Devine ISD Superintendent Dr. Todd Grandjeant will host the second meeting Thursday, April 20 at the DSAC auditorium beginning at 6:30 p.m. “I want our community to be informed about the propositions in the bond, and to be able to have any concerns addressed,” Dr. Grandjean said. He will have a short presentation, and then attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions. Dr. Grandjean will also conduct tours of all the campuses Monday, April 10. Those who would like to attend should meet in the DSAC parking lot at 6:30 p.m. A bus will be provided to take everyone to all the campuses. “After touring all campuses and having direct interaction with principals and teachers, it became apparent that our children need many things to happen as far as facilities are concerned in this district. I think we were very thoughtful in our process and were very cognizant of the costs of each project,” Misty Thompson, Facilities Committee, said. Early voting is April 24-28, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., April 29, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., and May 1-2, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Polling location for Medina County residents is the Precinct 4 Annex Building, 317 TX-132 N. For Frio County residents, early voting will take place at the Bigfoot Alternative Center, 13777 FM 472 in Bigfoot. Election Day is Saturday, May 6, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Polling locations are the same as in early voting.
City of Devine- Vote at City Hal, 303 S. Teel, Devine Vote For or Against Bond Election- $15.02 Million for drainage and flood control Everyone can vote in the Bond election Everyone can vote in mayoral race. Mayor- Cory Thompson (i) and Butch Cook District 2 and 5 get to vote in their races as well Council Dist.2- Angela Pichardo (i) and Michael Hernandez Dist 5 – Debbie Randall Election day: May 6, 2023, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Early Voting: April 24-28, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; May 1-2, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Early Voting one Saturday, April 29 – 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Applications for Ballots by Mail (ABBMs) must be received no later than the close of business on April 25, 2023.
Devine ISD- Polling locations in both Medina and Frio Counties Vote For or Against Proposition A – 31.5 Million for Safety and Renovations of Schools, Band Hall Proposition B – 1.5 Million – for 4 New Tennis Courts Medina County Polls voting at Medina County Precinct 4 Annex Building this year (317 TX-132 N, Devine). Election day: May 6, 2023, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Early Voting: April 24-28, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; and Saturday April 29 9am-2pm; May 1-2, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. May 6, 2023 (Election Day) 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Frio County Polls-voting at the Bigfoot Alternative Center, 13777 FM 472, Bigfoot, TX 78005 April 24-28, 2023 (Early Voting) 8:00 am – 5:00 pm; April 29, 2023 (Early Voting) 9:00 am – 2:00 pm and May 1-2, 2023 (Early Voting) 8:00 am – 5:00 pm May 6, 2023 (Election Day) 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Medina County- Vote at Medina County Precinct 4 Annex Building (across from Tractor Supply) Voters can vote in the ESD District elections, where they are registered to vote. Medina County ESD 2 – (Devine Fire area) – add 1.25 % to sales tax Medina County ESD 5 – (Natalia Fire area) – add 1.25% to sales tax Medina County ESD 4 – (EMS Devine/Natalia areas – add .50% to sales tax ESD4 overlaps both fire districts (2&5), since EMS can bill for services they are asking for only .25 from each district, so .25+.25= .5% sales tax *Note: 8.25% is the maximum any city or county in Texas can charge for sales tax. Medina County is at 6.75% currently, so that leaves 1.5% open. ESD 2, 4, and 5 – All Voting at County Building: Election day: May 6, 2023, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Early Voting: April 24-28, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; and Saturday April 29 9am-2pm and May 1-2, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. May 6, 2023 (Election Day) 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Lytle ISD- Vote for one or none, Single Member District 2 Trustee Special Election for Single Member District 2 will be on May 6, 2023 between Jessica Perales , and one write-in candidate Jeremy Davenport. Voting in a trustee for Single Member District 2. (Voters must vote in the Single Member District where they are registered to vote.) Note: Lytle ISD is only conducting the special election. They were able to cancel the general election, which is the annual election due to unopposed candidates. The special election is due to having two SMD vacancies however, they canceled the SMD 5 election, but not the other as there was one write-in candidate for SMD 2 before the deadline. Polling places: Lytle ISD Administration Office, 1537 Cottage St., Lytle, Tx. Medina County Courthouse Annex, 1300 Ave. M Room 108, Hondo, Tx. Medina County ESD No. 1, Station #15, 17934 FM 1957, Rio Medina, Tx. Medina County Pct. 4 Annex, 317 State Hwy. 132 N. , Devine, Tx. Medina County Pct. 2 Annex, 8366 FM 471 S. , Castroville, Tx. Early Voting weekdays: April 24-28, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; and May 1-2, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday April 29 9am-2pm. Election Day: May 6, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
City of Lytle – cancelled election due to uncontested races. Natalia City/Schools – no elections LaCoste City – no elections
Taylor Robin DuBose was accepted into the United States Naval Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island. She was sworn in April 7, 2023 in College Station and reports to her duty station in Rhode Island this Friday, April 14. Taylor is a fourth generation Navy Sailor on her father’s side, and has generations of Sailors on her mother’s side as well. She is the daughter of Patrick & Jan DuBose of Devine and Monica Taylor & David Solomon of Bandera. Her Paternal Grandparents are the late Charlie Pat & Kitty DuBose. Maternal grandparents are the late Vicki Goode and the late Berrimon Taylor. Taylor is the fourth generation on her father’s side to serve in the US Navy following in the footsteps of her father Charlie Patrick DuBose who served on the USS America aircraft carrier, grandfather Commander Charlie Pat DuBose served on the USS Wasp aircraft carrier after Officer’s Training School, and her great grandfather Charlie Paine DuBose served on the USS Connecticut battleship. Taylor also follows in the footsteps of her maternal great grandfather, Ross Baker, and her great great grandfather, Elmer Sewell, who both served in the Navy. Taylor is a Bio Science graduate of Texas A&M University and served in the Corp of Cadets Marching Band. She was raised in Devine alongside her brother Hunter and is a graduate of Devine High School. DuBose is seen in the phtograph accepting the oath to serve in the United States Navy with Recruiter LT Crystal Rubio in College Station. She will head to Officer Candidate School this week in Rhode Island.
By Anton Riecher Medina County ended the 2021-2022 fiscal year in September with equal to almost a full year of general fund expenditure held in reserve in its fund balance, the county’s official outside audit states. Travis Rogers, certified public accountant for Pattillo Brown & Hill in Waco reported that the county is “well set up to deal with any change of circumstances that arise in the next year or two.” The audit, presented to the Medina County Commissioners Court on April 6, shows that the county added about $1.6 million in fund balance to the general fund as the result of operations during FY 2021/2022, bringing the total fund balance to about $17.3 million, Rogers said. “If you compare that to total expenditures for the year, even if you take out capital outlay or about $864,000, that’s still roughly about $20 million in the general fund for the year, which means in the ending fund balance you have close to a year’s worth of general fund expenditure,” Rogers said. A general rule of thumb for local governmental entities such as counties, is to keep three to six months in reserve, he said. “If you have nine or 10 months you’re in excellent health financially and in no danger of running out of money any time soon,” Rogers said. As for the state of the county’s bookkeeping, Rogers said his company issued Medina County an “unmodified or clean opinion.” “It’s the highest level of assurance we can provide meaning no issues or material departures were noted as part of our audit,” he said. In other county financial news, the monthly treasurer’s report showed that the county ended February 2023 with a cash balance of $34.714 million, Total debt ending the same period totaled $25.025 million. On a motion by Precinct 3 Commissioner David Lynch, seconded by Precinct 2 Commissioner Larry Sittre, the commissioners approved $2.071 million in accounts payable. The court also approved disbursement of funds since the last commissioners meeting totaling $10,780. Commissioners approved a payroll for the period from March 18 to March 31 totaling $663,894 for its 326 employees. The county auditor’s report showed a March beginning balance of $34.328 million and an April beginning balance of $34.880 million. A line-item transfer of $1,959 was approved to allow Precinct 2 Constable Jim Przybylski to move funds from office supplies to auto maintenance to cover the removal of old graphics and installation of new replacement graphics on his vehicle. The commissioners also approved the transfer of $150,000 among various funds used for emergency dispatching. ESD No. 2 An annual financial report for the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 2 submitted to the county indicates that the district ended the 2021-2022 fiscal year with a budget deficit of $177,795. “In the General Fund actual revenues received were less than anticipated by $15,665, expenditures more than anticipated by $162,130, resulting in a budget deficit of $177,795,” the outside audit states. Total revenues budgeted were $432,200. However, the audit shows the actual revenues received totaled $416,535. “In the Interest and Sinking Fund, actual revenues received were less than anticipated by $9,481, expenditures were less than anticipated by $227, resulting in a budget deficit of $9,205 for the year ending Sept. 30, 2022,” the audit states. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT The court granted emergency management coordinator Mark Chapwick permission to train a volunteer intern. “It’s an unpaid internship with no cost out-of-pocket for us,” Chapwick said. “The investment for us, of course, is an investment of time. What it does is take people and build them up in the skills to be able to do this kind of work.” Chapwick, who joined the county staff last year, said he has conducted an internship program for the past 12 years with good results. One of his previous interns just took charge of emergency management for the community of Ruidoso, N.M. “You can also use this as a platform for training some local volunteers to work specifically in emergency management,” Chapwick said. “It would be an augmentation for us.” SUBDIVISIONS Under subdivision development, the commissioners gave final approval to vacate and replace a lot in the Mi Tierra Subdivision on County Road 340 in Precinct 1. The action followed a brief public hearing on the topic that drew no comment. Precinct 1 Commissioners Timothy Neuman made the motion, seconded by Sittre. In Precinct 3, the San Antonio Trust Subdivision located on FM 463 north of Natalia and Lytle received preliminary approval to vacate and replat one lot. Commissioner Lynch recommended the court withhold final approval until further discussion with the Texas Department of Transportation about subdivision entrances. On a motion by Sittre, the commissioners approved Unit 16B and Unit 16A in the Hunters Ranch subdivision. On a motion by Neuman, seconded by Sittre, the commissioners voted to accept a construction bond for Valley Oaks subdivision, phase 2, located in Precinct 1. OTHER Commissioners accepted a community-wide fair housing analysis regarding disability, race and ethnicity required by the Texas Department of Agriculture before the county can apply for grant funds. The court also approved a resolution authorizing application for the 2024 Indigent Defense Improvement Grant Program for the Hill Country Regional Public Defender’s Office. Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Linette Dury petitioned the commissioners to approve a contract with the Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department for residential services. Likewise, a similar interlocal agreement with the El Paso County Juvenile Board was approved. On a motion by Neuman, seconded by Sittre, the court authorized application to the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Police Service to participate in the COPS hiring program. Since 1994, COPS has provided $14 billion I assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies to help hire community policing officers. Commissioners voted to extend the annual eDispatch system contract for the county. EDispatch automatically detects audio dispatches and delivers notifications directly member devices. The county also approved extending an annual $3,000 lease by Keller Grain of county property in Precinct 2. For complete video coverage of the commissioners court session visit the Devine News YouTube channel at youtu.be/Ps3a7rg52Yc.
Several city leaders changed their tune after citizens voiced their concerns about rushing into a bond election without many details, and overall cost and tax bill impact. This past week, the Devine City Council voted unanimously to cancel the $15 Million Bond Election for drainage projects.
Current Mayor Cory Thompson (TOP) will be challenged by mayoral candiate and local businessman Butch Cook (BOTTOM) seen voicing his concerns among many other citizens about the $15 million bond at a recent public hearing.
A video on Devine News YouTube, shows the bond presentation given by Mayor Cory Thompson at a special meeting this past February 2nd when three council members voted to go out for the $15 Million Dollar Bond/Drainage Project, after choosing from a “wish list” handed out by the mayor. Voting to put the $15 million drainage bond on the ballot were council members Debbie Randall, Flipper Vega, and David Espinosa, with encouragement from Mayor Cory Thompson to put it to a vote, who stated “If people don’t want this they can vote it down.” Then a Espinosa-Randall motion to approve it passed (3-2), with Josh Ritchey and Angela Pichardo voting against it. Two public hearings were held where citizens questioned the priority need for such drainage projects and pushed for more details. Before ballots were printed, a special meeting was called to discuss the cancellation of the bond, and this time all council members voted in favor of cancelling the bond issue. There will still be an election for Mayor of Devine between incumbent Cory Thompson and Butch Cook. District 2 Councilwoman Angela Pichardo re-filed for office also, and will be challenged by Michael Hernandez for that position. Councilwoman District 5 Debbie Randall is unopposed. Election Day is May 6, but early voting starts April 24.
Audrey Jane Capps, 5 years old of Devine, playing with her puppy Liberty. Ms. Audrey is a bright, happy child who has inspired nearly everyone she meets to get involved and be the light. Join us this Saturday, April 15 at Devine Acres Farm.
By Kayleen Holder Editor What’s a super hero? Well it depends on who you ask. As an aunt of a little girl named Audrey Capps, who is battling a disease with no known cure, I have met lots of superheroes lately, who have donated their time or funds to help save her life. To help find a cure for her and other A-T warriors. The love of our small town has never been more beautiful than it is at local benefits like Audrey’s. I smiled one day as I thought about how we don’t have any movie theatres or big events around here, but instead there is a benefit for a local family in need almsot every weekend. That’s how we like to spend our time…helping others. When you are facing a rare nuerological disease like A-T, your family, friends, and community (aka superheroes) are your biggest advocates. Here are 3 little facts about A-T: #1 One in three kids with A-T develop cancer, and many experts beleive that if we find a cure for A-T, we may also find a cure for some types of cancer. #2 There are more people in Texas battling A-T than any other state. #3 There is no cure or treatment for A-T and we and the A-T Children’s Project are doing everything we can to change that! If you want to help us find that cure, join us at Devine Acres this Saturday, April 15. The big benefit will kick off with a Princess and Protectors (superheroes Fun Run Some Run) at 8:30, followed by a chance to meet some of the kiddos favorite princesses like Elsa and Anna and Moana, Power Rangers and Paw Patrol characters and much much more. Tickets are on sale now at www.ATCP.org/Audrey for the event this Saturday April 15 at Devine Acres. Kiddos participating in the fun run race will get some special “backstage VIP time” with Elsa & Anna, Moana, and Ariel until the show starts. Devine Acres will open the farm at 10 am. 8:30 AM- Fun Run kicks off 9:30 AM- Kiddos in the Fun Run get VIP time with the princesses 10:00- Silent Auction and glidder and gun drawings open 10 AM- Devine Acres Farm Opens to public with 50+ fun activities for kids and families (tickets $10) 10:30 AM SHOW- The San Antonio Singing Princesses will take the stage for an interactive performance which includes them singing all of your favorite movie songs. Right afterward there will be a meet and greet and more fun with Elsa & Anna, Ariel, and Moana until 12:30. 10 AM-1PM- Your favorite Paw Patrol and Power Rangers will also be there to meet and greet with the kiddos. Balloon Swords & Tiaras and Face Painting We will have a baloon artist making balloon swords and tiaras as kiddos visit with the princeses and characters. There will also be face painters there in the shaded area where the performance takes place. Your tickets into the farm also include entry into the farm which has 50+ family fun activities such as the giant jumping pad, hayrides, several playgrounds, a race track, barnyard animals, and much more. You can purchase extra activities such as fishing, barrel train, gem stone mining and more. The whole family will enjoy the Concert Under the Stars in the evening with live music by Keith Lutz and also the Drug Store Cowboys to top the night off. See ticket info below. **Food/Drinks/BBQ Plates will also be for sale as well as a GIANT silent & live auction with dozens of great prizes!!!! Check out some of the silent auction, live auction, and raffle items and come place your bid this Saturday. Admission is $10 (2 & under free) and includes over 40 activities: hayride, giant jump pad, barnyard, playgrounds, duck races, scarecrow dressing, giant bubble station, spider web, tin bucket golf & barnyard bowling just to name a few… Some optional activities are additional and are available to purchase at the farm: Barrel train- $2, Catch-n-release fishing (we provide everything you need) $5, Gemstone mining $8, and Animal feed $2. Great food and drink also available for purchase. We have cheeseburgers, pizza, hot dogs, nachos, frito pie & more! Fountain drinks, tea, lemonade, bottled water, beer & wine. BBQ Plates will be sold from 5:00 to 7:00 pm like last year, dine in or take to go. The activities on the farm will be available from 10am-5pm. We will begin to transition for the evening events from 5-6:00. Families are welcome to stay for the candelight ceremony, live auction and dance down at our Rose Theatre area on the back of the farm; however, we will be shutting down all the farm activities that are staffed at 5 pm.
Last Tuesday, Frances Navarro took the podium at the Devine City Council meeting with drinking water safety concerns. Navarro was given only five minutes to talk, but said quite a lot while she was up there at the podium. With so much funds potentially going into the huge drainage bond if passed, she asked council to consider their priorities. “Wouldn’t you agree that safety and cleanliness of our drinking water would take priority over water drainage issues since it affects the community as a whole?”she asked. “You Ms. Randall stated that we have clean water. Are you aware that in 2017 the EPA named Devine and one other municipality in the entire state of Texas and I will quote, ‘higher than allowed asbestos level in their water that year. Testing from January to July reveled fluctuations of asbestos levels, 14,17,18 million parts. City officials did not believe this was a serious danger…only a mere testing issue that’s all!”she stated. “The asbestos line pipes are the foundation of our water municipality and have exceeded their lifetime as many other things. So, no Ms. Randall I disagree, we do not have clean water as you stated in prior discussions. And where in the lineup of this wish list does the safety and cleanliness of our drinking water fall? The community deserves a response, “ Navarro stated. She also was worried that the city was asking the taxpayers to bank roll the drainage/flood bond project, while tying up the funds for 20 years when there is a problem finishing the water line project right currently. Randall asked to respond and Mayor Thompson said “If you respond its part of the time (Navarro’s 5 minutes).” Randall confirmed, “Yes, I’m aware of the 2017 asbestos. I was out there with y’all because I wasn’t on council then, I was screaming and yelling also. But that’s what this $9 million project is for and doing right now to guarantee quote ‘safe drinking water’. However our samples have come out within the guidelines and not with the spikes of asbestos,” she said. They argued back and forth whether the city was just testing for bacteria or other things too. “If we are not in normal guidelines we have not been informed about it”, said Randall. “ You were notified in 2017”, said Navarro. “Well, we do them every month”, said Randall. “I haven’t seen any letters to notify us of what is being tested or not. I would have paid attention especially since my street located in District one has house after house, at least 13 people with cancer related issues. One just died two weeks ago. So our commonality is not anything other than the common denominator– the drinking water”, said Navarro. “I understand what you are saying”, replied Randall. Then the Mayor said, “Debbie we’re out of time”. Navarro said, “Thank you for your time” and left the podium. Ritchey immediately asked Attorney Tom Cate, “Tom is there anything we can do legally as a council to extend the amount of time people have to speak during this public hearing?” “Vote on it”, Cate replied. Ritchey made the motion to extend the her time, and other citizens, to speak to 20 minutes or until time ran out for the night, Pichardo seconded it. Espinosa and Randall voted no. The mayor then had the opportunity to vote, to break the tie-breaker. “It’s a tie, motion fails,” called the Mayor.
Jeremy Davenport filed as a write in candidate running against Jessica Perales, so Lytle ISD will be having an election after all. The ballot will say: Vote for one or none. Trustee Special Election for Single Member District 2 will be on May 6, 2023 between Jessica Perales, and write-in candidate Jeremy Davenport. In order to vote in the trustee Single Member District 2 election voters must be registered to vote in Single Member District 2. Note: Lytle ISD is only conducting a special election. They were able to cancel the general election, which is the annual election due to unopposed candidates. The special election is due to having two SMD vacancies however, they canceled the SMD 5 election, but not the other as there was one write-in candidate for SMD 2 before the deadline. Polling places include the following for both Early Voting and Election Day: Lytle ISD Administration Office, 1537 Cottage St., Lytle, Tx. Medina County Courthouse Annex, 1300 Ave. M Room 108, Hondo, Tx. Medina County ESD No. 1, Station #15, 17934 FM 1957, Rio Medina, Tx. Medina County Pct. 4 Annex, 317 State Hwy. 132 N., Devine, Tx. Medina County Pct. 2 Annex, 8366 FM 471 S., Castroville, Tx. Early Voting weekday dates: April 24-28, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; and May 1-2, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. One Saturday voting day, April 29 from 9am-2pm. Election Day is May 6, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The Drug Store Cowboys will headline the concert under the stars from 6 PM to 10 PM at Devine Acres. They play a mix of Americana, Texacana, Classic Rock, 90’s Rock, R & B, Classic Country, Top 40 Country, Blues-Based Rock & Roll. Band members are: Dub Robinson – Guitars, Vocals, Songwriter.
Tickets are on sale now for a big event coming up soon in Devine. On Saturday April 15, all of your favorite characters will be appearing at Devine Acres Farm for a meet and greet! Kiddos participating in the fun run race will get some special “backstage VIP time” with Elsa & Anna, Moana, and Ariel until the show starts. Devine Acres will open the farm at 10 am. 8:30 AM- Fun Run kicks off 9:30 AM- Kiddos in the Fun Run get VIP time with the princesses 10 AM- Devine Acres Farm Opens to public with 50+ fun activities for kids and families (tickets $10) 10:30 AM SHOW- The San Antonio Singing Princesses will take the stage for an interactive performance which includes them singing all of your favorite movie songs. Right afterward there will be a meet and greet and more fun with Elsa & Anna, Ariel, and Moana until 12:30. 10 AM-1PM- Your favorite Paw Patrol and Power Rangers will also be there to meet and greet with the kiddos. Balloon Swords & Tiaras and Face Painting We will have a baloon artist making balloon swords and tiaras as kiddos visit with the princeses and characters. There will also be face painters there in the shaded area where the performance takes place. Your tickets into the farm also include entry into the farm which has 50+ family fun activities for kids including catch and release fishing, a giant jumping pad, gem mining, hayrides, several playgrounds, a race track, barnyard animals, and much more. 4 PM- Live music by Adrian Reyes will kick off. Keith Lutz will also be playing some tunes and will be the auctioneer that night where lots of great prizes will go to the high bidder for a good cause. 6 PM- 10 PM The whole family will enjoy the Concert Under the Stars in the evening with live music by Keith Lutz and also the Drug Store Cowboys to top the night off. See ticket info on back page. **Food/Drinks/BBQ Plates will also be for sale as well as a GIANT silent & live auction with dozens of great prizes!!!!
Devine– This Saturday, April 8th at 4:00 pm, the Devine Golf Group will be hosting the 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt. The first 100 kids get a free basket. Over 600 kids enjoyed the hunt last year. Everyone is invited to join in. Bring big baskets commented Ron Richards, as they will have lots of eggs.
Lytle’s 2023 Easter Eggs-Travaganza will take place this Saturday, April 8th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at John Lott Municipal Park sponsored by the Lytle Tourism Dept. Registration starts at noon, fee is one canned good or $1 per child. Egg Hunt is for kids ages 1-8 at 2:00 p.m. Easter Bunny will appear at 1:00 p.m. Enjoy early bird prize drawings.
