January 22, 2020 Issue

A group from a neighboring county has joined a lawsuit in an effort to stop the Permian Highway Pipeline from going through the Hill Country. Citing environmental concerns, the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District announced last week that it would join a lawsuit against Kinder Morgan, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S.

At 8:58 a.m. Judge Brett Bray called the Blanco County Commissioners Court meeting to order on Jan. 14 with all commissioners present. The public comments were heard from Ken Welch who spoke in favor of the Kofile contract. “It looks like this project is financially feasible and it could help to make this county more transparent when interacting with the Blanco County citizens concerning public information,” said Welch. The minutes of the previous meetings were approved. Commissio ...

City of Johnson City City Council held a Regular Meeting on January 14, 2020. Mayor Rhonda Stell called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. Steve Sanchez of Community Church of the Hills gave the Invocation which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. A check was presented to the Community Resource Center (CRC) from the City in the amount of $5,000.

The Johnson City Chamber of Commerce SAVOR the Hill Country III tasting event will be held on Sunday January 26 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Science Mill. The last two SAVORs were huge successes, with rave reviews from all attendees. This event will again showcase the Hill Country’s culinary talent alongside an impressive collection of award-winning wineries, breweries, and distilleries, with all proceeds benefiting the Chamber’s community projects and a local scholarship. The Wilson St ...

It is the new year, and many of us have resolved to eat better, walk more, and take better care of ourselves. Walking up to a food truck by a bar might not sound like the healthiest option for lunch or dinner, but hear me out for this, and I promise you will be pleasantly surprised when you visit Ate-o-Six, the newest food truck to roll into town with no plans to leave anytime soon. About Matthew Pope Matthew Pope, originally from Corpus Christi, came to Johnson City every holiday to visi ...

The Round Mountain Extension Club met on Jan. 15, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Nine members and two guests answered roll call. Dawn Sparrow presented a program on Narcan Training. Dawn works for the Hill Country Memorial Hospital and does training for several programs. Members learned a lot about how opioids affect our brain and stop gap measures to help victim until EMS gets there.

JCISD Board President Shelly Wenmohs called the Regular Board Meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. on January 13. All Board Trustees were present. Board Appreciation Month JCISD Superintendent Richard Kolek opened the meeting with the observance of School Board Appreciation Month. Kolek said, “JCISD joins 1,025 other Districts in Texas to celebrate January as School Board Recognition Month.

SAN ANTONIO—The League of Women Voters of Texas and other plaintiffs filed a federal lawsuit claiming that the state violates the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) by not providing voter registration with driver’s license applications online. “Voters have a right to clear and easy access to registration. As an organization dedicated to voter information and advocacy, the League of Women Voters sees first-hand how barriers to registration keep eligible Texans from the ballot box,

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott on Jan. 13 asked for a presidential disaster declaration for three counties that sustained widespread damage attributed to severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, hail and tornadoes. The stormy weather on Oct. 20-21 hit Cameron, Dallas and Erath counties. Abbott's request includes public assistance and hazard mitigation. "The State of Texas is committed to ensuring the people of Cameron, Dallas and Erath counties have the resources they need to continue rebu ...

Appraisal District and is available now to assist taxpayers. This property tax information is current and covers a wide range of topics, such as taxpayer remedies, exemptions and appraisals, and has information for select groups, such as disabled veterans and persons age 65 or older. "Whether you are a homeowner, business owner, disabled veteran or taxpayer, it’s important you know your rights concerning the property tax laws.” said Candice Fry, Chief Appraiser of the Blanco County Appr ...

Two Democratic candidates for U.S. Congress are facing off in the upcoming primary election. A candidate forum is being held on Tuesday, January 28, 6-8:30 pm, at the Science Mill in Johnson City. Wendy Davis is a former Texas Senator. Jennie Lou Leeder is an educator and coach. Both live in Austin. Blanco County is part of Texas Congressional District 21, which also includes parts of Travis, Hays, and Bexar counties, as well as all of Gillespie, Kerr, Comal, Kendall, Bandara, and Real co ...

The Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disability Centers is gathering assessment information and would appreciate feedback from citizens. The center focuses on supporting and assisting people create "the life they want to live." Support is provided for behavioral health, intellectual & developmental disability, substance abuse, crisis care, and justice involved services.

Voting delegates from Blanco County Farm Bureau traveled to San Antonio where they helped shape the future of Texas Farm Bureau during the 86th Annual Meeting. Representing Blanco County as voting delegates were: Bobby and Lauri Humphrey, Don and Ann Casey, Guy Anderson, Glenn Sultemeier, & Kenneth and Carolyn Moore,  This is  the state’s largest farm organization.

JCISD Board President Shelly Wenmohs called the Regular Board Meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. on January 13. All Board Trustees were present. Board Appreciation Month JCISD Superintendent Richard Kolek opened the meeting with the observance of School Board Appreciation Month. Kolek said, “JCISD joins 1,025 other Districts in Texas to celebrate January as School Board Recognition Month.

By Julie Storer The JV Lady Eagles raised their District 25-3A record to 4-2 as they notched decisive victories over Austin Achieve and Florence last week. A balanced offensive attack and strong defense that created offense were keys to the victories, with seven players scoring in the 49-2 drubbing of Austin Achieve on Tuesday and eight pitching in as they rolled over Florence on Friday 46-13.

Movie Night The Library will screen “Downton Abbey: The Movie” at 5:30 p.m. on January 23. SAVOR the Hill Country III On Saturday, January 26, the Science Mill will host this annual event. See more information on the front page of this issue. Library Annual Meeting The public is invited to attend this meeting and hear reports/valuations of 2019, as well as plans for 2020.

Barry Keyes Fawcett, D, age 82 died on January 15th. He was born in Austin Texas on April 2, 1937 to Truman and Wilma Fawcett. Barry grew up in Johnson City, Texas living an idyllic childhood in a small central Texas town. From a young age, he was a natural businessman and had a true entrepreneurial spirit.

William Robert Smith, 43, passed away December 25, 2019. He was born August 13, 1976 in Fredericksburg, TX to Jack H. Smith and Zoe (Sewell) Uziel. He was preceded in death by his father Jack H. Smith. Rob is survived by his mother Zoe Uziel of Johnson City, TX; brother Craig H.

In one form or another, we reap the consequences of our own wrong doing and our failed integrity, as indicated in this little story told by Elder Hugh B. Brown: The story is told of a rich man who, before leaving on a long journey, instructed a contractor to build a house for him.

If anyone was hoping for a calmer more peaceful decade, then surely by now they are disappointed. With just a few days into 2020, the major news story already is a drone strike and death of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. Instantly political sides were drawn as Trump supporters praised the president’s actions as a strike against terrorism and protection for American lives.

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott on Jan. 13 asked for a presidential disaster declaration for three counties that sustained widespread damage attributed to severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, hail and tornadoes. The stormy weather on Oct. 20-21 hit Cameron, Dallas and Erath counties. Abbott's request includes public assistance and hazard mitigation. "The State of Texas is committed to ensuring the people of Cameron, Dallas and Erath counties have the resources they need to continue rebu ...

In a sure sign that spring is not far behind, the first Purple Martins of the year have been spotted in Texas.  The birds were seen on January 14 in Corpus Christi by a Purple Martin enthusiast. North America’s largest species of swallow, Purple Martins winter in the rainforests of Brazil before making up to a 7000-mile migration north into the eastern United States and Canada.   The annual migration is a testament to the martins' resilience as well as the unwavering dedication ...