News

Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

First United Methodist Church spokesman Keith Russell explained to Marble Falls City Council members Jan. 21 how his congregants would prefer not to walk on so much water.

“It's a drainage concern. We have a lot of elderly people,” Russell said. “Our parking lot just becomes a flood zone.” …

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

For nearly seven years, the City of Horseshoe Bay has tried to preserve the historic Conrad Fuchs House, but the task proved daunting in terms of the time and money needed to complete the project.

By Phil Reynolds
Contributing Writer

Jo Karr Tedder had a message for Lake Buchanan Conservation Corp. (LBCC) members Wednesday, Jan. 15, and it probably wasn’t a message most of them wanted to hear.

Tedder is president and founder of the Central Texas Water Coalition, a volunteer non-profit organization whose mission is “to promote responsible water management policies, equitable pricing and greater conservation by all.”

Elizabeth Johnston/Special to The Highlander

Mary Jane Avery/Special to The Highlander

Republicans are busy planning two upcoming events. Organizers along with the Burnet Chamber of Commerce and Burnet Bulletin will be hosting the 2020 Candidate Forum on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Agrilife Extension at 607 N. Vandeveer in Burnet. They are also completing details for their Chili Cook-Off, Pie Bake-Off and Scholarship Auction to be held at the Burnet Fairgrounds on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Pictured, during a recent planning session, are: Karyn Mason, Londa Chandler, Gail Teegarden, Kara Chasteen, Kay Stripling and Darlene Hargett.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

As U.S. 281 projects in Burnet and Llano counties continue into the new year, crews are scheduled to launch work in at least two more highly-traveled areas in 2020.

In southern Burnet County, construction crews have continued to remove tons of crushed rock along several miles of U.S. 281 in the southern Marble Falls city limits from the RM 2147 East intersection to an area just short of the Texas 71 intersection. …

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

Emergency Service District 3 agreed to an increase in money for the Granite Shoals Volunteer Fire Department to fill a funding gap left by a Burnet County Commissioners' decision to reduce payments to local volunteer agencies.

In 2019, commissioners reduced payments, with the intention of eventually eliminating funding, to area volunteer departments, which left the city of Granite Shoals looking for alternatives to maintain the level of service it provides for its citizens. …

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

The Granite Shoals City Council approved an ordinance Jan. 14 to prohibit automated and unsupervised deer feeders within the city limits in an effort to stem the population of deer in municipal areas.

The ordinance was first discussed in a December 2019 council meeting with suggested changes that were eventually approved in the final version. …

From staff reports

A Spicewood man is dead following an alleged “road rage” incident Jan. 15 in the parking lot of a convenience store, just off Texas 71 in Spicewood, according to the Burnet County Sheriff's Office.

A BCSO press release stated that around 2 p.m. 44-year-old Thao Ton suffered at least two gunshot wounds and died at the scene. Investigators stated Ton was involved with 36-year-old Milton Kim of Leander in a “non-collision road rage incident on SH 71 and had mutually pulled into the Spicewood Square Chevron parking lot” where an altercation ensued. …

Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Marble Falls city leaders have refined drafted goals for 2020 and beyond with an emphasis on infrastructure, flood recovery and continued recreation upgrades and improvement, officials said.

“Every year city council and staff convene to conduct strategic planning for the upcoming year,” Mayor John Packer said. “This year, the priorities focused on ensuring quality service to the community through improved infrastructure, better streets and a great park system.” …