April 4, 2018 Issue

What’s litter? Litter is anything that is not properly disposed of in a trash can. On the side of Texas roadways, there are over 400 million pieces of visible litter! You probably did not even realize that there is that much litter, but 71 percent of litter consists of micro-litter. Micro-litter is defined as microscale debris, which can be apple cores, cigarette butts, gum wrappers, etc.

The Blanco Planning and Zoning Commission met April 2, 2018, with Chair Mike Green and all commission members present. After establishing quorum and making corrections to the Feb. 5, 2018 meeting minutes, Green opened the public hearing segment by recognizing resident Susan Moore, who commented on a request before the commission to shorten the building setback by the owners of the property at 18 Main St.

Tuesday, March 27, the Texas Water Development Board held a workshop for Texas State Flood Assessment in Austin at the LCRA Dalchau Service Center. State Flood Assessment Coordinator Dr.Mindy Conyers said this was the first of eight workshops conducted regionally to gather data to put together in a report that will include a history of flooding in Texas; the roles of local, state, and federal agencies relative to preparing for, mitigating, and recovering from floods; a summary of planning and ...

Physical Abuse often occurs when the child has frequent injuries or bruises. They could be complaining of pain without noticeable injury or have unusual patterns of bruising or burns. The child could show a lack of response to pain or demonstrate aggressive, disruptive or destructive behavior. Other signs could be fear of going home or injuries that appear after child has not been seen for a few days. Neglect often occurs when there is a noticeable sign of malnourishment, lack of personal c ...

3/24 a 51-year-old Blanco man for driving with a suspended license 3/25 a 33-year-old Canyon Lake man for driving with a suspended license 3/28 a 29-year-old El Paso man for driving with a suspended license 3/29 a 28-year-old Blanco man for an outstanding warrant 3/29 a 34-year-old Johnson City woman for driving with a suspended license and possession of meth 3/30 a 26-year-old Spring Branch man for driving with a suspended license

Several years ago, I wrote a number of columns discussing common native trees, shrubs, vines, forbs, and grasses. I doubt even the most avid reader of these columns remembers everything they read 7+ years ago, so I intend to publish a number of updated columns describing the most common Hill Country plants over the coming months. How many different species of native Hill Country oaks do you think there are?

The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas has announced the first funding application deadline of April 20, 2018 for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Applications are taken throughout the year for NRCS programs, but deadlines are announced to rank and fund eligible conservation projects. EQIP is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers.

Individuals with sleep apnea are invited to a free group meeting on Tues., April 10 at 1 p.m. at the Hill Country Memorial Sleep Lab (1002 N. State Hwy. 16) in Fredericksburg. Hill Country Memorial sleep technologist Theresa Cochran will host a roundtable discussion about the obstacles in committing to treatment for sleep apnea, including the challenges in using positive airway pressure masks successfully. The group will continue to meet on the second Tuesday of each month including May 8 ...

Every month, you pay your mortgage. And, depending on your circumstances, you may be able to afford to put in additional payments – perhaps sizable ones. But should you? Or, if you really have the extra money, should you invest it? Initially, you might think it would be quite nice to rid yourself of that mortgage sooner, rather than later.

The Panther baseball team suffered their first district loss of the season on Friday, March 30, losing 6-3 on their home field to the Georgetown Gateway Gators. In a race for the lead in District 25-3A, the Panthers and the Gators remained knotted at zero through the first inning. The Gators scored a run in the second inning on an overthrow to third base.

3/7 vs. Marion W 8-0 WP: Lane Lowak 3IP 8K Combined no hitter with Hunter West, Tate Trammell, and Austin Van Pelt Offensive Standout: Van Pelt 2-4 w/2 triples and 3RBI 3/18 vs Ingram W WP: Lane Lowak Offensive Standout: Hunter West 2-4 w/double 4 RBI 1 Stolen Base 3/20 vs Lago Vista W 7-6 WP:TateTrammell Offensive Standout: Austin Van Pelt 1-2 w/triple and 1RBI 3/23 vs Johnson City WP:Lane Lowak W 5-1 Offensive Standout: Baylor Smith 2-3 w/double and 2 Stolen Bases ...

The Blanco Lady Panther 4 x 400 relay team broke the Blanco school record while competing at the prestigious Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in Austin in the preliminaries on Friday, March 30. with a time of 4:00.28. This time is currently third fastest in the state in 3A. The previous Blanco school record of 4:05.47 was set in 2017 at the Texas Relays by the same team members.

Sebastian Flores, Blanco senior, is pictured with his awards he won at the Region 2 Division 3 Meet at West High School on Saturday, March 10. Flores won first place in the 132 pound class. His total lift was 1225 pounds. He also received outstanding lifter, outstanding dead lifter, and outstanding bench presser.

Surround yourself with fascinating music from a variety of styles and sources on a spring afternoon in the beautiful Texas Hill Country! Blanco Performing Arts presents Wood Works, a concert of folk-inspired music, 3 p.m. Sunday, April 22, Without leaving your chair in the delightful Uptown Blanco Ballroom experience sounds from Appalachia, Japan, Louisiana, and Scandinavia performed by violist Blake Turner, violinists Esther Sanders and Collin Turner, and cellist Mat Kufchak. The concert ...

There is nothing better in the springtime than the view driving down a Texas roadway seeing miles of beautiful, blooming bluebonnets. Capture that flower power when you put a bluebonnet license plate from Texas Parks and Wildlife on your vehicle! Get a Bluebonnet license plate for your car, truck, motorcycle, RV or boat trailer.

Riders of all ages will compete on horseback for fun and prizes in the upcoming Blanco Rodeo Association Spring Playday Series. Kicking off Saturday, April 14 at the Yett Park Arena, the series will feature four games including pole bending, cloverleaf and straightaway barrels, and a “mystery event.” Based on participation in the Fall 2017 series, organizers expect to draw dozens of riders from across the region, ranging in age from young children to senior competitors.

The HCCW are preparing for the 5th annual Spring Roundup which is designed to support beef education projects and scholarships throughout the hill country. This year’s event will be held at the YO Hotel & Conference Center on April 28, 2018. Thematically, “A Night on the Range” will focus on local ranchers who for generations have developed the beef & ranching industry in Texas.

The Hill Country community of Lindendale will hold its monthly potluck supper and meeting at 6 p.m. Friday, April 6. The one-room schoolhouse that serves as the community center is located at 7686 Ranch Road 1888, approximately half-way between Fredericksburg and Blanco. Dominoes and card games begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by supper (bring a covered dish) and a very short business meeting. On the agenda this month is an update on the soon-to-be completed modern bathroom.

Micah Walker, Mason County AgriLife Extension Agent for Ag and Natural Resources has announced the dates for the Hill Country Commercial Heifer Show and Sale as Thursday, October 18, 2018. The event will be held in conjunction with the TSWCR Ranch Gathering. Entry forms are due to the Mason County Extension Office by Wednesday, April 20, 2018 to the Mason County Extension Office at 505 Moody St.

Volunteers are again needed in Blanco State Park. An invasive species, the bastard cabbage, has again tried to overtake many of our wonderful native plants and wildflowers in the park. The date for removal and containment is Friday, April 6th. If you are able to help out, please arrive at the park at 10:30 a.m., and meet the Friends of the State Park at the Pavilion. It is recommended that bring your favorite weed removal tool, which could be as simple a tool as a screwdriver.

Individuals interested in sleep disorders and treatment options are invited to a free Sleep Well presentation with lunch at the Gem of the Hills (2233 US-281.) on Wed., April 18. A complimentary lunch will be provided at 11:30 a.m. with a presentation to follow. The presentation includes a participant-guided question-and-answer session with Hill Country Memorial sleep technologist, Theresa Cochran, RRT, RPSGT, RST.

Runners and walkers are invited to Fredericksburg Sat., April 28, for the 25th annual Fredericksburg Wildflower Run/Walk. “There’s something for just about everyone, no matter if you’re into timed running, walking or strolling leisurely along with children or pets,” said John Phelps, director of the sponsoring Hill Country Memorial Wellness Center. The route will follow a scenic course in and around Fredericksburg, beginning and ending at Marktplatz downtown where parking, restroo ...

The Hill Country Conservancy and the Hill Country Alliance are joining forces to host a landowner workshop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, April 20, 2018, at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office, 607 N. Vandeveer, Burnet, TX 78611. This workshop will focus on conservation easements—a tool available to help landowners steward and protect their land investment and family legacy for the long term. Conservation easements are one of the most flexible and effective means to protect priva ...

The 20th annual Butterfly Festival is scheduled 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 21, 2018, rain or shine, at EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens, 1101 FM 2325, Wimberley. More than 3,800 butterflies will be released throughout the day. No charge for admission but donations are appreciated. There are a number of free stations to visit, as well as activities and crafts that admission can be purchased before the festival or onsite. The Hill Country Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will ...

Harold Dean Gann, 81, of Blanco, Texas passed away on Thursday, March 29, 2018, at Scott and White Hospital in Marble Falls, Texas. Harold was born on June 4, 1936 in Sinton, Texas, to Margaret Althea Bullock Gann. He was a retired chemist tech for Matheson Gas Products in California. Harold was a member of the Masonic Lodge #216 in Blanco.

God has brought us through Lent and Holy Week culminating in the glorious Easter Celebration. The big question is, “Does the Resurrection of Jesus make a difference in your life? That is a fair question. If God’s power to give eternal life, beginning this very minute, doesn’t make a difference in the way you feel, think and act, then maybe you lack one of the following. First, is you don’t have the knowledge.

The last words Jesus Christ said before He was taken up to heaven is written in Mark 16:15-20 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

As a ninth grader I had the privilege of playing on the American School of Monterrey’s first football team. I didn’t really want to play but if I didn’t, we might not have had enough guys to play at all. I weighed in at a whopping 142 pounds and had never really played football before.