News

Special to The Highlander

On Aug. 6, a Burnet County grand jury indicted two owners of a boys home outside of Bertram on human trafficking charges, according to a press release.

After evidence was presented from an “extensive investigation into their operation” of the Joshua Home for boys, the grand jury recommended indictments against 49-year-old Gary Dwayne Wiggins and 34-year-old Meghann Shereen Wiggins.

The charges are one count each of trafficking of persons: continuous, a first degree felony.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

As authorities closed a portion of Lake LBJ at the 1431 Bridge Aug. 14, Kingsland Municipal Utility District crews installed several hundred feet of new wastewater line which was pummeled by debris and buried under at least 8 feet of sand during the October flood.

“We were doing an emergency wastewater line replacement,” said Anita LaBier, general manager of Kingsland Municipal Utility District (KMUD). “We've had a couple of issues.”

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

A majority of Granite Shoals City Council members balked Tuesday night at the idea of charging residents a fee to launch their boats from city-owned boat ramps.

The council instead directed City Manager Jeff Looney to redraft a proposed ordinance to remove any reference to charging residents boat launch fees and to make several “technical corrections” before bringing the ordinance back to the council in a “simpler” form for passage at their Aug. 27 meeting.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Granite Shoals City Council proposed a “not to exceed” tax rate of 60.5 cents per $100 valuation for 2019 at their regular meeting Tuesday, Aug. 13.

The tax rate proposed Tuesday by the council includes 35.15 cents for maintenance and operations and 25.35 cents for interest and sinking (debt service) to fund an anticipated $7.29 million expense budget, Mayor Carl Brugger said.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

A recent two-vehicle crash on U.S. 281 sparked reaction from commuters concerned about the status of a blinking light at the intersection of the highway and Resource Parkway.

The incident happened around 2:15 p.m. Aug. 13 in the intersection of the four-lane highway. The location on the east side of the roadway is the entryway/exit to the Marble Falls Business and Technology Park. Pedernales Electric Cooperative is located on the westside of the highway.

Special to The Highlander

From border security and the economy to tariffs and the burgeoning trade war with China, U.S. Congressman Roger Williams (Dist. 25) offered insight Aug. 13 into the challenges lawmakers are facing as they attempt to tackle the top national issues.

The Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce hosted Williams for a Coffee Break from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. with the Congressman at Numinous Coffee Roasters, 714 RR 1431 in Marble Falls.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Marble Falls city officials announced they will work out a deal with two property owners who accused the municipality of failing to offer “bonafide” offers for their land, as the city continued steps to transition the area near Lake Marble Falls into expanded park space.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Horseshoe Bay is looking for a new fire chief after Joe Morris announced his retirement from the position Friday, Aug. 9. His last day with the city will be Friday, Aug. 23.

By Phil Reynolds
Contributing Writer

Llano County commissioners Monday, Aug. 12, tentatively approved a proposed fiscal year 2020 budget and tax rate while sending an applicant for a tiny home project back for more work and continuing a county-wide burn ban.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

A group of Double Horn residents have petitioned for an election to dissolve the incorporation of the newly-formed municipality, alleging “no benefit” to the residents and lack of powers to control mining industry growth nearby.