CRIME OF THE WEEK: The Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office along with Crime Stoppers is hoping that a reward of up to FIVE THOUSAND-DOLLARS being offered for one week only will help solve the burglary of a residence in the 3000 block of Bruce Road, 4 miles north of the city of Leming off US 281.
On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at about 2:40 pm Atascosa County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 3000 block of Bruce Road to meet with the homeowner for a burglary of the residence. It was reported to Deputies that the homeowner left out of town on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The neighbor went to feed animals on March 24, 2025, at about 10:00 am and discovered the back door to the residence was forced open. Once the homeowner arrived back at the property on March 25, 2025, the homeowner found the residence ransacked and numerous coins from a coin collection were stolen. The coins consisted of Liberty Head nickels, Washington Head quarters, Liberty Standing quarters, silver dollars, Eisenhower dollars, Buffalo nickels, Franklin half dollars, Kennedy half dollars, Roosevelt dimes, Mercury dimes and half dollars. There was also an 1881 gold coin and 40 – 1 oz silver bars taken. The estimated value of the stolen property is over $27,000.00.
Investigators have some leads in this case and are in need of your assistance to help solve it. If anyone has any more information on these cases or knows who committed the crimes, they are urged to call Crime Stoppers immediately and be eligible for the large cash reward. Remember Crime Stoppers guarantees that you may remain anonymous.
Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $5,000.00 cash reward for one week only for information that leads to the arrest and grand jury indictment of the person or persons responsible for this crime. Crime Stoppers also pays cash rewards for information on any unsolved felony offense. When you call Crime Stoppers you will not be asked to reveal your name. You will be assigned a code number instead. To be eligible for this reward you must call Crime Stoppers at 830-769-2255.
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2025 Devine Homecoming – Sept. 26-27
DHS Class of ’75 – Cheerleaders – Mascots – Pep Squad to be Honored at DExSTA Social!
Hey Devine Ex-Students & Teachers! Mark your calendars for the 2025 Devine Homecoming weekend to be held on September 26 & 27.
It all starts with the Friday night football game at Warhorse Stadium, followed by a Saturday afternoon gathering of all alumni at the “old Green Alamo” which is now the Devine VFW on College Avenue.
The Devine Ex-Student/Teacher Association (DExSTA) will be honoring the 50th Reunion Class of 1975 and all past Cheerleaders, Mascots, and Pep Squad members on Saturday afternoon with alumni from many decades! Make plans to be there with your fellow classmates and teachers!
More Homecoming information will be announced in the coming weeks, so keep updated through The Devine News and on the Facebook page for the Devine Ex-Students/Teachers Association!
*DExSTA Pres. Nancy Ehlinger Saathoff contact info: gnsaathoff@aol.com or 210-289-6205
DHS Class of 1975 – 50th Reunion Sept. 26-27, 2025at Homecoming
“We’ve Got Spirit, We’ve Got Drive, We’re the Class of ’75!”
The Devine High School Class of 1975 will celebrate their 50th Class Reunion during Homecoming weekend, September 26 & 27, 2025! Plans are now being made for Friday and Saturday events, including class introductions at halftime of the Homecoming football game at Warhorse Stadium, an after-game gathering, a Saturday afternoon program at the “Green Alamo” (now VFW) at the DExSTA alumni social, and a private reunion on Saturday night!
More details will be announced in the coming weeks on the Facebook pages for the Devine HS Class of 1975 – 50th Reunion, the Devine Ex-Students Teachers Association, in The Devine News, and in a class letter that will be mailed to classmates in June.
*If you were in the DHS Class of 1975 and would like to help, please contact Linda Martin Gunn, Ofilia Hernandez Pedroza, Thelma Gutierrez, or Nancy Ehlinger Saathoff for more information.
Blood Drive April 19 in Natalia – Give the Gift of Life
There will be a blood drive in Natalia on Saturday, April 19 from 10 am to 3 pm at 2078 State Hwy 132 N.
As we get ready for the 2025 Spring and Summer months, graduations and vacations let us all try to help those who might need our help in these coming months. Giving the gift of “LIFE” to our family, friends, neighbors and people affected in our country ravaged by floods, tornadoes and fires is what we do. I am asking you to please help me help others by signing up to give “Life” to those in need. It has been said many, many times, for every unit given – three (3) people are helped; one with whole blood, one with plasma, and one with platelets.
Please sign up by using the QR code and receive a $10 gift card of your choice for Regular Blood Donation and a $30 gift card if your choice when you give Platelets. Thank you community for giving the GIFT OF LIFE!!!!
Sign up for Devine Prekinder Roundup before Sept. 1st
The child must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2025 in order to register for Head Start/Pre-K.
**Be prepared to submit the following information to register your child:
- Shot Record
- Official Birth Certificate
- Proof of Residence
- Proof of Income for 12 months (ex. 2024 – 1040 tax form)
- SNAP Benefits Letter
- Child’s Social Security Card
- Federal Assistance (Medicaid, TANF, WIC, etc)
- Photo ID of parent/guardian registering child
Lytle’s Annual Easter Eggs-travaganza on April 19
The City of Lytle is hosting their 2025 Easter Eggs-travaganza on Saturday, April 19 from 10:00 am to 12 pm.. Registration starts at 10:00 a.m. at John Lott Municipal Park
Schedule includes: 10:00 a.m. Easter Bunny Appearance. Easter Egg Hunt if for kids ages 1-8 only and starts at 11:00 a.m.
Keep your ticket for the basket drawing and egg hunt gate entrance. Fee is 1 canned good or $1 per child. Every year the City of Lytle hosts an egg hunt for the children of the city and surrounding area on the Saturday before Easter.
Hunt for prize eggs in Natalia April 12th
Natalia MDD invites the community to join the fun at their Annual Easter Egg Hunt. The event will be held Saturday, April 12th from 12 noon til 2pm at 2079 St Hwy 132 N across from the city office.
Kiddos can have their pictures taken with the Easter Bunny, see the fire trucks, play a few games, and enjoy the big egg hunt. Be on the lookout for PRIZE EGGS too!
Devine “Water & sewer rate increases to be discussed”, another increase to hit in the fall
The Devine City Council will host a Public Hearing to discuss “Water & Sewer Rate Increases” next Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Dr. George S. Woods Community Center, 200 E. Hondo Avenue in Devine.
City leaders want to hear from the citizens and update the citizens on their options and plans.
“At a public hearing people are able to talk and the council and I too. We can have conversations,” said David Jordan, City of Devine Administrator.
“They will not be limited to 3 minutes per topic like a regular meeting. This will be a public hearing; it is called to hear from the citizens. They can ask questions of any of us and we can talk to them,” said Jordan.
“It’s a time to listen to the public and a time for us to explain how we got to this point, where we are trying to get to, why, the lack of small incremental raises in last 7 years that could have elevated the need for these bigger increases, and our deteriorating infrastructure. I was able to get a grant to cover the cost of a rate study from an outside professional source, Community Underling, instead of using our office staff so it would be unbiased and not look like we were just doing this because we wanted to,” said Jordan.
“The results of the study suggested we needed to do a onetime jump in rates, but the council voted to spread it out over two increases to help make it a easier on the customers. This was just to break even, not to gain momentum,” he said.
All interested parties, groups, or individuals are encouraged to attend this public hearing and participate in the discussion.
For more information, please contact the City of Devine at (830) 663-2804.
This Notice of Public Hearing comes after an outcry by citizens on the high rate increases that took effect in February and are set to increase again in the fall or October 1 of this year.
“We can take as long as we need for the public hearing. The regular meeting will begin immediately afterwards since it’s in the same location since it is the third Tuesday of the month,” said Jordan. More info in notice on page 5.
Local small businesses and families Dig Deep for those in need
By Kayleen Holder
Here is a story that will make you smile. When a 76-year-old Medina County resident called for help, the community dug deep into thier hearts to help a neighbor in need. Mrs. Linda Sherrell was absolutely distraught after finding out she had a major water leak at her home outside of Devine, and that she had already lost over 77,000 gallons in the past month. With the meter still spinning and her being on a fixed income, she had no other choice but to have her water shut off.
But it wasn’t long before crews with STX Electrical and Jaworowski Fencing and several families stepped up to help. Approximately $500 has been donated thus far to help pay the bill, but even more amazing, is the countless number of hours that local small businesses have spent volunteering and rushing to help find the leak so that Mrs. Sherrell could have running water again.
I could tell Mrs. Linda was moved to tears in a short phone conversation last week, and she wanted to give a BIG THANK YOU to everyone this week in the paper.
“It’s really unbelievable what they have done for me. You have no idea how deeply grateful this makes me feel. I’ve always known this community was incredibly supporting when someone was in need of a helping hand. I’ve seen it time and time again. This time I am the recipient of that loving spirit in a BIG way,” said Linda Sherrell, of Devine.
STX Electrical was the first to volunteer to bring crews on site and bring out their heavy equipment. They were there from daylight til sundown that Friday searching for the leak. Later that night, the folks with Jaworowski Farm and Ranch Fencing came out to try to get water running again.
“I received a courtesy call Thursday morning from East Medina SUD to tell me that my next bill indicated a leak to the tune of more than $800 above my normal usage. I was so shocked I didn’t even know what to think. I told my neighbor, and she wrote a story about the problem which resulted in help coming from every direction. Dustin Navarro of STX Electrical Contracting sent out an entire crew to help hunt the leak down. They found one in a tight spot between the porch slab and the house foundation. His crew including Antonio and Ryan worked on it until late Friday evening. Then Joseph Jaworowski with assistants Kay and Brandon were here very, very late as well.
So to all the people who came to help and those who have contributed money toward the water bill including the Waters, Whitaker, McGuiart, Squires, Havel, Yanez, Jaworowski, and Navarro families, I am so very grateful.”
Mrs. Sherrell has worked hard all her life until retiring at the age of 74, and she is truly in awe of all who have donated their hard earned money and time to help in her time of need.
“I am humbled by all of your loving hearts,” Mrs. Sherrell added.
While one leak was located, it’s believed that there must be another, and ultimately contractors may have to install new lines so she will not be without water, unless the main leak is found.
Devine is truly a great place to live, and it is because of people like this who come together to help in times of need.
As extensive work will likely be needed to locate the main leak or run new lines, you are welcome to donate by mailing to The Devine News, PO BOX 508 Devine, TX, but be sure to include a note that it is a donation for Linda Sherrell.
Local teacher makes the cut twice on Wheel of Fortune
By Kayleen Holder
Editor
We trust that just about everyone in the community was watching Wheel of Fortune this Tuesday night as local English Teacher Jay Tope made his debut on national television! Because it’s a special tournament week on Wheel of Fortune, Tope will appear a second time this Friday, and there’s a big surprise in store!
Over a million people audition for Wheel of Fortune each year, and only 600 see that dream come true.
“My message to my students is – GO FOR IT! People are going to give you every reason in the world that you can’t succeed at something. These students of mine need to know that everything is at their reach, and hard work beats talent every day of the week,” Mr. Tope said.
This was certainly a dream come true for Mr. Tope.
“I had always wanted to be on Wheel of Fortune; I watched with…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING AT www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get INSTANT online 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!