News

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

The search continues for almost 300 English II End of Course (EOC) STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) tests, taken primarily by Marble Falls High School sophomores April 1, according to a Marble Falls Independent School District (MFISD) statement May 28.  

“[Pearson] is continuing to work with UPS to locate” the missing tests, said Texas Education Agency (TEA) spokeswoman DeEtta Culbertson, Monday, June 1, adding that TEA is working with Pearson to determine if sufficient answers were marked to allow scoring by hand. “This process will take 1-2 weeks, and the district will be informed of the results of this activity upon completion.”

Pearson is the testing company responsible for designing, distributing, tabulating and reporting STAAR test results.

by Alexandria Randolph

"Brother Max" Copeland was remembered and honored by friends, family and community members at First Baptist Church on Friday afternoon, May 29 with song and praise. 

Hundreds were in attendance to remember the mentor, former pastor, and life-long lover of persons. The interior of the First Baptist Church chapel and many guests at the memorial sported bright red, Copeland's favorite color. 

First Baptist Church Pastor Ross Chandler referenced 2 Samuel 3 in description of Copeland. 

A small plane crashed on TX 71 after attempting an emergency landing on the highway after take-off from Horseshoe Bay airport, officials said Thursday afternoon, May 28. 

"The plane was occupied by a single pilot carrying no passengers. The pilot survived and was able to exit before the aircraft caught fire," said Rocky Wardlow, assistant Horseshoe Bay police chief, in a statement. 

Traffic is being diverted for the next few hours because TX 71 is closed between FM 2147 and U.S. 281, "pending the arrival of FAA investigators," he said.

Eastbound TX 71 traffic is being rerouted to FM 2147 through Horseshoe Bay.

Westbound TX 71 traffic is being redirected to U.S. 281 to FM 2147 or to use U.S. 281 to FM 962.

by Alexandria Randolph

The community of Marble Falls lost a long-loved man of God on Monday, May 25.

Max Collier Copeland, or as most knew him, “Brother Max.” Copeland, 85, died at his home in Marble Falls, the community to which he had devoted the majority of his life.

Copeland came to Marble Falls from the community of Briggs in 1958 to serve as pastor for the First Baptist Church of Marble Falls.

by Alexandria Randolph

A brush fire along US 281 led to a three-car collision and serious injury of a Llano man on Tuesday evening, May 26.

Marble Falls Police said that three vehicles were involved in the crash that occurred on Tuesday at 5:34 p.m. when the driver of a black Ford Equinox glanced westward to look at a small brush fire on the side of US 281 and rear-ended a silver Hyundai Elantra.

“The Ford and the Hyundai were traveling northbound in the inside lane, and the Hyundai was traveling ahead of the Ford,” said Marble Falls Officer Tina Harvey.

by Alexandria Randolph

National Weather Service meteorologists have confirmed the state has received the drought-busting rain event many have been praying for, for years, and yet local officials say the drought is not over for the Highland Lakes region.

Texas overall

National Weather Service meteorologist Kurt VanSpeybroeck said drought conditions have been minimized across the state, and the five years of drought is all but over.

by Alexandria Randolph

by Alexandria Randolph

A “hairy” swift water rescue in Spicewood on Saturday night, May 23, successfully snagged two Spicewood residents from the grasp of swift moving floodwaters. 

At 9:06 p.m., Spicewood Volunteer Firefighters were called out into the gale to assist a woman whose vehicle had stalled in the low water crossing on CR 404 near Krause Springs. 

At 9:21 p.m., dispatch communications with the firefighters reported they had made contact with the residents

Volunteer Firefighter Jamie Ludwig said volunteers found a woman and her relative who had clung to a cypress tree as swift water rose around them. 

“They managed to position themselves behind the tree. They had a perfect pocket where the water was moving around them,” she said. 

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

Officials in Horseshoe Bay and Cottonwood Shores expressed relief at dodging damage from the same storm system that moved through the region Monday, May 25, flooding downtown Austin and cities downstream of the Highland Lakes. Monday afternoon, broadcast news channels from Austin were advising people in Horseshoe Bay and Marble Falls to take cover from a tornado.

by Alexandria Randolph

UPDATE:

1:50 p.m. Officials are suggesting residents DO NOT CROSS any low water crossings and take shelter immediately.

1:30 p.m. a tornado warning has been issued for the Highland Lakes area. Sightings of funnel touchdowns have been reported in the Spicewood and Buchanan Dam area.

With heavy rainfalls continuing, flash flooding is still a concern in the Highland Lakes and across the region.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning to continue until 2:15 p.m. Monday afternoon, May 25, as well as a tornado watch until 4 p.m.