Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Almost every small community in the Highland Lakes is struggling with an invasion of deer and Granite Shoals residents gathered Saturday, June 27, to hear about the their city's effort—the only archer program certified in the state by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD).

About 65 citizens came to the Town Hall Meeting on Urban Deer, where the city's Wildlife Advisory Committee (WAC) reported on the first year of the pilot program. The committee had been formed in March 2014 on the recommendation of TPWD experts on urban deer who had urged two essential elements in reducing urban deer—community education and a “no deer feeding” ordinance.

If this meeting was any indication, the education effort has begun work.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) law enforcement is asking for information tied to a hit-and-run boating accident on Lake LBJ Wednesday night, March 22.

A man and a woman from Kingsland were injured when their boat struck retaining wall near Legends Golf Course about 11:30 p.m. that night. The woman was transported by ambulance to the hospital where she was treated and released for facial lacerations.

“They said they were struck by another boat, causing them to run into the wall,” said Steve Lightfoot, TPWD spokesperson.

Anyone with information about a boat that fled the scene not far from the Ranch to Market Road 1431 Bridge should call the TPWD law enforcement number, 512-389-4848, and request a callback from Capt. Cody Hatfield.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

After years of planning, it appears the City of Granite Shoals has its chance to complete the conversion of former granite mine buildings to an indoor sports complex and community meeting space in the heart of Quarry Park.

The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) board on Thursday, May 23, awarded the city a $500,000 grant for a multi-purpose sports facility. Combined with the value of the land and buildings, about $450,000 and a grant administration cost the total would be $1 million.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

Highland Lakes Newspapers

A Labor Day weekend death on Saturday, Sept. 3,  is under investigation by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD).

The identity of victim is confirmed as 19-year-old Dominiq Amir Castillo Porterfield, but the cause of death is unconfirmed.

News outlets have published varying accounts of the event, but TPWD will say only “the investigation is still on going as to cause of death and other details."

“The call came in to the Llano County Sheriff's Department at 3:20 p.m.,” said LCSO Chief Deputy John Neff. “The boaters were not sure where they were on the lake.”