My Front Page

Jesus is a sweet, caring, and energetic teenager

Jesus is a sweet, caring, and energetic teenager who enjoys school and is always eager to learn, he is particularly fascinated by learning how things work.
While he enjoys playing video games, basketball, football and track, his true passion is baseball. Jesus is inspired by both professional athletes and his peers and is determined to learn and improve his skills.
Some fun facts about Jesus, he likes cheese pizza and would like to be a professional baseball player.
Jesus has a dream of a mother & father for parents, and multiple siblings, so he can create and share adventures with them all together as a family.
In his own words what Jesus would like his future forever family to know about him, “Hi! My name is Jesus, and I love to play video games, but I really want to play baseball”.
If you think you could be a forever family for Jesus or another Texas child, call 1-800-233-3405. For more information visit www.adoptchildren.org where you can find a schedule of online public information meetings, and learn about the foster/adoption program.
You can also view the www.heartgallerystx.org website, where South Texas children have their portraits along with individual personal stories they wish to share, with their future forever family.
Basic Adoption Requirements
The prospective foster/adoptive parents may be single or married and must:
be at least 21 years of age, financially stable, and responsible mature adults
complete an application (staff will assist you if you prefer)
share information regarding their background and lifestyle
provide relative and non-relative references
show proof of marriage and/or divorce (if applicable)
agree to a home study which includes visits with all household members
allow staff to complete a criminal history background check and an abuse/neglect check on all adults in the household
attend free training to learn about issues of abused and neglected children

Lytle pressures AT&T for credit due; goes into executive session to discuss water billing and acquisition/condemnation proceeding

By Anton Riecher
An ongoing struggle with AT&T regarding credit due following the cancellation of internet communication services with the city of Lytle may require legal intervention in the future, the Lytle City Council learned Monday.


Frontera Concepts president John Garza told the council that AT&T has not been forthcoming with billing credit due after the city opted to move internet communication to Rise Broadband last July. Frontera handles IT support for the city.
“We’ve made no progress up to this point other than we have submitted every piece of documentation we can possibility submit to them,” Garza said.…

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!

Devine Soccer Club launches shoe drive fundraiser through May

Devine Soccer Club (Facebook page Devine Soccer Club) is conducting a shoe drive fundraiser through June 6th. On May 3rd and May 31st from 11 am to 3 pm next to the library, they will have a drive through drop off shoes event. Also you may drop off shoes at the following locations: Devine Fire Department Station, Jalisco – 779 Hwy 173 in Devine, Sherry’s Flower Shop – 103 E College Ave in Devine, Kickstart Nutrition – 203 E College Ave in Devine, WTG – 14640 FM 2790 in Lytle, Lytle Animal Control – 17971 W FM 2790 in Lytle.
This shoe drive is to raise funds for the future development of soccer players and to help build soccer fields here locally. Devine Soccer Club will earn funds based on the total weight of the pairs of gently worn, used and new shoes collected, as Funds20rgs will issue a check for the collected shoes. Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used and new shoes at any of the above locations, or using our drop off drive thru May 3 and 31. All sport shoes are acceptable, crocs, high heels, boots, anything except roller skates, ice skates or shoes with wheels.
Donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network, to give back to communities and countries where footwear is not readily available. Devine Soccer Club collected pairs of shoes will be examined, cleaned, and distributed to areas where needed. These shoes will have a large impact on individuals and families alike. Shoes are also distributed in low economic areas of this country and others. Your donation will give your shoes a chance to help others who otherwise would not be able to have a pair of shoes either due to the cost of footwear or living an area where shoe are not readily available.
“We are excited about our shoe drive,” said Devine Soccer Club Director Pablo Carmona. “We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they no longer use or will just throw away some time in the future. We would like them to donate those unwanted shoes that either no longer fit or are no longer used. By doing this we raise money for soccer fields, soccer equipment and the shoes donated have the chance to help families in developing nations who need assistance with a basic item like shoes. It’s a win – win for everyone.”
Devine Soccer Club is based in Devine. They look to help all kids, boys and girls, of all ages with the opportunity to play soccer at all skill levels. Volunteer coaches are a big part of why we succeed and we always are looking for more coaches. Registration to join a team will open up on May 17. Contact them on Facebook at Devine Soccer Club.
Our focus is to train the kids to get to the highest level of competition we can get them to and help soccer grow in Devine. We have a goal to get soccer in our schools in Devine, but first we must grow the sport in our community and hopefully the school district will take notice.

Devine ISD Summer Meal Program June 1-30

Devine ISD will be offering the Summer Meal Program at no cost this summer to provide nutritious meals for our children to learn, grow, and thrive. This program is offered to children and teens ages 18 and under, and enrolled students with disabilities up to age 21.

The Summer meal program will begin on June 1st through Jun 30th Monday through Thursday. Meals will be dined-in at our Intermediate cafeteria. Breakfast will be served from 8:00 a.m.- 9:00 a.m. and Lunch will be served from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

See more photos and stories by logging into www.devinenewsmembers.com and get instant online access to our E-edition.

Local Police Report

Lytle Police Report

Monday, May 05
3:39 AM Ofc. Mendez –Saddle Ridge Blvd. @ Doc Holiday Dr. – The officer responded to two suspicious males walking but was unable to locate them.
4:03 AM – Main St. @ Prairie St. – Officers responded to a disabled vehicle blocking the roadway.
6:50 AM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to unlock a 2022 International Truck.
12:23 PM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to the theft of a $1,200 phone left on the checkout counter.
1:57 PM – IH 35 SB MM 132 – Officers responded to a one-vehicle rollover with injuries.
3:01 PM – 15300 Blk. Oak St. – Officers responded to the death of a 68-year-old male.
3:46 PM – Phone Call – Officers spoke to an elderly female on the phone regarding a lost cell phone and wallet, possibly in Natalia, at an unknown location.
5:42 PM – Main St. @ N. Prairie St. – Officer responded to a two-vehicle non-injury accident.
Tuesday, May 06
6:15 AM – 19900 Blk. IH 35 – Officers responded to an active alarm. The business was secure.
7:45 AM – 15100 Blk. Main St. – Officers responded to a homeless male. Everything was okay.
1:25 PM – 14600 Blk. FM 2790 – Officers responded to unlock a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe.
6:45 PM – 19900 Blk. Wyatt Earp Way – Officers responded to speak to a juvenile regarding texting.
7:12 PM – 15300 Blk. Adams St. – Officer responded to unlock a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic.
7:45 PM – 20200 Blk. IH 35 – Officers responded to jump-start a stranded vehicle.
9:01 PM – Lytle-Somerset St. @ IH 35 Frontage – Rd. Officers initiated a traffic stop for disregarding a stop sign, which resulted in impounding a 2008 Dodge pickup for multiple vehicle violations.
11:04 PM – 14000 Blk. Railroad St. – Officer was flagged down by a motorist needing directions to San Antonio.
Wednesday, May 07
8:56 AM – FM 2790 @ IH 35 Frontage Rd. – Officer responded to check on a homeless male lying in a culvert but was unable to locate him.
11:39 AM – 14700 Blk. Main St. – Officer responded to a physical altercation between two males.
1:50 PM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer responded to unlock a vehicle.
1:50 PM – 15300 Blk. Main St. – Officer responded to check on a juvenile male.
2:48 PM – Lytle PD – Officers spoke to a female regarding unwanted contact from an ex-employee.
3:27 PM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer responded to the report of $900 of merchandise shoplifted on 5/6/2025. The case is under investigation.
4:15 PM – Lytle PD – Officer spoke to a female regarding an incident at Lytle ISD.
10:16 PM – 14800 Blk. Main St. – Officers responded to reports of suspicious noises coming from inside a residence. Everything was okay.
Thursday, May 08
12:20 AM – 15400 Blk. Cottage St. – Officers responded to a verbal disturbance between a husband and wife.
2:06 AM – 15300 Blk. Oak St. – Officer responded to the death of a 52-year-old male.
10:10 AM – 14400 Blk. Pine St. – Officers responded to a complaint regarding the stench of a dead cow in a nearby pasture.
8:23 PM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officer responded to a person of interest from a previous theft. The subject had left before the officer’s arrival.
Friday, May 09
8:45 AM – 19000 Blk. Priest Blvd. – Officers attended the Edwards Aquifer “Rooted in Texas” plant giveaway to the first 500 families.
8:50 AM – Assist City Agency / Code Compliance – S. Somerset St. @ Hester St. – Officer issued a stop-work order for new construction that had started without a permit.
12:45 PM – 18900 Blk. FM 2790 – Officers provided a bus escort out of the city for the Lytle High School Baseball team.
4:28 PM – 14500 Blk. Main St. – Officers received a report of a 14-year-old juvenile who ran away from home earlier in the morning. The juvenile was located and returned to her mother.
6:11 PM – 19700 Blk. IH 35 – Officers responded to an active alarm. The business was secure.
8:05 PM – IH 35 @ MM 131 – Officer responded and was unable to locate the vehicle.
8:21 PM – 14800 Blk. Main St. – Officers responded to an active alarm. The business was secure.
9:43 PM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to unlock a 2021 Subaru Forester.
10:31 PM – 14800 Blk. Main St. – Officers initiated a traffic stop for a defective headlamp that resulted in the citation and release of a 20 year old male for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Saturday, May 10
12:22 AM – IH 35 @ Park Place – Officer observed a stranded vehicle. The driver had help on the way.
12:30 AM – 14800 Blk. Lytle-Somerset St. – Officers observed a male urinating in public. A 61 old male was cited and released for disorderly conduct.
4:59 AM – Assist Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office – 90 Blk. La Paz – Officers responded to a call outside the city of Lytle regarding suspicious activity, but the call was canceled before they arrived.
3:30 PM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to assist a stranded vehicle blocking the road. The car was pushed off the roadway.
6:36 PM – 17900 Blk. IH 35 – Officers responded to unlock a 2018 Chevrolet.
9:11 PM – 14800 Blk. Railroad St. – Officers initiated a traffic stop for speeding. The smell of marijuana resulted in the arrest of a 21 year old male for fail to ID fugitive intent to give false info. and an active warrant out of Hays County for assault causing bodily injury family member. Subject was booked into the Atascosa County Jail.
10:39 PM – 19500 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to an unwanted customer.
Sunday, May 11
1:28 AM – 15500 Blk. Main St. – Officers responded to an unwanted person at a residence who refused to leave.
5:43 PM – 63300 Blk. Cortez St. – Officers responded to a report of an unwanted person at a residence.
8:07 PM – Lytle PD – Officers received a phone call regarding a person consuming alcohol in the store.
10:05 PM – 18600 Blk. N. Prairie St. – Officers responded to a report of suspicious activity and were unable to locate anyone near the residence.
8:22 PM – 19300 Blk. McDonald St. – Officers responded to a two-vehicle non-injury accident.

Devine Police Report

May 2
10:21AM – Complainant on Rosewood called regarding suspicious vehicle parked at neighbors, appeared to be smoking marijuana. Officer ID’d male who state he was working on vehicle. No marijuana odor observed, all okay.
13:05PM – Complainant on Colonial Pkwy advised seeing two young boys with skate boards crawl under fence on premises. Location checked, unable to locate.
20:15PM – Complainant on Zig Zig reported a suspicious vehicle with stripes on it. No license plate provided. Unable to locate.
May 3
0:05AM – Officer served warrant on male subject on LC Martin Drive. Subject jailed.
2:24AM – Officer dispatched to Dixon Dr to check on EMS not responding on radio after advising CPR in progress on walk up. Male subject pronounced by JP via phone.
6:29AM – Officer dispatched to IH 35 SB mm 124 for minor accident.
12:50PM – Officer dispatched to Wilson Dr for minor accident.
16:00PM – Complainant on Devine Dr advised of open door on property. Home cleared and secured; all okay.
16:49PM – Officer dispatched to Enterprise Ave for hospice death.
23:00PM – Complainant on Mockingbird Lane called in reference to loud music. Homeowner advised he would need to lower music.
May 4
14:04PM – Officer dispatched to IH 35 N to assist EMS coming from Frio County. Male subject feeling sick on Mexico bus. All okay.
20:02PM – Complainant on IH 35 S called in reference to two males fighting then departed location in white car and SUV before officer’s arrival.
21:55PM – Male came to PD to give statement for above fight.
23:35PM – Officer dispatched to Renfro for verbal argument between female and male. All okay.
May 5
0:10AM – Late entry – occurred 050425 @ 2328 hours to 0022 hours. Officer dispatched to Colonial Pkwy to assist MCSO with translating.
14:43PM – Officer dispatched to Hondo Ave for disturbance with weapon. Male made arrangements to purchase rest equipment from another male. Equipment was old and purchaser change his mind and a disturbance occurred. No charges filed.
May 6
2:40AM – Complainant on Hondo Ave called in reference to a female causing a scene and manager wanted her out. Female left prior to officer’s arrival. Manager requested a criminal trespass warning.
14:38PM – Complainant on Teel Dr called in reference to male subject in drive through possible intoxicated. Driver failed sobriety test and jailed.
17:40PM – Complainant on CR 773 called in reference to female in business screaming. Officer made location to assist. All okay.
May 7
4:38AM – Complainant on Teel Dr stated his wife was on location to open for the day and a male subject was on location, attempting to open her door by accident. All okay.
10:16PM – Complainant on Freedom Dr called in reference to unoccupied Ford vehicle with hazards on. All okay.
13:05PM – Complainant on FM 2200 advised vehicle in roadway with hazard lights on. Vehicle moved off roadway.

Lytle to host their 1st National Wreaths Across America Day this year

WHAT: Lytle Community Cemetery and Lytle Masonic Cemetery, an official Wreaths Across America (WAA) location, will host a 1st Annual wreath-laying ceremony, joining more than 4,900 other locations across the country for National Wreaths Across America Day. Coordinated and led by local volunteers, sponsorship groups have raised funds throughout the year to sponsor the placement of 180 veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of our fallen service members laid to rest there. This annual event seeks to further the yearlong mission to Remember, Honor, Teach, ensuring that the memory of those who served our country endures.

WHEN: Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 11:00 am.

WHERE: Lytle Community Cemetery, 15309 Laredo St., Lytle, TX. 78052

WHO: Lytle VFW Post 12041, Atascosa MASONIC LODGE #379, Ruben Gonzalez, Mayor City of Lytle.
Veterans, active service members and families For more information or to sponsor a wreath, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org Please use our Location ID: TXLTCC.
Local Contacts: Efrain Vasquez, (479) 925-0998, email: sergeantmajorpain88 @gmail.com; and Pam Wanjura, (210) 422-1875, email: pamwan @sbcglobal.net

About Wreaths Across America
The organization’s yearlong mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.

Patsy L. Cook

With heavy hearts, family and friends announce the passing of Patsy L. Cook into her heavenly home. Patsy was born in Lytle, Texas on September 5, 1949 and entered eternity on April 20, 2025 at the age of 75.
Patsy resided in the Conroe area for a time but lived most of her life in Lytle. Her family fondly describes Patsy as “very loving and kind; she never met a stranger and she was always laughing, joking and thinking of ways to make others happy. Patsy loved Jesus and shared Him with everyone. She was our prayer warrior. The Cook family has a hole in our hearts that can never be filled on this earth. Patsy’s love and laughter will be forever missed.”
Patsy also loved her Prevailing Word Church family as her own. And, while she was blessed to have numerous relatives and friends who loved her dearly, she made us each feel special by loving us back in a unique way. Patsy faced many deeply difficult circumstances and seasons in her life, but she overcame by standing firm on God’s Word and leaves a legacy of unwavering faith that will continue to inspire us all for years to come.
Patsy is preceded in death by her parents, John and Beulah Cook, her brothers, John and Tommy Cook, her infant sister Grace Emile, and nephew Johnny Cook. She is survived by her aunt, sister-in-law, many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Patsy’s life will be held at Prevailing Word Church, 4000 E IH 35 S, Lytle, Texas (830-709-0900) on Saturday, May 17 at 11:00am with a time of fellowship to follow.

A Girl on a Ship in the Night

“The man who has experienced shipwreck shudders even at a calm sea.”
Ovid – Roman Poet

There is an episode of the hit TV series Seinfeld where George Costanza, engaged in a dispute over a new apartment rental, is pitted against an older gentleman with a tragic life history – he is an Andrea Doria survivor.  As the story unfolds, under the review of the tenant association, George’s personal pathetic life story is more tragic even than this man’s seafaring trauma.  The association, out of pity, awards George the apartment, which he later loses to another tenant for a bribe of $50.  For many, this obscure cultural reference is all they know about the Andrea Doria.  But the Andrea Doria was an actual ship with a real and tragic story – and a most bizarre twist.  This one gets interesting.  Truth is stranger than fiction.
 The SS Andrea Doria (named for a famous 16th-century Italian statesman and naval leader) was a luxury transatlantic ocean liner, Italy’s largest and fastest ship at the time.  She was made famous by her sinking in the North Atlantic.  This was the first shipwreck documented on television for the world to see.
 On July 25, 1956, the ship bound for New York was approaching the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts.  In the midst of thick fog, the Andrea Doria met the MS Stockholm.  Although both ships were equipped with radar, they apparently misread warnings.  When visual contact was made, it was too late to avoid a collision.  At 11:10 pm the bow of the Stockholm plowed into the Anrea Doria.  Upon impact, 46 passengers on the Andrea Doria and five on the Stockholm were killed. 
 Struck on her starboard side, the Andrea Doria immediately started to list and take on water.  She stayed afloat for over 11 hours before capsizing and sinking.  1,660 passengers and crew were rescued and survived.
 When the news broke, every major outlet picked up the story, including ABC news.  Edward Morgan was the ABC news anchor tasked with reporting the story.  But there was a problem.  Minutes before Edward Morgan went on the air, he was informed that his 14-year-old daughter Linda, who was a passenger on the Andrea Doria, was missing and presumed dead.  Unbelievably, he was able to go on the air and report the story without losing his composure or mentioning his daughter.
 At the same time, another facet of the story was developing.  A young girl who had been asleep in her cabin aboard the Andrea Doria, woke up in the night and began screaming for her mother.  A man on the Stockholm heard her cries and ran across the twisted wreckage towards the bow of the ship.  There he found, perched on the destroyed railing of the Stockholm, a bed.  And in that bed was a 14-year-old girl.  That girl was Linda Morgan.  Apparently, the bow of the Stockholm had scooped up the girl in her bed when it pierced the Andrea Doria and dragged her back as it withdrew, leaving her on the deck.
 When Edward Morgan went back on the air the next day, he was able to talk about his daughter and her incredible survival story.  He shared how difficult it was to share tragic news when it was about someone you loved.  In an interview later, he said, “Within a space of 24 hours, this reporter has been pushed down the elevator shaft to the sub-basement of despair and raised again to the heights of incredible joy.”
 Linda Morgan suffered a broken arm and was quickly dubbed The Miracle Girl.  She returned to New York City aboard the damaged Stockholm, where she was reunited with her father.  Though she physically recovered, she suffered her entire life with survivor’s guilt.  Her stepfather and younger half-sister were killed in the accident, and her mother was badly injured. 
 Linda Morgan, now known as Linda Hardberger, moved to San Antonio, Texas, in 1970.  She served as curator for both the McNay Art Museum and the Tobin Theatre Arts Fund.  Her husband, Phil Hardberger, was the mayor of San Antonio from 2005 to 2009. 
 The wreck of the Andrea Doria remains one of the worst maritime disasters to occur in U.S. waters.  And the true story of the Miracle Girl on board remains stranger than fiction.

© 2025 Jody Dyer
typewriterweekly.com

House passes bill banning minors from social media

By Gary Borders-
State Capital Highlights
The House easily approved a measure that would penalize social media companies for allowing under-aged youth to use their platforms, The News reported. The bill, which now goes to the Senate for consideration, would require tech companies to verify a user’s age when creating a social media account.
“Social media companies don’t care about what content they’re feeding you and your children,” sponsor Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, said. “Rather, they want you hooked on their content.”
Users would have to submit government IDs to verify ages, according to the proposal.

Sheriff’s Office seeks funding for better capturing cell phone evidence

Chief Deputy Gilbert Rodriguez reported that in the last month the sheriff’s office has had to order phone dumps for 40 cell phones. Thirteen of those phones were evidence in human trafficking cases, he said. Above from left, Criminal District Attorney Mark Haby, Deputy Alfonso Oranday, and County Grant Administrator Beverly Ham take the podium to advocate for this technology. (Photo by Anton Riecher).

By Anton Riecher
The Medina County Sheriff’s Office was granted permission by the county commissioners Monday to apply for a grant to obtain equipment and training to download cell phone information as evidence in criminal investigations.
Commissioners voted 3-0 on a motion by Precinct 2 Commissioner Larry Sittre, seconded by Precinct 1 Commissioner Jessica Castiglione, to approve the request. Precinct 4 Commissioners Danny Lawler, scheduled for elbow surgery, missed the Monday meeting.
Chief Deputy Gilbert Rodriguez said that the latest cell phone technology allows owners to program phones to wipe all data and that imposes a time limit on law enforcement when the phone is evidence in an investigation.
“Currently we either have to take it to Austin or Laredo to have it downloaded,” Rodriguez said. “With this system we can do it instantaneously on site.”
The amount being requested is $18,806, he said.
“Hopefully we will get fully funded,” Rodriguez said. “If we don’t we have also gone out to all the area law enforcement agencies in Medina County asking them if they are willing to participate and, if so, to share the cost.”
Criminal District Attorney Mark Haby made his support for the measure known to the commissioners.
“For a prosecutor’s standpoint, this is absolutely essential,” he said. “It is just unbelievable the wealth of evidence you get off cell phones nowadays.”
At present, the technician that downloads the cell phone must be available to testify in court when any evidence is submitted, Haby said.
“We are having to bring in witnesses from out of the area,” he said. “If these individuals doing these phone dumps work for agencies across the state we are kind of at the mercy of their schedule.”
Rodriguez reported that in the last month the sheriff’s office has had to order phone dumps for 40 cell phones. Thirteen of those phones were evidence in human trafficking cases, he said.
Deputy Alfonso Oranday has been spearheading the cell phone project for the sheriff.
“Nearly every case that we investigate, from child exploitation to drug trafficking, violent crimes, there is always a cell phone involved,” Oranday said. “There is critical information on all these devices, from pictures to locations to contacts that will help us to stop the crime that is going on in Medina County.”
Commissioners also approved providing a contact number for participating entities to use the Statewide Automated Victim Notification Service. The free, automated, computer-based system provides federal crime victims with information on scheduled court events, as well as the outcome of those court events.
It also provides victims with information on the offender’s custody status and release.
In other business, the commissioners approved renewal of a bi-annual agreement with the Texas Department of State Health Services for regional and local services. Grant administrator Beverly Ham said the two-year grant for $92,282 would start in September this year.
In action directly affecting Devine, the commissioners voted 3-0 to accept the resignation of Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4 board member and assistant treasurer Juan Zamora.