DHS Art students completed this awesome mural on the side of the Devine VFW building. See story inside.
The mural is approximately 75 feet long and 16 feet tall. Last Wednesday May 10th, twenty two students worked for 8 hours to paint the mural on the side of the original Devine High School Auditorium, now home of the Devine VFW. “DHS students in the Art 2 class worked together to design the mural based on the patriotic theme with the purpose to honor veterans,” said DHS art teacher Nicole Hamby. “It is the largest mural in Devine!” “The mural isn’t quite finished. The plan is to add shading and silhouettes of Service Members on the right side of the mural,” Hamby said. The final design will be a waving USA flag with silhouettes of nopales cactus to represent Devine.
DHS art students worked together in all phases of the project, to design and paint the giant mural, Mrs. Hamby said.
Any businesses or organizations interested in commissioning DHS students to design and paint a mural next school year are invited to contact DHS Art teacher, Mrs. Nicole Hamby, via email at nicole.hamby@devineisd.org. DHS Student Artists on this mural are: Hector Bernal D’Angelo Cardenas Jiselle Corral Arabelle Davalos Miranda Delgado Diego Estrada Antonio Gamboa Jayden George Jesse House Miranda Jimenez Carlos Mendez Peralta Johanna Navarro Isabell Nuncio Anahi Ortigoza Deisy Ramirez Ashley Rivera Jordan Roberts Luciano Rodrigez Joseyandel Saavedra Valerie Salinas Neveah Teniente Serenity Whitaker
Medina County K9 “Zira” led deputies to uncover four guns, meth, marijuana, and cash.
PRESS RELEASE by Medina County Sheriff’s Office– Medina County deputies responded to a call of a suspicious vehicle near county Road 6712 and County Road 672 E on March 29, 2023. Upon arrival deputies made contact with two occupants Donald Sigler (DOB:01/06/1980) and Brittany Gomez (DOB: 1/13/1989). After speaking with both occupants a K9 was requested. K9 handler J. Thomas and his partner, K9 Zira arrived at the location which led to the finding of 58 grams of methamphetamines. This information was later provided to Medina County Narcotics Unit. Medina County Narcotics investigators began conducting a further investigation which led to a search of a residence in Natalia, Medina County Texas. As a result of the search, over one kilo of methamphetamines were located, over two pounds of marijuana, four firearms (one stolen) and cash that is believed to be proceeds from the sell of narcotics.
Devine Market Association hosts an event on the first Saturday of the month by the Community Center in Devine.Devine High School Robotics students gave youngsters an exciting demonstration of how their robots work at the Devine Market this past Saturday. It was one of the many awesome booths at the market this weekend where several local farmers, and artisians bring thier products to market in downtown Devine by the community center each month.Happy Highland Homestead is a family business, and little Harley Rasar was there helping daddy sell their homegrown flower bouquets, fresh eggs, and lettuce. She’s also quite the entrepreneur making a line of her own freeze dried marshmellow candy.
A young mother with failing health is hoping for a second chance, hoping that a living kidney donor comes through soon. You might have seen signs around town with her and her baby boy. Karina Garcia, 21 of Devine is the mother of a 3 year old, Brayden Guardiola. “I just want to be here for my baby, 100 percent,” Garcia said in an interview Monday. She has had over a dozen signs printed, sharing her story, and has a few more to put out if anyone wants to display one. “She’s a very strong person,” said her grandma Angelita Garcia. “Nothing gets her down. She keeps pushing forward. She is a kind person and she is so brave.” Karina shared a little about her medical history, as doctors began noticing signs of kidney damage when she was just a teenager. “At 19 I was diagnosed with lupus nephritis. I was stable with mild lupus flares and decent kidney function with my treatment plan,” Garcia said. “In January 2022 I got Covid which instantly took my kidney function down to 15%. Throughout the year I tried several medications from chemotherapy to newly approved medications. Every day was rough. I was in bed most of the year. I wasn’t able to eat. I dropped down to 80 lbs. Being sick for so long I developed vision and heart problems also.” “By December 2022 my kidneys function went down to 4%. In March 2023, I began dialysis and am now looking for a kidney donor. A second chance,” Garcia said. She also wishes to make everyone aware that “kidney disease can be silent,” Gracia said. “People need to do regular checkups and be aware of that,” she added. You can get tested to see if you can donate a kidney to Karina by going to livingdonor-methadistsa.com and typing in Karina Garcia Date of Birth 10/1/2001. If you would like to display a sign or are interested in being tested to see if you are a match, contact Karina at 210-527-0003.
Butch Cook won the mayor contest with a landslide vote.
The people have let their voices be heard again as Butch Cook victoriously won the City of Devine Mayor race by a landslide vote of 502 to 107, defeating the incumbent Cory Thompson. It was the largest turnout for the city elections in quite some time. This year 609 residents came out to vote as the campaigns heated up, increasing the voter turnout to 140% compared to two years ago (436). Butch Cook took the lead during early voting with 348 votes to Cory’s 74. On election day, Cook received 154 to Thompson’s 33. Back in 2021, a total of 436 people voted in City Elections (with Cory Thompson narrowly defeating Kevin Hicks 229 to 207 in 2021). “For the last two and a half months I have been knocking on doors, meeting as many people as I can. From past experiences on the Devine City Council I’m very aware that if there were simple solutions there wouldn’t be a problem, but I’m ready and eager for this new challenge! It is an incredible honor that the voters in our city are allowing me to do so,” said Butch Cook. Cook’s campaign promises included: -Make our city’s water system the top priority. -Aggressively pursue a City Administrator, and remove requirements that are hindering the process. -Restore order and civility to the city meetings, and ensure all council members are informed on agenda issues in a timely manner. -Show transparency and accountability -when and where taxpayer money is spent. -Bring back the lines of communication between the city and the citizens that we are here to serve. Cook brings his leadership skills to the office from his 7 years on the City Council, 5 years as President of Devine Little League, 7 years as President of South Texas Basketball Officials Association, 8 years as Men’s Basketball Coach at Palo Alto College, and 38 years as a Business Owner in Devine ( Image Matters and South Texas Trophies), and multiple days volunteering with organizations including Mission Devine, Chamber of Commerce, DYSA, and Devine ISD Committees. A little history… Thompson served as an Alderman for District 5 before being appointed the Mayor after Bill Herring resigned, and then winning the election two times, against Pichardo and then Hicks. According to The Devine News files (July 19, 2019): District 5 Councilman Cory Thompson was appointed mayor during an emergency meeting of the Devine City Council held on Friday, July 19, following Bill Herring’s sudden resignation from the position. After District 2 Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Lopez said he was not interested in taking over as mayor, District 3 Councilman David Espinosa nominated Thompson. Lopez provided the second, and the motion carried with the support of District 1 Councilman David Valdez and District 4 Councilwoman Jennifer Schott. Then, council later appointed a resident of District 5 to fill Thompson’s seat on the Council. Debbie Randall was appointed in September 2019 as recommended by Thompson as someone who would vote like him for that district. District 5 In the uncontested District 5 election Debbie Randall received 168 votes. (In 2021 that district election drew 201 voters, 128 for Randall and 73 for Kevin Stephens.) All terms are two year terms. All of the May 2023 Election Results are considered unofficial results until they have been canvassed. Problems at the polls… Errors prevented at least 6 residents to vote in the District 2 race in City of Devine In the District 2 race, unofficial tallies show Michael Hernandez receiving 47 votes to incumbent Angela Pichardo’s 42, a difference of five votes. There were errors in District 2 voting cards reported in the first couple days of voting, as announced by the City of Devine last week, stating that six voters were not allowed to vote in the District 2 election. As a result, the District 2 election could be contested. The City of Devine sent out a public notice as soon as the issue was discovered to let the public know that there were 201 voters whose residency was inaccurately listed. After the clerical error was discovered, the City found 6 voters that had been denied the right to vote in the District 2 race. From that point on, election judges were very careful to look over every voter card and make sure that people who live in District 2 were able to vote in the District 2 race by comparing addresses to the most recent redistricting maps. Last week, Medina County Elections Administrator Lupe Torres explained that “As for how the incorrect precinct/districts were assigned, it was due to a clerical error made during the redistricting process.” According to City of Devine Interim City Administrator Dora Rodriguez, if a candidate wants to protest this contest, the candidate will be responsible for filing a lawsuit. “After contacting our Attorney Tom Cate and the attorney at the Secretary of State’s Office, I told both candidates when I called them to let them know about the election situation, and that whoever lost the election, they would have to file a lawsuit at their cost for the election protest. The court would determine if the city needs to hold a special election.” In response to the incident, Angela Pichardo stated, “We will seek remedies to investigate who’s Responsibility and negligent actions caused the errors. I do not want to create a separation in District 2 since we have worked so hard to unify the community as a whole, but if laws have been violated, we must make sure EVERYONE’S Right to Vote is Given and those responsible be Accountable. This is an example of the needed changes in City Government. I want to Thank all the citizens that came out to vote as we had a record number and I want to wish the New Leader of our City much Success and Progress for Devine….I want to make sure that voters were not cheated out of their right to vote.” In this year’s election, Pichardo had a small lead after early voting with 38 to Hernandez 36. Election Day, Hernandez took the lead with 11 votes to her 4. Totals were Hernandez 36+11= 47, to Pichardo’s 38+ 4= 42. Back in 2021, Pichardo was first elected to the position by defeating Maria Pena 32 to 18. Voter turnout almost doubled in this district this year. All of the May 2023 Election Results are considered unofficial results until they have been canvassed.
At 6:42 AM we recieved these photos from local residents who were awakened to a chase and bailout Thursday morning, April 27. “At the corner of Ross and Transportation Drive, 13 people were detained and then 30 minutes later two others were detained between our houses,” a local resident said.
DISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to call for a $33.2 million bond election for Saturday, May 6, 2023. The decision was made at a called meeting, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. “It was after much thought and discussion that we decided that this is the best route for the district. Facilities Committee members looked at and considered many things before they made their presentation to the board detailing what they thought were our most important areas, especially those concerning the increase of safety and security,” DISD Board President Mrs. Nancy Pepper said. Calling for a bond election comes after several months of Facilities Committee meetings to determine the district facility priorities. “We formed this committee in the fall. We reached out to both our staff and the community so that everyone could have input,” Superintendent Dr. Todd Grandjean said. Two propositions will be on the ballot. All projects are recommended with the priority given to improving the safety and security of DISD campuses and students. Proposition A recommends projects at all four campuses and the special education building. High school projects encompass measures to increase security, which include moving the DHS office downstairs and remodeling the current space into classrooms. Also on the list are a new band hall, and converting the existing band hall into a black-box theater. (A black-box theater is a simple space, typically a square room with black walls and a flat floor that will be used as a classroom for theater classes.) Recommended projects at the middle school are an expansion of the boys and girls locker rooms, expanding the library, and a repurposing/remodeling of the cafeteria. At the intermediate school, a secure vestibule (entrance) is recommended to increase safety and security. Ciavarra Elementary recommended improvements include closing in all outdoor corridors, a new building that will include office space with a secure vestibule, early childhood center, including PreK and special education classrooms, a gym and dining area, and improvements to the drop-off and pick-up areas. The new facility will bring the youngest children much closer to the central campus. A total of $2.5 million of the bond is allocated to renovating/expanding or building a new special education building. The current space at the facility is too small to accommodate the current number of staff members, meeting rooms, etc. “After results of the bond election, we will determine the most cost-effective way to proceed with the special ed building,” Dr. Grandjean said. Bond election regulations require recreation facilities to be separate propositions; therefore, Proposition B recommends the addition of four new tennis courts, doubling what is in existence currently.
Lady Pirate Track is STATE BOUND; Cook, Lopez, Gomez, & Sevier
Gomez qualified in both the 800m Run and in the 4x400m Relay along with teammates Lopez, Cook, and Sevier. The talented group of girls set a school record finishing with a time of 4:02.88 which was just enough to qualify as the “Wild Card” team going into their last, and biggest, race of their season.
Jerel Beaty Staff Writer The Lady Pirate track season continues to Austin, its final destination of the 2023 season as Klayre Cook, Marissa Lopez, Moriah Gomez, and Calyssa Sevier all advanced past the regional round this past weekend in Seguin. Gomez qualified in both the 800m Run and in the 4x400m Relay along with teammates Lopez, Cook, and Sevier. The foursome set a school record finishing with a time of 4:02.88 which was just enough to qualify as the “Wild Card” team going into their last, and biggest, race of their season. “Wow! Did we just do that?” was the initial response by head coach Gilbert Ruiz. “That is what went through my head as Moriah was crossing the finish line as the anchor leg in the 4x400m relay 10 minutes after placing 3rd in the 1600m.” It was a monumental moment in the history of Lytle track and field. “Not only did she become the first Lytle track athlete to get on that Regional Track medal stand three times, but she also helped the team set another school record of 4:02.88, bettering it by 5 seconds. This after placing 2nd in the 800m earlier in the day, breaking her own school record set last week at Area (2:20.28) with a time of 2:18.59 and becoming the first female to make it State since Natalie Cortez did it in 2014 in the 1600m and 3200m.” With nine lanes available at Mike A. Myers Stadium in the state’s capital, there will be two teams from each of the four regions along with Lytle who snatched up that sole spot as the next best team out of all Regional track events. “That 4:02.88 was only good for 3rd place (that time would have won last year), but we knew it would give us a chance for the State Wild Card Slot (Fastest 3rd place of all 4 3A Regions) and it did. This after we just ran a 4:07 the day before and I told them we needed at least a 4:04.” Having yet another goal set in front of them, the Lady Pirates did not blink an eye in going for the gusto for what could have been their last race. “They gave it their all for each other for four laps with Calyssa running a :58 split third leg to get us closer and now becoming the first 4x400m Relay to make it to State and the most we have ever had that will be participating at the State Track Meet.” It was a great day for both the Lady Pirates and the Pirates, according to Ruiz. “We had three Personal Records” Ruiz said in reference to Moriah’s and the 4x400m team and included Pirate Robert Wagner who did so in the 800m Run as well. “They set those records in very windy conditions on Saturday and all of those three efforts helped them get to the State Meet that will be held on May 11th for 3A.” Up next Moriah, followed by Robert will run the 800m at 5:20pm Thursday, May 11 at 5:20pm. Marissa, Klayre, Calyssa, and Moriah run the 4x400m Relay at 8:20pm. Results Sevier placed fourth in the 400m Dash with a time of 1:01.20. Lopez also finished fourth in the 800m with a time of 2:26.83, while Cook came in soon thereafter at 2:33.46. Gomez was so close to qualifying for State in the 1600m Run as she came in third with a time of 5:25.82. Samantha Mujica set a personal record in the 3200m with a time of 12:14.91 that placed seventh overall. Congratulations to all Lady Pirates, and best of luck to Klayre, Marissa, Moriah, and Calyssa in Austin!
Pirate Robert Wagner STATE BOUND in the 800m Run
Robert Wagner gets to run the 800m race one more time on the state’s biggest stage as he qualified for the State Meet to be held in Austin on Thursday, May 11. Wagner placed second in Seguin at Regional last week with a time of 1:58.78.
Jerel Beaty Staff Writer Robert Wagner gets to run the 800m race one more time on the state’s biggest stage as he qualified for the State Meet to be held in Austin on Thursday, May 11. Wagner placed second in Seguin at Regional last week with a time of 1:58.78 which was less than a second behind the 800m champion Isai Moran of Great Hearts Northern Oaks who crossed the finish line at 1:57.92. Wagner competes in Austin after Lady Pirate Moriah Gomez runs her 800m which begins at 5:20pm. Wagner was also trying to qualify in the 1600m but came in 12th with a time of 4:59.43. Abel Sanches was in the mix for a state-spot in the 800m as well as he came in fifth at 2:03.63. Brandon Obando was 9th at 2:05.68. Sanchez also ran the 3200m, coming in 7th at 10:03.47. Johnny Rey Alvarez placed 7th in the 1600m at 4:44.72 and was 8th in the 3200m at 10:16.30. Tristan Lopez was the last distance runner in competition for the Pirates. He placed 12th in the 3200m with a time of 10:36.75. The lone speedster in the group was Brandon Adkins as he ran the 200m Dash. He placed 12th in preliminaries at 24.72. The Pirates were well-represented in field events too as Conner Martin competed in Pole Vault and High Jump, Alex Medina in Discus, and both William Davalos and Mario Diaz in Shot Put. Martin vaulted and even 13’0 to place third, missing that state-qualifying spot by one. He high jumped 5’10 to place 9th. Medina was also in that third place finish spot as he threw the discus 146’2. Davalos placed 11th in Shot Put, throwing 42’6. Diaz was 15th in Shot Put with an effort of 37’9.75. Congratulations to all Pirate Regional Qualifiers and best of luck to Robert in Austin!
“As for the how the incorrect precinct/districts were assigned, it was due to a clerical error made during the redistricting process”, said Lupe C Torres, Elections Administrator for Medina County. During Early Voting for the City of Devine municipal elections, it was discovered by the City’s Voting Clerk, Dora Rodriguez, and her Election Judges, that the certified list of registered voters for the City of Devine was not correct. “The Official List of Registered Voters (OLRV) was sent to both the City of Devine and ESD2 prior to the start of Early Voting. Since we did not hear from either entity, it was understood that all voters had been correctly assigned to their districts/precincts,” said Torres. “As for the Mayor’s contest (City of Devine, Butch Cook vs Cory Thompson), all voters should have received that contest on their ballot, as this is a city wide contest and not a district/precinct contest,” said Torres. “However, as for the Council Pct. 2 contest (Michael Hernandez vs Angela Pichardo, which is specific to that District), any legal action to be taken if any, will be a decision for a candidate to make, “ explained Torres when asked if the difference in the Council Pct. 2 contest ended up being six votes or less. “We were informed that there were voters who had been assigned to the incorrect precinct with the City of Devine, however voters have been identified and placed on the correct precinct,” said Torres. The errors were discovered during the first couple days of early voting. As for MCESD2, it was isolated to two voters who had also been assigned to the incorrect ESD. As soon as it was brought to our attention, the list was reviewed and corrections were made to ensure that all MCESD2 registered voters were in the correct jurisdiction/precinct. The following is a public notice that explains the situation that was published online on The Devine News social media last week upon the discovery of the errors. It reads as follows: During Early Voting for the City of Devine municipal elections, it was discovered by the City’s Voting Clerk, Dora Rodriguez, and her Election Judges, that the certified list of registered voters for the City of Devine was not correct. The certified list was provided to the City by the Medina County Elections Administrator. By statute, the Elections Administrator has the duty to provide the City with a certified list of voters. The list of voters provided to the City listed voters as residing in City Council Districts in which they actually did not live. When the residency error was discovered, the Voting Clerk and her staff reviewed the list of voters provided by the Elections Administrator. There were over 201 voters whose residency was inaccurately listed. After reviewing the sign-in sheets for voters, it was determined that six voters who actually lived in District 2 were not given ballots for the District 2 election contest. This problem has been reported by the Voting Clerk to the Elections Division of the Texas Secretary of State. Because of the incorrect list of voters provided to the City by the Medina County Elections Administrator, there may be a slight delay in the voting process. Now that they are aware of the problem, the Voting Clerk and Election Judges are taking the necessary time to determine the correct residence of each voter. The early voting totals are up this year from the prior City of Devine election. And the county election officials are saying they have had a steady stream of voters at the Medina County Annex across from Tractor Supply in Devine as well (Devine ISD, ESDs, and Lytle ISD elections). Election day is this Saturday, May 6, 2023. Early voting ended Tuesday. Voting is taking place 7am to 7pm on May 6 at City of Devine office, Medina County Annex in Devine, Lytle ISD Admin office, and all polling locations in Medina County. Devine ISD also have a polling location in downtown Bigfoot. See stories for complete locations.
