Burnet County Texas news

By Phil Reynolds

The Highlander

Law enforcement officers from all over Burnet County gave more than 100 people tips on staying alive during an active shooter incident Thursday evening at the Marble Falls High School auditorium.

Burnet County Deputy Sheriff Tracy Weems, who led the hour-long event, said the first big step toward avoiding being a victim is to have a plan.

Republican candidates in two contested Burnet County March 6 primary races will appear at a 6:30 p.m. political forum Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Burnet Community Center, 401 E. Jackson.

The event is sponsored by the Burnet Chamber of Commerce, the Burnet Bulletin and the Burnet County Republican Club, whose member will be serving cookies to guests, beginning at 6 p.m.

There are three candidates in the race for Precinct 2 Commissioner, currently held by Russell Graeter, who did not seek re-election. Candidates include, in alphabetical order by last name, Damon Beierle, Ryan Rowney and Tom Stephens.

Also contested is the race for Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace, currently held by Peggy Shell Simon, who also did not seek re-election. Candidates in this race include Carey Hendrick, Jane Marie Hurst and Jeff Sellers.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Burnet County has submitted their order and now they must sit back and see if local transportation needs are given a slice of the federal funding pie.

By Savanna Gregg

The Highlander

A warm winter day turned into a nightmare for a 5-year-old Granite Shoals girl and her family this past Saturday, Jan. 20.

Emily Rose Oehler and her family were enjoying their day outdoors at Longhorn Caverns State Park in Burnet when Emily was struck by a western diamondback rattlesnake.

“(Oehler) was playing off the trail in an un-manicured section of high grass when she received the bite,” said Cory Evans of Inks Lake State Park.

The Burnet County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) on Thursday, Jan. 18, reported that the man accused in the road-rage incident near Smithwick on Nov. 30 is in the county jail under five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

The man is David L. Meyer, 45, of Rockford, Ill. He was shot by an off-duty Austin Police Department officer who observed a family under attack in the 1200 block of Ranch to Market Road of 1431.

“Mr. Meyer had been recovering from his injuries in an Austin-area rehabilitation facility,” said the BCSO press release. “He was transported to the Travis County Jail initially, and then was transferred to the Burnet County Jail on Jan. 17. His bond is set at $100,000 for each count. This matter is being referred to the 33rd/424th District Attorney's Office for prosecution.”

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Burnet County Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday, Jan. 9, which prohibits the opening of a solid waste disposal landfill in the county.

This story updated at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Burnet County offices and many others across the region will be closed tomorrow it was announced this afternoon, as the National Weather Service, the Lower Colorado River Authority and the Pedernales Electric Cooperative continue today, Monday, Jan. 15, to expect severe winter weather to arrive soon.

Marble Falls city offices will not open until 10 a.m. tomorrow.

"Confidence continues to increase our region will see the development of widespread freezing precipitation beginning late tonight, continuing through late afternoon Tuesday as arctic air spreads south behind a cold front," said Bob Rose, LCRA chief meterologist.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

With only two local races contested Burnet County Republican Primary, most of the candidates who attended the primary ballot order drawing Thursday night will move straight through the General Election into office.

“We have no local candidates from the Democrats,” said Donna Wilcox, county Republican chairwoman, brightly.

The gathering at the Burnet County Courthouse had the tone of the passing of the guard. Although Burnet County Clerk Janet Parker has no opposition, she said this would be her last race. She tearfully expressed her love for her job.

“I took office in 1991, but I came to work for the county in 1983,” Parker said. “After my next term, it will have been almost 40 years and time to step down. For now I have a few more goals I want to achieve. There's work to be done.”

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Volunteer firefighters are serving three free community meals on Saturday, Dec. 30.

Since the Burnet County Hunger Alliance (BCHA) was formed last year, volunteers have been pleased with progress in bringing together organizations that focus on delivering food to those who need it, with one notable gap—the holidays.

Some food pantry and meal programs are interrupted to allow volunteers time with families and for travel.

A new effort to fill the gap is gaining some traction this year with the help of the volunteer fire departments in Marble Falls, Cottonwood Shores and Spicewood.

“The firefighters have come to the rescue,” said Pam Rogers, one of the BCHA volunteers. “On Dec. 30 they will serve pancake meal at three different locations.”

The Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department was the first to step up, Rogers said.

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.