By David Arny

The sequence of events must be becoming all-too-familiar to local law enforcement officers.

By Judith Pannebaker

A countywide burn ban has been reinstated - and apparently not a moment too soon - since 13 fires have broken out in Bandera County in the last 10 days, according to Fire Marshal Ralph Dresser.

By Judith Pannebaker

After 20 years on the bench, 216th District Judge Stephen Ables, 59, recently announced plans to step down and not seek another four-year term.

By Judith Pannebaker

James Hannah, the formerly beleaguered chairman of the Bandera Planning and Zoning Commission, delivered a requested year end report to Bandera City Council during the Thursday, Dec. 20, meeting.

By Judith Pannebaker

Throughout December, Bandera City Council Mayor Pro Tem Monica Halsey attempted to dissove the Bandera Planning and Zoning Commission or, alternatively, remove Chairman Jim Hannah and Commissioner Robert Koimn from its ranks.

By Gail Joiner

Gail Joiner, owner and publisher of the Bandera County Courier, has announced Judith Pannebaker will become editor of the weekly community newspaper, effective immediately.

Contributed

All hopes for a White Christmas were recently dashed for a pair of Bandera men.

By Judith Pannebaker

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated Thursday, Dec. 26, shortly after addressing a political rally near Islamabad.

By Jody Brown & Karen Har

A delegation from Bandera County recently traveled to El Paso - “Where Republican Women Shine” - for the 26th biennial Convention of Texas Federation of Republican Women.

By Judith Pannebaker

The political season has once again enveloped America with its mantra of lower taxes, more governmental transparency and increased cooperation between law enforcement agencies. From Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina to Bandera County, candidates have declared their intentions and the political games have begun.

Contributed

Planning on traveling out of the country this year, but don’t have a passport? Now is the time to apply.

Contributed

During the holiday season, many Americans reflected on thankfulness - for their home, family and hard-won freedoms.

By Judith Pannebaker

In the style of an old-time politician, District 21 United States Representative Lamar Smith happily brought home the bacon to his book-loving constituents last week.

by David Arny

Officers with the Bandera Police Department attended a hands-on training exercise Monday, Jan. 14, when two veteran members of San Antonio’s Special Operations Unit (SOU) team visited Bandera at the invitation of Chief Jim Eigner.

Contributed

Joseph McKnight Davis recently announced his candidacy for district judge of the 216th Judicial District.

By Judith Pannebaker

“The dogs are just lost in all this,” observed one person who attended a Friday, Jan. 11, proceeding at the Bandera County Courthouse that was supposedly scheduled to determine the fate of a trio of purported goat-killing canines.

By David Arny

Bandera Chevrolet will unveil the new Chevy Malibu from 6 pm until 8 pm, Friday, Jan. 25, at the dealership showroom on Highway 16 South. General Manager Tom Barnett invites everyone to attend the celebration for what General Motors Corporation bills as “The Car You Can’t Ignore.”

By Judith Pannebaker

To forestall post-election cries of “foul,” video cameras will be installed in the office of Bandera County Election Administrator Toba Perez.

By Judith Pannebaker

Last week, United States District 21 Representative Lamar Smith delivered to the Library of Congress six Veterans History Project (VHP) interviews he conducted with constituents throughout his district.

By Judith Pannebaker

Bandera City Administrator Gene Foerster may have inadvertently dropped a couple of bombshells while presenting his usually pro forma managerial update to city council on Thursday, Jan. 17.

By Judith Pannebaker

United States Texas Senator John Cornyn has allowed Mexican trucks unrestricted access to America’s roads without undergoing full security checks or safety certifications, according to Rick Noriega, Democratic candidate for US Senate.

By Judith Pannebaker

Douglas Harman, former executive director of the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau, recently reported on the “good, bad and - sometimes - downright ugly” aspects of Bandera as a tourist draw.

By David Arny

The Bandera Independent School District’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved an extension of Superintendent Dr. Kevin Dyes’ contract at the Tuesday, Jan. 15 meeting. The decision followed a closed conference among board members which lasted slightly more than two hours. Dyes will continue to serve at the helm of the BISD administration through the 2010-2011 school year, at which time his contract is up for renewal.

By Judith Pannebaker

For the second consecutive meeting of the Bandera County Commissioners Court, Precinct 2 Commissioner Bobby Harris posed a question he indicated was on his constituents’ lips

By David Arny

Members of the Pipe Creek Volunteer Fire Department moved a step closer to having a brand new fire station with a Sunday, January 20 groundbreaking ceremony,

Contributed

Artist Robert Wanat will bring several of his acclaimed cowhide maps of Texas to the Bandera County Public Library, 515 Main Street, to kick-off a year-long celebration of the library’s 75th anniversary.

By Judith Pannebaker

A motorist who allegedly struck a pedestrian crossing Highway 16 North last weekend then left the scene of the accident has been identified, according to Bandera Police Chief Jim Eigner.

By David Arny

Approximately 75 local citizens attended a Saturday, Jan. 26, forum featuring candidates running for Bandera County Sheriff and Bandera County Attorney.

By Judith Pannebaker

As part of a Homeland Security initiative, the United States government has decreed that, as of Friday, Feb. 1, travelers crossing into Canada and Mexico by foot or vehicle must present “passport cards”

By Judith Pannebaker

The Cowboy Capitol Trail Riders’ Association started down the road to the Alamo City - and its San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo - on Saturday, Jan. 26, and they’re still on the trail.