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.

Devine council awards nearly half million in street improvements

City Administrator David Jordan and Mayor Butch Cook.

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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Medina County approves tax hike to support

$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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Bigfoot VFD BBQ Fundraiser

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).

Community remembers Mandy Davis Cross for always taking time for others

Real hugs…Mandy Cross knew the importance of a smile and hug. Above, one of her favorite little guys and family friend Brayden loved stopped by her office at school.

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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ESD4 votes to resume Allegiance ambulance contract for now, reducing budget for FY2024-2025

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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Here’s how to add a veteran’s name to the Memorial monument

The name drive is on-going until September 13, 2025. The cost this year is $150.00 per name. Cost is for the Engraver to come on site to add the names to the monument. Please remember Active-Duty members, veterans and Deceased veteran’s names can be engraved on the monument. Forms can be downloaded from the City of Natalia website or a copy of the forms can be picked up at the Natalia City Office. All information for submitting the name(s) is on the form.
If additional information is needed, please contact Ruby Vera @ 210-275-1150 or NMDD@cityofnatalia.com.

Oh, shoot!

This event is hosted each year in honor and memory of the late DJ Carlson, pictured above with his parents Betty and David. Over $100,000 has been given to the community in memory of this beloved Warhorse #75.

DJ Carlson Memorial BUST N BURN shoot, silent auction, BBQ event
Sept. 13-14 in Devine
New- State Championship Cook-off with $5,000 pay out

The 11th Annual DJ Carlson Memorial BUST N BURN will be on September 13&14, 2024, the second weekend of September yearly, and will be hosted at the same location as last year, at The Farm, 2238 FM 2200 West, Devine just past the airport a litte ways..
The two day weekend event will feature a barbeque cook-off (State Championship Cook-off), sporting clay shoot, cornhole and washer tourneys, live music and entertainment!
New- They will be doing Kid’s Q this year for the first time. The ages will be kinder through high school seniors that can compete in the Kid’s Q. Meat will be provided by the sponsor DCDC- Devine Childcare Development Center/Candace Esparza.


Everyone is welcome to join in on the weekend events with the purchase of a $10 cover charge wrist band.
Champions Barbeque Alliance State Championship Cook-off will feature chicken, ribs, brisket, and pork butt; with a $5000 Pay Out.
The 12 station registered sporting clay shoot always draws a lot of sponsors and teams and many awards are given including scholarships.
In addition to the other scholarships, a $1,000 YOUTH scholarship is given to the top male and female youth in the clay shoot!
Friday during the day there will also be a corn hole tourney Friday Night and DJ Rockin’ Reece/ Karaoke.
On Saturday there will be entertainment all day.
Saturday night will round out the event with a dance featuring the Jeremy Richards Band from 8-12 midnight.
A $10 cover charge wrist band will cover both days.
The event will be hosted at The Farm, 2238 FM 2200 West, Devine, just past the Devine Airport on the right side of the road going towards Yancey.
To register for the BBQ contact Misty Stricker at 830-200-1015.
To register for the clay shoot or any further question contact Shannon Frazier 210-471-1856 or Stacie Mann 210-410-4712 or Kelli Maxwell 979-219-1385.
For details and photos of previous year’s winners see bustnburn.com.
DJ Carlson Memorial is a 501-C3 charitable organization established in the memory of DJ Carlson who lost his life way too early in an automobile accident. The organization uses the proceeds to give out scholarships to local senior, FFA/Stockshow, 4H kids and other worthy causes to help youth and families. The organization has already given out over $100,000+!