September 2, 2020 Issue

Blanco Independent School District campuses might have looked different as a fresh school year dawned, and a few adjustments have had to be made along the way, but school principals are hoping for a school year that feels as normal as possible. “It’s quite the adjustment, but it’s been going well considering we have both face-to-face and remote learners,” said Jowie Walker, principal of Blanco Elementary School.

Blanco’s Phoenix Riders Equestrian Drill Team picked up some national recognition recently. The team took fifth place in the novice/youth division of the Gem State Virtual National Themed Drill competition. There were 25 teams from across the nation who competed. They recorded their performance Aug. 9 at Yett Arena and uploaded the videos Aug.

Law enforcement agencies were called to an area near Chimney Valley Road outside of Blanco Tuesday morning after a suspicious device was found near a portion of the Kinder Morgan Permian Highway Pipeline. A call to local agencies went out shortly after 9 a.m. when officials with the Blanco Police Department and Blanco Volunteer Fire Department were called to the scene. A message was sent out to local residents through the county’s alert system before 10 a.m.

Construction on the Kinder Morgan Permian Highway Pipeline can continue, according to a federal district judge in Austin. U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman on Friday denied a preliminary injunction request from the Sierra Club, a national environmental group, which sought to halt pipeline construction. The group argued that pipeline construction would damage the land and cause harm to endangered species. The Sierra Club also said that approvals for the pipeline were given under a faulty r ...

Kinder Morgan presented a donation of $48,000 to the Blanco County Sheriff’s office on Wednesday that will in part help with logistics for Lights Spectacular and other ongoing projects. The donation was presented at the Bill Elsbury Law Enforcement Center at 400 US-281 in Johnson City. Pictured, from left, are: County Judge Brett Bray; Allen Fore, vice president of public relations at Kinder Morgan; Sheriff Don Jackson; and Chief Deputy Neal Leonard.

The annual ‘Raise the Roof” fundraiser for Twin Sisters Dance Hall has been canceled for 2020. The board announced the decision Saturday, and also stated that the historic dance hall must remain closed until further notice. “Before we are inundated with opinions and suggestions about opening, please know how hard we have tried!

During the COVID-19 pandemic over the past few months, things have at times become sad or even stressful. Former Blanco Mayor Martha Herden wanted to try to spread cheer to the hardworking, dedicated ICU nurses and staff. The idea of creating “Care Bears” came to her one night. Jane Macon, owner of Alamo Miniatures of Twin Sisters in Blanco, helped connect the former mayor with an ICU in San Antonio.

The Aug. 24 Blanco City Council meeting was opened at 5:32 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Martin Sauceda with all the other council members: Keith McClellan, Mike Smith, Matt Lewis, and Deda Divine present. The pledge of allegiance was recited and there were no announcements at that time. Public comments were heard next.

Judge Brett Bray called the Blanco County Commissioners Court meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. on Aug. 25 with all four commissioners present. The meeting was simulcasted to the county’s YouTube page due to the pandemic. This allows citizens to watch the meetings without being there in person. The public hearing for the proposed budget was opened after the pledge of allegiance.

Judge Brett Bray called the Blanco County Commissioners Court meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. on Aug. 25 with all four commissioners present. The meeting was simulcasted to the county’s YouTube page due to the pandemic. This allows citizens to watch the meetings without being there in person. The public hearing for the proposed budget was opened after the pledge of allegiance.

When planning a vacation or traveling, one item on your preparation list should be to contact the Blanco Police Department to sign up for the “vacation watch” program. This free service is provided to residents of the City of Blanco. The program serves to periodically check on your home while you are away. Citizens living within the city limits can be placed on the “vacation watch” list by completing a form at the Blanco Police Department or by calling the police department between ...

The Blanco Panther football team bursts out of quarantine onto the field Friday, Aug. 28 on the road against the Yorktown Wildcats. Senior Baylor Smith (12) is the first Panther to break through the “Straight Outta Quarantine” run through sign. It was the first varsity boys athletic contest since the coronavirus outbreak this spring.

Blanco opened the 2020 season in style Friday night in Yorktown. The Panthers rolled to 21 first quarter points en route to a 48-0 win over the homestanding Wildcats in the season opener for both teams. “I was pleased for the most part by the way the defense played. Anytime you have a shut out is good,” said Blanco coach Bill Tesch.

The Blanco volleyball team added two wins to its record last week defeating the Harper Lady Horns 3-0 and the San Antonio Saints Home School 3-1. Set scores against Harper Saturday, Aug. 29 were 25-15, 25-13 and 25-7. Set scores versus the SA Saints Tuesday, Aug. 25 were 25-16, 25-11, 23-25 and 25-20.

The Blanco Panther junior varsity football team won its season opener with a shutout over the Brownwood 9B team. The Panthers set the tone for the game holding Brownwood on their first possession and forcing a punt. Starting from the Brownwood 39-yard line, the Panthers moved the ball well. Connor Cofield made a 25-yard gain and Cooper Berne moved the ball 13 yards to the one.

Annie Gwendolyn “Gwen” Gillaspia passed away peacefully on Aug. 19, 2020 surrounded by family and friends. She was born Dec. 27, 1936 to Carroll Jacob Coffee and Eva Mae White Coffee in Cotulla, Texas. She is survived by her three daughters, Deborah Martin, Cynthia Boyd and Becky Gillaspia; eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and brother Charles Coffee.

Bobbie Jane Phelps Bates Connell of Johnson City, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, in Fredericksburg. Bobbie was born in Johnson City on Feb. 20, 1930, to Nathaniel George Phelps and Dora Edith (Moon) Phelps. Bobbie is preceded in death by her parents; first husband, James S.