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.

Santa Claus is coming to town

Christmas Market, Live Music & Dance this Saturday at Devine VFW!

Devine VFW Post 3966 will host its 2nd annual Christmas Market this Saturday, 6 December 2025. The Market will be open from 10:00 am ‘til 6:00 pm.
This year’s event will include crafts from local artisans, brats, kielbasas, hotdogs, giant pretzels, drinks hot soup, hot chocolate and more.
We will have a special performance by the Folklorico dance group, led by Elisia Mitchell, at 11:15 am. Following Folklorico’s presentation, Santa Claus will arrive with lights and sirens.
To see Santa’s spectacular arrival, we recommend being in place by 11:30 am. Additionally, we are excited to have holiday music performed by members of the Devine High School Band, under direction of Bert Sanchez and Alex Olguin. The band’s performance is scheduled to begin at 5:00 pm.
Following the Christmas Market, from 8:00 pm ‘til midnight, you can enjoy live music and a dance, featuring the very popular band, Small Town Habit.
Tickets will be available at the Main Hall door for $15 starting at 7:45 pm.
Or you can reserve a table….We are offering a Holiday Special for the dance including: A reserved table, 6 entry wrist bands, a beverage bucket with 6 drinks of your choice for $125.
If you would like to purchase the Holiday Special, guaranteeing a reserved seat, please call James at (210) 882-7689.
The Devine VFW is located at: 211 W. College Ave, Devine TX 78016.

Santa Run, market, parade & more Dec. 13th

The ‘Human Snowglobe” will be one of the many fun attractions. This fun photo op will be free to the community.

By Matthew “Moose” Lopez and Kayleen Holder
Looking for holiday plans? Check out the second annual night parade on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 6:30 P.M in Natalia. Enjoy all of the Christmas lights and get some holiday shopping done too.
At the end of the parade, families will have the opportunity to take pictures with Santa Claus at the Natalia city office!.
There will be a vendor’s market from 11am to 10 pm, and the Santa Run will be at 6 pm. Also look for the Human Snow Globe, Kid’s Corner, and Movies under the stars. For more info search “Christmas Night in Natalia” on facebook or please contact: Lysette Clark: 210-360-9071, Mary Ann Garcia: 210-560-5626 or Corina Sanchez: 210-300-4800.
Organizers noted “We have 61 amazing parade entries so far! Let’s keep it growing and hit our goal of 80!”
Sign up today…Parade Entry Link: https://forms.gle/WZ1CToNgSfsthMh86

Beware of porch present poachers!

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
A local resident of Colonial Oaks reported his package stolen from his doorstep on Nov. 28th between the times of 10:37 and 10:39. The local man showed the Devine News video footage of two teenage girls, stealing the package just minutes after it was left on his doorstep.
If you have experienced package theft and would like to make a formal report to the authorities, the police will need the following information:
Name of the product
Cost of the product
Invoice of the ordered package

County approves burn ban, partial fireworks restriction

By Anton Riecher
As of noon Monday the Medina County Commissioners Court imposed a countywide burn ban along with a prohibition on the sale or use of certain fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county.
County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Chadwick urged the ban based on the county’s ranking on the Keetch-Bryam drought index that balances precipitation against soil moisture to calculate potential fire risk.
As of Monday, Medina County ranked 658 out of a potential 800 on the KBDI ranking.
“We were told we were entering into La Niña this year and that there was a potential…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!

Suspect WANTED for stabbing

The suspect, Alfred James Martinez, 25, is still at-large with an active warrant for a stabbing that occurred near the Little League field in Natalia last week.
An altercation between two males and two females began around 3:30 pm this past Monday, November 24, according to Natalia PD.
The victim, 27-year old Eduardo Miguel Castro, was sitting inside his vehicle when he was attacked, according to reports.
Officials stated, “There are four people involved, some who are related and some who were previously in a relationship.”
“Apparently both parties were driving around when the suspect and passenger came in contact with the other two people (the victim and driver) who were parked by the Little League baseball field,” Natalia PD said.
“It appears that both females got out of the vehicles and began fighting,” according to Natalia PD . “During the fight…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!

Sarah “Willow” loves art and music

Sarah, who prefers to go by Willow, is a creative, curious, and thoughtful fifteen-year-old who dreams of being adopted. She has a deep passion for the arts and thrives in both visual and performing expressions.
At school, her favorite subjects are art and music. Willow enjoys sketching, coloring, and listening to various music. She is a motivated self-learner who has even taught herself graphic design, reflecting her independence and dedication.
Willow is sweet, respectful, and highly social, forming connections with others easily. She enjoys singing, playing the saxophone, and putting on performances, showing confidence and a love for entertaining
She is also a very curious person who loves to learn about new cultures and beliefs. She loves animals and hopes to be an Equine-assisted therapist when she grows up, as she would like to be a therapy resource for children.
When it comes to a chance to eat out …. Topping her list is a steak from the Texas Roadhouse.
Willow is looking for an open-minded family of a single or pair of parents. She would love a sibling or two that she can make memories with. She wants a family who will accept her for who she is and encourage her to fulfill her goals.
If you think you could be a forever family for Williow, 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.

Meet Adian, 13

Adian is a delightful 13-year-old who is seeking to be adopted by parents who can provide him daily love and care.
 Adian loves to play with sensory toys, especially toys that make music and sounds. His favorite fidget toy is a large wooden beaded necklace as he enjoys the sounds of the beads. Adian has a limited vocabulary, but he is always learning.
 Adian loves to eat fruit and vegetables and likes trying new foods at different restaurants. He is very active, likes being outdoors, and loves to explore nature. A walk in the park or walk in the mall is his favorite.
 His favorite snacks to eat are Dairy Queen French fries, apples, and chocolate milk. Adian loves animals, but his favorite animal to pet is dogs. He likes road trips and does well when traveling.  Adian loves to ride the bus to school and enjoys being in a classroom.
 Adian will make a great addition to a loving and forever family with a two-parent home, which is active and patient with him.  He would do well with a family that has older children or as an only child in the home, to get the one-on-one attention that he works well with. 
 If you think you could be a forever family for Adian, 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.

Izabelle, 14, loves to cook

Izabelle is a quiet, mild mannered 14-year-old who is social with her peers and adults she meets.
She enjoys taking part in several activities such as watching movies, listening to music, playing with her friends.
Izabelle really likes going to school and making new friends, her teachers report she’s a delight to have in class.
And when it comes to learning, Izabelle’s interests extend beyond the classroom to the kitchen, as she would like to learn how to assist with preparing meals, perhaps one day becoming a chef.
Izabelle has fun with all types of outings such as restaurants, parks, church or just having some friends over. Her favorite music artist is Chris Brown.
Izabelle currently does not have any pets but would like to have a puppy of her own or a family dog she can help care for.
When asked what her ideal forever family is; it is a simple one, a family who will always love and be there for her.
If you think you could be a forever family for Izabella 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.

“Caitlin’s Christmas Lights” Competition 2025

It’s time to light up our community and be sure to enter the Christmas light contest held each year in loving memory of the late Caitlin Jaworowski, to help other families now battling cancer.  The entry fee is simply a donation, and anyone can enter, with the grand prize winner getting a $250 gift card!!!!

The deadline to enter is December 20, and please make sure your lights are on the evenings of December 21-22nd as the family will be coming around for judging.

PRIZES

The 1st prize winner will receive $250 donated by Country Gals, and the 2nd prize winner will receive $150 donated by 2 Bar Ag Services, plus, several other small awards will be given for separate categories.  

DONATE

If you don’t want to enter the contest, please remember we are a non-profit organization operating year-round, so your donations are what will help us help others who are dealing with cancer.  

ENTER LIGHTS CONTEST

Sign up in person at Country Gal’s Market located at 109 W. Benton Ave, Devine, TX 78016 or call Justin Jaworowski 210-275-9025.

About us:

We are a 501c non-profit organization dedicated to raising money for individuals and families dealing with cancer. Our goal is to help alleviate some financial burdens, allowing them to focus on their health, family and healing.  

Justin Jaworowski states, “When my wife Caitlin was diagnosed with cancer 4 years ago, our community, family and friends came together in this very same way to help us. I created this non-profit organization to honor her and her fight with cancer.  The support of local community can really help take some of the burden off and this is our goal here at Caitlin’s Christmas Lights.”  

Our lights contest is our primary fundraiser.   Entry is a minimum of $10 to enter your light display.