news

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

Marble Falls officials closed Lakeside Park Dec. 26 as work got underway on a multi-million dollar parks and infrastructure upgrade plan which includes road re-surfacing, parking expansion, lighting and new water and wastewater line installation.

“The park is closed to the public for the duration due to construction and safety,” Assistant City Manager Caleb Kraenzel said. “The city crews are doing the water and sewer on Buena Vista, while the contractors are focused on the waterfront work.”

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

An upcoming lake drawdown will provide an economic boost for the construction industry, as crews and heavy equipment descend on lakes LBJ and Marble Falls.

The Lower Colorado River Authority is scheduled to lower the waterways for an eight-week period starting Sunday Dec. 30 and ending Saturday, Feb. 23. Lake LBJ will be lowered 4 feet; 1 foot per day for the first four days. The Lake Marble Falls drawdown involves a 7-foot drop in the waterway's normal level; 1 foot per day for the first seven days.

“Your lumber stores, they're going to have sales of people wanting to reinforce or build,” said Scott Ross of Boats, Batteries and Slips. Ross primarily does hydraulic power-pack installations and frequently works along-side other businesses in the lakeside structure construction industry.

By Glynis Crawford Smith
Contributor
Although the Granite Shoals City Council made several important decisions Tuesday night (Dec. 11), it was a non-action item on the agenda that piqued as much interest as professional contracts.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

The Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce will be seeking new leadership following the resignation announcement by the entity's executive director.

On Dec. 10, Patti Zinsemeyer submitted her letter of resignation to the chamber members.

“It is with great sadness and gratitude for her years of service that we announce the resignation of Patti Zinsmeyer,” the announcement read. She has spent her tenure “giving everything she could to make our wonderful spot in the Hill Country a better place.”

Her resignation is effective Dec. 31.

Zinsmeyer worked for the chamber for nearly five years, first as tourism director and then in the top leadership position.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Burnet County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday, Dec. 11, to begin the process of obtaining $2.5 million in 2019 tax anticipation notes to fund a number of projects, including $1.6 million for upgrades to the Burnet County Jail and 9-1-1 dispatching.

Also included is $425,000 that would help the county begin making upfront payments on planning, surveying and engineering for a new Wirtz Dam Road bridge crossing as part of an advanced funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), which commissioners also approved at their regular meeting.

By Richard Zowie
Staff Writer

Embattled former City of Bertram police chief J.J. Wilson has agreed to reimburse the city for a $1,000 deductible to acquire a new police cruiser that he's been charged with crashing in October.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

When Frank Hosea noticed the fuel sign at the Walmart gas station, he did not hesitate to stop.

“I usually come here for gas because it's always the cheapest. Now it's under $2,” he said. “It's really good. It doesn't cost me $50 to fill it up.”

The Horseshoe Bay resident was among motorists in line Nov. 27 to buy gasoline at the Murphy USA fueling station.

In the past week, Market observers have noticed the same scenarios around the country as fuel prices have dropped a weekly average of a few pennies per gallon to as much as 11 cents less per gallon, depending on the state.

As of Nov. 28, crude oil averaged about $59 per barrel compared to about $80 per barrel three months ago.

According to AAA Texas, the average price per gallon is $2.19 per gallon.

By Richard Zowie
Staff Writer

The 33rd/424th Judicial District grand jury has handed down another indictment for suspended Bertram Police Chief James Jay (“JJ”) Wilson.