Marble Falls news

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

As the state of Texas, Burnet and Llano counties declared emergencies due to the COVID-19 virus, public officials advised residents it is inevitable the virus will find its way into the Highland Lakes region.

“It's not a matter of if, but when. It's right next door,” said Burnet County Judge James Oakley on Thursday, March 19, during a special called meeting of the Burnet County Commissioners Court that was simulcast live on Facebook.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

In Marble Falls, Baylor Scott and White Hospital has enacted guidelines which control and limit foot traffic as well as accommodates COVID-19 testing procedures.

The protocols include:

• Temporarily limiting public entry points on the Marble Falls campus to the emergency department, main hospital entrance and specialty clinic entrance;

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

Marble Falls Independent School District is seeking voluntary disclosure of high-risk travel as a way to remain informed about the community during the COVID-19 spread.

The district is asking students and staff who travel out of the state or country or have family members visiting from out of the state or country during spring break to complete a travel form by Sunday, March 22. …

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

The Burnet County Health Authority provided an update to the public and area emergency services entities in light of concerns about the spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus).

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

HEB grocery store officials are asking customers to quell “panic” over concerns about the coronavirus, and have implemented temporary purchase limits of certain items, according to March 13 company statements.

The statement was released after a week-long barrage of customers – including those in Burnet, Marble Falls and Kingsland – in the midst of COVID-19 scare buying items in bulk such as toilet paper, cleaning products, hand sanitizer and even some food items.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Marble Falls Public Library officials decided March 11 to cancel group conference room programs and close the facility's community room for at least the rest of the month of March due to concerns about the coronavirus.

“We're busy in the month of March because Texas has spring break over three weeks. That gives us lots of foot traffic,” Head Librarian Amanda Rose told The Highlander, following the release of a public statement. “We have closed the meeting room and library programs and events. …

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

For the students of Kyle Holton's ag power class at Marble Falls High School, accepting jobs from local entities is about more than just refining their welding skills.

“It feels good to help people,” said junior Ayden Humphreys.

Holton, MFHS ag science teacher, agreed to construct a barbecue pit for His Joshua House, a Kingsland-based drug and alcohol recovery house for men. …

UPDATE: The city of Marble Falls has cancelled the spring break program in an effort to promote "social distancing" to minimize the threat of the potential spread of COVID-19, according to a press release issued at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13.

Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Parks and recreation officials will go forward with plans for the 2020 Spring Break Program with a couple of modifications as a result of concerns by outside entities about the coronavirus.

Special to The Highlander
Juliette Madrigal, MD
Burnet County Health Authority

Citizens of Burnet County:

With so much misinformation and speculation surrounding COVID-19, we want to deliver as much factual information as we have today (Friday, March 13).

Currently, there have been no cases reported in Burnet County, and we wish to keep this a reality as long as possible!

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

When Burnet County Sheriff's Office Deputy Jason Jewett arrives on the site of a public nuisance and illegal dumping case, he continues to be shocked at the level of potential violations involved.

“Somebody was living there,” he said of an abandoned RV surrounded by strewn garbage on Corner Street. “If you drive down the street, it's scary.” …