March 18, 2020 Issue

Hand sanitizer and toilet paper are becoming scarce on local store shelves as Coronavirus cases are seeming to envelop Blanco County. County officials are bracing to combat the health threat and urging folks to keep things in perspective. As of March 16, Texas had 56 confirmed and presumptive cases in 17 counties, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Blanco Rodeo Association 4D open Barrel Race winners from Sunday, pictured, from left, are: Beck Short, 1D; Kellie Roach, 3D; Remi Guzman 4D; and Krysten Budde 2D. They were presented R. B. Custom Buckles.

Accusations against two members of the Blanco Police Department in dealings with the Hill Country Trail Ride have led to an investigations committee being set up by the city council to look into the matter. After a closed session at the March 10 Blanco City Council meeting, the council moved to establish an investigation committee about the accusations against Police Chief Michael Ritchey and Sgt.

The Blanco ISD Board of Trustees met for their scheduled monthly meeting on March 9, 2020. Several action Items were on the agenda. However, the board’s first order of business was to recognize Blanco’s Middle School UIL first place winners, many of whom placed in numerous events. In addition, as a team, Blanco Middle School won the UIL Academic competition for the 15th consecutive year. The first action item discussed was a look at refinancing the Tax Refunding Bonds, Series 2020, wh ...

During this very difficult health event surrounding our community, the Rotary Club of Blanco County continues its mission to help serve others. Due to the threat of the Coronavirus, our annual golf charity classic fundraiser on April 6 has been postponed until September 2020. The Rotary Club of Blanco County wishes to thank the golfers who signed up for our April 6 event and who are willing to play in September when a healthy and safe environment resumes.

The Blanco County Commissioners Court meeting was called to order on March 10 by Judge Brett Bray with Commissioners Tommy Weir, Emil Uecker, Chris Liesmann and Paul Granberg present. Public comments were heard from D’Anne and Kenneth Welch. Mrs. Welch focused on agenda item twelve and Mr. Welch focused on the Transportation and Economic Development Plan.

The Blanco High School One-Act Play performed at the District 25-3A One-Act Play Competition Thursday, March 12 at the Lago Vista High School Performing Arts Center. Blanco is one of three schools to advance to the Bi-District level. Entries from Blanco, Florence, Georgetown Gateway, Jarrell, Johnson City, Lago Vista and Manor New Tech high schools competed for three spots to advance to Bi-District. The Blanco High School one-act play cast and crew presented scenes from The Diary of Anne ...

The Panthers squeezed in three games Friday, March 13 in the Blanco County Classic Baseball Tournament before play was suspended by a UIL decision to stop all high school sports and academic activities due to the need to reduce contact with teams and crowds and therefore reduce the spread of COVID-19. In their first game Friday Blanco lost to state-ranked Malakoff 5-2.

The Blanco softball team began its District 25-3A schedule this past week with two wins. The Lady Panthers defeated Johnson City 18-2 on March 10 and beat Lago Vista 8-4 on March 13. In the five-inning run-rule win at Johnson City, Kyla Davis pitched the distance for the Panthers. Davis faced 20 batters, giving up one walk and three hits.

Rick Collett was born to Frank and Sunny Collett on Jan. 14, 1951 in San Antonio. After spending his early years there, his family moved to Blanco in 1959. He left high school at age 17 to enlist in the U.S. Army, serving two tours in Vietnam. A platoon leader and demolition specialist, Collett saw combat as a sergeant in the 101st Airborne, Screaming Eagles with the 4th infantry.