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Positive results reported for Devine water well restoration

By Anton Riecher
What one Devine city council member referred to as a “$32,000 gamble” to restore the city’s long dormant L.C. Martin water well to operation has apparently paid off.
Chuck Jones with Converse-based Advanced Water Well told the council at its Dec. 16 meeting that the company has completed the rehabilitation project and is now waiting to install either a new or repaired submersible pump.
“We did our typical running a brush down it and jetting out all the fill as well as we acidized the well to recede all the iron bacteria in the formation,” Jones said.
The council voted…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 wins UIL Academic Competition 12th year in a row

By Melody Riou
UIL Academics is a wonderful program for students to be involved in.  Academic competition for younger students has been around since 1913, with the under age ten categories beginning in 1921.
The program of academic competition for elementary, middle school and junior high officially became “A+ Academics” in 2008. A+ Academics includes 20 different events for grades 2-8. These events span the curriculum – they are designed to complement and expand upon what students learn in the classroom, both through learning specific subject knowledge, and through learning skills that are valuable in many disciplines. Approximately 3,000 Texas schools participate in A+ Academics, competing in more than 300 district meets each year.
On December 5th, our UIL students competed in Floresville for our annual UIL competition.  Our kids competed against other students from Floresville, Pearsall, Carrizo Springs, Uvalde and Somerset.  Devine won the UIL meet for the 12th year in a row. We are so proud of each and every team member.

91 year old Bobbie DuBose was special guest at holiday social for retired teachers

People feel most cared about when others do thoughtful things for them. A group of fourth and fifth grade students under the direction of their teacher Lee Davis at Devine Intermediate decided that Christmas was a good time to share their thoughtfulness and do something kind for someone. Kindness is all about showing you care.
The group of students decided to make a poster with thoughtful wishes for someone. The poster was full of Christmas wishes for Bobbie Dubose. Their goal was to demonstrate the power and importance of being kind. Their kindness expressed and nourishes personal and community connections. Thank you for doing such a kind thing!

The Huajilla Area Retired Teachers and Staff held its annual holiday social on Monday, December 15, at Triple C Restaurant in Devine with a luncheon and activities. 
President Earline Schlortt welcomed the 40-plus members and guests. Members serenaded the November and December birthday celebrants.  Schlortt then introduced special guest and 20-year Devine Elementary retiree, Bobbie DuBose, 91 years young, who is among the few original members of the Huajilla group.
Schlortt recognized Huajilla’s past presidents Lewis Stroud, Irene Rodriguez-Dubberly, and Jim Rigby, presenting them with beautiful poinsettia plants.
President Schlortt then introduced special guests, Eddie Gentry from the Bluebonnet Children’s Center; Roxanne Carter, director of the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children; and Sgt. Mark Esquivel who represented Medina County’s Brown Santa. Each gave a short summary of their services for children, especially those children who suffer abuse or have been removed from the parents’ home due to other circumstances which put the children in danger. These organizations provide for the safety of children and each representative thanked HARTS for their contributions of books which the children keep for their own. Additionally, they reiterated that the books provide children not only an escape through reading but provide learning opportunities to children who otherwise may not have access to books that they can keep.  The Southwest Family Life center was unable to attend the meeting, and their books will be delivered to them.
Members then participated in a gift exchange game, but all participants walked away with a gift. There was a drawing for remaining gifts and winners were Tommy Fillinger and Irene Cox. 
After the meal, Brenda Prestage conducted a contest for the group, asking 10 questions related to Famous Duos, Foods, Sit Coms and Geography. Each category had a winner, and despite some talking and sharing responses, and the fact that members realized that either they did not know the answers, or the answers were unretrievable from their memory bank, the competition was sharp, but the overall winner was Claire Coffey. 
Prior to adjournment, Earline Schlortt announced the January 26,2026, at Sammy’s Restaurant in Castroville.

Like Christmas Cookies

Like Christmas Cookies
Had a great time this past weekend with some new friends and our families. We went to the San Antonio Aquarium which is an AMAZING place, and if you’ve never been, here’s your sign. It’s kind of like an aquarium, a zoo, an arcade, and a bouncy castle playground all in one.
Anyway, with it being Christmas and all, we got chased around by the Grinch a little bit while we looked at the Stingrays and the Sharks, took a picture of the kids in a shark’s jaws, and tried our hand at “glow in the dark” ping pong. That was interesting, because my first reaction to there being glow in the dark ping pong was “oh great…I can hardly hit the ball in the light,” but somehow it actually seemed a little easier.
The next day we did breakfast and Playdough time. And I will say if you’ve never had your children create you out of Playdough, you should try it. You might be surprised at all of the interesting features they see in you! Later we all went to Devine Acres. One of my favorite parts there was seeing all of the boys (little and big) try their hands at the “tractor pull”, which is literally an old tractor with a rope tied to it. We also enjoyed our encounter with the Goat Races, fishing (though the perch were a little stubborn), played a little Tether ball while the kids scoured the playground, Dino Paintball, and we even got to run through the “snow” machine on our way out in 80 degree weather! I feel like from the time I left my house to when I arrived at Devine Acres, the temperature rose by 10 degrees so I was pretty dang hot. But still, walking through the snow on our way out was pretty magical. For a moment, I almost stopped sweating when I saw that beautiful bubble “snow” coming down!
As we went to sleep last night, me and Tucker said our prayers, our normal prayers. And then we started saying our “made up” prayers from the heart, and it was a cute one. He was saying “Thank you God for the bestest family in the whole wise world” and then followed that up by proceeding to thank God for a whole laundry list of very practical things….It went a little something like this: “God, thank you for cups. Thank you for trash cans. God, thank you for tooth brushes and tooth paste…” and that’s when I lost it. I had held my breath through a list of things, but when he thanked God for toothbrushes, a snicker burst out of me. It didn’t phase him too much though. He was serious about this prayer for very practical things. He just reached over and covered up my mouth while he continued.
It’s only a few days til Christmas now, and I have to say around this time of year, I am always wishing it was a little farther away. The preparation and excitement of getting ready for Christmas day is more than half of the fun. My daughter has the ceiling of our hallway lit up like a runway for Santa’s sleigh, and every morning I listen to Christmas music without anyone accusing me of being crazy, and our living room tree and fireplace with the stockings just make me smile. Every day I look forward to Christmas morning, but I don’t want it to end. I like looking forward to it.
I will admit, we have baked WAY too many Christmas cookies this year, and decorated them with WAY too much icing, but everything about it is just too fun. Speaking of that, you might be surprised what your face looks like as a Christmas cookie decorated by your children too. It’s always fun to see what they come up with.
I guess that’s the best part about kids, seeing and listening to the silly stuff they come up with and the sweet things they do. Kids are kinda like Christmas cookies…they are just too fun and too sweet…and the more the merrier!

Partridge in a Pear Tree

By the time most of y’all get this paper, you will be just about finished celebrating Christmas, and hopefully you have most of the mess cleaned up also. My family will be with me on Saturday the 27th. My youngest granddaughter and her three boys spent part of the weekend with me this past week. We made some cookies; and they decorated them using the cookie paint that I told you about a couple of weeks ago. Their dinosaurs were really cute and different!
 This week, my thought was to give you something a little different, so instead of a bunch of recipes, I’m going to give you the story of the Partridge in a Pear Tree. Most of you have probably already heard of it, but when someone sent it to me last year, I hadn’t heard it before.
1.  The partridge in a pear tree if Jesus Christ.
2.  The two turtle doves are the Old and New Testaments.
3.  Three French hens stand for Faith, Hope, and Love.
4.  The four calling birds are the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
5.  The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of  The Old   Testament.
6.  The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represent the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.
8.  The eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes.
9.  The nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control.

10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

11. Eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples.

12. The twelve drummers drumming symbolizes the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.
So, there is your history lesson for today.
And now, I would like to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a very Healthy, Happy New Year!
 

    Public Hearings January 12 & 20 for zoning changes to Light Industrial on E. Hondo Avenue in Devine

    Notice is hereby given that the Planning & Zoning Commission and the City Council of the City of Devine will have public hearings to discuss & consider a zoning classification change for approximately 0.6474 acres of land known as GUTIERREZ BLOCK A LOT 4-5-6 located on East Hondo Avenue, and create a Preliminary Report regarding changing the zoning classification of this area from Class “G” Retail Business District to zoning Class “I” Light Industrial District for a collision center that requires a spray booth for painting vehicles, which is proposed to include the property described as follows:
    Survey: GUTIERREZ BLOCK A LOT 4-5-6 Acres: 0.6474
    Street Address: 512 E. Hondo Ave. Tax ID: 15555
    This is the former Party Rentals building area located across the street from Viva Zapata Mexican Restaurant and Ric’s/South Texas Event Center.
    The Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on the Preliminary Report for the zoning change mentioned above and will create a Final Report for the City Council at a public meeting on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at the Devine Community Center, located at 200 E. Hondo Ave., Devine, Texas.
    The Devine City Council will hold a Public Hearing on the Final Report of the Planning & Zoning Commission regarding the zoning change described above during the public meeting held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Devine Community Center.
    Any person desiring to speak in favor of or against the change to the zoning classification as described above may appear before the Planning & Zoning Commission and/or the City Council at the Public Hearings listed above and/or may provide a written statement, including their name, address, and phone number, to the City Secretary prior to the date of the Public Hearing. For there to be a valid protest, it must be in writing and signed by the owners of at least 20% of either:
    a. The area of the lots or land covered by the proposed zoning change; or
    b. The area of the lots or land immediately adjoining the area covered by the proposed change and extending 200 feet from that area.
    In computing the land area, the area of streets and alleys shall be included. (LGC Sec. 211.006(e))
    If the proposed zoning change is protested as described above, in order for the zoning change to take effect, an affirmative vote of at least three-fourths of the city council must be received.
    The Notice of Public Hearing was issued on the 18th day of December, 2025 by Juanita B. Romero, Code Compliance, City of Devine.

    Ritchey to resign as Devine alderman

    RITCHEY RESIGNS…..Devine District 4 Alderman Josh Ritchey, left, submitted his resignation effective Jan. 31 during the Devine Council meeting Dec. 16. Photo by Anton Riecher.

    By Anton Riecher
    District 4 Alderman Josh Ritchey announced his intention to resign his council seat in January during the Dec. 16 regular session of the Devine City Council.
    “It’s been a profound honor and, at times, a humbling challenge to serve the city,” Ritchey said, reading his letter of resignation aloud.
    Ritchey, who has served four years on the council, is moving away from the city, Mayor Butch Cook said.
    Still reading from his resignation letter, Ritchey said he “embarked on this journey driven by a genuine desire to serve my community and, indeed, by determination to advance policies that would better reflect our shared values and aspirations for progress, while most importantly, limiting government growth and reducing overreach.”
    “We have deliberately and conscientiously moved our city toward a future grounded in equality and a forward looking vision rather than remaining tethered to the constraints of our past,” Ritchey said.
    Aside from his formal resignation, Ritchey took time to complement someone who at times stood as his most fierce political adversary on the council – former District 3 Alderwoman Debbie Randall.
    “Oddly enough, my greatest appreciation working on this council and learning a lot about politics was working with Debbie Randall,” he said.
    “We fought like cats and dogs and disagreed on just about everything, but she really taught me the value of having someone you just cannot see eye-to-eye with, no matter how hard you try, but really appreciating the perspective and the intensity that person brings to the betterment of the community.”
    Although Ritchey intended to resign effective Jan. 31, city attorney Tom Cate informed the council that under state law Ritchey would continue to hold the seat until formally replaced by either council action or the next election.
    This triggered a lengthy discussion on establishing a policy on temporarily filling vacant council seats until the next election or leaving them vacant while encouraging potential candidates to seek the office. The council elected to leave the seat vacant until the next election.

    ESD2 purchases medical, firefighting equipment

    ESD2 board secretary Abigail Beadle and board assistant treasurer Jerry Stevens were on hand for the Dec. 17 board meeting. (Photo by Anton Riecher) 

    By Anton Riecher
    Acquisition of new fire equipment and the disposal of outdated or unused items dominated the agenda at the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 2 board of commissioners meeting Dec. 17.
    Under the heading of equipment acquired, the board voted to purchase a four-bank air compressor system for rapidly refilling air bottles for self-contained breathing apparatus.
    On a motion by board assistant treasurer Jerry Stevens, seconded by treasurer Ken Nighswander, the board unanimously approved the purchase from Arlington-based Morton Morrow for…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!

    Virgil Boehme, 84

    Virgil Boehme, of Castroville, Texas, passed away December 16, 2025 at the age of 84. He was born April 9, 1941 in San Antonio, Texas, to Armin Emil Boehme and Lorine Stein Boehme Persyn.
    Virgil graduated from St. Louis High School in 1959. On August 18, 1963, Virgil married Nora Fay Huckle at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in La Coste. They were blessed with sixty-two years of marriage and two daughters.
    He was a multi-generational Medina County farmer and rancher. Virgil was a member of the Quihi Gun Club, Stock Show Member for both Medina County and San Antonio, worked with the FFA, and the Medina County Fair. He also served on the Medina Valley ISD School Board. He was a 50-year member of the St. Louis Society.
    Survivors include his wife, Nora Fay Boehme of Castroville; children, Susan Kilgore (Daniel) of Castroville and Melissa Nietenhoefer (Stuart) of Hondo; grandchildren, Kele Luigs (Jonathan), Kaci Rittimann (James), Kyli Brewer, Karli Sewell (Anna), Amanda Holmes (Hayden), Johanna Hall (Trent); great-grandchildren, Kenzie, Klaire, and Knox Luigs, Rhett and Riggs Rittimann, Olivia Brewer, Holden and Payton Holmes, and Rielynn, Berkley, and Grayson Hall; brother, Emil Boehme; in-laws, Harold Huckle (Janell), John Coralls, and Alice Ray Boehme; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
    Virgil was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Anthony Boehme; sister, Mary Louise Echtle (William “Billy”); infant sister, Inell Boehme; sister-in-law, Betty Ann Coralls.
    Visitation will be Monday, December 29, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home, with the Holy Rosary recited at 5:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at St. Louis Catholic Church. Interment will follow at St. Louis Catholic Cemetery in Castroville, Texas.
    Memorials may be made in Virgil’s memory to the Medina County Junior Livestock Show Association or to the charity of your choice.
    Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. www.tondre-guinn.com

    Arabian hoops to regroup after Christmas

    Varsity Arabian #5 Kylie Monreal and #14 Madi De La Garza catch their breath in between possesions during Devine’s game against La Vernia. Photh by Brigid Howard.

    Jerel Beaty
    Staff writer
    A superbly played first half was unfortunately followed by what turned out to be a disastrous third quarter for Devine in their 27-4A opener in Pleasanton on December 19. The Arabians lost a tough one 49-43 to the Lady Eagles and dropped to 0-1 in district but look to use a nonconference game against Charlotte to regain their footing prior to their January 2 tilt in Somerset.
    vs Sabinal
    It was the Arabian hoops team doing…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!