Granite Shoals Texas news

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

After years of planning, it appears the City of Granite Shoals has its chance to complete the conversion of former granite mine buildings to an indoor sports complex and community meeting space in the heart of Quarry Park.

The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) board on Thursday, May 23, awarded the city a $500,000 grant for a multi-purpose sports facility. Combined with the value of the land and buildings, about $450,000 and a grant administration cost the total would be $1 million.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Between wildlife and streets, fences and fees, issues have been wide ranging in the City of Granite Shoals this year and the city council is reaching out to the citizenry who have been unable to follow the action at council meetings.

“Coffee with Council” is an event being sponsored by the city at Crazy Gals Restaurant on Saturday, March 25. The popular restaurant at the corner of Ranch to Market Road 1431 and Phillips Ranch Road is opening its doors and coffee pots to the informal klatch from 9-11 a.m.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Granite Shoals became the first city in the entire Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) service area to hear a presentation on the current status of the co-op's new solar farm initiative when Jim Spaulding, director of Project Development Energy Services, attended a meeting of the city council Tuesday night, March 14.

“The PEC is partnering with the City of Johnson City to construct two, one-megawatt (MW) solar facilities as part of a cooperative-wide solar power generation project,” said Spaulding. “Solar has become very cost competitive and could to be at or below what you pay now.”

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

When Evelyn Turner blew out the candle on her 100th birthday cupcake March 7, it wasn't the first birthday ceremony she had performed in Granite Shoals.

Considered the city's elder citizen at 99 last year, she blew out the candles at the Granite Shoals 50th Birthday Bash on April 23.

This time it was performed at a surprise party. Anne Williams, who holds court with the popular resident at regular appointments at Anne's Hair Country staged the party for friends, family and admirers. Far from frail, she was bubbling right along with guests about having everyone together.

When Granite Shoals Mayor Carl Brugger arrived, it was with a proclamation in hand, declaring March 7 as Evelyn Lee Turner Day in the city.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Granite Shoals City Council Member Anita Hisey summed up the situation in a special called meeting Monday night, Feb. 20: “We're in a pickel.”

The meeting was called after the council heard the report Feb. 14 that major U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding of a project to rennovate the city's three main traffic arteries is a virtual impossibility.

Lengthy pre-application consults with a USDA representative indicated the city was qualified for a 55-45 match. On the strength of those talks, the city council proposed a $6.8 million, three-road project with $3 million in city bond money as a match. The citizens voted “yes” in November.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

A Granite Shoals man, arrested on four counts of Indeciency with a Child, remained in the Burnet County Jail Thursday evening, Feb. 16.

No bond had been set for Leonides Garcia, 56, who was booked into the jail Wednesday.

The Granite Shoals Police Department issued a brief statement that the action followed communication with the Hill Country Children's Advocacy Center (HCCAC) “due to an interview that was being conducted with several juveniles.”

“Allegations that came out of the interview determined that a family member had inappropriate contact with the juveniles on several occasions, two to three years prior,” said the statement from Patrol Sgt. Chris Decker. “The outcry had just been made recently.”

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The Granite Shoals City Council on Tuesday night, Jan. 24, launched into its sixth lengthy discussion of fencing in the city and the issue is far from over.

Long Planning & Zoning Commission study aside, the item has drawn citizens to meetings every time it has been on the council agenda. And, their interest did not wane Tuesday, when they sat out the discussion to 10:30 p.m., four of them addressing the council.

Only one consensus has emerged: the existing ordinance will change. At issue are utility easements, non-conforming existing fences, materials, heights, incline construction and safety. Interior fencing for pools, gardens and dog runs is such a fractious item the council has agreed to pull it from the main ordinance.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

City deer turn out to be as crafty as they are numerous and not nearly as dumb as they look standing in the middle of traffic, judging by a report presented by the Granite Shoals City Council on Jan. 10.

Overrun by urban deer, the city received permission from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) to conduct a pilot archery program to reduce their numbers. The program with stringent rules for hunters and hunting sites was organized by the Granite Shoals Wildlife Committee and the program began Oct. 4.

“Why is it, after a grand total of 762 hours donated by volunteers, we have just 71 deer removed,” asked Mayor Carl Brugger. “This is a good report and we want to thank the committee, but I am just wondering why the number seems low.”

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

As the year 2016 drew to a close, all but one man prosecuted on charges stemming from Operation Dream Catcher had been convicted and sentenced.

The Granite Shoals Police Department last Feb. 24 participated in a mass federal drug trafficking and money laundering bust spanning Burnet and several counties. A local resident was among 15 arrested in the investigation of widespread methamphetamine distribution ring and money laundering scheme with ties all the way to Mexico. Dubbed Operation Dream Catcher, the effort resulted in prosecution of each of them by the U. S. Attorney’s Office.

Aaron Bravo, age 39, of Granite Shoals, on Nov. 22, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison followed by 4 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of meth.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

One of the first orders of business at Granite Shoals City Council meeting Tuesday, Dec. 13, was the introduction of a new police officer, Leon Ingersoll, by Granite Shoals Police Department Chief Gary Boshears.

“We received applications from several dozen qualified individuals for this position,” said Boshears. “We looked for someone who also were a good fit for the community.

“Officer Ingersoll brings some important training to the department. He served our country as a U.S. Army military policeman and K-9 officer. From there, he went to the State Department, providing security for dignitaries in different areas around the world. He has been a Texas peace officer since 2011. He is a certified mental health peace officer and a certified hostage negotiator.”

Boshears noted that Ingersoll still devotes time to staying in shape and enjoys his time with his family.