For a moment on Monday morning March 12, 2018 time slipped back to another era. As a crew began the long-awaited work to put on a new roof on the Twin Sisters Dance Hall, as the first sheets of old tin came down, and original shingles exposed, one could sense the presence of proud ancestors.
More than 140 years ago, a group of enterprising immigrants faced the ever-changing Texas weather, Indian raids and wildlife to make their way in wagons drawn by teams of oxen to the picturesque Hill Co ...
The advent of municipal water systems in Blanco and Johnson City provided potable water for human consumption and rural residents drilled wells for their water. But drought throughout the years led to dry wells for some and the stress of development on groundwater sources leads some residents to consider an alternative source of water from rainwater harvesting.
“We have a lot of areas in the county with wells that are high in sulfate and mineralization,” Ron Fieseler, general manager of ...
Parents in the Johnson City ISD were notified March 2, 2018, that the district was contacted by Blanco County Sheriff’s Department regarding an active investigation of individuals soliciting inappropriate photos from students through the social networking app Snapchat.
The Sheriff’s Department, Child Protective Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are currently investigating the matter, according to the letter to parents from Richard Kolek, JCISD Superintendent.
“It is i ...
Spring is heralded by many things, including the return of Blanco Market Days on the grounds of the Old Blanco County Courthouse.
Lesley Griffin, executive director of the OBCC, has organized the market days since 2000, held the third Saturday of the month March through November. The Christmas Market Day is held the second Saturday in December.
“We have anywhere from 40 to 60 vendors, with May and October as the busiest markets,” Griffin said.
Of the 8,179 registered voters in Blanco County, nearly 30 percent (29.82%) cast ballots in the primary election March 6, 2018. Seventy-seven percent of ballots (1,888) were cast for Republican candidates, and 23 percent ballots (551) cast for Democratic candidates.
Voters chose between three candidates in the County Commissioner race for Precinct 2, with each collecting less than 50 percent of the vote needed to secure the election.
Nestled behind the Buggy Barn Museum at the north end of Blanco lies the hidden jewel of a work-in-progress. The little town of Pine Moore depicting the old west and Texas heritage will come to life this month with the buzz of film crews hard at work to bring the past alive through the art of film.
Dennis and Kelly Moore, along with their daughter Amanda, have worked countless hours to bring movie production into the Hill Country.
The sun shone brightly on their young faces and the cool breeze blew in. The chaos had insued but in the best possible way. Giggles filled the air as teachers chatted with their coworkers and friends. Parents smiled as the little ones enjoyed the activities all around them and ran to the next interest catching their eyes.
It was a day to appreciate every person present; and the celebration was grand.
Good Samaritan relies on Austin’s Central Texas Food Bank for the bulk of its food purchases. Through CTFB we are able to purchase up to seven meals for each dollar spent. The Food Bank delivers twice a month at 6:30 a.m. on the first and third Tuesdays. A crew of hardy Good Samaritan volunteers work in all kinds of weather to unload the 18-wheeler delivery.
The Blanco City Council soon will be asked to consider a complete revision of the city’s outdoor lighting ordinance. The revision, still in draft, will address perceived deficiencies in the city’s current ordinance that has been in effect since February 2006, when it was adopted as part of the Blanco’s Unified Development Code (UDC).
“The proposed revision addresses many of the ambiguities of the current ordinance and will ensure that our local outdoor lighting will no longer shine ...
Park Superintendent Ethan Belicek has served in that role for Blanco State Park since 2012. He reports that the park just underwent an internal audit that determined the park is in compliance with the basic fiscal control processes outlined by the Texas State Parks Division.
The park generated $533,473 in revenue and had 111,705 visitors in 2017.
“We anticipate another year like last year,” Belicek said.
