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.

Overall Medina County budget to raise tax revenue by 16.2% or $3.7 Million

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. Increasing property taxes from higher appraisals accounts for much of it, as well as new property added to the tax roll with the massive growth Medina County is seeing.
A majority of County leaders received raises this year. Raises and travel expenses for county leaders in this year’s budget can be seen in the public notice on page 7.
How growth has impacted the county…
Experts cite population growth and increased development as one of the reasons property taxes have skyrocketed in areas like ours. The rapid influx of people and expansion of communities requires additional infrastructure, amenities, and services to meet the growing needs.


Many of the developers costs are offset by tax incentives called TIRZ zones in Medina County.
The first major development in the Castroville area, Potranco Ranch, included tax incentives for developers called a TIRZ zone. When we checked last summer, under the TIRZ agreement offered by Medina County commissioners, Potranco Ranch’s developers was projected to receive a total Reimbursement Amount of over $12 million dollars ($12,295,461) over a 30 year period.
As of May 2024, so far the county had remitted $1.9 million to developers of Potranco Ranch developers.
So for example, in 2024 of the $751K projected property tax revenue in the zone, an amount of $516K was to be paid back to developers, while the county was projected to recieve $221K of the $751K collected.
And that is just the amount of money that has been remitted to one of the 4 TIRZ zones in the county.
As reported in May, with Medina County farms and ranches being subdivided rapidly, land being used for agriculture decreased by over 15,600 acres in one year (2023-2024). The amount of ag land lost last year is more than the amount of agriculture land lost than in the previous five years combined.
At the same time, land used for residential increased by over 15,500 acres in Medina County in the same 1-year time period (2023-2024).
The number of homes in Medina County has grown from18,791 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 from 2017 to 2024 (as of May). The increase is due to new industrial properties, new developments, and the overall market in general, she said.
Average Home values:
Average home values in Medina County had jumped by $41,000+ in just two year’s time as seen in the chart below (info as of May 2024).
2022 – $253,805
2023 – $295,180
2024- $295,475 (as of May 2024)
NOTE: You may notice other public hearings such as the one for ESD4. That is a separate taxing entity, as Medina County does not provide its own emergency ambulance service or fire services. Each ESD in the county is responsible for taxing and providing ambulance and fire service to their respective communities.

Traveling Dinosaur Museum in Devine all day Friday

Don’t miss out on the Driscoll Public Library’s exciting end of summer event. The George S Woods Community Center will be transformed into a prehistoric museum! The museum will be open 10 am – 5 pm Friday, August 16. The Dinosaur George Traveling Museum is one of the largest traveling prehistoric exhibits in North America. The museum showcases a diverse range of prehistoric creatures with a primary focus on dinosaurs. From massive dinosaur skulls to intricate fossil replicas, you’ll be able to view exhibit pieces from around the world and from every time period. In addition to dinosaurs, see other fascinating prehistoric animals such as fish and mammals providing a comprehensive view of Earth’s history. You will also have an opportunity to visit the Dinosaur George Gift Shop where you will be able to purchase your very own fossils, minerals, etcetera.


This event is a “come and go” event meaning the items will be on display the entire day and guests are invited to attend at their leisure. The event is open to all ages no reservations required. We do ask that if you plan to attend with a group larger than 10 that you call and let the library staff know the number in your group so that we can better serve you. For more information or questions please call 830.663.2993.
Dinosaur George grew up in Hondo and graduated in 1980.
Here’s a short bio:
George Blasing (Dinosaur George) is a self-taught paleontologist who has studied and excavated dinosaurs, and other prehistoric life, for more than 45 years. He is a public speaker, author and television writer. He also owns a traveling fossil museum that brings the prehistoric world to young people and adults across the United States.  
  He currently owns a museum located in Traders Village in San Antonio Texas where he is often found teaching visitors about the numerous exhibit items. The Dinosaur George Museum has one of the most extensive dinosaurs exhibits in Texas.
His podcast, Dinosaur George Kids, is dedicated to teaching young people about dinosaurs and other prehistoric life. The podcast is heard in over 180 countries and boasts a listening audience of over 1 million people around the world.
  Dinosaur George is also an animal behaviorist, studying modern animals and comparing their behavior to animals of the past.

ESD4 to increase tax rate by 57%, public hearing set forAugust 20 on tax increase

By Kathleen Calame
Publisher, The Devine News
The Medina County ESD4 which provides emergency medical services ( EMS) to Devine, Natalia , Pearson and parts of Lytle is wanting to increase taxes by 2.85 cents per $100 value which computes to an increase change of 57% over last year’s tax rate according to a public notice they published last week. Tax on an average homestead will have a change increase of $64 ($87.94 +64.35= $152.29) or 73% increase it explains.
The need for more tax money comes even after the ESD started receiving the additional extra sales tax money that voters approved last year, approximately $10,000 per month. The checks have been rolling in monthly since February 2024, $61,000 in the first half of the year. It was thought that with the extra sales tax combined with the money they have been setting aside in accounts for major investments, the ESD would be able to start their own ambulance service in Devine themselves and start building a new station in Natalia. Apparently it isn’t enough for the visions planned, so back to the taxpayers.
Many years ago Devine had their own ambulances and volunteers and billed for services but couldn’t make it financially.

Then the ESD4 was created which is taxpayer funded. At various points the ESD ran the service themselves with donated ambulances. Later hired Medina Valley EMS/ being run by Mike Ferris. MVEMS was contracted at that time by MCESD-1 (Castroville), 3 (Hondo) and 4 (Devine/Natalia) with the name Medina County EMS on the side of the ambulances. That venture failed and was investigated.
Next the ESD4 turned to contracting it out to large private companies first it was Acadian, then AMR, then Allegiance. The ambulances and supplies were given to the private business owners of Acadian to use as they wish as they were the new contractor to provide EMS services for MCESD4. The ESD kept the building and still owns it today.
Currently Allegiance uses the building for their employees and ambulances, and is our current provider, at a cost of $210,000 yearly (2023 rate) until the ESD launches their own in less than 7 weeks as planned. Allegiance provides us with two 24 hour ambulances (one in Devine 24 hours, and the other 24 hour ambulance splits time with 12 hours in Natalia during daytime and then around 6 pm moves back to Devine for the evening hours.)
The hope for a third truck has been on the horizon for many years, but the community was told there was not enough funds for a third ambulance.
We can only hope the new service will have the funds for a third ambulance. More money, more service?
An employee hiring fair was hosted in July.
ESD4 plans to launch their own ambulance service October 1 instead of using a contractor like they have for many years. The announcement was made months ago. A director of operations was hired a few months ago.
So ambulances must be bought or rented, supplies purchased, employees hired, accounting programs bought, employee benefits set up etc. All the things a business must do to get started with its own human resources and equipment to do the job. Since it is a taxpayer funded service, the board can increase or decrease taxes yearly to meet their needs up to a maximum tax rate of 10 cents per $100 value. The percentage of increase determines whether or not an election must be held.
The ESD plans to charge customers for the service calls to help with expenses as well.
An election is not required this time, just a public hearing since the tax isn’t higher than the “de mimimis rate” of .0785 per $100 value.
The Public Hearing on the Tax Increase will be on August 20, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at the Devine EMS building, 206 Dixon Dr, Devine, Tx. Citizens will be allowed at the public hearing to voice their concerns about the tax rate and increase and ask questions. (See medinacountyesd4.org for the Public Notice of the Hearing for additional details, audits and reports.)
Board members are Anthony Martin, Viola Potter, Juan Zamora and George Moralez. There is a seat open as Shelly Watson resigned in July from the board. Christy Merendon is the District Coordinator.
“We need the extra 2 cents to start the EMS,” said President of ESD4 Tony Martin. “ Since initiating the Emergency Service District (ESD) #4, the goal of all commissioner’s has been to provide the people in our service area the availability of the best medical care at a fair cost. In working towards this having our own Emergency Medical Service (EMS) is a positive action in lieu of having a contract with a private service. As with starting any business there are costs involved with the start-up, but our long-term goal remains steadfast to offer the best for the people in the community,” Martin said.
Another project they are looking to fund is a new EMS station to be built in Natalia, a two story building with an elevator. It would serve as the second location for the EMS crews and ambulances. Currently they use part of the fire department property courtesy of the Natalia VFD during the daytime.
If you know of someone interested in being on the board contact any of the board members or President Tony Martin at 210-367-1295 or email him at president@medinacountyesd4.org
If you have questions or concerns about the tax increase or what changes the ESD is planning, attend the August 20 meeting at 6:30 pm in the EMS building. Come to the meeting if you would like to know what the new plans are for EMS service. Many people have volunteered for years to keep the service going and know the importance of this next step.
Concerns or questions can be sent by email to: president@medinacountyesd4.org

Chopper called to search for drive-by shooter Friday

Multiple shots were fired toward a home as a vehicle sped by the scene this Friday. One of SAPD’s Eagles like this one assisted in the search for the supsect who will be facing a 3rd Degree Felony.

Authorities are currently investigating a drive-by shooting after a suspect fired multiple rounds toward a home on Country Lane in Natalia. It happened this past Friday, August 2 around 6 p.m., and police were on scene for around 4 hours that night. The suspect could be facing charges of Deadly Conduct and Child Endangerment according to authorities.
“We believe one home was being targeted as a result of an ongoing dispute,” Natalia PD Chief Martin Chavez said.

Continue reading “Chopper called to search for drive-by shooter Friday”

Meet the Teacher…

Meet the Teacher event will be held this coming Thursday, August 15 from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm for Ciavarra Elementary and Devine Intermediate Schools.
Lytle Elementary will hold it’s Meet the Teacher event on Wednesday, August 7th from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
MVISD has all Elementary Meet the teacher events scheduled for Thursday, August 8 from 5:30-7:00 pm

First Day of School

Natalia ISD kicked off this week. Pictured above on the first day of school is Mateo Corker (1st grade) and Malalae Corker (3rd grade).

Local internet provider urges county partnership to secure grant

By Anton Riecher
A wireless internet provider based in LaCoste is proposing a partnership with Medina County to strengthen its chance at securing $96 million in state grant funding to extend fiber optic infrastructure throughout the county.
Rodney Hitzfelder, president and founder of Sago Internet, addressed county commissioners during the commissioners’ court meeting Monday in Hondo.
“We’re not asking for any funding,” Hitzfelder said. “In fact, we will probably be putting in matching funds through our corporation because it gives us advanced points toward the application.”
Medina County is one of 20 Texas counties approved to apply for a portion of the $729.9 million available thought the Texas Broadband Development Office’s BOOT II competitive grant program aimed at funding countywide infrastructure projects that bring broadband access to eligible areas of the state.
The deadline for applying for the funds is August 26.

Continue reading “Local internet provider urges county partnership to secure grant”

MEMORIES of THE MILL

DEVINE HOMETOWN HISTORY:

This historic Mill & Elevator in Devine, Texas employed hundreds of local adults and youth in its long and storied history. Depending on your generation, you may call it, “SWT”, the “Co-op”, “Devine Mill & Elevator”, or just “The Mill”, but no matter the name, the mission was the same . But in 1915 ground was broken here to build the first mill in Devine as the “Adams Company Corn Sheller”. The elevator was added soon after to load the corn into the rail cars after they were shelled.
Hometown History….
By Nancy Ehlinger Saathoff, Devine Historical Committee
Devine Mill & Elevator – Tri-County Farmers Co-op – SWT Farm & Ranch Supply was a large employer of full-time, summer, seasonal, and high school workers in Devine for many decades! It was also the go-to Feed & Seed business for area farmers & ranchers, as well as home gardeners. Customers were greeted with the smells and sounds of a busy feed store like baby chicks peeping, grain drills churning, and the regular train whistling as it traveled on the nearby tracks. The sights, sounds and smells are often engrained with other memories, whether from a customer or people who worked there.

With those memories in mind, the Facebook page posted this picture of the Mill, and asked followers for any special memories they might have of the Mill. My dad, Arthur Ehlinger, worked at the Mill for over 30 years so the memories of the people, sights, sounds, and smells are very familiar and special to me too. And every time I pass by that elevator tower at the Mill, I think of him and those memories.
*Here are some memories that were posted this week, and a follow-up article will add more. Some of these memories are from customers, former employees, and even children or grandchildren of customers or employees, and give us a good idea of the value that this old building and tower represent in our community.
“Back when we were kids, our grandparents raised parakeets. We used to go with our grandpa to get birdseed from there. There was an older man that worked there who didn’t have an arm. I was always so shocked he could carry those big bags of seed. He also used a wooden dolly.” “I remember watching him load our feed/seed. I don’t think I ever knew who he was, just that he was a nice man and always there. I always loved the way that feed store smelled.” *Mr. Timoteo Ambriz (Timo) was a strong and friendly employee of the Tri-County Farmers Co-op for many years. He lost his arm in an accident at the Mill, but returned to work there and was a great example for everyone with not only his physical strength, but his strength of character.
“My father, Tucker D. Irwin, worked as the bookkeeper throughout the 50s and 60s until he was forced to retire due to health issues. When I was a child, I used to walk there after school, just to spend time with him and watch him work. I was in awe of him and marveled at his interactions with others, giving advice to farmers about which seeds to plant, and when, which fertilizers to use on which crops and which feed to feed livestock. I thought he was one of the smartest men I knew! I remember the smells of seed, fertilizers, livestock food, and pesticides and can still smell those things to this very day. Some of my fondest memories were there with him. Mr. Alton Martin and Mr. Arthur Ehlinger were there and were good friends with my dad for all those years. And yes, I remember that terrible day Paul Bain Marin was injured, and nearly died, when a ton of, I believe, cotton see hull fell on him while he was working with it. Amazing place and amazing days of my life.” *There are articles about Paul Bain Martin in the Devine News archives, including one written by him a few years ago.
*Mr. Tucker Irwin was a veteran of WWII, who was wounded and lost his legs in battle. He, like Mr. Timo Ambriz, never let their injuries stop them from working full time and supporting their families.
“I remember the chiclet machine. I worked there one summer typing names and addresses of the farmers on envelopes and sending out invitations to the stockholders’ meeting. Mr. Timo Ambriz worked there for years. He was always so kind and funny with us kids, especially when all of us kids (siblings) came in.”
“I remember going there with my grandfather, Tharon Savage, to buy feed and Mr. Hope would give me a DumDum sucker. When we moved back to Devine, I bought feed there several times, but they closed shortly after.”
“I worked there a bit while in high school. There was an old guy there that worked in the mill that could out work any man there, no matter his age. He had to be in his mid-60s.”
“My brother worked there for awhile under Butch Roberson. I was too young and so I worked for Floyd Newman in the peanut fields moving irrigation pipes. I liked the smell of the feed store when I walked in there. I have happy memories of my Grandpa Leo Bohl St. taking me there. He would buy me chicks at Easter time.”
“We shopped there frequently. I always liked the smell.”
“My brother and I worked there during our Jr. and Sr. years in high school. After graduation by brother continued to work there a few years longer.”
These are but a few of the memories, and more with be shared in a later article.

  • We would love to hear YOUR MEMORIES of the MILL too, so if you have any stories, pictures, or even small memories, please share them on the Facebook page for the Devine Historical Committee or contact me, Nancy Saathoff at gnsaathoff@aol.com, Facebook messenger, or call or text me at 210-289-6205.