Click here
LINK TO THE TEXAS DEPT. OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES REGION 8 REPORT
A heartfelt thank you to The Bandera Prophet's sustaining sponsors,
whose support helps us provide free news, stories and information to our community.
Veterans VoiceOn this page, we preserve the stories and memories of military veterans. This is a place for service members to share their experiences in the most vivid, intimate way - in their own voices. Please listen here.
|
Growing Up In Bandera - PodcastAs my Growing Up In Bandera story keeps rolling along I can count on the blessing of a somewhat sound mind to recall events that can carry me away from any of my modern day problems.
Listen to Episode 8, Season 3, of Growing Up In Bandera on podcast. |
Varsity Bulldogs headed to playoffsVarsity Bulldogs headed to playoffs after big win against Fred Rare back-to-back game nights provide excitement.
|
Bandera basketball playoff shirts on sale now
|
Buy your rubber pigs now for the Boys & Girls Club Pig Toss at the Ham RodeoThe Boys & Girls Club of Bandera County is raising money for daily programs at all three units, such as member of the week program, member of the month program and fun Friday programs.
|
Today in Texas History
On this day in 1887, "Longhair Jim" Courtright, former town marshal of Fort Worth, was killed in a gunfight with Luke Short. This was one of the most famous gunfights in western history - and, contrary to the movie legends, one of the few face-to-face shootouts.
|
Medina Junior High boys basketball take third-place at districtThe Medina Junior High boys basketball team earned third-place honors on Saturday, Feb. 4, at the annual District Basketball Tournament.
|
Cowboy Mardi Gras three-day event begins February 9The 18th annual Cowboy Mardi Gras parade is set to hit Main Street this Saturday, Feb. 11. Festive floats will cruise through town beginning at noon, and spectators are advised to secure their spot early.
|
Growing Up In BanderaI often frequent the OST, which has been my favorite place to eat in Bandera since back in the day. Along with its table of knowledge, it is the most likely spot where I will run into longtime friends. As a kid when I was with my dad we always went to The Best Yet, which was run by my dad's childhood friend Smith Wright and his wife. On the other end of town The Ranch House Cafe was a popular eating place too, but I was only in there once that I recall with my friend Darrel Faglie because his girlfriend worked there.
|
Keep in Beat with the Bandera LibraryIt’s here! One of the highlights of living in Bandera is the weekend of Cowboy Mardi Gras. Stop by the library and take your picture at our photo booth. Then get some popcorn and enter your name into our giveaway of three great new books. Happy Mardi Gras!
On a significantly less cool note, tax forms have arrived. Stop by to pick up your 1040 booklet and instructions. We have the forms in English and Spanish. |
Commissioners Court BriefingsBandera County Commissioners will hold a public meeting to hear comments on road name additions and changes. In other business, commissioners appointed 15 committee members for the Bandera County Historical Commission.
|
Bandera Decathlon places first, second overall; set for State competitionThe Bandera Decathlon team competed at Regional competition last weekend in Corpus Christi against 10 other schools in their category.
The team placed second overall and first in the super quiz competition. They will advance to state competition in February. |
Community Blessings and Vaccine Clinic planned for Feb. 11On Saturday, Feb. 11, the Un Nuevo Amanecer New Day Church of Pipe Creek will host a Community Blessings and Free Covid-19 and Flu Vaccine Clinic. The clinic, sponsored by Protect Our Future Bandera, will begin at 9 a.m., and continue until noon.
|
Fire of Georgia heats up the stageThe audience in Champion Auditorium on Feb. 24 will have a rare opportunity to be dazzled by the dramatic culture, costumes, dance, music and high energy of the Royal National Dance Company of Georgia performing “Fire of Georgia”.
|
Varsity Bulldogs defeat the Billies, celebrate seniorsBandera's Varsity Bulldogs celebrated Seniors' Night before defeating the Fredericksburg Billies. See the photo gallery here.
|
Bandera Lady Bulldogs versus Canyon LakeBandera's JV and Varsity Lady Bulldogs hit home court as they battled Canyon Lake. Varsity girls also celebrated Parents' Night. See the photo gallery here.
|
See the latest Caddo Kuntree, by Larry Haddad |
Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadowPennsylvania’s most famous rodent emerged from his burrow at Gobbler’s Knob, and seeing his shadow, predicted six more weeks of winter. The beloved groundhog’s forecast is on the heels of the arctic blast, that’s now moving his direction.
|
Lakehills Community Center to host sweet meal for Sweethearts and SuperbowlThe Lakehills Community Center will once again offer a home-cooked Valentine’s Day sweet Barbecue lunch on Superbowl Sunday just before Valentine’s Day.
|
Occasional RantsYou People Actually Believe Weathermen?
I’m housebound because, shudder, it’s 34 here and it’s the Most Terrible Ice Storm Ever, or at least that’s what the weather people keep telling me. Sigh. Dudes, I’m from Dallas. Home of the Most Terrible Ice Storms Ever. |
This month at the Medina LibraryBeginning Feb. 13, the Medina Community Library Book Sale will take place through Feb. 18. Look for DVDs, audiobooks and magazines. Spanish Class for kids at 4 p.m., adults at 5 p.m. Mondays in February: 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th.
|
Bandera Powerlifters bring home the blingThe Boys' Bulldog and Lady Bulldog Powerlifters brought home gold, silver and bronze at TSS Thursday night, Jan. 26.
|
Bandera High School Speech and Debate Team bring home awards from TFA tournamentThe Bandera High School Speech and Debate Team competed at the Boerne Champion TFA tournament over the weekend, and brought home several awards.
|
Bandera County Chamber of Commerce holds Awards BanquetThe Bandera County Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet was held Saturday, during which several members of the community were recognized.
|
Cooking well for healthy blood pressure
|
Bandera Middle School student reported for carrying ‘antique’ firearm in backpackA student at Bandera Middle School was reported yesterday for bringing an “antique-type firearm” onto campus grounds in their backpack. According to a press release issued by Bandera ISD Superintendent Gary Bitzkie, the student was immediately taken into district custody and law enforcement was notified.
|
BEC donates $18,000 to support Junior Livestock ShowsBandera Electric Cooperative donated $6,000 to each of the Bandera, Kendall and Real County junior livestock shows to help support our community’s youth. BEC representatives bid on animals at the auction to assist students financially in pursuing higher education. This year, BEC supported over 20 children in three counties.
|
Groundwater District denies 200-acre-foot permit application, approves lower pumping amountStanding room only was left during last week’s groundwater district board meeting, with more than 25 people signed up to speak on two permit applications for a cumulative 200-acre-foot water well pumping limit.
|
Thoughts to ponder when planning a gardenIn Bandera County, if you are planning to start a garden this spring, now is a good time. We will need to do some planning before we get to the end of March when we will be planting our garden. We are normally done with below freezing temperatures by that time in our region.
|
Food distribution dates for February setIn February, the Silver Sage and San Antonio Food Bank distributions will be Monday, Feb. 13, at the Lakehills Community Center, 11225 PR 37, and Monday, Feb. 27, at the Lake Medina Shores swimming pool, 7100 Wharton’s Dock Road.
|
City Park playground is open nowBandera city officials and county supporters gathered for a celebratory ribbon cutting at the unofficially named Bandera City Park Playground on Monday. The park, which was completed in December, represents a collaboration of efforts from municipal, county and state organizations.
|
One more timeThis is the fourth year I have had the opportunity to thank all the folks who came out to help put up Christmas displays on the courthouse lawn, also it’s the second year we have put up displays in City Park on the river. This is done by volunteers and BCAG (Bandera Community Action Group), trying to help the community. We hope it can grow to more than just Christmas.
|
Bulldog Soccer ReportOn Tuesday, Jan. 17, the Bandera Bulldogs took the field to play 5A, John F. Kennedy High School from Edgewood ISD. The JV has a full set of games scheduled for next week that includes sister school to JFK, Memorial High School on Tuesday. They will play Davenport in the district opener on Friday. Both games are away. Next Saturday, the JV will play Samuel Clemens JV Gold at home. On Friday, the Varsity team will travel to Hondo and will play their last non-district match vs Memorial, in San Antonio, on Tuesday. District play will begin next Friday.
|
Notes from Bandera City Council
|
BEC donates to youth sportsThe Bandera Electric Cooperative donated $6,000 to the Bandera Athletic Facilities Improvement Team for a new inflatable bulldog run-through at Bandera High School.
|
History made at Bandera County Junior Livestock ShowEmily Short took Junior High Point of the Horse Division and Junior High Point of the Bandera County Junior Livestock Show.
|
Bandera ISD approves $79.5 million bond electionDuring their regular meeting on Jan. 9, Bandera ISD trustees unanimously approved a bond election to be held May 6. The $79,491,416 bond, if approved by voters, will fund numerous proposed projects
|
Bandera County nonprofits receive a quarter million dollars from Baptist Health Foundation of San AntonioFour Bandera County nonprofit organizations have received grants from Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio. The four grants equaled a total of $270,000, and were given to the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic, Deer Creek Camp, Silver Sage Community Center and Triple H Equitherapy.
|
Elementary students interview mobile veterinarianThe Bandera 4-H Veterinarian Science students were thrilled at the opportunity to interview Veterinarian Dr. Steve Sells at their January monthly meeting. The students, grades 3 – 5, asked Dr. Sells many questions about what life is like as a large animal veterinarian.
|
Bandera ISD Board of Trustees recognizes students, communityMelinda and Roger Byrd of Buddy’s Septic & Water Well Service were recognized by Athletic Director Joel Fontenot-Amedee for their donation of the scoreboard at the Bandera Middle School competition gym.
|
Frontier Tales
|
Bandera Recycles starts the year doubling customers in two monthsSince the county opened recycling for selected items at its Bandera solid waste site in November, the average number of customers has doubled. There were 362 times that residents throughout the county recycled cardboard, #1 plastic bottles and aluminum cans on Saturdays during first two months since recycling restarted.
|
Masonic Children & Family Services of Texas awarding $2,500 scholarshipsThe Masonic Children & Family Services of Texas has begun accepting applications from high school students for scholarships to attend accredited colleges, universities or approved trade schools. The deadline to apply is April 30.
|
Boys & Girls Clubs of Bandera County expands youth support with new Boys & Girls Club of Uvalde
|
San Antonio blacksmith helps veterans forge into the futureIn a little blacksmith shop near downtown San Antonio one can feel the heat of a 2,000-degree furnace and hear the sound of hammers hitting steel, reshaping what was left behind into something new, with a whole new purpose and new life. The place is the Caylor Forge, the program is called Reforged, and the amateur artisans at work are military veterans.
|
Countywide burn ban liftedEffective Nov. 22, the countywide burn ban has been lifted.
|
Bandera baseball team finish as finalists in end-of-season championshipThe Hill Country-Bandera select baseball team brought home the bling after battling through five games over two days in the end-of-season tournament of the National Championship Sports Baseball CenTex Elite Fall League.
|
Bandera High Grad graduates from Naval Aircrewman candidate schoolAWFAA Leonardo Treviño, who graduated from Bandera High School in 2021, graduated Navy Bootcamp in October 2022, and recently graduated from candidate school for Naval Aircrewman.
|
Sailing the Pacific
|
Tutoring service hiring tutors, accepting sign-ups for sessions nowThe first grading period of the school year is now on the books. As students are settling in, some may find certain subjects a little challenging. For those who are struggling, need some reinforcement, or who may have fallen behind in previous years, help is on the way.
|
Eclipse viewing glasses available nowIn preparation for two eclipses that will cast Bandera in a solar shadow, the Bandera County Convention and Visitors Bureau ordered 75,000 pairs of viewing glasses. The glasses are available to anyone who wants to buy a minimum of 50 at 30 cents each, with a potential resale value of $2 each.
|
Bandera ISD recognitions to be featured on Mulberry Street water tankBandera City Council members approved the design to be painted on the Mulberry Street elevated water storage tank, which will feature the Lady Bulldogs Cross Country State Champions.
|