Local News

Families who were impacted by the July 4 floods were presented $25,000 checks from Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday in Ingram.  This comes after a July 27 benefit concert, "Strait to the Heart," that was hosted by George Strait and Estancia Estates Founder Tom Cusick, according to Strait's website.  Along with Cusick, Abbott was joined at the presentation by Rep. Wes Virdell and Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim […]

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) opened up several recovery centers after the Central Texas floods that occurred over the July 4 weekend.  FEMA representatives help those suffering from flood-related damages or losses, as well as provide general disaster recovery.  FEMA is changing its operational hours, according to a news release from the agency. The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center hours for the following counties as provided by the agency: KERR […]

Texas shoppers can avoid the state's 6.25% sales tax on qualifying back-to-school items during the annual tax-free weekend running Friday, August 8 through midnight Sunday, Aug. 10.  School supplies such as binders, notebooks, pencils, glue, rulers and calculators are included in the tax exemption without price restrictions.  Accessories including watches, purses, umbrellas, luggage and computer bags do not qualify for tax-free status.  Textbooks, software and computers also remain taxable. The […]

The next community blood drive in Gillespie County will be hosted by the St. Mary's Knights of Columbus on the weekend of August 16-17, at the St. Mary's Holy Family Center, 308 W. San Antonio St. in Fredericksburg.  The drive will run from 3 to 6:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, and from 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17. Donors can visit www.donor.southtexasblood.org to schedule an appointment, or email […]

Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) has raised concerns regarding a proposed battery storage facility by Peregrine Energy in Gillespie County.  He requested specific details about the project, citing environmental risks in an area vulnerable to extreme droughts, wildfires, and flooding. Roy emphasized the need for careful stewardship of the landscape, stating, "Residents of Gillespie County are concerned about the environmental risks a battery storage facility poses."  His inquiry aims to address […]

Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale, owner of Gallery Furniture, is planning to give away 400 mattresses to people who were affected by the flash floods that hit the Hill Country last month.  Gallery Furniture will distribute the mattresses on Saturday to people from Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville, and across the Leander and Austin Hill Country region who were affected by the July 4 floods, according to a press release. Mattresses (twin, full, […]

Kerrville Pets Alive! is warning local pet owners to keep their pets - and themselves - out of the Guadalupe River for the time being.  The nonprofit shelter said the river water in Kerrville has contaminants that can pose a serious health hazard to pets. Many search and rescue dogs who were deployed during the flood have experienced gastrointestinal distress from drinking or being exposed to contaminated water.  These dogs […]

Starting April 1, 2026, people who use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, benefits in Texas will no longer be able to buy certain types of food, including sweetened drinks and candy.  Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that the federal government approved his request to ban the purchase of those items under SNAP. "The new SNAP guidelines will ensure taxpayer dollars are used to purchase foods that provide real […]

School supply lists for Fredericksburg, Harper, Doss, St. Mary's and Heritage are now available on each school's respective web sites in preparation for the 2025-26 school year.  Qualifying items will be tax free this weekend, Friday through Sunday, August 8-10. The Gillespie County Ministerial Association is hosting a School-to-School prayer service on Sunday, August 10.  The services will start at Harper, Stonewall and Fredericksburg Elementary Schools, 1608 N. Adams St., […]