Burnet County Texas

Burnet and surrounding counties do not look to be in the worst danger zone for strong to severe storms tonight through Wednesday across much of South Central Texas but, according to the National Weather Service, pockets of locally heavy rainfall are possible tonight through Wednesday morning.

Driving east could require a watchful eye on the weather.

This evening:  Rio Grande Plains, Southern Edwards Plateau, Winter Garden regions.

Overnight tonight through Wednesday morning: Much of South Central Texas, especially I-35 corridor.

Threats & Impacts: 

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Two positions on the March 6 Burnet County Republican Primary ballot will be contested, county chairwoman Donna Holland Wilcox announced Monday after the candidate filing period ended.

There was no word yet Tuesday morning on whether any Democratic candidates had filed for Burnet County office, but prior to the weekend, there had been no such filings. If that remains the case, the March 6 primary will become a de facto election for county offices.

Three candidates filed for the Precinct 2 Commissioner position currently held by Russell Graeter, who announced he would not seek re-election. Filing to run as Republicans are, in alphabetical order, Damon Beierle, Ryan Rowney and Tom Stephens.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Election filings for the May 7 election closed Feb. 17 with a few contests going to ballot in the south county—Granite Shoals, Meadowlakes and Highland Haven.

The Marble Falls Independent School District Board of Trustees will have no election and in Marble Falls one seat drew no candidate at all. No council contest developed in Cottonwood Shores, but a special election will be held on sales tax.

Marble Falls

In Marble Falls, Mayor John Packer filed for re-election. Parks and Recreation Committee Chairman David Rhodes filed for Place 2 and attorney Megan Klaeger filed for Place 6.

As no one filed for Place 4, the council again will have to choose a replacement. They did that in October when Richard Westerman was appointed to the unexpired term of Raymond Whitman in Place 5.

The Hill Country Humane Society (HCHS) Board of Directors reports being “thrilled” with the success of its inaugural Wags and Whiskers Gala on Sept. 17.

"We reached our goal with the generous support of our members, gala guests and other supporters throughout the community," said vice president Lynn Bishop. "We now have the necessary funds to pursue the creation of our in-house spay and neuter program.

“HCHS wants to publicly thank everyone who lent their support to this effort.”

“Our success is due to the generous involvement of the community,” said gala chairwoman Mitzi Logan, “It truly was a community event.”

All gala proceeds are dedicated to the HCHS spay/neuter program and to equip and staff an on-site operating theater. The shelter is dedicated to spay and neuter as a primary solution to reducing the number of homeless and unwanted animals.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

As many as 600 fans of music and fine spirits visited FiestaJAM Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23-24, and organizers Bob Linder and john Arthur martinez judged the event, third in its young history, a success.

“There is not stopping it now,” said Linder and martinez: “The fans and the music have just been great.”

Headliner Joe Ely, country music staple for decades, brought young singer-songwriter Warren Hood with him to add his violin to his set at Lakeside Park in Marble Falls Saturday.

The self-styled “Heavy Leather” group KATTL from Bandera won the $1,000 prize from Rebecca Creek Distillery and an eight-hour recording session at Uptown Sounc to top off the Battle of Bands. Taking the bow for the KATTL award were “Whiskey” Wade Lowrie, Daniel Philips, Wade Stevens, “Bobby E. “Bandera Bob” Boyd, Nick Smith, and Cole Hicks .

Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Banners are up announcing the arrival of flu vaccine and Burnet County already has seen enough flu-like illness to earn a highlight on the Centers for Disease Control Texas map.

“Doctors report cases and the CDC reports them weekly on the cdc.gov website,” said Juliette Madrigal-Dersch, MD, the Burnet County Health Authority. “They are still sporadic here, but on the East Coast the flu is pretty widespread. Cases won't be counted in the 2016 season until Oct. 4, but they have been confirmed in counties east of us.”

Dr. Madrigal's recommendation is in line with the CDC and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS): Everyone six months old and older should be vaccinated against the flu, especially pregnant women, young children, older adults and people with chronic health conditions. Those people are at a greater risk of severe complications if they do get the flu.

by Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

More than 70 U.S. military veterans from the Vietnam War era were honored Thursday morning, Aug. 25, at a ceremony sponsored by Congressman Roger Williams at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10376 in Marble Falls.

“Congressman Williams is one of the few to do what was intended when the Congressional Resolution was passed recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War,” said Burnet County Veterans Services Officer Bill Worley, Lt. USN Retired.

The ceremony was the third Williams has carried out in his 25th Congressional District.

“We hope to do at least one more,” he said, explaining that each veteran who registered for the event was receiving a certificate and a memorial pin.

BY ALEXANDRIA RANDOLPH
HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS