Category: Top News Stories

By Anton Riecher
Following an Aug. 25 executive session, the Lytle City Council voted unanimously to approve the purchase of a residential lot at 15242 Cottage St. for the proposed price of $140,000.
On a motion by District 3 Alderman David Emery, seconded by District 4 Alderman Michael Rodriguez, the council voted to ratify actions taken to date by City Administrator Zachary Meadows toward the purchase of the property. The action further authorized Meadows to take all actions necessary to finalize the purchase.…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!

You might have seen some info about the “Sinister Harvest” Haunted House that will open it’s doors in Devine this September.
But it’s bigger and spookier than it might appear on first glance….the new structure being built on the outside of the Devine VFW is just the entrance!
The spooky tour will take you deep into the hallways of the old 1920s school and classrooms.
“It’ll be about 1,800 sq ft in all,” said Gary Saathoff with the Devine VFW. “You’ll go in and out of the old classrooms, through an old doctor’s office, and end up in the hallway with a chainsaws chasing you! It should be pretty good!”
Brandon Harris, who is heading up the haunted house said he is thrilled to be able to do it in such a spooky location full of history.
“We have been told that there has been paranormal readings here,” Harris said. “The building is so authentic…the orginal floors, the walls, even the way it smells.
“It’s definitely the kind of place where you hear doors opening and closing by themselves and footsteps down the hallway” Harris claims.
There will be

The DHS Class of 1975 will meet on Homecoming weekend, Sept. 26 & 27, for their 50th Class Reunion! On Friday night they will meet at Warhorse Stadium for the annual Homecoming game and will be introduced on the track at halftime. After that they will meet up at Chayitos Restaurant to open the celebration part of the weekend and hope that other classmates from the 70s will come by there to visit also! (Chayitos will stay open later to the public that night.)
On Saturday, Sept. 27th, there will be TWO celebrations! 1. DExSTA Homecoming Social @ 1:00pm at the old Green Alamo (VFW hall) the class will be recognized and honored at the annual HC Social for all Devine alumni. 2. Private ‘75 reunion @ 6:00pm at Triple C Restaurant. *Please let Linda Martin Gunn, Thelma Gutierrez, Ofilia Hernandez Pedroza, or Cheryl Schott Lorraine know if you plan to attend the evening event! *CLASS PICTURES WILL BE TAKEN AT ALL THE EVENTS! See you at Homecoming !

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Rudy Aguero, 10 years old, was loving Dove Season last year, and like many others, he is counting down the days until it kicks off again.

AUSTIN — Despite early weather challenges, Texas dove hunters can look forward to a strong 2025 season.
Spring population surveys conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff found mourning dove numbers continue to trend near historic highs. Combined with strong habitat conditions across much of the state, hunters should expect solid opportunities when the 2025 dove season opens Sept. 1.
Estimates place the statewide mourning dove population at 35.9 million birds, a 5 percent increase from 2024 and 28 percent above the long-term average. White-winged dove numbers dipped slightly from last year’s record but remain strong at an estimated 11.7 million, the third highest estimate on record.
“Heavy wind and rain brought on by storms that moved across parts of the state this spring likely impacted peak nesting season in hard hit areas, particularly parts of the hill country” said Owen Fitzsimmons, TPWD Webless Migratory Game Bird Program Leader. “But the milder temperatures and abundant rainfall created excellent breeding conditions across most of the state this summer. We’re in a very strong position heading into the opener.”
Fitzsimmons noted that the other benefit to the spring and summer rains is the impact to food sources for doves later in the year.
“This year, there should be plenty of preferred dove forage seeding out just in time for some late fall action in October, at the end of the first segment and into the second,” said Fitzsimmons.
Birds may still be scattered across the landscape while food and water remain widely available. As August heat dries things out, hunters are likely to find larger groups gathering at watering holes. Doves typically feed and water twice a day, so scouting their movement throughout the day is key to a successful hunt. Focus on agriculture fields or areas with native food sources like sunflower, croton and other annual forbs and grasses.
Texas is home to seven species of native doves and pigeons, including the three legal game species— mourning, white-winged and white-tipped doves.
Texas continues to lead the nation in dove hunting, accounting for 32 percent of the mourning dove and 87 percent of the white-winged dove harvest in the U.S. annually. More than 300,000 hunters take part each year, generating more than $500 million in economic activity.
TPWD reminds hunters to prepare for the early season heat. Bring plenty of water, seek shade during peak hours, watch for signs of overheating in dogs and be mindful in dense vegetation when retrieving downed birds.
The regular dove seasons are as follows:
North Zone: Sept. 1 – Nov. 9, resuming Dec. 19, 2025 – Jan. 7, 2026
Central Zone: Sept. 1 – Oct. 26, resuming Dec. 12, 2025 – Jan. 14, 2026
South Zone: Sept. 14 – Oct. 26, resuming Dec. 12, 2025 – Jan. 22, 2026
This year there will be five Special White-Winged Dove Days:
Friday, Sept. 5 – Sunday, Sept. 7
Friday, Sept. 12 – Saturday, Sept. 13
During Special White-winged Dove Days in the South Zone, hunting is allowed from noon to sunset only, with a daily bag limit of 15 birds, including no more than two mourning doves and two white-tipped doves. Starting Sept. 14 in the South Zone, the regular daily aggregate bag limit is 15 doves, which may include no more than two white-tipped doves.
Full hunting regulations are available on the Texas Outdoor Annual mobile app or online at OutdoorAnnual.com.
All dove hunters must carry:
A valid hunting license
A Migratory Game Bird Endorsement
HIP certification (survey completed during license purchase)
Additionally, anyone born after Sept. 1, 1971, must complete a hunter education course before hunting in Texas. Certification is valid for life and recognized in all states and provinces. Lack of hunter education certification and the migratory game bird endorsement rank as the two most common hunting violations during dove season.
 

TPWD News,–AUSTIN – The Texas Game Warden investigation known as “Ghost Deer” has reached a possible conclusion after two additional suspects turned themselves in on felony charges. This brings the total number of individuals implicated in the case to 24, with approximately 1,400 charges filed across 11 Texas counties.
(Editor’s Note: The TPWD’s “Ghost Deer” case involves a large-scale, illegal deer breeding and smuggling operation).
Suspects: In August, Ken Schlaudt, 64, of San Antonio, the owner of four deer breeding facilities and one release site, along with facility manager Bill Bowers, 55, of San Angelo, surrendered to the Travis County District Attorney’s Office on charges of…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!

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San Antonio developer, Fermin Rajunov, hands paperwork to City Public Works director Pete Sanchez during a presentation to the Devine City Council at their Aug. 19 meeting. (Photo by Anton Riecher) 

By Anton Riecher
San Antonio developer Fermin Rajunov met with the Devine City Council during its Aug. 19 meeting to discuss possible acquisition of 74 acres of city-owned property off Interstate 35 in south Devine.
“We love to do challenging properties,” he told the council.
City Manager David Jordan identified Rajunov as the developer behind the master plan housing community known as Preserve at Medina River located near the Toyota plant in south San Antonio. That development involves 500 to 800 homes, he said.
“We have an individual now who is a prospective developer who wants to look at the,”…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!

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
A quick but strong burst of wind ripped through the community of Natalia this past Tuesday evening, August 19.
“There were trees and debris blown everywhere,” said Natalia PD Chief Martin Chavez. “Some said they saw funnel clouds–others said no–I am not sure on that, but it was severe enough to uproot some huge trees. It uprooted a Cottonwood tree near the intersection of 5th and Aubrey Streets that I believe was at least 45 years old and between 35-40 ft tall, as well as many others. Thankfully, it fell the opposite direction and not on the nearby house.”
And in times of need, a little light always shines through in communities like ours.
“What was really amazing is that while we were out there cleaning up debris I saw several groups of people who just brought out their chainsaws and went around helping neighbors in need. I wish I would have gotten their names, but they know who they are, and it was so nice to see that,” Chief Chavez said.

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The Servants MC of  Pearsall took a motorcycle ride last Sunday and presented $5,000 to the A-T Children’s Project in honor of sweet 7 year old Audrey Jane Capps at Devine Acres Farm. The “Servants MC” motorcycle club was founded in 2012 by Kevin LaBuhn of Pearsall, inspired by Bella Mazuca and her twin sister Yasmeen. They are a non-profit organization that raises money to fight childhood diseases and help children in need. The servants also blessed the Capps family with a gift card to cover gas for travel to medical/therapy appointments. It is people like this doing things like that which make the world go round,” said a family member. Photo by Kathleen Calame.

Seventeen members of the “Servants MC”, a motorcycle club from Pearsall took a Sunday drive to Devine to present 7 year old Audrey Jane Capps with a donation of $5,000 dollars for the A-T Children’s Project, which she is a member of.  The members visited with Audrey Jane and her little brother Kenneth Wayne, her parents Josh and Brittany Capps, Grandmother K.K. Calame, Aunt Kayleen Holder,  Aunt Emily and Uncle Ernie Morales family, friends Clint and Shelley Watson and the Shane and Chelsea Real family.

 One of Brittany’s best friends Chelsea, and occupational therapist,  met the president of The Servants MC recently and told him about the good the A-T Children’s Project does in trying to find a cure or treatment for Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T), a rare inherited and progressive disease,  and about Audrey’s diagnoses at age 3. 

Roger and the members and riders of Servants MC decided to give $5,000 to ATCP and a Children’s Hospital in SA this year. Servant MC members presenting the check Sunday were members Roger-President, Robert- VP,  Vicki-Secretary, Pati- Treasurer, Juan- Road Captain, Tim-Road Guard, Pete- Road Guard, and members Tommy, Melinda, Maria, Rosa, Ronnie, Emma, Brandee, Nancy, Troy, and Erica.

The servants visited with the families and enjoyed some cookies and cold water. Little 3 year old Kenneth Wayne got a ride on one of the motorcycles as did Chelsea! A Harley just might be in someone’s dreams now.

The members of The Servants MC have kept the club going after the loss of Kevin LaBuhn a few years back to illness. The club colors are Purple, White and Gray. Purple to represent Royalty, which is how these brave children should be treated. White to represent their innocence and Gray representing their battle against awful diseases.

By Anton Riecher
In one of two major initiatives pending on emergency response in Devine, the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4 board of commissioners voted Friday to contract with Castroville-based MCESD No. 1 for local ambulance service, replacing Allegiance Mobile Health.
ESD4 board president Steve Smith said placing ambulance and fire protection under one command structure had become a continuing bone of contention for residents.
“Do we want to see those operations combined as a community or do we want to leave it as is?” he said
On a motion by board treasurer Patrick DuBose, the ESD4 board approved the new contract with ESD1 by a 2-1 vote with one-time board president Anthony Martin voting against the move. Current board president Steve Smith abstained from the vote.
Of the three proposals for ambulance service under consideration, the lowest was Allegiance maintaining its current cost at $212,000 annually. The ESD1 proposal asks for $250,000 a year, not including costs specific to combining ESD 2 and 4 operations under joint administration.
Merging ESD 2 and 4 operations under the administration of a battalion chief serving directly beneath ESD1 Chief Clint Cooke involves an estimated cost of $110,000 annually.
A third proposition submitted by Hondo-based Community EMS doubled the…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!