More than seven weeks after major flooding struck South and Central Texas in July, President Donald Trump has approved some federal aid for affected areas, including Kerr, Kendall and Uvalde counties. Trump approved a major disaster declaration for the July storms and flooding, but has not yet released all federal funding requested by local and […]
Category: News
Kerr County businesses launch ‘Love Where You Live’ to boost local economy
In September, a group of business owners assisted by the Kerr Area Chamber of Commerce and the Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau launched the “Love Where You Live” initiative. The all-volunteer program uses signs, social media posts and more to encourage Kerrville and Kerr County residents to spend their money with local small businesses. One […]
Kerrville parks make progress after another summer flood
KERRVILLE, Texas — The City of Kerrville had a master plan to reimagine Louise Hays Park. But after a second year of flood damage, they’re taking this rebuild slow. “The road back is going to be a lot different,” said Jay Brimhall, director of Kerrville Parks and Recreation. He took over as director just a […]
Kerrville City Council discusses future of Granger MacDonald Park
On Tuesday, Aug. 24, the Kerrville City Council met at Kerrville City Hall at 701 Main St. At the meeting, the council discussed a proposed disaster rate for property tax in 2027, the future of Granger MacDonald Park and the new 2027 budget. The park question, the most contentious debate of the evening, was the […]
Kerrville Chef Who Fed Flood Crews for Weeks Ambushed With $2,000 Surprise
Shonna Foster thought she was showing up to sell her food trailer. Instead, the Kerrville caterer who spent weeks feeding first responders and displaced families during two catastrophic Texas Hill Country floods was handed a $2,000 surprise from a man she had never met before that moment. The meeting was actually a setup arranged by […]
Kerr County nonprofit helps residents recover from yet another flood
KERR COUNTY, Texas — A nonprofit group is set up to help residents of Kerr County navigate yet another flood recovery, but this time with limited resources. “There’s so many people who have lived in their home for generations and never had an issue,” said Kelly Hagemeier, program manager for Kerr Together. “Because it’s been […]
Light on the Hill: 469 households reached, 200 more this week, and a food pantry Monday morning
Before Beth Palmer ran disaster recovery operations for Kerr County, she was Coach Palmer in the Ingram ISD gym. She has spent the past two years watching former students walk into the disaster recovery center at Light on the Hill at Mount Wesley to apply for emergency financial assistance — and greeting her as “Coach […]
Airbnb.org Donates Emergency Housing for Disaster Relief
Sarah Sherr woke to the smell of smoke at 3:30 a.m. on January 8, 2025. Pregnant, she was two weeks from her due date. She shook her husband awake, packed up their malamute and border collie, and drove away from their West Altadena home before he even had time to put on a shirt. By […]
‘Complete opposite’ | Donations lag as Texas Hill Country continues to deal with flood damage
AUSTIN, Texas — Nearly two months after floodwaters swept through parts of the Texas Hill Country, the water has receded, but the damage left behind remains. Organizations helping families and businesses recover say the need is significant. However, the donations and volunteers they are seeing following this summer’s flooding have not matched the response following […]
Kerr Together provides flood assistance update
Kelly Hagemeier, disaster program manager for Kerr Together, updated the Hill Country Community Journal last week on the progress made and the remaining challenges in providing help and guidance for flood victims in this area through the Kerr Together office. “Initially we had about 100 private roads in the county with damage. Residents of those […]