Category: Top News Stories

By Anton Riecher
The Devine ISD school board voted Monday to adopt its budget of $25.3 million for fiscal year 2026-2027 with an expected revenue shortfall forcing the elimination of $500,000 in staff pay increases and new buses needed to comply with state seat belt laws.
Discussion by the board emphasized that the apparent deficit is driven largely by capital projects, one-time expenditures and changes in state funding formulas. Board members expressed concern that repeated carryover spending from previous budgets could reduce reserves to low levels.
Board member Chris Davis said the cuts were necessary to protect future employment in the school district.
“I know it’s rough but I’d rather adopt it with no increases and no buses than have to worry about laying people off next year,” Davis said. “At least they would have jobs.”
On a motion by Davis, seconded by Alexana Buvinghausen, the board voted unanimously to approve the budget without the pay raises or new buses.
District financial officer Shannon Ramirez estimated the shortfall between the proposed budget and expected revenue at as much as $4.749 million.
Several trustees questioned whether the district could sustain the continuing schedule of proposed raises and vehicle purchases for future years, especially if state revenue did not improve. Another concern was that sustaining the proposed budget could later force staff layoffs.
Superintendent Todd Grandjean and Ramirez explained that the budget being adopted was a planning document with the actual tax rate and other final numbers to be set later. The tax rate will not be…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!

Enrollment and attendance as well as state funding formulas were discussed as key financial drivers in the budget cutbacks.
Above are board members Carl Brown and Chris Davis.

June 15-19 Join and HELP paint, build handicap ramps, walk-in showers for the elderly

By Kayleen Holder & K.K. Calame
Editor/Publisher
Mission Devine volunteers are hoping to complete around 31 projects this year for those in need. They need volunteers of all abilities, but they are especially in need a few people with at least some carpentry/plumbing experience to lead teams of volunteers.
They always have more projects pending, if they can find some new leaders with a little experience who are willing to take the reins. “This year we have 27 projects in the works that our teams will try to complete during Mission Devine week June 15-19. We do have 4-5 more that have been approved but we don’t have anyone to take the lead on those projects yet. Finding skilled volunteers to take over and supervise jobs such roofing, ramps, plumbing repairs is always our biggest hurdles,” said Donna Trott, Mission Devine volunteer.
“We have 4-5 elderly residents needing handicap ramps, and I know we have one volunteer who will be the lead on some of those, but we have more than one project leader can handle. So we need someone comfortable with taking on a couple of those ramp projects,” said volunteer Cliff Redus.
Another great need are handyman volunteers to install handicap bathroom items.
Project leaders aren’t necessarily professional contractors, but have at least a little bit of experience, and will help guide a group of 4-5 volunteers on their teams.
“Whenever our leaders feel like they get into an issue that is a little more than they can handle, we have some professions who are on-call to help out when needed,” Redus said.
On the other end of the spectrum, Mission Devine has smaller projects as simple as yard work, installing a ceiling fan, and exterior paint jobs.
Mission Devine will also be helping several local families in need of roof repairs this year.
What makes Mission Devine special?
“The scriptures teach us to be doers of the work,” Redus said. “To me, it’s a wonderful opportunity to set aside your own agenda for a week and give back to other who just need a little bit of help….to be the hands and feet of the Lord.”
When is it? Mission Devine work week will be Monday June 15 through Friday, June 19, 2026, though occasionally volunteers will complete projects before or after the main work week.
Kick off- June 14. The Kick off service will be at Devine First Baptist Church in the fellowship hall on Sunday, June 14 at 6:00 pm. During the week of Mission Devine, St Joseph Catholic Church will host. Various churches will provide the breakfast and lunch daily.
What can you help with?
Ways to help: Painting crew, tree and yard service, our prayer team, carpentry work, electrical, plumbing, roofing and much more.
We start every morning with breakfast and devotionals. Come back at noon for noon meal. Please help spread the word
Where can you sign up?
If you need to fill out an application online, please go to Missiondevine.org. Or just show up at 7:00 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church hall and join a team. Breakfast and a devotional starts at 7:30am. By 8:00 am crews are headed out the doors.
TO VOLUNTEER, show up kickoff Sunday, or any morning or lunch during Mission Devine week. You will be assigned to a team. One day, half day, all week whatever you have time for. For further info call Todd Summers at 210-287-6883.
Shirts & Caps- The signature “Mission Devine” red T-Shirt with bold white letters and ball caps will be on sale daily. Shirts are only $10 and caps are $15, to cover the costs.
Donations can be made to : Mission Devine, Po Box 134, Devine, Texas 78016. Or dropped off at the St. Joseph Catholic Church hall during Mission Devine week or given to your local church.
www.missiondevine.org.
Mission Devine is a non denominational ministry of the South Texas Ministerial Fellowship a 501(c)(3).

Mission Devine NEEDS YOU!
Volunteer June 15th-19th

Where: Joe E. Briscoe City Park pavilion, 1550 N. Windy Knoll Drive, Devine
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026 Time: 9:00 – 11 am
What Is Happening: An official America 250 celebration and dedication in Devine, dedicating a new flag pole and marker commemorating Flag Day and our nation’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The program includes: recognition of veterans and historical groups, readings, the delivery of the flag by the Rescue Fire Truck, first raising of the US flag and musket salute by SA Chapter #4 Sons of the American Revolution, as well as photo opportunities.
Music: “Fort Sam’s Own” 323rd Army Brass Quintet will provide the patriotic music. Sing along with the 323rd Army Band as the play the National Anthem “The Star- Spangled Banner”, “God Bless America”, “America the Beautiful”, and “She’s a Grand Old Flag” to name a few.
Presented By: Devine Chamber of Commerce Historical Committee in cooperation with the City of Devine
FREE FLAGS: Flags will be handed out by the Devine VFW and Current Events Club for you to wave patriotically and decorate your home with as well.

…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!

Meeting June 23rd at Medina Co Fair Hall

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Screwworms have already begun to take a toll on livestock within 60 miles of here. The first was reported June 3 in LaPryor where a calf came down with it, and within days three more cattle and a goat were reported between Zavala, LaSalle and Gillespie Counties. A Texas vet had also reported an infected dog, however, the dog was actually located in New Mexico. Officials say now is the time to get prepared and take action to prevent losses here at home.
We spoke to Bob Bendele, of Devine, who lived through the Screwworm battle of the 60’s.
“I’m 80 years old, and I’ve been in and out of ranching for most of my life, mostly in,” Bendele said.
We asked if he had any advice for younger ranchers as we go towar with the New World Screwworm.
“Keep an eye out, but keep a nose out too,” Bendele said. “Stand downwind because it stinks terribly, and when there’s Look at your cattle real closely, because you don’t just look for infestation, you need to be looking for the eggs.”
He notes that the art of roping and doctoring cattle every day has been long gone for a while now.
“When we eradicated screwworms it made absentee ranching possible. This is a game changer. Long ago, on those big ranches, you’d have cowboys who would ride and doctor cattle daily. Is that gonna come back now? Because every single calf has to be caught and doctored. Just stop and think about that,” Bendele said.
“Most people don’t…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!

A pursuit for a driver in a stolen vehicle went quite a ways before ultimately ending on CR 5710 just outside of Devine this Sunday afternoon, where deputies had the road blocked off just before Calame Store. It looked…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!

Medina County will conduct a Public Hearing for the purpose of receiving public comment and voting regarding PLACEMENT OF STOP SIGNS in Precinct 4 at the intersection of County Roads 761 and 660, creating a three-way stop.
The Public Hearing will be June 15, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., at the Medina County Courthouse Annex. See more info on Public Notices page.

Every single cent you spend at Devine Hospice Thrift Shop goes back to helping others! Above, Devine Hopsice Thrift Store volunteers present Mission Devine volunteers with a generous $10,000 check, all made possible by locals who have donated furniture, clothing, or other gently used items over the years.

What Is Happening: An official America 250 celebration Where: Joe E. Briscoe City Park pavilion
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026 When: 9 – 11 am

Sing along with the 323rd Army Band as the play the National Anthem, “God Bless America”, “America the Beautiful”, and “She’s a Grand Old Flag” to name a few and be part of the celebration and new flag dedication. Those who make a $100 donation will have your group included on the plaque.

By Anton Riecher
A new grass pest known as pasture mealybug that affects Tifton, sudan and other forage grasses has been identified in Medina County, Medina County extension agent Taryn Titsworth told county commissioners Monday.
“The problem with it is we have nothing that we can spray to control it legally,” Titsworth said. “You can spray several different things right now that we’re researching but they’re off-label.”
He offered brief comments on the situation during the citizens’ comments portion of the commissioners court meeting. A more extensive presentation on the outbreak is planned within the next few weeks, Titsworth said.
Originating in Australia, pasture mealybug is responsible for nearly $2 billion in damage there, Titsworth said. The pest causes pasture dieback, which can kill hay fields and damage both native and improved pastures.
Titsworth emphasized that this is not a minor issue because healthy grass is necessary to feed cattle and other livestock. Although much concern has been focused on the screwworm outbreak affecting cattle, pasture grass is equally essential to livestock production, he said.
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!