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.

Dove outlook near record highs

Logan Curnutt, 13, gets his first dove of the season! For over 100 years, the South Zone has opened later than the rest of the state.
“I’m very excited about the earlier opener, especially in a year when we are seeing record numbers of doves down south,” said Owen Fitzsimmons, TPWD.

By Sarah Fuller
This year’s dove season opens statewide on Sept. 1 with estimated near-record-high populations of both mourning and white-winged doves.
Spring population surveys by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department indicate the state is home to 36.7 million mourning doves — a 2% increase from last year.
White-winged dove estimates increased 10% to 12.9 million birds.
White-tailed deer growth amid drought
This spring started dry for much of Texas, with 84% of the state in some form of drought during the first full week of April. Thankfully, significant summer rainfall across hard-hit areas of drought in the Edwards Plateau and southwest part of the state provided some relief and aided in vegetation and browse recovery for deer.
Blum said the timing of rains is critical to ensure adequate vegetation growth to support late gestation and lactation in does, as well as antler development in bucks.
“We see the most substantial antler growth in bucks during June through early…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Parking lot sale, Burgers in a Bag Sept 5th

The Devine Food Pantry is inviting our community to come out and support two special fundraising events on Saturday, September 5, at the pantry located at 309 N. Teel St. in Devine.
From 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., we will be hosting a Parking Lot Sale featuring a variety of donated items. You never know what treasures you may find!
Then, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., we’ll be serving our Burger in a Bag lunch for $8.00. Each meal includes a delicious cheeseburger, chips, and a soft drink.

Community members who would like to donate items for the Parking Lot Sale may bring them to the pantry during the week before the fundraiser. We gladly accept most clean, gently used household items; however, we are unable to accept…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Horses to host first home game

Photo by Brigid Howard.

The Warhorses will play their home opener against Johnson City this Friday, Sept. 4, kicking off at 7 P.M. at Warhorse Stadium.
Devine opened their season on blue turf against the San Diego Vaqueros and although they showed flashes of a brilliant offense, the Warhorses ultimately fell 39-21.

Despite the loss, Head Coach Jacob Campsey was encouraged by the way the offense answered back after San Diego had jumped out to an early lead.
Pictured is sophomore quarterback Nate Valle who threw 6/9 for 82 yards, connecting with receiver Brody Lane and for two touchdown passes. Brayden Mann pushed in the third and final touchdown.

Local Hospice Thrift Store is a huge community supporter

By Brianna Paredes

Within the past four years, Devine Hospice Thrift has donated $883, 208 to the community! Behind all of your favorite thrift finds from your local thrift store is a nonprofit organization whose mission is built from using 100% of the donations they receive to serve others.

This fiscal year, Devine Hospice Thrift donated a grand total of $213, 579 to organizations including a $15,000 donation to Wings and Reins, a $10,000 donation to Mission Devine, and a $6,000 donation to Driscoll Public Library, among many others.
If you want to support your local thrift store, their shopping hours are Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and additional their donation drop-off hours are Mondays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 216 S. Teel Dr Devine, Tx 78016.They are always looking for volunteers too!

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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Meet a trio of siblings ready for their forever family

Meet 13-year-old Adam. When first meeting him, he can be a bit shy, but once he gets to know someone, he becomes comfortable in expressing his personality and loves to make others laugh.
Adam enjoys playing with Hot Wheels and building Lego sets. Some of his other favorites include dinosaurs and collecting McDonald’s Happy Meal toys.
If he could eat one food every day, he would choose a McDonald’s Happy Meal with a cheeseburger and French fries—along with an extra cheeseburger on the side.
In his free time, he enjoys listening to music and singing, as well as going on car rides where he can look at all the cars and buildings around him. He really likes basketball as it is one of his favorite activities to play outside.
One of his dreams is to see a professional basketball game in person someday. Adam loves helping others and showing how strong he is—whether it is carrying things or accompanying someone on errands.
For his future, Adam says when he grows up, he wants to be a police officer so he can help protect the people he loves.
In his own words – “Hi, I am Adam and I love smiling and making others laugh! I hope to be a police officer one day to protect those I love and care for.”
Sebashton
At ten years of age, Sebashton is an energetic and socially motivated child who shows a strong desire for connection and belonging.
He enjoys engaging in active recreational activities which include his favorite sports, soccer, followed by basketball, as he loves playing outside and staying physically active.
Sebashton shows interest in music and plays his favorite songs on speakers to share his music with his sister and brother.
He also enjoys watching TV in his free time whenever he is not playing outside.
In his own words – “I am Sebashton and I love listening to music and playing sports. I am ready to play basketball with my forever family.”
Makaila
Makaila who is nine years old, is a social and bright young girl who is full of life. She has a great sense of humor and loves making others laugh.
For fun, Makaila enjoys playing outside, creating arts & crafts, and making jewelry out of anything available.
She also enjoys drawing with chalk on the sidewalk and observing and drawing pictures of nature, such as flowers, birds, and the sun.
Makaila enjoys reading a good book as it opens her mind to limitless imagination. Her current preference is the Goosebumps series.
In her own words – “I am Makaila and I enjoy playing outside and learning new crafts. I enjoy making others laugh.”
If you think you could be a forever family for this trio – 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.

Bond issue for courthouse restoration approved by county commissioners

The Medina County Radio Emergency Communications Assistance Team (REACT), the Medina County Amateur Radio Corporation and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) were honored during the county commissioners court Monday for their actions during the July flood emergency.
This group of volunteers is essential in being the “eyes and ears” on the ground throughout the county during hazardous weather situations like the flooding this year. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

By Anton Riecher
Issuance of certificates of obligation not to exceed $11 million to finance restoration of the historic Medina
County Courthouse and possibly other renovation projects such as the Texas Department of Public Safety building
in Devine was unanimously approved by county commissioners Monday.
“The number one primary objective of this project is the complete restoration of the courthouse,” County Judge Keith Lutz explained during Monday’s meeting.

Of seven bids received from across the country by the 10 a.m. deadline, the commissioners approved…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Medina County approves potential 2026 tax rate

Precinct 3 Commissioner Larry Sittre countered accusations of racism against him during the Medina County Commissioners Court meeting Monday.
Sittre will face democratic opponent Eli Arroyo in the November election. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

By Anton Riecher
On a motion by Precinct 4 Commissioner Danny Lawler, a proposed zero increase 2026 tax rate of $0.4434 per $100 valuation for Medina County was unanimously approved by county commissioners during their regular
meeting in Hondo Monday.
A public meeting on the proposed tax rate is scheduled for Sept. 8.
County Judge Keith Lutz gave the no-new-revenue tax rate calculated by the Medina Central Appraisal District as $0.4306 per $100 valuation. Based on MCAD figures, any tax rate above $0.4653 would require voter approval.
“The proposed tax rate is the same as last year’s,” Lutz said.
The motion made by Lawler was seconded by Precinct 3 Commissioner David Lynch.


Commissioners also voted unanimously in support of a proposed zero-increase special road tax rate of $0.0364 per $100 valuation for precinct 2. A public hearing on that rate was scheduled for Sept. 11.
The no-new-revenue tax rate based on MCAD figures was given as $0.0349 per $100 valuation. The maximum…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Lutz apologizes for comment on data center negotiations

By Anton Riecher
Medina County Judge Keith Lutz issued a public apology Monday for publicly stating that he had never signed any non-disclosure agreement when, in fact, he signed NDAs with at least two data center developers negotiating with the county for infrastructure approvals and economic incentives.
Lutz delivered the apology at the close of the Medina County Commissioners Court regular session Monday. He said it was connected to an unscripted half-hour audio interview he gave Precinct 3 Commissioner Larry Sittre in October 2025 that recently resurfaced on Facebook.

“I never went back and even listened to the interview until this weekend after it was brought to my attention,” Lutz said. “In that interview I was asked about signing an NDA about any of the largest centers. I did a very poor job of articulating what my thoughts were during that time.”
A non-disclosure agreement is a binding legal contract between people or companies that keeps sensitive
information private. It prevents…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

New tax rate, budget still pending at ESD4

ESD1 Chief Clint Cooke, foreground, addresses Medina County Emergency Services District No. 2, board members during its Aug. 18th board meeting. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

By Anton Riecher
Action is still pending on a proposed 2026 tax rate and a fiscal year 2026-27 budget for Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4, with the latest in an ongoing series of budget workshops scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday (Aug. 26).
Board president Steve Smith said he expects a proposed tax rate and budget to come out of that meeting.
“We will start with our budget next week at the meeting,” Smith said. “We will develop the budget based on what we anticipate it is going to cost us for the year. From there we will back it out to see what our proposed tax rate would be.”

ESD4’s current ad valorem tax rate is $0.521 per $100 valuation, an increase of 14 cents for the district’s median households. That rate supports an approved budget for fiscal year 2026-26 of $1,038 million.
Based on information from the Medina Central Appraisal District, the no-new-revenue tax rate for 2026 is $0.0507 per $100 valuation. The maximum increase allowed…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!