March 18, 2020 Issue

Hand sanitizer and toilet paper are becoming scarce on local store shelves as Coronavirus cases are seeming to envelop Blanco County. County officials are bracing to combat the health threat and urging folks to keep things in perspective.  As of March 16, Texas had 56 confirmed and presumptive cases in 17 counties, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The Blanco Commissioners Court meeting was called to order on Tuesday, Mar. 10 by Judge Brett Bray with Commissioners Tommy Weir, Emil Uecker, Chris Liesmann, and Paul Granberg present. Public comments were heard from D’Anne and Kenneth Welch. Mrs. Welch focused on agenda item twelve and Mr. Welch focused on the Transportation and Economic Development Plan. “I believe this is a great way to help this county to plan for the future.

JCISD Board of Trustees met in a regular meeting on March 9 and President Shelly Wenmohs called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Bond Project and Financial Updates Jennifer Black of Sledge Engineering presented the bond updates. She reported that Technology Consultant security plans and specs, including cameras and access controls for the doors, are out for bid beginning March 25.

The Pedernales Electric Company was hard at work performing critical system improvements in Blanco on Tuesday March 17, which resulted in most of the city of Blanco doing without power while work was being done. As always, make sure to slow down or move over when you see service vehicles on the side of the road.

What is the novel coronavirus? A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold. Why is the disease being called coronavirus disease, COVID-19? In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease.

The number one concern with any pathogen is not the extremely laborious task of trying to eliminate every possibility of contagion events (i.e. painting of all oak wounds) – it is the attempt to minimize as much as possible the much less frequent sources of infection (i.e. the infected spore producing oaks).

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott on March 13 declared a state of disaster in all Texas counties and listed actions agencies are taking to contain and minimize the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, a contagious flu-like respiratory disease. Abbott said agency actions would include: —Provide immediate ability to move resources around the state, including resources obtained through the Strategic National Stockpile, an emergency supply of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies;  —Rest ...

Ms. Pam Meier, the 7th grade Science teacher and 8th grade Ecology teacher at Blanco Middle School in Blanco County won the Conservation Teacher Award. She will be honored for outstanding contributions to the Texas Soil and Water Conservation Program at a Conservation Awards Banquet for Area II on May 5, 2020.

By Texas Medical Association President David C. Fleeger, MD “The physicians of the Texas Medical Association stand by Governor Abbott in his emergency declaration to benefit our state. This move is warranted and beneficial for Texas. “Please understand, though, that today’s medical emergency in our state is the same as it was yesterday, and physicians’ prescription remains the same: calm vigilance. “Texas physicians want to remind our patients to remain calm and practice smart ...

Some of the Hill Country’s most talented songwriters and performers gathered on Thursday, March 12 in the Back 40 of the Old 300 BBQ on Blanco’s Town Square to celebrate the night sky in song. The cause for celebration was the CD Release Party for “Deep in the Dark of Texas™ Vol 1,“ an effort sponsored by the Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky (BCFNS) to support night sky preservation in the Hill Country. Last fall, the organization challenged local songwriters to write songs ...

By Justin Zamudio, HHSC Writer & Editor A variety of chronic health conditions more common with adults 65 or older can lead to a weakened immune system making older adults more vulnerable to infection. If an infection goes untreated, it can result in sepsis — a potentially life-threatening condition that disrupts the body’s release of chemicals into the bloodstream to fight an infection triggering changes that can damage multiple systems. On average, more than 4,000 Texans a year die ...

I Live Here I Give Here (ILHIGH) is proud to announce that the Central Texas community has raised more than $12.3 million for 760+ participating nonprofit organizations during the eighth annual Amplify Austin Day. The 24-hour day of giving began at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 5. “Today, I am especially proud to call Central Texas home.

The Alzheimer’s Association has released its 2020 Facts and Figures report. Here are some notable items for Texas from the report. The number of people in Texas living with Alzheimer’s is now at 400,000.   The breakdown is: 65-74 years of age:  69,000 75-84 years of age:  180,000 85+:   160,000 By 2025 the total number of cases in Texas is projected to be 490,000 – that’s a 22.5% increase from 2020. The number of Texas deaths from Alzheimer’s disease (in 2018, th ...

Johnson City was a huge presence at the Ingram Invitational Track Meet last Thursday with the Varsity Girls, JV Girls and JV Boys each winning their respective divisions. The Varsity Lady Eagles outscored runner-up Nueces Canyon 172 to 97 and the JV Girls edged Our Lady of the Hills 66 to 63.

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) released the first wave of changes to the Spring Meet calendar in response to concern over participant and spectator safety. Spring Meet activities include Athletic contests (Baseball, Golf, Softball, Tennis, Track), as well as Academic & Literary events and Music. The Friday, March 13th announcement followed the stoppage of the 2020 the Boys’ State Basketball Championships mid-tournament and also modified the playoff schedule for schools particip ...

The Varsity Eagle Baseball team picked up two more wins against their first loss of the season before the three-day Blanco County Invitational Baseball Tournament was called after Day 2 amid growing concerns about the coronavirus. The Eagles opened the tournament on Thursday with a lukewarm performance against the Austin Johnston Junior Varsity who bounced back from a 1-0 deficit in the 1st inning to take the 10-4 win.

Patsy Gale Sultemeier of Johnson City, Texas was born to Raymond and Carrie Bryant on November 11, 1935 in Austin, Texas and passed away at home on March 3, 2020 at the age of 84. Patsy was confirmed in her Christian faith, and kept that faith for all the days of her life. Patsy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 53 years, Erwin Sultemeier; her twin sons, Keith and Kavin Sultemeier; and her sister, Hazel Smith.

In a discourse to a large audience gathered in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Thomas S. Monson related the following: “Seventy-five years ago, on February 14, 1939, in Hamburg, Germany, a public holiday was celebrated. Amid fervent speeches, cheering throngs, and the playing of patriotic anthems, the new battleship Bismarck was put to sea via the River Elbe.

The number one concern with any pathogen is not the extremely laborious task of trying to eliminate every possibility of contagion events (i.e. painting of all oak wounds) – it is the attempt to minimize as much as possible the much less frequent sources of infection (i.e. the infected spore producing oaks).

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott on March 13 declared a state of disaster in all Texas counties and listed actions agencies are taking to contain and minimize the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, a contagious flu-like respiratory disease. Abbott said agency actions would include: —Provide immediate ability to move resources around the state, including resources obtained through the Strategic National Stockpile, an emergency supply of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies;  —Rest ...

Ms. Pam Meier, the 7th grade Science teacher and 8th grade Ecology teacher at Blanco Middle School in Blanco County won the Conservation Teacher Award. She will be honored for outstanding contributions to the Texas Soil and Water Conservation Program at a Conservation Awards Banquet for Area II on May 5, 2020.

By Justin Zamudio, HHSC Writer & Editor A variety of chronic health conditions more common with adults 65 or older can lead to a weakened immune system making older adults more vulnerable to infection. If an infection goes untreated, it can result in sepsis — a potentially life-threatening condition that disrupts the body’s release of chemicals into the bloodstream to fight an infection triggering changes that can damage multiple systems. On average, more than 4,000 Texans a year die ...