News

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Since mid-March, what started out in Meadowlakes as a community project to help people in need of hard-to-find items has blossomed into the Neighbors Helping Neighbors initiative and is reaching out to people throughout the Highland Lakes region.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

A former jail inmate alleged in a federal lawsuit April 16 that his incarceration was a case of “mistaken identity” and lodged complaints against Burnet County and Hamilton County law enforcement based on how they handled his pleas to clear his name.

James Matthew Robinson, 38, of Longview was incarcerated in the Burnet County Jail from June to October 2018 based on a Hamilton County Sheriff's Office warrant, according to jail documents. …

Special to The Highlander

Beginning this week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will begin loosening some of the restrictions from his previous executive orders in an effort to begin “reopening the state of Texas.”

Special to The Highlander
Safety improvements to U.S. 281, between Texas 71 and the Burnet County and Blanco County line, are being accelerated by a year, thanks to grant funding secured by the Texas Department of Transportation.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Sales tax allocations for Marble Falls for April dropped by more than 6 percent, while HSB sales tax revenues were down more than 14 percent — and that does not include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Marble Falls economic development leaders forged ahead April 15 with downtown project work as state officials signaled the potential end to the pandemic crisis in the next several weeks.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced April 13 that he would begin a gradual rollout of the re-opening of the state's economy in mid May. Local officials have kept crews working in anticipation of the end of coronavirus restrictions which closed businesses and venues. …

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

As the COVID-19 crisis evolves, a tradesman who does work throughout the Highland Lakes began to notice a trend that prompted him to help others in the community.

“We haven't missed a lick because construction is good. I consider myself lucky,” said electrician Brad Jackson of Jackson Electric. “We're not getting further behind with our bills.”

Jackson and others in the construction-related industry were designated “essential business” during coronavirus restrictions. …

By Lew K. Coh
Managing Editor

Burnet County commissioners received an update on COVID-19 statistics for the county during their regular meeting Tuesday, April 14, and took action to apply for a grant to help offset virus-related costs and losses.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Marble Falls city and emergency management officials provided an update on coronavirus statistics, protocols and recommendations April 7 during a regular city council meeting.

Fire Chief Russell Sander, who is also the municipality's emergency management coordinator, shared that Burnet County has posted its sixth confirmed COVID-19 positive test since mid-March. …

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Marble Falls city officials discussed potential local enforcement of violations of Gov. Gregg Abbott's orders restricting operations of certain businesses as well discussed merchant adherence to social distancing requirements in the governor's decree.

The update was provided during the April 7 regular city council meeting which was conducted in teleconference call format as one of the options allowed by the state during COVID-19 restrictions.