February 10, 2010

With the base of a water tower outlined against the Texas sky and crews laying utility lines towards the proposed site for the new Lake of the Hills Regional Medical Center on Hwy 71 west of Hwy 281, a slight detour in plans was announced Monday by Scott & White officials. “We are moving forward with the plan and commitment to build a regional medical campus with a hospital and physician building,” said Peter Brumleve, Scott & White Chief Strategy Officer.

Three local law enforcement departments teamed up to arrest 40 year old Charles Darrell King on a five count federal indictment last week. Sgt. Brad Evans, Investigator Mark Burke, and Deputy Kermit Robinson of the Llano County Sheriff’s Office, LCRA Ranger Lance Bilski, and Llano Police Department Officer Allyn Rub arrested King in the 200 block of East Leon St., in Llano on Feb.

The Llano Economic Development Corporation has received a list of federal and private foundation grants from Ketchum and Co., the capital campaign consultants who are helping the EDC plan a fund-raising campaign to fund the construction of a multi-purpose event center on Highway 71. The EDC also received a timeline and a priority list for applying for the grants. Reaction from LEDC members at last Wednesday’s meeting was mixed.

After some unexpected audience participation in the two previous meetings of the Llano County Commissioners Court, Judge Wayne Brascom opened Monday morning’s meeting with a brief review of the court’s rules. Pointing out that the public is invited as spectators, and must have permission to participate, he said the court “is not a forum for accusations or insults,” and that the court has authority to remove a disruptive audience member or even to issue a contempt cita ...

Candy Kokernot, Llano County Elections Administrator, reminds voters that early voting for the March 2 primary elections begins on Tuesday, February 16 at three locations in Llano County. None of the local races in the Democratic primary are contested. Don Stiles and Roy Inks are vying for the Republican nomination for Pct.

Homeowners can reduce their property tax bills in 2010 by taking advantage of homestead exemptions. Application forms are available at the Llano Central Appraisal District or www.llanocad.com. Chief Appraisers Clarence McDaniel and Cindy Cowan inform homeowners that Texas law allows them to file a one-time application for homestead exemptions. These exemptions reduce the appraised value of the home.

A total of 46 foreclosure notices were filed in Llano County during January. But the majority of the notices were repeat filings involving the same lenders, borrowers and properties covered in prior foreclosure counts. One investor in Horseshoe Bay waterfront properties accounted for 23 of the 24 repeat filings. Thirty-three of January’s 46 foreclosure notices pertained to property in Horseshoe Bay. Forty-one foreclosure notices were filed in Burnet County for the Feb.

Over 90 percent of Llano County property owners paid their 2009 property taxes before the deadline of February 1, 2010, according to Llano County Tax Assessor-Collector Dexter Sagebiel. The collection rate of 90.027% was similar to last year’s collection rate, but represents a higher dollar amount as the county’s total tax levy grew to $51,302,046 for 2009, up from $47,082,274 for 2008. The high payment rate “is an indicator of the quality of our taxpayers,&rd ...

These are good times—again—for the Faith Academy Lady basketball Flames and their coach. Jerry English owns 997 wins in a Hall of Fame career, and his team appears headed for a fourth consecutive annual membership in the exclusive Final Four club. The Flames of Marble Falls have been big-time successful in English’s five years at the helm, but they are a “can-they-win-the-big-one” 0-3 in the previous state semifinals. On February 5, Faith wrapped up its f ...

For the past two Saturdays, Llano High School’s Kaitlin Hairston placed first in Ready Writing at two UIL Invitational Meets. On January 31 at Round Rock High School and on February 6 at Wimberley High School, the sophomore captured a gold medal in this two hour expository essay contest. She also placed fifth in editorial writing. Llano’s Accounting Team of Cara Mack, Jacob Thomsen and Tyler Bennett got their numbers correct, placing second with senior Cara Mack leading th ...

Seniors and parents were honored before the home finale, but the victory, which would have made the night a big success, did not happen. A strong consolation prize emerged, though, February 2, as Vandegrift defeated Rouse, and the Llano Ladies clinched a playoff berth for the 11th consecutive year. They will meet either China Spring or Gatesville, in bidistrict, probably February 15 or 16. The Jackets very much wanted a win over a talented Liberty Hill five (or should that be ten?), b ...

It was close for a brief time, but after that it was Liberty Hill’s time to reign as expected. The sixth-ranked team in Class 3A in the state bolted from a close encounter on Groundhog Day and whipped Llano 74-27. I don’t know if we face six more weeks of winter, but fortunately we don’t face six more weeks of the Panthers. “We had trouble breaking the press,” Jackets’ head coach Shannon Taylor said.

Once again, it’s been an amazing week. Perhaps the first thing I should mention is the progress (or lack thereof) on the new Marble Falls hospital. I talked to Mike Jenkins, president of the Llano County Hospital Authority Board, and he assures me that the unsuccessful land deal in Marble Falls “does not affect Llano.” He is confident that Scott & White will find another property and get the new hospital built; in the meantime, the merger with the Llano hospital will co ...

On the 26th day of January, 2010, I impounded the following estray: Kind of Animal: Cow Sex: Female Breed: Brangus or Angus Color: Black Age: 2-5 years Size: 1200 lbs. Brands, Marks, Identifying Characteristics: No brands or marks, stubby horns, #13 reddish ear tag left ear I filed a Notice of Estray in the Estray Book of Llano County, Texas. I have made a diligent search of the register of recorded brands in Llano County, Texas, ...

LLANO CITY COUNCIL Notice is hereby given that the City of Llano City Council will conduct a public hearing on March 1, 2010, commencing at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 301 W. Main Street, Llano, Texas. TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: A request has been received to consider a request to purchase 10.5 feet of the North side of the 500 Block of E.

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Billy Ralph Featherston, Deceased, were issued on February 4, 2010, Causee No. 06492, pending in the County Court of Llano County, Texas to: Billy Ralph Featherston, Jr. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o Robert H.

Notice is hereby given that Letters Testamentary for the Estate of RUBY LEWELLEN, Deceased, were issued on January 14, 2010, in Cause No. 06453, pending in the County Court of Llano County, Texas to: CARLETTE FLOOK. All persons having claims against this Estate which is curently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o CARLETTE FLOOK 9835 RR 1431 West Buchanan Dam, Texas 78609 < ...

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of William Oestrick were issued on Feb. 4, 2010 in Docket No. 6494, pending in the County Court of Llano County, Texas to Alice Katherine Oestrick. The residence of the Independent Executor is in Llano County, Texas, and the address is: Alice Katherine Oestrick, 200 Willow Street, Buchanan Dam, Tx 78609.

Notice is hereby given that original Letters of Testamentary for the Estate of Don. C. Evers, Deceased, were issued on February 4, 2010, under Docket No. 06489, pending in the County Court of Llano County, Texas, to: SHIRLEYAN EVERS. Claims may be presented in care of the attorney for the Estate addressed as follows: Wade Hutto Hutto, Lucksinger & Garrett, L.L.P. Attorneys at Law P.O.

CITY OF HORSESHOE BAY, TEXAS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING AN ordinance amending the zoning regulations, codified as chapter 14 TO Add A NEW SECTION 14.02.406 (i) (10) Minimum Lot Development Standards for Manufactured Homes TO BE PLACed ON LOTS CLASSIFIED m-1 MOBILE HOME in Zone 4B Horseshoe Bay South The Horseshoe Bay Planning & Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on March 2, 2010 as part of its regular Public Meeting that ...

CITY OF HORSESHOE BAY, TEXAS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING ZONING RECOMMENDATION FOR THE NEWLY ANNEXED LAKE AREAS, ALL IN LLANO COUNTY, TEXAS The City of Horseshoe Bay Planning & Zoning Commission will conduct public hearings at a Special Meeting on recommendations to City Council for establishing Zoning Classifications for each of the following newly annexed areas, as required by Section 14.02.156 of the City Zoning Code.

There will be a hearing concerning the Replat of Tracts G & F, Vista Encantada, according to the plat recorded in Volume 16, Page 61, Llano County Plat Records, at the regularly scheduled Commissioners Court meeting on March 8, 2010.

Properties acquired by Llano County, as trustee for itself and other taxing entities in Llano County, through tax foreclosure sales are being offered for resale to the public through a sealed bid auction. A summary list of the properties being auctioned follows. These properties are being offered for sale as is, without warranty of title of any type.

Abigail T. Najar, age 94 and lifetime resident of Llano passed away on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. She was born on March 31, 1915 in Michoacan, Mexico, to Otilia and Jose Talancon. She married Catarino G. Najar, October 5, 1936 in Llano. She was the oldest member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church and former member of the Llano Chamber of Commerce.

Bill N. Connally, age 71 of Llano, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 in Llano. He was born on Jan. 6, 1939 in Electra to Leo Price Connally and Billie Louise (Elliott) Connally. He married Robbie A. Johnson on July 25, 1980 in Midland. Bill had been a resident of Kingsland and Llano since 1987, having moved here from Odessa. He worked in sales in the oil field in West Texas for many years.

Casey Steven Lord, 41, passed from this life Monday, Jan. 1, 2010, joining his beloved sons, Dylan and Brendon. Casey was born July 9, 1968, in New Iberia, La., and grew up in Kerrville. He was a graduate of Lutheran High South in Houston. At age 19, Casey enlisted in the U.S.

Donald Joseph Rozycki, 86 years of age died on Feb. 1, 2010 at his residence in Kingsland. A native of Minneapolis, Minn., he was born to Vincent and Stella Hebzynski Rozycki on Sept. 28, 1923. After his schooling, Donald served in the U.S. Armed Forces. After his discharge, he was employed as a production foreman.

Geneva Nora Taylor Landers of Kingsland passed away Feb. 7, 2010 at her residence. She was born July 7, 1959 in Bakersfield, Calif. to Lawrence Taylor and Janie Lynn Carroll. She is survived by her husband Rodger Landers, a son, two daughters, grandchildren and several brothers and sisters. She was a homemaker for the last seven years and a professional care giver for the elderly and the mentally handicapped.

Sally Victoria (Owens) Smith, 88, of Austin passed away Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. Sally was born Jan. 25, 1922, to Sam Elias and Maude Ethel (Waggoner) Owens in Godley. It was a busy household with four brothers and four sisters. Chores were shared by everyone old enough to work, then tragedy struck; the mother died when Sally was seven years old.

Advance reservations were not required and guests may have been less than eager, but the historic Red Top Jail in Llano, TX is probably the town’s oldest bed-and-breakfast accommodation. Mayor Mike Reagor often begins his guided tours of the jail with the B&B analogy. He is one of several local volunteers who have studied the history of the jail, help with on-going restoration efforts, and provide guided tours. The exterior of the building is Llano-quarried granite, with int ...

Nine years ago, Lonnie and Kim Harmon thought they were finished raising children. Their daughter and son (Natalie and Nathan) were grown, and they themselves were making plans to move. On the fateful day when the airliners hit the World Trade Center, they were on their way from Illinois to Texas; this year, their lives were rocked by an even greater tragedy, as a devastating earthquake that killed many thousands of Haitians rocked the orphanage where their sixth adopted child was waiting to ...

A sign placed in the window at 818 Ford Street (on the east side of the Llano square) last Saturday announces the impending arrival of a small funeral home. No firm date has yet been announced, but Chris Putnam, of Putnam Funeral Home in Kingsland, says that the company has “been wanting a presence in Llano for years,” and that the chapel should be open in the not-too-distant future. There is not much space available for parking at the site, but Putnam does not believe tha ...

Roddy Maddox’s family surprised him with a Birthday Party and Steak Supper Saturday night at his house. Those helping him celebrate were Sally Hardin, Ricky & Chris Maddox, Roman and Angela Maddox, Robert and Barbara Grimes, Reagan and Kayshia Grimes, Mickey and Coney Hanley, and Jason and Crystal Mendl. The kids there were David Maddox, Ross Maddox, Dean Maddox, Reese Grimes, and Payton and Preston Hanley. The Baptist Church will have a revival starting on Sunday, February ...

The Highland Arts Gallery is proud to announce the upcoming demonstration by nationally known watercolorist, Ric Dentinger. Ric has been painting and illustrating professionally for over twenty-five years and will be demonstrating his unique techniques for beautiful watercolors at the Highland Arts Gallery on Thursday, February 18, 2010, 9:30 AM -12:00.

On Friday, January 29, Llano Elementary School recognized students for exhibiting loyalty. Clayton Maples, a Llano High School Senior spoke to the students about the importance of loyalty towards family, friends, teammates, and our country. Clayton is the son of first grade teacher, Nancy Maples. Cookies and juice were provided by the cafeteria staff.

Get ready for the biggest event since Super Bowl 44 – the “Souper Smack Down” at the Llano Library on Thursday, February 11. This year’s Souper Supper has turned into a friendly competition for a few and an all out smack down between a couple of Friends members to see whose soup is the best. All of the Friends members and library staff will be cooking up a large assortment of soups – from Ned Woodal’s gumbo to Paul Paxton’s Mushroom Soup (hint ...

A Llano Uplift Archeological Society (LUAS) meeting will be held Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010 at the LCRA Nightengale Archaeological Center (NAC) in Kingsland. The speaker for this month will be Tiffany Osburn who is the Regional Archeologist for the Mountain/Pecos and Plains regions of the state for the Texas Historical Commission.

President Sheri Zoch, of the Friends of the Red Top Jail, was recognized in a ceremony at the state capitol last Thursday, where Llano’s historic county jail was officially designated as one of the state’s “Texas’ Most Endangered Historic Places.” A delegation from Llano was on hand for the presentation, which occurred as part of the annual meeting of Preservation Texas. Founded in 1985, and named a statewide partner of the National Trust for Historic pre ...

Celebrate Mardi Gras in Llano at the 5th Annual LMHS Mardi Gras Ball. Sponsored by the Llano Memorial Healthcare System Foundation, the gala event scheduled for this Saturday, February 13th at the Oestreich Rose in Llano is sure to be the party of the year with all of the fanfare that one expects with Mardi Gras. Entertainment at the Ball will be provided by the “sax man” Elliott Fikes and Soul Serenade, a dynamic, hi-energy group.

Members of The Llano Woman’s Culture Club enjoyed the annual business luncheon at the Ben E. Keith building on February 8. A delicious lunch prepared by Kevin Bailey was served by the hostesses Gerry Martin, JoAnn Cannon, Mary Smith, and Judy Raesener. Tables were beautifully decorated in Valentine colors and red carnations adorned each table. Following lunch, President Julia Hilbun presided over the business meeting, at which new officers were elected for the 2010-2011 club yea ...