Notes from Bandera City Council
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Kinky Friedman passes at 79Kinky Friedman, a frequent and beloved visitor to Bandera, passed away today at 79. Known for his eccentricities as an author, performer, tequila and cigar aficionado, children’s advocate and one-time “politician,” the Texas Heroes Hall of Honor inductee leaves behind a legacy.
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Ramiro Gonzales executed WednesdayRamiro Gonzales, convicted for the 2001 kidnapping and murder of Bridget Townsend, was executed in Huntsville after spending more than two decades on death row.
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Bandera City Council members adopt amended drought ordinanceAfter voting for changes to the city’s drought contingency plan in February, Bandera City Council members unanimously approved the amended ordinance during their June 25 regular meeting.
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Bandera Riverfest celebrates 26 years on SaturdayCelebrating its 26th anniversary, the Bandera Riverfest will be held this Saturday, June 29, at Bandera City Park.
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Lakehills library honors long-time board membersThree Lakehills Area Library board members were honored for their years of dedicated service in a ceremony, on June 23, at the library. Ellen Johnston, Estella Hicks, and Gerry Fitzgerald were given certificates designating them as Directors Emeritus.
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Bandera Juneteenth commemorates the freeing of Texas slavesThe third annual Bandera Juneteenth recognition was celebrated June 15, honoring the day in 1865, when 250,000 Texas slaves were freed.
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Today in Texas History
On this day in 1919, the Texas Senate ratified the national amendment granting women the right to vote. Texas thus became the first Southern state to ratify the 19th Amendment and the ninth in the nation.
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BEC receives the Texas Impact Enterprise Award for InnovationThe Bandera Electric Cooperative (BEC) is proud to announce its recognition as a recipient of the prestigious Texas Impact Enterprise Award.
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Round up the red, white and blue for Bandera’s Independence Day celebrationPlans are underway for an Independence Day Parade down Main Street. From Thursday, July 4, to Saturday, July 6, the 11th Street Cowboy Bar and the Bandera County Chamber of Commerce will present the 4th of July 2024 Weekend Celebration.
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28th annual Pet Parade set for July 4 in Bandera City ParkThe 28th annual Pet Parade is set for Thursday, July 4, at the Bandera City Park. Pets of all sizes, breeds and species are invited to attend and dress up in creative costume. From horses to fish, anything that can be lead, ridden or carried is welcome.
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Bandera County Commissioners Court briefing
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Bandera County recycling program in the black, more county support neededIn less than two years, Bandera County has sold more than 2.5 tons of aluminum and about 5.5 tons of plastic bottles. To date, the county has received $4,303 from the recyclables.
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BCRAGD Quarterly In-House ReportPlease see the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District Quarterly In-House Report here.
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Bandera City Council adopts revised noise ordinance, temporary vendor permit requirementsAfter the mayor executed her statutory authority opposing council actions taken in May adopting new noise and temporary trade/cottage food vendor requirements, Bandera City Council members once again approved the ordinances, with minor revisions.
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Bandera General Store awards scholarshipsThe Bandera General Store owners Glen and Marcia McComb recently presented two $500 scholarships to Kimber Jureczki and Tessa Phillips.
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Bullrider dies at Bandera RodeoA 22-year-old San Antonio man died Friday night after he was bucked off a bull during the Riding on Faith Summer Series Rodeo, held at Mansfield Park in Bandera.
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Pipe Creek state natural area under development receives grantThe Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area this month received $300,000 from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Still under development, the 3,800 Pipe Creek reserve features several rare and endangered Hill Country species, such as the golden-cheeked warbler, alligator lizard, sycamore-leaf snowbell, big-toothed maple, Boerne bean and Texas spring salamander.
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Bandera ProRodeo Memorial Day Rodeo photo galleryPlease see the 2024 Bandera ProRodeo Memorial Day Rodeo photo gallery here.
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Bandera Memorial Day Parade photo galleryPlease see the 2024 Bandera Memorial Day Parade photo gallery here.
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Authorities extradite suspect from Oklahoma, book her into Bandera County jailSix-months after issuing a warrant for her arrest, authorities have extradited suspect Freda Thomas, who was arrested in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on Monday, and booked her into the Bandera County Jail.
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Kitten survives being thrown from moving vehicleAfter watching someone throw three kittens from a moving vehicle on Wharton’s Dock Road, some good samaritans driving behind them went into immediate action. They pulled over and began looking for the kittens, sadly finding two had been killed. But the third, a tiny ginger tabby, was still alive.
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Riding on Faith Rodeo crowns royaltyDuring the inaugural Miss Riding on Faith Rodeo Queen and Princess Pageant on Saturday, Bandera’s Rayni Sandidge was crowned rodeo queen.
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Was Bandera County eclipsed by the eclipse? CVB director and tourism expert says no.“I think everybody got a piece of the pie.”
Although there may not have been as many people concentrated within the city limits as anticipated, Bandera County at least doubled its population during the April 8 total solar eclipse, expert says. |
Bandera High junior selected to play in 2024 Spain Softball TourBandera Independent School District is thrilled to announce that junior student-athlete Bailey Word has been selected to participate in the prestigious 2024 Spain Softball Tour in July.
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Bandera ISD moves to four-day week next school yearBandera ISD trustees unanimously approved a four-day week for students, beginning with the 2024-25 school year.
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Texas Master Naturalists seeking volunteers for pollinator garden at Bandera Natural History MuseumThe pollinator garden at the Bandera Natural History Museum, at 267 Old San Antonio in Bandera, has become a local treasure under the loving care of members of the Hill Country Texas Master Naturalists.
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City of Bandera announces TextMyGov communication toolThe City of Bandera has launched TextMyGov, a new text messaging service designed to keep residents and visitors informed with timely and relevant information directly affecting the community. This service is provided at no charge to users.
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Open your heart and home to a furry companion - become a volunteer pet foster hero todayAre you looking for a meaningful way to make a difference in the life of an animal in need? Join us in our mission to provide temporary homes for pets awaiting their forever families.
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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 County hires new Veterans Service Officer
Bandera County recently hired Mike Lauricella, U.S. Navy veteran, as its Veterans County Service Officer. He is located at 403 12th Street and can be reached at 830-460-1643. He takes appointments from Monday through Thursday.
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Commissioners Court BriefingBandera County commissioners unanimously declined to adopt a countywide burn ban, allowing the previous ban to expire. Intermittent showers, morning mist and cooler days have lowered the drought index, which is hovering around 371 to 575.
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Foster Grandparents needed
Do you want to brighten the life of a local child, a youngster in need? Become a Foster Grandparent. The Alamo RCD has joined with AACOG to bring the Foster Grandparent Program to Bandera County.
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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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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. |
Archived Headlines |
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Understanding Leap Year is a bit of a leapHappy Leap Day.
Just about every four years, the shortest month of the calendar is extended by one day. Those who are mathematically inclined could offer an intensely specific explanation why an extra 24 hours is necessary to maintain order. In laymen’s terms, Leap Year is a kind of self-correction, because nothing is perfect, not even keeping time. |
Bandera County hosts 88th Junior Livestock ShowThe Bandera County Junior Livestock Show Association hosted its 88th Livestock Show at Mansfield Park. With origins dating back almost 90 years, the show is a treasured county tradition.
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Bandera High School Star Steppers star in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade“You want to see the best of the best - that is that right there.” ~ Today Show Host Hoda Kotb of The Spirit of America Dance Stars, including the Bandera High School Star SteppersThe Bandera High School Star Steppers had their collective performance of a lifetime yesterday, dancing in Herald Square during Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
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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. |
Bandera Best Western receives prestigious awardThe Best Western Bandera Suites & Saloon has been awarded the 2023 Champion Design Award for Best Experiential Design.
Each year, Best Western selects hotels throughout the U.S. and Canada that are examples of exemplary quality and aesthetic, judged by an independent panel of design professionals. Bandera was one of five to receive the award this year. |
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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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.
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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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Bandera Ham Rodeo gains nationwide appealAttracting visitors from all over the country, people from Pennsylvania, New Mexico, New York and other states came to watch, witness and be part of the Bandera Ham Rodeo.
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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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City of Bandera named in Top 10 True Western TownsThe City of Bandera has been named one of the Top 10 True Western Towns of 2022 by True West magazine.
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Mansfield Park project helps kids help themselves and the countyBandera County would like to thank the Juvenile Probation Department for assisting with the cleaning and remodel of the entry way of Mansfield Park. The project provided the opportunity to not only complete community service hours but to also engage the youth on probation in essential objectives including responsibility for actions, leadership, development in social skills (team work), rational decision making, communication skills, working through adversity, and taking pride in their community.
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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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