March 10, 2021 Issue

Governor Greg Abbott’s mask mandate reversal will go into effect today, March 10, but people in Blanco County might not see many changes, according to a county official. The governor’s executive order, GA-34, which was announced on March 2, allows folks to decide whether to wear a mask and allows businesses to open at full capacity. “I think Gov.

The children at Blanco Elementary School will all be showing some toothy smiles this year thanks to the delivery of dental kits on March 2. Fantastic Teeth has been joining hands with the Blanco Masonic Lodge to distribute dental kits annually to first grade students. Last year, the kits were delivered to the school.

Texans have a way of rising to the occasion, and it was no different in Blanco County during last month’s winter storm. There may not have been water coming out of the city’s taps, but water was flowing from all directions, being delivered by air, land and, well, if there were a sea nearby it would have been floating in on boats, too. The rotor blades of four Blackhawk helicopters pulsed overhead, which drew much excitement but their purpose was practical. “They flew in to deliver m ...

The Blanco County Commissioners Court regular meeting was called to order at 9:02 a.m. Tuesday by Blanco County Judge Brett Bray with all four commissioners present. Public comments took place after the pledge of allegiance was recited. Terry Casparis, Blanco County Democrat Party Chair, took the floor to support the proposed vote centers and encouraged all citizens to participate in the public hearings. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

In an area declared a disaster area by the Governor, Tax Code Section 11.35 allows a qualified property that is at least 15 percent damaged by a disaster to receive a temporary exemption of a portion of the appraised value of the property. A property owner must apply for the temporary exemption and the deadline for application is 105 days after the governor declares a disaster area.

March 2021: March is a very busy month, getting ready for springtime planting and never knowing, about the changeable weather. This is the month to fertilize roses regularly, with and organic fertilizer is. Keep roses well watered especially if our rainfall is low. Early in the month apply a cover spray of streptomycin or copper to apple, Loquat, and pear trees during bloom to prevent tree blight.

The Old Blanco County Courthouse Preservation Society will hold its annual general membership meeting Thursday, March 18, at 7 p.m. upstairs in the courtroom. Thank you for joining or renewing your membership in OBCCPS for 2021. If you have not yet renewed, you will have an opportunity at the annual membership meeting on March 18.

Blanco Performing Arts presents a young artist’s recital to warm your hearts. Pianist Halle Puckett will be presenting a concert in Johnson City on Saturday, March 20 at Community Church of the Hills at 7:30 pm. She is a competition finalist for the Texas State International Piano Festival. Music will include selections by Debussy and Schumann. Puckett is currently studying at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore.

The “Women of Lockerbie“ production, performed by students in the BHS Theater Department, advanced to bi-district competition for One Act Play in Lago Vista. The students are under the direction of Melissa Moncus. At the most recent competition, Keirsten Sauceda was named best overall actress, Abiyu Baker was named to the all-star cast, and Jake Broyles was named honorable mention all-star cast.

The Blanco girls basketball team wrapped up its 2020-21 season with a 19-7 season record and a 6-2 District 25-3A record, finishing second behind Lago Vista. The Lady Panthers finished with the longest playoff run in program history. In the playoffs, Blanco defeated Nixon-Smiley 49-22 for its bi-district win. The Lady Panthers outscored Columbus 55-46 in the area round, and in the regional quarterfinals, the Lady Panthers beat Palacios 62-55.

The Blanco softball team showed huge improvement over the past two weekends. The Lady Panthers started the season out 1-6 in the Wimberley tournament and against Cornerstone, but have rallied since that start. They went 4-1 in their own tournament last weekend to improve to 5-7 on the season. The Lady Panthers’ improvement was very apparent, as they took on the Cornerstone Warriors March 2 and fell 10-0.

Kiley Elrod and Emily Windham competed last Saturday at the Texas Women’s Powerlifting Region 2 Meet at Dublin. Windham posted a total of 665 pounds, placing 8th in the region. Elrod placed first in her weight class with a total lift of 915 pounds. Elrod posted a squat of 400 pounds, a bench press of 215 pounds and a dead lift of 300 pounds.

The Blanco junior varsity baseball team won the Wimberley JV Tournament Saturday, March 6. The team defeated Canyon Lake 2-0. The winning pitcher was Cooper Chase with seven innings pitched and 13 strikeouts. The Panthers beat Thorndale 8-7. Mitchell Dalland was the winning pitcher. In the final game, Blanco outscored Wimberley 4-3.

The Blanco baseball team posted a 4-1 record this past week to improve to 8-2 early in the season. Three of the wins came in the Llano tournament. Blanco defeated the San Antonio FEAST Patriots 5-4 Tuesday, March 2 at the Panther baseball field. Ryne Kaiser got the win in relief.

Jackson Cress and Marc Flores have qualified for the Texas High School Powerlifting Region 2 Meet Saturday, March 13 at Smithville High School. Cress qualified in his weight class with a total lift of 1130 pounds. Flores qualified with a total lift of 1070 pounds.

James Roger Beasley, 77, passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 16, 2021 after a lengthy illness. Roger was born in Aransas Pass, but grew up in Rockport, a coastal town he remained close to for the rest of his life. Growing up on the Texas coast gave him his love of the sea.

It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of Jose Rafael Serrano Rico. He was called home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 2:50 p.m. on Feb. 18, 2021, at the blessed age of 91. He is reunited in heaven with his parents, Francisco Serrano and Audelia Rico, his siblings Consuelo Serrano and Asuncion Serrano, and his children Rogelio Serrano, Lucina Serrano, and Santos Serrano. Jose was born in Guanajuato, Mexico on Nov.

Mary Nancy Champion of Blanco peacefully passed away on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, at the LBJ Medical Center nursing home in Johnson City. She was called to her heavenly home by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, after battling complications from Covid-19. She was surrounded by the amazing and loving staff at LBJ, and was comforted in the days and weeks prior by the presence of her family and countless prayers of those who knew and loved her. Nancy was born on June 22, 1942, in Laredo, to Geral ...

Eddye Beth Grist Struck, 79, of Spring Branch, went to be with the Lord on March 6, 2021. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, March 10 at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church in The Rev. Brion Zarsky will officiate. Interment services will be held Tuesday, April 6, at 11 a.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. Mrs.