Latest articles - Bandera Bulletin

CORRECTION

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:18 -0500

In our June 24 article on the Juneteenth event, The Bulletin neglected to mention that The Frontier Times Museum, Bandera County Historical Commission and The Silver Sage Senior Center were organizers of this annual event. The Bulletin apologizes for the omission.

City delays sign ordinance vote for broader review

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:17 -0500

Bandera City Council began the process of revising the city’s sign ordinance on June 23, with officials considering amendments that would grandfather existing projecting signs used by local businesses. However, Council Member Debbie Breen said the proposed changes should be part of a broader review of the ordinance.

Under the current ordinance, projecting signs are effectively prohibited through several provisions, including restrictions on variances, prohibitions against unauthorized sign types, and regulations governing nonconforming signs.

The issue first surfaced during the May 26 council meeting, when Council Member Lynn Palmer criticized the ordinance as overly burdensome for local businesses.

“I don’t know why we have to make it so hard for our businesses in the city of Bandera to get a sign up,” Palmer said. “I don’t know why it’s such a huge hassle.”

Palmer argued that business owners should not have to visit City Hall and seek a variance simply to install a sign.

“They should be able to put up a sign without even coming,” she said.

City Secretary Jill Dickerson agreed and asked the council to direct staff to draft an amendment that would grandfather existing projecting signs, including one located on the J&S Liquor store building, for future council consideration.

At the June 23 meeting, council members reviewed proposed amendments that would formally define projecting signs, establish size regulations for such signs in both single commercial buildings and commercial complexes, and address how nonconforming signs are treated under the ordinance.

The proposed definition describes a projecting sign as one attached to a building wall, canopy, marquee, or similar structure that extends more than 12 inches from the surface to which it is attached. Such signs are typically mounted perpendicular to or at an angle from a building and are designed to be visible from multiple directions.

Before moving forward with a vote, however, Breen urged the council to take a more comprehensive approach.

“I think we should go ahead and do this, but I think it needs to be taken further,” Breen said. “The whole thing needs to be reviewed. I think we’ve put too many inconvenient requests on it.”

City Administrator Toni Kunz told the council that businesses affected by the ordinance had already been informed of the proposed amendment. She also suggested postponing formal action until a broader revision of the sign ordinance could be completed.

Council members agreed to delay the vote. Kunz is expected to work with the city’s legal counsel to revise the ordinance and address restrictions that council members believe may be unnecessarily burdensome to local businesses.

Bandera City Council Member Debbie Breen addresses the council during discussion of proposed revisions to the city's sign ordinance. BULLETIN PHOTO/ Veronica Rector

Kerrville's MacDonald to lead new Classroom Commission

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:16 -0500

Former classroom teacher and Kerrville resident Courtney Boswell Mac-Donald will lead the newly created Texas Classroom Commission, a teacher-led advisory group launched by Gov. Greg Abbott on July 7 to develop recommendations aimed at strengthening public education ahead of the 90th Texas Legislature.

Abbott said the commission will build on recent state investments in public education and teacher compensation by placing educators at the center of future policy discussions.

“Texas teachers know what their students need to succeed,' Abbott said. “The Texas Classroom Commission will bring together exemplary public school educators to identify innovative solutions that help students succeed, improve the learning environment in classrooms, and strengthen our schools. By empowering those on the front lines of education, we will build on Texas’ success and ensure our state becomes the national leader in the education of our kids.”

The commission will consist of current and retired public school classroom teachers from across Texas. Members will develop recommendations for the governor, the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Legislature before the start of the 90th Legislative Session. According to the governor's office, the group's work will focus on bolstering classroom instruction, supporting teachers, improving the learning environment and ensuring Texas students are prepared to succeed.

MacDonald currently serves as chair of the State Board for Educator Certification. She previously worked on the Senate Education Committee and has served as executive director of Texans for Education Reform, the Texas Institute for Education Reform and Texas Aspires. Before entering education policy, she taught mathematics in Richardson ISD and Dallas ISD.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in fashion and communications and a secondary education certification from Texas Christian University before receiving a Master of Public Policy in education policy from Vanderbilt University.

Abbott said the commission follows what he described as historic investments in public education and teacher pay made in recent legislative sessions by his office, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows and the Texas Legislature.

Patrick said teachers should play a central role in shaping future education policy.

“Texas remains committed to delivering for our public school students and teachers,' Patrick said. 'Other than a parent, no person is more influential in a child's development than a teacher. Under my leadership, we have raised teacher salaries, provided additional resources in the classroom, and supported teachers in maintaining discipline in the classroom. That is why we must empower teachers to make recommendations to improve public education through the Texas Classroom Commission, so our students can achieve even better educational outcomes.”

Burrows also praised the formation of the commission.

“Texas teachers play a foundational role in shaping the next generation, making their work essential to our state’s future,” Burrows said. “Last session, the Texas Legislature made an unprecedented investment in public education, providing permanent teacher pay raises, increasing funding for the Teacher Incentive Allotment, and giving educators more authority in their classrooms. I look forward to Governor Abbott’s Texas Classroom Commission building on that progress with recommendations that help Texas students receive the best education in the nation.”

The Texas Classroom Commission is expected to begin meeting in the coming weeks and deliver its recommendations before lawmakers convene for the 90th Legislative Session.

Farm Bureau urges animal owners to watch for New World screwworm

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:12 -0500

The Bandera County Farm Bureau is urging livestock owners, pet owners and other Texans to routinely inspect their animals for signs of New World screwworm and report any suspected cases immediately.

New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. Infestations can affect cattle, horses, sheep, goats, wildlife, pets and, in rare cases, humans.

'Early detection and reporting are critical to stopping the spread of New World screwworm,' Bandera County Farm Bureau President Booker Young said. 'We encourage animal owners to routinely check their animals and contact animal health officials if they suspect an infestation.'

Unlike common maggots that feed on dead tissue, New World screwworm larvae burrow into healthy tissue, creating painful wounds that can quickly worsen if left untreated.

Farm Bureau officials said animal owners should watch for wounds that appear larger than expected, fail to heal properly or produce drainage or a foul odor. Other warning signs include animals showing irritation around a wound, loss of appetite, isolation from the herd or flock, or excessive head shaking.

Because screwworm flies are attracted to open wounds, livestock owners are encouraged to closely monitor animals with cuts, scratches, tick bites and other injuries. Prompt wound care and consultation with a veterinarian can help reduce the risk of infestation and improve outcomes if a case is detected. Bandera County Farm Bureau encourages farmers, ranchers and pet owners to make routine animal inspections part of their regular management practices.

'Taking a few minutes to check animals can help identify potential problems early and support ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of the pest,' Young said. 'The sooner a suspected case is identified and investigated, the better the opportunity to contain and eradicate New World screwworm.'

Suspected infestations in livestock or pets should be reported to the Texas Animal Health Commission at 800-550-8242.

Suspected infestations in wildlife should be reported to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Additional information, situation updates and reporting resources are available at screwworm.gov.

City hires new code compliance officer

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:11 -0500

Editor’s Note: A version of this story originally appeared online.

The City of Bandera has hired Teri Dollar as its new code compliance officer, bringing decades of experience in law enforcement, county government and municipal code enforcement to the position.

City officials announced the appointment last week, saying Dollar is licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and holds Code Enforcement and Property Maintenance Inspector licenses.

'We're excited to welcome Teri Dollar to the City of Bandera team,' City Administrator Toni Kunz said in a statement. 'Teri is currently licensed by the State of Texas through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and she brings a wealth of experience to the position. We look forward to her knowledge, professionalism and dedication as we continue to enhance our community awareness, outreach and service.'

Dollar said she is eager to work with residents while helping preserve the city's character.

'I was born and raised in Texas, and I love Bandera,' Dollar said. 'After working in law enforcement and county government for a couple of decades, I found a career in municipal planning and development, specifically code enforcement.'

Dollar said she looks forward to helping implement the city's vision for code compliance.

'I currently have my Code Enforcement and Property Maintenance Inspector licenses,' she said. 'I look forward to our new vision of code compliance and working with our citizens to keep Bandera the unique city that was founded to be.'

Teri Dollar

Sheriff’s Arrests

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:10 -0500

Editor’s note – Readers are reminded that an arrest is not an indication of guilt. People are presumed innocent after an arrest until convicted.

Although reasonable care is taken, clerical errors may exist.

In the section where those individuals who are arrested and booked are listed, law enforcement entities are denoted by the following abbreviations: SO – Sheriff’s Office; BTM – Bandera Town Marshal; DPS – Texas Department of Public Safety; PCT – Precinct/ Constable; TPW – Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Jerry David Romero, 43, of Boerne was arrested on June 30 for terroristic threat of a family/household member.

Amanda Neome Dering, 37, of Bandera was arrested on July 1 for unauthorized use of a vehicle.

Juan Alberto Gonzalez, 43, of Bandera was arrested on July 2 on a local warrant.

Jonathan Earl Ross, 40, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was arrested on July 2 on a felony warrant from another agency.

Katherine Leigh Lee, 46, of Bastrop was arrested on July 3 for criminal trespass.

Jaime Ernesto Farela, 34, of Bandera was arrested on July 6 for possession of a controlled substance (PG 2 < 1G) and a felony warrant from another agency.

Billie Jean Medlock, 29, of Comanche was arrested on July 6 on a felony warrant from another agency.

Group calls for changes in Medina Lake water management

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:09 -0500

A longtime Medina County conservation group is calling for the closure of the century-old Bexar-Medina- Atascosa (BMA) Irrigation District canal system, which receives water from Medina Lake, arguing that the district's water management practices have prevented the lake from recovering from years of drought.

Medina Lake was constructed primarily as an irrigation reservoir in 1912 and currently serves approximately 300 to 500 farmers, who purchase irrigation water for $36 per acre-foot.

Conservation advocates say that this model no longer reflects the region's population growth, the economic importance of the lake to surrounding communities or Medina Lake's role in recharging the Edwards and Upper Trinity aquifers.

'We were down to 2 percent full at one point,' local homeowner and conservation advocate Rachel Mulherin said. 'We are now up to 5.8 percent full.

'Much of the water released from the dam is sent through 312 miles of canals to farmers and ranchers, who have not received any irrigation water for almost four years. We estimate that about 75 percent of the water released from Medina Lake is wasted. Of course, we don't know exactly how much is wasted because BMA refuses to install meters on the dam to measure releases. They also refuse to publish when they open the dam gates to release water. All in all, no one benefits from this.'

Mulherin, along with local Realtor Michelle Reichle and Sunset Resort at Medina Lake co-owner Sarah Voss, said they hope to meet with BMA stakeholders to discuss changes to how the lake is managed.

'BMA has a conservation level that they do not abide by,' Reichle said. 'We have approached the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality with that, and nothing.'

Reichle said she is also concerned about the impact low lake levels have had on fish and wildlife.

'Ten years ago, after we got out of the drought, Texas Parks and Wildlife restocked the lake with fish,' Reichle said. 'Now, the fish are confined to a very small part of the water. All the animals are having to travel farther to find water. It affects everything.'

Reichle, who sells waterfront properties around Medina Lake, said declining water levels have also affected the local economy.

'I'm selling waterfront properties with hardly any water,' Reichle said. 'Our lake used to draw people in. It's taken a toll on our local businesses. Thankfully, Sunset Resort is located on the best water.'

The conservation group is proposing a transition from surface water irrigation to groundwater by installing wells closer to agricultural properties, a proposal the group said is supported by a 2024 U.S. Geological Survey study.

According to the group, the study found that Medina Lake contributes significantly more recharge to the Edwards and Upper Trinity aquifers when the lake remains fuller. The group said recharge ranges from about 200 acre-feet per day when the lake is full to about 7 acre-feet per day when the lake is nearly empty.

'We honestly thought it would never happen again when we went dry 10 years ago,' Reichle said. 'But here we are 10 years later, and they've drained the lake again.'

The conservation group also contends Medina Lake has experienced water quality issues because of what it describes as an antiquated dirt canal system.

The group's concerns come as BMA continues to face legal disputes with the San Antonio Water System. In 2024, BMA asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by SAWS seeking to invalidate a long-term water supply agreement. SAWS alleges it has been required to pay for water BMA has been unable to deliver, while BMA disputes those claims.

In February 2025, the Fourth Court of Appeals ruled that the trial court should first consider BMA's jurisdictional arguments before allowing discovery to proceed.

'One of the problems is that only BMA district voters have a say,' Mulherin said. 'Stakeholders, including SAWS and waterfront property owners, don't get a say in how the water is managed.'

State Rep. Wes Virdell, whose office the group contacted, issued the following statement to the Bandera Bulletin: 'Our research confirms that Medina Lake was originally constructed as an agricultural reservoir to support the region's farming needs and food production. While recreation has become a cherished secondary benefit for countless families and visitors, the priority remains preserving its primary agricultural purpose until any change is formally evaluated and determined through the appropriate process.

'As a kid who grew up on the water, and with my granddad serving as the chief designer for Glastron for 30 years, I love being on a lake. I want to see all lakes full year-round, but that often isn't the case.

'Water in Texas has become as precious as oil. With each legislative session we are trying to address the complicated water issues facing Texans. That is why I joined the Texas Water Caucus to search for realistic solutions such as SB 616, which supports an increased water supply for the Edwards Aquifer through an amendment authorizing aquifer storage and recovery projects. We will address similar concerns in the next session as well.

'In the interim, we welcome ideas for resolutions directly from the people. Please call or email our office with any recommendations at 830-730-5925 or district53.virdell@house. texas.gov.

'Additionally, if someone upstream of Medina Lake is inappropriately using the water, it needs to be addressed. If folks are illegally pulling water from the lake, that also needs to be addressed. If you know of someone doing this, please let my staff know so we can notify the proper agency.'

The Bandera Bulletin reached out to BMA for comment but had not received a response by press time.

More information about the conservation group's efforts is available at Save-MedinaLake.com.

Safety group, Virdell urge TxDOT to expedite 46 improvements

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:07 -0500

Support continues to grow for planned safety improvements along Texas 46 West, with a national motorcycle safety organization and State Rep. Wes Virdell both urging the Texas Department of Transportation to move quickly on the project.

In separate letters sent within days of each other to TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and Virdell called for the immediate implementation of planned safety upgrades on Texas 46 between State Highway 16 in Bandera County and Interstate 10 in Boerne.

The proposed improvements include a 4-foot centerline buffer, centerline rumble strips and Jersey barriers at Webster's Corner, a stretch of highway that has been the site of numerous serious, even fatal, crashes.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation, a national nonprofit organization sponsored by major motorcycle manufacturers including BMW, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha, said the corridor is heavily traveled by motorcyclists and other motorists.

'The safety concerns on this route are well documented,' Scott P. Schloegel, the foundation's senior vice president of government relations, wrote in the June 30 letter. 'For motorcyclists in particular, roadway design, visibility, and unpredictable behavior by car drivers have a direct impact on crash avoidance and injury severity.'

The organization cited TxDOT crash data showing 244 crashes on the corridor between 2021 and 2025, including six fatal crashes.

It said the proposed improvements are consistent with accepted roadway safety strategies and would provide additional protection at high-risk locations.

'MSF, as the country's leading safety resource and advocate for motorcyclist safety, respectfully urges that these improvements be implemented as quickly as possible in the interest of all road users, including motorcyclists,' Schloegel wrote.

The following day, Virdell sent his own letter to Williams voicing support for the project on behalf of House District 53 residents.

'This corridor is one of the most heavily traveled roadways in the Texas Hill Country and serves residents, commuters, emergency responders, tourists, and thousands of motorcyclists who travel this route each year,' Virdell wrote. 'Unfortunately, the crash history on this stretch of highway demonstrates an urgent and unacceptable public safety concern.'

Virdell described the proposed improvements as 'lifesaving interventions' and said they should be prioritized.

'The proposed improvements — including a fourfoot centerline buffer, centerline rumble strips, and Jersey barriers at Webster's Corner — represent practical, proven measures that will significantly enhance safety for all users of this roadway,' Virdell wrote. 'These improvements are not merely transportation upgrades; they are lifesaving interventions.'

The representative said he has heard directly from constituents, local officials, first responders and members of the motorcycling community who have advocated for safety improvements along the highway.

'I respectfully urge the Texas Department of Transportation to prioritize and expedite these improvements and any additional repairs necessary to address hazardous conditions along this corridor,' Virdell wrote. 'Protecting the traveling public must remain our highest priority, and immediate action on SH 46 is both warranted and necessary.'

The latest endorsements add to a growing list of local governments and organizations backing the project. Earlier this year, Bandera County, Kendall County and the Boerne Independent School District each approved resolutions supporting the safety improvements.

UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:06 -0500

SUNDAY, JULY 12

• Sunday Horseback Ride & Chuckwagon Breakfast, 9-11 a.m., Major Hope Corral, 830-328-2203. Enjoy a guided horseback ride, cowboy breakfast and live music. Reservations are required.

• Live Music, 1:30 p.m., First National Ice Haus, 646-734-9754. Wrap up the weekend with the Listening Room series featuring live music in downtown Bandera.

• Salsa, Lies & Alibis, 6 p.m., Monte Alteza Tapas & Wine Garden, 210-889-1000. Enjoy a murder mystery dinner theater presented by Boerne Community Theatre with plenty of laughs and suspense.

MONDAY, JULY 13 • Garden Club, Bandera Kronkosky Public Library, 830-796-4213. Join fellow gardening enthusiasts for the library's monthly Garden Club meeting.

TUESDAY, JULY 14

• Wagon Rides, Campfires & S'mores, Flying L Ranch Resort, 830-796-7745. Enjoy wagon rides, campfires, s'mores and family-friendly fun in the Texas Hill Country.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15 • Wagon Rides, Campfires & S'mores, Flying L Ranch Resort, 830-796-7745. Family-friendly outdoor fun with wagon rides and campfire treats.

• Steak Night, 6 p.m., 11th Street Cowboy Bar, 830-796-4849. Bring your favorite cut of meat and grill it yourself at this weekly Bandera tradition.

THURSDAY, JULY 16

• Wagon Rides, Campfires & S'mores, Flying L Ranch Resort, 830-796-7745. Enjoy an evening of wagon rides, campfires and s'mores.

• Summer Reading Program, 10:30 a.m., Bandera Kronkosky Public Library. Weekly themed summer reading activities for children.

• Happy Hour, 4-6 p.m., River Oaks Courts, Medina, 830-246-2220. Enjoy discounted drinks and appetizers at the Art House Gallery & Café.

FRIDAY, JULY 17

• Wagon Rides, Campfires & S'mores, Flying L Ranch Resort, 830-796-7745. Family-friendly evening activities in the Texas Hill Country.

• Happy Hour, 4-6 p.m., River Oaks Courts, Medina, 830-246-2220. Relax with drinks, appetizers and live music on Fridays.

• Riding on Faith Rodeo, 6 p.m., Mansfield Park Rodeo Arena. Weekly summer rodeo featuring bull riding, barrel racing and family entertainment.

• Live Music, 9 p.m., 11th Street Cowboy Bar, 830-796 4849. Enjoy another night of live country music as part of the venue's July concert lineup.

SATURDAY, JULY 19

• Monthly Shooting Matches, Bandera Gun Club, 210-287 3785. Monthly shooting competitions welcome participants of all experience levels.

• Wagon Rides, Campfires & S'mores, Flying L Ranch Resort, 830-796-7745. Outdoor family fun with wagon rides and campfire treats.

• 3rd Saturday Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sheepwalk Ranch. Shop local vendors offering fresh produce, handmade goods and artisan products.

• Cowboys on Main, 10 a.m. and noon, Western Trail Heritage Park. Experience Old West demonstrations and cowboy heritage in downtown Bandera.

• Bandera Gunfighters,

11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Rattlesnake Ridge. Familyfriendly Old West shootout

reenactments.

• Happy Hour, 4-6 p.m., River Oaks Courts, Medina, 830-246-2220. Enjoy discounted drinks and appetizers at the Art House Gallery & Café.

• Live Music, 9 p.m., 11th Street Cowboy Bar, 830-796-4849. Live country music continues as part of the July entertainment lineup.

Growing Up in Bandera

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:05 -0500

Gracie, the young giraffe that captured attention across the Texas Hill Country after wandering away from Cedar Hollow Ranch earlier this month, has been found safe after nearly two weeks on the loose.

Real County Sheriff Nathan Johnson announced Friday that an aerial search located the 3½- to 4-yearold reticulated giraffe about 4 miles south of Cedar Hollow Ranch near Leakey.

'Mr. Jones has contacted his veterinarian and is putting a team together to safely capture Gracie and bring her home,' Johnson wrote in a Facebook post announcing the discovery.

Ranch owner Vick Jones, with assistance from Concho Aviation, used helicopters and other aerial resources to locate the giraffe after days of searching rugged Hill Country terrain.

Gracie escaped the ranch June 12 after wandering through a gate and into a nearby canyon before making her way into the surrounding brush. The giraffe was last photographed on a game camera before disappearing into dense vegetation, prompting a multiagency search involving the Real County Sheriff's Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Real County Animal Rescue-Shelter.

A $5,000 reward was offered for information leading to her safe return.

The search briefly took an unexpected turn earlier in the week when media reports incorrectly stated Gracie had been found. Sheriff Johnson later clarified that the report was false and that the search remained active until Friday's successful aerial sighting.

According to Johnson, Gracie appeared to be in good condition when she was found. He later told media outlets the giraffe was 'fat and happy.'

The unusual search attracted national attention and sparked a wave of lighthearted social media posts throughout the Hill Country.

In Bandera County, businesses and organizations joined the fun with AI-generated images imagining Gracie around town. Bandera Electric Cooperative joked that the giraffe had been recruited to help with utility line work, Hyo Silver posted that she had wandered outside its storefront, and Bandera Brewery pictured Gracie relaxing in its beer garden.

The posts spread widely across social media as residents followed the search and hoped for Gracie's safe return.

Cedar Hollow Ranch, near Leakey, is home to hundreds of exotic animals, including giraffes, impalas, Nubian ibexes and bongo antelope. The ranch has housed giraffes for more than 30 years, and Jones previously said the steep terrain had typically kept them from leaving the property.

Council members discuss goals, address tensions

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:02 -0500

Concerns from residents about tensions among members of the Bandera City Council have prompted questions about how those disagreements could affect city business and future projects.

To address those concerns, The Bulletin asked each council member the following questions:

• What are your top three goals for the City of Bandera?

• What initiatives or projects would you like to accomplish during your term?

• How do you respond to concerns from residents regarding the tone and productivity of recent council meetings?

• Do you foresee changes that could improve collaboration and effectiveness moving forward? The following responses were provided by council members who responded to The Bulletin's request: Council Member Lynn Palmer “Good questions. All can be answered at a public meeting. Have an awesome day.”

Council Member Debbie Breen “My goals have always been transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility. This is the platform that we ran on, what the voters wanted and one that we are determined to achieve. To peruse these goals we have had to traverse a lot of obstacles that have been thrown at us, starting with outright refusal to swear us in after the election in a timely matter. Once sworn in, we continue to deal with issues such as not allowing requested items on the agenda, no response to emails requesting information, not informing council of issues effecting the City, restricting access to City Hall and the list goes on and on.

My top initiatives are securing a new waste water treatment site and the building of that plant, repairing/replacing the crumbling infrastructure and repairing our roads within our town. Unfortunately, all of these require a lot of money, and all are a slow process, but these are the priorities for me. The city will not be able to accomplish all of these in my term, but hopefully we can establish a path of priority to these projects and we can secure the land for the new waste water treatment plant.

The City Council meetings have been very productive and contagious at times. The majority of that is due to City Hall not wanting to cooperate with Council. The Mayor, not the Council, determines what is on the agenda at City Council meetings. Council members can request items to appear on the agenda. If two members of council request the same item to be on an agenda, it should appear there, but I have found, in this term, that not to be the case on several instances. I will give an example: we have been requesting a budget workshop since Jan 2026 and it is finally appearing on June 30th. If City business is not appearing on the agenda, the Mayor should be questioned, not City Council.

I do see change on the horizon. We have had to get through some tough topics in the meetings and behind the scenes. I think we are about to turn a corner on all that. We hired a City Administrator that is very aware of the issues (and politics) plaguing Bandera. Toni will bring focus, efficiency, oversight, and a vision to City Hall that it has been lacking for some time.”

Council Member Jeff Flowers “My focus for the remainder of my term isn’t on political positioning, as I will not be seeking re-election this November. My priority is simply to finish my service cleanly. To answer your questions plainly and without the usual political fluff: On Goals and Initiatives: My primary focus is finishing out current infrastructure and safety discussions responsibly.

However, looking at the bigger picture, the City of Bandera, a small municipality of fewer than 900 (if that) full-time residents, is facing a structural crisis. Roughly one-third of our entire budget is swallowed up by law enforcement alone, leaving very little for critical municipal needs and infrastructure. Over the last four years, the city has made great strides in actively seeking and winning grants, but even those come with a 10 to 20 percent matching cost that is difficult for our city to cover, despite how necessary the project may be.

Furthermore, we seemingly now have more shortterm rental properties within city limits than permanent residents. We are a tiny town trying to fund full municipal operations on a shrinking resident tax base, while our taxpayers are getting double-dipped on taxes by both the city and the county with very little to show for it from the county side. If I had my way, the most fiscally responsible move for the taxpayers would be to dissolve the city entirely and turn operations over to Bandera County to eliminate this duplicate tax burden.

On Council Tone and Collaboration: The contention residents are seeing at meetings is a direct symptom of people focusing heavily on personal vendettas rather than actual care for the community. Municipal governance relies on professional behavior. When individuals approach city business with personal agendas or antagonistic behavior, they shouldn’t be surprised by the reactions that behavior provokes.

When unity, trust, collaboration, objectivity and basic civility are severed, the focus on the important things gets lost in the smoke and mirrors. I completely understand why residents are frustrated; they deserve efficiency, not hypocrisy and double standards.

Furthermore, the city is a governing body. As elected officials, we are chosen to represent the people, but we also have a fundamental duty to protect and support the integrity of the governing body itself. Progress will never be made as long as elected representatives keep approaching their duties solely through a resident's lens. Acting as if everything the city does is inherently bad is counterproductive; it causes deep discouragement and lowers morale among city employees who do not feel valued. You cannot effectively run a government if you treat the institution itself as the primary enemy.

My approach for my remaining few months is to stick strictly to the numbers, important agenda items, and help wrap up immediate business before November when new council members step in.”

Former city marshal not named in state probe

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0500

RETRACTION

Former Bandera City Marshal Nancy De Foster is not the focus of any state probe into allegations of voter fraud in spite of a story that ran in the July 1, 2026, edition of the Bandera Bulletin titled “Bandera election fraud focuses on former city marshal.”

The story did not contain pertinent information about the full scope of the investigation and communiques from state officials obtained through public-records requests reviewed by a senior editor confirm no complaints exist that name De Foster.

A letter to De Foster from the Texas Attorney General’s Office provided to the Bulletin states: “Ms. De Foster, the request you made in December was whether our office has received any complaints accusing you of voter fraud. Our Criminal Investigation Division did not locate any complaints accusing you (De Foster) of voter fraud.”

Another open-records request with the Texas Department of Public Safety also indicates De Foster is not found in any investigatory records and refers further inquiries to the attorney general.

While voting records following the November election were requested from Bandera County officials by state investigators during an inquiry, a DPS official quoted in the story never directly or formally named De Foster, only “an individual.”

Due to an editing error, a paraphrased sentence appeared in the story that incorrectly linked DPS to De Foster.

In addition, follow-up letters from DPS and the attorney general provided by De Foster and reviewed by the senior editor reported “there are no responsive records” and “no information responsive to your request,” respectively, when De Foster submitted a public-information request about any potential probe naming her.

A subsequent conversation De Foster had with state law enforcement officials also indicated no charges exist and that she is not identified in their records.

The Bulletin did make several attempts when producing the story to obtain verification from the attorney general, but the state agency remained unavailable for comment.

“The Bulletin regrets any distress caused to Ms. De Foster. That was not the paper’s intent in any shape or form,” said Thomas Edwards, executive editor for Granite Media Partners Inc., which owns the Bulletin.

Bulletin Managing Editor Daniel Tucker and Area Reporter Veronica Rector expressed their regrets.

“Both of us extend our apologies to Nancy De Foster for the Bulletin’s error,” they said in a joint statement.

Conflicting accounts over City Hall access, CJIS policy fuel tensions

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Conflicting explanations from city officials regarding Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) certification requirements have raised questions about whether the policy was consistently applied — and whether city leaders have accurately represented the reasons behind it.

At the June 23 City Council meeting, City Attorney Matt Groves and City Administrator Toni Kunz told council members that CJIS certification was necessary because the Marshal's Office, which is located inside City Hall, was not always secured. Because criminal justice information is stored in the office, officials said certification was required before council members could be granted unescorted access to portions of City Hall.

Mayor Denise Griffin reviews the city’s budget at the June 30 Bandera City Council meeting. BULLETIN PHOTO/ Veronica Rector

However, City Marshal Earl Heidelberg offered a different account.

In an email to the Bandera Bulletin, Heidelberg stated that the Marshal's Office remains locked whenever it is unoccupied, directly contradicting assertions that unrestricted access to City Hall could expose individuals to criminal justice information.

'Under my tenure as Marshal, the Marshal's office is locked at all times when no one is in the office,' Heidelberg wrote. 'The Mayor or any other city employee has never had unescorted access to the Marshal's Office. When no one is in the Marshal's Office the door is locked and no one can enter, therefore no one has unescorted access to the office.'

The conflicting statements have fueled frustration among council members Debbie Breen, Deanna Mc-Cabe and Tammy Morrow, who say they were never informed of the CJIS certification requirement during the six months City Secretary Jill Dickerson served as interim city administrator.

While all three council members said they have no objection to obtaining certification if required, they questioned why the issue surfaced only after repeated requests for access to City Hall and whether the policy has been applied equally.

A central point of contention is Mayor Denise Griffin's access to City Hall. Council members have argued that Griffin possesses a door code and has enjoyed access privileges unavailable to other elected officials despite not holding CJIS certification.

Griffin has maintained that she has never had unescorted access to either the Municipal Court or the Marshal's Office.

Council Member Deanna McCabe said the issue extends beyond certification itself and into questions of transparency and consistency.

'I do believe there is, and has been, preferential treatment regarding access to City Hall,' McCabe wrote in an email to the Bulletin. 'I only learned of this CJIS certification requirement this month, over six months into my term.'

McCabe said she was also surprised to learn during the June 23 meeting that she could potentially be provided a code to access the interior door during business hours.

'This was the first time I was made aware of that as well,' she said.

The dispute comes amid broader tensions over council members' access to City Hall. McCabe, Morrow and Breen have previously expressed frustration over being instructed to state the purpose of their visits to administrative staff members Jaki Peterson and Stephanie Biggs before accessing certain areas of the building.

Emails obtained by the Bandera Bulletin through a Texas Public Information Act request show that policy was in place months before the recent dispute.

In a March 10 email sent to all council members, Griffin wrote that City Hall employees had been instructed 'to ask ALL persons who want to come into city hall what is the purpose of their visit and who do they want to see.'

'This is being done so that whatever staff person is being visited will get a heads up that someone will be coming in. Not that anyone is trying to hide anything but sometimes they are involved in something that can not and should not be interrupted,' Griffin wrote.

'There are times when employees and myself are on calls or in meetings and can not have others just walking into our offices un-announced.'

Griffin asked that 'the council members, as well as any other citizen, politely tell either of the employees up front who and why they are coming so that they can then notify that staff person accordingly.'

A month later, Griffin reiterated the policy in an April 8 email to Council Member Debbie Breen after Breen visited City Hall.

'I understand that you visited City Hall today and I would ask again that you, as well as any other person coming in to city hall, politely speak to the staff up front to let them know who you are coming to see so that the staff member can make sure that person who you want to see is available,' Griffin wrote.

'When you come in and go straight to the inside door and just order the staff to 'Open the door', it is rude and shows total disregard to the employees up front and also the other staff in the back offices.'

'Ordering the ladies up front to 'Open the door' in a derogatory tone will not be accepted. It makes the staff uncomfortable and sets a hostile work environment.'

Griffin also wrote that if the situation occurred again, 'the Marshalls office will be called over.' She informed Breen that council member mailboxes had been moved to the front office 'so that mail can be picked up easily and quickly.'

McCabe said the policy has made it unnecessarily difficult for council members to perform their duties.

'Entering City Hall as a councilmember is part of our job,' McCabe said. 'It is disheartening that the mayor is more concerned about an employee getting their feelings hurt because they are 'not properly greeted' than an elected official wanting to do their job and getting resistance every step of the way.'

McCabe also challenged whether CJIS certification is legally required for general access to City Hall, stating she contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation for clarification before the June 23 meeting.

'It is my understanding CJIS applies to access to criminal justice information, not general building entry,' McCabe said. 'City Hall is a public government building. Elected officials, like councilmembers, have broad rights to access it for official duties.'

McCabe acknowledged that CJIS training, background checks and additional agreements could be required if a council member sought access to secure areas housing criminal justice information, such as the Marshal's Office, records rooms or law enforcement computer systems.

The certification dispute emerged during a pair of council meetings that also highlighted ongoing disagreements over staffing and city operations.

In other business, council members at the June 23 and June 30 meetings discussed revisions to qualifications for the city treasurer position, ultimately agreeing to waive the requirement for a related bachelor's degree if applicants possessed sufficient accounting experience.

Council members also revisited personnel issues involving City Administrative Assistant Stephanie Biggs, whose resignation letter — obtained by the Bulletin through a public information request — cited concerns about working under the newly elected council.

In the May 26 letter addressed to City Secretary Jill Dickerson, Biggs wrote that she was resigning effective June 5.

'This decision has not been made lightly. Serving the citizens of Bandera and working alongside the dedicated staff at City Hall has been both meaningful and rewarding. I have always taken pride in performing my duties with professionalism, integrity, and a genuine commitment to the community.'

Biggs wrote that she had 'concluded that I can no longer effectively continue in my role under the current direction and working environment established by the newly elected members of City Council.'

She continued: 'Unfortunately, it has become apparent through public statements, actions, and the overall approach toward City Hall staff that we have been prejudged as either ineffective or dishonest before any effort was made to understand the operations, challenges, or individuals involved in carrying out the daily work of the City.'

Biggs also wrote that 'the absence of a clearly communicated vision for the City's future and the role staff would play in achieving that vision has made it increasingly difficult to effectively perform my duties with the level of confidence and support necessary for successful municipal operations.'

Concluding the letter, Biggs wrote: 'Effective local government depends upon mutual respect, transparency, collaboration, and shared purpose between elected officials and professional staff. At this time, I no longer believe those conditions exist in a manner that allows me to continue serving as effectively as the residents of Bandera deserve.'

Biggs later withdrew her resignation after discussions with Kunz.

Without initially naming Biggs during the June 30 meeting, Council Member Tammy Morrow criticized the decision to allow the employee to return.

'I mean, it looked to me like they were toddlers throwing a fit because they didn't get their way,' Morrow said. 'And then they realized no one else threw the fit with them. So, they wanted to come back.'

Morrow later said she wanted an explanation for why the employee had returned after citing concerns involving the newly elected council.

'We have changed — and her whole resignation was about the newly elected council, and we are still here,' Morrow said. 'We haven't changed our choices, our appointments, our decisions.'

Groves advised council members they could not publicly discuss matters involving a specific employee during the meeting.

In a statement to the Bulletin, Biggs said her decision to remain with the city followed discussions with Kunz.

'Toni and I had a great conversation — we were both very open and candid,' Biggs said. 'Toni stated she is committed to improving the working relationship between City Council and city staff. I have agreed to remain in my current role and give her the opportunity to succeed.'

Council members say they are seeking clearer policies and consistent enforcement. Whether the certification requirement stems from security concerns, administrative practice or a misunderstanding of federal guidelines remains a matter of continuing disagreement among city officials and elected leaders.

Patriotic pets prance at park for pet parade

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Dozens of four-legged contestants participated in Bandera’s 30th annual Pet Parade on Saturday, July 4. Sponsored by the Cowboy Capital Pet Assistance League (CCPAL), this event welcomes pets of all sorts to participate in a pageant of patriotic cuteness.

Karen Hensley, a volunteer with CCPAL, provided The Bulletin with the final results.

Best of Show went to Moon Pie, a golden doodle shown by Leene Bauxbeannes of Bandera. Moon Pie is known to do agility jumps and other amazing tricks.

Most Creative went to Eddy, Gus, Rusty, Reese, Cooper and Penny – 1 sheepdog, three mutts and two Labradors. These critters were shown by The Rainey and Wilson Family of Houston and Pipe Creek.

First Place for Star-Spangled went to Lilo, a West Highland Terrier shown by Roxane Deluna of Boerne. Lilo loves parties and biscuits.

Second Place for Star-Spangled went to Echo, Lucy, Sully, and Neo – Anatolians, a St. Bernard, and a Chi-Poo shown by Greg and Amanda White of Floresville. All the dogs are rescues.

Third Place for Star-Spangled went to Princess, a Yorkie shown by Jessica Schessiger of Bandera. Princess is currently training to become a service dog.

Star-Spangled First Place winner Lady Liberty Lilo (main) and Karen Hensley, Lew Pewterbaugh, Mickie Carnes, Jennie Bourland, Meloney Ramsieur (inset) at Bandera's 30th annual Pet Parade.

Look-alike First Place went to Junebug, a Min Pin shown by Hannah McCurtney of Bandera. Junebug knows the tricks heel, sit, stay, shake, and is working on puppy agility.

Look-alike Second Place went to Casey, a Siberian Husky shown by Princess Miller of Bandera. Casey was rescued by Princess after she was found wandering the streets of Bandera.

Most Talented First Place went to Duke, a Labrador- Border Collie Mix shown by Hanna Basinger of Bandera.

Most Original Pet First Place went to Lucille, a Chow Chow shown by Joyce Hayes of Dripping Springs.

Second Place for Most Original Pet went to Sis and Dude, goats shown by Julie Lipka of Center Point. The goats were dressed as original icons of America; Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam.

Third Place for Most Original Pet went to Randy the Rooster, a fancy colored metal rooster shown by Dorothy Walker of Bandera.

First Place for Favorite Storybook Character went to Daisy, a Boxer Mix shown by Dawn Paterson of Dripping Springs. Daisy was adopted from Gods Dog Shelter in San Antonio.

Hensley expressed her gratitude for everyone’s participation in this fun event.

“Special thanks to our sponsor, Cowboy Capital Pet Assistance League, Inc., our judges, our volunteers; Joyce who made and donated the Doggie Gift Baskets; Barrel House Feed Store in Pipe Creek for donating the dog treats; Lew Pewterbaugh -saddle maker and entertainer for announcing and keeping everyone entertained; Texas Hill Country “Junior Rangers” for posting the colors before the parade; Special thanks to a Pet Parade supporter who helped make it a success. Couldn’t have done it without any of you.”

Mayor's seat, two council spots up for grabs

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Bandera residents who live within the city limits will have the opportunity to seek elected office this month as filing opens for the mayoral seat and two positions on the City Council.

The offices currently held by Mayor Denise Griffin and council members Lynn Palmer and Jeff Flowers are up for election.

In an email to The Bulletin, Flowers stated he would not be seeking reelection. Palmer and Griffin are currently undecided.

The following dates have been provided for The Bulletin:

• Saturday, July 18, 2026 First day to file for place on ballot.

• Monday, July 20, 2026 - First day to accept applications.

• Monday August 17, 2026 - Last day to file for a place on General Election ballot at 5:00 p.m. at Bandera City Hall.

• Wednesday, August 26, 2026 - Drawing for order of candidates on ballot, City Secretary’s office at 511 Main St, 9:00 a.m.

• The mayoral and city council positions carry two-year terms, running from November 2026 through November 2028. For more information and to see the application filings, visit: banderatx. gov/administration/page/ city-bandera-elections.

Council member Jeff Flowers, Mayor Denise Griffin, and council member Lynn Palmer COURTESY PHOTO

Americans Need Trump Accounts to Defeat Socialism

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0500

“They're communists. They want to destroy our country. We're not going to let that happen. But this helps even from the parents’ standpoint. You know, they see their child getting richer and richer as the … market goes up… If it goes up, they could become actually rich and their parents are going to be watching and we're all going to be watching.”

That was President Donald Trump blasting communists as he rang the bell for the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq on July 6, blasting communists as he inaugurated in TrumpAccounts. gov that parents can now begin making contributions to, with more than 25 million accounts already created and plans to automatically enroll the rest of the 73 million Americans total under the age of 18. Funds invested go directly into an account indexed for the S&P 500.

In its history the S&P 500 has grown 9.8 percent a year on average, and so starting at $1,000 right now, if a child parents made monthly contributions of just $50 into the account, by the time the child was 18, it would be more than $35,000.

But that’s just the beginning. If the same person kept on making $50 monthly contributions — literally just $600 a year — by the time that person was 51, they’d be a millionaire. By the time he or she was 65, it would be $4 million. Totally doable.

Yes, there are risks as with any investment. There have been major market downturns in recent history, in 2000-2002 and again in 2008 and 2022. It happens, but with cost averaging, over time the average annual return has held true. Investors cannot predict when those downturns will occur, and with basic monthly contributions and cost averaging, they need not. Just keep making contributions and, with compounding growth, get rich.

Parents might even consider increasing contributions during downturns — not a bad way to reduce the cost basis of certain equities — and then when things do go up, there’s an even greater rate of return.

Really, it’s a bet on the U.S. economy, that American companies and everyone will continue to be prosperous, hard-working and that we will all become wealthier over time. It’s the reason companies and government offer pensions in the first place, not merely as an incentive, but an investment in the value of those employees.

With Trump accounts, we’re making an investment in the value of every child with defined contribution accounts. Instead of waiting to begin work to begin investing, parents can begin building that nest egg for their kids much earlier.

Fortunately, on their first day, the S&P 500 did happen to go up, by about 54 points, or 7,537.43, or 0.72 percent, but one day very soon it’ll go down for a day and maybe that’ll be a headline.

Now, say, there’s a downturn or we hit a bear market right now or soon. Naturally, the media and the President’s Democratic opponents in Congress will immediately wag their fingers and tell everyone what a terrible idea it was to buy the top of the market.

On average, year after year, they’ll end up being wrong. Or, you could be sitting around for months or years for a correction. Who knows what’s going to happen?

After decades and decades, we might be able to reliably look at the markets and say, you know, on average, they’re going to go up. Really, the argument will wind up being about when the best time to have begun investing really was. Just wait for a bottom, right?

No, the lesson is to get started as soon as possible. The future is now.

But it’s all par for the course. If President Trump is commander- in-chief and there’s a war, they hate Trump, so they have to root against the U.S. armed forces against Iran, even if it means Americans would die or Iran would get nuclear weapons if we did not act. The President is building a ball room but they hate Trump, and so they’ll think they need to tear it down later. And so forth. It’s partisan sickness.

If there are Trump accounts, they hate Trump, and so they end up rooting for the economy to go down.

Ultimately, it’s an argument against ever investing. The reason for monthly contributions and cost averaging is exactly why professionals everywhere depend on 401ks and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). It’s one of the major reasons why more and more Americans are able to become wealthy. The entire economy works on capital investment.

So, why would we discourage average Americans from investing and saving? But you watch, it’ll happen. And there’s a reason.

Do we really want to continue living in a country with economic disparities that in certain parts of the world have led to not merely economic destabilization, by political instability, and the rise of totalitarian parties?

Maybe that’s the point. Communists, socialists and fascists need depressions and disparities to rise to power. From their perspective, it makes sense. If we’re all successful then we all have something to lose if our constitutional and capitalist systems and our liberties are destroyed.

But America does not need any of that. Fortunately, there’s another way.

Instead, we can, as a nation, invest in our children’s futures, and there’s no need for any more socialist revolutions (there never was).

Trump accounts will ultimately be the best proof that a rising tide lifts all boats — and the next generation will see the value of the greatest economy — and the greatest country — in human history. And, as President Trump is fond of saying, the best is yet to come.

Robert Romano is the Executive Director of Americans for Limited Government.

50 Years Later, Much Has Changed

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Do you remember how you spent the Fourth of July holiday in 1976? I was at a party on the upper west side of Manhattan, where I lived at the time, and the mood was electric. America’s Bicentennial celebration was approaching its climax, and there was a widespread sense of relief and celebration.

The long shadow of the Vietnam War finally seemed to be behind us; Richard Nixon had resigned from the presidency and been replaced by Gerald Ford, who was seen by many as a calming, steady influence; the economy was recovering from a deep recession in 1974-75; the country was not engaged in either a foreign war or the domestic unrest of the 1960’s; and now the nation had come together to celebrate our nation’s two hundredth birthday.

I wasn’t particularly interested in either history or politics at the time, but I still was caught up in the excitement of that day. Communities across the nation were celebrating with fairs, concerts, parades and fireworks, while the residents of New York City were treated to Operation Sail, a parade of tall ships from around the world, many of them still serving as naval training vessels. Our party location enjoyed a view of the Hudson River.

As the ships majestically made their way up the Hudson, I was moved by two things: the stately masts and sails that spoke so eloquently of the meaning of the past, the history of the nation of which I was a citizen; and by a sense of shared purpose, perhaps of belonging, that I felt not only with my fellow party-goers but with all Americans, all across the country. It felt like each of us was a part of something larger than ourselves, and we were all proud to be Americans.

Last weekend, fifty years later, tall ships again sailed up the Hudson River, but I’m not sure most people would say the national “mood” or the American spirit is in very good shape.

Consider how we viewed immigrants. Republican President Gerald Ford, speaking to a group of newly naturalized citizens, told them, “You have given us a birthday present beyond price – yourselves, your faith, your loyalty, and your love.” He also said, “We have gained far, far more than we have given to the millions who have made America their second homeland.”

Similarly, Ronald Reagan, another Republican President, spoke memorable words as he left office that we would do well to remember today: “You can go to live in France, but you cannot become a Frenchman. You can go to live in Germany or Turkey or Japan, but you cannot become a German, a Turk, or a Japanese. But anyone, from any corner of the Earth, can come to live in America and become an American.”

As I reflect on what it felt like to be an American back at the time of the Bicentennial, I realize that the changing views about immigrants and immigration are a symptom of something deeper, and much more fundamental, that has changed about us.

It’s not our disagreements; Americans have disagreed from our nation’s very beginning. Control of our government has passed back and forth between the two major political parties throughout our history, following an almost predictable pattern in which one party assumes power and, by the time the midterm elections roll around, the voters seem interested in making changes no matter who they voted for the last time. Somehow, our sense of connection with each other survived despite the different beliefs we had and the different policies we supported.

But now, the differences have become more extreme, and the normal push and pull of government functioning seems to have been forced into a more radical and arbitrary pattern. Political disagreement has increasingly become personal, leading us to judge the other person’s motives instead of considering their ideas. Fear, rather than hope and cooperation, guides our legislators’ decisions and our interactions with each other.

We the people, for our part, have increasingly come to doubt the institutions and processes that used to help assure us that at least a predictable stability would prevail, even through disagreements and revisions of the government landscape.

So, perhaps it used to be easy to feel like we were all Americans, because the differences between us didn’t seem to put the future of the country at stake. We could disagree, even vehemently, and still trust that the structure of our nation, via our Constitution, would hold us all as we debated our choices.

Now, since we can’t reliably count on our politicians to work on behalf of the best interests of the entire nation, we are faced with the challenge of changing things ourselves. This is where we can draw on the inner pride and strength we used to take for granted, and stop just looking for the best leader to follow. We can choose to be caring and connected to our fellow Americans, rather than sorting them into in-groups and out-groups. We can insist that our representatives embody those characteristics as well.

Perhaps, fifty years from now at our Tricentennial, as we again watch the tall ships that remind us of our past, we will look back and see this time in our history as the moment we began finding our way back together; the moment when everyone who loves this country and wants to make it better was valued for their commitment to our shared future. The moment we rediscovered how to belong to one another as Americans.

Susan Hull is a retired clinical psychologist, a horse trainer, and an independent voter. She hopes we can learn to express our humanity in ways that include all the people in the boat with us, since, after all, there’s just one boat.

Clay shoot fundraiser benefitting recovering amputee teen

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0500

A San Antonio nonprofit is asking the community to help a local 14-year-old girl rebuild her independence after a life-threatening illness earlier this year resulted in the loss of both of her legs and her right arm.

Disabled Outdoorsmen USA will donate all net proceeds from its annual Clay Shoot on Friday, July 24, at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio to benefit Bandera’s Kaydin Ruiz and her family as she continues months of recovery and rehabilitation.

According to event organizer Susan Jenkins, Kaydin's story is one of extraordinary resilience.

'At just 14 years old, Kaydin Ruiz has already fought a battle that most of us cannot imagine,' Jenkins said. 'Earlier this year, Kaydin was a young girl living an ordinary life — going to school, spending time with family and friends, and looking forward to all the things a teenager should be able to dream about.'

That changed suddenly after what initially appeared to be the flu.

'What began as the flu became a devastating medical emergency,' Jenkins said. 'Kaydin developed severe pneumonia and sepsis, and her body began to shut down. Her condition became so critical that her heart stopped for two minutes.'

Kaydin spent 117 days in the hospital as doctors worked to save her life. To survive, she ultimately underwent amputations of both legs and her right arm.

'But Kaydin survived,' Jenkins said. 'Today, her story is not only about what she has lost. It is about the incredible courage of a 14-year-old girl who is learning how to live a new life — one day, one challenge and one victory at a time.'

Kaydin recently celebrated her 14th birthday while continuing rehabilitation. Ahead of her are prosthetic fittings, extensive physical therapy, ongoing medical appointments and the challenge of relearning many everyday tasks.

Jenkins said one of the family's greatest needs is a wheelchair-accessible van.

'One of their greatest needs is a reliable wheelchair- accessible vehicle that can safely transport Kaydin to rehabilitation, therapy, medical appointments, school and eventually back into the community and the activities that bring her joy,' Jenkins said.

When Disabled Outdoorsmen USA learned about Kaydin's circumstances, the organization decided to dedicate this year's annual fundraiser to helping her family.

'For Disabled Outdoorsmen USA, this is what its mission is all about — helping people with disabilities discover that life can still hold adventure, purpose, independence and joy,' Jenkins said.

She said organizers hope every participant understands the impact the fundraiser can have.

'Every team that registers will be helping a young girl rebuild her independence. Every sponsor who steps forward will be helping a family carry a burden they never expected to face. And every person who participates will be sending Kaydin a simple but powerful message: You are not facing this journey alone.'

The annual clay shoot will be held Friday, July 24, at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio. Individuals, teams and sponsors are invited to participate, with proceeds benefiting Kaydin's ongoing recovery and helping the family obtain an accessible vehicle.

Jenkins said Kaydin's determination has inspired everyone involved with the event.

'Kaydin has already shown the world what courage looks like,' she said. 'She fought through illness, surgeries, loss and months in the hospital, and she is still fighting for her future. Now our community has an opportunity to fight alongside her.'

Those interested in registering for the fundraiser or becoming a sponsor can visit Disabled Outdoorsmen USA's website for more information. All net proceeds from the July 24 event will go toward helping Kaydin and her family meet her ongoing medical and transportation needs.

Kaydin Ruiz practices walking between parallel bars during a rehabilitation session as she continues recovering after spending 117 days in the hospital earlier this year. Ruiz is learning to adapt to life after losing both legs and her right arm to complications from severe pneumonia and sepsis. COURTESY PHOTO

Abbott wants ban on data centers in rural neighborhoods

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Gov. Greg Abbott is calling for a ban on data center construction in rural neighborhoods, according to the Houston Chronicle. Opposition to the facilities is growing because they require large amounts of electricity and water and can be noisy.

The governor had previously touted Texas as “the epicenter of (artificial intelligence) development.”

A recent poll by the University of Texas at Austin found that 62% of rural Texans, who vote heavily Republican, support the measure, the paper noted. Seven counties — Hays, Caldwell, Henderson, Hill, Hood, Somervell and Van Zandt — have now called for either a special session or for the issue of regulating data center construction to be a top priority at the next regular legislative session in January.

At a campaign stop in East Texas, Abbott reiterated the restrictions he has called for, including that new centers need to “bring their own power, reuse their own water and do it in a way that reduces electricity costs for residents across our state.”

More than 480 “large” data centers have requested permission to connect to the ERCOT grid through 2032, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which operates most of the state’s power grid.

Most arrested by ICE in Texas have no criminal conviction A Houston Chronicle examination of immigrant arrest and detention data from February 2025 to February 2026 concludes that, despite President Donald Trump’s vow to deport the “worst of the criminals,” a plurality of those arrested in Texas did not have criminal convictions or pending charges.

Statistics from the Deportation Data Project, which uses the federal Freedom of Information Act to obtain internal government immigration data, indicate during that period, more than 38,100 immigrants with clean records were arrested in Texas, compared with 30,670 arrests of people with criminal convictions and about 22,720 with pending charges.

The number of arrests in Texas nearly doubled between February 2025 and February 2026, with arrests of non-criminals more than quadrupling during that period. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has often touted its arrests and detentions of criminal immigrants without providing proof of what crimes have been committed, according to the Chronicle report.

“ICE’s use of detainers to imprison people without due process and, in many cases, without any charges pending or probable cause of any violation has raised serious constitutional concerns,” the American Civil Liberties Union wrote in a policy brief.

Abbott appoints Huffines as state comptroller Proving the adage that politics make for strange bedfellows, Gov. Greg Abbott appointed the man who ran against him for governor just four years ago to be state comptroller for the rest of 2026. Don Huffines, a former state senator, defeated Kelly Hancock in the GOP primary for the position.

Abbott had appointed Hancock, a former state senator, to the post when Glen Hegar resigned to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.

The Texas Tribune reported that Hancock is stepping down, effective at the end of this month.

“Don Huffines brings the right mix of business experience and conservative principles to this vital office,” Abbott said in a statement announcing the appointment.

Huffines, a 68-yearold businessman from the Dallas area, faces state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, in the November general election. She blasted the appointment, saying Huffines “can’t win on his own.”

The comptroller is responsible for key financial duties, including collecting taxes, auditing state agency spending and administering the state’s new $1 billion school voucher program.

Report details ‘cascading failures’ at Camp Mystic One year after devastating floods in the Hill Country claimed 139 lives, including 25 campers and three staff members at Camp Mystic, a report commissioned by state lawmakers describes a “cascade of failures” at the camp on July 4 of last year.

The report was prepared by investigators Casey Garrett and Michael Massengale, a former appeals court judge. Massengale said there was no written evacuation plan, no training for camp staff to prepare for an evacuation, and no practice drills, according to the Texas Standard.

“There were warnings, including early flood alerts leading up to the flood, that should have put the leaders of Camp Mystic on alert to be watchful and prepared,” Massengale said. The only member of senior leadership who awakened was Dick Eastland, the main leader and patriarch of the family-owned camp. He died during the flood while trying to evacuate a cabin of girls.

The camp did not open this summer, and its owners recently filed for bankruptcy.

Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30-year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches, Lufkin and Cedar Park. Email: gborders@texaspress.com

Abbott, Roy mark Kerrville flood anniversary on July 4

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0500

KERRVILLE — Gov. Greg Abbott honored the 119 Kerr County residents who lost their lives in the July 4, 2025, floods during a remembrance and resilience ceremony Friday marking the first anniversary of the disaster.

Speaking at the Symphony of the Hills Stars, Stripes, and Spirit Remembrance & Resilience Ceremony at the Cailloux Theater, Abbott personally read the name of each Kerr County victim while paying tribute to the families, first responders and volunteers who responded to the tragedy.

'One year ago, the waters rose and the Hill Country faced its darkest Fourth of July,' Abbott said. 'Lives were cut short. Families lost everything. The names we carry on in our hearts today are not just names. They are fathers, mothers, children, and neighbors. We must remember those who were lost, and those who ran towards the danger. They must never be forgotten.'

Abbott was joined by First Lady Cecilia Abbott, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr., Symphony of the Hills President Dr. Tim Summerlin, State Rep. Wes Virdell, local officials, families of the victims and members of the Kerrville community.

During his remarks, Abbott praised the resilience of the Kerr County community, saying residents supported one another with strength, compassion and determination throughout the past year of recovery.

The governor also reflected on the approaching 250th anniversary of American independence, noting that the nation's founding principles continue to inspire perseverance during times of hardship.

'Two hundred and fifty years ago, a group of extraordinary patriots signed their names to a document that changed the course of human history,' Abbott said. 'Pledging their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to the foundational truth that liberty is not a gift from government, but a birthright from Almighty God.'

Abbott also highlighted the state's recovery efforts over the past year, saying Texas has worked closely with local officials, federal partners and nonprofit organizations to provide emergency grants, small business assistance and direct aid to impacted families and communities.

Congressman Chip Roy, who was not part of the Kerrville remembrance ceremony, also marked the anniversary by issuing a written statement and recognizing the victims during remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives earlier in the week.

'One year ago, the people of the Texas Hill Country endured unimaginable loss as catastrophic flooding swept through our communities before dawn on Independence Day,' Roy said. 'We remember the children, parents, neighbors, and friends whose lives were taken far too soon, and we continue to pray for every family carrying that loss today.'

Roy also praised the first responders, volunteers, churches, charities and neighbors who assisted during the disaster.

'In the face of overwhelming tragedy, we also witnessed the very best of Texas and America,' Roy said. 'First responders, volunteers, churches, charities, and neighbors answered the call with extraordinary courage and compassion. Their selfless service reminded us that the strength of our communities comes from people helping people.'

'While the scars of the flood remain, so does the resilience of the Hill Country,' Roy added. 'As we honor those we lost, may we continue to pray for every affected family and ask God to bless the Texas Hill Country with strength, healing, and peace.'

The July 4, 2025, flooding claimed more than 100 lives across Kerr and Kendall counties, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in Texas history.

Gov. Greg Abbott reads the names of the 119 Kerr County flood victims during the Symphony of the Hills Stars, Stripes, and Spirit Remembrance & Resilience Ceremony on July 4 in Kerrville. COURTESY PHOTO

Mayor's Seat, Two City Council Positions Up for Election This Year

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 18:52:00 -0500

Bandera residents who live within the city limits will have the opportunity to seek elected office this month as filing opens for the mayoral seat and two positions on the City Council. The offices currently held by Mayor Denise Griffin and council members Lynn Palmer and Jeff Flowers are up for election.

In an email to The Bulletin, Flowers stated he would not be seeking reelection. Palmer and Griffin are currently undecided.

The following dates have been provided for The Bulletin:

•Saturday, July 18, 2026 - First day to file for place on ballot.

•Monday, July 20, 2026 - First day to accept applications.

•Monday August 17, 2026 - Last day to file for a place on General Election ballot at 5:00 p.m. at Bandera City Hall.

•Wednesday, August 26, 2026 - Drawing for order of candidates on ballot, City Secretary’s office at 511 Main St, 9:00 a.m.

The mayoral and city council positions carry two-year terms, running from November 2026 through November 2028.

For more information and to see the application filings, visit: https://www.banderatx.gov/administration/page/city-bandera-elections

Council delays sign ordinance vote for broader review

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 13:19:00 -0500

The issue first surfaced during the May 26 council meeting, when Council Member Lynn Palmer criticized the ordinance as overly burdensome for local businesses.

“I don’t know why we have to make it so hard for our businesses in the city of Bandera to get a sign up,” Palmer said. “I don’t know why it’s such a huge hassle.”

Palmer argued that business owners should not have to visit City Hall and seek a variance simply to install a sign.

“They should be able to put up a sign without even coming,” she said.

Before moving forward with a vote, however, Breen urged the council to take a more comprehensive approach.

City hires new code compliance officer

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 09:26:00 -0500

The City of Bandera has hired Teri Dollar as its new code compliance officer, filling a position that has been vacant since the termination of former code enforcement officer Jon Davis earlier this year.

Davis's dismissal became the subject of public scrutiny during a June City Council meeting, when members of his family disputed the circumstances surrounding his termination and challenged claims regarding his state certifications.

City Administrator Toni Kunz announced Dollar's hiring Thursday, describing her as a licensed code enforcement professional with extensive experience.

"We're excited to welcome Teri Dollar to the City of Bandera team," Kunz said in a statement. "Teri is currently licensed by the State of Texas through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and she brings a wealth of experience to the position. We look forward to her knowledge, professionalism and dedication that she will bring as we continue to enhance our community awareness, outreach and service."

Dollar, a Texas native, said she has spent decades working in law enforcement, county government and municipal planning and development.

"I was born and raised in Texas and I love Bandera," Dollar said. "After working in law enforcement and county government for a couple of decades, I found a career in municipal planning and development, specifically code enforcement. I currently have my Code Enforcement and Property Maintenance Inspector licenses. I look forward to our new vision of Code Compliance and working with our citizens to keep Bandera the unique city that was founded to be."

Bandera Bulletin moving to Sunday publication

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 06:00:20 -0500

The Bandera Bulletin will transition to a Sunday publication schedule beginning Sunday, July 12. As part of the change, there will be no Wednesday edition published on July 8.

Daniel Tucker, managing editor of the Bandera Bulletin, said the new publication day will allow the newspaper to provide readers with more timely coverage of local news and events.

'This is an exciting change because it allows news to enter print more quickly,' Tucker said. 'Publishing on Sundays gives us the opportunity to better serve our readers with fresher local coverage.'

A subscription to the Bulletin costs less than $5 a month. Subscribe today for digital and print editions at BanderaBulletin.com.

Trump Store owner offers $1,000 reward after billboard vandalized

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 06:00:19 -0500

Editor’s Note: This story first appeared online. For the latest breaking news, subscribe to the Bandera Bulletin at BanderaBulletin.com.

The Trump Store in Bandera is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for vandalizing one of its roadside billboards.

Store owner Wyatt Forester announced the reward Wednesday in a social media post after red and black paint was found splattered across the sign along the 4300 block of Texas Highway 16 North next to Brutal Off Road on Tuesday, June 23.

The vandalism comes just two months after Forester expanded his business, opening a third Trump Store location in Kerrville in April.

In addition to the Bandera store, Forester also owns a Trump Store in Tombstone, Arizona.

The Bandera County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident as criminal mischief.

'We did receive a call from the Trump Store owner in reference to the vandalism, legally referred to as criminal mischief,' Sheriff Josh Teitge told the Bulletin. 'We did take an offense report and, as of now, we have no suspect information. We are hoping that a citizen will come forward with evidence or information to lead the investigation toward a suspect.'

The Bandera store, located along Highway 16 South just inside the city limits, opened in late 2023 and has become a popular destination for supporters of President Donald Trump.

The store carries hundreds of political-themed items, including hats, flags, apparel, collectibles and novelty merchandise.

Forester has previously told the Bulletin that customers regularly visit from across the country, with sales often surging during major national political events.

Anyone with information about the vandalism is encouraged to contact the Bandera County Sheriff's Office.

Forester said the reward will be paid for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible.

Miss Bandera Queen finds confidence, purpose after autism diagnosis

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 06:00:15 -0500

Miss Bandera Queen Gabriela Cabrera is nearing the end of her reign, but her 2025 title remains close to her heart for one special reason: Two weeks after being crowned, Cabrera was diagnosed with autism and has flourished academically.

At just sixteen years old, Cabrera is already attending Northwest Vista College, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering.

“I would like to do something with robotics,” Cabrera said. “I’m still figuring out the specifics, but it’s something that I really enjoy, so that’s what I’m studying.”

Cabrera is set to graduate in approximately two years, but there was a slight discrepancy in her $1,500 scholarship from the Bandera County Chamber of Commerce.

“The first year [of the pageants] we gave out the scholarships before the summer,” Executive Director James Hernandez said. “The pageant director wanted to change that so last year's winners get their checks at this year's pageant instead. But we realize now that this is a bad idea. The younger ones don't mind but our Miss Bandera County Queen is typically a senior and needs the money before summer to use that money towards college.”

Cabrera is scheduled to receive her check in July, and despite the hiccup, Cabrera was proud to have defied the stereotypes of a pageant winner – a sentiment her mother shares.

“We’ve talked about this many times,” Karina Hernandez said. “It was so heartwarming, obviously to me as a mom. Before her diagnosis, when she won, the judges asked her a question, and she talked about how she felt different, and what she wanted to do with her title. She wanted other girls that were out there thinking about possibly doing a pageant to see her, and to just know that a beauty pageant was more than just beauty.”

Cabrera, an avid reader and video game player, shared her experience of trying to fit in at different schools, as her father’s career forced the family to move around constantly.

“I already struggled a little bit socially making friends and talking to people,” Cabrera said. “But once I was here a while, I was able to find a friend group, and it was a little easier after that.”

“Here” for Cabrera is Lakehills, where the family has been for six years with no plans to leave.

“We found a home, and it is the perfect home,” Hernandez said.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Cabrera has joined her parents, who own the wine and tapas bar Monte Alteza in Pipe Creek, in starting her own business.

“I’ve been selling dried garnishes,” Cabrera said. “At the bar, they need a lot of dried fruits for cocktails and margaritas. You can also just eat them. A lot of people like the pineapple.”

Cabrera shares 10% of her proceeds to the Autism Research Institute. She is currently working on the name of her business, but you can share your support by visiting the Monte Alteza Wine and Tapas Bar to purchase her dried goods.

Council criticizes Flowers letters, mayor’s silence

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 06:00:14 -0500

Editor’s Note: This story first appeared online.

Sharp divisions over the city's canceled Flock Safety camera program resurfaced during the June 23 Bandera City Council meeting as two council members criticized Mayor Denise Griffin for remaining silent following recent reporting by The Bulletin and questioned whether Councilman Jeff Flowers should face sanctions over a pair of public letters defending the technology.

Council members Deanna McCabe and Tammy Morrow raised concerns after The Bulletin published emails obtained through an open records request showing city officials continued advancing the Flock Safety program despite growing public opposition and concerns from council members. T he discussion also centered on two letters Flowers published following the council's May 12 vote to terminate the city's agreement with the automated license plate reader company.

One of those letters, 'The Bandera Declaration of Digital Independence,' drew local and national attention after proposing sweeping technology restrictions, including bans on smartphones, GPS-enabled devices and internet services within city limits. Flowers later said the piece was satire modeled after Jonathan Swift's 1729 essay 'A Modest Proposal' and intended to highlight what he viewed as inconsistencies in arguments against license plate reader technology.

During Tuesday's meeting, McCabe said she believed city leadership should have publicly distanced itself from the letters.

'I believe a statement should have went out that indicated this is not the views of the city of Bandera or the council,' Mc-Cabe said. 'The newspaper article, in my opinion, made a mockery of the city and the citizens of Bandera.'

McCabe also took issue with Flowers' statement that he intended to pursue resolutions restricting certain technologies.

'That no longer becomes freedom of speech,' McCabe said. 'I probably wouldn't have even considered looking at it if it was on someone's social media page, but this was something that was submitted to newspapers – the city of Bandera's official newspaper at that. And we were getting emails, ridiculous, vulgar emails from all over the country and beyond.'

The criticism comes amid continued fallout from the council's 3-2 vote in May to terminate the city's contract with Flock Safety.

Council members Mc-Cabe, Debbie Breen and Morrow voted to end the agreement, while Flowers and Lynn Palmer voted against cancellation.

Emails published by The Bulletin earlier this month showed Griffin directed city staff on March 26 to proceed with camera installations despite mounting opposition and ongoing discussions about canceling the contract.

The correspondence also showed city officials privately acknowledging that support for the program among council members was eroding.

Although concerns about Flowers' conduct were raised during Tuesday's meeting, the council took no action and did not pursue formal sanctions.

Neither Griffin nor Flowers responded during the council discussion.

In a statement provided to The Bulletin on June 24, Flowers defended both his letters and his decision not to respond during the meeting, arguing that the agenda item was intended to target him politically.

Flowers' full statement follows: 'I chose to remain silent during last night's meeting because our city council chambers are meant for municipal business, not for placing items on the agenda solely for political posturing to target and attack individuals without true merit.

It is deeply hypocritical that certain council members are attempting to weaponize sanctions as a tool to silence differing perspectives. The narrative they are pushing is clear: it is acceptable for select officials to express their opinions, but if anyone's perspective does not align with theirs, they want to inflict punishment.

My recent letters to the editor were written after the council's vote to terminate the grant funded Flock was finalized, sharing my personal perspective as both a resident and a council member, not speaking on behalf of the council body.

I used satire to call out an obvious double standard: critics raise massive concerns about privacy over a state-funded law enforcement camera, yet completely ignore the smart phones, smart watches, and everyday apps that track our data every single second. Yet opponents' arguments shift away from that.

For example: Claims that crime is non-existent locally or only a very small percentage of crime actually happens. Convictions and cases solved are not a reflection of all the crime that takes place.

Texas alone faces roughly 30,000 robberies and 97,000 vehicle thefts annually, alongside 28,229 missing children reports documented by the Texas DPS in 2025. The reality is that the vast majority of crimes go completely unsolved, leaving families without justice.

In my opinion, any crime is too much crime, and my focus is to ensure our law enforcement has the tools necessary to generate leads and protect local families from transient offenders.

My faith in Christ teaches me to love my neighbors and that there is no greater love than sacrificing your own life for another.

If placing LPR technology in our town saves just one single life, I will happily give up my expectation of privacy in a public space. Especially on a public road where no real expectation of privacy exists in the first place.

I am not going to let political theater distract me from the job the residents elected me to do: managing our local resources responsibly and prioritizing the actual safety of our community. In this I will not waiver.

Jeff Flowers'

NEW EASTERN STAR OFFICERS INSTALLED

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 06:00:13 -0500

They Are Killing Us

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 06:00:12 -0500

Hey everybody – This isn’t about politics. It’s about the danger that’s killing our neighbors in the Texas Hill Country, and God forbid, some of the rest of us one day soon.

About 11 miles as the crow flies, from where I live on Frontier Lane, Joelle Taylor, a 53-year-old registered nurse, was swept away in her car in fast moving, flood waters after a sudden, hard, overnight rain. She was found dead, in her car, the next day, June 16, under water, near Lower Mason Creek Road and Chipman Lane.

Joelle’s life story is heart breaking. Read about her at Grimes Bandera’s website and pay your respects. This is a life lost too soon in a sudden tragedy that didn’t have to happen.

Last year, 25 campers — little girls ranging in age from 8 to 10 years old, 2 camp counselors and the camp’s executive director — were killed on the 4th of July in Camp Mystic in the Texas Hill Country in another drastic overnight flood.

All over America, we see stories like this on the national news almost every night- 30 people were killed in the US in January 2026, 3 people were killed 3 days ago in the Grand Canyon, 3 days ago, 3 people were killed in the Midwest.

WHO’S THE KILLER?

Oil and gas companies. ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron, and BP British Petroleum have a major responsibility for these deaths. They lied to us since the 1950s and 60s about the deadly risk we’re facing, that scientists discovered back then: oil and gas emissions cause highly dangerous, unpredictable climate changes.

Exxon scientists checked the science. “Research shows that the company modeled and predicted global warming with shocking skill and accuracy starting in the 1970s.”

Science.org says so too. “In 2015, investigative journalists discovered internal company memos indicating that Exxon oil company has known since the late 1970s that its fossil fuel products could lead to global warming with “dramatic environmental effects before the year 2050.”

EXXON LIED ABOUT IT

So did other major oil companies. It’s estimated “the largest five stock market listed oil and gas companies”…spent nearly $200 million a year…” to debunk climate change. Now, the good old days are gone. NASA says it will take decades, if not centuries, to repair the damage oil and gas companies did to our planet’s weather.

Today, Exxon Mobil and other major oil companies are getting sued for billions of dollars for the climate damages they caused. The U.S. Supreme Court could gut those lawsuits.

But it’s not just US oil and gas companies. This problem has a long history. Since the industrial revolution started in 1854, 122 industrial producers have released a huge amount of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. It’s growing, making the weather worse.

Today, we have a “get together” obligation to protect our neighbors, our families and our friends. It’s called NET ZERO. We’re Texans. We can do it. Here’s how:

• Open this link and see 8 simple ways you can help stop bad weather: www.unep.org/newsand- stories/story/here-areeight- simple-ways-you-canfight- climate-change-today

• Muscle up. Pressure our local and national governments to pass laws to reduce these killer greenhouse gases.

Jodie Sinclair is an award-winning writer who holds a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University and resides in Bandera.

Strength Means Knowing When to Ask for Help

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 06:00:11 -0500

If there's one thing I've learned from a lifetime in agriculture, it's that farmers and ranchers don't quit.

When a fence goes down, we fix it. When drought burns up a pasture, we find a way forward. When markets turn against us, we tighten our belts and keep working. Agriculture teaches resilience because it has to. There is always another challenge waiting around the corner.

Texas farmers, ranchers, farmworkers, and rural families are some of the toughest people you'll ever meet. We take pride in solving problems ourselves. We don't like asking for help. We believe in hard work, personal responsibility, and getting the job done. Those values have built Texas agriculture into the backbone of our state, but sometimes the burdens we carry become heavier than any one person should bear alone.

June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, and it's an important reminder that even the strongest among us face struggles. In agriculture, those struggles often come from circumstances beyond our control—drought, floods, wildfires, rising costs, low commodity prices, labor shortages, family pressures, and the uncertainty that comes with making a living from the land.

Many of us were raised to keep our heads down and push through tough times. We don't want to burden others. We don't want anyone to think we're weak. The truth is, asking for help isn't weakness. It's strength.

Too often, people in agriculture suffer in silence. They tell themselves things will get better tomorrow. They convince themselves nobody would understand. They try to carry every burden on their own. I've seen firsthand how dangerous that mindset can be.

The reality is that agriculture consistently ranks among the most stressful professions in America. Long hours, financial pressures, unpredictable weather, and isolation can take a toll on anyone. No one is immune. That's why the Texas Department of Agriculture has made rural mental health a priority through the Texas AgriStress Helpline, operated through our State Office of Rural Health.

The AgriStress Helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is free, confidential, and staffed by trained professionals who understand the unique challenges facing agricultural communities. Anyone involved in agriculture—including farmers, ranchers, farmworkers, foresters, fishermen, and their family members—can call or text 833-897-2474 for support.

Since launching in Texas, the AgriStress Helpline has already assisted more than 300 Texans across 114 counties. Behind every one of those calls is a person who reached out instead of suffering alone. Behind every one of those calls is a family, a community, and a future that may have been changed because someone picked up the phone.

That matters. If you're struggling, don't wait until you're in crisis. Talk to your spouse. Talk to a friend. Talk to your pastor, doctor, or someone you trust. And if you need someone to listen, call or text the AgriStress Helpline at 833-897-2474.

If you're facing an immediate crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 right away. Don’t wait.

And if you're doing well, check on the people around you. Call that neighbor you haven't heard from in a while. Ask the young producer who's trying to get started how things are going. Stop by and visit the rancher who always says he's fine. Sometimes a simple conversation can make all the difference.

The strongest communities are built on neighbors helping neighbors. That's always been the Texas way. No drought lasts forever. No storm lasts forever. No setback lasts forever.

Whatever you're facing today, remember this: there are people who care about you, people who need you, and people who want to help.

Texas agriculture is stronger because of the men and women who work every day to feed, fuel, and clothe this nation. And our agricultural community is strongest when we look out for one another.

You don't have to carry every burden by yourself. Help is available. Hope is available. And this world is better with you in it.