February 8, 2018 Issue

The City Council met Tuesday for their regular session for February 2018. During the meeting, they distributed funds to other agencies in the community and approved the general municipal election coming up in May. Outside Agency Funding City of Johnson City had a $15 thousand budget item in order to fund other local agencies that serve the community. The City received five requests for funding.

Effective March 1, Pedernales Electric Cooperative's transmission cost of Service (TCOS) will increase by $0.00098 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to $0.01256 per kWh, a less than 1 percent increase on an average member’s bill. Residential members with average energy use of 1,000 kWh should expect to see an increase of about 98 cents per month on their PEC bill. The TCOS recoups the cost of transporting electricity on the statewide transmission system.

Wildfire season has arrived earlier than usual due to high fuel availability, drought and other environmental conditions, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert. Blanco County is currently in moderate drought conditions according to United States Drought Monitor. Dr. Andy Vestal, AgriLife Extension director for emergency management at Texas A&M University, College Station, said the Energy Release Component, which measures how hot and long available fuel can burn if sparked, is a ...

After a delayed start due to January’s ice day, the Discovery Academy at Johnson City Library is running at full speed after starting the Spring session last month. The after-school program, open to third through fifth grade students, teaches them science, technology, engineering and math skills (STEM) through hands on projects. “Kids now are so focused on studying for tests it’s more important than ever,” said Maggie Goodman, Johnson City Librarian about the hands-on projects stude ...

The Varsity Eagles faced a tough week in competition however, The JV boys pulled two wins against the Blanco Panthers and Comfort Bobcats. Eagles vs. Panthers Johnson City hosted the Blanco Panthers Jan. 30 for the second meeting of the season. The Eagles broke even, as the JV A-Team defeated the Panthers 51 to 48, and the Varsity boys fell 59 to 65. Blanco took an early lead, finishing the first quarter with 17 points to JC’s nine.

After two losses this week, the Lady Eagles await details for the first round of district playoffs. Lady Eagles vs. Panthers The Lady Eagles played host to the Blanco Lady Panthers Tuesday, January 30 for the last home game of the season and senior night. Blanco did not add to the festive mood, handing JC a 26 to 50 loss. Seniors Jackie Henriquez, Makayla Preston, and Trinity Puckett played their last ever game at home.

Saturday Feb. 10 A Valentines Gala will be held at the Blanco County Show Barn benefitting The Johnson City Community Education Foundation. Prime rib, beer and wine and a dance are included with the $50 ticket price. Tickets are only available through pre-sale. The Johnson City Community Education Foundation (JCCEF) was founded in 2006 to provide LBJ High School graduates financial support through scholarships to continue their education in technical school or college. The Foundation is c ...

The 290 Vinery, Johnson City’s addition to the 290 Wine Trail, is showcasing an impressive lineup of music this February, March, and April. On February 17th, nationally known writer/performer Drew Womack and Band will kickoff the series Drew collaborated on the song of the year “I Hope You Dance” and, has written for major country music star Kenny Chesney and others.

Jeanne Anne Cantwell, 87, passed away on January 14, 2018, in Austin, TX. She was born on May 21, 1930 in Clovis, New Mexico to Charles Berwin & Mamie (Lucas) Marshall. Jeanne is survived by son, John Fox and wife Molly of Lexington, KY; daughter Patricia Patterson and husband Randy of Dover, TN; son Mack Cantwell and wife Kim of Johnson City, TX; and brother Bill Marshall and wife Martha of Wichita Falls, TX. She was also survived by 7 grandchildren; Melissa (Philip) Thompson, Vicki (Sco ...

A MOM WAS HOLDING UP A CRUDE CARDBOARD SIGN THAT READ: “I had an abortion for them.” Underneath were two pictures of her school-age children. I was curious as to what this meant so I asked twenty-something Bianca about it while at the Texas Rally for Life held a few weeks ago. “I had an abortion and I did it because I had two children I cared about very much.

The inaugural “Savor the Hill Country,” a fundraiser for the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce, was held on Sunday, Jan. 28 at the Science Mill. An event the Chamber of Commerce reports was an overwhelming success. A heavy turnout of more than 285 ticketholders, volunteers, vendors, Science Mill staff, and Chamber Board directors feasted on offerings from 14 different area restaurants and caterers, eight wineries, three distilleries, and three brewers. “Feedback was overwhelmingly po ...

OK. You’ve done the work. You’ve written the book! You’re ready to publish, but how? There are so many choices, publishers and steps to take. The Feb. 28 JC Writers Conference can help. The library is bringing together experts in different writing genres to inform and help you create a path to getting published.

As we mentioned in past articles we are discussing legal issues all of us will encounter at some time. In this article we will discuss living wills. This is a difficult discussion, but will save families from awkward situations. A living will expresses the wishes of a person in medical situation.

It’s impossible to make your personal computer 100% secure. However, there are ten things you can do to tighten the security and improve your defenses against viruses, hackers, etc. This week will cover the first five tips. Next week’s column will cover tips six through ten. 1. Keep your software up to date.

The Palace Theatre marked time in Fredericksburg for most of the twentieth Century. The grand old movie house was a part of the fabric of the community. In 1926 John Stahl, operator of the Palace Theatre in New Braunfels, purchased Klaerner’s Opera house, Dance Hall and Confectionary on Main Street in Fredericksburg.

Mary Wilson brought her campaign for US Congressional District 21 to Johnson City on Monday, January 29. Wilson is a mathematician and a minister. She taught mathematics for 20 years before receiving her Masters in Theological Studies from Austin Presbyterian Seminary in 2001 and a Masters of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2006.

As part of its fourth annual Red in Fred heart health campaign, Hill Country Memorial will host educational events and health screenings throughout February and early March. “Each year the Red in Fred program has grown thanks to the community’s involvement,” said Jayne Pope, HCM CEO. “This year, as we take heart health education beyond the hospital’s walls, we invite you to learn more, meet our team members and take action for your health.” Free educational presentations about ...

The Johnson City Library is proud to announce an art exhibit by Lyrae Perry with a reception to meet the artist Monday February 19 from 3:45 – 5:45 p.m. Lyrae works in a number of mediums including oil, watercolor/gouache, mixed media and polymer clay jewelry. She recently exhibited at the Old Bakery & Emporium in Austin and at local Kathleen Marie’s Studio Art Show.

Sally Armstrong of Johnson City, Texas, was the after dinner speaker at the The Sixth Biennial International Carriage Symposium held January 25 - 27, 2018, at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. The symposium focus was "Carriages, Wagons and Horses in War and Peace: End of a Conflict, 1918". It was sponsored by the Carriage Association of America and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Attendees were from 10 countries and 24 U.S.