News

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Following a lengthy presentation on the city's first foray into a Public Improvement District (PID), the Marble Falls City Council approved moving forward on the request for PID for the Gregg Ranch Development.

The development of 242 acres of land bounded both by US 281 and Texas 71 has been long in planning and a year ago the developer, Harvard Investments, submitted the request to follow the PID model for financing. The council's action provides for a March 20 public hearing for public comment on the petition and creation of the district.

Rick Rosenberg of Development Planning & Financial Group, Inc., who guided the council through a workshop on the proposal, praised the work of the city to establish its formal PID Policy adopted in 2015.

“It is very detailed,” he said.

It transfers the cost of infrastructure development to the property owners of the development.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

A contract to begin the first phase of remodeling Horseshoe Bay Fire Rescue's Central Fire Station was awarded by the Horseshoe Bay City Council Tuesday to Roan Commercial Group LLC for $172,730.

February is Black History Month and the big day of celebration in Marble Falls will be Saturday, Feb. 24.

St. Frederick Baptist Church, the city's 125-year-old congregation founded by African Americans, has assembled an exhibit of memorabilia that will be on display during the free event from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

“As always, there will be lots of good food,” said organizer Bessie Jackson. “The whole community is invited, especially the young people.”

The church is located at 301 Avenue N in Marble Falls.

This also is the final week of an exhibit on the history of African Americans and St. Frederick Church at Falls on the Colorado Museum, 2001 Broadway Street.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Early voting begins today, Tuesday, Feb. 20, and continues through March 2 for the March 6 Republican and Democratic primaries in both Burnet and Llano counties, with several races up for grabs on the GOP side of the ballot. In Burnet County, residents in Precinct 2 will choose a new commissioner while Precinct 3 voters will elect a new justice of the peace after the incumbents chose not to run again.

In Llano County, there are races for several positions, including county judge, county clerk, Precinct 2 commissioner, Precinct 1 justice of the peace and Precinct 2 justice of the peace.

Burnet County

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Burnet County commissioners are interested in possibly obtaining a used mobile command trailer from Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) to be kept as an asset for a three-county area.

Commissioners spoke to PEC engineering department employee Matthew Austin about the 48-foot trailer at Tuesday, Feb. 13 regular court meeting.

By Richard Zowie

Highlander Sports Editor

This appeal has been denied.

Marble Falls High School was one of 10 schools that were scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. today, Tuesday, Feb. 20 at the Austin Marriot North in Round Rock to request a relcsssification and realignment of its assigned district for the next two years.

The Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce received notice last week that Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series would be proposing substantial contractual changes for the 2018 LakeFest event.

For that reason, Lucas Oil will not be sanctioning drag boat races on Lake Marble Falls in 2018.

During the negotiations that followed, Lucas Oil and the Chamber were unable to reach an agreement.

“We were aware of the process Lucas Oil began last year with regards to restructuring their drag boat series, but we were hopeful we would be able to continue this long-standing relationship and keep LakeFest a viable option for Lucas. It boiled down to being a business decision,” said Patti Zinsmeyer, Executive Director.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Loyal customers of On the Rocks Restaurant & Bar in Cottonwood Shores were in a stir this week over concerns that the business had been shut down.

“Everything is fine and we have not been closed,” said co-owner Matt Orlando, after an online report (not associated with The Highlander) suggested the popular business was closed.

The buzz began when the eatery and music venue, which advertises a “great dam view” for its panorama up and down stream from Wirtz Dam, got visits from two state agencies in one day.

“We have added a pavilion to seat 250 people,” said Orlando. “It will be enclosed for an indoor ballroom."

"It was really in relation to that work and a regular inspection that the Texas Fire Marshals Office looked that On the Rocks was “red flagged,” according to Jimmy Ethridge, one of the managers.

Two juveniles are in custody charged with terroristic threat in connection with an incident at Marble Falls High School (MFHS) today, Feb. 16, that illustrates the ready response of local schools and law inforcement.

The matter was handled so quickly and quietly that most staff and students were unaware it had happened. And, in a letter to parents issued later in the day, MFHS Principal Damon S. Adams said, "We are confident that there is no threat to our students or our school."

Shortly after 9 a.m., a report about the issue was made to Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD) Officer Tim McIntyre, the school resource officer. The school administration was notified and MFPD detectives responded to assist in the investigation that revealed a second student was involved.