News

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet will be the site of the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Association’s annual 24-hour charity run to support the families of fallen men and women in the U.S. Air Force.

The run starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, and will conclude at 6 p.m. on Thursday. Anyone is welcome to run with the participants, who will be running in teams for 2-hour blocks of time. Don’t worry--supporters do not have to run for 24 hours: “Even running for a mile is a great show of support,” said Tyler Stewart of the U.S. Air Force and event spokesman.

Easter is just around the corner and so readers don't have to hunt any specifics but can instead concentrate on hunting eggs, we have compiled a list of several happenings in the area:

Easter Egg Hunts

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

When people think about the men and women serving in the military, it’s easy to forget their families are also serving, just in different ways. That’s one reason why Project Sanctuary holds 6-day retreats for military families to go from “battle ready to family ready.” One of the wilderness retreats is right in the heart of the Hill Country, at The Retreat at Balcones Springs outside Smithwick (near Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge).

Eight Project Sanctuary families just finished a retreat during the week of March 12-17 and eight more families are getting ready for the second next week, from March 20-25. The Retreat at Balcones Springs will see veterans and families again for two more retreats in October.

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

The Horseshoe Bay City Council at its meeting on Tuesday, March 15, took another step toward completion of its annexation process. Council members officially read the annexation ordinance and dealt with a few errors.

The council on Feb. 16 annexed just over 600 acres within its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), but staff members initially were not able to obtain a development agreement from all eligible landowners, said Stan Farmer, city manager.

The beginning of spring in the Highland Lakes brings another Marble Falls arts tradition: Paint the Town, now in its 10th year and still full of family activities free of charge.

From March 30-April 2, artists young and old, experienced and amateur, will take part in the experience.

"Listen to great music, watch students and professional artists paint, browse the expansive gallery, test your own creativity at the interactive arts stations, eat and drink wine," said Carolyn Bates, member of the Highland Lakes Creative Arts (HLCA) board of directors. 

The HLCA is a recently created nonprofit that also will manage Sculpture on Main in the fall.

By Soc Gonzalez

Citizens for Scenic Texas Highways

Residents and visitors once again are delighted by the season’s colorful splendor of bluebonnets bordering state and country roads throughout Llano County and leading into Burnet County.

The addition of brilliant Indian Paint Brush and Indian Blanket wildflower outcrops along Hill Country roadways will extend the annual wildflower attraction for weeks to come.

“It’s important to keep our roads good, as well as beautiful,” said Llano County Commissioner Peter Jones. “Those are just a few of the county’s objectives when it comes to roads,” he said.

By Glynis Crawford Smith/The Highlander

The $1.5 million expansion project at the City of Marble Falls Water Department plant on Circle Drive met its construction deadline March 10.

“It is up and running,” said Eric Belaj. “The construction involved the installation of a 60-foot diameter clarifier tank, including site piping, valves and electrical connecting the concrete tank to the rest of the

water plant.”

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Spring Break with Marble Falls Parks & Recreation is four days of fun from Monday through Thursday, March 14-17, for children from pre-kindergarten ages to teens.

Prizes are a big part of the annual event and they are handed out not just for games and contests, but just for being caught being good.

Every day folks can flex their social media muscles in the Parks & Recreation Photo Contest. Entries are eligible for a drawing for prizes that include tee shirts and snapback caps, Sony earbuds, an e-tablet and a Smart Watch.

Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Friday rains may the last for the Highland Lakes for a while, with the last chance of a shower fading after Saturday morning.

Sunny, dry and warm weather is forecast Sunday through Tuesday as a weak ridge of high pressure sets up across Texas, according to the forecast by Bob Rose, chief meteorologist for the Lower Colorado River Authority. Breezy west and southwesterly winds with speeds of 10-15 mph are forecast all 3 days, allowing temperatures to warm well into the 80s, despite cool mornings, he said.