Good morning. It's Sept. 1. Does that mean fall is here?
COVID CRISIS IN THE SCHOOLS
In the last few days, we’ve talked with numerous people raising the alarm about the spread of COVID-19 in schools. While the Kerrville Independent School District board of trustees punted on taking a stand on the virus, several parents groups are now tracking the virus and raising questions.
On Tuesday, KISD updated its numbers to say it had 180 active cases, but the numbers changed within hours of posting. By Tuesday evening, parents groups had compiled a list of 22 new cases, including 12 at Tivy High School. The aggregate is now more than 2020-2021 school year, with at least 200 active cases.
The real issue is that it appears, at least from our reporting, that entire families are now being sickened by the virus — some severely. These trends are hard to pin down but could have a tangible impact on the local economy. At least two restaurants temporarily due to COVID-19 staffing shortages. One parent, Dalton Dover, wrote to us, saying: “Some refuse to see this as a problem until they are forced to shut down for one or two or three weeks; that’s devastating for employers, employees, and the patrons. They made it a political issue, and it’s creating problems on all fronts. The school is no different, it isn’t just the kids to worry and their community spread; it’s the staff. That’s where school shutdowns are going to happen; if you don't have teachers, your hands are tied.”
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LEGISLATIVE COUNTS
Kerr County’s two representatives in Austin — Sen. Dawn Buckingham and Rep. Andrew Murr — are still working as the legislature finishes a second special session. Buckingham had her name attached — as an author, co-author or sponsor — on 47 bills signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, while Murr had his on 20. Those numbers will likely go up, and Murr’s signature piece on voting security is still to be signed by Abbott.
TEX FEST AT SCHREINER
The 30th TexFest is slated for Sept. 16-17 at Schreiner University’s Trailhead Beer Garden. This event is a celebration of all things Texas — sort of Schreiner’s mission these days. The event is the brainchild of Kathleen Hudson, a Schreiner professor, who wanted to celebrate all things Texas through the legacy of stories and songs as “another way of learning.’
The Trailhead Beer Garden (featuring a great variety of beers, wines, and other non-alcoholic drinks) will be open and there will be food trucks available throughout the day.
Below is a list of the featured events and bios for all of the featured artists:
Thursday, Sept. 16
- 7 p.m. Kick-Off Concert (¡Viva Dies y Seis!) – Santiago Jimenez
Friday, Sept. 17
- 9 a.m. Registration Open
- 9 a.m. Texas Heritage Days
- 10 a.m. Featured Artist – Exit 505
- 11:30 a.m. Tribute to the “Father of Country Music” – Jimmie Rodgers Featuring: George Ensle, Michael Martin and George Batista, Thom Spirit (Poet), Him & Her and special guests.
- 5 p.m. Featured Artist – Eric O’Shea (Comedy)
- 7 p.m. Friday Night After Dark: Join us for our guided Dead Texans Tour and learn the stories of some of Glen Rest Cemetery’s most famous residents.
- 7 p.m. Trailhead Stage Featured Artist – Clint Alford
- 7 p.m. Cornhole Tournament
Saturday, Sept.18
- 8 a.m. Uniquely Texas 5K/Fun Run
- 9 a.m. Sand Volleyball Tournament – Register Here
- 10 a.m. Live Music ALL DAY
- 12 p.m. BBQ Lunch (Schreiner BBQ Team)
- 1 – 3 p.m. Rise Against Hunger Community Service Project
- 6 p.m. Trailhead Stage Featured Artist – Bernie Nelson
- 7 p.m. Fall Ball (Semi -Formal) @ SU Event Center
TACO WARS
Texas Monthly said that Taco Casa’s hardshell taco ranked No. 2 in the category, ranking it behind Jack In The Box’s taco. This was a look at fast-food chain tacos. Now, here’s the problem – at least in our opinion — and that’s you never want to eat Jack In The Box Tacos in daylight — they’re really best between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. when you really can’t see what you’re eating. The nod here has to go to Taco Casa.
