September is Celebrate Seniors Month – You are invited to join in Sept 19 in Lytle for a Senior Luncheon and Bingo from noon to 3:00 p.m. in the Lytle Community Center Annex Building, 19031 Priest Blvd., Lytle, Texas 78052. Gonzaba Medical Group is Celebrating SA Seniors Month.
Fun and games. Must be 62 or older. Licensed agent will be present. Attendees may be subject to photo or video documentation for the sole purpose of promotional opportunities.
Visit gonzaba.com/ senior-month for more information.
Please RSVP no later than September 14, call 830-709-2692 ext 1016.
My Front Page
Allegiance reports 177 EMS runs in ESD4 during August
If the local ESD4 added a 3rd ambulance from Allegiance the cost would be under a million dollars, less than half of what it would cost to take over and run our own service and staff.
By Anton Riecher
Allegiance Mobile Health reported 177 EMS runs inside Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4 during the month of August with an overall average response time of seven minutes, Allegiance District Chief Patrick Bourcier said.
Forty-three percent of the ambulance runs reported an arrival time of five minutes or less, the August report states. Thirty-nine percent arrived within six to nine minutes of being summoned while 18 percent required 10 minutes or more to arrive.
Three runs logged during August required a…
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County judge proposes three percent increase in salaries for elected officials
Judge Lutz listens to concerns on the budget. “At the end of the day, county government is a business and it’s your business,” he said, referring to taxpayers.
By Anton Riecher
A three percent cost of living adjustment is being proposed for most of Medina County elected officials under a $59 million proposed county budget presented by County Judge Keith Lutz during the most recent budget workshop for the upcoming 2024-2025 fiscal year.
“I like everybody to understand where I’m coming from with the budget at this point,” Lutz told the commissioners. “Based on our current budget, this is what I put together (supported by) a voter-approval tax rate of $.4511 which would raise (an additional) $3.742 million.”
Under the state tax code, a voter-approval tax rate is the maximum rate an elected body can approve on its own authority without triggering an automatic election required for ratification.
Lutz said the increases he is proposing under the new budget amounts to nearly $77,000 compared to a total annual budget of $59 million.
Lutz said the proposed three percent rate follows a similar four percent cost of living adjustment approved for county employees in the previous year’s budget. The increase is based on a…
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Homemade Bug Spray – Bad News for Bloodsuckers
“Mosquitoes are like family: they’re annoying, but they carry your blood.”Anonymous
Bugs can be a problem. Mosquitoes, ticks, black flies, buffalo gnats, and more, will attack you outdoors at every opportunity. Commercial bug repellent can also be a problem. Anything that you put on your skin is quickly absorbed into your bloodstream, so toxic chemicals in bug sprays can work their way into your body causing disease. I think they also make your ear hair grow.
Spending time outdoors this summer, and year-round, I have been considering this problem. Bugs like me. Maybe I have sweet blood. I am bald, so that doesn’t help. There are probably few things more attractive to insects in the wild than a big-headed bald man trapsing through their territory. This year alone, I have lost count of the ticks extracted from my body (often plucked from my sensitive nether regions).
So, what is a person to do? If you are unable to function outdoors without biting bugs making your life miserable, and applying toxic chemical repellent on your delicate skin is potentially dangerous, are there any other options? Yes, there is – homemade natural bug spray. For us flea bitten, tick infested, mosquito attracting, health- conscious humans there is help. You really can make your own safe, effective, and economical bug spray at home.
Perhaps the simplest recipe for homemade bug spray is made using pure vanilla. For this to work, you must use pure vanilla extract. Do not use imitation vanilla flavoring. You can use vanilla to fight bugs two ways. The first option is to apply vanilla directly to your skin, undiluted. Full-strength vanilla applied to your hide will last longer, so this may be your best option if you will be romping outdoors for an extended period of time. Simply apply with a cotton ball or smear on with your bare hands. The second option is to mix with water in a spray bottle, making your concoction easier to apply. This vanilla water spray will dissipate quickly, so you will need to re-apply every 30 minutes or so, but it does really work. Some folks mix in small easily carried spray bottles for convenience. You can also mix vanilla with coconut oil or any other carrier oil, so spray lasts longer on your skin. Ballpark recipe for spray is approx. 25-30% vanilla to 70-75% water. The stronger you make it however, the better it works. Note – do not use vanilla bug spray on your dog – vanilla is toxic to dogs even in small doses because of its alcohol content.
Natural bug spray can also be made using essential oils. Here you can really experiment to find what you like best. Do some research. It seems there is no end to Canadian homeschool moms sharing their recipes online. Bugs must be really bad in Canada (thank you moms!).
Essential oils often used for their bug repellent properties are peppermint, lavender, lemon eucalyptus, geranium, rosemary, cedar, bergamot, clove, citronella, and tea tree oil. Mix these oils with water, witch hazel, or rubbing alcohol. Some folks add almond, coconut, or olive oil along with glycerin and a splash of vodka. Use what you like. All of these oils seem to repel bugs.
Here’s another tip. If you would like a natural and safe bug spray for your yard, try this recipe (it is safe for your plants and garden). Ingredients needed are beer (use cheap beer and make it stale – open cans, pour into a bowl and let sit for 24 hours), blue mint flavored mouthwash (needs to be blue – use the cheapest Dollar Store mouthwash you can find), and Epsom salt. Mix 3 cans beer, 16 oz. blue mouthwash, and 3 cups Epsom salt and apply with a small sprayer. Spray the perimeter of your yard to keep bugs at bay. Reapply as needed.
If you are not a do-it-yourself person and would prefer to purchase your healthy bug defense products over the counter, there are many on the market now. One that I have used and would recommend is Wondercide (wondercide.com). They sell a pre-mixed and ready to use non-toxic spray (good on your body, your pets, and in the yard) that kills and repels fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, ants, roaches, spiders, and flies. I have used this when out on the ranch, spraying it on my head and in my beard and all over my body. It will keep the ticks out of your shorts (I just keep forgetting to spray it there). The primary ingredient in Wondercide is cedar oil. Bugs of every stripe hate this stuff. And it is non-toxic. You can even pour it on your cereal in the morning.
Hope this helps you fight off the bugs. Now go outside and have some fun…bug free! © 2024 Jody Dyer
typewriterweekly.com
HOWDY, NEIGHBOR!
The Devine High School Cheerleaders stop for a quick photo with lots of up and coming cheerleaders following in their footsteps, cheering on the Warhorses!
Warhorses vs Mustangs under Natalia’s Friday night lights
Kickoff @
7 pm
Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Devine makes the short trip to Natalia Friday night to take on the Mustangs as fans from both towns continue to be excited about these two towns continuing their somewhat-new football rivalry that began just three short seasons ago.
The Warhorses enter the game 1-1 after their impressive 34-19 win over Jourdanton in Devine. Devine took a 28-21 overtime loss to Randolph in Week One.
Natalia is also 1-1 but earned their victory in the Mustangs impressive season-opening 29-18 win over Skidmore-Tynan. Lytle defeated the Mustangs last week 30-14 to give Natalia their only loss thus far.
Head Coach Paul Gomez of Devine and Head Coach Jason Reynolds of Natalia expressed what they and their respective communities are looking forward to on Friday night as these two neighboring towns meet on the football field.
Kickoff is 7pm.
Chief’s big tablet
“It is always fun to play a nearby school that has kids that our kids have played for years. Many of these players have played against each other in pee-wee football, DYSA basketball, Little League/Pony League, Select baseball, and other sports. Some even go to church together. So, these young men are familiar with each other which make it that much more of a fun event.
As for the football field, Leo Buentello is…
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The Mighty Warhorse Band is led by Bert Sanchez. The game wouldn’t be the same without those hometown tunes! Photo by Brigid Howard.
My School Memories by Gayle Sessions
By Gayle Sessions
I started first grade in 1948 at Center Grove Elementary in Tullahoma, Tennessee when I was only 5 years old. My brother, Billy, was 2 years older than me and we did everything together. The year he started school in 1947 I was lost and very unhappy. So my mother talked to the first grade teacher, Mrs. Tubbs, and she thought it would be ok for me to start the next year even though I was really young. So mother let me start school.
We lived on a farm about 7 miles from Tullahoma, but we had to attend school in the county where we lived. The elementary school was close but the high school was in another town, Winchester, which was about 20 miles away.
In 1948 we were fortunate to have a vehicle, but it was for all family activities, so we had to ride the county school bus to school. The elementary I attended was only three miles away, but the bus picked up all students in our area and dropped us off at our elementary and continued on to Franklin County High School in Winchester. We caught the bus at 6:30 each morning and were dropped off early at the elementary 15 minutes or so later.
Arabians show heart as District 29-4A nears
Cami Carroll scooped up 12 digs and 2 aces against McMullen.
Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
The Arabians should be more than ready to kick off District 29-4A action on Friday, September 13 in Uvalde as they put their extremely challenging preseason schedule to bed last night in the DSAC against Navarro.
Although the season has been full of adjustments with many new players in new positions this year, Head Coach Leigh Anne McIver believes her team is coming around at the right time to make its move toward a championship.
“The girls showed some fight and the drive to win against McMullen County,” McIver said after their five-set nailbiter last Friday evening. “Something clicked right before the third set, and we never looked back. I’m proud of the girls, and hopefully this is just the start for them.”
Devine looked sluggish the first two sets against McMullen, losing 25-19 and 25-20, to go down as two sets to none.
But, when it looked like doom and gloom would prevail, the Arabians rose…
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Freshman Arabians runner-up in home tourney
Leann Guemes is at the net for the Arabians.
Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Devine’s freshman Arabians went 2-1 Saturday in their host volleyball tournament, finishing as runner-up to D’Hanis’ JV squad. The team played Navarro last night, and open District 29-4A play this Friday in Uvalde before entertaining Carrizo Springs next Tuesday.
“We had a slow start in the Pleasanton game, which is typical it being the first game of the day,” said Stacy about the bright and early first-serve. “Once the girls got going it was hard to stop us after that, though!”
vs Pleasanton 25-10, 25-13
“It always feels good to take down a district opponent in pre-season!” was the exclamation after the Arabians slid past Pleasanton with ease.
Sydney Solis led in kills with 4, while Leann Guemes had 3. Peyton Dixon Davis added 2 kills to go along with a block.
Gigi Madrid tossed in 6 assists and Aaliyah Moralez netted 2.
A’Dell Holder had a whopping 7 aces, and Madrid served up 5.
Greeley Malone had 2 digs.
D’Hanis JV 17-25, 23-25
Ah, dad-burn-it! That pesky D’Hanis JV team slipped into Devine and took…
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No Reservations!
Brayden Reyes was the man of the night, rushing for 217 yards and three touchdowns with great blocking by his teammates clearing the way to victory. Photos by Brigid Howard. Find tons of photos on our Devine News Smug Mug to download!
Devine boots Indians from
Warhorse Stadium 34-19
Brayden Reyes rushes for 217 yards & 3 TDs
Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
What a difference a week makes! Devine put on a show in their second home game of the short season as they defeated the visiting Jourdanton Indians behind Brayden Reyes’ 217 yard, three touchdown performance.
The Warhorses racked up 409 yards total offense as Reyes, Eli Contreras, Wero Torres, Anthony Saldivar, and Edward Perez combined for 373 yards on the ground.
Oh, but the defense stole the show for much of the game as that unit also came up huge over and over again. The Indians never got their running game off the ground, while their pass attempts mostly dropped helplessly to the Warhorse Stadium turf.
After his team’s overall performance in their season-opening loss to Randolph (also at Warhorse Stadium), Devine Head Coach Paul Gomez was thrilled to see the quick turnaround from his team as Jourdanton was certainly a real threat prior to kickoff, to hop on their high-horse after this game and gallop out of town with a victory of their own.
“I am very proud of our effort,” stated Gomez as he began his post-game comments. “I thought we executed very well this week, and we eliminated most of the penalties that killed our chances to win our first game.”
Even though Devine still committed its fair-share of penalties, it was night-and-day improvement in that area.
The Indians put the first points on the Brown Chevrolet scoreboard as they booted a 30-yard field goal with 5:49 to go in the first quarter. Devine’s defense bent, but did not break as Jourdanton began this drive only 35-yards away from the end zone, thanks to a bad snap on a Warhorse punt attempt near mid-field.
“That first stand was a great momentum boost for us defensively. We gave them great field position, but our defense was able to hold them to only the three points.”
Devine answered that three-pointer with a quick drive of their own as Contreras converted a big third-down play by rushing 19-yards for a first down. Contreras’ run set up the first of Reyes’ three scores, this one from 24 yards with 2:41 to go in the opening frame.
Teotimo Stafford converted the extra point, and the Warhorses led 7-3 going into the second quarter.
The Warhorse defense looked as though it may force a three and out on Jourdanton’s next possession, but a questionable penalty negated what would have been…
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QB Jacob Sollock launches a pass. Photos by Brigid Howard.
SanchoStats prove Warhorses “D” was stout against Jourdanton
#70 Trystan Lafond filling up the stat-boxes with 4 solo tackles, 2 assists, 2 TFLs (tackle for loss), 1 sack, 1 quarterback pressure, and a forced fumble that Jourdanton recovered.
Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
New Devine Defensive Coordinator Danny Sanchez has made himself right at home as the signal caller for the Warhorse ‘D.” In fact, after just two ballgames in the books, Sanchez has already brought his own analytics to the forefront of showing his players how good of an outing they actually had in their previous Friday night tilt.
These results are known as “SanchoStats.”
Anyone who watched Devine shut down an overall bigger-bodied, more-skilled team in Jourdanton at Warhorse Stadium had to walk out talking about the effort and plays made on the defensive side of the ball.
After reviewing game film, SanchoStats read as such: vs J’town—RUSHING 23 rushes for 54 yards/2.35 yards per carry/1 TD (4 of these were scrambles for 17 yards…take those away and it is 19/27 for 1.95 yards a carry) PASSING 18 of 36 passing (50%) 238 yards 1 TD, 2 INTS, 1 Sack.
The only possible stat that could be negative is the 18 of 36 passing for 238 yards, but, and this is a huge but, Jourdanton only managed one score through the air on those completions.
Not giving up the deep-ball for six is a valued part of the game. Keeping the ball in front of defenders and making tackles to negate yards after the catch is vital, and the Horses did just that.
“We wanted to take away the running game from Jourdanton, and we did,” Sanchez stated after accumulating his data. “Our secondary knew they would try to expose us in the air, and we were up for…
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