Bandera Area Local News Headlines & More!

 A midterm is not a presidential year. Fewer people vote, and the people who do vote decide it. That is the whole argument. If Republican voters in Bandera County sit this one out, a smaller electorate decides the races on the ballot. Early voting starts Monday, October 19. Do not wait for Election Day! 

Click here for more info on why the mid-term election is more important than you think.

For more information on the local elections, click here to read about how early voting is approaching for this year’s mid-term elections. The first day to vote early in person is Monday, Oct. 19. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is this Friday, Oct. 23. The last day to vote in person is Friday, Oct. 30. The last day to return a ballot by mail is Tuesday, Nov. 3. 

At their most recent meeting, Bandera City Council members unanimously approved the purchase of a Motorola Solutions camera system (not "Flock" surveillance cameras) for the Bandera Marshal’s Office, which includes five body cams and four in-car dash cams. In other business they denied a street closure to the non-profit Cowboy Capital Association to close a street.  For the full update, click here.

The annual Nightmare on Maple Street is set to haunt Bandera City Park on All Hallows Eve, Saturday, Oct. 31, from 5-7 p.m.  Hosted by the Bandera Marshal’s Office, gates will open at 5 p.m.  Click here for more information on this great annual event.   

From dire service in Vietnam, World War II Service, and even a bull attacking a patrol car, Bandera County Veterans have poignant stories to tell.  The local Bandera Prophet has a strong commitment to the military and to the Veteran stories.  Click here to learn about the exposure that Bandera County Veterans, active-duty assignments of Bandera County residents and other military updates including Veterans stories.  

As a Veteran, the Bandera Prophet would like to hear your story.   Please join this great storytelling archive!   Click here to hear the Veteran stories or to get more information.  

 The closest Republican official to your street is not in Austin. In Bandera County, that person is your precinct chair. The chair is the elected party official for the smallest unit of the Republican Party — your precinct — and the neighbor who connects your block to the County Executive Committee.  Click here for more on what a Precinct Chair is and does for you locally.  They represent you!

There are some people who pass through our lives. And then there are those who leave a piece of themselves behind. David A. Guerra was one of those people. To those who knew him in Pipe Creek, 

Lakehills and Bandera County, David was the young man with the ready smile, the infectious laugh, and the remarkable ability to make people feel welcome.  To his friends at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, he was a fellow student, mentor, filmmaker, newspaper staff member, and friend.  Click here to read the special tribute Embry-Riddle bestowed upon a local young man who we all remember.  

To see the Bandera Prophet story and photos, click here.

To see David's online memorial tribute, you can click here.  

To try out David's flight simulator, click here.

The Bandera countywide burn ban has been rescinded. Following a recommendation by Bandera County Fire Marshal Jason Rutherford, commissioners have removed the Burn Ban in Bandera County effective immediately.

Click here to learn how to be "fire-safe" when on your own property or traveling.  

The owner of We Care Wildlife Sanctuary did not appeal the seizure of the animals for which he had 10 days to appeal.  The animals will not be released back to him and now are wards of various rescue groups in and around San Antonio and Bandera County.  Click here to see the evidence photos used in the case to seize the animals in this civil action. (WARNING:  SOME OF THESE IMAGES MAY BE DIFFICULT TO VIEW.  VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.)   Bear in mind, that a prosecution may still occur and that a person is considered innocent in the U.S. until such time as they are convicted.  DISCLAIMER:  The author of the documents may or may not be the person who released these files to the media.  That is a confidential source for the protection of that source.

Bandera City Council members this week approved the new city tax rate at $0.567163 per $100 valuation (last year: $0.569939). The estimated impact to the average household will be $1,117.54, assuming an average taxable homestead value of $197,042.  After lengthy discussion over what was and was not agreed upon during their last budget workshop, council also approved the 2026-27 fiscal year budget, with provisions.  Click here for more on this and other city council news.

Where is Jordan Tomkins?  Jordan Tomkins was walking alone along Park Road 37 in Lakehills in April 2022.  She vanished over four years ago without a trace, and still hasn't been found.  For more details on this story, click here.  It's time to talk.   

Among other business, Bandera County Commissioners unanimously approved next fiscal year’s final budget and tax rate, at $0.5605 per $100 valuation, a $.0301 increase (the current year tax rate is $0.5304 per $100 valuation).  “We lost $500 million in property valuation this year. That’s a catastrophe,” Evans said. “We reduced the tax rate four years in a row, prior to this year.”  Pct. 4 Commissioner Jody Rutherford said much of the tax money will pay for unfunded mandates passed down from the state.   (An "unfunded mandate" is when Texas makes a legal requirement for a County but does not provide financial support for that legal requirement).  Click here for more and other business passed including recognition of "4-H week" by proclilimation!

Flags, history, music, and a whole lot of questions filled the Medina Community Library this week as approximately 55 Medina Elementary “Bobcats” got an up-close and firsthand lesson in what the American flag really means.  Students in the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades joined teachers and volunteers for a special, interactive patriotism program presented by the Bandera County American Legion Honor Guard. The program, hosted by the Medina Community Library, was the culmination of the library’s celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary.  Click here for the full story and photos.