U.S. 281

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

The old adage – “Everything is bigger in Texas” – lives up to its phrasing as far as motorists are concerned who attempt to navigate frequent loads of monster wind turbine blades blowing through town in the past few weeks.

In Marble Falls, the 240-foot long blades have made at least half a dozen trips in the month of May around the corner of RR 2147 onto U.S. 281, temporarily halting traffic as trailers negotiate the intersection. …

Special to The Highlander
Safety improvements to U.S. 281, between Texas 71 and the Burnet County and Blanco County line, are being accelerated by a year, thanks to grant funding secured by the Texas Department of Transportation.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Tucked away on seven acres, under massive live oak trees on the grounds of a new venue described as the area's newest “Honkytonk,” as many as 20 “pickers” at a time gather on Sundays in Round Mountain.

The “pickers” are guitar players, entertainers and musicians – some local, some from Austin and San Antonio and everywhere in between.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Business representatives of the Lampasas-based Putters and Gutters Fun Center have confirmed plans for a Marble Falls location to include a 20-lane bowling alley, miniature golf course, skating rink, arcade, eatery and live music venue, officials said.

“Marble Falls has needed and wanted children's activities for a very long time,” said Business Development Coordinator Midge Dockery of the Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation. …

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

A recent two-vehicle crash on U.S. 281 sparked reaction from commuters concerned about the status of a blinking light at the intersection of the highway and Resource Parkway.

The incident happened around 2:15 p.m. Aug. 13 in the intersection of the four-lane highway. The location on the east side of the roadway is the entryway/exit to the Marble Falls Business and Technology Park. Pedernales Electric Cooperative is located on the westside of the highway.

Connie Swinney/The Highlander
A collision occured around 4:30 p.m. June 27  on U.S. 281 at the intersection of Fairland Road (FM 1855) in Marble Falls. The crash, involving an 18-wheeler and a passenger car, occured while authorities were in pursuit of a passenger vehicle which posted speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. A vehicle occupant was transported by Air Evac to an Austin area hospital.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Marble Falls business owners along a stretch of U.S. 281 north could lose state right-of-way frontage including parking lot space, as the Texas Department of Transportation takes steps for highway construction projects for safety and to accommodate pedestrian traffic.

From Staff Reports

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is warning New Year's Eve revelers to stay sober and following traffic laws or face starting the new year with jail time and fines.

DPS troopers will be out in force on Texas 71, Texas 29, U.S. 281 and FM 1431 throughout the Highland Lakes area Dec. 31 and Jan 1.

The agency is targeting drunk drivers, speeders, seat belt violators and other dangerous drivers.

"The holidays are a wonderful time of year, and it's up to each and every Texan to be responsible behind the wheel so that everyone makes it home safely to their family during the holidays," said DPS Director Steven McCraw. "Along with other law enforcement partners across the state, DPS will be out in force to identify and remove dangerous drivers from Texas roadways this holiday season."

Connie Swinney
Staff Writer •

Investigators believe the driver of a pickup truck may have fallen asleep at the wheel resulting in a head-on collision on FM 2147 West at the Rocky Road intersection in Marble Falls.

According to the police report, the accident happened just after 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17 on the roadway less than a mile from the U.S. 281 bridge intersection.

Caleb Taylor, 27, of College Station was driving a 2003 Chevrolet pickup truck, traveling north towards U.S. 281, according to the Marble Falls police report.

Katherine Eaton, 53, of Horseshoe Bay was driving a 2017 Cadillac SUV, traveling south towards Horseshoe Bay.

“The driver of the pickup truck fell asleep at the wheel and crossed the double yellow line,” Marble Falls Police Capt. Glenn Hanson said. “It knocked the Cadillac off the road and down the (westside) embankment into a growth of trees.”