GOOD MORNING! We are halfway there!
We hope you can join us at 9 a.m. on The Lead Live. We will be joined by Jam Broadcasting's Justin McClure. We've heard a rumor that Fore Premier Properties Geri Magnell could storm onto the show to tell us about a unique fundraiser for B.T. Wilson School.
We are also in countdown mode for one of the biggest event weekends of 2021 with the Kerrville Triathlon Festival, the Texas Arts and Crafts Fair and the Roundup at the Museum of Western Art. Our Saturday is feeling packed.
GET HEALTHY, GET INFORMATION
While COVID-19 continues to rage, Peterson Health is still working to provide people with information about other health emergencies. Peterson Hospice and Home Care, 250 Cully Dr. in Kerrville, will host a community stroke awareness event from 3-6 p.m. today. Dr. Mirelle Foster, medical director of Peterson's Acute Rehab Unit, will give a keynote address about stroke awareness. Peterson said there would be a variety of community partners on hand to provide resources.
ANOTHER BIG DAY FOR THE HILL COUNTRY YOUTH EVENT
After COVID-19 interrupted everyone's year in 2020, one of Kerrville's biggest charity events suffered the same fate as many — a virtual presentation. While COVID-19 isn't going anywhere, big events are starting to come back, and Tuesday's Healing Hearts Fiesta for the Ingram-based youth ranch delivered a huge crowd and more than $30,000 in donations.
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The luncheon featured a fashion show, auction items and a shopping bazaar, but the real shockers were from an exclusive raffle that handed a stunned Mary Bess Peterson, who won the grand prize — a chance to pick a trip of her choice to places like Cabo San Lucas, Tuscany or a golf trip to Gaylord's. (We recommend Italy.)
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THE HUNT FOR THE IHOP ROBBER
Kerrville Police are still searching for a man who walked into IHOP restaurant and robbed it for an undisclosed amount of cash. The man was wearing a Texas A&M pullover type shirt made by golf sportswear company Ping.
The Prius may have been missing a hub cap on the front right wheel. Anyone with information regarding this robbery should contact the Kerrville Police Department at (830) 257-8181 or Kerr County Crime Stoppers at (830) 896-TIPS (8477).
GLUTEN-FREE DELIGHT
OK, we've been on a gluten-free diet since 2018, and we're always on the lookout for the next great dessert. Right now, several places offer some fantastic gluten-free baked goods, but the chocolate and vanilla cupcakes at Carte and Co. Eatery, 216 Quinlan, is probably the best thing we've had in the Hill Country — from a dessert perspective. We would have snapped a picture of it, but it was gobbled up. If you're on a gluten-free diet, Carte and Co. have several items and accommodations.
THE NO. 1 CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG POLICE
A study by the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum found that COVID-19 will be the leading cause of death among law enforcement in 2021. The mid-year report found that 71 of the 155 mid-year deaths of police, corrections and sheriff deputies were from COVID-19.
"The 71 officers represent a decrease of 7% compared to the 76 officers who died of COVID-19 related causes during the first half of last year," the study said. "However, this would still make COVID-19 related fatalities the single highest cause of law enforcement deaths occurring in the first six months of 2021."
Texas and Georgia led the nation in COVID-19 deaths of law enforcement. In 2020, 76 law enforcement officers lost their lives due to a COVID-19 infection during the same mid-year period.
The study also raised concerns about the number of officers who have died in traffic-related incidents, especially being struck by vehicles when they're out of their patrol car or SUV.
"Many of these fatal struck-by crashes occurred while officers were investigating motor vehicle crashes or assisting motorists on the side of the road," the study said. "Nineteen struck-by fatalities occurred during the first half of the year, versus eight during the same period last year, representing a 138% increase.
REDISTRICTING LEAVES BUCKINGHAM OUT
Kerr County could be in a vacant Texas senatorial district — the 24th District in a proposed map.
The map was released Saturday by the Texas legislature, which began its third special session on Monday. Currently, Dawn Buckingham represents the 24th District, which includes Kerr County.
However, the new map puts Buckingham in the 25th District with Donna Campbell, currently the senator from the district. The 24th District would be an open seat in the 2022 election.
Both Buckingham and Campbell are physicians.
The redrawn 24th District would include Kerr, Gillespie, Bandera, Medina, Lampasas, Llano, Burnet, Coryell and Bell counties, along with a chunk of northwestern Atascosa County.
Buckingham currently represents an expansive region that stretches as far south as Bandera, as far north as the southern neighborhoods of Abilene, includes sections of Austin and juts eastward through Killeen and Temple.
Buckingham is a resident of Travis County.
