Cottonwood Shores Texas news

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Loyal customers of On the Rocks Restaurant & Bar in Cottonwood Shores were in a stir this week over concerns that the business had been shut down.

“Everything is fine and we have not been closed,” said co-owner Matt Orlando, after an online report (not associated with The Highlander) suggested the popular business was closed.

The buzz began when the eatery and music venue, which advertises a “great dam view” for its panorama up and down stream from Wirtz Dam, got visits from two state agencies in one day.

“We have added a pavilion to seat 250 people,” said Orlando. “It will be enclosed for an indoor ballroom."

"It was really in relation to that work and a regular inspection that the Texas Fire Marshals Office looked that On the Rocks was “red flagged,” according to Jimmy Ethridge, one of the managers.

Council proposes tax rate, discusses deer ordinance

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Rex Holloway can now say he received the Cottonwood Shores Citizen of the Year Award on the city's 30th Anniversary.

Cottonwood Shores incorporated Aug. 8, 1987, but only in the last three years has it begun honoring the volunteers who have done much of the work to keep improving the city.

In Holloway's case, that includes serves on the city's Board of Adjustment and as vice chairman of the Parks Committee.

“He has worked tirelessly for new playground equipment, and the addition of the splash pad and Memorial Day's grand opening with hotdogs and tee shirts for the kids,” said City Administrator Sheila Moore. “He also attends most city council meetings.”

A chance for dramatic savings on tickets to the 2nd Annual Taste of the Hill Country ends Sunday, Aug. 6.

The event brings together more than 20 of the Highland Lakes area top chefs and restaurants to benefit the performing arts programs at the Hill Country Community Theatre. Early Bird general admission tickets are are $40 each or two for $75 through Aug. 6.

When the event opens its doors at the Marble Falls Lakeside Pavilion on Oct. 17, tickets will be $55 each or two for $95.

"Guests sample signature dishes from the area’s finest restaurants all in one place at this event," said Mike Rademaekers, HCCT executive director. "Whether you’re a well-dined gourmand, a new-found food lover or simply looking for a good time with friends, there’s something for everyone at Taste of the Hill Country. Samples of food and drink are almost unlimited."

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Volunteers are a big focus in cities this summer.

In Cottonwood Shores and Granite Shoals nominations are sought for outstanding citizens and cities are about to appoint new members to committees, boards, commissions and advisory groups.

Wednesday, July 19, is the deadline for nominations for the Outstanding Citizen of the Year in Cottonwood Shores to be presented at the Aug. 3 meeting of the city council. Carlos Naumann was honored last year for continued efforts to keep the city beautiful.

Nominations for 2017, with an explanation of why the citizen is being nominated, are to be submitted to City Administrator Sheila Moore at city hall, 3808 Cottonwood Drive, or by email, city.admin@cottonwoodshores.org. For more information, call Moore at 830-693-3830.

Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Cottonwood Shores has a new police chief. Johnny Liendo of Georgetown was sworn in at city hall Monday.

Gregory Palmer, who joined the city as chief in mid-April, is staying on as police lieutenant, but resigned as chief before the July 6 council meeting. With Liendo's addition, the city is back up to a force of four full-time officers.

Little was said at the meeting, but after an executive session in which Palmer's resignation as chief was discussed, the council voted to renew their search for a top cop.

Former chief Chris Bieze and Lt. John-Michael Talamantez left the city for the Burnet County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) and Ofcr. Sarah Peterson departed as well, leaving Palmer to rely on reserve officers such as Liendo as he rebuilt the force.

Officers Jason Bartholomew and Christen Moller now serve with reserve officer Javier Castro.

Julie’s Cocina and Century Oak Plaza are sharing a grand opening Wednesday, March 22, expanding the commercial face of Cottonwood Shores.

In August of 2014, Texas banker, Wayne Hartman, was looking for commercial real estate investments in the Marble Falls area. He had just purchased The Burke’s Outlet/Grand Buffet building the previous Summer and was looking to buy more. A friend told him that Dollar General had land under contract on Farm to Market Road 2147 in Cottonwood Shores. As a banker, Hartman had financed several Dollar Generals in Texas, so he put the adjacent land West of it under contract and purchased it.

Hartman was introduced to local architect, Marley Porter, who had developed and built the On The Rocks Restaurant, Huey O’s and finished a PUD for the surrounding acreage. He was hired to design a strip center for the site.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The Cottonwood Shores City Council gained a new member Thursday, Jan. 18. Brigitte Thomas was sworn in to fill the unexpired term of Marley Porter in Place 2 on the council.

Porter's resignation was accepted during the same meeting.

Porter, an architect and developer, has been involved in many projects in Cottonwood Shores and surrounding cities, including Marble Falls and Granite Shoals, but primarily by donating his time for design and grant work.

"Mayor Donald Orr and I sat down just after the first of the year and talked about all the decisions coming up before the Council on our CastleRock Development,” said Porter. “As architect and partner in the development, I would be constantly abstaining from voting to avoid any potential perceived conflict of interest.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

When the Cottonwood Shores City Council meets Thursday night, Nov. 17, it is with the full expectation of approval of a $1.39 million assistance loan from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB).

The TWDB Board of Directors will meet earlier in the day with an agenda that includes the loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to finance the planning, design and construction of the city's new water treatment plant expansion project.

The plant to provide water through 547 connections to more than 1,158 citizens is proposed to take the city far into the future with safe drinking water from Lake LBJ.

The proposal will go to the board will support of the TWDB staff, based not only on the need to replace the aging plant, but also based on its “2A” rating on the city's “strong” ability to pay back the loan.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

A Cottonwood Shores family is thankful they safely made it out of their home early Monday morning when it caught fire.

The home at 628 Fir Lane appears it will be a total loss, but things could have been much worse.

Julia Ruiz said her family was just waking up when “my daughter was telling me there was smoke in the house.”

“I ran into the hallway and realized I saw smoke coming out of the whole hallway, so I told the kids to get out,” she said. “That was the first thing, let's get them out. I went into the laundry room because I could see where the smoke was coming from and I moved the curtain back a little bit and saw nothing but smoke, so I ran out of there too.”

Ruiz and her family were able to all get out of the home without suffering any injury.

By Glynis Crawford Smith/The Highlander

The Cottonwood Shores City Council on Thursday, June 16, approved the steps it has been planning to bring a new $1.83 million water plant project online.

“This is the largest and most important financial obligation the council will make,” said Mayor Donald Orr. “The (current) plant produces good water but it is extremely labor intensive.”

The proposed Pall Membrane plant would boost production to a potential half-million gallons of water per day, at least double the capacity of the current 2975 water plant.

“In addition we will have 135,000 gallons per day storage,” said Orr.

The council will seek a $1.83 million loan from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), offset by a $275,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), federal money they will seek through the Texas Department of Agriculture.