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The Llano News

The Llano News

August 9, 2017 Issue

Large crowd shows displeasure at budget hearing
A proposed “depopulating” of the Llano County Jail looks to be thwarted for this budget cycle. About 60 people attended a budget hearing held Monday by the Llano County Commissioners Court in which the issue was discussed for approximately two hours. The overwhelming sentiment among those present was to abandon the proposal and keep the jail open.
Leon Rausch (center) performs at the Llano Country Opry on Saturday night. The event was billed as a celebration of Rausch’s birthday (he turns 90 this fall), and he received a proclamation in his honor by Mayor Gail Lang. Rausch is widely known as the “voice of the Bob Wills Band.
Heavy rains and excessive flooding caused at least 150,000 gallons of sewage to flow into the Llano River. Josh Becker, Llano city utility director, said they suspect wastewater started flowing into the river about 5 a.m. Monday after heavy rains and flash flooding caused a “wash out” of the line that crosses Oatman Creek.
A man died Monday after he was hit by a vehicle while attempting to cross Bessemer Avenue in Llano. According to a Llano Police Department press release issued on Facebook, Gary Mayes, 48, of Llano was attempting to cross the street in the 800 block of Bessemer Avenue when he was struck by a vehicle before 6:45 a.m.
Llano residents on the south side of town were unable to use water outside of emergency circumstances for much of Monday. After a lightning strike at the Landon Street water tower, the city asked residents south of the Llano River to use water only for “essential use.” The lightning strike temporarily disabled the water tower and limited water supply, according to the city’s Facebook page. In messages distributed via text, automated phone call, email and the city’s Facebook page, ...
The Llano City Council on Monday set a preliminary tax rate and approved the sale of bonds at a regularly scheduled council meeting. The council set a proposed tax rate of $0.71936 per $100 valuation at the meeting. The proposed rate is one that cannot be exceeded when it is finalized, but the rate may be lowered. The proposed rate is about 30 cents higher than last year’s tax rate, mainly due to the $5.285 million bonds approved by voters in May.
The Llano Visitors Center will celebrate its 10-year anniversary next week. The center, which officially opened Aug. 11, 2007 with about 150 people present, will celebrate 10 years in operation with a party from 5:30-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15. “I think it’s good for everybody to see what we’re doing here to promote Llano, and what we’re doing when our visitors come in,” said Briley Mitchell, executive director of the Llano Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. Berry Street ...
This year marks a milestone in history for Llano, and Texas, too. The Lantex Theater turns 90 years old. Built in 1927, this Main Street landmark on the square, has served as a social and cultural gathering place for Llanoans and the Hill Country, from the vaudeville and film reel era, into the 21st Century digital age. For many months, Llano Main Street members and volunteers have been considering plans to commemorate the theater’s nine decades of service to the community.
The Llano Tea Party held their monthly meeting Thursday night at the American Legion Hall located near Badu Park. After the meal and a few opening remarks, the program focused on three area young ladies that attended the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Program in Austin. The Llano Tea Party sponsored two students to go to the program that began in 1937. The criteria for the girls to be eligible was stringent.
It just doesn’t seem right—or natural—that one of the most exciting volleyball matches of the year would occur on Opening Night, nine days BEFORE school begins. But that was the case, August 7, when Gateway Prep came to Llano and captured the contest in five games. The result did tarnish the feeling somewhat that this was a super duel, but you should get to know these Lady Jackets—a total of two have varsity experience, but someone has forgotten to tell them that.
The head coach has gained a year of experience, as she moves past the pay window of rookie dues, and some of the runners are adding a season which extends hundreds of miles in workouts and meets. Cross Country 2017 is underway at Llano High. “I’ve been thinking about the season the entire summer,” even longer,” said Lauren Timms, the 2009 Jacket graduate.
Llano opened its football season Monday in preparation for the 2017 season. The Jackets open with a home game against Smithville on Sept. 1.
You don’t run into too many people who don’t like Matt Rhule, the new Baylor football head coach. Jim Grobe did a fine job in a “caretaker role,” in 2016, in which he knew, and wanted it to be, just for a year, but Rhule—hopefully for the Bears’ sake—will be in Waco for some time, because that will mean he’s successful. He comes to BU from Temple where he had back-toback 10-win seasons in 2015 and ’16. “We’re truly committed to getting the wrongs of the past correcte ...
Annette Helen Grote Altgelt passed from this Earth on July 25, 2017, gathered to loved ones who went before. Annette Helen was born on Nov. 6, 1933 in San Antonio, to Raymond Grote of Castell and Annette Duepree Grote of Crockett. Annette Helen graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio.
Mark Alynn Claunch, 45, of Kingsland, and formerly of Bula, passed away Friday, Aug. 4, 2017. He was born April 27, 1972 in Littlefield, to Rodney and Scarlett Claunch. Mark graduated from Whiteface High School with the class of 1990. He was currently working for Mills Home and Commercial Services in Kingsland, for his best friend, Brad Mills. Mark is survived by his parents, Rodney and Scarlett Claunch of Lubbock; two brothers, Jimmy Claunch of Roosevelt, and Shawn Claunch of Lubbock; ...
Robert A. Veach, age 86, passed away on August 3, 2017, in a local hospital. He was born on July 21, 1931 in Vienna, Ill., to parents Robert Byron Veach and Zella Marie Harris Veach. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State in 1954 with a degree in physical science. In 1952, he signed a baseball contract with the Pittsburg Pirates and accepted a position as a pitcher where he worked for four years. He was a great man and loving father.
You may have received emails recently regarding the Llano County Jail.  The events precipitating that email was a workshop wherein the commissioners were discussing various ways to reduce our current requested expenditures of over $15.5 million in line with our revenues of $14 million. Here, I want to update Llano County citizens on the status of those discussions and plans for the FY 2018 budget. Commissioner Peter Jones did excellent research regarding possible solutions to the extraord ...

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