Category: Top News Stories

By Anton Riecher
With anger and frustration boiling over during an August 20 public hearing, the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4 Board of Commissioners voted to postpone action on a proposed 57 percent tax rate increase to support its transition to operating its own ambulances rather than contracting with an outside provider. The new tax rate would cause a 73% increase in the actual tax bill of the average homestead will pay.
Former Devine mayor and county commissioner Jerry Beck and Natalia ISD board president Eric Smith among a room full of others were very concerned in the often heated opposition to both the tax increase and the revamp of ambulance service.
“We didn’t know you were going to raise our taxes until it came out in the newspaper the other day,” Beck said. “We wanted to ask, number one, why, but it’s already been decided. You’ve already fired the contract company. You’ve already hired new people.”
Video coverage of the ESD4 public hearing is posted on the Devine News YouTube channel.
Friction was also apparent between board president Anthony Martin and board treasurer Juan Zamora over the issue of whether…

TO CONTINUE READING…CLICK HERE or go to www.devinenewsmembers.com

Junior Kynedie Cruz dished up her 1,000th career assist in Devine’s match versus Ingram August 20.
There is still a lot of playing time left over the next two seasons, so watch for this number to possibly double by the time it is all said and done.

By Nancy Saathoff
Just imagine the excitement, curiosity, and maybe a little fear that this Packard Touring Car might have brought to the dusty streets of Devine in 1905.
Can you imagine the curious looks when seeing an automobile for the very first time? On July 3rd, 1905, perhaps the first automobile that ever ran on the streets of Devine was viewed by a number of citizens who had never seen an automobile before! This early Packard Touring Car must have been a wild spectacle, not just for them, but probably for the horses too! Those were still horse and buggy days in Devine at that time and even though the horses were accustomed to the trains, this was something different! The trains stayed on their own tracks, but for the horses, this vehicle roamed on “their” streets!
Editor R. Peterson and E.B. Baker, a prominent cotton buyer, drove their auto all the way from Paris, Texas with their sights set on heading to Mexico City! Paris was in Lamar, County, in northeast Texas on the Red River, so that was quite a trip planned for them. They were out…

TO CONTINUE READING…CLICK HERE or go to www.devinenewsmembers.com

Press Release–Medina County Sheriff’s Office began conducting an investigation with the assistance of the Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office after responding to multiple grass fires in various areas of Medina County between August 9th 2022 and August 12th 2022.
After a lengthy investigation with numerous interviews and multiple search warrants, two suspects were developed. These suspects were identified as Christopher Robert Castro Jr. and Martha Eugenia Caroline Day. Both individuals were interviewed and admitted to starting fires in Medina County between August 9th through August 12th, 2022. Both individuals stated they used a lighter to ignite matches and would throw them out the window and catch the grass on fire.

On August 16, 2024, both individuals were arrested at their homes without incident and booked into the Medina County Jail for the Criminal Offense of Arson. Bonds are set at $50,000 surety for both individuals.
The case is still an ongoing investigation and as the investigation progresses, we will continue to keep the public informed with any significant developments, however due to the sensitive nature of this investigation there are details that we cannot disclose at this time to avoid compromising our efforts.

Now is the time for Vendors to sign up… deadline Aug. 23 for first dibs at fall festival

The Devine Chamber of Commerce will host its annual 2024 Fall Cactus Festival on the first Saturday of November as usual, set for November 2 in downtown Devine with a festival, street dance and carnival.
Sign up as a vendor
August 23 is the deadline for locals to get first dibs on vendor spots….This year preference will be given to chamber members to keep with the local first theme who sign up to be a vendor first. Then it will be opened to outside vendors. Only 3 of every kind of vendor will be allowed to provide a nice variety of vendors. The Devine Market Association has accepted the job of organizing the vendors and taking care of that part of the festival for the chamber. An August 23 deadline has been set for chamber members to apply to get dibs on a vendor spot. Chamber members will be given priority then local and then open to others. To give as much opportunity as possible to local people first. Think, Shop, Dine Devine!
Charley Richardt, DMA Market Coordinator is handing the vendors for the chamber with the help of Steve Smith. Charley can be reached at 210.790.2212 or by email at charley.katona@gmail.com Feel free to text with questions about vendors. The link to sign up is https://forms.gle/r3JW89SRLwsCb1C9A
Carnival
The carnival will be in town Thursday through Saturday as usual.

Entertainment
A mix of entertainments will feature local youth dance and cheer groups, live music on two different stages, a master of ceremonies and possibly karaoke.
Live music on the main stage will feature the Solis Bros Band, Jeremy Richards Band and Small Town Habit. On the back stage will be Claude Morgan and friends. Keith Lutz will take care of the sound.
Grand Marshal
The 2024 Devine Parade Grand Marshall will be Devine’s own Lewis Stroud. Stroud was born and raised in Devine and continues in his retirement from teaching to promote the community and help spread awareness and help to organizations and those in need through the Devine Lions Club. He and his wife Marsha raised their two sons in Devine and both continue to help others daily and volunteer in the community.
Parade Theme
This year’s theme is Devine Pride since Homecoming is the very next week. So get out your maroon and gold and let’s decorate the floats in hometown style.
The Alzafar Shiners have signed up for the parade this year. They always are a wonderful addition to the parade with their clowns, cars, and members. The Chamber is excited to have them involved in the parade again.

Public hearing next Monday, Aug.26

Medina County will have a public hearing on August 26 at 9 AM in the Medina County Courthouse Annex located in the Commissioner’s Court room in Hondo.
The current proposed budget will increase the budget by $3.7 million compared to last year.
Many top county elected officials recieved raises this year, which can be seen on page 19. Increasing home and property values/taxes and new homes in the county have both contributed to the increased tax levy.
What can you do?
Attend public hearings like the one this coming Monday and speak during citizen’s comments, or reach out to elected officials. The Medina County commissioners are Larry Sittre, David Lynch, Danny Lawler, and Jessica Catiglione.

How much has Medina County tax base grown?
Despite massive growth, elected leaders of the County have not chosen to select the “no new revenue rate” in many years. The number of homes in Medina County has grown from 18,791 homes in 2017 to 25,938 in 2024 (as of May), according to Medina County Chief Appraiser Johnette Dixon, who provided the sobering facts and figures.
According to Dixon, Medina County also saw a 237% increase in net Taxable Value on property in the county from 2017 to 2024 (as of May).
Average home values in Medina County jumped by $41,000+ in just two year’s time from 2022 to 2024 (as of May).

As the tax base in a county or city increases, elected officials have the opportunity each year to lower the tax RATE to a % that would generate the same amount of revenue as the prior year.
That rate is what’s referred to as the “no new revenue” rate and would reduce the tax burden on residents.

Free pizza, ice cream & snow cones 11-1 this Saturday!!!

If you are looking for some great eats and family fun, look no further than 702 Tejas in Lytle, Texas. They have an old fashioned ice cream shop, food and drinks, coffee, and Italian ice.
In their cafe, they serve all kinds of food on the menu including burgers, Hunt’s Brothers Pizza, Turkey legs, wings Chicken on a Stick, Frito pie, Sausage Wraps, and much more. Ask about their Barbacoa Pizza! And they plan to serve some baby back ribs on the weekend as well!
While you are dining in, you can also play pool tables, dart machines, or your favorite tunes on the juke box and more.
Tom and Julie Crandall are excited to announce their Grand Opening celebration is this Saturday, August 24. They will be serving FREE PIZZA, Blue Bell ICE CREAM, and SNOW CONES from 11-1 to celebrate!
Don’t forget to enter the drawing for a chance to win a new bicycle too. They will have a ribbon cutting at 11.
They also serve mixed drinks and you can enjoy football games, UFC fights, etc, on their big screen TVs while you eat. Don’t forget to try their famous margaritas and daiquiris!
They will be open 10am-10pm Sunday-Thursdays, and they will be open late on Friday and Saturdays from 10am-Midnight. They are located where H&S Ice Cream Shop used to be at 15306 Main Street in Lytle.
They are excited to announce that they will have a few ARCADE GAMES coming soon to add to the fun! Check The Devine News each week for their specials!