GOOD MORNING!
We made it! It's Friday. It's Homecoming for the thousands of Tivy High School grads here in the Hill Country and a critical must-win game for the Antlers, who take on 6-1 Floresville.
A SUPER LEAD LIVE TODAY
We've got abundant guests today in what should be a 90-minute episode of The Lead Live. Guests will be Ingram Tom Moore High School Principal Justin Crittenden and Ingram Independent School District Assistant Superintendent Mindy Curran to discuss some of the innovative programs the district is utilizing. BCFS Health and Human Services-Kerrville's Norman Taylor and Michaela Carbajal to discuss some of their organization's programs. Finally, we will welcome back Amy Goodyear of the Calilloux Theater to discuss the opening of "Little Shop of Horrors." Goodyear will be joined by Jonathan Bowen, who plays "Seymour."
COVID-19 UPDATE
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported two more COVID-19 deaths on Thursday. The Lead believes at least seven deaths from COVID-19 in October.
Where things get confusing is whether the three deaths now reported on Oct. 14 are separate or duplication of data from Peterson Regional Medical Center, which also reported a death on that day.
- Oct. 1, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Oct. 5, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Oct. 10, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Oct. 10, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services (Reported on Oct. 21)
- Oct. 14, as reported by Peterson Regional Medical Center. (Reported on Oct. 15)
- Oct. 14, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services (Reported on Oct. 20).
- Oct. 14, as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services (Reported on Oct. 21)
Once again, the good news was that we saw another decline in cases, with just one reported by Peterson Health.
DUNE
For science fiction fans out there, the movie "Dune" debuted on Thursday night on HBO Max. The adaptation from the late Frank Herbert's masterpiece novel is equally masterful. That's all we're going to say.
THREE TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR CHAT WITH MARY ROHRER
On Thursday's The Lead Live, hosted by Delayne Sigerman, we had Kerrville-Kerr County Airport Manager Mary Rohrer about the state of the airport, along with Saturday's Race Wars drag racing event. Here are our three takeaways from the conversation:
- The airport's business appears to be in good shape with the leasing of hangars and other facilities in good condition. The airport's facilities are 100% leased, and there's a waiting list for hangar space. Rohrer praised the longtime work of Kerrville Aviation, which handles airport hospitality and other critical services. Rohrer said the company had rebounded strongly from the uncertainty related to the coronavirus pandemic, which is good financial news for the airport.
- Rohrer is keenly aware of the future of aviation and is paying close attention to innovation around electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that could come online in the next five years.
- Admittedly, the success of Race Wars drag racing earlier this year caught everyone off guard. Still, Rohrer said everyone is in a better position to manage a big crowd and even more significant event. Rohrer praised the event operator, FlyinDiesel, for safety improvements and helping the airport manage the event.
A LOOK AT HOMECOMING
We're saying that there were several thousand people lining Water Street to watch the Tivy Homecoming Parade on Thursday night. Here's a few of our photos from the parade:
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CHIP ROY BATTLES ON THURSDAY
U.S. Rep Chip Roy, who represents Kerr County, was at the center of attention Thursday on two fronts — a hearing involving U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and then voting against holding Republican strategist Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress.
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Twitter
See @townhallcom's post on Twitter.
twitter.com/townhallcom
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To make things even more interesting, Roy also tangled with fellow Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-New York), who told Roy to put his mask on during the Garland hearing.
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Twitter
See @Acyn's post on Twitter.
twitter.com/Acyn
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POETIC POLICING
Baltimore Police Department Detective Edward Gillespie. |
We had a chance to listen to Baltimore Police Department Detective Edward Gillespie speak at Schreiner University on Wednesday. Gillespie, who has served for 16 years, uses poetry to deal with the trauma of his job. In turn, he's written five books of poetry and has a stack of other writing projects. Here's our story: https://kerrcountylead.com/162315376114370
TODAY'S GREAT READS
Author Stephen Harrigan pays tribute to the late Larry McMurtry, memorialized last weekend in his hometown in Archer City. McMurty, of course, was the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Lonesome Dove" and was the writer of Academy Award-winning movies "The Last Picture Show" and "Terms of Endearment." McMurty died in March, and Harrigan writes about attending the memorial services.
"That afternoon, we formed up a pilgrimage caravan of our own, made up of some of the writers who had come to Archer City to take part in that evening's tribute," Harrigan wrote. "We walked the block and a half to Booked Up, one of the bookstores that McMurtry opened back in the eighties and nineties, hoping to turn this Texas plains crossroads of less than two thousand citizens between Windthorst and Seymour into one of the world's great book browsing centers. There had once been four Booked Up locations in Archer City, housing some 450,000 volumes. But now there was only this one, and a sign on the door that day said the store was closed because of an unspecified emergency."
To read the entire Texas Monthly story: https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/what-texas-inherited-from-larry-mcmurtry/
FASHION STATEMENT OF THE DAY
Schreiner University Trustee Ross Rommel wore the greatest pants to Wednesday's talk by Edward Gillespie. Let's just say they were full of Schreiner University spirit.
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THINGS TO DO
Today
Opening Night of "Little Shop of Horrors"
6 p.m., Cailloux Theater, Kerrville.The Cailloux Theater will host an opening night dinner for the musical "Little Shop of Horrors," which runs afterward. It will be fun to see how Playouse 2000 depicts the mighty Audrey. Tickets start at $22 for adults. Dinner tickets are separate and require a performance ticket. Information: 830-896-9393 or https://www.caillouxperformingarts.com
Saturday
Airport Race Wars
8 a.m.-11 p.m., Kerrville-Kerr County AirportThis was one of Kerrville's most significant events earlier this year, and it returns for another round of racing. Come see some of the fastest drag cars compete for over $8,000 in total prizes. Food and drink vendors will be onsite. Information: https://www.flyindiesel.com
Kerrville Pro Rodeo
8:30 p.m., Hill Country Youth Event CenterThis is a big one with bull riding, bareback and saddle bronc action. There will also be barrel racing. If you enjoy seeing kids get run over sheep, that is there as well. Infomration: https://www.lmrodeo.com
Kerrville Mountain Bike Festival
1:30 p.m., Kerrville Schreiner ParkThe festival brings a full weekend of mountain bike racing to Kerrville. This is the final race of 2020 Mountain Bike Texas Cup. American Mountain Bike Challenge (AMBC) race. One of 11 races selected from over 1,200 events nationwide. Organizers expect 700 competitors and spectators. Information: https://www.kerrvillemountainbikefestival.com
