December 24, 2008

A Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) and Texas Rangers cooperative investigation into the shooting of Jordan McBee of San Saba has resulted in the arrest of 18-year-old Alexandra Rhodes of Pontotoc for eight counts of Furnishing Alcoholic Beverages to a Minor, and one count of Aggravated Assault and Deadly Conduct. TABC Agent Michael Deans and Texas Ranger Dewayne Goll investigated a November 14, 2008, shooting at 8307 Hickory Grove Road in Mason County, at a ranch approximately 20 mil ...

Blackie Sherrod, the legendary sports columnist of the Dallas Morning News and other papers, would often write “scattershooting” lines, that is to say, “Scattershooting—while wondering whatever happened to Don Meredith.” That similiarity is about as close as this columm will come to reminding anyone of Blackie’s superb writing. Did you see “The Greatest Game ...” on ESPN, on Saturday, December 13?

With a routine, 360-mile round trip behind them, the Llano Lady basketball Jackets can now enjoy the holidays and look ahead to district play. It begins December 30 against Fredericksburg. It will be the Billies’ first visit this season to the Llano gymnasium—and the Jackets’ second. “We were a bit rusty at the start,” head coach Jessica Quintanilla said in reference to the 37-28 win at Abilene Cooper, December 19.

When stadiums were rising in the 1960s and ‘70s, some of us thought they would be shrines forever. My, how forever arrives earlier and earlier. Busch Stadium in St. Louis is no more; it was such a palace replacing Sportsman’s Park, the home to the old Browns and Cardinals. Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia is gone; Three Rivers and Riverfront in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati have been replaced.

Here are your 2008 Llano Yellow Jacket Academic All-District winners: Estevan Aviles, Jase Ball, Trey Brooks, Ty Compton, Logan Davis, Greg Dukes, Charlie Durham, Patrick Fonbuena, Reagan Friedrich, Josh Gammill, Royce Haines, Forrest Hoerster, Travis Lawrence, Clayton Maples, Tate McWhorter, Andrew Ratliff, Jonathan Rice, Todd Tribble, Clayton Tumlinson, Walker Woolman Congratulations to all of them on a job well done and for a great season!

The boys’ basketball Jackets simply got battered and Badgered in Lampasas, December 19. They were on the wrong end of a near-unbelievable score for a high school game: 104-44. Heath Hopson, a six-foot, four-inch senior, scored 41 points for Lampasas, which tallied 30 in the first quarter, and led 55-15 at the half.

Llano Main Street hosted the Llano elementary and kindergarten classes and teachers, Friday, December 19 at the LanTex.Theater. Five Hundred exuberant children enjoyed The Santa Clause 2 on the last day before Christmas vacation. Our compliments to their manners and it was a pleasure to have them. I am always indebted to our Main Street volunteers who were on hand at 7:30 a.m.

Jesse Thomas Blackwell “J.T.” 92 years of age died on December 18 at Northwood Healthcare Center in Marble Falls, Texas following a lenghty illness. J.T. was born February 5, 1916 to Joseph Vernon and Mary Katherine Tate Blackwell in Lockhart. He was married to Joy B. Brown and they had just recently celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary.

John Robert Grace, 88, of Buchanan Dam passed away Dec 17, 2008 at the VA Hospital in Kerrville. John is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Marjorie L. Grace. He is also survived by his two daughters, Carol Moore and husband Ennis (aka Dub) of Kingsland, and Barbara Thomas and her husband Jerry of Garden Grove, Calif..

Mary Marguarite Hollinger, 102 Years old, died at her residence at Sunrise Beach following a lenghty illness on December 12, 2008. Mary was born September 26, 1906 to Joseph and Franacisca Gaido Prino in Galveston. Mary resided many years of her life in the Houston area and lastly in Sunrise Beach.

George Edward Prime passed away on December 18, 2008 in Llano after a valiant battle with cancer. Born in Fairfax, Mo. on September 12, 1928 to Earnest Edward (Guy) Prime and Hallie Mae Rhodes Prime, George built a long career in service to his country. He left high school at 17 to join the United States Navy, then returned to complete high school and on to Tarkio College, where he graduated with his Bachelor of Sciences in Biology. He later went on to complete his Master of Sciences in San ...

Lakeside residents who want to dredge, clean up debris or repair a retaining wall on Lake Marble Falls will be able to do so during the lake's nine-foot drawdown starting Jan. 5. Residents are reminded, however, that they will need to register to do work covered by a free, lakewide permit before proceeding with repairs. LCRA plans to draw down Lake Marble Falls for six weeks starting Jan.

First State Bank Central Texas, Temple, Texas has earned its 4-Star Recommended rating for financial strength and stability. The 4-Star Recommended rating is based on the overall financial picture of the bank and indicates that First State Bank Central Texas Is one of the strongest banks in the nation. In fact, this represents the 16th consecutive quarter that First State Bank Central Texas has earned this recommended status. “It gives me great pleasure to announce that there are still b ...

EDITOR’S NOTE: Last week, The Llano News ran a front page story on the local economy, quoting some local business leaders on their perspectives about it. This article continues that discussion. As holiday shoppers are making their final purchases today, City Manager Finley deGraffenried agrees with local business leaders that it’s important to support the local store owners during the holiday season.

It's Christmas time in the City of Llano.

Time’s at a premium! Today is THE LAST DAY to buy Christmas presents! So, if you haven’t – and you’re still searching – here are some ideas for you from Llano merchants. Charlie’s Store – well known for its furniture, kitchen gadgets and gift items – also has something special for youngsters.

Kay Herring, a long-time communicator who has recently been writing for The Llano News, has been named winner of the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award for public relations professionals in the Seattle / Puget Sound area, her former residence. The lifetime achievement award is given by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Puget Sound Chapter, one of the top 10 PRSA chapters in the 22,000-member national association.

Texas Lutheran University this fall honored Llano resident Dr. Elizabeth Pfennig Knebel during its annual TLU Salutes dinner at the university’s campus in Seguin. Knebel received the TLU Distinguished Alumni Award, which is given by the Board of Regents to alumni who have, in the Board’s judgment, established an outstanding record of professional achievement.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced today that it will conduct a Request for Referendum Dec. 8, 2008, through Jan. 2, 2009, among eligible producers and importers of hogs, pigs, pork, and pork products. This process will determine if producers want a referendum on the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order, commonly known as the Pork Checkoff Program.