News

One man was pronounced dead on the scene of an accident on US 281 just south of Wagoner Tire in Marble Falls Tuesday evening.
Texas DPS Troopers said a unidentified man driving a blue, two-door BMW was headed southbound into Marble Falls when he collided with an oak tree on the side of the highway at about 5:45 p.m.
The man's identity is pending notification of kin, troopers said.
Marble Falls Fire Rescue and Burnet County Sheriff's Office also responded to the scene.
For more on the story, see Friday's Highlander.

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

Only a few generations ago almost everyone was, by necessity, a master naturalist: we labored outside and understood the weather without the help of a meteorologist. At night we looked at the stars, unpolluted by city light, breathing crisp air. We watched and listened to birds because they are often harbingers, of a person, weather, seasons.

Organizations like the Texas Master Naturalists and the Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society keep traditions alive by engendering an understanding and love of nature.

Now there is a place, only a 20 minute drive from Marble Falls, where you can sit in the shade, protected from the elements, and watch birds in their natural habitat and butterflies swarming wildflowers.

The Highland Lakes chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists has been working for three years to bring the bird blind to Inks Lake State Park in Burnet.

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

Since Cooper DeSpain, 9, died in an ATV accident in August, his family, friends and the community have experienced more emotions than can be counted. People searched for a way to remember Cooper, a boy who loved spending time outdoors.

Art teacher Kathy Meador thought of a way to remember Cooper, her student since he was a kindergartner at Colt Elementary.

She did what artists do: She picked up her paintbrush and palette. Now there is a bright, vibrant mural, right above the water fountains where students frequently stop for a sip of water between classes.

Cooper’s mother, Trenton DeSpain, said it’s meaningful for kids to look up and see the artwork. “I didn’t know anything about it,” she said. “Principal Keith Powell is a friend, and he told me, ‘You’re going to love what we’re doing for Cooper,’ but he wouldn’t tell me what it was, he just smiled.”

From Staff Reports

Marble Falls Police Department will be hosting National Night Out on Tuesday, Oct. 7 from 6-8 p.m. in Johnson Park.

Activities will include a kids paintball range, a Jaws-of-Life demonstration, bounce houses, a Home Depot workshop and visits by the Air Evac Helicopter and Cell Phone Sally. Squad cars and other emergency vehicles will also be on display.

Registration for events begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes a bracelet to participate in activities and a coupon for a free hot dog, chips and a drink. Attendees are asked to also bring a non-perishable food item to support The Helping Center.

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

Cottonwood Shores is known for its relatively large number of parks for a small city, and its motto proudly states “People, Parks and Prosperity.” The city council decided Tuesday, Oct. 2, to return two of its rarely-used parks back to the owners who had donated the land in 2009.

The move came after approval by the city lawyer, who said it was legal to return CastleRock and Patschke Springs parks despite the word “perpetuity” in the original resolutions, said Sheila Moore, city secretary and administrator.

Because one owner wants his donated land back and the other does not, Mayor Pro Tem Stephen Sherry’s motion stated explicitly that it is at the owner’s discretion whether to accept the land.

Councilman Marley Porter, who is part owner of the land on which CastleRock Park sat, abstained from the vote that was passed unanimously by remaining council members. (Councilwoman Cheri Trinidad was absent.)

by Alexandria Randolph

A Kingsland man is in custody after four family members overdosed on methodone Saturday, Oct. 4.

Llano County Sheriff Bill Blackburn said a man was arrested Saturday night on a charge of public intoxication, and is being held in connection with the overdoses.

"We managed to trace down the guy that supplied the methodone," Blackburn said. "He had a script for methodone and was apparently sharing it. The investigation is ongoing."

For the full story, see Tuesday's Highlander.

by Alexandria Randolph

A former Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department treasurer was indicted on embezzlement charges last month following an investigation surrounding some money that turned up missing from the organization’s coffers.

Pamela Joy McCormick, 34, of Buchanan Dam was indicted on charges of theft of property between $20,000 and $100,000, a second-degree felony, and misapplication of fiduciary property, a state jail felony.

Llano County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Glenn Williams said McCormick was initially charged in for several thefts from the organization beginning in May 2009 totaling up to $100,000.

“She did it over a period of time,” Williams said, “she was indicted on... theft from a non-profit organization. During that investigation they presented another indictment.”

For the full story, see Tuesday's Highlander.

by Alexandria Randolph

A Marble Falls woman reported missing on Sept. 30 was reportedly found by the Seguin Police Department early on Sunday morning, Oct. 5- some six days after her trip began.

Anna McCoy, 80, was classified as missing by family members after she did not return home from a doctor’s appointment in Round Rock on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

“We think she got turned around and was traveling in the wrong direction,” said Marble Falls Police Lt. Steve Eckstein, adding that she had traveled through Luling, Marlin and Navasota before taking I10 to Seguin.

McCoy reportedly drove down the interstate and passed a Seguin Police Officer who was on a traffic stop, Eckstein said. When she drove by, her license plate number triggered an automatic alert in the officer’s license plate reader. The officer tracked down McCoy, and her family came to pick her up.

For the full story, see Tuesday's Highlander.

From Staff Reports

Austin musicians and Spicewood community members are celebrating a local icon with a benefit in his honor.

The first Poodie Party will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4 at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Cut-N-Putt in honor of James Randall “Poodie” Locke.

Poodie passed away suddenly on May 6, 2009, and his funeral was standing-room-only. Celebrating Locke’s birthday, the event will include the “No Bad Days” Golf Tournament and an afternoon of live music.

All proceeds from the golf tournament and daytime event will be donated to HAAM (Health Alliance for Austin Musicians) and the Cut-N-Putt Golf Course, where Poodie loved hanging out with close friends.

General Admission gate opens at 10 a.m. General admission wristbands for the Music Concert are only $10. Children 6 and under are free.