Burnet County Texas news

By Amy Prayer

Highland Lakes News

Although she is still listed in critical condition, there has been good news regarding the condition of a

Fredericksburg youth pastor's wife critically injured in a Friday, June 9, accident in Burnet County on US 281.

Jenny Barton Loza, the wife of First Baptist Church of Fredericksburg youth pastor Austin Loza, was removed from a monitor and swelling has started to go down in her skull following surgery she underwent Monday, June 12, at St. David's Round Rock Medical Center, according to an update online.

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.”

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

The father of a man missing since September 2015 told The Highlander his only wish is to find out what has happened to his son.

“We just want our son home,” said John Johnson Sr. “We just want our son home. It's hard (to go through this), but we want him home. Whatever we have to do to do that, we are willing to walk through that.

“We don't know where else to turn now except the media. Maybe someone will know something. Someone is bound to know something. It is just a matter of coming into contact with them.”

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The early voting total for all of Burnet County reached only 762 by end of day Tuesday, May 2, the last day of early voting for the Saturday, May 6, General Election.

That was the the combined total of 340 voters at the Marble Falls Burnet County Courthouse Annex at 810 Steve Hawkins Parkway and 422 voters at the main Burnet County Courthouse at 220 South Pierce Street on the Burnet square.

The number of voters interested in local elections pales in comparison to the 2016 record-breaking early voting. More than 20 percent of the county's then 29,556 voters cast an early ballot in the presidential race.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month and Highland Lakes residents are being called upon to take part is special Go Blue observances Monday, April 24, and Sunday, April 30.

A ceremony to honor all child victims of abuse and neglect will be held from 5:30-6 p.m. April 24 at the amphitheater of Johnson Park, 230 Avenue J, in Marble Falls.

The annual bell ringing event is sponsored by Court Appointed Advocates (CASA) for the Highland Lakes Area and Marble Falls Daybreak Rotary.

Other groups dedicated to the protection of children, the Burnet County Child Welfare Board (BCCWB), the Hill Country Children's Advocacy Center (HCCA), and Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworkers will be on hand also for the signing of a proclamation at the Burnet County Commissioners Court Tuesday, April 11, and other similar city events throughout the month.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Two important transportation meetings went on in Burnet County this week.

A sit-down of Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Burnet County Commissioners Court was held in an open workshop Tuesday, March 28, at the Burnet courthouse and a Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) open house on long-range plans was held Wednesday, March 29.

Commissioners went line by line through 54 projects, only 24 of which are on the 2017 priority list for TxDOT, but all important to one or morel precincts. CAMPO representatives came to convey feedback on possible amendments to the CAMPO 2040 and 2017-2020 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

Commissioners workshop

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Burnet County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to pass a resolution opposing House Bill 3677 during their regular session at the Courthouse.

HB 3677, filed by state Rep. Jason Issac, R-Dripping Springs, would eliminate the Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District (CTGCD) in Burnet, which was created by local voters, and force the county to consolidate with four other counties into a single Heart of Texas Aquifer District.

A community arts exhibit and artists reception will be held Thursday, March 23, from 5-6:30 p.m. to recognize student artists from throughout the Burnet County.

The exhibit will take place at Happy Scoops Ice Cream, 104 West Washington Street, just off the courthouse square in Burnet.

The art exhibit will feature work by kindergarten through 12th grade artists from around the county, including students from Faith Academy in Marble Falls; Colt Elementary in Marble Falls Independent School District (MFISD) and Bertram Elementary, RJ Richey Elementary, Shady Grove Elementary, Burnet Middle School, Burnet High School, all in the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District (BCISD), .

Burnet County’s Lela Glimp Goar was inducted into the New Mexico Activities Association Hall of Fame in ceremonies held March 9 in Albuquerque, New Mexico .

The ring ceremony honored her years of service as an individual who has made significant contributions to Interscholastic and family related activities in New Mexico .

According to a press release by the organization, the individual must show great support for and involvement in formulating regulations and procedures for various interscholastic programs, and they must have 25 years of service, of which 20 must have been in New Mexico . The candidate is then screened by the New Mexico Hall of Fame Selection Committee. As a member of the Class of 2017, Lela Glimp Goar will be the 102nd member of the prestigious group.