News

By Phil Reynolds
The Highlander

As a service to our readers, we have loaded the TCEQ Response to Comments regarding Asphalt Inc.'s air quality permit 148112 on our website in its entirety. This is available for free as an e-edition to our readers. This is the official 58-page TCEQ response to public comments made about the air quality permit for the proposed rock crushing plant to be located south of Marble Falls off US 281.

To read the document, go to http://bit.ly/2Aeg8cm and click on "TCEQ Response to Comments Asphalt Inc 148112"

Note: Read all the responses, "TCEQ Response to Comments Asphalt Inc 148112," here, at HighlanderNews.com: http://bit.ly/2Aeg8cm

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has granted an air quality standard permit for a permanent rock and concrete crusher to Asphalt Inc. for a new plant to be built south of Marble Falls near US 281.

By Managing Editor Lew Cohn, Sports Editor Richard Zowie and Glynis Crawford Smith

The Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Criminal Investigation Division is welcoming information about the Thursday night road rage incident on Ranch to Market Road 1431 in which an Austin Police Department (APD) rescued family and wounded their assailant.

Burnet County Sheriff Calvin Boyd said the incident appears to have stemmed from a road-rage situation which occurred in the 1200 block of RM 1431 west of RM 1174 and about eight miles east of Marble Falls at around 10 p.m. Thursday.

“At 10:11 PM, the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding shots fired involving an off-duty Austin Police Department officer,” said a press release from Boyd Friday morning.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Burnet County commissioners agreed informally Tuesday to establish a committee to draft an ordinance prohibiting solid waste disposal in the county.

The committee will be comprised of Development Services Director Herb Darling, Precinct 1 Commissioner Jim Luther Jr. and County Attorney Eddie Arredondo.

“This order would give us the ability, if a company comes in to purchase a tract of land, to prohibit them from putting in a landfill or put a stop to things if an outside company wants to dispose of hazardous waste in the county,” Darling said.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Early Monday morning, Nov. 27, Patrol Sgt. Barry Greer of the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD) recovered a 2005 Toyota pickup that turned out to be a stolen vehicle.

“The car was driving through a residential neighborhood in Marble Falls,” said Capt. Glenn Hanson. “Sgt. Greer ran the plates and it came back stolen in Williamson County.”

Greer gave pursuit and the car led him into Blanco County. Near Round Mountain on County Road 962, off US 281, the pickup stopped.

“Three occupants got out and ran, but one was apprehended at the scene,” said Hanson. “It continues to be under investigation.”

Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Work to set up the displays of Christmas by the Highway in Granite Shoals began Monday morning, Nov. 27, with a Dec. 1 lighting goal.

“Volunteers are needed for the work again from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday,” said Donna Maier, chairwoman of the Beautification Advisory Group (BAG) that sponsors the annual event. “We can use any and all volunteers to help.”

Light trees were installed Nov. 20 with the help of Pedernales Electric Cooperative and BAG volunteers have been busy checking all lights for other installations this week.

“Our light-up ceremony will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1,” Maier added. The Highland Lakes Elementary School choir will sing for us and refreshments, usually cookies, hot chocolate and coffee, will be served.”

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Once a common fixture across the landscape, there are just two historic iron bridges remaining in Burnet County — the North Fork San Gabriel Bridge on County Road 200, commonly known as the Joppa Bridge, and the Russell Fork San Gabriel Bridge on County Road 272.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Marble Falls Independent School District (MFISD) had plenty to be proud of when the Texas Education Agency (TEA) released its final 2017 accountability rankings on Nov. 14.