January 3, 2018 Issue

Gov. Greg Abbott on Dec. 21 released a statement applauding the U.S. House of Representatives’ preliminary passage of $81 billion in disaster aid to Texas, several other states and Puerto Rico. The U.S. Senate went into recess on Dec. 22 without voting on disaster funding. The recess came after senators passed a continuing resolution to avoid a federal government shutdown for lack of a budget agreement. ‘1115 Waiver’ extended Gov.

Jeff Holmes is in his third year of assisting the Blanco Community English Classes program for English language learners at all levels of instruction. Holmes, who has a doctorate in education technology, has been retired for 11 years, after serving as the director of technology for a Pennsylvania school district. “His background in education technology makes him an invaluable resource for the CEC program,” Director of Community English Classes Mary Park said.

A water line break reported in Cielo Springs on New Year’s Eve sent the City of Blanco public works crew out to work in below-freezing temperatures, as low as 23 degrees recorded in the early morning on Jan. 1, 2018. “There’s an area where the main line is close to the surface, and with the ground contracting due to the deep freeze it apparently broke the line,” Ronnie Rodriguz, Blanco assistant director of public works said. The break was located at Cielo Springs Dr.

H and FFA Youth Show gets underway this week, and the Exhibit Hall is expected to be have a lot of interesting items on display. Gretchen Sanders, Blanco County Extension Agent serves as superintendent and, along with local 4-H leaders will supervise Exhibit Hall projects Thursday and Friday. The five categories for exhibits include: Food, Sewing, Hobbies, Fine Art/Photography and Educational Exhibits, and are divided into Junior and Senior classes. “We’ve got four 4-H clubs in the ...

The Lonestar State is home to an estimated 1.5 to 2.6 million wild hogs, depending on the source, and parts of Blanco County have more than their fair share of feral pig infestation. The San Antonio Express-News reported that a wild hog crossing the road led to a two-car accident Christmas Day in rural Maverick County, about 25 miles southwest of Uvalde, that left three people dead.

The Blanco Panthers won four straight games to take first place in the Randolph Ro-Hawks Invitational Tournament in San Antonio on Thursday, Dec. 28 and Friday. Dec. 29, 2017. In their first game of the tournament on Thursday morning, the Panthers defeated the Cotulla Cowboys 77-67. Nick Sampeck fired in 30 points including eight of nine shooting from two-point range, and five of six from the free throw line.

The Lady Panthers posted a 4-0 record to win first place at Our Lady of the Hills tournament in Kerrville on Thursday, Dec. 28 and Friday, Dec. 29, 2017. In the first game on Thursday the Lady Panthers beat the Brentwood Christian Bears 41-30. Kora Brock led the team with 11 points on five of seven shooting from the two-point range.

Hill Country Memorial announces the first quarter dates for its Obstetrics Department Tour & Open House for expectant parents. The open house will be held on Thurs., Jan. 4 from 5:30-7:15 p.m. in the HCM Women’s Pavilion (1011 S. Milam St.). Light refreshments will be served. The event will continue to be held on the first Thursday of each month, including Feb.

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) on Tuesday announced details of their annual Cattle Raisers Convention and Expo, to be held March 22-25, 2018 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. The 2018 Cattle Raisers Convention and Expo is the largest ranching event of the year in the Southwestern United States.

Susan Louise Bermes, 70, passed away Dec. 25, 2017, in San Antonio. She was born Dec. 1, 1947, in Alton, Il. to Merle and Marilyn Mosby. Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Marilyn. She is survived by her dear friend and companion, Allen Heskew; son, James Bermes and wife, Lisa; brother, Robert Mosby and wife, Mary; and two granddaughters, Megan and Bethany. Graveside services were held at 2 p.m.

Ian Patrick Ray passed away Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017, in Blanco, Texas at 23 years old. Ian is survived by: his father, Danny Ray; step-mother, Dorothy Ray; mother, Faith Kaufhold Ray; brother, Chris Ray; sister, Mackenzie and husband, Chase Howells and soon-to-be nephew Hudson Howells; step siblings, Kelsi, Caitlin, Candace and Sean.

A wife asked her husband to change the baby’s diaper stating that she was really busy at the moment. The husband stated that he was also extremely busy and would do it next time. When the time came again the wife said, “the baby needs to be changed, and you said you would do it next time”.

When I first saw the picture of that two-toned 1957 Ford hardtop convertible with its sleek lines and graceful fins, I thought it had to be the most beautiful car my eyes had ever beheld. The problem was that my Dad had no use for Fords. He was a dyed in the wool Chevy man—true blue through and through.