City, county and ESD leaders set public hearings for the proposed increase or decrease in tax rates for year 2025. Due to property tax changes the rate increase or decrease still always brings in more tax money than the previous years. It is quite confusing at times. Do you look at the rate or the amount expected to be brought in as the factor for an increase or decrease argument. Leaders have to figure out each year how much taxes must be brought in to provide the services they are required to or want to provide with those tax dollars.
Tax notices have been posted online and in the newspapers to include:
City of Devine -Proposed Tax Rate is 59 cents, which is a 0% decrease from the current rate of 59 cents per $100. Public Hearing is set for Sept.16 at 7:00 pm at community center. Total tax levy on all properties will increase from $1.519 million to $1.58 million or $61,694 increase or 4% increase in total tax levy.
City of Natalia- Proposed Tax Rate is 44.49 cents, which is a 6.87% decrease from the current rate of 47.77 cents per $100. Public Hearing is set for Sept.15 at 6:45 pm at city hall.
City of Lytle- Proposed Tax Rate is 43.93 cents, which is a 9.79% increase from the current rate of 39.83 cents per $100. Public Hearing is set for Sept.16 at 7:00 pm at city hall. Due to average homestead taxable value decreasing by 38.84 %, the tax on average homestead decreased 29%. Total tax levy to be brought in on all properties went from $1.167million to $1.358 million a increase of 15.16% in total property tax levy.
City of LaCoste- Proposed Tax Rate is 58.81 cents, which is a 1.4% increase from the current rate of 58 cents per $100. Public Hearing is set for Sept16 at 7:00 pm. at city hall.
City of VonOrmy- Proposed Tax Rate is 14.37 cents, which is a 0% increase from the current rate of 14.37 cents per $100. Public Hearing is set for Sept11 at 12:00 pm at the Municipal Building.
Medina County- Proposed Tax Rate is 44.34 cents, which is a 1.71% decrease from the current rate of 45.11cents per $100. Public Hearing was Sept.8. The budget will raise more revenue from property taxes than last year’s budget by an amount of $2,311,087, which is a 8.73 % increase from last year’s budget. The property tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year is $1.724 million.
ACESD#1- Proposed Tax Rate is 10 cents, which is a 0% no change from the current rate of 10 cents per $100. (Due to annexations and growth of overall property value, the same 10 cents will now produce a lot more money since there are more properties. The total tax levy on all properties went from $3.3 million to $9.3 million which is an increase in funds of $6 million or 178.3% change. All while the average homestead will see a decrease of $16 or 8.4% since the average homestead taxable value decrease by 8.4%)
MCESD#2 Proposed Tax Rate is 10 cents, which is a 3.13 cent or 45.56% increase from the current rate of 6.87 cents per $100. Public Hearing is set for Sept. 16 at 7:00 pm at the fire house. Total tax levy on all properties increase by 41.09% to produce $827,194 in taxes an increase of $240,920.
MCESD#4 Proposed Tax Rate is 5.21 cents, which is a 5.04% increase from the current rate of 4.96 cents per $100.Total tax levy on all properties increased from $788, 548 to $821,261 which is an increase of $32,713 or 4.15%. Public Hearing is scheduled for Sept. 10 at 6:00 pm at the ems station.
MCESD#5- Proposed Tax Rate is 10 cents, which is a 4.06% increase from the current rate of 9.61 cents per $100. Public Hearing was held on August 21, 2025.
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Allison loves home-cooked meals,animals, cheerleading,and going to the beach
Allisson is a friendly and sweet 13-year-old. She has a cheerful demeanor and enjoys the company of friends and those she cares about the most around her, as such she enjoys being part of social settings allowing her to interact with others.
Allisson enjoys having home cooked meals, as she sees this as a sign of love and care due to her feeling the meal was prepared specifically for her. Allisson enjoys cheerleading and performing at school activities. She especially enjoys attending pep rallies at school as it allows for her to showcase her school pride and cheer with her fellow friends and classmates. Allisson loves all subjects in school and enjoys attending her classes, currently her favorite class is PE, as she enjoys being physically active.
Allisson loves being the center of attention as evident by her love for dancing, cheerleading, and wanting to socialize with others. At her current placement, there are several dogs, and she loves them very much, as evident by the way she plays and interacts with them, she also really enjoys going to the beach.
Allisson loves watching Disney movies and shows, as she loves seeing happy fairytale endings come true…. She believes there is a family who will adopt & love her, as her forever family…
If you think you could be a forever family for Gabriella or another Texas child, please call 1-800-233-3405 for more information or 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.
BUST N BURN Sept. 12-13 in Devine
Clay shoot, Silent auction, BBQ Cook-off
Kids needed for BBQ and clay shoot to win buckles
The 12th Annual DJ Carlson Memorial BUST N BURN will be on September 12&13, the second weekend of September yearly, and will be hosted at the same location as last year, at The Farm, 2238 FM 2200 West, Devine just past the airport a little ways.
The two day weekend event will feature a barbeque cook-off (State Championship Cook-off), a 12 station sporting clay shoot, corn hole and washer tourneys, live music and entertainment!
They started doing a Kid’s Q last year for the first time. The ages will be kinder through high school seniors that can compete in the Kid’s Q cookoff. Meat will be provided by the sponsor DCDC- Devine Childcare Development Center/Candace Esparza.
Everyone is welcome to join in on the weekend events with the purchase of a $10 cover charge wrist band.
Champions Barbeque Alliance State Championship Cook-off will feature chicken, ribs, brisket, and pork butt; with a $5000 Pay Out.
The 12 station registered sporting clay shoot always draws a lot of sponsors and teams and many awards and buckles are given including scholarships.
In addition…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 EX-STUDENTS/TEACHERS ASSOCIATION HOMECOMING FESTIVITIES ON SEPT. 26-27!
All Devine alumni and teachers welcome…
The Devine Ex-Students/Teachers Association (DExSTA) is looking forward, again this year, to welcoming Devine Exes to Homecoming!
It all starts Friday night, Sept 26th, at Warhorse Stadium where the Devine Warhorses will take on the visiting San Antonio Christian in a gridiron battle! Get there early for registration & name tags at the DExSTA table by the ramp, then gather in the south end of the home stands with other Devine Exes. The DHS Homecoming activities will begin about 6:30, followed by the DHS School Song played by the Warhorse Band, and kick-off at 7:30pm. Be ready to cheer with the DHS Cheerleaders and stand for “Two Bits”!
During the game, the announcer will call out for any former Cheerleaders, Mascots, and Pep Squad members to stand or wave from their seats to be recognized and honored for their contributions to the unwavering Devine Spirit! Other classes having special reunions may be announced also, so keep listening for your class to stand or wave! At halftime the DHS Honor Class of 1975 will be down on the track to be introduced for their 50th Class Reunion.
The annual DExSTA “Main Event” will be held again this year at the Devine VFW Post 3966 (old Green Alamo) at 211 W. College Ave., in Devine. The event begins at 1:00pm with Registration, Visiting, Refreshments and includes displays of many old school pictures & class posters, cheer squad memorabilia and a wonderful slide show. At 2:00pm the Homecoming Program opens with Two Bits, the National Anthem & Pledges, and School Song, followed by a brief DExSTA annual meeting, introductions of ex-students & teachers, special recognition of former Cheerleaders, Mascots, & Pep Squad members, & classes with reunions, and a feature of the Honor Class of 1975. Afterwards there will be more opportunities for visiting and taking pictures together!
It will be an afternoon of special memories for all! *Group pictures of the Cheerleaders, Mascots, Pep Squads, plus Classes of 1975, 1965, 1955, 2010, and any other classes with reunions, will be taken outside the hall on the front steps.
This gathering is a very special time to not only remember and celebrate our own school days, but to meet other Devine Exes, and hear about what made their days in Devine special to them. You will find that the Warhorse-Arabian Spirit ties us all together! Please make plans to join us for Homecoming 2025 on September 26th and 27th!
Devine Ex-Students/Teachers Association: “Preserving the Past, Celebrating the Present, Promoting the Future” DExSTA Contact Information: Facebook page – Devine Ex-Students Teachers Association
Nancy Ehlinger Saathoff ’75 @ 210-289-6205 or gnsaathoff@aol.com. Join and fill out the form on page 3.
Developer’s attempt to “export” groundwater stopped, for now
An attempt by a Dallas investor to export East Texas groundwater likely will be delayed at least two years after lawmakers approved a water development board study of the plan’s effects.…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!
Lytle council approves land purchase
By Anton Riecher
Following an Aug. 25 executive session, the Lytle City Council voted unanimously to approve the purchase of a residential lot at 15242 Cottage St. for the proposed price of $140,000.
On a motion by District 3 Alderman David Emery, seconded by District 4 Alderman Michael Rodriguez, the council voted to ratify actions taken to date by City Administrator Zachary Meadows toward the purchase of the property. The action further authorized Meadows to take all actions necessary to finalize the purchase.…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!
Massive “Haunted House” will wind through 1920’s schoolhouse
You might have seen some info about the “Sinister Harvest” Haunted House that will open it’s doors in Devine this September.
But it’s bigger and spookier than it might appear on first glance….the new structure being built on the outside of the Devine VFW is just the entrance!
The spooky tour will take you deep into the hallways of the old 1920s school and classrooms.
“It’ll be about 1,800 sq ft in all,” said Gary Saathoff with the Devine VFW. “You’ll go in and out of the old classrooms, through an old doctor’s office, and end up in the hallway with a chainsaws chasing you! It should be pretty good!”
Brandon Harris, who is heading up the haunted house said he is thrilled to be able to do it in such a spooky location full of history.
“We have been told that there has been paranormal readings here,” Harris said. “The building is so authentic…the orginal floors, the walls, even the way it smells.
“It’s definitely the kind of place where you hear doors opening and closing by themselves and footsteps down the hallway” Harris claims.
There will be
5OTH REUNION PLANS SET FOR DHS CLASS OF 1975!
The DHS Class of 1975 will meet on Homecoming weekend, Sept. 26 & 27, for their 50th Class Reunion! On Friday night they will meet at Warhorse Stadium for the annual Homecoming game and will be introduced on the track at halftime. After that they will meet up at Chayitos Restaurant to open the celebration part of the weekend and hope that other classmates from the 70s will come by there to visit also! (Chayitos will stay open later to the public that night.)
On Saturday, Sept. 27th, there will be TWO celebrations! 1. DExSTA Homecoming Social @ 1:00pm at the old Green Alamo (VFW hall) the class will be recognized and honored at the annual HC Social for all Devine alumni. 2. Private ‘75 reunion @ 6:00pm at Triple C Restaurant. *Please let Linda Martin Gunn, Thelma Gutierrez, Ofilia Hernandez Pedroza, or Cheryl Schott Lorraine know if you plan to attend the evening event! *CLASS PICTURES WILL BE TAKEN AT ALL THE EVENTS! See you at Homecoming !
U.S. Government seizes online marketplaces selling Fraudulent identity documents used in Cybercrime Schemes
Press Release by US Attorney’s Office
Thursday, August 28, 2025–ALBUQUERQUE – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced today the seizure of two marketplace domains and one blog used to sell fraudulent identity documents to cybercriminals worldwide. The operators of VerifTools produced and sold counterfeit driver’s licenses, passports, and other identification documents that could be used to bypass identity verification systems and gain unauthorized access to online accounts.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began investigating in August 2022 after discovering a conspiracy to use stolen identity information to access cryptocurrency accounts. The investigation revealed that VerifTools offered counterfeit identification documents for all 50 U.S. states and multiple foreign countries for as little as nine dollars, payable in cryptocurrency.
The FBI used the VerifTools marketplace to generate and purchase counterfeit New Mexico driver’s licenses, which were paid for with cryptocurrency. The FBI has identified the equivalent of approximately $6.4 million of illicit proceeds linked to the VerifTools marketplace. The following counterfeit documents are an example of New Mexico driver’s licenses obtained from VerifTools.
“The internet is not a refuge for criminals. If you build or sell tools that let offenders impersonate victims, you are part of the crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. “We will use every lawful tool to disrupt your business, take the profit out of it, and bring you to justice. No one operation is bigger than us together. With our partners at every level of law enforcement we will protect New Mexicans and defend those who stand up for our community.”
“The removal of this marketplace is a major step in protecting the public from fraud and identity theft crime,” said Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Division. “Together with our partners, we will continue to target and dismantle the platforms that criminals depend on, no matter where they operate.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today.
The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance.
The Justice Department collaborated closely with investigators and prosecutors from multiple jurisdictions in this investigation, including the District of New Mexico, Eastern District of Virginia, the Dutch National Police and the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service.
PAST DHS CHEERLEADERS/MASCOTS/PEP SQUADS INVITED TO HOMECOMING 2025
Click here to see who is pictured above
1983-83 DEVINE VARSITY CHEERLEADERS & MASCOT: Cindy Langley, Rhonda Edwards, Mikki McGinnis, Charie Boyd, Monica Trollinger, Kirsten Schneider and Suzanne Crouch
All former Devine Cheerleaders, Mascots, and Pep Squad members are invited to this year’s Homecoming on Friday, Sept. 26 at the HC football game and on Saturday, Sept. 27th at the annual HC social sponsored by the Devine Ex-Student/Teacher Association at the VFW.
On Friday night sit at the south end of the home stands with other former DHS spirit squad members to relive memories of your own nights cheering on the Warhorses & Colts in past years. During the second quarter the announcer will call for all former Devine Cheerleaders, Mascots, & Pep Squad members to stand or wave to be recognized and honored for their past leadership to your school!
At 1:00pm on Saturday, come on over to the VFW hall at 211 W. College Ave. to the annual DExSTA Homecoming Social and festivities! There will be plenty of cheer & pep squads and mascots to see, with megaphones and pom poms galore! All former cheering squads will be individually introduced and honored for their leadership and contributions to the traditional DEVINE WARHORSE – ARABIAN – COLT – FILLY – SPIRIT! Group Photos will also be taken for the paper and the DExSTA Facebook page.
See you at HC 2025!