News

by Alexandria Randolph

The suspect of a double homicide in Burnet County on the morning of Aug. 19 was indicted Thursday, Nov. 6 on charge of capital murder of multiple persons.

Garrett James Ballard, 21, was indicted in the 424th Judicial District Court on charge of capital murder of multiple persons in relation to the deaths of Elijah Adam Benson, a 17-year-old Burnet High School student, and Travis Leslie Fox, a 26-year-old Burnet High School graduate, who were shot multiple times at Ballard’s residence in the 5800 block of CR 340 on the morning of Aug. 19. The indictment was filed by District Judge Dan Mills, and was served on Thursday, Nov. 20.

Ballard remains in Burnet County Jail on bond of $50,000, and is defended by a court appointed attorney.

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

In addition to swearing in the three victorious councilmen at its meeting Tuesday, Nov. 18, the Horseshoe Bay City Council tabled a decision on whether to spend as much as $25,000 of city funds on water weed control.

Last month, Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) General Manager Phil Wilson made a one-time offer of up $50,000 toward eradication efforts, an offer that was expected to be matched by regional municipalities affected by the proliferation of Milfoil and Hydrilla.

LCRA extended its deadline for each city’s plan to Jan. 15, which means the council must make a decision at its next meeting Dec. 9.

“We want to request as much of that $50,000 as we can, just like other cities will be doing,” said Mayor Steve Jordan, adding that a major war against milfoil could cost as much as $100,000.

Jo’s Dog Park will host its first fundraiser for the creation of a Marble Falls dog park this week.

The Paws 4 Claus event will take place at RBar & Grill on Wednesday, Nov. 19 from 5-9 p.m., and all two-legged and four-legged friends are welcome to attend.

The restaurant has agreed to donate 10 percent of sales Wednesday night to the dog park cause. The organization’s founder, Megan Klaeger, said the effort has recently been offered a matching donation for every dollar raised up to $7,500, and she hopes to raise some of that money on Wednesday night.

Santa will be visiting to take pictures with pups and all donations will go towards the development of a dog park.

The Walkway of Lights will shine for another year in Marble Falls, starting with an opening this Friday, Nov. 21, and continuing through Jan. 1, 2015, at Lakeside Park.

Hours for the walkway will be from 6-10 p.m. each night.

The community's annual “Christmas Light Up Parade,” will serve as a kick-off to the Walkway. It will progress down Main Street and wind its way to Lakeside Park.

As the city's only parade besides the annual Marble Falls Rodeo Parade, it is expected to draw large participation, including some 45-50 clubs, churches, organizations and businesses who light up their entries and don festive outfits to spread holiday cheer to spectators, said Julia Adams, events coordinator at the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce.

Horseshoe Bay Business Alliance's annual Holidaze event is set for Thursday, Nov. 20, and all are welcome to a night of family fun and holiday cheer.

The event will take place from 5-7 p.m. in the parking area of Roseanne Davis Designs and GG Ganache 2 in Horseshoe Bay, and will feature a variety of food, beverages, free hot dogs, prizes and performances by the local dance group, the Wildflowers,  and a disc jockey.

There may be a few other surprise performances at the event, said Business Alliance officials, who added that over 26 businesses will be at the event to meet and greet visitors and hold prize drawings.

Business Alliance officials are looking for greeters to work at the information booth an hour between 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Those interested may call Mike Brittain at 830-220-2468.

Traffic help is also needed. Those interested may call Linda Harrison at 830-598-4200.

by Alexandria Randolph

The Hill Country Science Mill in Johnson City opened its doors Saturday evening, Nov. 15, for a sneak peek of state-of-the-art exhibits that will soon be available to students in the region and from far beyond.

The facility's endeavor begins and focuses on the development of young minds, said Bonnie Baskin, founder. “We talk about the relevancy of science in these kids’ lives – everything they do and play with involves STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics,” she said. “The workforce in the 21st century is a skilled workforce. If they don’t have backgrounds in STEM, many doors would be closed to them.”

Students who visit the mill can create their own avatar to guide them through each exhibit, select certain exhibits as their favorite, and then access more information about those exhibits from home with a computer with web access, encouraging them to continue the journey of learning.

by Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

Yesterday, Monday, Nov. 17 was the first day on the job for Cottonwood Shores' new police chief, Tom Williams.

He was hired Tuesday, Nov. 11, by city administration after the city council unanimously approved the city administrator’s recommendation at a special meeting's executive session on Nov. 10.

The city had been on the hunt for a new police chief since Harold Piatt resigned last month.

Williams, a peace officer with 39 years of experience across a plethora of agencies and departments, said his first day was “hectic” because of meetings with Mayor Donald Orr and Sheila Moore (city administrator and city secretary), Burnet County Sheriff W.T. Smith and police chiefs of surrounding municipalities like Horseshoe Bay and Marble Falls.

For the full story, see Tuesday's Highlander.

by Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

Horseshoe Bay officials are reminding people in that area of the Highland Lakes to be aware of the presence of one mountain lion (possible more) that roam the city’s golf courses.

At least one deer carcass killed by a mountain lion is found “about once a month for the past few years,” said Horseshoe Bay police chief Bill Lane Monday, Nov. 17.

He said a mountain lion was spotted again about a week ago, but he does not consider the public to be in danger.

“They have plenty of deer to eat,” he said, adding that “they don’t want to see us any more than we want to see them.”

The sightings are often at golf courses, including Apple Rock, Ram Rock and Summit Rock, which “are not that far apart as the crow flies,” he said.

Adult male mountain lions may roam 80-200 square miles, while females have a smaller range, from 20-100 square miles, according to a Texas Parks & Wildlife Department report.

by Alexandria Randolph

Six Spicewood families were displaced after fire consumed two sets of condos on Hill Loop early Monday morning, Nov. 17.

Spicewood Volunteer Fire Department firefighters battled the blaze from 3 a.m. to noon with the help of Marble Falls Area volunteers and Pedernales Volunteer firefighters, but were unable to save the structures.

“They were totally involved when we got here, and it only took us 13 minutes to get here...They all burned to the ground,” said Patsy Lester, director of Spicewood Volunteer EMS. “They were made out of cedar so they went up (in flames) really quick.”

Lester reported that no one was hurt as firefighters battled below freezing temperatures and high winds while trying to quelch the fire.

For the full story see Tuesday's Highlander.

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

Double Horn Brewing Company in Marble Falls will donate to St. Peter’s Lutheran School 10 percent of all sales Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Lunch, dinner, drinks and take-out orders are all included in the fundraiser.

Charity Proceeds Day, which has taken place for the past three years, is close to the heart for the co-owner of the brewery: she’s also the school’s director.

“Each year our congregation and families at St. Peter's, along with the regular patrons of Double Horn, have stepped up to provide a profitable day allowing us to earn some extra funds for our school,” said Tracy Knight.

Funds are spent mainly on books, construction paper and paint. “Last year the money we raised went toward the purchase of three new SmartBoards for our classrooms,” she said.