Good morning, Kerr County!
We’re almost there folks. It’s almost the weekend. There’s an allegation of rain tonight. We’re skeptical. The National Weather Service says there’s a 40% chance of rain tonight. However, the weekend forecast is looking good with highs in the mid-60s.
Welcome to The Lead's morning newsletter
Since Jan. 23, we've seen a substantial uptick in new subscribers to The Lead's weekday newsletter. We're glad you've decided to join us. If you're new, we may not be for everyone, but we believe in deeply reporting our stories and providing essential analysis about the community's most critical issues. At the same time, we ask you to consider upgrading your subscription to allow us to grow our fundamental mission to provide quality journalism to Kerr County and the Texas Hill Country.
All that we ask is you consider subscribing. You can do it risk-free, or you can subscribe with two of our paid plans:
- $5.99 per month, a 64% savings compared to other media outlets.
- $54.99 per year, a 73% savings compared to other media outlets.
- So, upgrade your subscription here: https://kerrcountylead.com/subscribe
So, we hope that you join us in our efforts to offer quality independent journalism in Kerr County.
On today’s The Lead Live
Jeanette Tilley will be our guest on today's The Lead Live at 9 a.m. |
Delayne Sigerman takes the helm of the show and will chat with Jeanette Tilley, a nurse at Regenesis — a Kerrville-based skincare practice. This follows our week of feeling good and looking good shows. Tilley is a longtime nurse who has worked all over Texas and has just recently moved into the practice of medical aesthetics. Should be a great show. Join us at 9 a.m.
On Friday’s episode of The Lead Live, we will be joined by Kerrville Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Julie Davis, Kerrville Farmers Market director Kayte Graham and members of the New Buddy Holly Band, who perform Saturday night at the Cailloux Theater.
Can’t find the link for the shows? Here you go: https://www.facebook.com/thekerrcountylead/live
Honoring four outstanding Kerrville community members
From left Jerry Hood, John Grimes, Alan Hill and Richard Ferris all gave mightily to this community. |
Kerrville, along with the Hill Country, lost four men in the last week who all gave mightily to this community through the years. On Tuesday night, during his invocation, Kerrville Mayor Bill Blackburn noted the loss of these men. Here’s our story about the passing of John Grimes, Richard Ferris, Alan Hill and Jerry Hood: https://kerrcountylead.com/the-loss-of-4-community-leaders-is-felt-in-kerr-county
Come to Texas, get COVID
That’s exactly what happened to singer Elton John who tested positive for COVID-19 after playing in Houston. John said he was experiencing mild symptoms but still postponed his concerts in Dallas, including one on Wednesday night.
In other COVID-related news
- Kerr County had two new deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday, driving fatalities this month here to 11. Here’s our story: https://kerrcountylead.com/kerr-county-s-covid-19-death-toll-climbs-to-11-people-in-january
- Kerrville Independent School District said it had 272 active cases of COVID-19 as of Wednesday. Tivy High School continues to be the top place for cases, with 67. Just how the virus has impacted the district is unclear, but a key thing to remember is that students have to be out 10 days. Other school districts across the state are faring far worse than Kerrville. Lewisville Independent School District, near Dallas, is shutting down for the rest of the week because they don’t have enough staff. The Texas Observer noted that more than 200 school districts have closed for some period of time in January to control the spread of the virus.
- Dallas television station WFAA reported that 95% of deaths at Parkland Hospital were unvaccinated. The hospital has had 658 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Things to make you smile
We received a nice gift from a little girl named Luna, 3, on Wednesday — some early valentines. Luna was with her mom at Pint and Plow, and we determined to give everyone a little bit of love.
 |
thekerrcountylead
1.0Kfollowers
|
 |
 View more on Instagram.
|
||
|
Sometimes you get little surprises like little valentines from a little girl named Luna.
|
||
The Kerrville Folk Festival announces its dates, lineup
 |
The Kerrville Folk Festival is slated to start its 50th anniversary season on May 26, and the nonprofit foundation that runs the festival partially announced the lineup.
Expected to perform, at least for now, will be: Kathleen Edwards, Darrell Scott, Eliza Gilkyson, David Ramirez (full band), Kyshona, Ron Artis II, The Deer, Mikaela DavisGuthrie Girls, Darden Smith, Susan Gibson and Walt Wilkins.
As usual, it’s an eclectic lineup of talented singers, songwriters and musicians. The 18-day festival will mark a return to its normal schedule after being disrupted by COVID-19. Tickets are already on sale: https://www.kerrvillefolkfestival.org/50th-tickets
Three of the acts we think we’d go see right now are:
Ron Artis II, a Hawaiian singer and songwriter, brings his mix of Delta Blues and Gospel music to the Hill Country.
Look, we like Bluegrass music. We’re not going to lie. So, we’re definitely getting in line to see the Austin-based group The Deer. Here’s a sample:
Rochester, New York’s Mikaela Davis plays the harp and sings. How many times have you seen that?
Things for your calendar
Friday, Jan. 28
The Kerrville Renaissance Festival
River Star Arts Park
10 a.m. 5 p.m. Friday-Sunday; Feb. 5-6
Family-friendly fun featuring: Last Chance Forever Birds of Prey Show, the music of Coal Black Rose, Vinland Texas Vikings, live glass blowing demos, eight stages of continuous entertainment, food, crafts, games and much more.
The Kerrville Farmer's Market
Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library campus, Water Street
4-6 p.m.
Stop by for some fresh produce, some salsa, maybe a bag of pecans or a sip of a beer. All of this and more.
Live music by Tim Porter & Gary Hatch
Cafe at the Ridge
6 p.m.
Live music by Davey Schrank
Southern Sky Music Cafe
6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 29
Market Days at La Escondida 1962
516 W Jefferson St N, Kerrville
Pick up a unique gift at La Escondida.
Live music by Harry Tetens
Cafe at the Ridge
6 p.m.
The New Buddy Holly Band
Cailloux Theater
7:30 p.m.
In their 11th year, The New Buddy Holly Band has become the Hill Country's favorite 1950s, and early/mid-60s hit machine. Celebrating the sound of their namesake and all the great bands that created Rock-n-Roll, they put on a show everyone can love.
More ways to connect with The Lead
♀️ Do you have a question about The Lead or an idea for a story? Email us here at news@kerrcountylead.com
Want to see some of our best photography? Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekerrcountylead
Don't miss our podcasts by following us on:
Watch The Lead Live at 9 a.m. weekdays
Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/kerrcountylead
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekerrcountylead/
