You can also view the www.heartgallerystx.org website, where South Texas children have their portraits along with individual personal stories they wish to share, with their future forever family.
By Anton Riecher
Lytle Mayor Ruben Gonzalez cast the deciding vote Jan. 12 to effectively kill proposed action to transfer $7.1 million in city funds placed with a well-known state government investment pool back to its original home at Lytle State Bank.
Instead, the council voted to table further action until a future council meeting to allow bank officers and City Administrator Zachary Meadows to negotiate favorable terms for the suggested transfer of nearly $2 million of the total invested by the city with TexPool.
“Is that an option to work through this?” Gonzalez asked the bank officials, noting that a large portion of that new deposit is scheduled to cover major infrastructure projects over the coming year.
TexPool, overseen by the state comptroller, is the largest public funds investment pool in the state, created for local governments to combine funds for safer, higher-yielding investments. The pool provides investment services to more than
