January 19, 2022 Issue

Medical providers in Mason County, including at the Frontera Clinic, are seeing a large increase in active COVID-19 cases, while the rate of vaccinations in the county lags behind statewide numbers. “We’ve been seeing lots of cases at our clinic, more than at any other time since the pandemic started,” said Mason County Health Authority Dr.

Mason County Commissioners celebrated a milestone in the journey to rebuild the Mason County Courthouse by accepting a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) agreement with Stoddard General Contractors at a special meeting January 13. Judge Jerry Bearden signed the agreement with a pen carved from the wood of one of the pecan trees lost in the courthouse fire.

Mayor Whitney Leifeste set the upcoming municipal election for May 7, 2022, with approval from the City Commissioners, at Monday night’s commissioners meeting. Mason voters will choose a Mayor at Large and commissioners for Districts One and Three. The filing period for candidates begins Jan. 19 and ends Feb. 28. Early voting in this election will take place at City Hall.

Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden has issued an Executive Order for a 7 day burn ban. The Order is in effect from 8:00 a.m. January 17th to 8:00 p.m. January 23rd. The use of combustible materials in an outdoor environment by any person is prohibited. Combustible materials include, but are not limited to the use of all outdoor burning, all aerial fireworks (those with fins, parachutes, etc.), and other activities that could result in a fire. In accordance with the local government code, a ...

Three Mason High School students - juniors Taylor Hardin, Sydney Hardin, and Abbey Wallace - competed at the UIL State Congressional Debate Meet on January 11-12 in Austin. And, indeed, they did more than compete: Taylor brought home Mason’s first State Championship in the event, while Sydney placed second to earn the silver medal. UIL Congress is an event comprised of two days of debate, with students proposing their own legislation and following parliamentary procedure to debate on the ...

Operation Orphans, Inc. held its fourth hunt of the 2021 hunting season, Saturday, January 8th. Eighteen boys from three child facilities and a foster home participated. To participate in the Operation Orphans, Inc. program a child must be a ward of the State. The children came to Camp Gene Ashby, located in Mason county, on Friday evening.

On January 6, 2012, twenty-two volunteers gathered at the Mason school kitchen to launch a new hunger-relief organization. Mason Community Kitchen was formed to provide frozen, ready-to-eat meals for families in need. That day, the first volunteers produced 139 containers of Santa Fe soup, a favorite from the Riata Service Organization’s local cookbook.

Three Mason High School students - juniors Taylor Hardin, Sydney Hardin, and Abbey Wallace - competed at the UIL State Congressional Debate Meet on January 11-12 in Austin. And, indeed, they did more than compete: Taylor brought home Mason’s first State Championship in the event, while Sydney placed second to earn the silver medal. UIL Congress is an event comprised of two days of debate, with students proposing their own legislation and following parliamentary procedure to debate on the ...

The Mason High School boys varsity basketball team was in action this past week on the road at Harper High School and at home hosting San Saba High School. MASON PUNCHERS 49, HARPER LONGHORNS 38 The Punchers got off to an incredible start in the first quarter with a superb display of offense and defense, jumping out to an eye-opening 25-5 lead over the host Longhorns.

The Mason High School girls varsity basketball team played two very good teams this past week as the Cowgirls traveled to Harper High School and then hosted rival San Saba High School. MASON COWGIRLS 41, HARPER LADY LONGHORNS 50 This was certainly a loss that stung for the Cowgirls on Tuesday, January 11, as Mason let one slip away in the second half when the host Harper Lady Longhorns rallied for a 50-41 victory. Despite a great defensive first half and a 25-16 lead for the Cowgirls at ...

Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden has issued an Executive Order for a 7 day burn ban. The Order is in effect from 8:00 a.m. January 17th to 8:00 p.m. January 23rd. The use of combustible materials in an outdoor environment by any person is prohibited. Combustible materials include, but are not limited to the use of all outdoor burning, all aerial fireworks (those with fins, parachutes, etc.), and other activities that could result in a fire. In accordance with the local government code, a ...

On Thursday, January 27th, 6:00 p.m. at the Eckert Center, the Mason County Republican Women will host a candidate forum for the Mason County elected offices that will be on the March Primary ballot. These offices include County Clerk, County Treasurer, County Judge, Justice of the Peace, and County Commissioners for Precincts 2 and 4.

High school and college graduations may be months away, but now is the time to start thinking about applying for scholarships, according to Will Frey, Mason County Farm Bureau president. Mason County students are encouraged to apply for more than $200,000 in Farm Bureau college scholarships offered on the local, district and state levels. “Scholarships and awards are an excellent opportunity for Farm Bureau families to earn money to pursue their education,” Frey said.

Operation Orphans, Inc. held its fourth hunt of the 2021 hunting season, Saturday, January 8th. Eighteen boys from three child facilities and a foster home participated. To participate in the Operation Orphans, Inc. program a child must be a ward of the State. The children came to Camp Gene Ashby, located in Mason county, on Friday evening.

Joe Toan Morquecho of Fredericksburg passed away on Monday, January 10th, in the Fredericksburg Nursing and Rehab Center at the age of 88 years. Joe was born October 11, 1933, in Mountain Home, Texas, to Esteban and Romona Toan Morquecho. Joe married Manuela Valdez on September 7, 1955, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Joe is survived by five children and their spouses: Lucy and John De La Cerda of San Angelo, Joe Morquecho of San Antonio, David Morquecho of Fredericksburg, James Morquech ...

I doubt that there are many Hill Country residents that are not aware that the future of our water supply is uncertain at best. It is not at all clear that governments and water-supply companies will be able in the future to find enough water for even the current population, let alone the projected increase in the population.

We have extended our open hours to 9:30-5:30, Monday through Friday. Join us on January 26 at 6:00 for a writer’s workshop with author Gail Kittleson. Happy Reading! New to the Library: DVDS Antlers Cobra Kai Season 3 Dangerous Dune Heart of Champions Prodigal Son Season 1 Hallmark: Two for the Win/ A Winter Getaway NonFiction: (all quotes from publishers’ summaries) Fuzz by Mary Roach “What’s to be done about a jaywalking moose?

Today, with sunny, warm skies and a looming, heavy wind and cold front coming in to side swipe us, I had to turn on my water taps and attempt to hydrate the dust. Mainly the trees with leaves. I went to the Texas A&M website to have a look at what may be coming our way for spring.

Crackling or fried pork skins are used in many different fashions in South Louisiana/Creole food. Most of the time they're eaten as snacks. However, I've also seen them used as a flavoring for grits and/or corn bread. I've used both pork skins and dried onions for this recipe; either one will work well. Ingredients: ½ cup hog cracklings or pork skins, crushed 2 tablespoons melted butter ½ cup minced green onions 1 ½ cups corn meal ½ cup flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 ta ...

I have a confession to make. Even though I am a fifth generation Texan, whenever I am asked my place of birth, I must answer– Glendale, CALIFORNIA! My parents, both native Texans, went to California in the late '20s to make their million. Instead they got the Depression and me! They eventually came to their senses and moved back to Texas when I was five years old.

Sometimes prayers are answered in a way we never dreamed could happen. John went for a checkup on Tuesday and was put in hospital and had knee surgery on Thursday. It has been a bit of struggle for a month since he was released from the Rehabilitation Hospital and could not put any weight on his right leg.

Two years in, and I finally manage to get the Covid. Not really a surprise, since I guess everyone who doesn’t have natural immunity will end up with it, sooner or later. The good news is that the new Omicron version of Covid is kind of like the new version of Kanye West.