News

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

It’s clear Black Friday has arrived when the sound of wallets creaking open mingles with a few impatient toes tapping as folks wait in line, arms full of good-deal Christmas presents. 

However, local shoppers were part of a nationwide trend in which more people delayed Thanksgiving dinner, shopping instead. 

Highland Lakes shoppers joined the more than 134 million holiday bargain-hunters over Thanksgiving weekend, although that is a decrease from last year.

by Alexandria Randolph

Marble Falls Police are urging residents of a local apartment complex to remain calm after conflicting stories were spread about an assault that occurred earlier this week.

Police said while they are investigating an assault that took place at the complex, rumors of a kidnapping in an apartment community in the 700 block of Mustang Drive are not completely accurate.

“On Monday, we received a report of an assault. Today managers put out flyers warning their residents about a kidnapping," said Marble Falls Capt. Glenn Hanson, and added that police have no evidence that a kidnapping took place.

Hanson said police feel the assault was an isolated incident, but at this time are unable to release any information about the case.

“We are investigating a report of a felonious assault. There is no indication there should be any alarm in that community,” Hanson said. “We don’t believe there is anything they should be worried about.”

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

Already more than 450 deer have been trapped in Horseshoe Bay, with more scheduled to be removed after the Thanksgiving holidays, officials said.

So far, 454 deer have been trapped and removed, said city manager Stan Farmer on Monday, Nov. 24. Trapping will pick back up again Dec. 5-17.

Cherokee Capturing Service, out of Dripping Springs, has been trapping Horseshoe Bay’s deer for at least eight years, said owner James Bonds.

Two crews have been working in the city since early October.

“The goal is not to eliminate the deer population, but to manage it based on Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s recommendations,” he said, adding that his company has no say on the number of deer caught and removed. Limits are set by TPWD surveys.

The TPWD biologists who survey deer populations and determine acceptable, healthy populations for a given area “are some of the best around,” Bonds said.

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

This year's Tree of Angels event Saturday, Dec. 6, marks the 17th anniversary of the program in the 33rd and 424th judicial districts. 

Tree of Angels is now a worldwide tradition that gives families of victims of violence “love, compassion and support,” said co-executive director Cindy Westbrook.

For victims, survivors, families and communities the dedication and lighting ceremony is a time to honor their loved one by placing an Angel ornament on the tree. People then return and visit the tree during the holiday season.

After the ceremony, the Tree of Angels will be left on display in the foyer of Marble Falls City Hall.  

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

Serving the region’s hungry can be a daunting task, especially in the midst of the holiday season. That’s exactly why organizations like Mission Marble Falls have learned to make use of all resources, much like the folks they help.

Mission Marble Falls is one of many charitable organizations in the Highland Lakes that help the needy. The abundant deer population in the region, especially in Horseshoe Bay, also has led to a boon for people served.

Every year hundreds of deer are trapped and removed from the city in an effort to control its deer herd. The deer are slaughtered and packaged at Trinity Oaks, a 501(c)(3) organization in San Antonio that then distributes the venison burger to other nonprofits in the Austin and San Antonio regions. 

The lunches on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Mission Marble Falls often include venison, as steak and in spaghetti and meatloaf, just to start with.

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s strengthening of regulations last month for certain narcotic painkillers has made lives difficult for pain patients, practices and pharmacies in the region.

Hydrocodone combination products (HCPs), painkillers that combine the opioid with acetaminophen (such as Vicodin), have been listed as Schedule III controlled substances for more than 40 years, since the 5-tiered drug classification system originated with the 1971 Controlled Substances Act..

On Oct. 6, the classification was stiffened to a more restrictive Schedule II substance, a reaction on the federal level triggered by the rise in addiction and overdose from unlawful use of pharmaceutical drugs.

The Texas Medical Association (TMA) and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) were among the professional organizations that lobbied against the change.

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

In the midst of discussions among Horseshoe Bay City Council members about spending as much as $25,000 to combat milfoil along the lake's 17 miles of shoreline, the main property owner’s association there wants the same amount to be allotted toward lighthouse restorations.

“The lighthouse is over 40 years old; it needs help,” said HSBPOA board president Tom D’Arcy after the organization’s meeting Wednesday, Nov. 19. Unlike some council members, D’Arcy views lighthouse restorations as “in the public interest,” echoing the same argument used by some council members at the city’s Oct. 21 meeting to justify possible future expenditures on water weed control.

“We view the lighthouse as iconic: there’s more to it than who it benefits in the community,” D’Arcy added.

A flash flood warning is in effect for Burnet, Llano and Blanco counties from 5:30 p.m. Saturday until midnight.
According to the National Weather Service, heavy rainfall is expected through the evening, and "thunderstorm activity is taking aim over areas that have already seen one to three inches in the last 12 to 24 hours... there will be places that likely develop flooding with only one inch downpours."
According to the flash flood warning, creeks and minor streams in the area may develop flooding, which could cause travel hazards after midnight, but the flood risk decreases after midnight.

By Alexandria Randolph

One person is dead in a rollover accident that occurred just east of Llano on TX 29 Friday night.
First responders arrived on scene near Midway Guns at about 8:45 p.m. to find two victims; the driver was reportedly injured, and the passenger was ejected from the vehicle and deceased, said Llano County Sheriff Bill Blackburn.

Another accident reportedly followed the first that evening at about 9 p.m. on TX 29 near the intersection of RR 1431. At least one individual was injured, reports said.

For more on the story, see Tuesday's Highlander and this site for updates.

UPDATE

The Christmas Light Up Parade line-up for participants is 5 p.m., and the parade down Main Street begins at 6 p.m.

By Alexandria Randolph

After some weather concerns left the Christmas Light Up Parade and Walkway of Lights kick-off hanging in the balance, officials said the parade is on.

Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce officials confirmed Friday at noon that the parade will begin Friday at 5 p.m.

The parade will march up Main Street toward Lakeside Park, where the Walkway of Lights will be lit for the first night of the year.

Previous weather forecasts showed a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms on Friday evening when the parade and Walkway kick-off are due. According to the National Weather Service, Saturday’s forecast shows an 80 percent chance of severe thunderstorms.