The Cody Wardlaw Memorial Gymnasium was dedicated and opened in 1951. It was the home of the then Del Rio Wildcats. For over 50 years it would facilitate basketball games, volleyball games, weight-training sessions and other needs for student-athletes. But in 2004 when the new Del Rio Middle School campus concentrated student activities away from the gym, it’s doors were chained and windows boarded --- put out of use indefinitely.

For more than a month, city employees have been waiting and wondering if they are one of the 22 full-time employees and 4 part-time employees slated for layoffs. Pushback from City staff and the City Council has pressured City Manager Shawna Burkhart to create a version of the budget without layoffs. After at least 8 rounds of revisions and repeated public hearings, the City of Del Rio has updated their proposed 2025-2026 fiscal year budget yet again. The City Council delayed

To be considered a ‘no kill’ shelter, there’s a magic threshold: save 90% of the animals. Del Rio Animal Services (DRAC) has long gotten a bad rap for euthanization rates being a far cry from no-kill status. However, a new culture of collaboration and networking is being fostered in the department in recent years, helping connect them to nationwide rescue organizations — and the results will inspire you. So far in 2025, DRAC has managed an 83% save rate. Through these connect

The Texas Secretary of State Elections Division conducted an audit on Val Verde County’s 2023-2024 election period. The first phase of investigation concluded in July 2025, and the State just published a “Preliminary Findings Report for November 5 2024 General Election.” Evidence provided within the report proves Val Verde County violated a half dozen Texas Election Codes. The State said, “this has impeded the free exercise of Val Verde County citizens’ voting rights.”

The 2025 flash flood season has been Texas’ deadliest in over a decade, and it is only halfway through the storm. Risk of flooding peaks annually each summer, June through September. With two months of this deadly flood season still ahead of us, and the tragic 1998 Del Rio flood in our rearview mirror, there is a sense of urgency to reactivate the Emergency Warning Siren System. The City Council voted to approve the project but delayed funding until after the state’s special

The promise of the Miranda Warning, “If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you," will now be better upheld by Val Verde County. The creation of a new public defender office helps address attorney shortages and provides a more consistent system of legal counsel for those who cannot afford it. This action fulfills the fundamental constitutional right to legal representation, as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment.

It has been proposed that reconstructing the Romanelli Park “Pedestrian Bridge” and repairing the "Blue Wall" near Moore Park be included in the 25-26 fiscal year City of Del Rio budget. Funding originally approved in 2016 for the San Felipe Creek Stabilization project, can be reappropriated the fix the bridge and blue wall. Stabilization project delays involving endangered species concerns, water displacement challenges, and engineering miscalculations appear to be the main

Griner, Strickland, and Losoya are just a few examples of major street construction project slowdowns which have troubled Del Rio. Citizen complaints are piling up, all with the same question: “What is the delay?” Notoriously, some street improvements have taken years to start, and then once initiated, roadwork may drag out for months longer than expected. Incomplete projects are left untouched for long periods of time, and disrupted residents are left wondering why…

Look out for more cost increases on the horizon, by municipal and Investor-Owned Utility (IOU) service providers like American Electric Power (AEP). A Special City Council meeting was held to review the City of Del Rio Schedule of Fees & Charges on June 17, 2025. They are currently in revision and fees will be presented to Council for approval and adoption within the next several weeks. Finance Director Linda Coones explained why some fees are increasing 50% or 100% or more.

Brace yourself – water and wastewater service rates are officially going up. The average residential water bill will increase 21.8%. The average residential wastewater bill will increase 68%. Special conditions do apply. The City of Del Rio will implement these new rates for the 2026 fiscal year, providing an effective date of October 1, 2025. Such large percentages may sound alarming, but the average increase adds up to less than $25 additional cost per month.

Known nuisance property, located on the corner of East 1st Steet and the 300 block of Avenue J, has been linked to documented illicit activity for years. Without active trash or sewer service, garbage and waste repeatedly pile up. The city has cleaned up the lot quite a few times already, covering all associated costs. The most recent clean-up that took place on June 12, 2025, is a temporary fix. Due to increased public health and safety concerns, matters have now escalated t

County Judge Lewis Owens Jr. provided “Judge’s Comments” at the end of County Commissioners Court on 6/18/25. He spoke about the Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, alleged misuse of funds, FBI inquiries, and potential cover-ups and corruption. During his statement, Owens called out, by name, two different owners of local news media businesses, as well as the City of Del Rio. Owens granted an in-person interview to Del Rio News Network on 6/20/25 to clarify some pressing de