News

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

Three area churches banded together to ensure celebration of an important Christian holiday was not lost to restrictions of gatherings during the COVID-19 outbreak.

First Baptist Church Marble Falls, Lake Shores Church and Rockpile Church hosted a drive-in Easter worship and service in the parking lot of Marble Falls High School on Sunday, April 12 starting at 10 a.m.

By Phil Reynolds
Contributing Writer

Officials provided reassurances for patients at hospital and clinic facilities in Llano recently about their aim to mitigate the spread of cases of COVID-19.

Tim Ols, president of Baylor Scott & White’s Hill Country operation, joined the April 7 Llano County Commissioners meeting via phone and brought the board up to date on the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Even though COVID-19 restrictions have left the Hill Country grape-growing industry high and dry, local venue operators are coming up with ways to pique the interest of wine lovers.

“Typically, this time of year, you'd look out over the vineyard, and you would see maybe 15 to 20 employees, seasonal labor for us, coming out working,” said Brent Pape, a co-winemaker and viticulturist. “COVID-19 isn't impacting vines, but the people working the vines.”

Special to The Highlander

Marble Falls Independent School District has placed buses with Wi-Fi access around the Highland Lakes community to help students access the internet, while school closures continue due to COVID-19 restrictions.

By Phil Reynolds
Contributing Writer

The Llano County Hospital Authority board is looking for a new operator for the Llano hospital after Baylor Scott & White Healthcare officials told the county it would no longer operate the hospital.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Burnet County commissioners reviewed a report on April 8 which revealed a negative impact on county revenues due to restrictions, orders and closures connected to the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

A local church and a non-profit organization have both made it their mission to work in tandem to do God's work as they serve the hungry, even in the midst of concerns about the coronavirus.

“We've got to-go only meals. We ask everybody to please come out,” volunteer Rev. George Perry said.

Perry, who is a volunteer with Mission Marble Falls, also serves as the pastor for St. Frederick Baptist Church in Marble Falls.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Federal and county health officials are now expanding COVID-19 prevention measures, including the wearing of surgical masks, aimed at halting the transmission of the coronavirus.

Special to The Highlander

At the direction of Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas State Parks will be closed to the public effective at the close of business Tuesday, April 7 in order to maintain the safest environment for visitors, volunteers and staff, according to a press release from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

"The state agency will continue to stay current with the latest public health recommendations and will announce when a definite reopening date has been determined," the release stated.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide executive order on March 31 directing all Texans to minimize non-essential gatherings and in-person contact with people who are not in the same household and keeping schools closed to in-person classroon attendance through May 4.