Good morning, Kerr County!
We made it! It's Friday! Today should be a warm one with a high around 74 degrees, but things will cool down on Saturday. Blustery conditions should keep the temperatures below 60 degrees most of Saturday, but Sunday is shaping up to be another nice day with highs in the mid-60s.
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On today's Lead Live
We have a jam-packed show for you today with three guests discussing a wide range of topics. Linda Field will stop by to discuss an event she's helping organize involving syndicated newspaper columnist John Moore here in Kerrville next month. Natarsha Sanders will discuss the COVID-19 storytelling project developed for Big Seed. We'll get a preview of Super Bowl 56 from Trey Collis, who now has his own show on JAM Broadcasting.
Speaking of the Super Bowl
One of the interesting stats from this year's Super Bowl, played between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals, is the Texas impact with 16 former high school standouts on the rosters. Still, just seven players hail from Texas-based universities. Texas A&M leads the way with three. TCU has two, and Texas and Baylor have one each.
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Today marks our 500th post
Today is a milestone for The Kerr County Lead — our 500th post. Since Aug. 19, The Lead has worked hard to provide Kerr County high-quality journalism at an affordable price. Now, we’re asking you to consider upgrading your subscription to help fund our continued growth.
$5.99 per month — cancel anytime
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Upgrade now: https://kerrcountylead.com/subscribe
That’s right for the price of a double mocha latte, you can get news, features, photos and video delivered to your inbox five days a week — for a month. It’s the best news deal in Kerr County. And don’t forget we’re getting more in the works and your subscription helps fund our ambitions to be the biggest and best regional news provider.
Consider our competitors charge three times as much — that’s right you can save more than $140 per year by subscribing to The Lead.
Now, we know some of you are concerned about paying through Facebook, which is what our platform is built upon, and we understand your concerns. If you’re interested in paying for a subscription but not through Facebook please send us an email to louis.amestoy@kerrcountylead.com to let us know.
Don't rest on COVID-19
There are plenty of promising signs with declining COVID-19 numbers, but the death toll is still with us. On Thursday, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported its first Kerr County fatality in February. DSHS said a Kerr County resident died on Feb. 5 from the virus. It's the 18th COVID-19 death in 2022.
On Wednesday, Peterson Health said the number of people hospitalized had fallen to 17, with three people admitted to the intensive care unit.
A life insurance company's CEO said the death toll from COVID-19-related illnesses is far higher than previously known, but his comments have been seized by those trying to minimize the virus' death toll. Scott Davidson, the president and CEO of Indiana-based One America, has previously provided insights into COVID-19's impact on the insurance industry. Still, his assertions this week are one of the more telling about the virus' fatality rate. Davidson said, quickly twisted into an anti-vaccine narrative, that more people were dying between the ages of 18 and 54 than the company had previously seen. Davidson said it wasn't directly from COVID-19 but the long-term problems associated with the virus. In October, Davidson said his company saw a record number of long-term disability claims, and he attributed it to the possibility of long COVID playing a role.
More readings in the economic tea leaves
For those of us who pay attention, it's no surprise that things were more expensive in January, and new economic data released Thursday confirmed those beliefs. The inflation rate grew by 7.5% year-over-year.
The data didn't surprise Kerrville financial advisor Andrew Gay, a partner in the firm Texas Hill Country Advisors. Gay expects the Federal Reserve Bank to raise interest rates at least a half percentage point during the bank's March meeting.
"It seems the market is thinking the Fed will probably raise rates by half a percent, as opposed to the previously thought quarter of a percent raise," Gay said.
On Thursday, the stock market fell by 500 points after the inflation numbers were released. Inflation is increasingly becoming a major political issue for President Joe Biden and Democrats, but there's no easy way to assess blame for the rising costs.
State of the City
Kerrville City Manager E.A. Hoppe |
If the Chamber of Commerce is hosting an event about the state of Kerrville, you can expect one outcome – good news.
That was exactly what was delivered on Thursday afternoon at Inn of the Hills during the Kerrville State of the City address, which included presentations by Mayor Bill Blackburn and City Manager E.A. Hoppe.
Both Blackburn and Hoppe highlighted the wins for Kerrville over the last year, and council members Judy Eychner, Kim Clarkson, Brenda Hughes and Roman Garcia provided video segments of key city initiatives around infrastructure improvements, public safety and community engagement.
Blackburn and Hoppe emphasized the work between the various city and community agencies and non-profit groups that helped Kerrville weather the coronavirus pandemic. In turn, the city has seen significant growth economically.
Blackburn conceded there was one problem Kerrville continued to face — affordable housing. Blackburn said approximately 2,000 housing units were coming, but that it might not be enough.
Approximately 300 people attended the event.
Kerrville Mayor Bill Blackburn gave his final state of the city address on Thursday. |
To see more photos from the state of the city event: https://thekerrcountyleadphotography.zenfoliosite.com/zg/2022-kerrville-state-of-the-city
Your weekend planner
Today
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Texas’ Elite Showcase Junior Gilt Show and Sale
Hill Country Youth Event Center
8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Information: https://www.texaseliteshowcase.com/show-1
Hosted by the Texas Pork Producers Association this youth show & sale is exclusive to the elite gilts of the certified Texas-bred registry. Featuring the state's best genetics, showcasing outstanding youth & elite CTBR Gilts.
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Kerrville Farmers Market
4-6 PM
A.C. Schreiner House
“Now and Then”
Playhouse 2000 VK Garage Theater
Friday 7:30 p.m.
“Blithe Spirits”
The Point Theater, Ingram
7:30 p.m.
Information: https://www.hcaf.com/2022-theatre-season/
Hosted in the Elizabeth Huth Coates Indoor Theatre, this play was written by the great Noel Coward and is about Charles Condomine, a novelist. Charles is bright, sophisticated, articulate, and debonair but somewhat at the mercy of his wives, past and present. His interest in spiritualism as a subject for a novel leads Charles to ask Madame Arcati to dinner and a séance. He is skeptical but becomes a believer when the ghost of his first wife appears—and stays.
Live music by Stan Morris
Cafe at the Ridge
6 p.m.
Information: https://www.shopsattheridge.com
Live music by Dennis Haxaw
Southern Sky Music Cafe, Ingram
6:30 p.m.
Information: https://www.southernskymusiccafe.com
Movie night at Zion Lutheran Church
Zion Lutheran Church, Kerrville
6:30 p.m.
Information: https://www.zionkerrville.org
The classic Buddy Hackett movie — Disney’s The Love Bug. Popcorn, sodas, and hot cocoa are available. Free will donations are accepted but not required. Any funds collected will go to support future events for Zion Youth. All ages are encouraged to join in the fun.
Live music by Autumn Flame
Trailhead Beer Garden at Schreiner University
7 p.m.
Saturday
Texas’ Elite Showcase Junior Gilt Show and Sale
Hill Country Youth Event Center
9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Information: https://www.texaseliteshowcase.com/show-1
Hosted by the Texas Pork Producers Association this youth show & sale is exclusive to the elite gilts of the certified Texas-bred registry. Featuring the state's best genetics, showcasing outstanding youth & elite CTBR Gilts.
Doyle Center History with Clifton Fifer Jr.
Kerr Regional History Center
2-3 p.m.
The Kerr Regional History Center is excited to host an afternoon with local storyteller and historical interpreter Clifton Fifer, Jr. Fifer is a retired Kerrville school teacher and fourth-generation Texan who brings history to life via storytelling, poetry, music, and dance. The public is encouraged to attend the event and learn about the Doyle Center and juke-joint history. The event is free of charge. After the presentation, stay and view display cases on Texas’ African-American history on the second-floor exhibit area of the History Center.
“Now and Then”
Playhouse 2000 VK Garage Theater
Saturday 7:30pm
“Blithe Spirits”
The Point Theater, Ingram
7:30 p.m.
Hosted in the Elizabeth Huth Coates Indoor Theatre, this play was written by the great Noel Coward and is about Charles Condomine, a novelist. Charles is bright, sophisticated, articulate, and debonair but somewhat at the mercy of his wives, past and present. His interest in spiritualism as a subject for a novel leads Charles to ask Madame Arcati to dinner and a séance. He is skeptical but becomes a believer when the ghost of his first wife appears—and stays.
Live music by Ruben Darnell
Cafe at the Ridge, Kerrville
6 p.m.
Information: https://www.shopsattheridge.com
Live music by Greg Wall
Southern Sky Music Cafe, Ingram
6:30 p.m.
Information: https://www.southernskymusiccafe.com
Valentine’s Barn Party and Dance Tickets
Bridget’s Basket, Hunt
6-9 p.m.
We look forward to celebrating you and your someone special dancing the night away. Come join us for great music featuring Sean Kendrick, a special Valentine's dinner, dancing, and more. Beer and wine available for purchase.
Information: Valentine's Barn Party and Dance Tickets — Bridget's Basket (bridgetsbasket.com)
Sunday
Texas’ Elite Showcase Junior Gilt Show and Sale
Hill Country Youth Event Center
7 a.m.
Information: https://www.texaseliteshowcase.com/show-1
Hosted by the Texas Pork Producers Association this youth show & sale is exclusive to the elite gilts of the certified Texas-bred registry. Featuring the state's best genetics, showcasing outstanding youth & elite CTBR Gilts.
“Now and Then”
Playhouse 2000 VK Garage Theater
Friday 7:30 p.m.
Zin to Win
Turtle Creek Olives and Vines, Kerrville
3 p.m.
Information: https://www.turtlecreekolivesandvines.com
This grape has it all, it’s seductive, decadent & passionate but also gives way to many styles. Almost deep in mystery and somewhat exotic. Perfect for Valentine’s Day and the red wine lover looking for enticement. Expect three love-themed educational stations of food & wine, created by our in-house sommelier.
