Two kayakers were rescued from open water near Shaw Island on Lake Buchanan on June 23 after spending more than two hours in the water when their kayak overturned. According to Tow Volunteer Fire Department, emergency crews were dispatched at approximately 3:35 p.m. to a reported water rescue on the west side of Shaw Island.... read more

A Menard County man has been sentenced to 65 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges stemming from a 2025 domestic violence incident, high-speed pursuit and shootout with law enforcement officers. Following a bench trial on punishment July 21 in Menard, 50-year-old Mark Hamilton Minyard was sentenced by visiting Judge Stephen Ellis of Brownwood to serve 65 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for aggravated assault against a public servant wit ...... read more

Mayors go to meetings; it's part of the job. However, Blanco's elected leader has been attending quite a few lately that could help inform the environmental future of the city. “This particular meeting concerned two subdivisions that would put wastewater into Canyon Lake, which would affect us because that's where we get our water,” said Mayor Candy Cargill, who spoke with the News on Monday about a July 6, Protect Our Waters of Texas meeting concerning this local issue as wel ...... read more

A woman from Kansas was arrested Wednesday evening after allegedly driving a stolen pickup truck at high speeds through Llano before causing a 5-vehicle wreck on the Roy B. Inks Bridge. The Llano Police Department said officers were notified by county dispatch at approximately 5:40 p.m. on July 22 that a black Chevrolet pickup was traveling north on SH 16 toward Llano.... read more

The 58th annual Dr Pepper Open featured plenty of thrilling shots and exceptional play on tennis courts throughout Mason County and at the Helen Tallent Tennis Center over the weekend. The event had 12 adult divisions and 12 junior divisions in doubles. Mason Independent School District tennis head coach and tournament director Cade Smith summed up the tournament with one word – endurance. “We had three great days of tennis,” he said.... read more

Mason High School senior Tate Griffin showed why she has been a force on the softball diamond while playing in the Texas Girls Coaches Association All Star softball game July 17. Griffin played shortstop in the Classes 1A-4A contest. “It was a really good game and a lot of really good players,” Mason head coach Wade Griffin said.... read more