News

BY ALEXANDRIA RANDOLPH

A Marble Falls resident and convicted felon will face trial once again following an indictment on charges of stalking, aggravated assault and harassment.

Richard Lee Rose II, 39, was arrested on two felony charges and one misdemeanor after an indictment was filed against him on May 3.

The a grand jury in the 33rd Judicial District Court indicted Rose on aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second degree felony, and stalking, a third-degree felony, after he allegedly spiked a woman's coffee with methamphetamine, stole and damaged her property, and threatened her. Rose was also indicted on the misdemeanor count of harassment in county court on the same day.

A new principal for Colt Elementary School was approved during the meeting Monday, May 16, of the Marble Falls Independent School District (MFISD) Board of Trustees.

The appointment of Erika O’Conner was recommended by Superintendent Chris Allen, PhD, based on an extensive search process. Staff, parents and community members helped set the search criteria used also to evaluate six Colt principal finalists. Allen conducted further interviews with two select candidates.

O’Connor replaces Keith Powell, who is retiring following 16 of service with MFISD and 31 total years in education, including the post of principal of Highland Lakes Elementary School.

Area of Concern:

All of south-central Texas, especially the Hill Country and I-35 corridor. 

Threats & Impacts:

Tornadoes:  Low threat for tornadoes.

Winds:  Wind gusts to 60 MPH.  

Hail: Up to 2 inches in diameter.

Rainfall: Localized amounts near 2 inches. 

BY ALEXANDRIA RANDOLPH/HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS

As storms hovered over Burnet County on Saturday, a young girl was thought missing and was then recovered near a creek on west Park Road 4 during a flash flood warning.

Burnet County dispatchers reported that a young girl had gone missing near a creek at 5:13 p.m. in the 2300 block of west Park Road 4.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning and flood advisory for the Highland Lakes area Saturday afternoon, remaining effective until 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening. The warning stated heavy rain due to thunderstorms could lead to urban and small stream flooding, especially possible “in areas along and south of Highway 29.”

At 5:22 p.m., dispatchers reported the child had been located. Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens, Cassie Volunteer Fire Department and Hoover Valley Volunteer Fire Department were all involved in the search.

Billy Joe Parnell, 58, passed away on May 10, 2016, in Austin, Texas after battling a lengthy illness. He was the son of Harold and Mary (Hall) Parnell, born in Stephenville, Texas on August 17, 1957.

He worked as a printer for independent newspaper companies in Stephenville, Big Spring, Round Mountain and Marble Falls for more than 30 years and was retired prior to his passing.

When Billy was not working, he lived a life of volunteer service of others as a mentor and guide not only to his own children but to families and their children participating in youth sports such as football, basketball and baseball throughout the community.

BY ALEXANDRIA RANDOLPH/HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS

A Marble Falls resident and convicted felon will face trial once again following an indictment on charges of stalking, aggravated assault and harassment.

Richard Lee Rose II, 39, was arrested on two felony charges and one misdemeanor after an indictment was filed against him on May 3.

The a grand jury in the 33rd Judicial District Court indicted Rose on aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second degree felony, and stalking, a third-degree felony, after he allegedly spiked a woman's coffee with methamphetamine, stole and damaged her property, and threatened her. Rose was also indicted on the misdemeanor count of harassment in county court on the same day.

According to the indictment affidavit, on Jan. 15, Rose put methamphetamine or amphetamine into the victim's coffee. These drugs by definition are considered a deadly weapon, the report stated.

BY GLYNIS CRAWFORD SMITH

THE HIGHLANDER

The Faith Academy Class of 2016 graduates tonight, Friday, May 13, in ceremonies at 7 p.m. at Hill Country Fellowship, 200 Houston Clinton Drive in Burnet.

Poised for the event, the 31 class members celebrated their Senior Dinner Wednesday night, May 11, in their school auditorium in Marble Falls, hearing Mattilyn Schuessler announced as valedictorian and Jarrett Haydon, as salutatorian.

Early voting in joint primary election runoffs on May 24 starts Monday, May 16. And today, Friday, May 13, is the last day to apply for a ballot by mail.

In Burnet County, where only Republicans filed for local offices, the runoff will decide winners of local offices and only those who voted in the March 1 Republican Primary or those who did not vote March 1 may cast their ballots in the local elections for Precinct 1 commissioner, Precinct 3 commissioner, Precinct 1 justice of the peace and Precinct 4 justice of the peace. Democratic voters locally will choose only between Grady Yarborough and Cody Garrett for a Texas Commissioner of Agriculture candidate.

Marble Falls Fire Chief Russell Sander issued an alert Thursday, May 12, concerning fire extinguisher and equipment maintenance solicitors.

“It has come to the attention of Marble Falls Fire Rescue that there is a company visiting local businesses asking to inspect, and offering to sell fire extinguishers,” said the chief. “Some business owners are unsure if these individuals are members of the local fire department.

“This company is not connected to, nor does it represent Marble Falls Fire Rescue or the Texas State Fire Marshal,” he emphasized.