News

The Annual Christmas Market is opening its doors again at the Burnet YMCA.

The market opens at 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18 and will remain open during YMCA business hours until 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19.

Over 40 vendors are expected to attend and sell their handmade goods, arts and crafts, and novelty items, event officials said.

Elm Ranch Soap, Sage Creek Farms, Origami Owl, and Haute Tots Boutique are just a few of over 26 vendors that have confirmed attendance.

The YMCA of the Highland Lakes at Galloway Hammond is located at 1601 south Water Street.  

Every year a handful of Texas teenagers die suddenly due to sudden cardiac arrest that can be caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a rare condition that causes part of the heart muscle to stiffen, trapping blood in the heart and producing an abnormal cardiac rhythm. It is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death for active teens, affecting approximately one in 500 young people each year in the US.

To catch this potentially fatal condition, Hill Country Memorial Hospital will host a SCORE screening on Thursday, Nov. 17, for those aged 14-18. The free screenings will be from 4-6 p.m. at the hospital.

Teens will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and they should enter through the admissions entrance.

Teens will be screened via an ultrasound of the heart and an electrocardiogram, or EKG. The exams are noninvasive, painless and take about 20 minutes.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

When the Cottonwood Shores City Council meets Thursday night, Nov. 17, it is with the full expectation of approval of a $1.39 million assistance loan from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB).

The TWDB Board of Directors will meet earlier in the day with an agenda that includes the loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to finance the planning, design and construction of the city's new water treatment plant expansion project.

The plant to provide water through 547 connections to more than 1,158 citizens is proposed to take the city far into the future with safe drinking water from Lake LBJ.

The proposal will go to the board will support of the TWDB staff, based not only on the need to replace the aging plant, but also based on its “2A” rating on the city's “strong” ability to pay back the loan.

The Annual Celebration of Giving of the Highland Lakes Legacy Fund on Thursday night, Nov. 17, at the Horseshoe Bay Tower will center on four awards recognizing “the spirit of philanthropy.”

The Legacy Philanthropy Award will be presented to Rebecca and Stuart Nunnally. The Legacy Excellence As a Non-Profit Award will be presented to Burnet County VetRIDES.

The Legacy Excellence As a Non-Profit Leader Award will be presented to Ely Rodriguez of the Marble Falls Children's Day Celebration.

Finally, the Legacy Outstanding Community Volunteer Award will be presented to former Judge Martin McLean.

The Legacy Fund has directed more than $6 million in grants and scholarships to deserving people and programs since 1005. It is family of funds held at the Austin Community Foundation to provide creative and effective support to good works.

By Alexandria Randolph

Highland Lakes Newspapers

While ecological concerns were at the forefront of comments in the first public meeting for the Wirtz Dam Bridge, economic questions and survey fairness seemed to be the primary concern at the second meeting.

The meeting was conducted by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) and, as of Nov. 3, CAMOP hd received “almost 500 surveys and about 500 comments” from citizens about the bridge, said

CAMPO Public Information Officer Doice Miers.

According to the results, 35 percent of survey takers said the greatest transportation need is bridges and river crossings.

“Eighty-two percent said the Wirtz Dam Bridge would be beneficial,” she said.

Highland Lakes residents have only a few weeks left to submit opinions regarding the project; the final public meeting will be held on Nov. 21, and the online survey will close on Nov. 27.

By Alexandria Randolph

Highland Lakes Newspapers

Burnet County officials are still waiting to get DNA results back on a body that was found burned in a mysterious car fire on June 20.

The vehicle, believed to be a Kia Soul, was discovered off the road next to the southbound lane in the 3800 block of County Road 202 on that Monday evening. A deceased man was inside.

The man was burned so extensively that authorities were at first uncertain of the gender, and sent the body to the Travis County Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy and DNA test to identify him.

However, Burnet County Chief Sheriff's Deputy Joey Canady said in June he didn't feel foul play was involved.

“It could be six months before we know anything,” said Lisa Whitehead, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 2, in which the body was discovered. “That's just how long these DNA tests take.”

By Alexandria Randolph

Highland Lakes Newspapers

A Horseshoe Bay man was arrested on felony charge this week after authorities said he took a swing at his brother with a hammer.

Kevin Eugene Statler, 48, was arrested Tuesday, Nov. 8 on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, both third-degree felonies.

Horseshoe Bay Police Chief Rocky Wardlow said the incident began as a domestic dispute.

“Two brothers got in an argument, and one was swinging at the other one with a hammer,” Wardlow said. “He had a felony conviction within the last five years and had a shot gun and rifle in the house. That's where the unlawful possession charge came from.”

Statler was booked in Burnet County Jail at 6:13 p.m. on Tuesday and remains there on bond of $35,000.

Statler has a history of assault charges, including assault against a public servant, in Burnet County.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Three at-large council positions were on the table for Horseshoe Bay voters in Burnet and Llano counties.

The two incumbents, currently in their second two-year terms, came out on top among 3,790 total voters. They are Mayor Pro Tem Craig Haydon, 986 votes (26.76 percent), and Jerry Gray, 956 votes (24.05 percent).

Third in total votes, is newcomer Kent Graham, 877 votes (23.85 percent).

The remaining candidates were Frank Gracely Jr., 478 votes (11.425 percent) and Dennis Hoover, 493 votes (13.92 percent).

In Llano County, 3,418 citizens cast votes for the three candidates. The results were:

• Craig Haydon, 883 votes (25.83 percent)

• Jerry Gray, 872 votes (25.51 percent)

• Kent Graham, 785 votes (22.97 percent)

• Frank Gracely Jr., 441 (12.9 percent)

• Dennis Hoover, 437 (12.79 percent)

In Burnet County, 372 votes were cast in the election:

After all the polling locations closed General Election Day, Nov. 8, and the votes were tallied, it became apparent that Burnet County voters had turned out in record numbers

Their choice for President favored the Republican Party. GOP candidate and New York businessman Donald J. Trump and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, eventually captured enough electoral votes claim the White House early Wednesday, Nov. 9.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her running mate, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, conceded ea before Trump addressed his supporters in victory.

The former New York senator did win the popular vote, but appeared certain to lose the Electoral College vote, 290-228, with winners not yet declared in Michigan and New Hampshire as those races remained within a point of each other with neither candidate claiming a majority.

NOTE: The following results are the complete, but unofficial, results of the 20 voting precincts of BURNET COUNTY. They may or may not line up with state or national outcomes. See Friday's edition of The Highlander for the details.