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Medina Lake Level
The lake level is at 1,026.74 feet - 35.0% capacity.
A heartfelt thank you to The Bandera Prophet's sustaining sponsors,
whose support helps us provide free news, stories and information to our community.
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A probe on the back side of a colonoscopy
I’ve been running a little behind schedule this week - a pun that may be more appreciated as this story goes on. I generally avoid first-person dissertations, but in the spirit of a brutally honest transparency that may help someone else, I thought it befitting to temporarily lift the veil.
A word of caution for the sensitive, this story may not be appropriate for everyone. |
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Bandera County property values see market increase
Taxable values for Bandera County have increased. The Bandera CAD will mail out annual notices of appraised value the first week of May. Property owners whose value has increased more than $1,000 will receive a notice. Major changes in property values this year were brought on by substantial increases in both the number of sales and sale prices. There is a housing demand in our market area, as well as across the state, that is driving sale prices and market values upward.
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Local Christian school hosts Fajitas & Fellowship event
The Vineyard of God Christian School will host the Fajitas & Fellowship fundraiser on Friday, April 23, from 6-8 p.m., on the Bandera County courthouse lawn.
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The TubeLike most of you, I was weaned on television. We had plenty to watch on only three national television stations. Today with 567 channels, 20 million streaming services, and videos on demand, you can always find something to watch, right? Right?
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Today in Texas History
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Two Minute Drill
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Growing Up In BanderaWe never really escape having to do the things that are required which keep us away from what we would rather be doing. Responsibility is a burden we carry throughout life and most country folks are taught the importance of it early on. Young, old and in between, we all have to endure things that are deemed priorities. I guess you could compare it to eating your vegetables so you will get to enjoy a dessert.
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The Latest at the Bandera LibraryApril has arrived and so have the wildflowers. This month is officially recognized as National Poetry month. To celebrate, the library will be hosting a virtual poetry ‘open mic.’ Submit your poems to the library in person or online by April 24.
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Teodora Soto Robb
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Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to offer Professional Food Manager Certification Training CourseTexas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Bandera County, is offering a professional food manager certification training course. The food manager’s certification will be valid anywhere in the state of Texas for five years.
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Peterson Health launches vaccine self-scheduler
As Peterson Health continually strives to improve access and offerings for the COVID-19 vaccination as they become more readily available. Now, anyone needing a COVID-19 vaccine can visit the Peterson Health website and click on the link, COVID-19 Vaccine Self-Scheduler.
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See the latest Caddo Kuntree, by Larry Haddad |
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FEMA to offer guidance when applying for disaster assistanceBandera County Emergency Management Coordinator Carey Reed said the Texas Department of Emergency Management plans to send a FEMA volunteer liaison to churches, libraries and other non-profit entities to help people who had damages and losses during the February freeze apply for assistance.
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Cruisin’ the East End
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Lakehills Area Library LeaningsThe Lakehills library will host an in-person class in the library’s conference room on Thursday, April 29, at 10:30 a.m. To celebrate National Healthcare Decision Day, the class is offered by Alamo Hospice and it is free to all adults. Class participants will make an advance directive, a medical power of attorney and, if they wish, a Do Not Resuscitate order.
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BEC Foundation awards community grants
Hill Country Samaritans received a $2,500 grant to purchase backpacks and school supplies for their annual Back to School Bash from the BEC Foundation during their first quarter grant cycle.
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Job Corps celebrates another graduate
Elaine Marie Palmer proudly graduated from the Christian Women’s Job Corps of Bandera County on Monday, April 5.
She wore her cap and gown with obvious joy, and when asked to say a few words, she expressed gratitude to God and to the Job Corps for giving her the skills she needed to get the job she recently acquired. She said she now has hope for the future. |
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BEC gives Utopia ISD students bucket truck demonstration
On Tuesday, March 30, Bandera Electric Cooperative presented a safety and bucket truck demonstration to grades pre-kindergarten through eight, and the career path of a lineman to grades nine through 12 at Utopia ISD.
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Life after the NICU
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K9 police dog helps keep Bandera County safe
Undoubtedly the cutest member of the Bandera County Sheriff’s Office, K9 Police Dog Zeus is also an integral soldier in the fight against crime.
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American Legion Riders receive donation, plan next rideCommander Susan Junker presents $300 to American Legion Riders #157 “Preacher” Chris Dion, Larry Crocker and Michael Invergo. Their next ride will be May 1.
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Frontier TalesIn 1852, Texas educator Thomas Jefferson “Bristletop” Johnson established his school, the Johnson Institute, in the remote countryside beyond the reach of Austin or other civilized settlements in Central Texas. The school had to be self-sufficient and the students had to be robust and sturdy.
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Bandera Canyonlands Alliance launches public awareness campaignThe Bandera Canyonlands Alliance is urging local residents in Bandera County to be aware of a precedent-setting permit application that would put pristine area waterways at risk.
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This month at the Medina LibraryNeed help practicing for the STAAR, SAT, ASVAB or DSST? Use your library card to access Learning Express Library, which offers online test preps, computer skills training, resumés, and more. It’s free on the library’s website.
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A Doggie 4 You receives $3,500 Disaster Relief Grant from Pedigree FoundationA Doggie 4 You, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit dog rescue is proud to announce a recent $3,500 Disaster Relief Grant from the Pedigree Foundation for replacing vital pet medications, additional staffing and assistance with utility bills caused by the historic February polar vortex weather event.
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Church & WorshipPlease see our comprehensive list of area churches and places of worship.
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Local animal rescue leads seizure of more than 70 animals after owner dies of tick-borne diseaseThis week, animal rescue group A Doggie 4 You led a large dog seizure of more than 70 dogs, a few cats, and two donkeys in Moore.
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Baubles & Boots event set for May 15
The 15th annual Bandera ISD Education Foundation fundraising event Baubles & Boots is set for Saturday, May 15, from 4:30-7:30 p.m., at Antler Oaks Lodge.
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Grand Prairie man recovering after hit by car on Main Street
A 58-year-old man is recovering after he was hit by a car on Saturday while walking across Main Street. The man, visiting Bandera from Grand Prairie, is in the hospital with a broken leg and other serious injuries.
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Lakehills Saturday Market off to a good startThe first ever Lakehills Last Saturday Market got off to a good start. Even though competing with the bikers in town and the opening day of Bandera Little League, more than two dozen vendors came to sell their wares. Although the visiting crowd was not huge, it was steady. Those attendees were not only looking, but buying and contributing to our local economy.
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Bulldog Photo GalleryThis week's photo gallery features Bandera softball and soccer.
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NRCS & Bandera SWCD host online forum
The Bandera SWCD needs the public’s input. Together with the local USDA NRCS, an online forum has been created to gather feedback that will help the districts set priorities and implement programs locally.
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Chamber of Commerce recognizes award recipients
During the annual Bandera County Chamber of Commerce Gala, awards were presented to members in recognition for the work and the differences they made in the community during 2020. The Bandera Prophet’s Larry Haddad was named this year’s Cowboy Capital Award recipient.
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Renaissance woman spreads her wings and influence in Bandera’s business communityBank manager, business owner and single mom are just a few of the titles Alana Smith can claim. As if running a bank and owning a local bar aren’t enough to prepare an impressive resumé, the entrepreneur is adding two more businesses to her repertoire.
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Mother launches support group after daughter attacked by dogA Bandera County child is continuing her recovery after she was attacked by a dog in her neighborhood. Tara Worley said her daughter was riding her bicycle in February when a neighbor’s dog escaped its back yard and pursued the 11-year-old girl.
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Bandera man indicted for murder, deadly conduct
Bandera man Austin Small was true billed March 9 by the 198th Judicial District Grand Jury, confirming his Feb. 1 arrest after the shooting of Zachary Bower. He was arrested again March 11, and bonded out the same day. Small, 25, faces one charge of murder, two charges of deadly conduct and one charge of child endangerment.
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City comprehensive planning sessions have begun
“The layout of the community was very intentional, but it has grown up,” Simplecity.Design CEO Matt Lewis said during an open house and workshop last week.
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BEC Technology Center opening soon in Boerne area
Bandera Electric Cooperative has announced the purchase of a new property located on 20 acres just off FM 289 near the I-10 corridor. The new campus will be constructed in three phases and will serve as the main hub for BEC Fiber and BEC Energy Services and will also provide an additional member services location.
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Commissioners pass resolution, consider another opposing proposed legislatureBandera County commissioners are considering a resolution in opposition of House Bill 3, which is on the floor in the current Legislative Session. Lawmakers have about three months left to deliberate on a host of proposed bills, some of which are focused on shoring the governor’s reach and thereby reducing the power of local authorities.
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Medina TAFE students knock it out of the park
Two Medina TAFE (Texas Association of Future Educators) students placed as national qualifiers in the State Teach Tomorrow Summit Competitors event, held March 3-6.
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Bandera Natural History Museum is
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City approves resolution designating water tower as historic landmark designationBandera City Council members have given their seal of approval for the Bandera County Historical Commission to seek a formal Landmark Designation for the city’s water tower.
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The BEAST does it again
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School districts keep mask policies in place
Governor Greg Abbott announced on March 2 that he was rescinding his executive order mandating masks and opening all Texas businesses to full capacity, effective Wednesday, March 10. Local school districts, however, will maintain the status quo, for now.
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Governor rescinds mask mandate and business capacity limitsTexas Governor Greg Abbott announced today the end of the statewide mask mandate, as well as business capacity limits.
“It’s time to reopen Texas 100 percent,” Abbott said in today’s news conference in Lubbock, adding the new executive order will take effect on Wednesday, March 10. |
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Sisters combine vision, talent to bring children’s book to life
Not all that came from last year’s shutdown was bad. Forced to slow down, many rediscovered precious time with family, moments otherwise lost in the minutiae of work and extracurricular activities. Two Lakehills sisters, both Bandera High School graduates, wrote a book.
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Pipe Creek Christian School helps others
During the month of February, Pipe Creek Christian School and New Life Resale Shop held their “Share the Love” food drive. Seven large containers of food were collected and delivered to the Helping Hand food pantry this week.
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Texas Winter Storm survivors in Bandera County can apply for Federal Disaster AssistanceTexas homeowners and renters in 18 additional counties who suffered damage from the winter storm that recently struck Texas may now apply for disaster assistance with FEMA.
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Discovering a Lost History: African-Americans in Bandera CountyThe stories of the early black residents of Bandera County were traditionally overlooked by local historians who focused more on Bandera’s European immigrants and white settlers. Much was written on the original Polish families who settled along the Medina River to work the cypress mills and on the Mormon families whose site of their short-lived colony sits beneath the waters of Medina Lake.
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Commissioners declare all legal county businesses essentialCounty commissioners this morning unanimously approved a resolution declaring all legal businesses in Bandera County as essential services. The resolution, drafted by Pct. 1 Commissioner Bruce Eliker, cites the U.S. and Texas Declarations of Independence that guarantee “the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in the face of govenrmental overreach.”
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Do well, be well, with diabetes
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is offering a free educational program focused on managing type 2 diabetes. The virtual series kicked off March 3 on Microsoft TEAMS.
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Mayor signs Disaster Declaration for City of Bandera
City of Bandera Mayor Suzanne Schauman has signed a Disaster Declaration for damages caused by the winter storm last week. Schauman said the declaration will not help city residents get federal assistance, but she said it will allow her to file a claim for losses the city incurred.
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Update: Officials are currently in the process of gathering more information to determine whether Bandera County may qualify for assistance. Residents are urged to complete the state survey. Please see the survey link in the story.Bandera County not applying for disaster declaration, minimum criteria not metThough a major disaster declaration was federally approved for the state and 77 Texas counties, Bandera County did not meet the federal threshold for damages and does not plan to issue a declaration, Emergency Management Coordinator Carey Reed said.
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The View From Dry Creek HillI know we’ve been blessed up here on the Hill. It’s been a pain to keep the faucets dripping, stay warm, prepare for rolling blackouts, keep the birds fed, and deal with all the disruptions of this week. But we’re hanging in there.
And while we’re hanging in, we’re trying to remember to appreciate the world around us. It’d be a shame to miss what’s happening outside and drive our blood pressure up stewing about problems we can’t control. |
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Teacher - What a Title!
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Texas citizens called on to help identify the strengths and needs of their communitiesTexas Speaks is being conducted in Bandera County and across the State of Texas to allow the citizens of Texas to provide their input on the assets and issues in their communities. The local branch of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has a rich history of providing educational programs that address the most critical issues in the county, and invites your participation in the Texas Speaks process.
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County works toward dedicating part of Hwy. 173 to fallen Marine veteran, Bandera heroCommissioners approved a resolution supporting a bill that dedicates a portion of Hwy. 173 S. to Rodney Buentello, who died in 2016 while rescuing two teenagers at the dam in Bandera City Park.
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Countywide burn ban lifted
After days of consistent rain, Bandera County Judge Richard Evans lifted the countywide burn ban, effective immediately.
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Bandera High grad uses comedy to spread message of hope and acceptanceFrom a pool of more than 1,300, only four people were chosen this year to receive The Second City scholarship - a mentorship and training program for comedic talents, carried out in partnership with Saturday Night Live. Morgan Van Dyne, 2012 Bandera High School Graduate, was one of those four.
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Warrior52 water - the blue bottle that’s more than just H2O
A water that’s good for earth, body and country is in Bandera. Warrior52 Premium Alkaline Water has been introduced to the community by local business owner and Marine veteran Jerad Wilcox, and is on shelves now.
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Bingo suspended until safe
The weekly Wednesday night bingo hosted by the Bandera American Legion Post 157 has been postponed in the interest of safety for both players and volunteers.
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The Buzzard's Roost, by Juan Mogeaux
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Growing Up In Bandera - PodcastAnyone who grew up in Bandera will always get around to telling stories involving the river. Fishing, swimming or just hanging out, it was the place to be. It always provided some entertainment if we didn't have enough gas to drag main or follow the fire truck when the siren on the water tower signaled the volunteer firefighters.
Listen to Episode 7 of Growing Up In Bandera on podcast. Written and narrated by Glenn Clark. |
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Reading CornerWatch The Little Cowboy, by Jessica Nohealapa'ahi Goode
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Effectively Elena - PodcastI’ve been accused of being a boat rocker. God forbid. I get no pleasure out of seeing how far something will wiggle until it tips over. I have no desire to see folks struggling in the water, and have no desire to end up swimming if I’m meant to be in the boat.
Listen to Episode 2 of Effectively Elena on podcast. Written by Elena Tucker. |
