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More than 200 turn out for unwieldy marathon Kerr County GOP forum
Hughes, Vela absent after receiving “Reservations”; candidates excluded from voter guide participate in three-hour event
The Lead’s stories
Heart health experts emphasize prevention, symptom awareness during February’s awareness month
Peterson Health specialists discuss lifestyle changes, gender differences in cardiac care during Lead Live segment
Kerr Together opens disaster relief center, marking shift to long-term recovery
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly and Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. issued a joint proclamation formally recognizing the center and the recovery group’s governance role.
BREAKING: Kerrville man arrested in kidnapping case after victim recovered in Somerville
Anthony Harwell was booked into the Burleson County Jail following his arrest early Tuesday in Somerville, where the 38-year-old victim was found safe, according to the Kerrville Police Department.
Voter registration cards delayed in Kerr County due to redistricting dispute
The delay will not affect voters’ ability to cast ballots, Reeves said.
Small band of Tivy High School students walkout to protest ICE
The move mirrored similar walkouts across the state, particularly in the San Antonio area, as part of larger protests against ICE activity in Minnesota and, increasingly, in Texas.
Icy conditions looming, more closures slated for Monday across Kerr County
The National Weather Service allowed the Ice Storm Warning, Winter Storm Warning and Winter Weather Advisory to expire at noon Sunday after frozen precipitation came to an end around 7 a.m. across the far southeast portion of the area. However, an Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect through noon Monday.
Schools close Monday, Kerr County roads remain hazardous but limited issues during storm
Kerrville Independent School District, Ingram Independent School District, Center Point ISD and Hunt ISD all announced closures for Monday. Ingram ISD also announced a delayed start for Tuesday.
Dangerous cold and icy roads to persist through Tuesday
An Extreme Cold Warning continues through noon Monday and may be extended into Tuesday morning as no change in the Arctic airmass is expected.
Ice Storm Warning issued for Kerr County; travel may become ‘nearly impossible’
Travel conditions are deteriorating in real time as intermittent showers and drizzle add to ice accumulations and standing water from Friday night’s locally heavy rains freezes over. Icing is being observed on increasingly longer stretches of roads and highways across Kerr County.
Arts and Culture
Love, laughter and community spirit fill Kerr County’s Valentine’s week calendar
For couples looking for competitive fun, Gibson’s, 221 Junction Highway, hosts a Couples Cornhole Tournament at 1 p.m. Saturday. Those seeking something more mysterious can attend the Murder Mystery Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Tailchasers Patio + Pub, 234 Earl Garrett St. Details are available at tailchaserstx.com.
Week ahead brings film screening, political meet-and-greet, theater opening
The week begins Monday with a screening of “Voices of Doyle” at 6 p.m. at the Doyle Community Center.
Martin Luther King Day lead the week’s busy agenda of events
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration begins at 11 a.m. at the Doyle Community Center and will feature a guest speaker reflecting on Dr. King’s life and legacy, followed by lunch. The event is free and open to all community members.
The Lead Live Podcast
The Lead Live Podcast: Friday, Jan. 23, 2026
Kerr County is bracing for a significant winter storm expected to bring ice and up to 36 hours of sub-freezing temperatures, according to a National Weather Service forecast shared during Friday’s episode of The Lead Live.
The Lead Live Podcast: Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026
Precinct 4 County Commissioner candidate Randy Murphy advocated for “zero-based budgeting” and a hardline stance against Battery Energy Storage Systems during a Jan. 22 interview on The Lead Live podcast.
The Lead Live Podcast: Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026
Peterson Hospice Director Gretchen Rye, social worker Shannon McCloin, and nurse Debbie Foster appeared to discuss their role as “embracing the life cycle.”
The Lead Live Podcast: Monday, Jan. 19, 2026
The episode featured Schreiner Communications Director Michael Bennett, Women’s Beach Volleyball Coach Hannah Thrasher, and Women’s Flag Football Coach Colby McCoy.
The Lead Live Podcast: Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 episode
The Jan. 16, 2026, episode of The Lead Live, hosted by Louis Amestoy, featured a full panel discussing local politics, the ongoing community recovery from the July 4 flood, and the upcoming Kerrville Folk Festival.
Photo galleries
Photo gallery: Schreiner basketball earns a weekend split against St. Thomas, Colorado College
Schreiner University salvaged a weekend split at Stephens Family Arena, rebounding from a Friday loss to conference-leading St. Thomas with a convincing 88-68 victory over Colorado College on Sunday.
Photo gallery: Opening week of Schreiner softball
Schreiner University’s softball team struggled to find consistency in its season-opening week, finishing 2-4 after three home doubleheaders.
Photo gallery: The Someone Special Dance
The Hill Country Youth Event Center hosted the annual Someone Special Dance, an event that brings families together for a night of dancing and balloon fun. The event is organized by the Kerrville Parks and Recreation Department.
Photo gallery: Long Term Recovery Group grand opening of Disaster Relief Center
The center at 98 Coronado Drive will serve as a “one-stop shop” for individuals and businesses seeking recovery assistance, officials said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The facility, donated for use by James Avery Artisan Jewelers, will be operated by the Kerr County Long-Term Recovery Group.
Photo gallery: Symphony of the Hills Jazz Concert
The Jan. 3 program explored jazz music’s evolution through big band and Western Swing, featuring three performers with strong local ties.
Sports
Colorado College dominates first half in win over Schreiner women, 72-57
Schreiner’s shooting struggles continued, particularly from beyond the arc where the Mountaineers connected on just 3 of 13 attempts for 23.1 percent. Schreiner shot 40.4 percent overall from the field.
Gooden, Snow lead Schreiner to searing second-half rout of Colorado College
The Mountaineers trailed 40-36 at intermission before exploding for 52 second-half points while holding the Tigers to just 28 after the break.
Schreiner softball earns split against Mary Hardin-Baylor
The Mountaineers get another masterful pitching performance in game one, but falter offensively in game two.
UIL re-alignment: Tivy drops to 4A, Ingram and Center Point face challenges
The move marks the Antlers’ first season below 5A since the 2013-14 school year, driven by enrollment numbers that no longer keep pace with 5A classification requirements.
Ingram Tom Moore’s DeMasco named coach of the year by regional organization
DeMasco was selected by vote of the 17 coaching staffs represented in the association from a field of six nominees.
Obituaries
Jerome Perry: Aug. 15, 1975-Jan. 20, 2026
This commitment to serving at-risk youth led him and Jody to become foster parents from 2002 until 2017, during which time they fostered numerous children and adopted seven.
Jeffrey Conrad: Dec. 31, 1943-Feb. 1, 2026
Those who knew him will remember Jeffrey as a kind, gentle, and thoughtful man. He especially treasured time spent with his grandchildren, who brought him his greatest joy.
William Whitt Jr.: Dec. 6, 1950-Feb. 1, 2026
He graduated from UT Arlington with a BSN and went on to have a long and prosperous career in the Dallas area (Cardiac Nursing).
Nancy Wilt: March 16, 1948-Feb. 1, 2026
She lived a life defined by service, leadership, curiosity, and an unwavering devotion to people – whether they were Marines, colleagues, cadets, friends, or family.
Vonda Sebesta: Sept. 10, 1965-Jan. 26, 2026
She had a sharp wit and an unmistakable laugh, spoke her mind honestly, and held a deep love for music, art, the water, and nature – where she felt most like herself.
Community voices
The Lead’s Editorial: The Kerr County GOP’s corrupt primary process stinks
In a county where Republican primary winners become the de facto officeholders representing all 52,000 residents, this responsibility matters. The party should host candidate forums, organize debates, and provide transparent information that helps voters make informed decisions.
MIKAL WATTS: Camp Mystic failed no one. My mission is to prove this
The Eastlands have sent a letter to the members of the newly formed Senate and House General Investigating Committees on the July 2025 Flooding Events inviting them to tour Camp Mystic in person. In addition, tours for the families have occurred and continue to occur. When they do come, they learn what our investigation has revealed.
Matthew Childress: My Hell on Earth has a mission
When flash floods hit the Texas Hill Country, plans put in place by the Eastland family, which runs Camp Mystic, instructed Chloe and Katherine to “stay in place” with their cabin of 8- and 9-year-old girls. They obeyed authority, and it killed them.
THE LEAD’S EDITORIAL: Leadership during crisis requires more than campaign rhetoric
While Patrick accused Kelly of being “nowhere to be found” on July 4th, the real question voters should ask is where Patrick’s leadership was during the 88th and 89th legislatures when flood infrastructure investments could have prevented this tragedy.
The Mission of The Kerr County Lead
Covering community news in the heart of the Hill Country.
Founded in 2021, The Kerr County Lead aims to provide high-quality journalism for Kerrville, Texas and the surrounding communities of the splendid Texas Hill Country. In the coming years, Texas faces exponential growth and the challenges of managing land, resources and water. At the same time, the Hill Country offers a robust quality of life and culture. With this mission, The Lead focuses its work on the stories that matter most to the readers in Kerr County.
