Marble Falls Texas news

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The Marble Falls City Council got reassurance of the city's financial health in a report Tuesday, March 20, from the auditing company Pattillo, Brown and Hill.

“Marble Falls has receive an unqualified opinion,” said Angela Verduzco, C.P.A. in her report on the review of financial operations in the year that ended Sept. 30, 2017. “That is the highest pinion that can be rendered.”

Notably, she reminded the council the city had ended the fiscal year with an additional $146,000 in its fund balance. She praised finance director Margie Cardenas and city staff for superior accounting practices and efficient help with questions and expressed confidence that any minor adjustments would be easily done.

The audit will be submitted to the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for

The traffic light at US 281 and Farm to Market Road 1855 north of Marble Falls is now fully operational, controlling stop and go traffic at the intersection.

The intersection is located right next to the Pottery Ranch at 6000 US 281. where employees say they had become accustomed to being just a little on edge, anticipating the next screech of tires.

“We are all just very happy to see this,” said Scott Kilpatrick, owner of the popular stop for locals and tourists. “Traffic moves by really fast on US 281. It has been a dangerous intersection.”

Passersby may have noticed the light, installed in February, as it began flashing this month. That is because the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) wants motorists to become aware of a new light, according to Diann Hodges of TxDOT's Austin District.

A full signal at FM 1855 and a flashing beacon scheduled for the intersection at Park Road 4 are being funded through the TxDOT safety program, Hodges said.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Another snakebite victim was reported in the Highland Lakes area Sunday, March 18.

The call for aid for a woman on Happy Hollow Road in the Fairland area who had been bitten on the foot came in to the Burnet County Sheriff's Department at 12:42 p.m.

The Marble Falls Area Emergency Medical Service (MFAEMS) could confirm only that the female patient was transported directly to Baylor Scott & White Marble Falls, where treatment was begun. She was transferred to Baylor Scott & White Temple for continued care.

“At the time of our transport to Temple, the patient was in stable condition,” said Kevin Naumann, MFAEMS operations director.

Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

A suspect has been identified in six car burglaries that took place in Marble Falls from March 14-15.

Surveillance camera footage captured an image of the burglar, but the image was as much use in tracking down the suspected perpetrator as working leads in the case, according to Sgt. Investigator Barry Greer.

“We hope to have arrest warrants sworn out today,” he said just before the department reported in force to Mormon Mill Road where a suspicious package had been found Monday, March 19.

Then, Tuesday, MFPD Capt. Glenn Hanson confirmed at least one warrant had been issued and apprehension of the suspect is in progress.

“The burglaries happened in five or six different areas of town,” said Greer. “In every case, the vehicles were unlocked.”

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

A pair of separate pursuits involving the Marble Falls Police Department this past weekend landed two individuals in the Burnet County Jail on assorted charges.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

UPDATE: In addition to finding the package not a threat, the investigation determined it was not left with malicious intent, only the remains of a school egg drop project left in the cleaning of an automobile.

An investigation continues by the Marble Falls Police Department into a suspicious package found at the car wash in the 1600 block of Mormon Mill Road about 11:45 a.m. Monday.

The package was cleared by explosive ordinance technicians from the Austin Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety, who were transported quickly to the scene via APD helicopter.

“It was determined this was not an explosive, but it still is a suspicious package to be left where it was,” said Criminal Investigations Capt. Glenn Hanson. “We don't know if it was placed there intentionally to cause a reaction by law enforcement or if it is something innocent.

The emergency has been declared "all clear." See the new story here on HighlanderNews.com.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Mormon Mill Road traffic in Marble Falls was blocked Monday due to the report of a suspicious package at the car wash on that street that turned out to be nothing harmful.

The Marble Falls Police Department kept traffic cordoned off for the arrival of a Austin PD bomb disposal unit, which determined the “package” was not a bomb.

By Richard Zowie

The Highlander

Anyone driving on the road behind the Marble Falls High School Auditorium on March 14 might have mistaken Dan Kramer, of the Marble Falls Area Fire Department, for an eager shopper trying to get ahead for the 2018 Christmas Tree season.

Working with several men with power tools and other devices used for trimming brush and shrubbery, Kramer carried a freshly-cut tall green shrub towards the road.

But instead of strapping it to the top of a vehicle or into a truck bed and taking it home to decorate, Kramer took the shrub to a wood chipper.

Soon, machine reduced the dark green shrub into mulch.

Kramer and the rest of those with him, including members of the Marble Falls Fire and Rescue, were creating a “defensible space” at the high school that will help protect the school from any future wild fires.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Habitat for Humanity celebrated a ribbon cutting Feb. 18 for the new home of Shana Hyslop and her 12-year-old son, Xander.

“This is our 23rd home,” said Willie Reinders of Habitat for Humanity Highland Lakes. “We have done a home a year for 23 years. We are very proud of that.”

Every homeowner in the program donates at least 150 hours of volunteer time, but Hyslop has gone above and beyond, working on at least three homes, already.

“It is exciting,” said Hyslop. “And, not just for our home. I put in my time long ago, but I expect to keep working in the program.”

“Shanna waited three years to get this house,” said Reinders. “If anybody think it just happens, they're wrong. It takes a lot of patience and sweat equity on someone else's home.”

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Get ready. Get set. Go to Marble Falls Spring Break 2018.

The Marble Falls Parks and Recreation Department again will provide the free weekday fun while Marble Falls Independent School District students are on vacation.

It takes place every day from Monday, March 12, through Friday, March 16. all with the help of local sponsors.

Last year, H-E-B became the corporate sponsor through its Community Investment Program. Free lunches are provided for kids every day from restaurants including Chick-fil-A, Subway, Pizza Hut and, of course, H-E-B.

Monique Breaux, this year's coordinator, amassed some statistics from last year's foodies: 300 hot dogs and 200 hamburgers, 520 bags of fruit snacks, 584 bags of chips, 310 bottles of sports drinks and 300 bottles of water.

The event has only grown in popularity over the years.