News

Special to The Highlander

Faith Academy will hold a graduation ceremony for the 2020 seniors on its originally planned date Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m. at Hill Country Fellowship Church in Burnet.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

As businesses adjust to phase 1 of re-opening the economy, Marble Falls city officials have provided guidance on the 25 percent occupancy limit, while encouraging merchants “to police themselves.”

Building official Mike Ingalsbe explained how he received half a dozen calls from businesses, prior to the May 1 allowance by the state for partial opening to determine how to go about following the rules. …

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Burnet County will soon implement a Property Fraud Alert system which will notify citizens by text or email when titles and deeds containing their names are filed with the county.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Business owners and economic development officials noticed a rekindled interest by visitors to the downtown Marble Falls area May 1, as efforts got underway to re-open shopping venues.

“This is the day I feel like everybody is coming back to life,” shop owner Cheryl Westerman said. “We all need to have something to inspire us to get to that next level of 'What do we do now?'”

Westerman is the owner/operator of Ms. Lollipop's Party, Fun & Gifts, 302 Main Street. …

By Phil Reynolds
Contributing Writer

Don’t plan on AquaBoom in Kingsland this Independence Day. It’s not happening.

Wendy Taylor, of the popular annual festival, told Llano County commissioners Monday that sponsors and funding for the festival simply weren’t available due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Marble Falls City Council members narrowly passed approval of additional funding and budget adjustments for upgrades, new amenities and repair projects for a phase 1A parks package, during the April 21 regular meeting.

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

Granite Shoals city leaders set their sights on qualified candidates to fill the empty seat left by one councilman's resignation.

Councilman Todd Holland submitted his letter of resignation on April 21 to be effective immediately due to the sale of his Granite Shoals home and subsequent relocation outside of the city limits. …

By Phil Reynolds
Contributing Writer

The Llano County Hospital Authority board voted Tuesday to hire an Austin firm as legal advisor to begin trying to learn what the county’s hospital situation will be.

Lawyers from Reed + Clayton will meet with board members, tentatively as soon as Monday, to advise about alternatives. …

Find the rest of this story in the Friday, May 1 issue of The Highlander, the newspaper of record for the Highland Lakes. To offer a news tip or comment, email lew@highlandernews.com. Subscribe to the newspaper by calling 830-693-4367 or click here to subscribe to our e-Edition online.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Along with unveiling a newly-remodeled venue, restaurant owner Rachel Lorance has crafted a detailed plan for a May 5 re-opening of her business in response to customer support for the state's plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions.

“We didn't know we were going to open this soon. We can only do 25 percent of our occupancy,” she said. “We've been doing the floors, painting, retouching furniture, organizing, deep cleaning. 

“We've set a Tuesday deadline to get it all knocked out,” she added.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

When Dr. Horis Stedman discovered he tested positive for the coronavirus on April 24, he decided to keep an open line of communication with the public about his personal experiences with COVID-19.

“It was going to get out that I have it,” he said in an interview on April 27 with The Highlander. “If everyone is going to know I might as well lay it on the line.”