GOOD MORNING!
We made it to Friday and the eve of another incredible weekend of events! First off, we'd like to thank all of those who have started following The Lead on Facebook. We hit 1,500 followers on Thursday. We want to remind you that the site has a free email sign-up and a premium option — starting at $5.99 per month. We will be moving content like our emails and breaking news stories to the premium subscribers. We encourage you to subscribe to our emails because it's the best way to consistently see our content. Here's the link: https://kerrcountylead.com/subscribe
WHAT A WEEKEND
Here's a primer on what to expect this weekend:
TODAY
Lunch and Learn Art: Landscape Painting
- 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Hill Country Arts Foundation, 120 Point Theatre Road, Ingram.
- Roger Parsons will demonstrate painting using warm and cool colors to paint a light against a light plane. Don't forget to bring your sack lunch. Information: https://www.hcaf.com
SATURDAY
Kerrville Chalk Festival
- 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Peterson Plaza at Kerrville City Hall.
- Kerrville Chalk Festival is a family-oriented event for the entire Texas Hill Country Community. The festival is held on Peterson Plaza in the heart of Kerrville to raise funds for non-profit organizations. Kid's chalk zone, face painting, balloon art, great food, live music, and free fun for the entire family.
Notre Dame Catholic School Fall Festival
- 3-7 p.m. Saturday; Noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Notre Dame Catholic School, 900 Main St.
- Help the Notre Dame Catholic Church community celebrate its 109th year at its annual festival. There are two days of game and prize booths, children's activities, bingo, food booths, musical performances, a delicious bake sale, cake wheel, and silent and live auctions. Information: 830-257-6707
Kerrville Craft Beer Run
- 8 a.m., Louise Hays Park, Kerrville.
- This timed out-and-back 5-kilometer run will be in Louise Hays Park and entirely on the Kerrville River Trail. Entrants receive T-shirts, snacks and awards. There will be plenty of local beer from Basement Brewers of Texas and Pint and Plow Brewing Co. All proceeds are given to plant native trees within the city of Kerrville parks system. Information: https://www.athleteguild.com/running/kerrville-tx/2021-3rd-annual-kerrville-craft-beer-run
Kerrville River Festival
- Noon-9:30 p.m., Louise Hays Park, Kerrville
- The headliner for the 2021 Kerrville River Festival concert is country music star Jerrod Niemann. Texas' own Austin Meade will also be performing and Willow City and the Ryan Ross band. This year's annual festival will feature an array of family activities, community exhibitors, and major entertainment capped off by a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. The concert portion of the event will feature four different artists, a circus thrill show, and mini-performances by local organizations. Information: www.kerrvilleriverfestival.org
COMMISSIONER PRECINCT BOUNDARIES
The Kerr County Commissioners Court spent four hours Thursday discussing possible boundary changes to precincts because they're no longer equally sized by population. It's a complex setup for the commissioners to tackle, along with a consultant who guided the process. Some of their discussions will have to wait until Texas Legislature decides on its boundaries. The challenge for Kerr County is changing election precincts is dependent on the legislature determining its re-districting efforts. Finalizing those plans may not happen until December. So, it's a bit of a waiting game.
ONE MORE FROM THE COURT
The commissioners will hold a meeting on Monday to review all of the work needed to meet federal guidelines in a $10 million grant to cover COVID-19 expenses. Kerr County was one of the few Texas counties to accept the money, but it also comes with significant federal oversight. The county hired a consultant to ensure it meets the federal requirements. The meeting is set for 9 a.m. on Monday.
DEVELOPMENT PAINS ARE MOUNTING
The Kerrville City Council heard plenty of concerns about proposed development during a lengthy public comments session at its Tuesday meeting.
Of the 12 speakers, the first five addressed a proposed development west of Texas 16, near Camp Meeting Road — one that could bring 133 homes to Kerrville. The project has already cleared Kerrville's planning and zoning commission meeting. Those living near the project, most in the Kerrville Hills Estates, raised concerns about traffic, pollution and water in their remarks. The remarks are just the latest in the tense back-and-forth, with residents seeing open spaces disappear under the rush to develop. Texas, however, gives the advantage to developers under state law. If the developer meets the city's conditions, the city has to approve the project — despite the objections.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Peterson Regional Medical Center said it had five new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, but 15 people were hospitalized. Four of those hospitalized were in the intensive care unit.
The Texas Department of State Health Services said more than 190 people had active infections in Kerr County. The numbers suggest that people are not testing through Peterson, but it's unclear whether through self-testing kits or at other medical offices.
IN OTHER NEWS
A Southlake, Texas school administrator was recorded saying that teachers should have an opposing viewpoint on teaching the Holocaust. Twitter, of course, went nuts. NBC News had the story: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/southlake-texas-holocaust-books-schools-rcna2965
