Now entering its third year, Das Festival of Kendall is a nonprofit festival dedicated to giving back to other nonprofits throughout Kendall County and the surrounding area. This year’s proceeds benefit Transformation House and Boerne Blaze.

Organizers expect more than 10,000 guests over the weekend as families, visitors, and community members gather to celebrate local culture, entertainment, and tradition.

Admission to the festival is free for all guests. Limited front-row table reservations will be available for purchase, and guests interested in exclusive festival experiences can access the VIP area through sponsorship opportunities.

Parking will be available throughout Boerne and surrounding downtown areas.

Festivalgoers can expect numerous food vendors, craft vendors, shopping opportunities, live music performances and local breweries serving specialty beers throughout the weekend. Featured breweries include Tusculum Brewing Company, Free Roam Brewing Company, 28 Songs Brewhouse + Kitchen, and Cibolo Creek Brewing Co.

One of the festival’s signature attractions is the Beer Stein Holding Competition, which is officially sanctioned. Winners will have the opportunity to advance to the state championship competition in New Braunfels.

Festival registration for the Main Street Parade, Dachshund Races, and Das Pageant is now open online at www.dasfestival.org.

“Father’s Day weekend is the perfect time to gather with family and friends at the Main Plaza for Das Festival of Kendall,” festival organizers said. “We are proud to celebrate our German heritage while supporting local nonprofits and creating a fun-filled weekend for the entire community.”

For event updates, registrations, sponsorship opportunities, and festival information, visit: www.dasfestival.org

Real estate can be owned in several different ways. The form of ownership, or how your property is titled, can determine how much control you have over it, how vulnerable your property is to creditor claims and lawsuits, and what will happen to it at your death.

Individual ownership

One of the most common ways people own real estate is as a sole owner. As the sole owner, you have full control over the real estate. You can mortgage it or transfer it to anyone you choose while you are alive and have capacity. However, your real estate could potentially be exposed to creditors’ claims. At your death, your real estate will transfer to the beneficiaries named in your Will (or, if you have no Will, according to state law). With this type of ownership, probate court involvement will be required to transfer ownership to your heirs.

Tenants in common

Tenants in common is another form of ownership in which multiple individuals own real estate together. Unlike other forms of ownership, when several people own real estate as tenants in common, the ownership interests held by each individual do not have to be equal. The more co-owners there are, the greater the likelihood of creditor issues. Although creditors can collect from only the co-owner who owes them money, they may be able to force a sale of the real estate to satisfy their claim. Upon a co-owner’s passing, their ownership interest transfers to whomever the co-owner has specified in their Will (or by state law). Both options require the property to go through the probate process to transfer ownership to the co-owner’s heirs.

This is the most common ownership in Texas, even for married couples.

Joint tenancy

In most states, joint tenancy is the same thing as joint tenancy with right of survivorship. Two or more individuals each own an equal share in the real estate, and each joint tenant can transfer their interest to another person. Unlike tenancy in common, joint tenancy with right of survivorship interests automatically pass to the surviving co-owners upon the death of any joint tenant, avoiding the probate process. One downside of joint tenancy is the exposure to creditors. Because there are multiple co-owners, creditors of any one of them can generally go after that co-owner’s interest in the real estate to satisfy their debts or claims.

Rarely, is a deed created as a joint tenancy with a right of survivorship when you buy a new home – you must ask for this.

In a trust

Another option is to transfer it to, or have it purchased by, a revocable trust. As the trustmaker, you can establish rules for the use of the real estate, appoint a person to oversee its maintenance, and allow others including yourself) to enjoy it. One of the primary benefits of transferring ownership to a trust is that the property does not have to go through the probate process at your death; instead, the trust terms dictate how the property passes.

By an LLC

Another entity option is a “Limited Liability Company” (LLC). Instead of you owning the real estate, you own a part of the LLC (known as a membership interest), which is transferred at your death according to the terms of the LLC operating agreement. In the operating agreement, you can also include rules instructing how the real estate is to be used and managed and outline rules pertaining to the membership interests in the LLC. One major benefit of using an LLC is limited liability. If a lawsuit is filed based on a claim arising from the real estate or if a creditor seeks to satisfy a claim, the only assets available to satisfy any judgments or creditors are typically those owned by the LLC.

Protect your property

Regardless of how you think you own your real estate and how it will transfer at your death, it is important that you review your deed and accompanying estate plan. The title of your real estate can play a significant role in how your estate plan is set up and how your assets are ultimately distributed.

This article is provided as a service of the Law Office of Lasca A. Arnold, PLLC

• STRONGER TOGETHER Child Protection Summit: This May 13-14 conference brings together law enforcement, child welfare professionals and children’s advocacy centers to assist navigating issues surrounding crimes against children. Summit runs 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Kendall Inn, 128 W. Blanco Road. Register at: hillcountrycrisiscouncil. com/cac-conference-2026.

• NATURE WALK WITH Noah Lawrence, Cibolo Center for Conservation nature education director. The walk along the Cibolo Nature Center trails is 2:30-3 p.m.; meet on the Cibolo Nature Center back porch, 140 City Park Road. Details: 830-249-4616.

• JEFFERSON BANK EXPO: Open house from 1-4 p.m. at Jefferson Bank, 371 N. Main St., for an expo designed to help business owners explore cybersecurity, fraud prevention, banking solution and business insurance. Details: 830-816-6300

MAY 14

• SOURDOUGH WORKSHOP at Herff Farm. Join a hands-on class from 6:308:30 p.m. covering the history, science and art of sourdough. Cost is $60. Attendees will take home kitchen tools and an established sourdough starter. Contact: sarahb@cibolo.org.

•HILL COUNTRY POETS Monthly open mic: Join The Boerne Bookshop, 153 S. Main St., for their Monthly Poetry Open Mic from 6-8 p.m. Food and beverages are available for purchase at Richter; feel free to bring something.

MAY 15

• ADULT NIGHT HIKE: Explore the Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Road, after dark on this 8:15-9:45 p.m. sunset night hike for adults, featuring longer routes on lesser-known trails, and time without flashlights to observe nocturnal wildlife. Cost is $15 per adult.

• ALAMO PRIMARY CARE Open House: Stop by to tour the clinic, learn more about its services, and meet the providers starting at 1:30 p.m., at 1411 S. Main St. Details: Paulina Zuniga at 210-570-5660.

• BOERNE COMMUNITY THEATER presents “Helen on Wheels,” a play about a feisty, gun-toting and whiskey-drinking grandmother in Oklahoma defies her son’s wishes to move, clashing with the local sheriff while maintaining her independence and causing chaos. Tickets: Call 830-249-9166 or go to: https:// buy.ticketstothecity.com/purchase. php?event_id=18986.

MAY 16

• BOERNE BOCK WALK: Take a stroll through the breweries of Boerne all weekend with their annual Boerne Bock Walk: 28 Songs Brewhouse + Kitchen, Tusculum Brewing Co., Free Roam Brewing Co., Dodging Duck Brewhaus, Cibolo Creek Brewing Co., and Hamby’s are all participating.

• MOVIE NIGHT AT the Museum: Join the Hill Country Council for the Arts for a free outdoor movie, “Charade,” beginning at 8 p.m. at the Agricultural Museum & Arts Center, 102 City Park Road. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy a great film under the Texas sky.

• HCAA GENERAL MEETING: Join Mary Jo Galindo from 12:30-1 p.m. for a presentation on the 2025 Texas Archeological Society Field School Survey of Natom Samox and Long Mountain. Hosted at the Comfort Public Library, 701 High Street. Details: HCArcheology.org

• TRADE DAYS ADOPTION: Join Hill Country Animal Rescue at Fredericksburg Trade Days all weekend, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hosted at 355 Sunday Farms Lane in Fredericksburg.

• CRAWFISH BOIL at Lost Oak Cellars: Guests can enjoy fresh crawfish served with potatoes and corn, along with award-winning Texas wines and food offerings. Service begins at noon and continues until sold out at 11 Rosewood Ave.

MAY 19

• MIMOSAS WITH DR. MCRAE: Celebrate the beauty of spring at brunch, hosted upstairs at The Dienger, 210 N. Main St. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., guests can enjoy delicious bites and endless mimosas while gaining skincare insights from Dr. McRae. Tickets $45. Contact 830-331-2225.

• MIX AND MINGLE Women’s Event by Sendero Wealth Management: Come by this mix and mingle event with a focus on guiding women and providing clarity for their financial futures. Hosted at The Oben Room at Richter Tavern, 153 S. Main St., from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Please RSVP by May 15. Contact Kayla Williams: kthreet@sendero.com.

MAY 20

• NATURE WALK WITH Noah Lawrence, Cibolo Center for Conservation nature education director. The walk along the Cibolo Nature Center trails is 2:30-3 p.m.; meet on the Cibolo Nature Center back porch, 140 City Park Road. Details: 830-249-4616.

MAY 21

• ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHOP: Join John Keeton of CAPTRUST from 6-8 p.m. for an informative session focused on advanced estate planning strategies that can benefit both your family and the causes you care about. Herff Farm, 33 Herff Road. Register at cibolo.org.

MAY 22

• BOERNE ART WADDLE: The 14th annual Boerne Art Waddle will be located along the Hill Country Mile all weekend. Waddle through downtown Boerne, shop from artists displaying original works of art, and watch artist demos. Details: Paula Horner: 210-269-8349.

MAY 23

•OUTDOORSY DOG ADOPTION Event: Join Hill Country Animal Rescue for an adoption event from 4-7 p.m. at Outdoorsy Texas Hill Country, 300 Wilke Trail in Stonewall. Enjoy hot dogs and draft beer, live music, raffles, adoptable dogs and more.

• STAR PARTY: Members of the San Antonio Astronomical Association and park staff will be on site from 6:30-9 p.m. with their telescopes to point out the moon, constellations, planets and more. This event will be held in the overflow parking lot at the Guadalupe River State Park, 3350 Park Road 31. Contact: 830-438-2656.

MAY 24

• BOERNE CONCERT BAND: Memorial Day concert. Bring family and friends, blankets, and lawn chairs at 7 p.m. to the Main Plaza, 100 N. Main St. to enjoy patriotic selections by the Boerne Concert Band as they honor and remember our Armed Forces.

MAY 25

• MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBRANCE Ceremony: Join the Boerne American Legion Capt. Mark Tyler Voss Post # 313 from 10-10:45 a.m. at Veterans Plaza for the Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony. Contact: (830) 388-5263

• ANNUAL VFW CEREMONY: Join Boerne’s local VFW Post 688 from 11 a.m. to noon for their annual Memorial Day Ceremony in honor of veterans who have passed on. The event will include a special guest speaker and a 21-gun salute. Details: https://vfw688.org/

MAY 28

• DARK SKY CONFERENCE: This event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Community Room at Fredericksburg City Hall, 2818 East US Hwy 290. There will be engaging presentations and discussions to discuss stewardship of the night skies. Registration is $25 and includes lunch. Register by $25. Details: Dawn Davies: dawn@hillcountryalliance.org

MAY 29

• COMEDY NIGHT: Grab some friends, enjoy a great night out, and let Cleto Rodriguez’s sharp wit and hilarious storytelling do the rest. Beginning at 6 p.m. at Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort, 1 Resort Way. Tickets $45.

MAY 30

• MOONDANCE OUTDOOR CONCERT at Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Road, from 7-9 p.m. Enjoy live music by Cactus Country, local vendors, and good times–a tradition that all started with friends coming together to tell stories, sing songs, and dance. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15/person.

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Moondance is a summer concert series that began in 2000, when friends gathered in the Oak Motte at the Cibolo Nature Center for music, storytelling, and dancing beneath the glow of the full moon.

What started as a simple evening among friends has grown into a beloved summer tradition and a much-anticipated community gathering. It also serves as a memorial honoring Brandon Gallagher- Manning, who passed away in 2001, ensuring that his love for music and camaraderie continues to be celebrated year after year.

The heart behind this Texas Hill Country event runs deep. Once a month, near the full moon, the community comes together for an evening that blends live music, a handful of novelty vendors, and the simple joy of spending time outdoors under the stars.

For me, Moondance has become a so-called “Hallmark moment” in Boerne. String lights draped through the oak trees sets the inviting tone for the evening, casting a warm glow across the Oak Motte as guests arrive.

Everyone is welcome, including your fourlegged friends, on a leash of course. As the sun dips lower, there is a gentle excitement in the air. Staff and volunteers move about with the almost holiday- like hustle of preparing the stage and welcoming guests, while families and friends filter in, setting up their chairs and blankets beneath the trees.

Moondance is a truly family- friendly event where people of all ages can enjoy an evening together. Adult tickets are $15, and children under 12 are admitted free, making it an easy outing for families. Doors open at 6 p.m., with music running 7-9 p.m.

A simple checklist of items to bring might include a comfortable chair, a blanket, a cooler with snacks or drinks, and occasionally a bit of insect repellent.

This summer, local food vendors including Leo’s Taco Spot, Annie’s On a Roll, and Texas Chill Country will be onsite at each concert.

In the end, Moondance is a moment to slow down and relax. Nothing fancy is required. Just bring yourself, your friends and family, and enjoy an evening at your backyard Cibolo Nature Center. To learn more and purchase tickets in advance, visit cibolo.org/moondance.

Thanks to Frost Bank, The Brandon Fund, and Boerne Radio for making this event possible.

AUSTIN — Warmer weather across Texas means more time outdoors and more encounters with wildlife. Spring and early summer are also when many species give birth and raise their young, which can lead to confusion when animals appear to be alone.

Each year, well-meaning Texans pick up young wildlife, especially fawns and baby birds, believing they have been abandoned. In most cases, that is not true. Removing these animals from the wild can do more harm than good and, in many cases, is against the law.

“People want to help, but intervening is often the worst thing you can do,” said Richard Heilbrun, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) wildlife division deputy director. “Most young animals are not abandoned; their parents are nearby and will return. The best thing you can do is give them space.”

Under Texas law, it is illegal to possess most native wildlife without the proper permits. It is unlawful to take, capture, possess, or attempt to relocate wildlife except as allowed by state regulations.

White-tailed deer fawning season typically begins in early to mid-May. Fawns are born with spotted coats that help them blend into their surroundings. Does will often leave their fawns hidden for hours at a time while they feed, returning periodically to nurse. A fawn found alone, lying quietly in grass or brush, is likely not abandoned.

Baby birds are also commonly mistaken for being abandoned. Many species, including doves, blue jays and mockingbirds, spend time on the ground as they learn to fly. These young birds, known as fledglings, may appear vulnerable but are still being fed and watched by their parents nearby. If the bird has feathers, open eyes and is moving around, it is likely in a normal stage of development and has not been abandoned. Remember, most native bird species are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so it’s important to avoid disturbing or injuring them.

The public is encouraged to observe wildlife from a distance and avoid approaching or handling animals. Getting too close can prevent a parent from returning and may place the young at greater risk.

Turtles are also frequently encountered this time of year, particularly on roadways. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has information about helping turtles cross the road. Remember, wild animals do not make good pets and removing them from their habitat can harm their survival and health If a wild animal appears sick, injured or orphaned, the first step is to contact a TPWD permitted wildlife rehabilitator to see if they are able to receive that species. TPWD advises against attempting to handle or transport wildlife yourself.

While not currently in Texas, New World Screwworm (NWS) has recently been detected about 60 miles from the Texas-Mexico border. Newborn mammals are very susceptible to infestations by NWS. If you see maggots on a live animal, immediately report the sighting to your local wildlife biologist. Early detection and reporting are key to managing and eradicating a NWS infestation.

Learn more about what to do upon encountering orphaned or injured wildlife on the TPWD Wildlife Division website. Tips from biologists regarding fawns and baby birds are available on the TPWD YouTube channel.

The Chargers defeated district champ Southwest last week in a best-of-three series after dispatching the Dragons in three games.

Champion (31-6-1) moves on to face Palmview (26-7-2) in the third round. The Lobos won District 30-5A with a 15-1 record and are 4-1 in the playoffs.

In fact, the four teams left in the 5A-D1 bracket are all district champs. Rouse and Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial are alive on the other side of the bracket.

Palmview dropped the first game of the playoffs to Flour Bluff, 2-0, but won the next two with close scores of 4-3 and 6-4. In the last round, the Lobos swept Rowe, 4-2 and 9-2, and have won four straight.

Chargers coach Ben Woodchick said the Lobos are a lot like his team.

“They play a similar style of baseball,” he said. “They have talent all over the field and have a mix of upperclass leaders that have been here before and some very talented underclassmen.

“They’re experienced on the mound and are returning three of their top arms and they’re all very good.”

Champion has needed all three games through the first two rounds to advance. The Chargers beat Buda Hays and Southwest in three games and dropped Game 2 in both series, winning Games 1 and 3 in both cases to stand at 4-2 in the playoffs.

Last year the Chargers went four rounds before getting eliminated, while the Lobos also went four rounds before they were knocked out by Smithson Valley in three games. Before their series with Smithson Valley last year, Palmview beat New Braunfels in three games.

I have read a recent piece concerning Hermann Lange with both interest and concern. It is not my habit to take public exception lightly, particularly when a young man’s death is the subject.

All losses in the Civil War deserve a degree of solemn respect. Yet respect for the dead does not absolve us of our obligation to the truth, nor does it permit the reshaping of history to suit modern sentiment.

The article presents Hermann Lange principally as a martyr to conscience, a young man standing nobly against oppression. That framing, while emotionally compelling, is incomplete to the point of misrepresentation. t neglects the broader and essential context in which these events unfolded, namely, that Texas in 1861 was a sovereign state, having exercised what its people understood to be their lawful right of secession, a principle neither invented in haste nor without precedent in American political thought.

To speak plainly: refusal to render service to one’s state in time of war, particularly while residing within its protection, was not regarded as an abstract exercise of conscience by contemporaries.

It was seen as defiance of lawful authority in a moment of existential crisis. That fact may sit uneasily with modern readers, but it remains a fact, nonetheless.

The Nueces incident itself is treated in the article with a simplicity that history does not support. It is described as a massacre, implying one-sided brutality visited upon innocent men. Yet the record, when fully examined, reveals a far more complex and tragic encounter.

Armed men were moving in a contested region during wartime, many intending to flee to Mexico and ultimately join forces hostile to Texas and the Confederacy. Confederate troops were dispatched to intercept them. What followed was not a peaceful gathering undone by cruelty, but a violent clash born of confusion, fear, and divided loyalties.

None of this is to celebrate the outcome. It is to insist that we not flatten it into something it was not.

Equally troubling is the article’s moral framing, which leans heavily on present-day language, “liberty,” “oppression,” “democratic ideals,” as though these terms carried identical meaning to all parties involved. They did not. The men of the Confederacy believed themselves engaged in the defense of their homes, their laws, and their inherited understanding of constitutional order. One may disagree with their conclusions, and many do, but to omit their perspective entirely is not history. It is advocacy.

There is also an absence worth noting. While Hermann Lange is afforded a full and sympathetic remembrance, the countless young men from Texas and across the South who answered their state’s call, many no older, and definitely no less sincere, are rendered invisible. Their convictions, sacrifices, and graves deserve equal acknowledgment if we are to claim any measure of fairness or reconciliation.

History, properly told, is not a matter of choosing which dead are worthy of remembrance and which are not. It is the careful weighing of all sides, all motives, and all consequences, however uncomfortable.

If Hermann Lange is to be remembered, and he should be, it ought to be within the full truth of his time: a divided land, a lawful call to service, a refusal grounded in personal conviction, and a violent end in a conflict where brother often stood against brother. That is tragedy enough without the need for embellishment.

I would simply submit that we do both the past and the present a disservice when we exchange complexity for convenience. The story of Texas, like that of the South itself, is not improved by being simplified. It is honored by being told honestly.

Charles C. Hand IV is commander of Sons of Confederate Veterans, 1st Lt. Jesse Page Camp #2351-Boerne.

Two of the entries were knocked out on Thursday, while the other two advanced to the state semifinals and were defeated on Friday to earn bronze medals.

Boerne High senior Aidan Cebe played in the state semifinals on Friday and left with an ankle injury and ended up tied for third in the state.

Greyhounds Gavin Cebe and Nick Dube also won their boys doubles match on Thursday and advanced to the state semis on Friday where they were defeated to also bring bronze back to Boerne. Gavin is a freshman and Dube is a senior.

Boerne Champion’s Alexandra Morris played at state in 5A girls singles and dropped her opening-round match but ended her senior season at state.

Boerne High’s Paytin Johndrow and Justin Barraza played in mixed doubles at state and were eliminated in the opening round but also ended their season at the state tourney. Barraza is a senior and Johndrow is a junior.

For a complete roundup of the state tourney, look in Friday’s Boerne Star.

The appointments were announced during an annual members luncheon recently held at Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort. More than 75 people attended.

Dakota Durden of GRIT Co. will serve as board chair; Caleb Clark of Edward Jones is vice chairman; Tony Trevino of Vantage Bank is treasurer; Chuck Gregory of Terracon is secretary; and Phil Hunke of Hill Country Square was named past chairman.

At-large members are Charity Huber of BEC and Phillip Quintanilla of WS & P Insurance.

The luncheon featured Texas Department of Transportation Commissioner Alex Meade as the keynote speaker.

EDC President/ CEO Amy Story gave an update about positioning Kendall County for “sustainable, high-quality” economic growth, according to a release.

The EDC is a public- private nonprofit geared “to promote business opportunities that will strengthen and grow a vibrant and diverse economic future for Kendall County,” the release stated.

Game 3 on Saturday kind of had that same feel, and the teams were tied at 0-0 until the fifth inning when Zak Al-Arashi broke it open.

Al-Arashi launched a 2-run homer and that opened the floodgates for the Chargers team that went on to win the decisive third game, 6-0.

Champion advances to the third round and faces La Joya Palmview in a best-of-three series at Sinton. Game 1 is Thursday, 7 p.m. Game 2 is Friday, 5 p.m., and a third game, if needed, will follow the second game.

Chargers coach Ben Woodchick said his team was hitting the ball well on Saturday, but most of them were deep fly balls to the outfield that were caught by Southwest until Al-Arashi blasted his homer over the right-center field fence.

“Their plan was to play us deep in the outfield and let us bang it around and they would run under it,” he said. “We had to keep plugging, they threw enough strikes and played great defense to where we were going to have some big hits. They weren’t going to give it to us and we finally got that out of Zak and we followed that up with a double and the pipe kind of finally opened up a little bit.”

Al-Arashi said he liked the pitch he saw.

“He threw me a fastball, middle- in, a little low, and I was able to step back and turn on it,” he said. “I was expecting a middle-away, but I reacted and spun on it to hit a homer.”

The 2-0 lead marked Champion’s largest lead of the series, but the Chargers blew it open in the sixth with 4 more runs.

Cal Isley walked to start the sixth and then Austin Garritano doubled to score Isley and it was 3-0. Garritano moved to third on a ground out and then Brody Bendele was hit by a pitch to put two runners on.

Lyndon Austin came up to bunt and the SW catcher fielded the ball and threw to third to try and get Garritano, but the throw went into the outfield and both Garritano and Bendele scored and the lead jumped to 5-0.

Austin moved to second on the errant throw and later scored. Jaedyn Yamaguchi, who doubled in the fifth, singled in the sixth to bring in Austin, and the Chargers were on top, 6-0 going into the sixth.

The Dragons still had to bat in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings and put two runners on in the sixth but didn’t score as Charger pitcher Owen Kuhl went the distance and hurled a complete-game shutout.

Kuhl scattered 5 hits, only walked 1 batter and didn’t give up a run, while striking out 1.

Kuhl had been the Game 2 starter last week, but Woodchick moved around his rotation and was hoping to use Kuhl in the closer role, but plans changed.

“If we were going to nail it home, I wanted him as the stopper guy in Game 2 and if it didn’t come to that, then here he is waiting in Game 3 as a guy that’s been doing it for us,” he said.

Game 2 Champion 3, Southwest 4

A late rally by the Chargers in Friday’s Game 2 came up short, and the Dragons prevailed, 4-3, to even their series after the Chargers took the first game, 2-1.

Southwest struck for a single run in the first for the 1-0 lead and then pushed in 3 runs in the fourth with 3 singles, a sac bunt and a Charger error and it was 4-0.

Champion started to rally in the fifth after Jaedyn Yamaguchi started off the inning with a double. Owen Kuhl walked and then a Lyndon Austin sac bunt moved the runners to second and third with one out.

Austin Garritano ripped a single to centerfield to score Yamaguchi’s courtesy runner, Jaxson Denman and Kuhl, and it was 4-2 with only one out, but the next two Charger batters were retired with a line out to the pitcher and a pop up to right field to keep it a two-run game at 4-2.

In the seventh, Cal Isley was hit by a pitch and scored on a Brody Bendele double, and it was 4-3. After a ground out for the second out, two Chargers walked to load the bases after Kuhl was intentionally walked and then Austin took a walk.

The Chargers had the tying run at third and the winning run at second but the next Champion batter hit a pop up to end it.

Brody Eisert started on the hill and went 3.1 innings. He gave up 5 hits, 2 earned runs, didn’t walk a batter and fanned 4. Parker Davis pitched the final 3.1 innings and scattered 2 hits, didn’t give up a run, walked 1 batter and sat down 4.

NOTES: All three games in last week’s series were at Sotomayor High School or NS Field 3, and the visiting team won all three games. SW was the home team in Game 1 and the Chargers prevailed. Champion was the home team in Game 2 and the Dragons won and then SW was the home team on Saturday and the Chargers won.

Top Texas legislators are pushing to waive a new state law that requires camps to install broadband fiber optics to legally operate this summer, The Dallas Morning News reported.

Scores of camps are struggling to meet the deadline. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows released a statement last week saying they support lifting the law.

Nearly 20 camps have sued to block the requirement, arguing it does not make their properties safer and would cost millions of dollars. So far only nine Texas summer camps are licensed to open, with fewer than two weeks before the season begins. Nearly 300 are still working to obtain licenses. The Department of State Health Services said last week camps will be allowed to operate under existing licenses while their applications are reviewed.

The laws were passed in the aftermath of last year’s July 4 flooding, which killed more than two dozen campers at Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River. In addition to fiber-optic networks, camps must install emergency warning and public-address systems and provide safety training for campers.

Patrick backs Middleton in attorney general runoff 

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is backing state Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, in the GOP runoff for Texas attorney general May 26. Early voting runs from May 18 to May 22. In the runoff, Middleton faces U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin.

“Mayes Middleton has established a record as one of the most conservative senators in Texas history,” Patrick said on social media.

The Dallas Morning News quoted Patrick as saying Middleton will make the post “the strongest and most impactful AG office in the nation.”

Democrats Joe Jaworski, a former Galveston mayor, and state Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas, are in a runoff for their party’s nomination. Incumbent Ken Paxton opted not to run and is locked in a GOP primary runoff with incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

Cornyn, Paxton remain in tight runoff battle 

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is locked in a tight race against incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn for the GOP nomination, the Texas Standard reported. The Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston recently conducted a poll that showed Paxton leading Cornyn, 48% to 45% with 7% still undecided.

The poll of those indicating they were likely to vote in the GOP runoff had a 2.83% margin of error.

In the first quarter of this year, Cornyn raised nearly $9 million, including $3.4 million after the March primary. Paxton raised $2.2 million. Democratic nominee state Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock, raised a record $27 million in the first quarter, the largest-ever sum for a Senate candidate in the first quarter of an election year in any state.

Texas has biggest teacher workforce, but paid less 

Texas has the country’s largest teacher workforce but lags behind the national average in teacher pay and per-student spending, according to a report in the Austin American-Statesman.

A National Education Association report said teacher pay in Texas is about $10,700 below the U.S. average. Texas public school teachers earned an average of $63,749 in 2024-2025, which put it 33rd among states and Washington, D.C. The national average was $74,495.

Texas had nearly 370,000 public school teachers in 20242025, the highest number in the country.

Texas leads in immigration Detention; crossings plummet

Texas continues to lead the country in the number of people held in detention centers, even as unauthorized border crossings plunge, the Houston Chronicle reported.

As of early April, the daily average in Texas was nearly 18,000 people. That’s more than twice the average number of immigrants held in Louisiana, the second highest, with about 8,100 per day.

Texas’ high numbers are partly due to the state’s numerous detention centers and a ruling from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld the practice of holding immigrants until their removal proceedings conclude.

“The 5th Circuit is not immigrant-friendly, and it’s easier to remove people who are detained in the Texas facilities,” said Zenobia Lai, executive director of the Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said decisions on where detainees are held are made on a “case-by-case basis in accordance with U.S. law.”

Texas most at-risk for hail damage

Everything is bigger in Texas, including the hail, according to Cotality’s 2026 Severe Convective Storm Risk Report, published in the Austin American-Statesman. The state ranks as the most at-risk for hail damage, with 8 million homes exposed and a combined reconstruction value exceeding $3.1 trillion.

Four Texas cities rank among the top 10 for homes at greater risk of hail damage. Dallas ranks second nationally, behind Chicago, followed by Houston in third, Austin in ninth and San Antonio in tenth.

“Although most hailstones are typically pea- or dimesize, hail can grow to as large as golf balls and baseballs. In extreme cases, hail can reach the size of a softball, grapefruit or even a pineapple,” Statesman meteorologist Mary Wasson wrote.

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

American Craft Beer Week in Boerne celebrates springtime brews

Paying tribute to the area’s German heritage during American Craft Beer Week, six breweries are sponsoring the fifth annual Bock Walk the weekend of May 16 and 17.

American Craft Beer Week started May 11 and runs through Sunday.

Ty Wolosin, general manager of brewing operations at Cibolo Creek Brewing Co., said events Saturday and Sunday should offer a lot of fun for lovers of the strong lager.

“Essentially, it started five years ago, in a conversation between myself and the prior general manager of Free Roam,” Wolosin said. “We were just brainstorming things we could do to spur more people to get more business to breweries.”

The event had humble roots as Wolosin and some friends simply wanted to “‘walk and bock,’ try each other’s bocks. It was that casual; it wasn’t a sponsored event; a ‘word of mouth’ thing.”

After the first foray, a second year led Wolosin and others to make the walk “more official, push it, more and more. Maybe we can get some backing behind it?”

According to brewers, a bock is a strong dark beer brewed in the autumn and consumed during spring.

It is also “a good style for people that do not like really hoppy beer. The bock is still a nice beer to start with,” Wolosin said.

Another brew offered during the Bock Walk, called Maibock, is “a slightly lighter version of a bock. They’d brew a slightly lighter version for the springtime,” Wolosin said.

Mai is German for May. The breweries participating in the walk and their offerings include:

• 28 Songs Brewhouse & Kitchen: “Kicks Like a Goat”

• Cibolo Creek Brewing Co. and Hamby’s: Maibock, “My Neck” • Free Roam Brewing Co.: “High Fence”

• Tusculum Brewing Co.: “Tuba King”

• The Dodging Duck Brewhaus: “My Duck Maibock” A press release about the Walk states, “Beer enthusiasts are encouraged to explore each location, try the unique interpretations of this seasonal favorite, and experience the collaborative spirit that defines Boerne’s craft beer culture.”

There’s no set time for the start of the walk.

“Just ask for the bock; they’ll know you’re on the walk,” Wolosin said.

In addition to the festivities, attendees and supporters can commemorate the occasion with a limited-edition Boerne craft brewery T-shirt, available for preorder online. The exclusive design features all six breweries.

Go to www.gunpowderandcab. com/products/ boerne-craft-beer-shirt to learn more.

However, storms the past few days still have not relieved drought conditions and officials are noting a “drop in water levels.”

“The city is working to evaluate next steps to reduce water fluctuations.”

— Chris Shadrock, Boerne spokesman 

Though there are a handful of dams locally on the creek, the one raising eyebrows is found at the east end of River Road Park in downtown Boerne and is part of the town’s picturesque waterfront.

In response to concerns, city spokesman Chris Shadrock released a statement: “There is no break in the dam. It remains in good overall structural condition, which was confirmed in 2025 by an inspection with a third-party engineering firm. Following recent rain events, city staff observed a drop in water levels, and it is believed there are several factors playing a role in the fluctuation.”

According to Shadrock, those include:

• Ongoing drought conditions

• Changes in creek capacity after sediment removal and natural groundwater interaction

• Some subsurface seepage occurring under portions of the dam 

The seepage, Shadrock said, is “not uncommon given the dam’s age and original 1800s limestone construction. The city is working to evaluate next steps to reduce water fluctuations.”

Salvador Dobbs owner Veronica Brown said she remains concerned.

“I have a rain gauge at my bar,” Brown said. “When we (Boerne) received heavy rain, I was excited because I really wanted to see how fast it would fill this creek because it has been empty forever.”

In past few years, the city has allocated millions of dollars for renovations at River Road Park, which includes Cibolo Creek — a popular attraction.

Brown worries the drought could have an impact on tourism.

“There used to be a rope swing I would swing on as a child,” she said. “I’m passionate about this creek because it’s literally my front view of my bar.”

Browns’ rain gauge recorded a swift 14-inch drop after the heavy rainfall. She went to social media to see other residents weigh in – but it quickly became a blame-game.

Some of the posters pointed fingers at city officials and Parks & Recreation, but Brown said that is not helping the situation.

“I’ve said before, I don’t care who is at fault,” she said. “I just want to know if there is any issue.”

For more on the water conditions, visit boerne-water-dashboard. com.

CHS put up a good fight, but were swept by the Tigers, 8-0 and 14-10, to conclude the Bobcat season at 24-7-1.

The Bobcats were the only team in their district to advance to the second round after the other three went out in the first round.

Game 2 Comfort 10, Jacksboro 14 

Both the Bobcats and Tigers raced out of the gate in Saturday’s Game 2 with strong starts, but a strong finish by Jacksboro carried them to a 14-10 win in Brownwood.

After Jacksboro scored 3 runs in the top of the first, Comfort fired back with 8 runs in the bottom of the frame for the 8-3 lead.

The Bobcats put their first five batters on with three walks, a hit batter and a single to make it 3-2. Another hit batter, a walk and a double by Rhyder George put the Cats on top, 6-3.

Mason Matt singled to bring in Owen Schulze, and it was 7-3 and then George scored on a wild pitch to make it 8-3, but the Bobcat lead didn’t hold for long.

The Tigers fired back with 5 runs in the top of the second and tied it at 8-8. Like Comfort did in the previous inning, Jacksboro put its first five batters on before there was an out.

The Bobcats answered in the bottom of the second with a pair of runs after an error allowed Augie Diaz de Villegas to score and a Schulze single brought in Cade Woerner and the Bobcats were up 10-8.

Unfortunately for Comfort, they couldn’t keep up the pace and didn’t score the rest of the way and Jacksboro closed out the game by scoring the final 6 runs of the game.

A solo home run in the top of the fourth made it 10-9 and then the Tigers tallied another run in the fifth to tie it up at 10-10.

From there, Jacksboro pulled away with a 4-run sixth inning and recorded a triple, double, two singles, and took advantage of a Comfort error to get its 4 runs for the 14-10 lead.

Mason Matter tripled in the fourth and that ended up being Comfort’s last hit of the game. Schulze took a walk in the fifth and those were the only two Bobcats that made it safely on base in the final four frames.

Comfort finished with 6 hits, Matter’s triple and a double from Schulze, along with singles from Mason Matt, Matt Kemp, Cade Woerner and George.

Diaz de Villegas led the team with 2 runs scored, while eight others scored one each and Travis Gwaltney, Schulze and George all picked up 2 RBI apiece.

Matter threw 1.1 innings, Zach Jones faced 3 batters and Schulze went the final 5.1 innings and struck out 4 batters.

Game 1 Comfort 0, Jacksboro 8 

The Bobcats were shutout for the first time this season after the Tigers took the first game on Friday, 8-0.

Jacksboro tallied 2 runs in the first, 2 in the second and 4 in the fourth and held on for the shutout victory.

Rhyder George recorded two of Comfort’s hits and Matt Kemp had the other. George singled in the third and sixth innings, while Kemp singled in the fourth and Cade Woerner took a walk.

Gunner Carpenter started on the hill and tossed three innings and left after giving up 3 hits, 4 runs but only 1 was earned, while he walked 2 and struck out 1.

Zach Jones, Owen Schulze and Woerner all tossed in the game as well. Schulze went 2 innings and yielded 3 hits, 2 runs, a walk and fanned a batter, while Woerner threw an inning and didn’t give up a hit, walk or run, and Jones faced two batters and gave up 2 walks and 2 runs.

Boerne Champion has four entries, Boerne High has one runner and Comfort has two athletes advancing in field events.

TAPPS held their state meet last weekend and Geneva School of Boerne picked up two state medals The UIL state meet is this weekend in Austin, Thursday through Saturday. The 3A meet is Thursday and the 5A meet is on Friday.

Boerne Champion

Juliana Syroney is entered in two events after she won the 200 and finished second in the 100 at regionals, while Shawn Edwards will race in the 3200 and the 4x200 boys relay of Hayden Fridley, Jaxon Harbuck, Ryan McDonald and Brogan Dempsey qualified.

Syroney, Edwards and the 4x200 all claimed regional titles to make it to state.

Boerne High

Freshman Presley Merkens will run in the 800 Friday in Austin and she beat the school record set in 1998 by state champion Courtney Darter-Bruce (2:12.78) with a time of 2:12.34 to win the region.

Comfort High

Comfort has two athletes that qualified for the 3A state meet and they are both in field events. Carter Pape will compete in the long jump on Thursday after he won the regional title and Molly Gowan will compete in the high jump after she placed second at regionals.

Geneva School of Boerne

The TAPPS state meet was last weekend and Brady Chandler earned two medals for the Eagles after the senior won the pole vault for gold and was third in the long jump for bronze.

For more on the TAPPS meet, look in this weekend’s Boerne Star.

All games in Sinton

*Game 1 is Thursday, 7 p.m.

*Game 2 is Friday, 5 p.m.

*Game 3, if needed, 30 minutes after second game.

A “holistic pet wellness” event coming to Boerne next month will offer tips and highlights about the proper care and nutrition of a household’s four-legged family members.

Michele Jaime, owner of Fetch & Friskers and a 15-year Boerne resident, has assembled a team of five speakers for the June 13 program at The Kendall, 128 W. Blanco Road.

The “Wags & Whiskers Wellness Roundup” is designed to be an immersive, education-focused experience, Jaime said.

Attendees to the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. program will hear from assembled experts, interact with like-minded pet owners and explore products and resources that support longterm health and vitality, organizers said.

“We’re seeing more and more pet owners ask deeper questions about nutrition, prevention and long-term health. What we try to do is teach people to better care for their animals, holistically,” Jaime said. “This event brings those conversations and resources together in one place for our community.”

One key aspect is raw food consumption, which pet-care advocates say is beneficial for better bone and dental health, improved skin and coats, high protein availability, low ecological impact, removal of processed foods from the diet, minimizing bad breath and higher energy levels.

“They just live a better- quality life when fed raw foods,” Jaime said. “With raw feeding, it just changed their lives. They don’t have ear problems, itchy skin disappears, the teeth maintain and the breath improves.”

Even people who feed as little as 25% of their dog’s food raw see benefits, she added. Those include cleaner teeth and increasing the “good bacteria” in the gut.

Speakers include:

• Billy Hoekman, vice president of Nutrition & Formulation for Green Juju: “Gut health, probiotics and raw feeding.”

• Carter Easler, director of research and education for MycoDog & CBD Dog Health: “The Senior Dog Study. A clinical trial measuring how functional mushrooms and adaptogens ( cannabidiol) support brain health, behavior and quality of life in aging dogs.”

• Lynda Loudon, integrative emergency veterinarian and founder of Dog Mom Society: “Pesticides, heartworm treatments, flea and tick treatments and vaccinations for pets more naturally.”

• Roxanne Stone, nutrition education director for Solutions Pet Products: “Protective health span through fresh fermented raw processing and raw milk.”

• Rita Hogan, canine herbalist and author of “The Herbal Dog”: “Spay and neuter support with herbs.”

Tickets are $89 for the day and are available by calling Fetch & Friskers, 210-898-8884, or by email at info@fetchandfriskers. com.

“What we try to do is teach people to better care for their animals, holistically.”

— Michele Jaime

Time to buy your tickets for the Hill Country Art and Wine Festival, brought to you by the partnership that created the memorable seven-year run of Boerne Bierfest.

Hill Country Council for the Arts, along with Eventson- Main, invite you to join us Memorial Day weekend, May 22-23 at Boerne's Main Plaza.

*Friday from 4-8 p.m., we offer an elevated evening reception featuring Texas wines, live jazz music, fine art and craft artisans, and a curated auction experience.

While the wine tasting and art auction combined is a ticketed event, community members are invited to review the art and visit with the artists to hear their inspirations.

*Saturday is free and open to the public, with events running 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Start your morning with Mimosas on Main, raising money for our Boerne Independent School District artist scholarships, from 10 a.m. to noon.

The day promises to bring a full festival experience at Main Plaza. Browse artists’ booths, meet Texas vintners, snack at our participating food vendors booths, enjoy live music, feel the emotion delivered through the recitations of our Hill Country Poets and drumming, and show your support for our Boerne ISD high school student artists.

Purchase your tickets today, only 300 available, and find all things pertaining to Hill Country Art and Wine Festival at https://hccarts.org/ art-waddle-hill-countryart and-wine-festival, or call Paula for information, 210-269-8349.

Bedoy is a high school junior who recently completed Sandra Day O'Connor High School's Independent Study Mentorship program. Art was his area of study and he selected Donald Darst, artist and gallery partner, as his mentor.

The gallery address is 14391 Old Bandera Road in Bandera. For information call 210-370-9204.

*SUNDAY MAY 24:

Bring your family and friends, blankets and lawn chairs, at 7 p.m. to Boerne's Main Plaza to enjoy a Memorial Day concert by the Boerne Concert Band.

Members will perform patriotic classics to honor and remember the U.S. Armed Forces, and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in past wars.

In case of rain, the concert will be held in the Boerne High School auditorium.

Follow the Hill Country Council for the Arts on Facebook @BoerneConcertBand, and website at www.boerneconcertband. com for more information.

Jurassic Summer Opening Event

May 30, noon-3 p.m.

Kick off the summer with a roaring good time at the library’s Jurassic-themed opening event! This special celebration will bring “real-life” dinosaurs to the library as dinosaur handlers from Jurassic S.A. introduce attendees to four baby dinosaurs and two fullgrown dinosaurs roaming throughout the event.

Families can also enjoy a special educational dinosaur presentation beginning at 1:00pm. Free face painting will be available on a firstcome, first-served basis, making this prehistoric party fun for all ages.

ROAR & EXPLORE: DI NOHUNT

June 5 at 10 a.m.

Dinosaurs have escaped onto the Old No. 9 Trail behind the library, and brave explorers are needed to help track them down. Families will follow the trail searching for hidden dinosaurs along the way in this prehistoric scavenger hunt adventure.

ANCIENT ANIMALS

June 8 and July 13 at 9:30 a.m.

Meet and interact with incredible animals whose ancestors once roamed the Earth alongside the dinosaurs. Children and families will have the chance to pet and learn about fascinating creatures, including a giant python and tortoises, during this exciting prehistoric experience.

FOSSIL FINDERS: BURIED IN TIME

June 12 at 3 p.m.

Young paleontologists can dig for buried fossils and uncover prehistoric surprises in this exciting excavation adventure. Grab your explorer hat and discover what ancient treasures are waiting beneath

the surface.

ROCK READERS

June 15 and July 10-10:30 am.

Children will uncover fascinating facts about rocks, minerals, and fossils while getting an up-close look at some truly amazing specimens. This hands-on program is perfect for curious kids who love science, nature, and prehistoric treasures.

VELOCICRAFTERS

June 18 and July 16 at 3:00p.m.

Children and their grownups are invited to work together to create prehistoric- inspired crafts. This hands-on art program is perfect for dino lovers who enjoy creativity, imagination and artsy fun.

DINOPAWS

June 22 at 10:30 a.m.

Children and families can practice reading skills with a trained, certified therapy dog during this dinosaur-themed literacy adventure. Young readers will build confidence, share stories and enjoy some tail-wagging fun with a furry reading buddy. All ages are welcome.

LITTLE PALEOS (ON THE PROWL)

June 26 and July 24 at 10 a.m.

Babies and toddlers will enjoy hands-on sensory play with bins filled with dinosaur and prehistoric themed items designed to spark curiosity and exploration. This playful program is perfect for little ones who love to scoop, dig, touch, and discover.

BUILDABITE

June 30 at 3 p.m.

Children will create a festive DIY snack inspired by the red, white, and blue in this hands-on food activity full of patriotic fun and creativity. Get ready to mix, build and snack your way through a star-spangled good time.

JURASSIC LAVA LAB

July 7 at 3 p.m.

Children will create their very own exploding slime inspired by bubbling prehistoric volcanoes in this exciting hands-on science activity. Expect gooey fun, erupting reactions and a roaring good time.

There’s still plenty more fun waiting to be uncovered this summer at the library, so families are encouraged to stay tuned for additional programs and events.

Mark your calendars because this summer’s Youth programming is sure to spark imagination and create unforgettable memories.

Dinosaurs have escaped onto the Old No. 9 Trail behind the library, and brave explorers are needed to help track them down.” Heath Library Dino-Hunt

It’s not just elected statewide leadership that’s trampling on voting rights — see Aprill 11’s “Progressive Views.” The office of the Secretary of State (TxSoS) has only two responsibilities under the Texas Constitution, one of which is to maintain the voter registration files and voting records. The other is to register business entities and maintain their public records.

The current Texas Secretary of State, Jane Nelson, was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in early 2023 and is accountable to him.

Under her leadership, the Secretary of State’s Elections Division, previously a very efficient and responsive agency, has become much more difficult to work with.

The Texas Democratic Party (TDP) operates a statewide voter database called VAN (Voter Activation Network); TxSoS provides voter file updates on a regular basis to populate this database. (Republicans use a different database.)

Democratic county parties (including the Kendall County Democratic Party, KCDP) and candidates use this data to plan voter contact, fundraise and organize “get out the vote” actions.

However, during this current election cycle, these voter file updates have been repeatedly delayed and full of errors.

The fault lies entirely with the Secretary of State’s office. TDP has been reluctant to publicly call out TxSoS; at first, TDP believed that TxSoS was working to address the problems. At this point, TDP has decided it can no longer stay silent about the problems.

The voter file TDP received from TxSoS in March was riddled with errors statewide, including missing or unassigned precincts, incorrect or missing Congressional district assignments and incorrect Texas Legislature assignments.

An outside quality control (QC) group advised TDP not to distribute a file with so many errors (a wildly high 10% error rate). TDP had to manually edit assignments and make other changes to make the file more usable. TDP staff worked around the clock one week in late April to reduce the error rate to 2%.

TDP has now submitted its third voter file to the QC group for approval; the previous two did not pass their quality control process. On Monday, the quality control group finally approved the file for distribution.

In addition to voter file problems, TDP has still not received voter history files for the November 2025 Constitutional Election or March Primary Election from TxSoS after more than six weeks of no response, nor does TDP have an expected date to receive those files.

These problems don’t just affect voting, either. Criminal cases in Texas, particularly in high-volume areas like Harris County, are experiencing delays partly due to inefficient jury pool creation, often hindered by outdated voter records and high rates of undeliverable summons.

Inadequate voter records directly impact the number of potential jurors who receive notice, compelling courts to summon more people to compensate for those who cannot be reached.

Many statewide voters still don’t have their 2026 voter registration cards, two months after the March 3 primary. While these voters are still registered, and can vote with a photo ID, the lack of the cards caused confusion during the primary.

Voters wondered if they were still registered or if something had gone awry. KCDP answered many such calls at our office. You can always check your current voter registration status at www.votetexas. gov, and we encourage all voters to check this website regularly.

It’s very doubtful that Secretary Nelson, on her own initiative, is directing the TxSoS Elections Division to drag its feet. She is almost certainly doing so at the direction of Abbott — and him, at the president’s urging — to make it look like “state-run elections don’t work.”

Which then leads to “ justification” for the federal government to get involved with state elections.

It’s clear that our Republican leadership wants the Texas election system to fail. It’s long past time to elect statewide leadership that works in the interests of voters, not against them. Time to elect Democratic leadership.

For more information on KCDP and our advocacy visit our website at www. kcdems. us

Terri Burke is the Executive Director of TDP. Laura Bray is the former KCDP Chair. The TDP Data Team also contributed to this article.

Consider this scenario: A teacher of 30 years and mother of three passes away at age 58. She leaves behind a modest home, a retirement account and cherished family heirlooms – but no estate plan.

Her children, still grieving, find themselves navigating a confusing probate process, disagreeing about when to sell the house and considering who gets their grandmother’s ring.

This mom wasn’t wealthy by most measures, but her lack of planning created confusion, conflict and uncertainty at a time when her family needed clarity.

Her story reminds us of an important truth: estate planning is about easing conflict and making sure what you have goes where you want it to go.

As you think about your own legacy, consider these myths that can lead to costly mistakes and unintended outcomes.

Myth 1: Estate planning is only for wealthy people The desire to make things easier for loved ones has nothing to do with net worth. Formally documenting your wishes reduces the burden on family members and gives you control. Without a plan, your state’s laws will decide how your estate is handled, and you may not like what those laws say.

Myth 2: Having a will is all you need While a will is important, it only takes effect after death. That means it offers no protection if you become incapacitated and cannot make decisions for yourself. It does, however, allow you to name legal guardians for dependent children.

The foundation of most estate plans includes a will (which directs asset distribution), a financial power of attorney (for financial decisions), a health care power of attorney (for medical decisions), and a medical directive (to share your end of life wishes).

While not everyone needs a trust, there are several that allow you to make special provisions, such as for minor children, a special needs family member or even a cherished pet.

Consulting with a financial adviser and an estate planning attorney can help determine the right combination based on your situation.

Myth 3: Equal distribution is always fair It’s likely that the individuals in your estate plan, especially if they are adult children, have different family and financial situations. You may have one child who’s extremely successful financially while another is struggling.

Or you may have assets, such as a house or ownership of a family business, that are more suitable for one beneficiary than another. It’s important to consider any unique circumstances as you develop your estate plan.

Myth 4: I can set it and forget it

You’ll want to review your estate plan every few years or when a major life event occurs. Life is full of changes, such as marriages, divorces, new children and relocations, and they will likely impact your goals.

Reviewing your plan helps keep everything aligned with your wishes and serves as a reminder to keep your beneficiaries on all your assets up to date.

Ultimately, estate planning is about helping ensure your voice is heard and your loved ones cared for, no matter what the future holds.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC

While a will is important, it only takes effect after death. That means it offers no protection if you become incapacitated and cannot make decisions for yourself.

Editor, Texas. Our Texas. Travel the backroads of Texas and drivers signal a welcome to neighbors or strangers traveling down the road.

“Welcome to Texas” are the first signs visitors see posted when they travel to our state.

When a person is down, we come together to offer a helping hand; not a handout. Whether it is a flood, fire or drought; we are Texas strong.

One man’s opinion is his own. We may not agree, but we are not going to tear him down and shout him out of the room.

Texas is a big state with lots of room and lots of ways of looking at issues. The best Texas solution are those made by Texans.

Y’all means you all.

— Richard Caldwell Boerne resident

APRIL 29

10:33 a.m., 1300 block of S. Main Street – A caller reported his vehicle was hit by another vehicle in the parking lot. The caller said he asked the other driver for his insurance information but the other driver refused.

10:42 a.m., 33000 block of W. I-10 – A caller was concerned after finding a large amount of blood and Q-tips in the bathroom.

11:43 a.m., 400 block of Hampton Cove – A caller reported someone stole three kittens from his porch.

12:51 p.m., 1000 block of N. Main Street – A caller reported two males smoking marijuana outside the business.

APRIL 30

1:22 a.m., 35000 block of W. I-10 – A caller reported seeing two males involved in a physical altercation. A third male was reported to be filming. Law enforcement came to the location and the males were detained.

6:22 a.m., 500 block of S. Main Street – A caller reported waking up after hearing a vehicle’s door slam. The caller reported the vehicle was in her driveway.

9:35 a.m., 100 block of Bandera Road – A caller reported an incident broke out after the caller’s credit card broke at the location. The caller said there was an issue with someone owing money.

3:32 p.m., 100 block of Gallant Fox – An employee reported a male at the location who was continuing to loiter despite being told he couldn’t be at the location.

6:12 p.m., 1300 block of S. Main Street – A caller reported three high schoolers attempted to steal gas from the location. One of them stole an alcoholic beverage before leaving the location.

MAY 1

2:01 a.m., 100 block of Enterprise Boulevard – A caller reported he was working and heard around six or seven shots fired. The caller said shots did not hit the building, but sounded very close.

4:29 p.m., 200 block of N. Main Street – A caller reported her vehicle was struck by another, knocking off her car driver’s mirror.

4:50 p.m., 200 block of Barton Creek – A caller reported someone attempted to use his credit card for a $3,000 charge on his Amazon account.

5:12 p.m., 100 block of Old San Antonio Road – A caller reported her former significant other threatened to post naked photos of the caller online.

MAY 2

9:08 a.m., 100 block of Lakeview Drive – A caller reported receiving a text with a suspicious link saying the caller needed to pay a fine.

9:18 a.m., 1100 Grand Drive – An employee reported a strange person on campus.

11:52 a.m., 1000 block of N. Main Street – A caller reported two dogs in a vehicle with the windows up.

2:11 p.m., 100 block of Noble Woods – A caller reported receiving a call from his daughter who was concerned she was being followed.

4:55 p.m., 100 block of Branson Falls – A caller reported overhearing a male and female talking on her doorbell camera about the tools a contractor owned.

MAY 3

10:17 a.m., 100 block of Retama Road – A caller reported a vehicle parked in front her house with a male sitting inside.

11:07 a.m., 200 block of FM 474 – A caller reported a motorcycle accident. One lane was shut down while the accident was managed.

12:18 p.m., 500 block of Huntwick – A caller reported finding a hidden camera in his residence. The caller said this was the second camera he found.

MAY 4

7:35 a.m., 100 block of Medical Drive – A caller reported finding a loose dog on the trail. Animal Control was contacted.

11:38 a.m., 1300 block of S. Main Street – A caller reported he accidentally cut someone off in traffic and now the other driver was following him and parked behind him.

1:20 p.m., 100 block of Crow Cove – A caller reported doors stolen from the location.

7:21 p.m., 100 block of N. Main Street – A caller reported a male pointed a firearm at his teenage son earlier in the day.

8:01 p.m., 100 block of Oak Knoll – A caller reported her neighbors were letting their dogs run loose around their neighborhood.

MAY 5

12:13 p.m., 400 block of S. Main Street – A caller reported a vehicle parked with a trailer in the roadway.

2:09 p.m., 34000 block of W. I-10 – A caller was concerned about potential insurance issues and identity fraud during a visit to a doctor’s office.

3:18 p.m., 800 block of Johns Road – A caller reported a male throwing objects at vehicles driving down the road.

3:41 p.m., 100 block of Kenwood – A caller reported an unfamiliar vehicle on the side of the road. The caller was concerned because she previously had a vehicle in the area stolen.

APRIL 30

5:09 a.m., Highway 87/Interstate 10 – A caller reported they hit a deer and the airbags in their vehicle deployed. There were no injuries, but the vehicle was not drivable.

8:53 a.m., 200 block of Upper Cibolo Creek Road – A caller reported a trapped cat on her property and requested assistance.

11:57 a.m., Preston Trail/Hannah Lane – A caller reported two loose horses roaming around the area.

4:20 p.m., on Mayacama Point – A caller reported his client was scammed out of $100,000.

5:11 p.m., on Tin Cup Loop – A caller reported issues with their neighbor’s dogs, killing their chickens.

MAY 1

2:49 a.m., 200 block of S. FM 3351 – A caller reported a vehicle hydroplaned and went off the road. The driver sustained an injury to her arm. An ambulance was contacted to transport the driver to the ER.

4:17 a.m., 100 block of Savannah Jon Boulevard – A caller reported a piece of china was stolen from her home.

10:39 a.m., 200 block of FM 289 – A caller reported someone was dumping in front of his property. The caller said this was the second time this happened.

MAY 2

12:34 a.m., 800 block of High Street – A store owner reported someone came into the store, turned on the lights and walked out. It was found that it was a maintenance person who was using the ambient light for a problem outside.

7:12 a.m., mile marker 537, E. I-10 – A caller reported a vehicle fluctuating between 40 and 90 mph on the interstate.

9:29 a.m., N. Esser Road – A caller reported hearing several explosions this morning. Law enforcement came to the location and did not hear any suspicious activity.

2:15 p.m., 30000 block of W. I-10 – A caller reported an unwanted armchair was dumped in his driveway.

MAY 3

11:01 a.m., mile marker 543, W. I-10 – A caller was concerned about the driver of an 18-wheeler possibly falling asleep after seeing the vehicle swerving side to side.

2:17 p.m., 200 block of E. Highway 46 – A caller was worried after seeing two dogs close to the road.

2:28 p.m., on Marvil Lee – A caller reported a former significant other wouldn’t leave her alone, even though they broke up over a month ago. The caller said the male was threatening her and her family.

5:40 p.m., 700 block of North Creek Road – A large dog was hanging out in the area all day.

May 4 9:51 a.m., 100 block of Falcon Point – A caller reported an assault occurred the prior day, following a verbal dispute. The caller did not want to press charges but wanted the matter documented.

9:59 a.m., 10000 block of Old San Antonio Road – A caller reported he suspected a vehicle was abandoned at the location.

12:27 p.m., on Staudt Street – A caller reported her lottery ticket went missing and she suspected it was stolen.

2:10 p.m., 1000 block of Front Street – A vehicle was stopped for a traffic stop. The driver was detained.

4:11 p.m., 300 block of Old Blanco Road – A vehicle stolen from San Antonio was pinging in various locations around Boerne.

MAY 5

4:47 a.m., 100 block of N. Walnut Way – A caller reported someone shining a light in their window. The caller was concerned it was a firearm scope. Law enforcement came to the location but did not find any odd lighting.

4:59 p.m., 100 block of Cordova – A caller reported five-to-six-foot snakes slithering between houses. The caller said one of the snakes was going into the house through a vent.

5:12 p.m., 100 block of Ranger Drive – A caller reported a male going door to door selling storm windows around the neighborhood.

8:08 p.m., 200 block of Cinamon Creek – A caller reported hearing what sounded like automatic gunfire in the area for the previous 15 minutes.

The purchase of 31 acres along North Main Street to build a new middle school is helping the Boerne Independent School District remain ready for the future, officials said.

The acquisition in the 1200 block of North Main was finalized May 5, the district said in a May 6 news release.

“This newly purchased 31-acre tract of land is a strategic location for the future of the district,” said Superintendent Kristin Craft.

The current Boerne Middle School North campus sits on 10-landlocked acres on Johns Road, while an ideal middle school site is 30-40 acres, school officials said.

The district sought land in the voter-approved 2022 bond with the goal of building a new middle school to replace the campus on Johns Road, which educators said is cramped.

Craft in the prepared statement said the purchase showcases BISD’s emphasis to continue becoming “future ready.”

“We are delighted that our rate of growth has slowed slightly over the past 18 months. It’s allowed us to be intentional and planful and to evaluate what the needs of our community are currently,” the superintendent said.

The purchase marked “a major milestone in the district’s proactive approach to accommodating future growth, expanding educational opportunities and meeting the needs of the community,” district officials said.

After the middle school moves, the current 10-acre campus could be transformed into a career technical education “hub” by relocating the structured vocational and skills programs there, thus delaying the need to build a third high school.

“This is a landmark day for Boerne ISD,” said school board President Kristi Schmidt. “While we hope to follow through with the construction of a new middle school and a refreshed CTE hub, we need to make sure it’s what our taxpayers want, too.”

She added the district “will be patient and prudent.”

According to Schmidt, “We purchased the land Van Raub Elementary School resides on in 2004 and that campus wasn’t opened until 2018.”

Youth-driven segment draws a crowd

Hundreds turned out Thursday to enjoy breakfast, noon and evening programs as part of the National Day of Prayer.

The fourth annual Boerne Day of Prayer event, organized by members of Boerneprays.org, included a youth-organized and youthdriven “Light Up the Square” segment, which saw attendees twice break into smaller prayer groups around the Main Plaza gazebo.

Many went to their knees, hands pressed together, in their expressions of devotion.

Messages from teens Adeen Pop, Emma Lee and Tristan Onweller were shared among younger worshippers, with the session stretching well beyond its allotted hour.

Onweller preached to a packed audience from 1 Timothy 4:12-13.

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech and conduct and love and faith and purity,” Onweller read.

He referred to the next verse, 4:13, “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.”

He added, “As you can see right here, there are so many of us who … are young that are just on fire for the Lord. There is a revival happening in our town. Over the past year, I have seen so many Bibles just pop up around Boerne.”

After the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast launched the day to a crowded house at Las Guitarras Restaurant, the main public gathering began at noon on Main Plaza.

The program, in addition to worship music, included state Sen. Donna Campbell, Mayor Frank Ritchie, Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk, County Commissioner Andra Wisian and Sheriff Al Auxier.

Campbell, whose District 25 includes Boerne, read a proclamation from Gov. Greg Abbott proclaiming the day as National Day of Prayer — first set in motion in 1952 by President Harry Truman and Congress, renewed on the first Thursday of May each year since by the nation’s presidents.

“Generations of Americans have recognized its power to bring healing, clarity and peace,” Campbell read from Abbott’s message.

“My hope is that people of faith will continue to lift up our state and nation, asking for guidance, unity and steadfast resolve, as we reflect on this year’s theme, ‘To glorify God among the nations, seeking him in all generations,’” she said, quoting the governor’s statement.

Auxier prayed for the safety of law enforcement agencies and first responders both in Boerne and nationwide.

“Bring unity between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” Auxier prayed. “Be their shield. Guard their minds from fear, their hearts from bitterness and their spirits from fatigue.”

The sheriff added, “Let truth prevail over falsehood, and justice be carried out with fairness and mercy.” “There is a revival happening in our town.”

— Tristan Onweller

Boerne High School students are teaming up this week with the Hill Country Fire Coalition of Texas to reduce a wildfire risk around the Kendall County home of an Army veteran’s widow.

The coalition received a Wildfire Community Preparedness Day grant from the National Fire Protection Association for the second consecutive year to support its efforts, officials said.

Organized in 2024, the coalition is a nonprofit made up of volunteers working to reduce damages from out-of-control conflagrations through a Kendall County Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

“Our 2026 effort focuses on launching a new Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant Program to assist residents with demonstrated need, who are ineligible for state and federal funding,” said coalition Director Christie Wiley. “While we can complete unlimited property- risk assessments, risk only changes when mitigation work is done.”

Wiley said the agency has designated May 13 as its workday to coincide with the high school’s Community Service Day.

Coalition members will partner with pupils and volunteers from the Bergheim area — the Buckers — to help the veteran’s widowed spouse clear debris and eliminate wildfire risk in “the immediate zone.” That zone, which includes the structure and a 5-foot radius, is the most vulnerable to embers, volunteers said. “This project reflects what we strive for every day: Neighbors helping neighbors, one property at a time, one community at a time,” said Wiley, who expects about 30 Boerne High students to participate.

Preparedness Day grant money that is left over will be used to launch the coalition’s Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant program to “bridge the gap between completing the risk assessment and implementing risk-reduction work on the ground,” Wiley said.

Organizers said volunteers on Wednesday as needed will clean the roof and gutters, replace or repair loose or damaged shingles, install 1/8-inch metal mesh screening on vents in the eaves, clean debris from exterior attic vents, take care of damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows, and move anything that can burn away from exterior walls.

To learn more about the coalition or the workday, call 830-326-9031 or email info@hcfcoftx.com. “This project reflects what we strive for every day.”

–– Christie Wiley