July 22, 2020 Issue

The Commissioners Court meeting began budget discussions at 10 a.m. after a ten minute recess during their meeting on Tue. July, 14. Concerns about the county employees salaries were discussed. Complaints about county employees are being paid too low have been heard from various people. Judge Brett Bray suggested a six percent salary increase for all employees and this would increase benefits as well. He explained that the county employees have been working continuously throughout the pan ...

The 2021 fundraising campaign of the Johnson City Community Education Foundation got a jump-start last week with a $50,000.00 donation from Kinder Morgan, the company constructing the Permian Highway Pipeline through Blanco County. JCCEF Board Chair Cynthia Keene stated that the donation is the largest single donation received by the foundation since its inception in 2006.

JCISD held a regular meeting on July 13, 2020. Board President Shelly Wenmohs called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m., and all members were present. There were no public comments. District Improvement Plan The Board reviewed the proposed District Improvement Plan. Regarding Strategic Priority High Academic Performance and Student Success, the goals are: “Ensure implementation of a cohesive and consistent District instructional Framework; Review transitions and academic levels of studen ...

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) is presenting modifications to the 2020-2021 UIL calendar and updated COVID-19 risk mitigation guidelines, set to take effect August 1, 2020. The modifications to the 2020-2021 calendar differ by activity and conference and can be found on the UIL website and in the chart below. These adjustments reflect the public health situation at this time and the varying numbers of COVID-19 cases across different geographic areas of the state.

AUSTIN— COVID-19 turned aggressive to the point last week that the Department of Defense activated U.S. Army and U.S. Navy medical task force teams and assigned them to Texas at Gov. Greg Abbott's request. Teams were deployed to support Houston and San Antonio hospitals and medical facilities in hard-hit Rio Grande Valley.

Walking around the yard, as I do frequently, I often notice new plants that weren’t there before, and I always think about how that particular plant came to be in that particular spot. For trees, some shrubs and some perennials, one way new plants are created are what are called “root sprouts” in which the root of the parent plant sends up a new shoot that is essentially a part of the parent plant and the shoot shares the root system of the parent.

Across Texas and the nation, many parents are anxious about taking their children to the doctor for fear of exposing them to COVID-19, but physicians are here to offer reassurance and a reminder. While the fear is justifiable, Texas doctors advise parents that routine well visits are safe and important for their child’s health, and assure them “the doctor is in.” As a new school year approaches, the physicians of the Texas Medical Association (TMA) urge parents to schedule these appoi ...

Summer is here, and it is hot. Most of us enjoy going outdoors in the morning or evening as the heat of the day can be unbearable. As seniors we need to continue to be active so we must venture out. We also must drink more fluids. As we age, dehydration and heat stroke are very real problems.

Empty shelves at the supermarket are not the only shortage created by the pandemic. Homes are in short supply, too. “Unless a buyer is looking for a luxury home, there are fewer to choose from,” says Dr. Jim Gaines, chief economist for the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. “Texas’ months of inventory fell to a historic 3.2 months in May as the state’s supply of active listings plummeted to its lowest level in three-and-a-half years.” Researchers consider a six-month in ...

Georgetown- Non- profit organizations who serve first responders, active duty military personnel, veterans, law enforcement members and their families are encouraged to complete a request for consideration to be named a beneficiary of the 2020 Field of Honor flag sales! The 2019 Beneficiaries included Heroes Night Out, Mustang Heritage Foundation, The 100 Club of Texas, Hounds for Heroes (The Dog Alliance), ​and Veterans Suicide Prevention Channel.

A new sign acknowledging the donation from Marci and Louis Henna now graces the Blanco County Community Resource Center (CRC) in Johnson City. The Hennas made a generous donation in April. Marci Henna grew up in Johnson City. As the owners of the Henna Chevrolet auto dealership, the Hennas are a well-known name in Austin.

The 2021 fundraising campaign of the Johnson City Community Education Foundation got a jump-start last week with a $50,000.00 donation from Kinder Morgan, the company constructing the Permian Highway Pipeline through Blanco County. JCCEF Board Chair Cynthia Keene stated that the donation is the largest single donation received by the foundation since its inception in 2006.

JCISD held a regular meeting on July 13, 2020. Board President Shelly Wenmohs called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m., and all members were present. There were no public comments. District Improvement Plan The Board reviewed the proposed District Improvement Plan. Regarding Strategic Priority High Academic Performance and Student Success, the goals are: “Ensure implementation of a cohesive and consistent District instructional Framework; Review transitions and academic levels of studen ...

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) is presenting modifications to the 2020-2021 UIL calendar and updated COVID-19 risk mitigation guidelines, set to take effect August 1, 2020. The modifications to the 2020-2021 calendar differ by activity and conference and can be found on the UIL website and in the chart below. These adjustments reflect the public health situation at this time and the varying numbers of COVID-19 cases across different geographic areas of the state.

Lady Eagle Kenzie Adrian (2020) received a $250 scholarship from the Texas Throwers Club, a nonprofit established in 2009 to promote the throwing events in Track and Field in Texas. Adrian started competing at TTC meets during her freshman year at LBJHS. She has committed to continue her athletic career in the javelin and heptathlon at the NCAA Division 1 level for Tarleton State University.

As a consequence of my work with a private school system in Mexico, I was invited to attend a social function at the residence of the United States Ambassador to Mexico in Mexico City. It was a semi-formal affair attended by dignitaries not only from the American Embassy, multi-national banks, businesses and corporations, but also from many top-shelf Mexican entrepreneurial, social and political entities. Although decked out in my best freshly pressed business suit and power tie, I must adm ...