Marble Falls Texas news

A chance for dramatic savings on tickets to the 2nd Annual Taste of the Hill Country ends Sunday, Aug. 6.

The event brings together more than 20 of the Highland Lakes area top chefs and restaurants to benefit the performing arts programs at the Hill Country Community Theatre. Early Bird general admission tickets are are $40 each or two for $75 through Aug. 6.

When the event opens its doors at the Marble Falls Lakeside Pavilion on Oct. 17, tickets will be $55 each or two for $95.

"Guests sample signature dishes from the area’s finest restaurants all in one place at this event," said Mike Rademaekers, HCCT executive director. "Whether you’re a well-dined gourmand, a new-found food lover or simply looking for a good time with friends, there’s something for everyone at Taste of the Hill Country. Samples of food and drink are almost unlimited."

Funeral services have been set for Jerrod Bradford Young, the pedestrian who died Saturday, July 30, when struck by a car as he walked on US 281 in Marble Falls.

The services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, in the Bates-Cooper Sloan Funeral Home chapel, 2805 South Jefferson Avenue in Mount Pleasant. Interment will follow at Nevills Chapel Cemetery in Titus County.

Young, a computer programmer who graduated from Mount Pleasant High School, was born in Mount Pleasant March 30, 1981, to Stephen Bradford and Jovanna Gail (Baze) Young.

When the Marble Falls City Council meets at 6 p.m. tonight, Aug. 1, tax rate hearing is on the agenda.

As budget workshops have progressed and priorities have been set, the Burnet Central Appraisal District has reported a Marble Falls property market value of $1,089,763,048, with a taxable value of $815,061,90, adjusted to a certified tax roll of $726,407, 494--an eight percent increase over last year.

Finance Director Margie Cardenas and city staff are proposing the council adopt the effective tax rate for Fiscal Year 2017/2018. That is the rate that would  generate  the  same  amount  of  taxes  on  properties that were on the tax roll last year and on the current tax roll.

The tentative tax rates being considered are:

Effective tax of .6341 per $100 valuation
 Rollback tax rate of .6780 per $100 valuation     
 Current tax rate of .6483 per $100 valuation

Solutions may be at hand for what Broadway Street neighbors consider an eyesore.

A handful of citizens addressed the meeting of the Marble Falls City Council Tuesday night, July 18, among them residents along the new Broadway Street rennovation project.

“Thank you for our beautiful new road,” said Leonard Venghaus “Everybody is walking down the new sidewalks...People that hadn't walked down the street before.”

But that was a preamble to the complaint he had his neighbors had come to register about the derelict house at 516 Broadway Street.

“We have three historical sites on the street and we are about to have a fourth,” he said, in reference to a former First Baptist Church parsonage to be moved from its site at 911 Seventh Street, across a US 281 to its new home at 604 Avenue F.

The vacant Broadway residence would be the blight on a neighborhood experiencing new vibrance.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

A prospective new owner for the site that now houses the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD) was confirmed at the meeting of the Marble Falls City Council Tuesday night, July 18.

Following an executive session, the council voted to authorize City Manager Mike Hodge to accept the offer for the asking price of $740,000 from Diamante Grezzo Properties, LLC.

The Leander-based corporation, that concentrates on housing on its company social media page, describes itself as “a professional, full service real estate solutions firm that buys and sells properties throughout the greater Austin area. A proposed use for the former bank building and parking lot at 209 Main Street was not made public, but Assistant City Manager Caleb Kraenzel, in charge of development services for the city, said initial conversations indicated it would be “downtown compatible.”

By Richard Zowie

The Highlander

By Glynis Crawford Smith

and Lew K. Cohn

The Highlander

A 36-year-old man was struck and killed Sunday night, July 30, on US 281 in Marble Falls.

Jerrod Bradford Young was walking alone down the middle of the inside, southbound lane in the 3300 block of US 281, when he was struck by a Chevy Tahoe, according to Marble Falls Police Capt. Glenn Hanson.

The call came in to the Marble Falls Police Department at 10:53 p.m. but, after the Marble Falls Area Emergency Medical Service arrived, Young was declared dead at the scene.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Shops and galleries on Marble Falls Main Street will host First Friday Art Walk Friday, Aug. 4, and, on the same night, a winner is to be chosen in logo contest organizers are sponsoring.

Even visitors on a getaway weekend for Highland Lakes fun in the sun can appreciate stepping out of the heat 5-8 p.m. to enjoy refreshments and seeing something new. The town has three galleries devoted strictly to art—Galleries on Pecan Creek in Old Oak Square, Marta Stafford Fine Art and the Highland Arts Guild Gallery—but art and handmade items line the walls of downtown gift stores staying open late as well.

“Some people were surprised to find so much art,” said Ruth Peterson, proprietor of Trendz at 203 Main Street. “We served refreshments for the first two events and we will again Aug. 4.”

Highland Lakes Newspapers Publisher Frank Shubert announced this week the addition of Richard Zowie as a staff writer.

Zowie will be the sports editor for The Highlander, covering Marble Falls and Faith Academy sports, but will also take an active role in on the news side, covering Marble Falls ISD for The Highlander as well as general assignments. He also will utilize his layout and design talents to the production side of the newspaper.

"Richard has hit the ground running and has already made significant contributions to The Highlander,” Shubert said. “We are excited to have his talents and energy working for the communities we serve and look forward what's coming next!"

Last year, the Marble Falls Athletic Booster Club made approximately $30,000 and members hope to continue to grow that amount every year.

The club is in the middle of its membership drive and is encouraging local residents to join to support Mustang Athletics.

“We’re working to make it affordable to people,” said Cindy Friddrichs, the club’s media coordinator.

The memberships include the following packages: Family ($25), Mustang ($50), Bronze ($150), Silver ($300), Gold ($575) and Platinum $1,000). Bronze and above come with two general admission passes to all Marble Falls Independent School District athletic events, while the pricier ones include various special recognitions.

“The money goes to all our sports, not just to football,” Friddrichs said. “We assist with other sports, such as power lifting, cross country, soccer and tennis. We have around 14 sports we contribute to all year long.”