Burnet County

Area of Concern:

All of South Central Texas for flash flooding and subsequent river flooding, with a slight risk for severe storms and isolated tornadoes primarily in the Coastal Plains. See attached graphics.

Threats & Impacts:

Tornadoes:  A few tornadoes in the Coastal Plains possible, low risk elsewhere

Winds:  Up to 60 mph

Area of Concern:

All of south-central Texas, especially the Hill Country and I-35 corridor. 

Threats & Impacts:

Tornadoes:  Low threat for tornadoes.

Winds:  Wind gusts to 60 MPH.  

Hail: Up to 2 inches in diameter.

Rainfall: Localized amounts near 2 inches. 

Early voting in joint primary election runoffs on May 24 starts Monday, May 16. And today, Friday, May 13, is the last day to apply for a ballot by mail.

In Burnet County, where only Republicans filed for local offices, the runoff will decide winners of local offices and only those who voted in the March 1 Republican Primary or those who did not vote March 1 may cast their ballots in the local elections for Precinct 1 commissioner, Precinct 3 commissioner, Precinct 1 justice of the peace and Precinct 4 justice of the peace. Democratic voters locally will choose only between Grady Yarborough and Cody Garrett for a Texas Commissioner of Agriculture candidate.

By Alexandria Randolph

Highland Lakes Newspapers

Citizens begged state environmental officials to consider the cumulative effects of air pollutants at an air quality hearing for a local rock quarry Thursday.

Burnet County residents took to the mic to openly oppose the permit amendment, which would authorize modifications to the rock crushing facility at the Oldcastle Materials Texas quarry on US 281, (formerly Capital Aggregates) allowing for an increase in production.

Burnet County churches and community members will observe the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 5, at 6 p.m. with prayers for America's government, military, media, business, education, church and family.

U.S. Congressman Roger Williams will speak on honoring veterans following and opening by Burnet County Judge James Oakley. The program will include prayer led by pastors of more than 10 Burnet County churches.

Also participating will be veterans, Hill Country Community Band and Choir and Boy Scouts to conduct a flag ceremony.

Granite Shoals City Manager Ken Nickel has confirmed the city has placed Police Chief J.P. Wilson on administrative leave, but has no further comment on the nature of the leave.

Nickel and other city officials have told The Highlander several times during the past two weeks that Wilson is still the chief of police in Granite Shoals and has not been terminated by the city and remains a paid employee. In his absence, command of the city's police force has shifted to Capt. Gary Boshears.

Wilson has served as the police chief of Granite Shoals for 13 years. He recently ran for sheriff of Burnet County, but failed to make the runoff election.

The Hill Country, including Burnet and Llano counties, is at risk for some severe storms this afternoon and evening. As you can see on the attached map, this includes areas across the eastern Hill Countgry as well as along and east of I-35, including Austin and San Antonio.

Threats include hail up to 2 inches in diameter as well as wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph and rainfall of between half an inch to 2 inches. Isolated pockets east of I-35 could see up to 4 inches of rain and an isolated tornado or two is possible.

Isolated to scattered showers will develop this morning with scattered thunderstorms developing in the afternoon and evening. Environmental conditions are favorable for some storms to become strong to severe and the severe threat may diminish after midnight.  

By Lew K. Cohn

The Highlander

Managing Editor

Burnet County Judge James Oakley of Spicewood and Carlos Palasciano described their respective visions about the future of the Pedernales Electric Cooperative during a Thursday evening forum in Johnson City.
The two men are candidates for the District 5 place on the board currently held by Oakley, who also serves as the board president. PEC hosted a forum for the candidates at their cooperative headquarters.

Burnet and Llano counties are not in the target area for the worst weather this week, but stay alert if you are traveling north.

The National Weather Service issued a weather alert that is not leaving us out of the large hail and isolated strong storm threat.

Today, Monday April 25, we can expect to hit near 90 degrees and most likely tomorrow, to share a few of the showers.

By LEW K. COHN

The Highlander

Managing Editor

I listened with interest to the presentation last week on the City of Marble Falls' comprehensive plan, which has been updated through the work of Halff Associates along with the City Council, Economic Development Committee and a Comprehensive Plan Action Committee (CPAC).

One of the more interesting topics which came up as Robert Halff presented the plan was traffic and transportation through Marble Falls, especially on the U.S. Highway 281 corridor. I was especially encouraged when I heard discussion about the possible development of alternate routes to US 281.