Good morning, Kerr County

We made it! It's Friday. As we close out April, we are heading into the weekend with spotty chances for rain showers. If you look to the west of Kerr County, red-flag warnings are starting to pop up across most of West Texas. We should continue to see some gusty winds over the next few days, and it will be warm.

On today's The Lead Live!

Another interesting show is on tap this morning. Kerrville Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Julie Davis will give us the rundown on events this weekend — there is a ton. Mercy Gate Ministries' Chae Spencer will discuss their upcoming event at Signor Winery in Fredericksburg. Mercy Gate Ministries works to free women from sexual trauma, exploitation and human trafficking. Their May 5 event will raise awareness about the issue and provide more benefits for the women served by the ministries. For more information: https://mercygateministries.com/event/wine-for-the-win/ We can also expect a visit from Mindy Wendele about Prop. A. Wendele is leading the political action committee supporting the general obligation bond that will pay to construct a new police station. We could also have some other guests stop by! The show starts at 9 a.m.

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OK, it's Friday, and that means Mustang Sally's is open for business, and we encourage you to stop by and say hello. You will find a wide range of Southwestern-themed art, furniture and accessories at the Water Street store. It's also fun to chat with Sally and the crew.

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Tonight's featured event at Arcadia Live!

Live music by Grady Spencer and The Work — Arcadia Live!, 8–10 p.m. Information: https://www.thearcadialive.org/show/grady-spencer-and-the-work/ The details: Hailing from the great city of Fort Worth, Grady Spencer and The Work have released three full-length albums since their conception in 2013. Firmly rooted in Texas soil, they are active in the Fort Worth music scene and boast a tight, professional sound, synergizing familiar Southern country sensibility with modern easy-going rock and roll. Opening for the act is Kerrville's Scott Sean White, who started playing keyboards in bands and engineering at Dallas-area studios while producing tracks for other songwriters in almost every genre, all the while feeling the call in his heart to explore his songwriting at a deeper level. By 2007 he was immersed in the community and culture of Music City, making trips to Nashville once or twice a month and finding a musical home in the lyric-driven, story-driven, real-life-driven art of songwriting.

Today's event calendar features 8 live music performances, a magic show and two plays

Collegiate Tennis — H-E-B Tennis Center, TBA Information: https://scacsports.com/sports/wten/index The details: Schreiner University hosts the 2022 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference tennis championships.
Kerrville Farmers Market — A.C. Schreiner Mansion, 4 p.m. Information: https://kerrvillefarmersmarket.com/ The details: Come down and enjoy a complimentary beer, or buy a handcrafted pizza and enjoy the market.Live music by Braden Toomey — Joanne Marie and Me Wine Bistro, 6–9 p.m. Information: https://www.facebook.com/wineboutique1/
Magic with Dr. Everett Lamb — Pint and Plow Brewing Co., 6 p.m. Information: https://pintandplow.com/ The details: Dr. Everett uses his unique knowledge of the mind and human behavior to display amazing feats of mentalism and magic. Dr. Everett's unique perspective and humor have made him a sought-after consultant to develop effects for the top names in magic. He is now bringing his wit and creativity to his stage show.
Live comedy theater "Two Left Feet" — Schreiner University, 7:30 p.m. Information: call the theatre office at 830.792.7274 or email JBCunningham@schreiner.edu. The details: Set in a ballet academy in California, Two Left Feet follows an awkward young businesswoman as she attempts to become a dancer. A complete lack of talent and a ruthless choreographer stand in the way of her dreams. Fourteen Schreiner University students make up the cast and chorus of the show. Likewise, the production team includes many talented Schreiner artists. Two Left Feet's director, Jeff Cunningham, enthusiastically lists University collaborations and contributions to make Two Left Feet a reality. "In addition to the show being fun, working with all these different and talented students and their mentors has been extremely rewarding," explains Cunningham. Schreiner University's Songkeeper Learning Community is working with The Flag Is Up to bring original music to the show. Schreiner student and Songkeeper Annalise Schoening, with the help of the Learning Community's director Bill Muse, is preparing two songs to perform as part of the show. The Songkeepers are looking at the possibility of adding even more songs to the program. Schreiner freshman Valentina Hernandez will dance a featured solo to one of Schoening's songs. Hernandez is working with choreographer Heather Cunningham on her dance.
Live comedy theater "Drinking Habits" — The Point Theater, Ingram, TBD, through May 15. Information: https://www.hcaf.com/2022-theatre-season/ The details: Accusations, mistaken identities, and romances run wild in this traditional, laugh-out-loud farce. Two nuns at the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing have been secretly making wine to keep the convent's doors open, but Paul and Sally, reporters and former fiancees, are hot on their trail. They go undercover as a nun and priest, but their presence, combined with the addition of a new nun, spurs paranoia throughout the convent that spies have been sent from Rome to shut them down. There's the spilling of wine and secrets as everyone tries to preserve the convent and reconnect with lost loves.
Live music by Chad Boyd and Mike McMillan — Cafe at the Ridge, 6 p.m. Information: https://www.shopsattheridge.com
Live music by Eley Buck Davis — Southern Sky Music Cafe, 6:30 p.m., Information: https://www.southernskymusiccafe.com
Live music by Braden Toomey — Joanne Marie and Me Wine Boutique, Ingram, 6 p.m. Information: https://joanne-marie-and-me.business.site/
Live music by The Exit 505 Band & The Flashbacks — Louise Hays Park, 7 p.m. Information: https://kerrvilletx.gov/1582/Concerts-By-The-River The details: Pack up your lawn chairs and picnic blankets and come out to Louise Hays Park to enjoy a free summer concert along the banks of the beautiful Guadalupe River. There will be food and refreshments available for purchase.
Live music by the MishMash Band — Pier 28 River Lounge and 8 Ball, 8 p.m. Information: 830-896-7437 The details: Expect some great covers from this band.
Live music by the Corey Weaver Band — La Escondida 1962, 7:30 p.m. Information: La Escondida 1962
Magic Card Tournament — Heart of Cards, 7-10 p.m. Information: Heart of the Cards The details: Play in the Heart of Cards weekly Friday Night Magic tournaments! The entry fee is $5, and they rotate formats each week.
Live music by the Doyle Community Choir — Doyle School Community Center, 6-8 p.m. Information: (830) 257-4446. The details: Enjoy a night of gospel music with the Doyle Community Choir. Bring your tambourines, maracas, cymbals and dancing shoes.

Need a look at Saturday's calendar? Here you go: https://kerrcountylead.com/plan-your-kerr-county-weekend-april-30-may-1/

Slow down in the rain

We spotted this Tweet from Kens5 from a crash on Interstate 10 heading west out of downtown. Slow down, folks.

Twitter

See @KENS5's post on Twitter.

twitter.com/KENS5

Kerr County Sheriff's Office says they arrested high school athletic director at Center Point

Center Point High School Athletic Director Damian Patrick Van Winkle was arrested Thursday on suspicion of indecency with a child by contact, a second-degree felony.

The Kerr County Sheriff's Office said it arrested Van Winkle after several students complained about being touched; the subsequent investigation alleged close contact with multiple students throughout the school year, including descriptions of uncomfortable or sexual contact.

"We will continue to seek out possible victims and, when appropriate, submit this completed case for prosecution," Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said. "The alleged violations of trust by a senior school official are deeply concerning."

In a statement, Center Point school officials said they became aware of complaints against Van Winkle on April 20 and turned the matter over to the sheriff's office. Van Winkle, who has been with the district for nine months, was placed on administrative leave before his arrest.

"Center Point ISD remains committed to providing a safe environment for its students to flourish and reach their potential," the district said.

Van Winkle was arrested at his Center Point home without incident and is currently in the Kerr County Jail pending a bond hearing. Van Winkle is a 20-year veteran educator with several previous positions within school districts.

"Our investigators worked seamlessly with other organizations to discern the facts and prevent further offenses by this administrator," Leitha said.

Kerrville Police Department make an arrest

A routine traffic stop on Interstate 10 early Sunday morning resulted in the arrest of a Lubbock man, who Kerrville Police accused of having drugs, stolen credit cars, and more.

The stop happened at 4:08 a.m. at mile mark 508 along the freeway; a Kerrville police officer pulled over a car with four people in the vehicle. The police officer said there was a visible open container, but the story turned as the officer questioned the passengers.

One of the passengers provided a false date of birth to the officer and with a driver's license, debit and credit cards, bank cards, and other items belonging to other people. Police found mail and financial documents, including checks, money orders, tax documentation for multiple people, and miscellaneous paperwork and documents.

The more the officers searched, the more they found. They found a box containing assorted pens, pencils, erasers, a card reader, credit cards, and multiple altered checks in an apparent attempt to defraud someone. Officers also found items used in retail theft to defeat retail anti-theft devices and numerous items of clothing with store tags still attached. Officers also found methamphetamine and a pipe used for smoking methamphetamine inside the vehicle.

Ultimately, police arrested a 37-year-old Lubbock man on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, with an enhancement due to one of the victims, in this case, being over the age of 65; and failure to identify for providing officers with a false date of birth.

The man also faces charges in Lubbock but is being held in Kerr County Jail awaiting bond.

A grand finale for the Symphony of the Hills Season

On a beautiful night for music, the Symphony of the Hills reminded us of the human condition when it comes to warfare with a stirring tribute to Ukraine with the Second Symphony of the composer Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky.

It was the Symphony's final performance of the 2021-2022 season. One of Thursday night's highlights was the solos by violinist Philip Johnson and Sherry Rubins on the timpani — or kettle drums. Johnson led a memorable rendition of Ashokan Farewell, written by fiddler Jay Ungar for the PBS documentary The Civil War. Rubins was the focal point of Primitive Echoes, Concerto for Timpani and Orchestra, written by Alice Gomez, who was in attendance.

Violinist Phillip Johnson led a beautiful solo on Thursday night of Ashokan Farewell.

Timpani player Sherry Rubins delighted the audience with her performance.

From left Phillip Johnson, Director Gene Dowdy, Sherry Rubins and composer Alice Gomez.

Voter turnout continues at slow pace

We're hearing some level of concern — from many fronts — about the impact of voter turnout for the May 7 election. However, the turnout is trending right behind the March Primary, which ended up with a 28% turnout. The 2021 Kerrville Municipal Election was trending at a similar pace. Here's a look at the numbers through Wednesday:

Kerrville, Schreiner University play host to SCAC tennis tournament

Collegiate tennis arrives in force this morning at the H-E-B Tennis Center and Schreiner University, which is hosting the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference team tournament.

The women's tournament starts at 9 a.m., and here are the first-round matchups

Schreiner vs. St. Thomas, at Schreiner
Colorado College vs. Austin College, at H-E-B Tennis Center
Southwestern vs. Texas Lutheran, at H-E-B Tennis Center

The winner of Schreiner's match gets to play No. 1-seeded Trinity University at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Schreiner. The championship match will be decided on Sunday at Schreiner.

In the men's tournament, which starts at 2 p.m., the first-round matches are:

St. Thomas vs. Schreiner, at Schreiner
Colorado College vs. Austin College, at H-E-B Tennis Center
Southwestern vs. Texas Lutheran, at H-E-B Tennis Center.

The winner of Schreiner's match gets to play No. 1-seeded Trinity University at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Schreiner. The championship match will be decided on Sunday at Schreiner.

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Louis Amestoy

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