Granite Shoals Texas news

by Alexandria Randolph

Highland Lakes Newspapers

A man and a child were taken to an Austin area hospital following a motorcycle collision in Kingsland Friday.

Texas DPS Troopers said a man and a five-year-old were both injured after the man's Harley Davidson motorcycle collided with a Ford Expedition on Ranch to Market Road 1431 near the County Road 127 intersection on Friday afternoon, Aug. 26, at about 3 p.m.

Trooper Kevin Henneke said the collision occurred when a vehicle slowed in the outside, westbound lane to make a right turn on CR 127 (Caldwell Boulevard), a second vehicle stopped behind it, leading to a chain reaction.

“The driver of the Expedition had to slam on his brakes to avoid colliding with the car ahead of him, and the motorcyclist rear-ended the expedition,” Henneke said.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The City of Burnet sent out a fraud alert this week on a telephone scam, one that does not, as yet, seem to have reached out into the county.

Burnet businesses have reported receiving telephone calls, claiming to be from the City of Burnet, telling them that they are past due on their utility bills and that unless they immediately pay the bill in cash their utilities will be terminated. The caller is aggressive and insists that they must make a payment immediately.

The City of Burnet sends out past due notices on the 21st of each month and will not call a citizen demanding payment over the phone.

To check the status of utility accounts, citizens can either go online to www.cityofburnet.com and select “Online Services,” where they log-in using a secure password that they create, or they can call the utility department at 512-756-6093.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The Granite Shoals City Council last week voted final approval for the ordinance that place a bond issue on the November ballot and reached an accord on budget concessions that will likely result in a tax rate lower than the maximum considered.

On Monday night, Aug. 22, the bond election ordinance specified Nov. 8 ballot language allowing voters to choose “for” or “against” the issuance of $3 million in tax bonds for improvements to Phillips Ranch Road, Prairie Creek Road And Valley View Lane.

The bonds amount would represent about 45 percent of the proposed improvement costs. The city is seeking U.S. Department of Agriculture grant support for the balance of the project. It was not only the prospect of grant support for more than half the cost that convinced the council that the time was right for the project.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The Granite Shoals City Council on Monday, Aug. 15, changed course on a decision and now will give voters a chance in November to approve a $3 million bond issue for the restoration of the most heavily-traveled portions of its three main arteries.

To secure a potential U.S. Department of Agriculture grant for 55 percent of the cost, citizen financial support would be critical and complete restoration of the streets would almost certainly exceed $6 million.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

THE HIGHLANDER

Gary Boshears has been named chief of the Granite Shoals Police Department.

City Manager Ken Nickel made the announcement of the appointment during a budget workshop of the Granite Shoals City Council Monday night, Aug. 15. Boshears had been named interim chief to succeed J.P. Wilson in May.

“I have been pleased with Gary's leadership since taking over as interim chief,” said Nickel. “He has a professional management style and a long-range vision for the department.

“I believe these attributes will serve him well on the staff management team. We continue to work with and for the council toward making Granite Shoals the 'City on the Move' we want it to be.”

BY ALEXANDRIA RANDOLPH

HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The hotly debated No Deer Feeding Ordinance was passed unanimously by the Granite Shoals City Council Tuesday night, July 12.

The ordinance imposes sanctions on feeding deer that begin with warnings, followed by fines that progress from $50 upward.

“When I started this (work toward a ban on feeding deer), I couldn't even get it on the council agenda, because it is such a difficult subject,” said former City Council Member Slayton Marks.

County burn bans instituted

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

By Glynis Crawford Smith

THE HIGHLANDER

The National Rifle Association (NRA) Foundation has awarded the City of Granite Shoals Police Department a grant of $2,880 for the purchase of ballistic helmets.

Interim Chief Gary Boshears said the grant would cover the cost of helmets for the department's full compliment of eight officers.

BY GLYNIS CRAWFORD SMITH

THE HIGHLANDER

It is Volunteer Appreciation Day in Granite Shoals, Tuesday, June 28, and a reception will be held at 5 p.m. at city hall.

“We want to honor all the people who have volunteered for boards and commissions and advisory groups and to honor the passing of former City Council Member Peggy Edwards,” said Mayor Carl Brugger. “So many people helped with the 50th Year Bash. We want to thank them all and everyone is invited to join us in honoring them.”

Light refreshments, cake and punch will be served.