|
Temporary foster families needed immediately
A Doggie 4 You, a non-profit dog rescue in Pipe Creek has an immediate need for temporary two-week foster partners for small to medium size dogs from June 14 - 26.
|
|
Bandera All Class Reunion Weekend 2021 Schedule of EventsWe’re making progress towards the BACR weekend and I am excited about the addition of the rodeo on Friday. You will be given a discounted rate and a special wristband for entry, if you are a part of the BACR group.
|
|
Today in Texas history
On this day in 1936, author Robert Ervin Howard died in Cross Plains. The Texas native finished high school in Brownwood and, while attending Howard Payne College, began writing his very successful heroic fantasies, including Conan the Barbarian.
|
|
Stampede rodeos a community successIt is a misconception to think that the rodeos are the product of one group. The biggest element in the success of these rodeos is the Bandera County Community. Without the local support of labor, time, sponsorships and home town enthusiasm, these rodeos could not continue to be successful. This support, and the energy created by the audience’s enjoyment of the show, are what sustain and promote our legacy as the Cowboy Capital of the World.
|
|
Breakfast, Flags and Honors at the Legion this Saturday
|
|
Human remains found in Timbercreek subdivision identified
A body discovered a week ago in the Timbercreek subdivision on Hwy. 16 has been identified. The man was reported missing in San Antonio on May 18.
|
|
Award winning local author launches second novel
Joanne Easley is the proverbial “local gal who made good.” She lives in Medina and spends most of her time writing. Her first book, Sweet Jane, has been out over a year and has won several awards. Now she is launching her second book, “One More Look,” which will be released later this month.
|
|
Commissioners Court Briefings
|
|
|
|
Bandera's Memorial Day ParadeThis year’s Memorial Day parade first place winners include Custom Knives Churchman Made, Bandera County Library, Cowboy Capital Regulators and Bandera County Jeepers.
|
|
Bandera's Hyo Silver celebrates anniversary ribbon cuttingJoanne Symons and her daughter Josie Symons Krider, along with friends and members of the Bandera Chamber of Commerce, prepared to cut the ribbon last Thursday.
|
|
Optimist Club students of the year awarded
Luke Bitzkie and Rebecca Ellingson were named the John Slocum Optimist Club of Bandera Students of the Year, and were the winners of the Optimist Club 2020-21 scholarship.
|
|
NASA in MedinaThe Medina Community Library hosted Kerr County Commissioner Tom Moser on May 10. He gave a presentation on “Humans in Space — Past, Present and Future.”
|
|
Welcome Home!
Family and friends gathered on Main Street this morning to welcome home Buddy Byrd. Buddy had complications caused by Covid-19, and has been in the hospital for four-and-a-half months. His family thanks the community for their love and support.
|
|
Emergency broadband benefit available to BEC Fiber subscribersBandera Electric Cooperative is working to help build consumer awareness about the Emergency Broadband Benefit, a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program. The temporary benefit will help to lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
|
|
Lakehills American Legion Independence Day Parade and BBQ returnsThe American Legion Post #410 announces the return of its traditional Independence Day celebration in Lakehills on Saturday, July 3. The parade kicks off on PR 37 at 11 a.m. with live music on the gazebo beginning at 1 p.m., and the now locally famous chicken and sausage BBQ serving for dine-in or take-out at noon.
|
|
Suspect in fatal shooting at English Crossing arrested
Abelardo Daniel Garcia, 30, was arrested May 6, in connection with the fatal shooting of two people, one of whom was killed in Bandera County.
|
|
Wood things come to those who improvise
|
|
Bandera ISD Student of the Month recognizedBandera ISD Student of the Month high school senior Kailey Gembler was recognized by Sully Woodland during this month's Optimist Club meeting.
|
|
Changes at the Cross Roads
As you drive on Hwy. 16 S., you may have noticed a flurry of activity at the intersection of Kings Ranch and Polly Peak.
CrossRoads Fuel LLC, the new owners of the 4.5-acre corner lot, have have already implemented many changes as they upgrade the facilities. The canopy signage over the fuel pumps has been replaced and a new affiliation with Valero, which was reportedly looking for a retailer in the area, is already in place. |
|
San Antonio man killed Sunday night, shooting marks third fatal shooting in the county this yearA fatal shooting Sunday night has led to a multi-county pursuit. A San Antonio man was shot near the intersection of English Crossing and Rodeo Road. The suspect remains at large.
|
|
Bandera grandmother murdered while sitting in her home
A 72-year-old Bandera woman was fatally shot through a glass door, while she sat in her living room in the Twin Lakes subdivision. The suspect remains in custody at the Bandera County jail on a $1 million bond.
|
|
Empty kayak appears unmanned, carried away by flood watersEmergency personnel investigated an empty kayak trapped in the current at the dam at Bandera City Park Sunday morning. After a thorough search by Bandera Fire and Rescue and Sheriff’s Office deputies, authorities do not believe a person fell out of the kayak.
|
|
Bandera Academic Decathlon takes first in Nationals, outscoring every team in their divisionThe Bandera Academic Decathlon team earned the top spot in their division during the awards ceremony on Saturday May 1.
|
|
American Legion bingo proceeds help the Hill Country Honor GuardBandera American Legion Post 157 Commander Susan Junker presents Bingo proceeds to the Hill Country Honor Guard.
|
|
Bandera Middle School hosts music festivalThe Bandera Middle School choir and band entertained family and friends during their music festival on Thursday.
|
|
Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month proclaimed
Bandera County commissioners on Tuesday proclaimed May as Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month, and May 17 as Neurofibromatosis Awareness Day.
|
|
Briefings from Commissioners’ Court
|
|
BEC sets date to reopen Bandera and Comfort offices
Bandera Electric Cooperative is pleased to announce the re-opening of its Bandera and Comfort office lobbies beginning May 3.
|
|
FEMA assistance available to help pay funeral expenses for loved ones lost to Covid-19Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance to families who lost a loved one to Covid-19.
|
|
RiverFest on the Ranch
|
|
Bandera High School AcDec brings home the gold
The Bandera High School Academic Decathlon Team placed first in the Thomas E. Moseley Championship Finals state competition.
|
|
Dog rescue receives $69,000 grant
A Doggie 4 You announces the receipt of a capital campaign project grant from the Perry & Ruby Stevens Charitable Foundation. The ultimate goal is to move the rescued dogs from outdoor kennels. When the Dog Compound is complete, the capacity will increase from 150 to 200 dogs, which helps reduce the number of stray dogs euthanized each year due to lack of shelter space.
|
|
BEC announces increased fiber broadband speeds
On April 26, Bandera Electric Cooperative will increase its broadband speed offerings in an effort to improve members’ internet experience. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) currently defines broadband as 25 Megabits per second (Mbps) upload and 3 Mbps download. However, national consumer demand is pushing this threshold.
|
|
X marks Bandera
|
|
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. |
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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. |
|
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.
|
|
Life after the NICU
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Bandera Natural History Museum is
|
|
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.
|
|
Pipe Creek Christian School receives help
The Pipe Creek Christian School is happy to announce their flag pole rope, which broke some time ago, has now been replaced by Paul Strouse, owner of Bandera Rentals.
|
|
The BEAST does it again
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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. |
|
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.
|
|
Commissioners declare all legal county businesses essentialCounty commissioners 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 governmental overreach.”
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Countywide burn ban lifted
After days of consistent rain, Bandera County Judge Richard Evans lifted the countywide burn ban, effective immediately.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
BEC receives $15,000 in grants to install Electric Vehicle Charging PortsBandera Electric Cooperative recently received $15,000 in grants from the Texas Commission on Environment Quality to install six Level 2 (L2) dual-port electric vehicle (EV) chargers within its service territory. An L2 charger can charge any EV, including Tesla vehicles with an adapter. The charger adds roughly 25 miles of range per hour, allowing the user to charge their EV five to seven times faster compared to a L1 charger.
|
|
LCRA, Bandera Electric Co-Op award $3,683 grant to Lakehills Area LibraryA $3,683 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bandera Electric Cooperative will purchase new mobile shelves for the Lakehills Area Library, freeing up space for public events in the library’s much-used community room.
|
|
BEC helps Medina Community Library reach sustainability goalBandera Electric Cooperative recently commissioned a 23.4-kilowatt solar installation on the new addition of the Medina Community Library. The solar system was part of a planned initiative to make the library sustainable.
|
Archived Headlines |
|
Below is a sampling of our headlines. All stories published in the Prophet are permanently archived.
Please use the search engine to look for more.
|
Volunteers step up as food insecurity grows in Bandera CountyMore than 2,100 people were in line this week to receive food from the San Antonio Food Bank and the Silver Sage Community Center, Art Crawford, executive director of the Silver Sage, told Bandera County commissioners today.
|
|
The 85th Bandera County Junior Livestock ShowOn Saturday, after a year of raising and grooming their animals and projects, Bandera County youth presented for auction - a premium sale in which businesses and individuals donate funds that go directly to the kids. See the award winners, and grand and reserve champions here.
|
|
Bandera Electric Cooperative explains some power shortagesAfter the temperatures plummeted Sunday as the arctic blast coasted into the Hill Country, the demands on the power grid skyrocketed. Thousands of people were left without power and heat, and the excitement of a snowy morning quickly transitioned to life-threatening concerns. Two substations that service the east side of the county from Bandera to Pipe Creek, to Bridlegate and down to Medina Lake were drained, and those have been the areas hardest hit.
|
|
Lowe’s Market keeps doors open and shelves stocked
Juggling demand, supply and the weather, Bandera Lowe’s Market has been a beacon on Main Street. Working nearly around the clock with 20 percent of his staff, store Manager Ryan Fenocchi is balancing the community’s needs with his employees’ safety.
|
|
BEC Substation dedicated to Jerry Word
|
|
Bandera County youth presentationBandera County 4-H council officers shared information with the county's judge and commissioners about past, present and future events, and they brought breakfast tacos.
|
|
Governor appoints Medina native Scott MacNaughton to state advisory committeeGovernor Greg Abbott has appointed Scott MacNaughton to the Advisory Committee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments, for a term set to expire on Feb. 1, 2023.
|
|
BEC Tarpley Substation Dedicated to Rob Sandidge
On Friday, Nov. 6, Bandera Electric Cooperative celebrated the completion of an upgrade to the Tarpley substation by dedicating it to recently retired BEC Board Director, Douglas R. “Rob” Sandidge.
|
|
Bandera County district clerk wins state awardBandera County District Clerk Tammy Kneuper was named 2019-2020 Region IV District Clerk of the Year. Presented by the County and District Clerks Association of Texas, the annual award was presented to Kneuper in August.
|
|
Checkovage, Herrera and McNeal versus the Bandera Central Appraisal DistrictFormer Bandera Central Appraisal District employees Melissa Checkovage, Jana Herrera and Nelia McNeal have filed suit against the district claiming violations of the Texas Whistleblowers Act and wrongful termination.
|
|
Local cowgirl featured in national newsletterA photo of Jeannes Beauxbeannes saddling up during the community CoViD-19 mobile testing at Mansfield Park is the featured photo in today's 1600 Daily newsletter issued by the White House.
|