I’ve considered adding a feature to Bandera.net linking out to Bandera County news and featured finds from across the Internet. In keeping my ear to the ground as a community journalist, I’m always finding interesting tidbits here and there on the web – I figure other locals may find them worth a visit as well.

If you would like to see more of this content on Bandera.net, drop me a line on Facebook, leave a comment on this post, e-mail me at James@team-outlaw.net, or call/text me at 830-688-1564 and let me know!

Bandera County Top Stories

Probe of Bandera sheriff’s office continues – Express-News writer Zeke MacCormack reports Sheriff Weldon Tucker ‘dodged questions’ yesterday about whether or not he took a county boat out for a fishing trip. Reader comments below the story, equally pointed.

Headlines from BanderaBulletin.com include: Horse and rider killed in car crash, Bandera mom appears on Dr. Oz Show, Iraq veteran commits suicide. Managing Editor Jessica Hawley-Jerome wrote the car crash and Iraq veteran stories, and I wrote the Bandera mom story – the subject of which is my own wife! (Click here to view Jacklen Taylor’s segment on the Dr. Oz Show, about the 7:30 minute mark)

Tootie Pie Company, formerly of and originated in Medina, TX, was featured on WOAI’s San Antonio Living last week. Video after the link.

Other Bandera County Clips from across the Web

In The News

Bandera native Jack M. Hunter was featured in the Palestine Herald for his artist reception to be held at The Museum for East Texas Culture. He was born in Bandera in 1930.

The National Weather Service held a gathering at the Bandera EMS training room last week in search of Bandera County weather spotters, reported by KSAT12.

Videos

Welcome to Utopia – Utopia, TX is shown much love via YouTube by New York writer Karen Valby, who did a great piece for Entertainment Weekly in 2006 and since turned her experience there into a book, Welcome to Utopia: Notes from a Small Town. I remember reading the EW article when it came out, but I didn’t know a book was forthcoming. I’ll definitely order a copy from Amazon so I can see what a New Yorker picked up studying Buffalo country, just past the west end of Bandera County. I’m excited by the prospect of turning her experience here into a feature story for the paper.

YouTuber ML66B posted his video of Jake Hooker and The Outsiders performing Green Snakes on the Ceiling at Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar Saloon in Bandera, TX.

YouTuber medicmaw1 posted this video from Bandera County Relay For Life featuring music composed by Bandera High School choir director Catherine Holmes, performed by the Bandera High School Jazz Choir, as well as photography and video by Monica Wilson, Spencer Smith and Bill Lamb.

Don’t miss this video from Medina Lake last weekend of a 17 year old fellow, who cannot swim, diving into the water with a life jacket and proceeding to freak out. I never learned to swim, and I guarantee, I’d have been flailing like Vishnu in a fly-swatting contest.

Photos

KENS5 YouNews user mercysmith submitted this photo of an “historic tree gone with the wind” in Bandera, blown over during the Wednesday evening storm that violently blasted across Texas with gusts up to 60mph.

Photographer and tweeter jshelton754 shared this gorgeous sunset photo of Medina Lake after Wednesday’s storm passed.

Tweeter StockC of Dallas, TX shared this photo of the soda fountain at the Bandera General Store.

Dean Hamby was featured with his low-fence axis taken near Medina, TX, with beams of 33″ and 32.5″ – shared in the Trophy Room on AllAboutExotics.com‘s Facebook profile.

San Antonio journalist-turned-PR account executive Natalie Tejeda was spotted floating Medina Lake last weekend.

Austin tweeter Barbara Jansen shared this photo of Wednesday’s stormy skies over Utopia, TX.

Entertainment & Events

11th Street Cowboy Bar of Bandera was given an anonymous five-star review on Where.com, highlighting the venue as a great bar, dance hall, and “must-visit on steak night.” The bar’s weekly Wednesday Night Steak Night event has been featured in media across the country.

Texas musician Josh Peek tweeted about upcoming shows in Pipe Creek, TX, and Utopia, TX.

Facebook & Twitter

Local pastor Ed Sullivan tweets this week about the storm blowing out a slew of electronic equipment at church.

Mico tweeter Brian Huffman shows some #FollowFriday love on Twitter to myself and KSAT reporter Jennifer Dodd. Thanks Brian!

#FF love for @Esquiremag keeping us men sharp in intellect and fashion, and @BigRedinTejas for his unyielding social and sports commentary.

Via their Facebook, the Bandera Convention & Visitor’s Bureau shares that tonight, the first Friday of the month, Fat Boyz at Bandera Village is hosting their monthly car lovers gathering. Also, Twin Elm and BR Lightning Ranch are turning up the action with their weekly summer rodeos every Friday.

Reported By The Outlaw

If you’ve friended me on Facebook, you learned about Bandera Class of 2010 graduate David Kassai releasing his first single on iTunes – Until The Music Dies; you saw live photo updates from Bandera City Council and Bandera County Water Board; my own storm photo from Wednesday as well as live reactions from Bandera County folks to the big storm; my photo updates from the 2010 CCRA Memorial Day Rodeo; and you got to read and participate in a lively discussion about teen drinking and consequences (NSFW – language).

If you follow me on Twitter @BanderaOutlaw, you got a play-by-play of the big storm that hit Wednesday, with updates from here at the Bulletin office and off the police scanner, from fellow Bandera County Facebookers and Tweeters, as well as retweets of the San Antonio broadcast and print journalists covering the storm; also, you saw a live top-story brief from Bandera City Council, and updates from Utopia High School and Bandera High School graduation ceremonies.

For all the latest Bandera County buzz, catch up with me on Facebook, Twitter @BanderaOutlaw, here on the home of the Bandera County Outlaw at Bandera.net, or weekly in the Bandera Bulletin newspaper.

If you have news to share, drop me a e-mail, hit me up on Facebook, or call/text me at 830-688-1564. If you’d like to comment on this week’s news, feel free to speak your mind below or over on Facebook.

The Utopia varsity basketball squads were unable to pull out a homecoming win tonight against Knippa, with the Buffaloes losing 56-53 to the Rockcrushers and the Lady Buffs falling 59-36.

Check out the full set of sports photos from both games and the Utopia High School Homecoming in the Bandera.net Gallery:

Utopia Buffaloes vs. Knippa Rockcrushers – Jan. 22, 2010

Utopia Lady Buffs vs. Knippa Lady Rockcrushers – Jan. 22, 2010

Utopia High School Homecoming – Jan. 22, 2010

I apologize for the lack of photo updates here on Bandera.net. If you’ve spoken with me in person, you know why this is. If you haven’t, I’m not really at liberty to be candid with the details here on the Net.

As vaguely as I can explain it, I am no longer subsidizing the Bulletin’s photography budget with my professional equipment, and the newspaper has given me a broken point-and-shoot camera with which to shoot Bandera County sports for the foreseeable future.

If you want to know my feelings on this, don’t hesitate to ask.

I hope that the situation will change for the better in the near future, but from what I’ve been told, it’s highly unlikely. I think this is quite unfortunate.

Luckily there is some light at the end of the tunnel in the form of a number of very good local photographers who are shooting Bandera County sports as freelancers this year. Check out the work of Spencer Smith, Ken Lane and Rick Mender to get your sports photo fix.

And what of Bandera.net? Many good things are on the horizon. Bookmark away and come back often; what you’ll see here in the near future is unlike anything that’s graced the Internet landscape of Bandera County. Those of you who know me well know I don’t make such boasts without warrant.

Stay tuned – it’s about to get good!

Feeling withdrawals from fine sports photos? I am here tonight with the cure!

Eight albums of fresh Bandera County sports photos are newly posted over at the Bulletin’s DotPhoto.com account, including:

Bandera Bulldogs Baseball vs. Floresville Tigers – Feb. 17, 2009

Bandera Bulldogs Soccer vs. Medina Valley Panthers – Feb. 17, 2009

Bandera Lady Bulldogs Soccer vs. Medina Valley Lady Panthers – Feb. 17, 2009

Bandera Bulldogs Varsity vs. Alumni Home Run Derby and Baseball Game – Feb. 21, 2009

Silver Sage Corral Birthday Brunch and Meet The Board Meeting – Feb. 23, 2009

Utopia Buffaloes vs. San Isidro Tigers – Feb. 24, 2009

Bandera Bulldogs Basketball vs. Corpus Christi West Oso – Feb. 26, 2009

Medina Bobcats vs. Kingsville Academy – Feb. 27, 2009

That’s right folks, the first baseball photos of the year and all three Bandera County school districts worth of basketball playoffs. All three teams were knocked out of the post-season, but not without some great games played first.

Let me take this chance to express how thankful I am to the community for giving me the privilege of covering your sports for the past decade of my life. All of these athletes are amazing young people who deserve the recognition and positive attention that good photojournalism can provide, and it’s my pleasure to work the courts and fields each week with my camera.

If there is anything more I can do to serve your sports coverage needs, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Thank you again for the opportunities, and for supporting The Outlaw!

(Please note: I do not handle any of the fulfillment for print orders placed through the Bulletin’s DotPhoto.com galleries, so I do not claim any responsibility for the quality of prints or service they provide. We use a completely different lab for printing here at Outlaw, and I cannot vouch for DotPhoto.com’s quality. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.)

A veritable cornucopia of sports photos from around Bandera County are now posted online to kick off your new year!

This week’s photo update includes:

Bandera Bulldogs Alumni vs. Varsity Soccer Game – Jan. 3, 2009

Bandera Lady Bulldogs vs. Devine Arabians – Jan. 6, 2009

Bandera Bulldogs vs. Devine Warhorses – Jan. 6, 2009

Bandera County Junior Livestock Show – Jan. 9, 2009

Medina Lady Cats JV vs. Center Point Lady Pirates JV – Jan. 14, 2009

Medina Lady Cats vs. Center Point Lady Pirates – Jan. 14, 2009

Utopia Lady Buffs vs. Comstock Lady Panthers – Jan. 16, 2009

Utopia Buffaloes vs. Comstock Panthers – Jan. 16, 2009

Utopia High School Homecoming Court – Jan. 16, 2009

Another great couple of weeks for being a photojournalist in Bandera County!

As always, you can find all of these albums at the Bulletin’s DotPhoto.net account.

What do you think of the black and white processing applied to some of the highlight photos from these galleries? What other sports or events would you like to see covered in the community? Leave your comments below or drop me an e-mail.

(Please note: I do not handle any of the fulfillment for print orders placed through the Bulletin’s DotPhoto.com galleries, so I do not claim any responsibility for the quality of prints or service they provide. We use a completely different lab for printing here at Outlaw, and I cannot vouch for DotPhoto.com’s quality. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.)

Happy New Year to all of our wonderful readers out there! With a lull in sports over the holidays, I enjoyed some great family time and covered several fun Christmas events around the county.

This week’s photo update includes:

Bandera County Chamber of Commerce Mixer at Medina River Ranch Resorts – Dec. 11, 2008

Bandera Business Association Christmas Party – Dec. 12, 2008

Medina Bobcats JV vs. Utopia Buffaloes JV – Dec. 16, 2008

Medina Lady Cats vs. Utopia Lady Buffs – Dec. 16, 2008

Medina Bobcats vs. Utopia Buffaloes – Dec. 16, 2008

You can find all of these photos at the Bulletin’s DotPhoto.com account.

And one more gallery, hosted here at Bandera.net, for my musical mates:

Pipe Creek Rock Concert at the Pipe Creek Community Center – Jan. 2, 2009

Thanks for rocking the New Year with The Outlaw!

(Please note: I do not handle any of the fulfillment for print orders placed through the Bulletin’s DotPhoto.com galleries, so I do not claim any responsibility for the quality of prints or service they provide. We use a completely different lab for printing here at Outlaw, and I cannot vouch for DotPhoto.com’s quality. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.)

Just a reminder, you can find the latest athletic schedules available from Bandera ISD, Medina ISD, and Utopia ISD at each district’s respective web site.

Direct links to sports schedules are as follows:

Bandera ISD: http://www.banderaisd.net/Calendar_and_Events/Extra-Curricular_Activities/Extra-Curricular_Schedule_Downloads.htm

Medina ISD: http://www.medinaisd.org/athletic/athletic.html

Utopia ISD: http://www.utopia.k12.tx.us/Sports.htm

Who’s ready for some Bulldogs football playoffs next week, and our upcoming fall sports?

Just posted a fresh set of images from Wednesday’s Bandera Invitational Cross Country Meet, Oct. 22, 2008, featuring runners from Bandera, Medina, and Utopia, and Friday’s Medina Bobcats vs. Leakey Eagles varsity football game of Oct. 24, 2008.

You can view both albums on the Bulletin’s DotPhoto.com account.

(Please note: I do not handle any of the fulfillment for print orders placed through the Bulletin’s DotPhoto.com galleries, so I do not claim any responsibility for the quality of prints or service they provide. We use a completely different lab for printing here at Outlaw, and I cannot vouch for DotPhoto.com’s quality. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.)

What a week to be a sports photographer in Bandera County! I enjoyed covering a variety of games, including all three school districts, Bandera ISD, Medina ISD, and Utopia ISD. Photo galleries posted include:

Bandera Lady Bulldogs freshmen, JV, and varsity teams vs. the Devine Arabians – Sept. 23, 2008

Bandera Middle School Bulldogs 7th Grade B-team vs. Carrizo Springs Wildcats – Sept. 25, 2008 (I had to run to City Council, so I only have a few images from the game)

Bandera Bulldogs varsity football squad vs. Carrizo Springs Wildcats – Sept. 26, 2008

Bandera Youth Soccer Organization (BYSO) opening day games – Sept. 27, 2008 (because of Medina volleyball, I was only able to grab a few photos)

Bandera County Youth Flag Football Association (BCYFFA) opening day games – Sept. 27, 2008 (Same with BYSO: because of Medina volleyball, I was only able to grab a few photos)

Medina Lady Cats varsity volleyball vs. Junction Lady Eagles – Sept. 27, 2008

Utopia Lady Buffs JV and varsity volleyball vs. Leakey Lady Eagles – Sept. 30, 2008

What a week! You can find all of the above photo galleries in the Bandera Bulletin’s DotPhoto.com account.

Thank you for supporting the Outlaw! I’m off to photograph some Medina Bobcats football!

(Please note: I do not handle any of the fulfillment for print orders placed through the Bulletin’s DotPhoto.com galleries, so I do not claim any responsibility for the quality of prints or service they provide. We use a completely different lab for printing here at Outlaw, and I cannot vouch for DotPhoto.com’s quality. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.)

Online Galleries of photos have been posted to the Bandera Bulletin’s DotPhoto.com gallery for the following sports games:

Medina Bobcats vs. Junction Eagles – Sept. 12, 2008

Utopia Lady Buffs vs. D’Hanis Cowgirls – Sept. 16, 2008

Bandera Bulldogs vs. Wimberley Texans – Sept. 19, 2008

All three are from the varsity games. Congratulations to the Bandera Bulldogs on their first win of their 2008 varsity football season, and to the Utopia Lady Buffs for their win over D’Hanis in varsity volleyball action!

(Please note: I do not handle any of the fulfillment for print orders placed through the Bulletin’s DotPhoto.com galleries, so I do not claim any responsibility for the quality of prints or service they provide. We use a completely different lab for printing here at Outlaw, and I cannot vouch for DotPhoto.com’s quality. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.)

(Note #2: Apparently the Bulletin’s DotPhoto.com account does not allow direct linking to albums; you have to go through the main DotPhoto.com entry to access any of the images. I have received several calls about the issue, and I can assure you, I share your frustration; the Bulletin’s system is not my first choice, but its use is out of my hands. You should be able to use this link to find the Bulletin’s albums, then just click through to the one you wish to view. If you guys have any further troubles, please do contact me so I can try to help find a better workaround.)