Burnet County news

by Alexandria Randolph

Highland Lakes Newspapers

Another district judge was 'hung' in the courthouse hall this week before a score of onlookers.

The portrait of former district judge Guilford Jones was hung in the hall at the Burnet Courthouse Annex on Wednesday following a ceremony honoring the local figure.

Guilford, or 'Gil' Jones, as many refer to him, practiced law for 60 years, including service as a lawyer, 16 years as District Judge for the 33^rd District Court, and most recently a legal mediator and arbitrator. He retired from the position as district judge in December 2012.

“When he made his ruling, he made his ruling on the law,” said presiding 33^rd District Judge Allan Garrett of Jones. “You knew you'd get a fair shake every time.”

by Alexandria Randolph

Highland Lakes Newspapers
 

While Sommer Floyd was an all-around American sweetheart in her days at Burnet High School, it was her struggles and mistakes that led to her testimony to God through music.

Emerging as a singer and songwriter, Floyd will celebrate the release of her first album in her hometown of Burnet this weekend, and the message will be one of redemption.

Set for Sunday, Oct. 16 at Hill Country Fellowship Church is an album release concert at 7 p.m. Floyd will be backed by a full band and orchestra and will perform songs from her debut album, “Ray of Light,” which is slated for release this fall.

Floyd lives in Burnet County with her daughter Heidi, and graduated from Burnet High School in 2008.

“As a little girl I was always singing,” Floyd said. “The beginning of my pregnancy was when all this started. I was at the lowest point in my life.”

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Hunters looking for the big bucks can mean big bucks of the green variety to business.

Texas ranks first or second every time a national survey is conducted. The Lone Star State's 2.71 million hunters and anglers spend $4.1 billion annually and support 65,993 jobs, according to a study reported by the Congressional Sportsman Foundation.

“There’s no question that deer hunters boost the economy in small towns such as Burnet for the several weeks they are in the area,” said Kim Winkler, executive director of the Burnet Chamber of Commerce.

by Alexandria Randolph

Highland Lakes Newspapers

Joppa natives and historians are banding together to repair and preserve two historic bridges in northeastern Burnet County and a fish fry on Saturday, Sept. 17 will add to the effort.

The Iron Bridges of Burnet County project is a group focused on the repair and preservation of two of the county's historic bridges by raising money through a community fundraiser.

The North Fork San Gabriel Bridge on County Road 200 and the Russell Fork San Gabriel Bridge on County Road 272 were each built in the early 20th Century and are now eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, a project news release stated. It is the goal of the project to repair the bridges for safe access by the public and use for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

Tickets are on sale for the Sept. 23-24 FiestaJAM on Lake Marble Falls, the big music and wine benefit for the artistic programs of Harmony School of Creative Arts and Marble Falls Independent School District.

For the price of a $15 ticket, visitors will enjoy the whole evening's music at Lakeside Park Saturday, including the 6 p.m. Marquee Concert with Joe Ely at Lakeside Park Pavilion, 307 Buena Vista Drive. A $35 ticket adds tastings of featured wine and beer. (Children are admitted free with ticket holders).

A $75 ticket includes Saturday events and adds Friday's Patrons of the Arts reception.

Beyond battling bands and Joe Ely, music fans will hear john Arthur martinez, Mike Blakely, Drew Womack and John David Kent.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), will hold its kick-off event for the fall semester classes on Friday, Sept. 9.

The Texas Tech University (TTU) program offers opportunities for local citizens 50 years of age and older who have a common interest in continuing their learning experiences and intellectual stimulation in an organization of like-minded people who value the joy of learning.

The OLLI kick-off event will be held in coordination with the first class of the semester entitled, “Pop Music of the 1950s.” The instructor Larry Hess, a professional musician, will teach a class about the rhythm and blues and early rock and roll of the 1950’s. A toe-tapping time is guaranteed. Poodle skirts and duck tails are optional.

The event is free of charge and set to take place from 2-5 p.m. Sept. 9 at Quail Point Community Center, located at 107 Twilight Lane, (off Red Sails) in Horseshoe Bay..

by Alexandria Randolph

Highland Lakes Newspapers

A man and a child were taken to an Austin area hospital following a motorcycle collision in Kingsland Friday.

Texas DPS Troopers said a man and a five-year-old were both injured after the man's Harley Davidson motorcycle collided with a Ford Expedition on Ranch to Market Road 1431 near the County Road 127 intersection on Friday afternoon, Aug. 26, at about 3 p.m.

Trooper Kevin Henneke said the collision occurred when a vehicle slowed in the outside, westbound lane to make a right turn on CR 127 (Caldwell Boulevard), a second vehicle stopped behind it, leading to a chain reaction.

“The driver of the Expedition had to slam on his brakes to avoid colliding with the car ahead of him, and the motorcyclist rear-ended the expedition,” Henneke said.

by Alexandria Randolph

highland Lakes Newspapers

A Buchanan Dam man and convicted felon was arrested on two violent felony charges after Llano County authorities claimed he assaulted an adult and child in two separate incidences.

William “Willie” Canchola, 30, was arrested on Saturday, Aug. 20, on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated sexual assault of a child, second-degree and first-degree felonies respectively.

Llano County Sheriff's Lt. Glen Williams said the two incidences occurred in Buchanan Dam, but would not reveal the location of the offense.

“It was separate incidences with a separate victim,” he said, adding that the victim of the aggravated assault with a deadly weapon was an adult.

Authorities would not say whether the victim was a member of Canchola's family or household.

The owners of Spicewood Vineyards in Burnet County, Yates, are set to open their newest premium winery in Hye in September.

Led by owner, Ron Yates, along with the award-winning winery team from Spicewood, the new winery will make high quality wine in proximity to several other wineries on the Wine Road 290.

“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved at Spicewood Vineyard since purchasing the winery almost a decade ago,” said owner, Ron Yates. “We’ve learned a lot from our success at Spicewood, and will use that experience to create this new, namesake winery with a different focus.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander