Bertram news

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

A second resident from the Bertram Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center reportedly has died while at a facility where patients who test positive COVID-19 are transferred to undergo treatment, officials said.

As of deadline Thursday, June 4, final confirmation of the cause of death was pending from Burnet County Health Authority Juliette Madrigal and the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The age and gender of the patient and the official date of death had not yet been released. …

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

A 57-year-old woman who was a resident of Bertram Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center has become Burnet County's first COVID-19 fatality, County Judge James Oakley announced Thursday, referring to information provided by the Burnet County Health Authority.

Special to The Highlander

Pedernales Electric Cooperative’s (PEC) Board of Directors approved a rate reduction that will save PEC members over $6 million a year.

The rate decrease, which goes into effect June 1, reflects a reduction in the cost of power from PEC’s primary suppliers, including the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). …

From staff reports

A test rocket engine fire at the Firefly Aeronautics facility in Briggs resulted in temporary evacuations and closure Jan. 22 of a stretch of a state highway and several Burnet County roads, officials reported.

Initially, Burnet County Sheriff's Office reported just before 6:30 a.m. a “possible explosion” had occurred at the facility. The report led to an evacuation of residents and businesses within one mile radius of the site and shutdown of U.S. 183. Roads were re-opened about three hours later. …

From staff reports

A Tow man has died in a motorcycle accident on a remote section of the highway in eastern Burnet County, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Ray Dean Levacy, 63, the driver of a 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle, was traveling northbound around 1:15 p.m. Nov. 21 on FM 1174, approximately 11 miles north of Bertram.

“[The motorcycle] traveled off the roadway and entered the northbound barrow ditch,” the report stated. [The motorcycle] traveled over an embankment, causing the driver to lose control.”

UPDATE: As of 9:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1, the city of Marble Falls has lifted its ban on outdoor burning.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Following the return of precipitation and cooler temperatures over the course of several days, Burnet County Judge James Oakley rescinded the county's ban on outdoor burning Wednesday, Oct. 30 . . . .

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Sales tax revenue for the city of Marble Falls continued to climb in October as all six taxing municipalities in Burnet County reported growth compared to last year, with four cities (Marble Falls, Burnet, Granite Shoals and Bertram) reporting double digit percentage gains.

Special to The Highlander

Members of the Burnet County Republican Club, Burnet County Republican Women and Burnet County Republican Party met at Bill’s Burgers discuss arrangements for their upcoming fundraiser featuring Lt. Col. Allen West, Senator Dawn Buckingham and State Representative Terry Wilson.

The Burnet County Republican Picnic will be held at Bill’s Burgers in Burnet on Sunday, September 8 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by The Skylarks.

Special to The Highlander

On Aug. 6, a Burnet County grand jury indicted two owners of a boys home outside of Bertram on human trafficking charges, according to a press release.

After evidence was presented from an “extensive investigation into their operation” of the Joshua Home for boys, the grand jury recommended indictments against 49-year-old Gary Dwayne Wiggins and 34-year-old Meghann Shereen Wiggins.

The charges are one count each of trafficking of persons: continuous, a first degree felony.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Burnet County commissioners on Tuesday, July 23, tabled until Aug. 13 a proposal to extend the hours mixed beverages can be sold in unincorporated areas of the county — the second time in less than two years the topic has been brought up before the court.