Blanco County news

Contributed/Alexandria Randolph

Thunderstorms which swept through the area on the morning of Tuesday, May 26, brought lightning, rain, flash flooding and hail, as pictured here in Round Mountain at the Southwest Center on U.S. 281 in Blanco County. Other reports included pea-sized hail in parts of Kingsland. Coming up for the rest of the week, expect highs in the mid-to-high 80s on Wednesday and Thursday with a 60 percent chance of storms on Wednesday and a 20 percent chance of rain on Thursday and a 10 percent on Friday. Lows will be in the mid to upper 60s through the weekend.

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

In the wake of Burnet County's first confirmed COVID-19 test, the Burnet County Health Authority has important advice for anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to coronavirus or may be suffering from the illness: Stay home.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Recognizing a need exists for affordable and reliable high-speed broadband internet, officials from Burnet, Llano and Blanco counties came together Friday, Jan. 31, to launch a cooperative plan of action to connect their underserved communities.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Tucked away on seven acres, under massive live oak trees on the grounds of a new venue described as the area's newest “Honkytonk,” as many as 20 “pickers” at a time gather on Sundays in Round Mountain.

The “pickers” are guitar players, entertainers and musicians – some local, some from Austin and San Antonio and everywhere in between.

A Blanco man has been sentenced to multiple life sentences for aggravated robbery, aggravated sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping to be served, in part, consecutively to prevent his ever being released.

Timothy Wade Foth, 39, last known to have resided at 625 Forest View Drive, Blanco. was sentenced Wednesday, Jan. 24, by a Blanco County jury to three life sentences for Aggravated Sexual Assault plus 99 years for Aggravated Kidnapping along with 50 years and a $10,000 fine for Aggravated Robbery after a three-day day trial in Blanco County.

In a press release Tuesday, Jan. 30, Sonny McAfee, 33rd and 424th Judicial District Attorney   praised the cooperative effort between law enforcement at various levels to obtain justice for the victim.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Burnet County commissioners voted unanimously to accept $1.82 million from the Capital Area Council of Governments to upgrade the CAPCOG Western Counties Radio Interoperable Communications System used by Burnet, Blanco and Llano counties.

Also in their Tuesday, Sept. 26 meeting, commissioners also unanimously approved a contract with Motorola for upgrades to the 11 towers in the Western Counties system.

Chi Omega Fraternity alumnae in Blanco, Burnet, and Llano counties recently formed a new alumnae group, Highland Lakes Chi Omega Alumnae that meets next tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 3.

The new group will be meeting together on a regular basis for fun and friendship. Their most recent event was held at the home of Jean Anderson in Horseshoe Bay, where everyone enjoyed a wonderful dinner and the lovely view of Lake LBJ from her spacious deck.

Other events have included a pizza dinner and wine tasting at Flat Creek Enoteca in Marble Falls and an organizational luncheon at Francesco's in Marble Falls. The next Chi Omega Alumnae meeting will take place Thursday, Aug. 3, at 5:30 p.m.

If you are a Chi Omega Fraternity alumna living in the area and interested in joining the group, please contact highlandlakeschio@gmail.com. Be sure to include your contact information, address and initiating chapter.

The Burnet County Area Fair is underway, through Saturday, June 10, with free family fun at the Burnet Community Center, 401 East Jackson Street in Burnet.

Entries have been invited from Burnet, Bell, Blanco, Lampasas, Llano, San Saba, Travis and Williamson counties.

Opening Ceremonies were the official start at 10 a.m. Friday, June 9, with the Hill Country Blenders singing the Star Spangle Banner and other songs fitting this year's theme: "Hill Country Proud."

In the foundation building a quilting demonstration began at 10:30 a.m. Linda Wells, the AgriLife Extension Agent, will host a cooking demonstration, “Hill Country Foods that can make us proud.”

Note: This story has been updated twice since first posting, each time with additional information from the Texas Department of Public Safety and University Medical Center Brackenridge.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The two victims who died in the crash on Texas 71 east of Spicewood Monday, Nov. 28, have been identified officially as Cynthia Ann Vega, age 46, and her son, Santiago Vega, age 17, both from Marble Falls.

Justino Rodriguez, age 50, a passenger with the Vegas in a 2015 Ford Focus and also from Marble Falls, along with the driver of the 2015 Subaru which struck them, Bala Chandra Sekhar Gutti, 29, of Richardson, were air lifted to University Medical Center Brackenridge. Both were reported in "Good" condition Tuesday afternoon.