Marble Falls Texas

Burnet and surrounding counties do not look to be in the worst danger zone for strong to severe storms tonight through Wednesday across much of South Central Texas but, according to the National Weather Service, pockets of locally heavy rainfall are possible tonight through Wednesday morning.

Driving east could require a watchful eye on the weather.

This evening:  Rio Grande Plains, Southern Edwards Plateau, Winter Garden regions.

Overnight tonight through Wednesday morning: Much of South Central Texas, especially I-35 corridor.

Threats & Impacts: 

Texas a 'Top 10' flu state

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

When is being a “Red State” a bad thing?

That would be when your state is coded red on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) flu activity map.

Texas is one of the 10 states that experienced high influenza-like illness (ILI) during week 50 of the current flu season.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The possibility of a new Asphalt, Inc. rock crushing plant on the far southern outskirts of the city brought the largest contingent of visitors to the Marble Falls City Council on Tuesday night, Sept. 19.

In a meeting that opened with proclamations recognizing the 20th Anniversary of the Marble Falls Library's Main Street location and hunger awareness, the agenda included a proposed ordinance establishing the intent of the City of Marble Falls to annex into the city limits 1,242 acres of land that would place the proposed plant in the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of the city.

“Annexation is not a silver bullet,” said Mayor John Packer. “But it could give us some standing.”

The plant opponents seemed gratified, nonetheless, to witness a unanimous council vote in support of the ordinance.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Debbie Bindseil received permission from the Burnet County Commissioners Court to put in a walk-up window at her office during Tuesday's regular court meeting.

Bindseil had asked commissioners to allow her to modify her office in the Burnet County Courthouse Annex, 810 Steve Hawkins Parkway in Marble Falls, to put in a nine-square-foot (36 inches by 36 inches) tempered glass window to the left of her door. The window will include a pass through tray and speaking hole to allow communications with customers on the other side.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The Marble Falls driver license office will be moving, expanding and consolidating with the Burnet office sometime early in the new year.

“The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is consolidating the Marble Falls and Burnet Driver License (DL) offices into a single office,” said Tom Vinger, of the DPS media and communication office.

He said things would remain as they are for now, but eventually an office will be readied. A new, centralized driver license office for Burnet County will mean that the current office at 1701 East Polk Street in Burnet eventually will be closing and the office in the Burnet County Courthouse Annex at 810 Steve Hawkins Parkway will move.

“We need the space in north and south courthouse annexes for core county functions, as the county grows,” said County Judge James Oakley. “We will continue to provide space to house DPS Troopers in the law enforcement center.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

It became official last week: Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge has expanded by 520 acres.

The exchange of $3 million to deliver the new property into the administration of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was made by the Trust for Public Land. Just out of the limelight was Friends of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, a citizen non-profit of about 160 members, representing hundreds, if not thousands, of small contributors and workers to raise half the cost.

David and Cynthia Castleberry already were committed to preserving the land involved as Peaceful Springs Nature Preserve, a quiet corner of Burnet County dedicated to ecotourism. Residents of Bertram, Oatmeal and Smithwick are familiar with the property that runs along Farm to Market Road 1174, just south of Farm to Market Road 1869.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

As many as 600 fans of music and fine spirits visited FiestaJAM Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23-24, and organizers Bob Linder and john Arthur martinez judged the event, third in its young history, a success.

“There is not stopping it now,” said Linder and martinez: “The fans and the music have just been great.”

Headliner Joe Ely, country music staple for decades, brought young singer-songwriter Warren Hood with him to add his violin to his set at Lakeside Park in Marble Falls Saturday.

The self-styled “Heavy Leather” group KATTL from Bandera won the $1,000 prize from Rebecca Creek Distillery and an eight-hour recording session at Uptown Sounc to top off the Battle of Bands. Taking the bow for the KATTL award were “Whiskey” Wade Lowrie, Daniel Philips, Wade Stevens, “Bobby E. “Bandera Bob” Boyd, Nick Smith, and Cole Hicks .

Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Banners are up announcing the arrival of flu vaccine and Burnet County already has seen enough flu-like illness to earn a highlight on the Centers for Disease Control Texas map.

“Doctors report cases and the CDC reports them weekly on the cdc.gov website,” said Juliette Madrigal-Dersch, MD, the Burnet County Health Authority. “They are still sporadic here, but on the East Coast the flu is pretty widespread. Cases won't be counted in the 2016 season until Oct. 4, but they have been confirmed in counties east of us.”

Dr. Madrigal's recommendation is in line with the CDC and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS): Everyone six months old and older should be vaccinated against the flu, especially pregnant women, young children, older adults and people with chronic health conditions. Those people are at a greater risk of severe complications if they do get the flu.

By Christi Bertelson

Highland Lakes Newspapers

Brother Doug Fowler and wife Barbara were heavy hearted when they learned that some children in Burnet County were going to endure winter of 2009 with no jackets or warm clothing.

“When they found out, Doug asked the church (New Life Church), family and friends to donate what they could to help these children,” said Jenny Parker, a volunteer for the Ministry.

After donating, Doug knew there was a sense of importance that they needed to continue to help the community in any way they could.

‘Martha’s Clothing Ministry’ came to life with just a few things the church, family and friends could gather.

“The Ministry started with just a few tables made from saw horses, little stacks of clothes and one table of jackets,” said Parker.

Doug named the Clothing Ministry after ‘Martha of Bethany’ from the Bible, who was known for her concern for others.

by Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

More than 70 U.S. military veterans from the Vietnam War era were honored Thursday morning, Aug. 25, at a ceremony sponsored by Congressman Roger Williams at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10376 in Marble Falls.

“Congressman Williams is one of the few to do what was intended when the Congressional Resolution was passed recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War,” said Burnet County Veterans Services Officer Bill Worley, Lt. USN Retired.

The ceremony was the third Williams has carried out in his 25th Congressional District.

“We hope to do at least one more,” he said, explaining that each veteran who registered for the event was receiving a certificate and a memorial pin.