Category: Top News Stories

By Anton Riecher
An additional half million dollars has been earmarked for street improvement by the Devine City Council after disappointment earlier this month that a $496,0790 repair project approved by the council would include only four local streets.
District 3 Council Member Jeff Miller best expressed the unanimous support that the street proposal won from the council.
“You’re not going to get a ‘no’ out of me on doing additional streets,” he said. “That to me has to be a priority. Everybody wants better streets.”
Also during the Sept. 17 budget workshop and regular session, the council narrowly gave tentative approval to joining the Medina County Regional Water Alliance in promoting a massive aquifer storage and recovery project.
Also discussed were issues arising from the takeover of local building inspection by the Devine Fire Department. The city is transitioning to DFD handing inspections formerly handled solely by a third-party contractor known as Bureau Veritas.
Regarding the street project, the council earlier this month approved nearly…

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Devine Area Health and Hospice Resource, Inc.

TOYS-FURNITURE-DECOR-CLOTHES-SHOES-DISHES-BOOKS-MOVIES-JEWELRY-ART & MORE

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Devine Area Health and Hospice thrift store is only one store I know, where we can feel good about every cent we spend. That’s because every penny you spend at Devine Hospice thrift store goes back to a good cause in our community!
The work that these volunteers do really packs a punch, allowing them to be part of one of the absolute greatest organizations in Devine. In fact, Devine Hospice thrift store donated over $190,000 to local charities, scholarships, and more.
Another special thing they are able to do is help with people’s medical bills. In the past five fiscal years, they have donated over $230,000 toward helping area families facing overwhelming medical issues.
What a unique place this is, and what a beautiful way the community comes together here, raising enough funds to donate over $725,000 to help others in need over the past five years!
If you’ve ever shopped here, it’s no wonder they are so successful, you can find anything from beautiful paintings, to furniture, to jewelry/clothes and dishes, all organized beautifully and for a bargain price!
So the next time you are looking for a good deal, or have…

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Revised golf course contract discussed

By Anton Riecher
A $496,070 bid by a Castroville construction firm for major improvements to four Devine roads – McAnnely Avenue, North Bright and South Bright Drive and Live Oak Street – was approved Sept. 10 during a special session of the Devine City Council.
Mayor Butch Cook said there was no doubt that Live Oak and McAnnely “are the two worst streets in the entire town.” However, he expressed surprise that so few streets made the final priority list agreed on by the council.
“At least it will be nice to see something get done,” he said.
Beside the street improvement project, the council met with members of the Devine Golf Group to discuss a new contract for management of the city golf course. The council also conducted its latest budget workshop on the fiscal year 2024-2025 city budget.
Wayne Rodgers Construction was the lowest of eight bidders on the street improvement projects. City Engineer Raul H. Garcia said that of the references provided…

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$72.2 million budget-Tax increase narrowly avoided exceeding the voter-approval tax rate threshold

By Anton Riecher
Medina County commissioners voted Monday to approve a $72.217 million spending plan for fiscal year 2025 supported by a 6.37 percent tax hike.
On a motion by Precinct 3 Commissioner David Lynch, seconded by Precinct 2 Commissioner Larry Sittre, the commissioners approved a property tax rate of $.4511 per $100 valuation, effectively a 6.37 percent tax increase over the previous year.
Lynch also made the motion to adopt the $72.217 million budget which includes all contingency reserves. Minus those reserves, the budget stands at $58 million. Lynch’s motion was seconded by Precinct 4 Commissioner Danny Lawler.
Both the tax rate and the budget passed by unanimous consent.
The commissioners also approved a precinct 2 special road tax rate of $.0400 per $100 valuation, effectively a 5.54 percent increase. The motion by Sittre was seconded by Precinct 1 Commissioner Jessica Castiglione.
County Judge Keith Lutz said the tax increase narrowly avoided exceeding the voter-approval tax rate threshold that would have allowed taxpayers to…

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Saturday, Sept. 21

Bigfoot VFD will host its 16th Annual BBQ Fundraiser on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at the Bigfoot Park. We will be serving BBQ brisket and Kiolbassa® sausage plates for $14.00 starting at 11:00 am.
We always have a Bake Sale with homemade treats and some great items in our bid sheet and ticket auctions too.
Since we always strive to improve our service to our community, we’ve added representatives from different agencies with information about a variety of programs and services that are available. Frio County landowners will also have the opportunity to sign up for the very popular landowner notification program.
Vendors will also be set up with some nice items to sell. We always have a great time catching up with friends and neighbors we haven’t seen for a while. We look forward to seeing you on September 21st for some fantastic BBQ and lots of fun! We always appreciate your support! If you are a vendor or if you would like to volunteer or donate, contact Denise at (210) 542-0774 or email (d4woody@gmail.com).

By Kathleen Calame
Publisher
The Devine Community lost a special friend and educator Mandy Davis Cross who was known for her leadership, friendship and love of her daughter, family, and Devine. She was an inspiration to all who knew her and always greeted you with a big smile and a hug if you needed it. She will be greatly missed but never forgotten as evident by the flood of memories and photos shared online by those who knew her, and especially those who worked with her.
Devine ISD sent out an email to staff and parents on Sunday evening September 8, 2024 informing the community of her passing, shocking all who knew her and her full of life personality.
Here are a few of the posts that friends and fellow teachers shared that described what a special person she was.
.Melissa Gutierrez, DISD Teacher- “I’m struggling to find the words, Mandy has been such a important part of my educational journey and growing as a teacher. More than that, she…

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By Anton Riecher
Having earlier backed away from a proposed 57 percent tax rate increase, the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4 Board of Commissioners agreed on Sept. 3 to renew its contract with Allegiance Mobile Health for regional ambulance service supported by a drastically reduced 2024-2025 budget.
Asked by an audience member most recently in a series of public meetings on ambulance issues was whether the action meant that Allegiance was “back in.” Campbell responded “yes — for now.”
“We’re just going to rescind the termination,” Campbell said. “The price is going to be the same.”
The board planned to let the Allegiance contract expire on Sept. 30 in favor of operating its own service using two ambulances recently purchased/leased. However, on a motion by board treasurer Juan Zamora, seconded by assistant treasurer George Moralez, board president Anthony Martin joined to approve the renewal with Allegiance instead
Board vice president Viola Potter opposed the motion. The five-member board remains one member short since the resignation of Shelly Watson in July.
Other actions at the Sept. 3 board meeting included a…

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