Marble Falls

 By Lew K. Cohn

The Highlander

Managing Editor

The countdown is on for the annual MayFest, to be held at historic Johnson Park in Marble Falls from May 11-14.

This year's MayFest promises to be better than ever as there are a number of fun events for children and adults alike as well as music, contests and the MayFest carnival.

The Texas Tech University Regional Teaching Site at Highland Lakes will host a community meet-and-greet for Texas Tech University System Chancellor Robert L. Duncan and Interim President John Opperman.

The event is set to take place from 2:30-3:15 p.m. on Friday, May 6 at the Frank Fickett Educational Center at 806 Steve Hawkins Parkway in Marble Falls.

The Chancellor and President are visiting the regional site to learn about programs and initiatives and to meet community stakeholders who work to advance and enhance opportunities for students who attend Texas Tech University locally. Both Chancellor Duncan and Dr. Opperman are focused on providing the regional site with the resources needed to achieve its mission.

By Alexandria Randolph

Highland Lakes Newspapers

When an American internship fell through for two Swiss EMTs while they were sitting at the New York airport, it was just good fortune that they had an international community of first responders to fall back on.

Ken Schwake, a Marble Falls Firefighter and wife Michelle, a Marble Falls Area EMS Paramedic, have made several trips to Switzerland in past years and built relationships there with other first responders.

While Dominick Imhof and Rebecca Schaer were stranded at the airport, Ken Schwake got a phone call.

The Hill Country, including Burnet and Llano counties, is at risk for some severe storms this afternoon and evening. As you can see on the attached map, this includes areas across the eastern Hill Countgry as well as along and east of I-35, including Austin and San Antonio.

Threats include hail up to 2 inches in diameter as well as wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph and rainfall of between half an inch to 2 inches. Isolated pockets east of I-35 could see up to 4 inches of rain and an isolated tornado or two is possible.

Isolated to scattered showers will develop this morning with scattered thunderstorms developing in the afternoon and evening. Environmental conditions are favorable for some storms to become strong to severe and the severe threat may diminish after midnight.  

Headline:

…Severe Thunderstorms possible late Tuesday afternoon into late evening across portions of South-Central Texas…

Area of Concern

The Hill Country and portions of the Balcones Escarpment and including the Austin and San Antonio metropolitan cities.

Marble Falls Area Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will be able to purchase new CPR equipment thanks to a $22,256 community development grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Pedernales Electric Cooperative.

Marble Falls Area EMS will acquire a LUCAS Chest Compression System and a Zoll portable ventilator, some of the most advanced equipment in the field of emergency medicine for cardiac arrest victims. When paired with defibrillators, medication and highly trained medics, the organization will be able to offer the best in CPR care, said Marble Falls Area EMS Operations Director Kevin Naumann.

Early voting for the May 7 city and school elections begins Monday, April 25 in Burnet and Llano counties. Several different local leadership positions are up for grabs on the ballot.

Voters will decide which of three candidates will get the Place 1 spot on the Marble Falls Independent School District (MFISD) Board of Trustees. 

BY GLYNIS CRAWFORD SMITH

THE HIGHLANDER

Small ceremonies for the presentation of a grants are about to make a big difference in Marble Falls, Granite Shoals, Cottonwood Shores and Llano.

By LEW K. COHN

The Highlander

Managing Editor

I listened with interest to the presentation last week on the City of Marble Falls' comprehensive plan, which has been updated through the work of Halff Associates along with the City Council, Economic Development Committee and a Comprehensive Plan Action Committee (CPAC).

One of the more interesting topics which came up as Robert Halff presented the plan was traffic and transportation through Marble Falls, especially on the U.S. Highway 281 corridor. I was especially encouraged when I heard discussion about the possible development of alternate routes to US 281.