Llano Texas news

By Phil Reynolds

The Highlander

Llano city council members will go behind closed doors today, Tuesday, Jan. 16, to talk with their attorney about a police force that’s been reduced by half.

Three members of the eight-person force – Chief Kevin Ratliff, Sgt. Jared Latta and Patrol Officer Aimee Shannon — are on administrative leave with pay after a complaint charging official misconduct was lodged with the Llano County District Attorney’s office, District Attorney Sonny McAfee said.

LPD officer indicted

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Llano Police Department (LPD) Ofcr. Grant Harden has been indicted by a Llano County Grand Jury on six various counts related to video evidence of a June traffic stop.

Harden had been banned from the dispatch and administrative areas of the Llano County Law Enforcement Center since around that time and was further blocked from entering the jail recently. Sheriff Bill Blackburn said that was because of “not being professional while in the jail area.”

The indictments, recorded Tuesday, Dec. 5 include two third-degree felony charges of tampering or fabricating physical evidence; one count of a state jail felony of tampering with a governmental record and three counts of a Class A felony, official oppression.

By Savanna Gregg

The Highlander

Here in Central Texas, our roots run deep and we take pride in where we come from. Most of us share common values: we love our mama's cooking, country music, and keeping history alive. Lucky for us, a night of celebrating the preservation of history and country music will be taking place this Friday in Llano.

On Saturday and Sunday, April 8-9, Eagle Outfitters will host a gun show in Llano at the Kuykendall Event Center, 2200 Ranch to Market Road 152.

Show times are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. both days and a rodeo is included during the April show.

Showcased at the event will be rifles, pistols, revolvers, knives, antiques, ammunition, scopes, packs, holsters, outdoor gear, parts and accessories. New vendors are always welcomed.

Eagle Outfitters has the latest military, tactical, law enforcement and outdoor gear available to the public and military.

Similar to Army Navy Surplus stores, all of Eagle Outfitters items are brand new—boots, backpacks, clothing, the latest equipment and gear.

Founder, Buddy Howell, LTC, U.S. Army Special Forces, (Ret.), believes that customer satisfaction, the best equipment, and affordable prices are the most important areas to any business.

By Alexandria Randolph

Highland Lakes Newspapers

Llano City Police have released additional information on a rape case in which a Gatesville man was indicted last month.

Shane Nolan Taylor, 36, was indicted on July 5 on charges of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit other felonies, aggravated sexual assault, a first-degree felony, and sexual assault, a second degree felony, after an incident in a Llano County home on April 11.

Llano Police Chief Kevin Ratliff said Taylor was arrested after authorities said he broke into a woman’s home and raped her on April 11 between 9 and 10 a.m. Ratliff said Taylor made forcible entry into the woman's home in a duplex in the 700 block of East Sandstone Street.

“We believe he knew her, or had just met her,” Ratliff said. “He thought his girlfriend was in her house.”