FOOTBALL RETURNS TO THE HILL COUNTRY
After missing the 2020 playoffs, Tivy High School's football team returns to action tonight against Dripping Springs. Game time is 7:30 p.m. The Antlers have lost five consecutive games against Dripping Springs dating back to 2016.
Ingram Tom Moore plays host to Junction at 7:30 p.m. in the first game for head coach Tate Demasco. Center Point plays host to St. Francis, while Harper is on the road at D'Hanis. Those games also kick off at 7:30 p.m. In a six-man game, Our Lady of the Hills makes its season debut at 7:30 p.m. It's also head coach Brock Kenyon's debut with the Hawks.
COVID-19 RAMPAGE THROUGH KISD
While Tivy High School kicks off its football season tonight, at least 40 students and staff have been sidelined due to COVID-19.
On Thursday, the Kerrville Independent School District reported 123 cases of COVID-19 in the first eight days, but a parent's group sent a spreadsheet to The Lead with 142 students and staff out sick because of COVID-19. The parents' group has been sharing letters from school principals to track the virus' spread across the district.
No matter the statistic, KISD has lost more than 1,200 instructional days in just eight days, thanks to the virus.
KISD did not respond to The Lead's request for comments about the situation in the schools.
HOSPITALIZATIONS CLIMBING BUT SLOWLY
While Peterson Regional Medical Center reported its highest number of hospitalizations during the pandemic, with 38 on Thursday, the number across the state appears to be slowing.
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Data released by the Texas Department of State Health Services showed a net gain of four new hospitalizations statewide — the smallest increase in weeks. There are still 13,932 people hospitalized statewide.
SOMETHING TO KICK YOUR HEELS UP FOR!
Hill Country Youth Ranch founder Gary Priour jumps for joy upon seeing a check with a $152,000 donation to the ranch. |
When Hill Country Youth Ranch founder Gary Priour saw the amount on the oversized check, he did something quite unexpected — he hopped up and clicked his heels.
On Thursday, the Hill Country Charity Ball presented its largest one-time donation in its history — $152,000.
Hill Country Youth Ranch founder Gary Priour and Allison Bueche are all smiles with a $152,000 check headed to the ranch. |
Standing in front of one of the Hill Country Youth Ranch's oldest and most important buildings — the Harley Beck Community Center — the ball's board of directors presented the check to a delighted staff of the youth ranch.
"This is huge," said Krystle Ramsey, the ranch's executive director. "It's not like we have $150,000 laying around."
Priour told the approximately 20 women, who make up the ball's board of directors, that the state ordered him to build an activity center to offer foster youth residential services when the youth ranch was founded in the 1970s. So, the Harley Beck Community Center was born.
Standing in front of the Harley Beck Community Center at the Hill Country Youth Ranch, the Hill Country Charity Ball made a record contribution to update the community center. |
"This is our family hub," Ramsey said. "This is where we have Christmas. Many children have had their first picture with Santa here. At Thanksgiving, we have a family dinner here."
Founded in 1986, the Hill Country Charity Ball has raised $1.7 million for Kerr County charities and nonprofits in its 34 years. The 2020 ball proved to be the most challenging, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.
After a year's delay, the July 31 ball proved to be 2021's biggest social event, with more than 600 people attending the Hill Country Youth Event Center.
The ball's president, Allison Bueche, had an idea the ball would raise a record amount, but smashing the previous record by nearly $60,000 was stunning.
"We are so grateful," Bueche said. "It was overwhelming."
But now, the money will go to a long list of projects that Ramsey will oversee.
"This is my building," Ramsey said jokingly to Priour, who had a personal hand in designing and building all of the expansive Ingram-based campus.
Ramsey does have big plans to revamp the building. As the first executive director since Priour retired, Ramsey said she's excited to put her touch on the campus.
Most importantly, Ramsey, along with the other staff members, are grateful for the charity ball's efforts.
"I knew this community would show up," Ramsey said.
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THINGS TO DO
We spotted this trash picture on Thursday evening at Guadalupe Park and it reminded us that starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, there will be a Guadalupe River Cleanup starting at Louise Hays Park.
Trash left behind at Guadalupe Park in Kerrville. |
ALSO DON'T FORGET
The second annual “Kerrville River Roadster Show” is happening starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The Kerrville Parks and Recreation Department is excited to bring this unique car show back to the banks of the Guadalupe River in Louise Hays Park, 202 Thompson Dr. This free event is open to show vehicles of all sizes, types, colors and speeds. Bring the family out to enjoy a beautiful night under the stars with cars and fun! Food and drinks from Buzzie’s BBQ, Vero Pizza, Dandy Cones and Nobilitea will be available for purchase. Enjoy live music provided by The Flashbacks beginning at 4:30 p.m.
