Llano County

By Phil Reynolds

The Highlander

Llano County commissioners voted not to impose a county-wide burn ban Monday with three commissioners voting to table the matter, one voting in favor of a ban, and County Judge Mary Cunningham abstaining.

The question of a burn ban is a regular agenda item during commissioners court meetings. Commissioners have been voting to table the question recently, saying conditions don’t warrant a ban.

Monday, however, Precinct 2 Commissioner Linda Raschke noted that the county had seen several “really big” fires recently, some burning “close to houses.”

County Emergency Management Assistant Ron Anderson said three fire chiefs in the county had told him the previous Wednesday that if the county got “significant” rainfall over the weekend of June 24-25, they might reconsider their recommendation for a ban.

By Phil Reynolds

The Highlander

A revolution may be brewing in Llano County over what some residents perceive as an unneeded and unwanted change to Ranch to Market Road 1431 and an attitude bordering on contempt for local officials by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

At issue is a plan to change the ranch road from four lanes to what is known as a “super two” highway – one lane in each direction with intermittent turn lanes and passing lanes where engineers think they’re needed. The approximately 30 miles of Texas 71 between US 281 south of Marble Falls to Texas 16 in Llano is an example of that type of highway.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Working in conjunction with other local agencies, Burnet County Sheriff's deputies in the Special Operations Unit have arrested 17 individuals in Burnet and Llano counties as part of a month-long undercover investigation targeting methamphetamine dealers in the two counties that culminated in a raid Thursday at multiple locations.

Burnet County Sheriff Calvin Boyd said a total of 31 warrants were obtained on the 17 individuals arresed, charging each with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance in penalty group 1, more than one gram but less than four grams.

Each charge is a second-degree felony under Texas Penal Code, Chapter 481.112(c), punishable by a prison sentence of two to 20 years and a $10,000 fine.

“This represents a significant impact on the local methamphetamine supply network,” Boyd said.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

You may think of the ukulele with a smile and memory of Arthur Godfrey (1903-1983), with a groan over “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” by Tiny Tim (1938-1996) or a mellow sigh at the memory of that 1990 medley of "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World" by “Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (1959 – 1997).

But picture it, now, in your own hands and embrace the motto of the Highland Lakes Ukulele Club: “Changing the world, four strings at a time.”

This band of troubadours meets twice a month to practice together and draw new players into their musical fold.

When Don Crowder, an accomplished musician, began to coax Lisa Miller toward a simple instrument like the ukulele she was dubious.

“Before I could say no, he ordered one for me,” she said. “The premiere benefit of having two people is that you are having a good time.”

BY ALEXANDRIA RANDOLPH

The suspect of a Llano County murder has claimed he shot a man in self defense, authorities said Tuesday.

Justin Lamb, 27, of Yuma, Ariz. was arrested on charge of murder after authorities were led to a Llano County ranch where a Mason man was slain.

Joshua Lee Jordan, 31, was found shot multiple times in the head and torso on Saturday morning, Nov. 19, while his three-year-old son slept in a nearby house.

“At about 3 a.m. Saturday morning, we had a call from the Stripes at Texas Highway 29 and Texas Highway 16,” said Llano County Sheriff Bill Blackburn.

The caller said there was a man at the location who told employees he had shot his friend on a nearby ranch.

“We went out to the ranch about nine miles west of Llano off County Road 403,” Blackburn said. “There we found a subject shot multiple times. He was deceased.”

Jordan's three-year-old son was asleep in the house nearby when the shooting occurred.

by Alexandria Randolph

Highland Lakes Newspapers

After a lengthy deliberation by jurors, a Kingsland woman was sentenced to 45 years imprisonment Monday in Llano District Court in the August 2014 murder of her partner.

Kathryn Louise Preston, 47, was convicted of the murder of her romantic partner Jose Mario Hernandez, 23, on Monday, July 25, in the court of District Judge Evan Stubbs. Preston was sentenced to 45 years imprisonment after eight hours of deliberation by jurors.

BY ALEXANDRIA RANDOLPH/HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS

Storms on Tuesday afternoon are the first of a series of storms this week, meteorologists said.

The National Weather service has issued multiple hazard statements for the Burnet County area, which a forecast of storms all through the week. The City of Marble Falls issued an alert at 5:24 p.m. today, May 31, that Lake Marble Falls is closed until further notice due to flood gate operations and the City of Horseshoe Bay issued multiple low water crossing closings throughout the afternoon.

A flood advisory was issued at 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31 for southwestern Burnet County, southeastern Llano County and surrounding counties, effective until 5:15 p.m.

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.  

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.