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A 51-year wait ends as Kerrville gives its historic cemetery a permanent caretaker
The City Council conveyed the Tivy Mountain Historic Black Cemetery — the resting place of more than 200 people, including the largest number of formerly enslaved Kerr County residents buried anywhere — to a nonprofit formed by descendants and the teacher who found it overgrown in 1976.
The Lead’s stories
Kerr County moves to close septic permit loophole as online claims outpace the facts
The order before the Commissioners Court is limited in scope. It would require a permit for every new on-site sewage facility regardless of lot size, eliminating an exemption that has let single-family homes on tracts larger than 10 acres skip permitting.
‘Together we are better’: community prayer week to open at Louise Hays Park
Kerr Together will open “7 Days of Prayer for Kerr County” with a Prayer at the Park gathering at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 28. The event is open to all; organizers ask attendees to bring a chair and water. It kicks off seven days of daily prayer that run Monday, June 29, through Sunday, July 5 — the week bracketing the one-year anniversary of the Guadalupe River flood that killed 119 people across the county.
Robert Earl Keen revisits his Lost Highway years with two anniversary reissues
The Kerrville songwriter will put out a 25th-anniversary edition of “Gravitational Forces” on July 10 and a 15th-anniversary “Ready for Confetti” on Aug. 21, and has added a run of fall shows at Floore’s.
Camp Mystic mothers say deaths were avoidable in Friday ‘Dateline’ special
“After the Flood,” anchored by Lester Holt, airs at 9 p.m. CT, as Kerr County approaches the one-year anniversary of the Guadalupe River flood and days after the Eastland family entities’ Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, which has frozen wrongful-death litigation tied to the disaster.
The Lead Live’s Fifth Annual Nonprofit Week starts Aug. 14 with record 64 organizations across six days
Combined with the main week running Aug. 17-21, this year’s Nonprofit Week spans six broadcast days and features 63 Kerr County nonprofits, civic organizations, and community groups — the most in the event’s five-year history.
A court ruling says COVID-era tax penalties may be refundable. The catch is July 10.
On The Lead Live, Kerrville tax preparer Deena Elliott explained why most people haven’t heard of the Kwong decision — and why she’s urging them to check with an advisor before the deadline.
Symphony of the Hills to mark July 4 with a free concert, flag art and a tribute to the flood’s 119 victims
The “Stars, Stripes and Spirit” program at the Cailloux celebrates the nation’s 250th birthday and, on the flood’s first anniversary, will read aloud the names of those who died in Kerr County.
Texas lands in the middle of a national outdoor ranking — and the math explains why
The Lone Star State finished 23rd of 50, undone less by its scenery than by a scoring formula that rewards small states and penalizes big ones.
Kroc Center fan drive aims to collect 80 box fans for Arbor View residents
The Salvation Army Kroc Center is collecting new box fans this week for residents of Arbor View Nursing Home, aiming to gather 80 fans to help keep Kerrville seniors cool through the summer.
Screwworm tightens around Kerr County as state quarantines three counties to the south
The Texas Animal Health Commission drew a new infested zone over parts of Bandera, Medina and Uvalde counties Wednesday, leaving Kerr County — already under its own quarantine since June 9 — nearly ringed by detections.
Rose Gonzales named principal of Hal Peterson Middle School
Gonzales has held several roles in Kerrville ISD over her career, including teacher, counselor and administrator. A Tivy High School graduate, she earned a master’s in guidance and school counseling from Angelo State University in 2015 and a master’s in educational leadership from the same university in 2023.
Volunteers replant the Guadalupe as Kerrville nears the flood’s one-year mark
The Kerr County River Foundation’s Adopt-A-River program reports some 1,500 volunteer hours and thousands of new plantings, while the Community Foundation details $82 million in regional recovery grants.
Camp Mystic files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
Chapter 11 filing by the Hunt camp and three affiliated Eastland entities halts litigation by victims’ families as the one-year anniversary of the July 4 disaster nears.
UGRA’s RiverHub dashboard goes live as first six flood sirens pass testing
The premise is simple: one place for information that used to live in a half-dozen places. “One of the things that was difficult with finding data in Kerr County was that it was scattered across seven, eight different web pages, different agencies,” Bushnoe said. “So we’ve taken all that data and brought it into one.”
The Lead’s Special Report
The monster in the canyon: What the storm actually was — and what was never asked
Nine months after the flood, federal meteorologists tell the full story. In 15 hours of legislative testimony this week, none of it came up.
At 12:56 a.m. on July 4, 2025, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Austin sent a message through its professional communications platform: “Some cell mergers about to take place in central Kerr County. This will be an area to watch for potential flash flooding.”
Eighteen minutes later, a flash flood warning went out to cell phones across the Hunt area — the ninth such warning issued for the Guadalupe River corridor since 2020. The previous eight had all expired without a mass casualty event.
By 4:03 a.m., NWS had upgraded that warning to a Flash Flood Emergency — the most urgent alert the agency can issue. Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator Dub Thomas was home sick that night. Whether anyone else in Kerr County’s emergency structure was actively monitoring professional NWS channels during those critical hours remains unknown. Read more: https://kerrcountylead.com/the-monster-in-the-canyon-what-the-storm-actually-was-and-what-was-never-asked/
The Lead’s Special Sections
Arts and Culture
Robert Earl Keen revisits his Lost Highway years with two anniversary reissues
The Kerrville songwriter will put out a 25th-anniversary edition of “Gravitational Forces” on July 10 and a 15th-anniversary “Ready for Confetti” on Aug. 21, and has added a run of fall shows at Floore’s.
Symphony of the Hills to mark July 4 with a free concert, flag art and a tribute to the flood’s 119 victims
The “Stars, Stripes and Spirit” program at the Cailloux celebrates the nation’s 250th birthday and, on the flood’s first anniversary, will read aloud the names of those who died in Kerr County.
Nearly 50 young performers bring ‘Frozen Jr.’ to the Cailloux stage this weekend
Playhouse 2000’s Youth Summer Musical Theater Camp closes four weeks of work with Disney’s “Frozen Jr.” at the Cailloux Theater, with shows Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m.
Photo galleries
Photo gallery: Frozen Jr at the Cailloux Theater
The 60-minute adaptation of the Broadway and film hit follows royal sisters Anna and Elsa after Elsa’s powers plunge the kingdom of Arendelle into an eternal winter, sending Anna on a journey to save both her sister and her home.
Photo gallery: The 2026 BluesFest at the Doyle Community Center
The BluesFest keeps growing and the music keeps heating up at the Doyle Community Center.
Photo gallery: The 2026 Women of Distinction
The Kerr County Lead’s first-ever Women of Distinction Awards, a two-and-a-half-hour celebration of the women — and groups of women — who nominators said have shaped Kerr County, especially in the long recovery since the July 4, 2025 flood.
Photo gallery: The 2026 Kerrville Folk Festival
Our mega gallery from the 20 acts we photographed at the 2026 Kerrville Folk Festival.
Photo gallery: Night to Unite shows the past, present and future of Cailloux Theater
The performing arts group hosted Night to Unite, which showcased the center’s past, present and future.
Sports
Pat Holmes, AFL All-Star who later called Kerrville home, dies at 85
Durable as well as decorated, he started every game of his first five seasons and never missed a game in seven years with the Oilers, appearing in all 98 and starting 96.
Commentary: How a trip to Ingram helped bond, unite the San Antonio Spurs to greatness
That trip was initiated by Spurs ownership and management, but it was executed by head coach Mitch Johnson, who made trips to Kerr County in the days immediately after the flood. Johnson saw the devastation firsthand through his volunteer efforts; he connected with the community, especially Ingram Tom Moore football coach and athletic director Tate DeMasco.
Tivy product Rhodes nearly steals one for Oklahoma State in Tuscaloosa regional opener
He worked the final 6⅓ innings, striking out six and allowing three runs on four hits — a workmanlike effort that kept Oklahoma State within striking distance until the final out.
Obituaries
Frank Trevino: Nov. 8, 1958-June 19, 2026
His artistic spirit, which began with drawing in his younger years continued to flourish throughout his life. In his later years he discovered a passion in planting flowers, bringing beauty to the world around him.
Debra “Debbie” Schmitmeyer Stacy: Feb. 24, 1951-June 24, 2026
She carried that determination throughout her life and was known for her dedication, generosity, and willingness to help others. She also worked in administration for several hospital systems in various states.
Lewis Lunn Raymer Jr.: Dec. 20, 1930-June 19, 2026
Lewis loved playing golf and home improvement projects. He was constantly on the lookout for home improvement ideas.
Tollie Courtney: Nov. 30, 1958-June 22, 2026
For more than 25 years, Tollie owned and operated Ingram Metal Recycling, where he became well known throughout the community for his hard work and willingness to lend a helping hand.
Colleen Rhoads: Nov. 11, 1934-June 22, 2026
The friendships she formed through that organization lasted a lifetime and she cherished the many memories made with her friends.
Community voices
Editorial: A year later, the hardest comment to hear
So when “nobody told us” gets said out loud, a year on, it lands as a heavy sigh for everyone who has spent that year telling. The nonprofits that stood up relief funds within the week. The case managers. The volunteers.
Commentary: How a trip to Ingram helped bond, unite the San Antonio Spurs to greatness
That trip was initiated by Spurs ownership and management, but it was executed by head coach Mitch Johnson, who made trips to Kerr County in the days immediately after the flood. Johnson saw the devastation firsthand through his volunteer efforts; he connected with the community, especially Ingram Tom Moore football coach and athletic director Tate DeMasco.
They came for Brenda Hughes. Here’s what they used — and what the truth is.
This has been an extraordinary campaign. Not because of anything Hughes has done, but because of what has been done to her.
Op-ed: It’s time to get involved in your party, reminders for voting
And do not think your vote doesn’t matter! If you voted in the Primary, it is incumbent upon you to have your voice heard. If you did not vote in EITHER primary, you can vote in the Republican primary runoff.
Recent photos by The Kerr County Lead.
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.
