August 3, 2016 Issue

The 16th Annual Extension Banquet, sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Llano County and the Llano County Leadership Advisory Board will be held Tuesday, Aug. 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the St. James Lutheran Church Activity Center (Schorlemmer Hall) in Llano. Dr. Douglas Steele, director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, will be the guest speaker.

The Antique Pickers Back Roads Tour will be conducting a special event Saturday, Aug. 6, in Llano. The event will be held at the Days Inn Hotel, located at 609 Bessemer Ave. in Llano, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and no appointment is needed. The pickers will be set up in the breakfast area. During this event local area residents are invited to bring in their antiques, collectibles, old coins, gold jewelry, broken jewelry, sterling silver and more.

Llano, Texas! There are many reasons to love this beautiful Texas town. This rural, small agricultural community has been built on hard work, dedication, and a commitment to doing things the right way. Whether it’s heading to the river, to the rodeo or to watch the Llano Yellow Jackets battle their way to another victory, there’s always something to do in Llano.

It started in 1974 just 20 miles west of Llano on RR 152 - the Castell Volunteer Fire Department Barbecue fundraiser. For the first time it was not held at the Castell School, but in the “new” fire hall just a few minutes before getting into Castell. With tables set inside the fire hall and outside, there was plenty of room for the many supporters that came out for the annual event. Entertaining for the night was provided by Les Hartman, Castell VFD President Bill Tuckness, and from Pontoto ...

The Llano City Council set its proposed property tax rate and hearings for the coming fiscal year at Monday’s regularly scheduled meeting. The council set a proposed tax rate of $0.43 per $100 in valuation. The rate set Monday is the starting point of the discussion and is not final. The proposed rate means the council can set a lower final tax rate, but it cannot be set above the $0.43 proposed rate approved Monday. The current tax rate is $0.39633.

Amid cheers, waving American flags, signs of support and a standing ovation, members of “Llano’s finest” were honored Monday night. Local residents packed the city council chambers to “back the blue” during a special presentation to honor members of the Llano Police Department at the start of Monday’s city council meeting. The police officers and staff were also given a special “goodie bag” of candy by the city, which included a special message.

DALLAS — Will Kliff Kingsbury get a ring if Oklahoma, California, or, oh, by the way, Texas Tech, wins a conference title, national championship, or bowl game? Well, why not? He was the head coach of Baker Mayfield (now at OU), Davis Webb (now at Cal) and currently, Patrick Mahomes, who’s nearby — in a Lubbock dorm room. Mayfield and Webb — former Red Raiders — are good, all right, but you got the feeling at Big 12 Football Media Days, July 18, head coach ...

Llano volleyball girls practically filled the auxiliary gymnasium on the opening day of August, as two-a-days bid an unofficial farewell to summer. The assembly included all high school classes. The varsity is loaded with familiar names, which translates to a much more inspiring word in athletics: experience. “{It’s a} good core,” head coach John Black said, as he surveyed the Lady Jackets prior to Act II of the two-session workout.

One quarterback threw the ball, while another watched and offered enthusiastic suggestions. Student and teacher. One lefty, one righty. One — Ben Walling — is heading into his first full year as Llano High’s starting QB. The other — Sean Salisbury — played for Southern California in the 1980s and for Indianapolis, Minnesota, and San Diego in the NFL and Winnipeg for two years in Canada. “This is my passion.

Llano High School students practice Monday morning at the first day of summer band practice as they prepare for the 2016-17 school year.

Llano High School football players go through drills on Monday morning, the first day of football practice. The Jackets are gearing up for their Aug. 26 opener at Smithville.

I have always enjoyed a good quote - or at least those that I think are good. There may be a huge difference in the two at times, but I may or may not be willing to admit that. Even when I was a kid, I had a thing for quotes.

Dear Editor, This is in response to County Judge Mary Cunningham’s call for community input while the county budget is considered. First, some data: Population of Horseshoe Bay: 5,900 Population of Llano: 3,232 Population of Kingsland: 5,600 Population of Sunrise Beach: 800 Police budget of Horseshoe Bay: $1,787,500 Police budget of Llano: $811,818 Police budget of Kingsland: $0 Police budget of Sunrise Beach: $323,468 Per capita cost in Horseshoe Bay: $302.97 Per capita cost in Llano: $251.1 ...

Dear Editor, It would have been a good idea for the City of Llano to require the sand contractor to report to the city how many loads of sand is taken out of the river each week and then the total up to that date. I seem to remember the city was to be paid $0.12 a ton.