Spicewood news

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

As the COVID-19 crisis evolves, a tradesman who does work throughout the Highland Lakes began to notice a trend that prompted him to help others in the community.

“We haven't missed a lick because construction is good. I consider myself lucky,” said electrician Brad Jackson of Jackson Electric. “We're not getting further behind with our bills.”

Jackson and others in the construction-related industry were designated “essential business” during coronavirus restrictions. …

Special to The Highlander

Marble Falls Independent School District has placed buses with Wi-Fi access around the Highland Lakes community to help students access the internet, while school closures continue due to COVID-19 restrictions.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

When Bear King Brewing Co. owners opted to closed their dining service due to COVID-19 restrictions, they found another way to continue offering their good spirits to customers while lending their amenities to a charitable organization.

The business, located at 207 Ave. G in Marble Falls, re-opened its doors April 6 in a partnership with Highland Lakes Crisis Network (HLCN) focused on feeding families for free. …

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

When Burnet County Sheriff's Office Deputy Jason Jewett arrives on the site of a public nuisance and illegal dumping case, he continues to be shocked at the level of potential violations involved.

“Somebody was living there,” he said of an abandoned RV surrounded by strewn garbage on Corner Street. “If you drive down the street, it's scary.” …

From staff reports

Texas Parks and Wildlife has identified a missing boater found in Lake Travis Jan. 29 near the Grelle Recreation area.

Dispatchers notified game wardens around 11 a.m. of the report and launched a 24-hour search for the person identified as 53-year-old Tommy Eady of Buda.

The search effort included “multiple boats, side-scan sonar and an unmanned aircraft system, along with a K9 unit.

From staff reports

The Texas Press Association recognized The Highlander for outstanding achievement in several areas during its annual trade show and convention Jan. 16-18 at the 140th TPA Convention & Trade Show held at Moody Gardens Hotel, Convention Center & Spa in Galveston.

The Highlander won four awards in the 2018-19 TPA Better Newspaper Contest, finishing fifth overall in its circulation classification.

From staff reports

A Spicewood man is dead following an alleged “road rage” incident Jan. 15 in the parking lot of a convenience store, just off Texas 71 in Spicewood, according to the Burnet County Sheriff's Office.

A BCSO press release stated that around 2 p.m. 44-year-old Thao Ton suffered at least two gunshot wounds and died at the scene. Investigators stated Ton was involved with 36-year-old Milton Kim of Leander in a “non-collision road rage incident on SH 71 and had mutually pulled into the Spicewood Square Chevron parking lot” where an altercation ensued. …

From staff reports

What started as an attempt to serve an eviction notice, evolved into a suspect standoff Dec. 5 in Spicewood in Burnet County, authorities said.

Marshall Willard Brown, 43, was eventually apprehended at 3:20 p.m. following an hours long standoff at an empty mobile home. Authorities reported he was a member of the Aryan Circle gang and had been on the run since 2018. 

Special to the Highlander

Highland Lakes Publishing welcomed Jeff Shabram to their family of media publications in November as the new publisher and editor of The Highlander and Burnet Bulletin as well as a growing number of print publications and digital platforms.

Prior to settling in the Highland Lakes, Shabram was the publisher of the Hearst-owned Midland Reporter-Telegram and oversaw Hearst's west Texas media publications as president and group publisher from 2015 to present. Shabram took over the reins for the Highlander and Bulletin staff on Nov. 4.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

The Texas Third District Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the State Office of the Attorney General (OAG) on Oct. 30 in the entity's effort to advance trial proceedings seeking to dissolve the city of Double Horn on allegations the municipality formed unlawfully in an effort to halt a quarry operation.