February 5, 2020 Issue

One has only to step inside the “new” Blanco Good Samaritan Store to feel the warm and cooperative spirit and see the smiling faces of the volunteers who serve there. “We have seen many new customers at our new store, and this is wonderful,” said Debbie Morgan, store coordinator. “Our staff get along so well and work extremely well together...it’s a lot of fun to work here.” The enthusiasm is contagious.

Run for your life or stand and fight? Two Blanco law enforcement leaders offered their advice for civilians who are ever confronted with the unimaginable--a mass shooting--even as their departments enhance their training in responding to such situations. “It’s absolutely vital to work together, because we never know when or where something like this might happen and who will be the closest responding officer,” said Blanco County Sheriff Don Jackson.

On Feb. 2, the Blanco Cowboy Church celebrated its 20th anniversary, and it all started with a vision. Arnella Calhoun is the unassuming driving force behind the church. She cheerfully leads an engaging tour of the church, kitchens, bathrooms, and the arena. Her face tells its own story of faith, love, and devotion to service. While visiting a Cowboy Church in Sealy, Calhoun relates, “I answered an altar call asking God to use me as his vessel to reach those lost cowboys and cowgirls th ...

The two Democratic candidates for Congressional District 21 returned to Blanco County Jan. 28, this time to participate in an issue forum hosted by the Blanco County Democrats at the Science Mill. The more than 50 attendees gave Wendy Davis and Jenny Lou Leeder a standing ovation when they finished answering questions about their positions and who can win the primary election March 3. Both candidates shared concerns about healthcare, education, climate, immigration reform and the criminal ...

Mayor Martha Herden called the Jan. 27 special meeting of the Blanco City Council to order at 8:02 p.m. with all council members present. There were no announcements or public comments at that time. The council adjourned into executive session at 8:03 p.m. and returned to the special meeting at 9:38 p.m.

By Rachel Lumpee Retta Martin, acting chair, requested Rachel Lumpee, secretary, run the meeting since it was also her birthday celebration. Lumpee opened the meeting at 11:13 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at Uptown Blanco Restaurant. A quorum was established with board members: Martin, Judy Dorsett, Lumpee, Pete Powell and Debbie Andry and members: Gloria Flores, Angie Rudd, Joey Garcia and Glenn Johnson present. The minutes from the Oct.

Consistent. That’s what the UIL academic students at Blanco Elementary School have been for more than two decades. The young Panthers once again showed the definition of the word as they took home the top spot in UIL academics at the district level this year. It was at least their 23rd district title in 25 years, said Laurie Parker, UIL academic coordinator at Blanco Elementary. “We were excited,” she said. And used to winning.

The district assignments are set for the next two school years. The University Interscholastic League made its biennial district announcements Monday for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years. For football, Blanco will be in Class 3A’s District 13, which is part of Region 4. Blanco will play in Class 3A, Division 1 for football, which is the larger of the two divisions in each classification.

The Lady Panther basketball team came from behind to tie the game 35-35 in regulation and win 40-37 in overtime against the Lago Vista Lady Vikings Friday, Jan. 31. The first quarter was rough going for Blanco with Lago Vista leading 13-5 at the buzzer. The Panthers never gave up. Even though, at times, shots wouldn’t fall, they chipped away at the Vikings’ lead to end the half trailing by four, at 18-14.

The Panther basketball team defeated the Lago Vista Vikings 58-55 Friday, Jan. 31 to put Blanco at the top of the District 25-3A standings with a 10-1 district record. Blanco lost to the Vikings in the first round of district play, 76-58, on Dec. 20. The Panthers are 23-7 on the season.

Blanco Middle School Girls’ Basketball vs Jarrell Thursday, Jan. 30 7th B Team Jarrell 20 – Blanco 4 Ava Romero – 4 points 8th B Team Jarrell 14 – Blanco 10 Skyler Soldwisch – 8 points Katherine Windham – 2 points 7th A Team Jarrell 45 – Blanco 34 Candice Lopez – 18 points Kaylee Romero – 6 points Madison Lopez – 4 points Zoe Zbytovsky – 4 points Mariah Newsome – 2 points 8th A Team Blanco 37 – Jarrell 21 Sydney Shiller – 11 po ...