October 7, 2020 Issue

With election day less than a month away, local Democrats and Republicans seem ready to bust down the doors to the polling places. Early voting for the Nov. 3 election starts next Tuesday. “We’re really busy but happy; we’re working hard to get out the vote,” said Terry Casparis, chairman of the Blanco County Democratic Party.

The Blanco Coalition of Awareness, Prevention, and Treatment of Substance Abuse (CoAPT) continues its “Sticker Shock” campaign, which is designed to educate adults who might purchase alcohol legally and provide it to minors. Several Blanco businesses allowed the coalition members to come to their stores to place the sticker warning-labels on their alcoholic products.

There are 29 active COVID-19 cases present in Blanco County, the county’s office of emergency management announced Monday night. The 29 active cases are two more than last reported by BCOEM Sept. 18, but fewer than the 40 the office reported Sept. 2. Overall, there have been 143 total confirmed cases in Blanco County since the pandemic began this spring.

The Blanco County Appraisal District mailed out approximately 19,000 property tax statements for the 2020 tax year on Thursday, Oct. 1. The Blanco County Appraisal District is responsible for mailing out tax statements for eight taxing entities, with a total collection estimate of $34,298,000. Taxpayers can mail their payments to Blanco County Appraisal District, P.O.

Ladies of the Rotary Club of Blanco County safely spaced themselves and dressed in mask united to put hygiene kits together for several Blanco County outreach organizations. Sandy Switzer, who is the hygiene kit project team leader, and Connie Cox, Pat Clewell, Dixie Van Eynde, Jan Gass and Leta Garcia decided to prepare the kits for Blanco County as safely as possible. The organizations the Rotary Club delivers kits to are: Blanco ISD schools, Johnson City ISD schools, the Community Reso ...

Results of the 2019-2020 Blanco County 4-H awards were released recently with winners from all over the county. Each year, 4-H members who complete a project form showing their learning experiences earn a pin for every project completed and a display ribbon. Winners from the Early Bird 4-H Club included: Blaze Welch-Poultry, Swine and Shooting Sports; Dusti Welch-Poultry, Swine and Shooting Sports; and Rylee Welch-Poultry, Swine and Shooting Sports. Winners from the Hill Country Spurs 4 ...

Here are 10 ways to research the story behind an older or historic home. Do you remember the first friend you made? We like to learn about them—we ask them where they grew up, where they went to school, and when they were born. Our homes are a lot like that.

Anayeli Jaimes, escorted by her father, Martin Jaimes, was crowned Blanco High School homecoming queen at halftime of Friday’s football game against Canyon Lake. The Panthers won in an overtime thriller against Canyon Lake, 41-40, in Friday’s homecoming game.

A pair of Blanco cross country runners medaled at the Llano meet held Monday afternoon. Evelyn Trammell finished 15th in 14:22 for the Lady Panthers and medaled. For the boys, Hayden Dotson finished 22nd in 21:58 and also medaled. Joshua Ludolf finished just out of the medal placings for the Panthers, taking 26th place in 22:17. Also for the Lady Panthers, Laci Creswell finished 29th in 15:22, Riley Edmondson took 34th place in 15:59, and Daryn Kirkland finished 37th in 16:23. Valen E ...

Blanco went to Ingram Sept. 29 with a plan to defeat the #1 state-ranked Ingram Lady Warriors. Ingram is the top-ranked Class 3A team the Texas Girl’s Coaches Association poll. The Lady Panthers stretched the match as far as they could, but the Warriors won in five sets 25-23, 18-25, 19-25, 25-21 and 16-14. Presley Young led the Panthers with 18 kills, two aces, three assists, eight digs and two blocks.

It came down to the final play. A Nathan Tomlinson extra point in overtime proved to be the difference as Blanco outlasted visiting Canyon Lake on Friday for a 41-40 homecoming victory. It was a see-saw affair all night as the lead changed seven times and the game was tied four times.

The Blanco 7th grade team was the lone subvarsity football team to win last week, with a 20-6 victory over Cornerstone. Trey Atchley scored two rushing touchdowns and had, two tackles, while Diego Soto scored on an 80-yard rushing touchdown and had five tackles. Broderick Siwecki scored on a two-point conversion and added two tackles, while Colten Kuebel had an interception, Hunter Rodriguez had three tackles, Justin Karnes had three tackles, Logan Schwarzlose had two tackles and one sack ...

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Blanco High School students celebrated homecoming week, which culminated with a 41-40 overtime win over Canyon Lake in the football game that Friday.

Herminia “Minnie” Gonzales of Johnson City passed away Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020. She was born Jan. 3, 1945 in Falls City, to Juan Rodriguez and Genoveva (Martinez) Rodriguez. Minnie was preceded in death by her parents, Juan and Genoveva Rodriguez; her husband, Antonio M. Gonzales; and two daughters, Sally Ann Gonzales and Maria Teresa Gonzales. Minnie is survived by her three sons, Tony Gonzales and wife Katy of Johnson City; Tommy Gonzales of Johnson City; and Tim Gonzales of Austi ...