News

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

The Granite Shoals City Council asked city staff to research details related to adding a “business fee” for profit-based associations utilizing the city's boat launch facilities.

City Manager Jeff Looney presented the option to the council at the Nov. 12 regular meeting to charge fishing tournament associations and other groups a flat fee for large-scale usage.

He said tournament groups profit from their events by using municipal facilities, but the city has to exercise caution to avoid driving interest away. …

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Feral hogs caused thousands of dollars in damage in one night recently at a local school campus, at least two private businesses and a number of residences, resulting in calls to authorities who contract with a trapper to help cull the herds in the northeast sector of Marble Falls.

The incidents were reported Nov. 15 and were believed to have been caused by a roving band of wild pigs possibly traveling in groups of half a dozen or more.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

For the past several months, property owners around Lake LBJ and Inks Lake as well as Burnet County officials had been asking the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for assistance so they could complete repairs to docks, retaining walls and other structures damaged by the October 2018 flood.

UPDATE: As of 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, the boil water notice has been lifted, according to a statement by the city of Cottonwood Shores.

UPDATE: As of 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, crews completed repair of the water main, city officials said. Residents should boil water for the next 24 to 48 hours as the city has water samples sent for testing.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

The residents of Granite Shoals voted against two of the 29 proposed amendments to the city charter in the Nov. 5 special election.

Citizens rejected Proposition C adding eminent domain language to the charter and Proposition R – which changed the reasons and reporting for independent audits.

The rejection of Proposition C does not remove eminent domain power from the city but keeps the language out of the charter. City Attorney Josh Katz said in an August council meeting the city retains eminent domain powers under state law, but the changes were being suggested to the charter to define and clarify those powers. . . .

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Marble Falls City Council approved applying for matching grants funding two bridge crossing projects and a crossing emergency warning system to mitigate issues on city streets prone to flooding.

The FEMA grant request –- involving proposed bridges at low-water crossings on Avenue N and Nature Heights – was made Nov. 5 by Marble Falls Fire Rescue Chief Russell Sander during the regular meeting.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

As Marble Falls Independent School District Superintendent Chris Allen explains, giving students an opportunity for an up-close look at their chosen field – if only for a day – can prove to be an invaluable and potentially life-changing experience.

“These experiences confirm occupational goals for students and inspire continued efforts toward the educational attainment needed for success in those fields,” Allen said. “If the student has an experience which discourages him or her, this allows the student to consider other pursuits earlier in the course of their educational path.” . . .

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

When U.S. Marine Corps veteran Steve Lilley accepted the job as postmaster of the Marble Falls and Horseshoe Bay area, he knew it would be a good fit for his family and the community.

“My first full week here, I put in some extra hours, but it's worth it. I can tell this crew – in a smaller office than I came from – they work well together.”

Lilley, 46, started his position with the local U.S. Postal Service on Oct. 28 after serving as postmaster in Belton since 2017. . .

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

In the second incorporation vote in a year, city of Double Horn citizens by 53.8 percent voted down a proposition Nov. 5 which would have abolished their city, according to preliminary results from Burnet County elections officials.

The special incorporation election for the city featured one item – proposition A – in which a “vote for” would have reversed a decision by residents in December 2018 to change the subdivision into a city. . . .

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Horseshoe Bay City Councilmember Cynthia Clinesmith was elected the city's third mayor during the Tuesday, Nov. 5, general election, according to complete but uncanvassed returns.