September 30, 2020 Issue

Texas’ first- and third-largest cities could be in daily commuting distance from each other via the high-speed Texas Central Railroad. Proponents of the proposed bullet train hailed two historic milestones last week: The Federal Railroad Administration released its rules of the road for the project and approved the environmental review and route for the track between Houston and Dallas. Commuters would be able to travel the 240-mile route in less than 90 minutes on the Japanese-built ...

Johnson City’s volunteer wheelchair ramp builders came out of their isolation, imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, to return to work on ramps for recipients who had been waiting since last winter for easier access to their homes.  The first job was for a couple near Twin Sisters, south of Blanco, who had been promised a free ramp last winter, but whose job had to go on the shelf when the coronavirus closed down most team projects.

The North Blanco County ESD-1 held a regular meeting on September 21, 2020 via telephone conference call. President David O’Bannon called the meeting to order at 7 p.m., and a quorum was established with all commissioners present. There were no citizen comments. The minutes from the August 17 regular meeting were approved as written with motion from Commissioner Kirk McElhinney.

JCISD Superintendent Richard Kolek notified parents on Sunday of three reported positive tests for COVID-19 on the LBJHS Campus. In the release, he outlined procedures the District developed under the guidance of the Texas Education Agency to address such issues. Kolek stated: “We are working closely with the local health department on this matter.

Meals on Wheels Rural Capital Area serves meals to persons who are 60 years of age and older and their spouses in a congregate and homebound setting. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, congregate meals have ceased, but homebound delivery continues. Meals on Wheels and the Blanco County Community Resource Center (CRC) have partnered to provide a new program to distribute frozen and shelf stable meals from the CRC.

The Texas Election Code determines the last day to register to vote in an election in Texas. In order to be eligible to cast a ballot in the 2020 General Election scheduled for Tuesday, November 3rd, a citizen must be registered on or before Monday, October 5. The League of Women Voters of the Hill Country Texas urges all citizens to take time to register to vote, to update personal details on voter registration information if needed (name and/or address) or to simply check the status of pers ...

FREDERICKSBURG—  Hill Country Memorial is “back in business” for many types of health screenings and elective surgery, according to James Partin, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Hill Country Memorial. “We are trying to take care of everything we can,” Partin said. “We are watching closely what happens in the county regarding COVID-19.

COLLEGE STATION–Texas’ housing market slowed in August after a surge of pent-up demand inflated sales numbers the previous month. “Sales activity is no longer catching up from the economic shutdown that hindered the showing of homes and closings at the beginning of the spring buying season,” said Dr. James Gaines, chief economist for the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. “Existing homes sold through Texas Multiple Listing Services peaked in July as the economic consequ ...

When many of us read this we will getting ready for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas with family and friends. We have been discussing Alzheimer’s and the Holidays in the previous weeks. Today let’s talk about decorations. Everyone who has Alzheimer’s or Dementia is different and is at a different point of the Disease process.

One Blanco man, a lifelong Christian, saw a chance to make a difference in the world by starting a nonprofit organization that founds schools in a war-torn African nation. Faith is fierce in Nigeria, which is why Mike Arnold, co-founder of Africa Arise, has been drawn like a magnet to its people. “The people are incredible; it’s an amazing place” Arnold said. He’s traveled to Nigeria 11 times so far. “The first thing you see at the airport is a sign that reads: ‘Welcome to ...

Local author Eddy Rogers recently published his fifth novel, Dollars, Diamonds and Death. This short novel follows the new adventure of John Mariner, a Blanco, Texas, attorney. Always on the prowl for good new clients, Mariner helps a wealthy and successful private wealth manager, Greg Robertson, buy a large ranch north of Blanco, Texas.

JCISD Superintendent Richard Kolek notified parents on Sunday of three reported positive tests for COVID-19 on the LBJHS Campus. In the release, he outlined procedures the District developed under the guidance of the Texas Education Agency to address such issues. Kolek stated: “We are working closely with the local health department on this matter.

The Lady Eagle Varsity Volleyball team returned to the court from an open date September 17th by hosting 6A Temple last Tuesday and outgunned the Lady Wildcats 3-0 (25-9, 25-13, 25-13). Back in district play on Friday the Lady Eagles (11-5, 4-0) scored their fifth consecutive 3-0 shut-out as they routed San Antonio - Stacey (25-5, 25-9, 25-5). With one game remaining in the first round of District 29-2A competition JC was at the top of the standings heading into Tuesday’s matchup agains ...

In arguably their toughest test this season the Johnson City Eagles came up short early and often as their cross-county rival Blanco Panthers rolled to a 63-7 victory at Eagle Field Friday night. The Panthers - winners of sixteen of the last seventeen matchups between the two teams - seemed determined from kick-off to avenge last year’s loss in Johnson City Head Coach David T Sine’s first year at the helm.

Lydia and Claire White left the field behind on Saturday with their nearest competitor a half-minute off their pace in the Varsity Girls’ 2-Mike at the McNeil Invitational at Round Rock - Old Settler’s Park. The University Interscholastic League Cross Country Championships will be held on the course on November 23rd and 24th.

At Community Church of the Hills Sunday morning, the Elders commissioned Kasey Smith as the new Pastor of Women. “We are very proud to have Kasey on staff since she has a real heart for prayer, discipleship and the Kingdom of God,” said a statement from the Church of the Hills.

By Jodi Topper First Christian Church of Johnson City has not been closed during the pandemic, but it has certainly been different. The congregation has enjoyed the 9:30 a.m. starting time for worship services and will continue with that starting time this week as Sunday school and in-person services resume on Sunday, October 4.

I made a quick trip to north Texas this weekend to participate in an Eagle Scout court of honor for my grandson, Dallin Jolley. I was asked to speak about “The Family’s Legacy of Scouting” that now covers five generations—almost to the very beginning of the movement. I related the following personal experience: It was time to pack it up or throw it away.

At Community Church of the Hills Sunday morning, the Elders commissioned Kasey Smith as the new Pastor of Women. “We are very proud to have Kasey on staff since she has a real heart for prayer, discipleship and the Kingdom of God,” said a statement from the Church of the Hills.

I didn’t know willkommen from auf wiedersehen the first time I wandered into the Domino Parlor in Fredericksburg. It was the summer of 1981. I was the new guy in town, looking for a fast game of Moon or 42, but there wasn’t a domino in sight. The Domino Parlor that many of us remember is the impressive rectangular building with the cut limestone walls, multiple front doors and distinctive bay window.

A few months ago I wrote about all of the inner working of leaves, the most obvious part of plants that we are most familiar with. Today I want to discuss roots, the least familiar part of plants for most of us. In general, roots have three functions: holding the plant firmly in the ground, absorbing water and minerals for the whole plant, and producing hormones.