News

by Alexandria Randolph

UPDATE: A tornado watch and flash flood warning has been issued for Burnet and Llano counties in effect until 3 a.m. Sunday morning. Local dispatch reported a tornado touch down in Johnson City at 8:22 p.m.

High water crossing closures in Marble Falls are as follows: Avenue N, Lakeshore Drive, Avenue L and Broadway near Childress Park.

A flash flood warning has been issued for the entire south Central Texas area through Sunday at 7 p.m.

According to the National Weather Service, Burnet, Llano, Blanco, Williamson and Travis counties are all under a flash flood watch until Sunday night.

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

A convenience store and gas station in Horseshoe Bay has been deemed “substandard” because of at least 27 violations found during several building and fire inspections, according to discussions at the council meeting, Tuesday, May 19.

The Texan Mart, along the north side of FM 2147, has been a fixture in the city since the late 1970s or early 1980s, but now “it does not live up to the present standards” in Horseshoe Bay, said Eric Winter, development services manager.

After some discussion, the city council voted unanimously in favor of a resolution authorizing the city prosecutor, Eddie Arredondo, to petition the municipal court judge to issue an “order for repair/demolition/removal for the building,” according to the city’s petition.

by Alexandria Randolph

Marble Falls City said goodbye to a well-loved public servant on Tuesday with the end of the final term of mayor George Russell.

Russell served as city mayor almost six years, as well as six years as city manager before that, and guided the city through several major developments in the city such as the replacement of the decades-old Marble Falls US 281 bridge, the growth of the Scott & White Regional Medical Center and the annexation of land south of the city to facilitate the hospital development.

by Alexandria Randolph

A Parks and Recreation workshop was a step toward victory for supporters of the Marble Falls dog park.

The workshop was held Wednesday afternoon among Parks and Recreation Board Commissioners in an effort to decide on a recommended name for the new dog park in Westside Park. Commissioners voted unanimously to recommend the park be named “Ruff Park” in recognition of an anonymous donor.

Parks and Recreation Department Director Robert Moss reported he had received 65 total submissions for the name of the park.

by Alexandria Randolph

A report of kidnapping from a man hiding inside Walmart led Marble Falls Police to arrest a family of three on charges of aggravated kidnapping for ransom.

On Monday night between 9:30-10 p.m., Marble Falls Police got a call from a 26-year-old man who stated he was at Walmart and had been held against his will.

“He told officers that there was a vehicle outside with 'bad people with guns,'” said Marble Falls Police Sgt. Tom Dillard. “When officers arrived, they found exactly what he described.”

Marble Falls Independent School District officials approved the hire of principals at Spicewood Elementary and Highland Lakes Elementary at the board of trustees meeting Monday, May 18.

The district is seeking a principal for Marble Falls Middle School after the retirement of Brett Koch after this school year.

Bethany Birdwell was promoted from assistant principal to principal at Highland Lakes Elementary. Michael Pittard, current Highland Lakes Elementary principal, will retire after this school year.

Susan Cox will be the new principal at Spicewood Elementary, replacing Leslie Baty who will be taking a position in central administration next school year.

The new principals were recommended to the board following an extensive selection process that included community and staff input. A selection committee was established for each campus to help with the screening of applicants prior to their selection as final candidates for board recommendation.

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

Huey O. Sherrill has made a name for himself, developing a following of loyal customers at Huey O.’s in the LBJ Food Mart in the familiar yellow gas station in Marble Falls. “We outgrew the LBJ Food Mart in about six months,” Sherrill said. Huey O.’s opened in October, 2013.

Now, Huey and his wife, Shannon, are giving their new Cottonwood Shores location a facelift ahead of an “ambitious” opening day slated for the Memorial Day holiday this coming Monday, May 25.

Seating will be available for around 50 people – a far cry from the two-booth spot he had in the old place.

Folks would sit almost intimately close to enjoy their burgers and fries. “I would say to people, ‘I’m sorry we don’t have space,’ and folks would say the food was worth it,” Sherrill said.

by Alexandria Randolph

A tornado watch is in effect for Burnet, Blanco, Travis and surrounding counties as of 9:50 a.m. Wednesday, May 13.

The watch is effective until 5 p.m.

A weather advisory has also been issued for southeastern Llano and central Burnet counties. Until 11:15 a.m.

Lake Country Life will be accepting submissions of reader 2015 Prom photos this week! If you would like to see photos of your child and their special day in the upcoming issue of Lake Country Life, send photos, the school which your child attends, the name of the person who took the photo and the names of everyone in the photo to arandolph@highlandernews.com.

Marble Falls Independent School District officials announced an opportunity for the community to offer their input during the search for a new superintendent to replace Dr. Robert O'Connor next school year.

The survey is open until 11:45 p.m. May 21 at: https://s.zoomerang.com/s/ZTKH2HQ

The survey gives people a chance to elaborate on the top three qualities for the new superintendent, what areas of expertise the person should have, as well as top priorities or special areas the superintendent should address.

At a special meeting May 4, the MFISD Board of Trustees selected the law firm Walsh, Anderson, Gallegos, Green and Trevino, P.C., partnering with Gary Patterson, educational consultant, to lead the search for the next superintendent, according to a district statement, May 5.