The City of Devine announced the hiring of Sophia Benavidez as the new Finance Director. Benavidez is originally from Del Rio, Texas. “Sofia resides in Devine, and brings a unique skill set with banking, business, and nonprofit organization experience. She will be trained and mentored by a certified Government Finance Officer that has over 30 years municipal finance experience. We are excited to add Sofia to our team!,” said David Jordan, City Administrator. “I bring an extensive background in banking, financial services, and business management, with a strong foundation in strategic planning, fiscal oversight, and operational leadership,” said Benavidez. “Prior to this new role, I had the privilege of serving our community through my work with the Devine Volunteer Fire Department, where I supported both administrative and financial operations. This new chapter is more than a professional milestone—it’s an opportunity to continue serving the city with transparency, accountability, and a long-term vision for financial health. I’m honored to be part of Devine’s future,” Benavidez said.
As has happened for the last 143 years, the famed St. Louis Day Celebration will again open the gates to visitors from all over the state. Dubbed years ago, by the Texas Tourist Agency as “The Homecoming for the State of Texas,” the giant festival will again serve tons of barbecued beef, Alsatian style sausage, and food, drink, music, games and fun all day long for friends who make the trip each year to historic Castroville. According to the Visitors Center guest book, the last few years have attracted visitors from more than 100 Texas towns and cities, 17 different states, and 14 countries. In only its 14th year on the shady Koenig Park grounds is one of fastest growing and most popular attractions: The St. Louis Day Biergarten. According to Frankie Kempf, Asst. Publicity Director, the Biergarten idea was born, appropriately enough, by a couple of parishioners sitting around a “kegerator” reminiscing about the fond memories of St. Louis Days gone by. The idea was presented to the general chairmen to have a Saturday evening biergarten party who then decided to give it a try, and now it hosts a huge crowd of visitors on Saturday evening the night before the actual celebration. So on August 23 at 6:30 p.m., the Super Saturday Biergarten Party will serve ice cold draught beer, wine, other refreshments and food, and live music for those who will make a weekend out of St. Louis Day. The Boardwalk games will be open for children Saturday night and the adults can enjoy the large Silent Auction, St. Louis Downs and the famous washer pitch and cornhole tournaments. Succulent all beef hot dogs, known as Sarge’s St. Louie Red Hots, pulled pork sandwiches and piping hot nachos will be served for guests as well. Also back by popular demand will be the giant pizza served by Dirt Road Cookers. As in previous years, the gala will be held under nature’s tent beneath the shady canopy of the park where party-goers will be able to spread out and do what is supposed to happen at a homecoming—visit with old friends and make new ones. Plenty of seating is available for those who wish to get off their feet, and it is not unusual to see guests bring their own lawn chairs and relax the night away to good music, ice cold beer and great conversation. According to Biergarten entertainment chairman, Duane Garza, the Saturday night featured entertainers this year will kick off with a great local favorite Bret Mullins Band at 6:30 p.m. Texas Tempo, another great local favorite, will follow at 8:30 and dazzle the crowd with spectacular guitar and vocal talent until 11 p.m. Sunday, August 24, is the actual festival day when thousands of visitors will flock to “The Little Alsace of Texas.” Besides the amazing BBQ plate, the day will be jam-packed with entertainment at two different venues on the grounds including the Biergarten Stage and the ever-popular Riverside Stage. Featured talent and bands this year include Fire on the Mountain Cloggers, the Alsatian Dancers of Texas, the Alamo City Community Marching Band, mariachis, local favorites Julie Guinther & Michele Mangold, and local Medina Valley High School senior and parishioner Chas Boehme will wow the crowd with his talents for the first time. Taking the stage at 3:30 will be the ever-so-talented Weston Ripps Band followed by crowd pleasers Jordan Gauna and The Yancey Highway Band. In addition, there will be the popular games for young and old including the popular bingo pavilion. Our Plant Booth and Just Treasures will provide great deals for visitors who like to shop. The spacious air-conditioned hall will house one of the best and biggest silent auctions along with the Country Store featuring homemade and canned items. This year will mark the 27th year of the extremely popular St. Louis Downs “Horseracing Track,” where another lucky person will have his or her name added to the Futurity Champions Wall of Fame. If a lucky volunteer would like to cool off, the popular ice bucket challenge will provide that opportunity as well. It’s a perfect time to make a weekend visit to historic Castroville and the St. Louis Day celebration August 23-24. For more information visit www.saintlouisday.com or like St. Louis Day on facebook.
Two proposals that could determine the future of Devine Volunteer Fire & Rescue were laid before the public Aug. 12 during an open hearing conducted by the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 2, governing the finances of fire protection locally. One proposal, presented by Clint Cooke, Chief of Medina County ESD 1, calls for that agency to assume direct responsibility for DVF&R operations. ESD1 would replace the DVF&R Volunteer Fire Board which currently handles fire department management. Cooke said the situation that Devine finds itself in regarding recent fire protection controversies is nothing new to Texas communities. “This has happened over and over across the state,” Cooke said. The second proposal regarding DVF&R’s future, presented by Eric Quintanilla, new president of the volunteer fire board, presented plans for organization restructuring in what he referred to as “a hard reset.” “I’ve had two weeks to really try to unpack a lot of things,” he said. “There are a lot of things that I saw where things could very much be improved.” Complete video coverage of the public hearing is posted on the Devine News YouTube channel. Recent improprieties haunting DVF&R include more than $76,000 in missing department funds and management issues. The ESD2 board authorized…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 Kathleen Calame Publisher Twenty- two students earned their high school diplomas Monday night, August 18 from Devine ISD through the, Devine Learning Academy, designed to convenience students who need just a few more credits to graduate because “life happened” and they didn’t get the chance to finish until now. When JodiAnn Dzierzanowski met new superintendent at the time, Todd Grandjean, back in 2019/2020 about establishing the program to help students who were just a few credits short of completing their education, she knew she had her work cut out for her and her staff. She designed the academy which now thrives and helps so many students find success and inspires them to go on to more education or jobs. Without a high school diploma, it hinders the youth from many job opportunities and careers. It has been a win-win for all involved. Over 84 students have accomplished the goal of getting a high school diploma with the alternate program that requires only a few hours a week and has a staff to help them achieve it. The biggest class so far was 2024 at 22 graduates, and 21 this year. The current semester (2025-2026), the DLC has 15 students in the morning and 15 different ones in the afternoon, totaling 30 students looking to complete their diplomas. And a waiting list. “I stand here before you today with a group of inspiring young men and women who can bring to mind only one word…perseverance. I have known these students for many years. I have seen them grow from being young teenagers to young adults. Along the way, they have tried, fallen, pulled up their boot strings and tried again, more than once. All of these students had made it to the senior year in high school with a few lost credits along the way…when… what I like to say is “life happened” and again it got them off track. So close. With this opportunity given by both Dr. Grandjean and the Members of the Board, All these students picked themselves up once again and persevered! Mrs. Brenda Kilpatrick, Mr. Zachary Robles and I are so proud of them and all so honored to have been able to work with them. Welcome to the Graduation ceremonies of the Fall class of 2025,” said Jodi Dzierzanowski, Devine Learning Center, DAEP Principal and Truancy Prevention Coordinator. CERTIFICATION OF THE CLASS – “On behalf of the staff of Devine Learning Center, we wish the Fall class of 2025 congratulations and continued success in your future.” “Dr. Grandjean, President Pepper, members of the Devine I.S.D. school board I certify that the Fall of 2025 of Devine Learning Center has met the graduation requirements as mandated in board policy and the state of Texas to participate in this commencement ceremony,” said Dzierzanowski. Presenting the Summer 2025 Graduates: Manuel Ralph Aguilar, son of Bianca Rodriguez. Javier Alejandro Baltazar Castellanos, son of Erica Baltazar Omaz and is a TRAP Music Artist. Kenneth Lee Byers III, son of Kenneth Lee Byers Jr and Julia Anna Byers. Xavier Eduardo Calvillo-Morales, grandson of Pedro and Amelia Morales and plans to attend UTSA. Raymond Gerald Desalme, son of Pablo and Betty Salazar, will be attending Pima Medical Institute for Radiology. Venancio Eufracio Zamora, son of Venancio and Dora Eufracio and is working for a welding company. Alexa Sade Garrido, daughter of Carmen and Maykoll Garrido and will be attending Palo Alto for Criminal Justice Forensic Science. Jathaniel Hidalgo Garza, son of Jesus Garza and plans on going to college for Criminal Justice/Forensic Science. Jayden Marie George, daughter of Anthony and Robin George will be attending Southern Careers Institute for ART. Aciel Gonzalez Reyes, son of Yonelis Reyes, plans to be an Aviation Mechanic Apprentice. Jacob Edward Guajardo, son of Mario and Marisol Guajardo. Joanni Marie Hyzer, daughter of Robert and Mary Reichel, will be attending college to be a Pre-K teacher/Special Ed. Luis Daniel Jimenez, son of Rosalinda Jimenez and John Basaldua, joined the military. Sumner Glenn Leggitt, son of Scott and Sara Leggitt, plans to be a Texas A&M Certified Safety and Health Official. Jacob Cardenas Lomas, son of Ufemia and Evlio Lomas and stepson of Jacob Gutierrez. Jessalin Rose Culver, adopted daughter of Chris and Melanie Culver, will be attending college to be a therapist. Nickalous Joseph Macias, son of Yolanda Luna and Richard Macias. Jocelyn Danielle Plemmons, daughter of David and Cindy Plemmons, will be studying to be a dental assistant. Diamond Alexis Sanchez Cantu, daughter of Oscar and Violet Cantu. Deisy Crystal Ramirez Cabrera, daughter of Lluvia Cabrera, plans to attend a Cosmetology trade school. Jorge Alberto Silva Castillo, son of Noeyda Castillo and Leonardo Reteria, is working on a ranch. Diego Adrian Valdez, son of Melaine and Bobby Valdez Sr., has a job waiting at Toyota once he turns 18.
Family, friends, and the community are invited to support one of our neighbors who is going through a hard time. Gilbert Iglesias, of Devine, has been hospitalized for several months and underwent heart surgery. There were many complications that eventually led to amputation of both of his legs. The BBQ plate fundraiser will be August 30 at 3. See ad for more details. Fundraiser organizers at Foxy’s Bar are looking for donations of silent auction items, raffle items, briskets, sausages, chips, sodas, brown
By Anton Riecher In the last scheduled budget workshop for the upcoming 2025-2026 fiscal year, Lytle City Manager Zachary Meadows presented the city council with a reduction in the previously approved proposed tax rate of $.446405 per $100 valuation. The new rate put forward Monday by Meadows is $.439434 per $100 valuation. The previous proposed rate was approved by the council at its Aug. 11 meeting. “After going through and trying to rework some of the numbers, along with trying to get the water fund back closer in line, we moved some of the payment over to debt service,” he said. “By doing that it adjusted the tax rate.” The proposed rate still amount to an increase over the current 39 cent rate. Still, Mayor Ruben Gonzalez noted that even at 43 cents “we’re still way below anybody around in this area, both in Atascosa and Medina County.” A graph submitted by Meadow shows that the proposed rate is slightly below the highest tax rate paid by Lytle residents in the last 10 years. An adjusted general fund summary submitted to the council now shows an expected surplus of $20,298. “We’re in the black which is great,” Meadows said. The proposed city budget shows total general fund revenue of $4.767 million against total department expenditures of $4.747 million. Quorum for the budget workshop included District 1 Alderwoman Anna Carrillo, District 2 Alderman Richard Hughes and District 4 Alderman Michael Rodriguez.
By Kayleen Holder CPS Energy submitted the following answers to questions we asked regarding the Howard-Solstice Transmission Line Project. The project is a proposed 370-mile high-voltage line stretching from San Antonio to Fort Stockton, crossing up to 14 Texas counties, including Medina and Atascosa Counties”
Will ya’ll be using eminent domain, or will it be along the roadway? We need to acquire new easements to safely construct, operate, and maintain the new lines. We negotiate with land owners to purchase the necessary easement, and will only use eminent domain as a last resort.
Does it involve Medina County or Atascosa County and to what extent? CPS Energy and AEP Texas are evaluating multiple geographically diverse transmission line options for the project, which includes Medina and Atascosa counties. The PUCT will ultimately select the transmission line option that will be used. At the moment, there is no selected route, only preliminary segments at this time.
What is the driving factor behind this new transmission line? The project is proposed ERCOT’s forecast of rapidly growing energy demand in the Permian Basin. To learn more about the transmission project, visit cpsenergy.com/infrastructure. Please visit our public displays athttps://www.cpsenergy.com/content/dam/corporate/en/Documents/Infrastructure/howard-solstice/Open_House_Displays_ADA_72425.pdf If ya’ll move forward with this project, at what point, would affected landowners be notified? In February 2026, CPS Energy and AEP Texas plan to submit an application to the PUCT and will notify affected landowners at that time of the application submitted. Once the PUCT approves this project and selects the final Transmission line route (around August 2026), we will once again notify affected landowners of their decision.
How are these lines different from existing transmission lines? As in are they really bigger than others we currently have? The 765 kV transmission lines are only slightly taller than our typical existing 345 kV transmission lines. However, they are wider to maintain safe clearance between the phase conductors. The big difference is the ability 765 kV lines have to transmit higher amounts of power, and do so with less (power) loss than a 345 kV transmission line. Essentially, there is an efficiency gain by using a higher voltage. A typical 765 kV transmission circuit can transmit the same amount of power as approximately six single 345 kV transmission circuits. From this perspective, a single 765 kV line will occupy much less overall space than running the equivalent six 345 kV circuits in parallel with one another.
How large is each structure supporting transmission lines approximately? The typical tower height will range between 140 and 160 feet. The base of the self-supporting lattice structures will be about 45 feet wide. For the guyed structures, the guy wires will be attached to the ground about 60 feet from the center of the structure.
The typical span length (between structures) will range between 1,250-1,400 feet….structures may be closer or further apart to account for terrain or other constraints.
By Anton Riecher Family members of late Devine EMS director Jason Miller made clear at the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4 board meeting Aug. 13 that work place stress concerned Miller before his recent death. Miller’s brother, Javier Suniga, speaking for Miller’s wife Allison, told the board that the family felt entitled to an apology as closure to their tragedy. Also attending was Miller’s mother, Rita Wilson and other relatives. “That’s really the only thing we are here for,” Suniga said. Mental health awareness was something Miller tried to help others through during his career. The board also heard a requested proposal from Hondo-based Community EMS to take over ambulance service provided by ESD4. A similar proposal by Medina County ESD1 is currently under consideration by the board. Allegiance was again asked for a proposal as well. Miller, formerly a Texas Division of Emergency Management liaison officer in Wilson County, died in May, slightly more than a year after being hired by ESD4 as part of its plan to operate its own local ambulance service rather than continuing to contract with third-party providers. However…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!
Pictured, L-R, Devine Police Lieutenant Chris Andrews – National Night Out Event Coordinator, Post 3966 Quartermaster Rick Marcrum, Devine Chief of Police Joe Brown III, Post 3966 Commander Gary Saathoff, and Post 3966 Senior Vice Commander Steve Lopez.
Members of Devine VFW Post 3966 donated $500 to the Devine Police Department for their National Night Out. This community event hosted by the Devine Police Department will be held on the evening of October 7, 2025, at the Devine Golf Course. The $500 should cover the cost of hot dogs for the event. In addition to covering the cost of hot dogs, Post 3966 will be providing the Color Guard for the opening ceremony. National Night Out is a national community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships. VFW Post 3966 is proud to participate in this event.
Calling all students who attended Lytle schools with the class of 1975. You are invited to attend Lytle Ex-Students Homecoming October 24 & 25, 2025. You did not necessarily have had to graduate with the class, all classmates are invited. Our events will include the Pirate football game at Walter H. Joyce, Jr. Stadium on Friday night at 7:00 pm, the Homecoming downtown parade on Saturday at 10 am, followed by a social and recognition session at Lytle HS cafeteria at 2 pm. Please call Bertha Haass at (210) 415-1979, if you have any questions.
Mr and Miss LHS: Mark Sostarich and Bertha Guzman.
