Marble Falls news

Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Radio traffic in Burnet County will sound more active than normal Wednesday, Feb. 5, as first responders take part in an all-day regional emergency exercise.

First responders will gather from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Texas AgriLife Extension Office, 607 N. Vandeveer, Burnet, for the Firestarter 2020 exercise, which is being sponsored by the Capital Area Council of Government (CAPCOG) and Burnet County Emergency Management, where they will take part in scenarios designed to test their emergency response capabilities. …

Contributed/Marble Falls EDC
The new Marble Falls McDonald's will have modern amenities, a larger parking area and dining space, but will conjure nostalgia with its new look. Crews demolished the old structure, 1605 RR 1431,on Jan. 30. The new one is scheduled to be completed in the spring.

Find more news updates like this in the Tuesday, Feb. 4 issue of The Highlander, the newspaper of record for the Highland Lakes. To offer a comment or news tip, email connie@highlandernews.com. To subscribe to the newspaper, call 830-693-4367 or click here to subscribe to our e-Edition online.

By Nathan Hendrix
Sports Editor

The Marble Falls High School sports teams will face several new opponents in 2020-22 after the UIL realigned districts on Monday, Feb. 3.

The Mustangs football team moved to 5A Division 2 Region 4 District 14 with six teams not on their district schedule last season.

Liberty Hill joins Marble Falls after a bump up to 5A. The two teams will play five Austin teams – Crockett, McCallum, Northeast, Travis and Navarro. …

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Business representatives of the Lampasas-based Putters and Gutters Fun Center have confirmed plans for a Marble Falls location to include a 20-lane bowling alley, miniature golf course, skating rink, arcade, eatery and live music venue, officials said.

“Marble Falls has needed and wanted children's activities for a very long time,” said Business Development Coordinator Midge Dockery of the Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation. …

Burnet County learns field ER techniques

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

For Pct. 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery something as simple as learning to properly use a tourniquet could be the difference between life and death.

“They're simple to use,” Dockery said. “You can tell they're very effective.”

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Two business owners expressed concerns at Marble Falls City Council Jan. 21 about the annual Adult Soapbox Classic, which they say obstructs potential customer foot traffic and at times forces them to close up shop due to street closures.

The owners of a consignment store and confectioneries shop – both located on Main Street – appeared before the council prior to the body's vote on agenda items approving hotel/motel occupancy tax (HOT) funding for entities including $10,000 in for the derby event. …

From staff reports

The Texas Press Association recognized The Highlander for outstanding achievement in several areas during its annual trade show and convention Jan. 16-18 at the 140th TPA Convention & Trade Show held at Moody Gardens Hotel, Convention Center & Spa in Galveston.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

A preliminary financial summary of the city of Marble Falls revealed that the municipality is still feeling the repurcussions of the October 2018 flood, which caused millions of dollars in damage to private and public property including infrastructure.

On Jan. 21, the Marble Falls City Council heard a report from Finance Director Baron Sauls on the 2018-19 preliminary financial summary.

The budget totaled $11,445,187 with a beginning fund balance as of October 2018 of $1,796,701. …

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

Marble Falls Independent School District added three new classes to its expanding catalog of Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses aimed at preparing students for the workforce or continuing education.

In December and January, the board of trustees approved the addition of a general employability skills class and an advanced floral design class. The courses will be offered to students starting in the 2020-21 school year. …

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

Marble Falls High School construction trades students refuse to let a good lesson go to waste.

Projects in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department typically end with a product that shouldn't be thrown away like a posterboard or Powerpoint presentation. So a partnership with Living Love Animal Rescue was the purr-fect way to ensure student-built houses found worthy residents. …