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Cowboy Mardi Gras weekend lineupCowboy Mardi Gras festivities are here! Enjoy live music all weekend, the parade, markets and nonstop fun across the Cowboy Capital of the World.
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Medina FCCLA advances to StateMedina FCCLA advances to State at Region V FCCLA Leadership Conference.
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City to schedule tests of flood warning systemBeginning in March, the City of Bandera flood warning system will be tested the first Wednesday of each month at noon.
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Bandera County Fair Logo Contest winner to be announcedThe Bandera County Fair Association Board extends sincere thanks to everyone who participated in the Bandera County Fair Logo Contest. The creativity and effort shown by all students made this contest a wonderful success.
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Frontier Times Museum nominated for USA Today 10 Best Small-Town Museum awardExciting news, Bandera. Our very own Frontier Times Museum has been nominated for the prestigious title of Best Small Town Museum in the nation by USA Today’s 10 Best’s Readers’ Choice Awards. This recognition is a testament to the incredible stories, traditions, and achievements that our museum has shared for more than 90 years.
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Countywide burn ban liftedYes, we know… that burn pile has been waiting longer than a return phone call. Before you light it up, remember: safety is still the priority. Mind the wind, keep a water source handy, and stay with your fire until it’s completely out.
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Bandera Prophet and BanderaNewzJunky.Com jointly host County Judge Candidate Debate at Lakehills Community CenterLocal Bandera County news outlets The Bandera Prophet (banderaprophet.com) and BanderaNewzJunky.Com are jointly sponsoring a political debate amongst GOP candidates for Bandera County Judge.
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Today in Texas History
On this day in 1860, the Galveston, Houston and Henderson Railroad completed its bridge from Virginia Point to Galveston Island. Virginia Point, on the mainland west of Galveston, was an outlying part of Stephen F. Austin's Coast Colony. The bridge brought growth, as it facilitated traffic between Galveston and Houston.
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Dennis Fitzgerald announces campaign for Bandera County JudgeDennis Fitzgerald, a native Texan, military veteran, former judge, and small business owner, announces his candidacy for Bandera County Judge, bringing fair, disciplined leadership to a county that is growing and facing decisions with long-term consequences.
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Susan Junker announces for Bandera County judgeI meet or exceed all requirements to serve as Bandera County Judge. I bring 10 years of business leadership, 10 years of nonprofit service, and 25 years in the U.S. Army.
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Plans underway to upgrade county flood warning system
Bandera County commissioners approved a resolution accepting financial assistance from the Texas Water Development Board authorizing execution of a grant agreement up to $1.25 million to fund the installation of an outdoor warning siren system.
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District Court ruling supports groundwater district decision on contested well permit applicationsDistrict Court Judge M. Patrick McGuire issued a ruling Jan. 16 supporting the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District’s decision to deny a request from Vanderpool Management, LP to increase their water production limit.
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Candidate forum scheduled for local contested racesThe Bandera County Republican Party is hosting a candidate forum for contested Bandera County elections, on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
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2026 Bandera County Junior Livestock Show - Horse Division ResultsThe 2026 Bandera County Jr. Livestock Show was held Jan. 7-10. This year’s Horse Division winners were Lawson State - Junior High Point, Carey Reed - Horse Division Superintendent, Kaleia Langley - Cindy Kline Memorial Award Winner, Brooke Lee - Senior High Point.
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Arthur Nagel Community Clinic receives Point of Care Laboratory upgrade installationHeart to Heart International announced a point-of-care lab will be installed at Arthur Nagel Community Clinic in Bandera. The clinic is located within the region where the Texas Flooding on July 4 occurred. The HHI Laboratory program aims to improve patient outcomes by implementing timely and accurate treatment protocols.
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Bandera Cowgirls round up for New Year’s DayThe annual Cowgirl Roundup was started in honor of all the hardworking and very talented cowgirls in Bandera County. This year’s photo included 52 cowgirls.
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Happy New Year!For 23 years and counting, my family and I share with you our New Year welcoming.
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Bandera County Community Survey active nowIn partnership with the Silver Sage Hill Country Resource Center, the Kronkosky Foundation is hosting a Bandera County Community Survey.
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First responders honored for life-saving actionsOn April 16, a 71-year-old man was attending a barbecue, and suddenly went into cardiac arrest, sustaining a head injury after falling down. EMS and Pipe Creek Volunteer Fire & Rescue first responders initiated CPR and administered life-saving medications.
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Solar company files for bankruptcy, operations at Bandera County farm expected to continuePine Gate Renewables, LLC, developer of the Rio Lago Solar project in Bandera County, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.
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Burn ban still in effect, some fireworks banned for New Year’sTexas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Bandera County 4-H make a presentation to Bandera County commissioners, and the court ban missiles with fins and skyrockets with sticks for New Year's.
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Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrated at St. Stanislaus Catholic ChurchIn the early, dark hours of Dec. 12, Father Frank Kursaj got St. Stanislaus Catholic Church open early and ready for us to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Grotto.
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Bandera City Council members seek P&Z board membersBandera City Council is seeking applicants for the Planning and Zoning Commission. The last P&Z meeting was Dec. 19, 2023, prior to that, the last meeting was in 2022.
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Primary Election season beginsCandidates have filed for the 2026 Republican Primary Election. Contested offices include Bandera County Judge, Bandera District Clerk and Bandera County Treasurer.
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Student sculpture on display at Western Art MuseumMedina ISD Senior Dominic Charnetski's sculpture brought home Reserve Champion of his class at the Western Art Show.
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Group donates money to county for tractor purchaseBandera County commissioners accepted an $8,000 donation collected to supplement the purchase of a tractor to be used at Mansfield Park. The group effort was organized by people who regularly use the arena, and suggested a larger series tractor with upgrades and accessories.
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Silver Sage hosts volunteer and staff appreciation nightThe Silver Sage Hill Country Resource Center hosted a volunteer and staff appreciation event on Saturday, during which Hill Country volunteers were treated to a Casino Night under the stars at the Silver Sage Ranch.
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Mayor proclaims Patricia Moore DayRecognizing her many contributions to the city and county of Bandera, Mayor Denise Griffin proclaimed Nov. 13, 2025 as Patricia Moore Day.
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Bandera native completes Appalachian Trail
Corinne McMullan recently completed the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike, a 2,200-mile trek along the spine of the Appalachian Mountains.
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Notes from Bandera County Commissioners CourtDue to an apparent email system glitch, Bandera County has an outstanding bill for autopsy services dating back to 2019.
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Bandera County 4H Clubs tackle a junk removal jobOctober 11 was designated by the National 4H Council as “One Day 4H,” a day of service. On that day, the Bandera 4H Clubs visited the home of Stella Martin in Bandera River Ranch.
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City to pursue interlocal agreement with county for animal control services; council member asks TxDOT to pump the brakes on Main Street parkingImploring the city to maintain its animal programs, members of the public shared their concerns regarding the growing number of stray and abandoned animals within the city limits. Also, the Texas Department of Transportation was asked to avoid eliminating angle parking on the first block of Main Street.
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Operation Christmas Child speaker inspires pioneer 4-H MembersThe Pioneer 4-H Club recently welcomed special guest speaker George Onyango, who shared his powerful personal story as a former recipient of an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. His testimony served as a moving reminder of how a simple gift can bring hope, joy and even transformation to a child in need.
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Bandera Natural History and Art Museum to unveil 17th century Graduale de SanctisThe Bandera Natural History and Art Museum is proud to unveil its newest artifact on loan, the Medici Graduale de Sanctis of 1614, a liturgical choir book of Gregorian chants used during traditional Roman Catholic Mass.
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Bandera City Council members consider Bandera Livery proposalBandera City Council members have plans underway to form a committee regarding a full-time facility to safely hitch horses in a secure area downtown.
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New ‘Life After Loss’ support group at Nagel ClinicThe Arthur Nagel Community Clinic is starting a new support group, Life After Loss, to help people who are grieving find comfort, support, and healing.
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Recycling group thanks volunteers, hosts recruitment reception“It takes a whole community to come together to solve a problem. We have to realize the importance of collective action,” Don’t Make Waste Bandera founder and volunteer Robert Brischetto said during a volunteer appreciation and recruitment reception.
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Cecil LeStourgeon installs plaque on Justice Center buildingBandera County commissioners approved the installation of a plaque commemorating LeStourgeon Masonry for stone and blockwork on the Justice Center building. The request was brought by Cecil LeStourgeon, who did the stone work on the county building in 2009.
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Utility companies identify Bandera County as potential pathway for energy transmission linesDuring a special called meeting, Bandera County commissioners heard details from CPS Energy and AEP Texas regarding the Howard-Solstice 765-kV Single-circuit Transmission Line Project and its proposed routes.
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Bandera veteran reunited with iconic flag 59 years after battleA quiet wish whispered to a friend materialized in a reunion that crossed state lines and took one year to coordinate. U.S. Coast Guard Veteran Johnny Camp once again held his iconic American flag, damaged in battle and presented to him for heroic valor 59 years ago.
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Trash Talk: Return of recycling to Bandera CountyJanus Olive, Don’t Make Waste Bandera Recycling Volunteer Coordinator, takes us through the recent rebuilding of a recycling service in Bandera County.
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AgriLife Extension program coordinator earns honors for 4-H program excellenceTexas A&M AgriLife Extension Service 4-H Bandera County youth program coordinator Kara Spangler was recently honored during the Texas Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals conference, earning specialty awards for Citizenship in 4-H Youth Development and Excellence in Healthy Living Programming.
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Texas bill bans students from using cell phones, wireless devices during school hoursEffective immediately, all Texas public school districts are required to implement a policy that prohibits the use of personal wireless communication devices during instructional time. Texas House Bill 1481, which amends Section 37.082 of the Education Code, was filed Dec. 2, 2024 and signed into law by the governor June 20.
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Hearts of Bandera Candlelight Vigil held to honor flood victimsA candlelight vigil was held at dusk on July 19, at Bandera City Park, to honor victims of the devastating July 4 flood. Led by Christopher Dion, the ceremony was held under the park pavilion, which was lined with 37 crosses made with wood collected from the flood zone, dedicated to the children lost.
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Outdoor warning siren test successful, more testing to followBandera completed a test of the city’s outdoor warning siren yesterday, July 10, and notified citizens that more tests will follow. Calling the test run largely successful, the city said it will now focus on additional siren locations, analyzing sound coverage and exploring additional warning methods.
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Lakehills resident shares his experience during catastrophic Kerrville flood“We were going to spend the night in Kerrville. The next morning, on July 4th, we had our first big tour.” On the evening of July 3, Vinny Mifsud was guiding a group down the Guadalupe River for his company, GlowRow kayak tours. He saw lightning on the horizon, and wrapped up the nighttime excursion.
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Medina River at Bandera City Park forecast to rise 17 feetBandera’s Independence Day parade scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled, as officials ask residents to prepare for possible flooding. The Medina River at Bandera City Park could rise 17 feet by 5 p.m. today, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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Kerrville mayor issues disaster declaration during historic, deadly floodA torrential overnight downpour dropped between six and 15 inches of rain in Kerrville, causing a catastrophic flood that rivals the record set in 1987.
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Texans prepare for possible outbreak of damaging parasiteThe New World screwworm was eradicated from Texas in 1964, and the entire country in 1966, according to the National Agriculture Library, after a decade of wreaking havoc on livestock and wildlife nationwide, including Bandera County. Recently, the parasite was detected 600-700 miles south of the U.S. border. Though not in Texas yet, officials are taking action in an effort to combat a potential reinfestation.
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Bandera 94-year-old requests permission to be buried next to wife in historic cemeteryThe last burial to take place at the Bertha Tryon/Hendrick Arnold Cemetery was in 1993, when Bertha Mae Tryon, wife of Ural Cal (Buddy) Tryon, was laid to rest. Now 94 years old, Buddy has requested to be interred next to her, when his time comes.
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There’s a new duckling in townWell waddle you know, the beloved ducks of Bandera have introduced a new family member. Frequent visitors of B-Daddy’s on Main, the adorable paddling of quackers is also known to stop traffic on 11th Street.
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Equestrian ordinance to be enforced at Bandera City ParkNo modifications have been made to the Parks and Recreation Ordinance regulating the equestrian trail in Bandera City Park, however the City Administrator existing regulations as written have not been actively enforced, and that is about to change.
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Texas Land Conservancy preserves East Verde Creek in Bandera County
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Bandera Paint & Body offers 15 percent discount to veterans and active-duty military"On Dec. 3, 2021, our lives were changed forever, when our 24-year-old son was involved in a head-on collision. He was airlifted to BAMC that night, and began his fight for life. Although my son is not in the military, the amount of support he received from this wonderful group of folks has been humbling."
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Bandera ISD tackles bullying, supports mental healthIt’s tough to be a kid. Aside from the daily responsibilities of school, academics, athletics, extracurricular activities and chores, kids today have the added pressure of Covid fears, the political landscape, personal and social media related stresses from things they experience, see and hear at home, from peers and online. All of this input can cause a data overload for any adult, much less someone whose brain is just five, 12 or 17 years old.
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Below is a sampling of our headlines. All stories published in the Prophet are permanently archived.
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Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar Highway dedicated in downtown BanderaOn its 57th anniversary, Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar Saloon today was recognized with the dedication of Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar Highway.
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Patricia Moore honored with Lifetime Achievement Award from Texas Travel IndustryPatricia Moore was honored with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award, from the The Texas Travel Alliance (TTA), at the 39th annual Texas Travel Summit Awards Gala. This prestigious award recognizes Moore’s remarkable contributions and unwavering dedication to the travel and tourism industry in Texas.
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Jaylyn Lamb and Kirstin Pierce crowned Miss Bandera County and Miss Teen Bandera CountyJaylyn Lamb and Kirstin Pierce were crowned Miss Bandera County and Miss Teen Bandera County at the first annual Bandera County Pageant.
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Medina Lake rises nearly six feet after setting new documented lowSince the drought of 2011, Bandera County has had 10 years of below average rainfall. Clinton Carter, PSM watershed ecologist and Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District field operations manager, said 2024 has had 30-plus days of drought, placing this year in the same water-starved league as 2023 and 2011.
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National Day of the American Cowboy celebrated in Bandera styleMore than 6,000 people attended Bandera’s National Day of the American Cowboy celebration, a promising figure for its inaugural presentation at Mansfield Park.
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Heavy rain and flash flooding forced road closuresNumerous roads and low water crossings were closed last week after heavy rains led to flash flooding throughout the county. Some areas in Pipe Creek reported up to nine inches of water, while Bandera reported between six and seven inches during the Tuesday morning deluge.
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Water tower receives historic landmark designation
The Bandera County Historical Commission celebrated the long-awaited historical designation of the "Tin Man” water tower.
The water tower, named the Tin Man because of its resemblance to the iconic Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, is one of six still standing in Texas, the rest of the originals replaced by newer designs. Bandera’s was installed in 1940. |
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Great Texans inducted in Frontier Times Museum Texas Heroes Hall of HonorThe Frontier Times Museum celebrated three great Texans on Friday, with an induction to the Frontier Times Museum’s Texas Heroes Hall of Honor.
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Groundwater district approves minimum lot size for domestic wellsEffective Sept. 1, a minimum of 10 acres will be required to drill new domestic wells, doubling the current acreage standard. The change was unanimously approved by the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District board of directors on Thursday.
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Officials gather for highway dedicationLocal officials, as well as family and friends, attended the dedication of the Master Sergeant Rodney Lee Buentello Memorial Highway. The seven-mile highway dedication, which begins at the bridge at Bandera City Park to the Medina County line, is the result of a collaborative effort that crossed political boundaries.
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When phones were down, Bandera County answered the callBandera County commissioners delivered an after-action report of problems caused by the extreme winter weather two weeks ago, and the creative solutions many departments implemented to keep people safe.
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