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Storms likely tonight as active week of possible storms gets underway
The National Weather Service is forecasting an 80% chance of precipitation Tuesday night, with new rainfall totals of three-quarters to 1 inch possible — and localized pockets of 3 to 5 inches hinted at by forecast models.
The Lead’s stories
Nothing Bundt Cakes coming to Kerrville Shopping Center this summer
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation lists the project start date as July 20, with a completion target of Aug. 31. The estimated build-out cost is $100,000.
Texas Lions Camp receives state youth camp license, opens May 31
“The staff and I have been working since September of last year for today’s arrival of this exciting and mission-critical news,” President and CEO Stephen Mabry wrote.
Six Kerr County summer camps have active licenses as state process crawls forward
A state roster of licensed youth camps dated May 15 shows 316 camps appearing in the system statewide. Of those, just 47 — roughly 15% — hold active “Current” licenses. Another 212 have applications pending, and 57 have no application on file at all.
Kerrville Folk Festival opens under threat of active, stormy week
The National Weather Service in Austin and San Antonio is calling for an “active and wet pattern” through the entire week, driven by a stalled cold front expected to settle over the region by midweek and a deep pool of moisture fueling repeated storm chances.
Full transcript of Brenda Hughes farewell remarks after three terms on the Kerrville City Council
Brenda Hughes delivered her farewell remarks during the May 12 special meeting of the Kerrville City Council, closing out six years of service on the dais. Below is the full transcript of her comments.
Folk Festival headlines a packed week of music, art, and community events
Opening night on May 21 features Jamie Lin Wilson, Rich O’Toole, Amanda Anne Platt & the Honeycutters, and The Wilder Blue. Food and craft booths open at 6 p.m., with the concert beginning at 7 p.m. at the Kennedy Outdoor Theater.
Photo gallery: Schreiner University holds 103rd commencement, conferring degrees to spring class of 2026
Briannah Nicole Mejias of Portland, a Bachelor of Science graduate in exercise science, served as class valedictorian and delivered the graduate response.
Peterson Health named a best place to work in healthcare for sixth straight year
“The ability to sustain this recognition for six consecutive years speaks volumes to the culture we have been able to cultivate,” said President and CEO John McDonald.
45 events fill the Hill Country calendar this weekend
From Saturday morning farmers markets to Sunday night sound baths, Kerr County’s weekend calendar is packed — 31 events on Saturday alone, with 14 more on Sunday.
Camp Mystic attorneys pull midnight maneuver, avoid arbitration ruling as lead counsel skips hearing
The hearing before Judge Maya Guerra Gamble in the 459th District Court lasted roughly an hour and resolved nothing on the central question families of flood victims had gathered to hear decided: whether their wrongful death lawsuits would be compelled into private arbitration or remain in public court.
Virginia Moore Johnston: Sept. 11, 1932-May 2, 2026
Virginia devoted decades of her life to Moore’s, where she was not only a hands-on entrepreneur but also a businesswoman ahead of her time. She was deeply devoted to her customers, building relationships with them, and often spending many hours visiting with them.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued for Kerr County through midnight
A watch differs from a warning — a warning means severe weather is imminent or occurring and immediate action is required.
From ribbon cuttings to graduation, Kerr County’s week ahead is packed
A ribbon cutting in Hunt, Schreiner University’s commencement, a Gary P. Nunn benefit concert and a film about the Guadalupe River highlight a full week of community events across Kerr County.
Severe storm threat moves into Kerr County tonight; damaging winds, large hail possible
A cold front is expected to push through the Hill Country between 7 and 11 p.m. Sunday, bringing a line of strong to severe storms.
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/
Arts and Culture
Folk Festival headlines a packed week of music, art, and community events
Opening night on May 21 features Jamie Lin Wilson, Rich O’Toole, Amanda Anne Platt & the Honeycutters, and The Wilder Blue. Food and craft booths open at 6 p.m., with the concert beginning at 7 p.m. at the Kennedy Outdoor Theater.
“Sense and Sensibility” closes this weekend at the VK Garage Theater
The lobby opens an hour before curtain, with cocktails and mocktails served by Omakase Hospitality.
Symphony of the Hills to offer free July 4 concert as flood memorial and tribute
Conductor and artistic director Dr. Eugene Dowdy will lead the full orchestra through a one-hour program. The names of those who lost their lives in last year’s flooding will be read during the concert.
The Lead Live!
2026 Kerrville Folk Festival
Weekend one closes Sunday with a legacy pop act and a hard-closing Austin trio
The final night of opening weekend Sunday at the Kennedy Outdoor Theater covers more ground than any other night of the first four days.
Folk Festival’s first Saturday brings the festival’s biggest night of opening weekend
If there is a night at this year’s Kerrville Folk Festival built to be remembered, it is Saturday at the Kennedy Outdoor Theater — a four-act lineup that opens with one of Americana’s most acclaimed voices and closes with one of bluegrass’s most celebrated live acts.
Festival’s second night ranges from fingerstyle guitar to Austin rock
Yasmin Williams leads off at 7 p.m. in a set that is likely to stop first-timers cold.
Thursday, May 21 opening lineup for the 54th Kerrville Folk Festival
The 54th annual Kerrville Folk Festival opens May 21 at Quiet Valley Ranch with a four-act night at the Kennedy Outdoor Theater that moves from Texas plains to Texas dancehall before closing with one of the state’s most buzzed-about harmony bands.
Kerrville Folk Festival lineup
| Times | Thursday, May 21 | Friday, May 22 | Saturday, May 23 | Sunday, May 24 |
| 7 p.m. | Jamie Lin Wilson | Yasmin Williams | S.G. Goodman | Julian Taylor |
| 8 p.m. | Rich O’Toole | Joshua Ray Walker | Bandits on the Run | Marshall Crenshaw |
| 9 p.m. | Amanda Anne Platt & the Honeycutters | Kuinka | Next of Kin | Madeline Edwards |
| 10 p.m. | The Wilder Blue | The Bright Light Social Hour | Steep Canyon Rangers | Nether Hour |
Photo galleries
Photo gallery: KISD Swearing-in ceremony, recognition of student and staff excellence
Danielle Jenschke was administered the oath of office as a newly elected trustee, and Rolinda Schmidt was sworn in for another term. Greg Peschel was nominated and approved to continue serving as board president. Schmidt was selected as vice president, and Pete Calderon was named board secretary.
Photo Galley: Gary P. Nunn shines at Crider’s as efforts to rebuild and replant Hunt ramp up
Led by the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, Security State Bank and Trust and Hunt Preservation Society, Crider’s served as the launching point for the massive effort to replant thousands of trees along the Guadalupe River,
Photo gallery: Guadalupe River Center’s second Let’s Go To The Lake event
The all-volunteer crew of the Guadalupe River Center gathered on Sunday to celebrate the Guadalupe River and the near start of construction of the center.
Photo gallery: America’s 250th birthday car show
The car show was part of a series of Kerr County events aimed at celebrating the anniversary.
Photo gallery: Schreiner University holds 103rd commencement, conferring degrees to spring class of 2026
Briannah Nicole Mejias of Portland, a Bachelor of Science graduate in exercise science, served as class valedictorian and delivered the graduate response.
Sports
Schreiner University looking for its next football PA announcer
The university is searching for a public address announcer to help set the tone on game days, and no prior PA experience is required. The job calls for strong communication skills and comfort in front of a microphone.
Schreiner softball split doubleheader against visiting McMurry
Mendoza (7-8) was at her sharpest through the evening’s second game, holding the War Hawks to five hits and issuing just one walk. Her 88-pitch complete-game effort — 64 of which found the strike zone — gave the Mountaineers (12-24, 9-17 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference) their first win of the series.
Lackey sparks Schreiner’s offense as Mountaineers correct course on the road in Arkansas
Kale Lackey, a Tivy grad, was the series’ most productive bat, going 6-for-16 with two home runs, two doubles and six RBI. Blake Juarez backed him in the opener with a 3-for-4 afternoon that included a home run, a double and three RBI.
Schreiner University men’s track program turns in solid early performances
The Schreiner University men’s track and field team put together a productive two-week stretch in late March, collecting several podium finishes and individual standout performances at the TLU Invite in Seguin and the Charles Austin Classic in San Marcos.
Stautz win singles title; two Lady Hawks doubles teams advance to state
Jane Stautz won the girls singles championship, going 5-0 on the day and defeating her opponent 8-6 in the finals.
Obituaries
Margaret Jane Hanna-Clark: Oct. 5, 1934-May 14, 2026
In later years, she moved back to Kerrville then Midlothian, TX as she followed grandchildren & great-grandchildren and stayed close to them to watch them grow up. She also enjoyed travel with friends and relatives.
Kelly Michael Wren: June 4, 1969-May 16, 2026
Kelly was a kind, compassionate, and generous man. He was always willing to help family and friends and most certainly pray for anyone at any time.
Dennis Lewis: Nov. 9, 1936-May 13, 2026
He officially retired in 2015 and has spent the last 11 years with his wife, enjoying working on their home, gardens, and his new hobby in stained glass. He loved their property, pets and watching the wildlife off the back deck.
Wendi Michelle Setzer-Finkbeiner: Oct. 8, 1973-May 8, 2026
Those who know Wendi will remember her as smart, funny, quirky, and deeply compassionate. She had a special gift for making people feel supported, understood, and loved.
David Paul Randal: Dec. 5, 1962-May 13, 2026
David married the love of his life, Candice Randal, on May 1, 1992, in Boerne, Texas. Together they built a life centered around family, hard work, and dedication to others.
Community voices
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.
The Lead’s Editorial: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY
The good works of the Hill Country Charity Ball is highlighted, but it’s all downhill from there.
The Lead’s Editorial: A note to our readers about flood misinformation
The science is not ambiguous, and the math is not close. We know this not because we commissioned expert analysis or spent weeks on investigation, but because the basic research required to refute these claims is available to anyone willing to do it.
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.
