March 3, 2010

After the polls closed at 7 p.m. last night, Llano County Elections Administration Candy Kokernot and her staff tabulated the vote totals. Candidates and friends gathered at Llano County Clerk Bette Sue Hoy’s office on the courthouse square to watch as the vote totals were posted. Many more Llano residents waited at nearby Stonewalls Restaurant for the final results, escaping from the cold night air. Four Llano County races were contested in the Republican Primary.

Unofficial returns Tuesday night show that Sheila Frazier will face Casie Wills on April 13 to determine who will become the Republican Party candidate for District Clerk in Burnet County. Frazier received 2,571 votes (45.71%), Wills received 2,071 votes (36.82%), and incumbent Dana DeBerry gathered 982 votes (17.46%). Since no candidate received 50% of the vote, the winner will be determined in the run-off election and will face Democratic candidate Cynthia Chisolm in the General Election o ...

Martin Tyson, Sr. of Horseshoe Bay, pleaded guilty to felony sale of unregistered securities on Feb. 23, 2010, and was ordered to pay $200,000 in restitution to 10 people who had invested in a purported Internet venture. Judge Israel Ramon of the 430th District Court in Hidalgo County also sentenced Tyson to 10 years of probation, 160 hours of community service, and ordered him to pay a fine of $7,500 as part of his Order of Deferred Adjudication & Community Supervision. Jo ...

The City of Llano hosted a town hall meeting last Thursday evening to give representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Flood Insurance Program chance to explain the new mapping project and its impact on property owners near the Llano River and its tributaries. After a short presentation, the presenters answered a few questions from the audience, which numbered more than 100 concerned citizens. After brief introductions, Vice-President Mike Moya, of Ha ...

Eight third-graders who attended Monday night’s city council meeting got a first-hand look at some of the uncomfortable decisions faced by local governments. When a local property owner requested a Specific Use Permit to place a new manufactured home on a lot zoned for single-family housing, several neighbors objected, arguing that the presence of a manufactured home would hurt property values in the neighborhood, where several existing homes have been recently renovated, and a couple ...

At the request of Llano County Judge Wayne Brascom, engineers contracted by FEMA issued a revised set of maps to be proposed for future floodplain determination in the western end of Llano County. The revised maps use the flood of 1935 as a basis for determining the floodplain. Llano County officials note there are some changes from the original set of maps introduced in 2009.

The Llano ISD Board of Trustees heard the results of last fall’s management review at its regular meeting Monday night, March 1. Becky Bunte, chief financial officer for the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO) praised many aspects of the district’s business operations, noting that many of her “commendations” were in areas that had been lacking in previous reviews. The meeting began with a presentation of a “Meritorious Service Award&rdq ...

With all departments showing profits compared to last year, the Llano Memorial Healthcare System is “well positioned” heading into March, a three pay period month, according to LMHS Director of Finance Charles Miffleton in his report to the LMHS Board of Directors at their regular monthly meeting on Thursday. Most months include two paydays since LMHS employees are paid every other Wednesday.

A pair of 14-run performances, 16 hits in four innings, a red-hot freshman and sophomore, a contest played in just-above freezing weather, six games on the road, and a bus ride before the dawn of the morning were all part of the Llano Lady Jackets’ 3-3 start in a nine-day span in February. Llano 14, Ingram 4 Katie Yeager, throwing the first of her final pitches in a Llano uniform, struck out five in six innings, February 19, and was supported by multi-hit games from every ...

This is the time of year when Major League pitchers begin the long season by preceding the rest of the lineup to spring training. Arizona, Florida, and California are comfortable venues, as the remainder of the country withstands another month of winter. The Llano baseball Jackets are part of that country, and they played five games in the final week of chilly-to-cold February and recorded three wins, a loss, and a tie.

The meet at Westwood High School in Austin on Saturday, February 27, 2010, gave the Llano High School students valuable practice for the District UIL Academic tournaments later this month With 45 schools in attendance, 50 to 100 students competed in every contest. Bringing back a ribbon for her sixth place finish in news writing was Senior Sarah Sisson.

Ty Tribble was picking up points like the Americans were picking up medals in Vancouver; Marcos Vallejo was following the Canadian lead and grabbing Gold, and Sterling Jameson found out there was no ball and no hands to worry about, and he did just fine, too, in the Blanco Panther Relays, February 25. Vallejo was in second or third place for much of the opening lap of the 3200-meter run, but it was one of the few times during the afternoon and evening programs he saw anything but dayl ...

The Llano girls, who did well in the run-jump-throw-and-giggle Relays in Marble Falls, February 20, had the last laughs five days later in the Blanco Relays. Champions! “It was a complete team effort,” Shaun Carter said, as he captured his first Gold in a head-coaching career—on the track—that is officially just one-meet old. The day couldn’t have begun any better as Cara Mack, one of the few seniors on the entire squad, looked like she was taking ...

Major League Baseball is about to resume, uh, start, and this is the time veteran scribes like myself are supposed to wax on in melodious tones about spring training, and the heavenly weather of Mesa, Arizona, and St. Lucie, Florida, and how some 20-year-old phenom will hit .526 in his first dozen spring games, and how the old pitcher will throw a fast ball five miles an hour faster than he did 10 years ago.

You might not be able to tell by reading the rest of this week’s paper, but I had a great week last week. The reason you might not notice is that I was feeling pretty mellow (exhausted, actually) after I finally got my Spring magazine done, and I did not really get much work done.

THE STATE OF TEXAS THE STATE OF TEXAS: To all unknown heirs of the Estate of JOHN S. ROGERS, Deceased, Cause # 06508. You and each of you are hereby cited, required and commanded to appear before the County Court of Llano County, Texas, to be held in the County Courtroom in the Courthouse of said County in the City of Llano in said County, such appearance to be at or before ten o’clock A.M.

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission by Lost Creek Vineyard, L.L.C. dba Lost Creek Vineyard for a mixed beverage restaurant permit with food & beverage certificate to be located at 1129 RR 2323, Llano, Llano County, Texas. The limited liability company has no manager, and its sole member is David Wayne Brinkman.

LLANO PLANNING/ZONING COMMISSION Notice is hereby given that the City of Llano Planning/Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on March 25, 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 Re-Zone from OM (Office Medical) to Residential Single Family – 2 (SF-2).

LLANO CITY COUNCIL Notice is hereby given that the City of Llano City Council will conduct a public hearing on March 25, 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 Re-Zone from OM (Office Medical) to Residential Single Family – 2 (SF-2).

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of BILLY GENE TALLEY, Deceased, were issued on February 25, 2010, under Docket No. 06507, pending in the County Court of Llano County, Texas to: KATHERINE JEAN TALLEY STEPHENSON and JUDITH JEAN TALLEY. Claims may be presented in care of the asttorney listed below: Cheryll Mabray Attorney at Law P.O.

There will be a public hearing concerning the plat to be known as Horseshoe Bay West, Plat No. W 2.9, a replat of lots W 2068 and W 2069, Horseshoe Bay West Plat No. W 2.2, at the regularly scheduled City of Horseshoe Bay City Council meeting on March 16, 2010 at 3:00 p.m., followed by discussion and action on the same.

Beverly Ann Lutz Tillery, 62 years of age died on Feb. 17, 2010 in Kingsland. A daughter of Walter Lee and Tommie Ruth Jones Lutz, she was born in Hershey, Pa. on July 10, 1947. Beverly had worked as a patient care taker for several years. She attended the Hoover Valley Baptist Church in Burnet. Beverly was preceded in death by her parents, daughter, Belynda Tillery, son, Michael Conalas, brothers, Larry and Alan Lutz and a granddaughter, Kelsey Tillery. Survivors include daugh ...

Billie Jean Barcus was born Sept. 2, 1927 in Wichita Falls to William Elroy and Eva Loy Barcus. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, sister: Harriet Alexander, and half-sister: Helen Moore. Surviving relatives are niece Loy Kephart of Granite Shoals and niece Jeani Alexander of Garland, grand niece Ann Richards of Largo, Fla., grand-nephews James Richards of Fort Worth and Chip Gentry of Jefferson City, Mo., great-grand nephew Alex Gentry and great-grand niece Grace Gentry of Je ...

Charles Edward Buchanan, age 48 of Buchanan Dam formerly of Jacksonville, Ill. passed away on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010. He was born on Nov. 25, 1961 in Jacksonville, Ill. to Josephine (Scupham) Buchanan and Leonard Buchanan. He was a member of the Lynnville Christian Church of Jacksonville, Ill. Survivors include his mother, Josephine Buchanan of Jacksonville, Ill., two sisters: Tammy Alexander and husband Rick of Jacksonville, Ill.

David Charles Luckenbach, of Sandy Harbor, passed away from cancer on Feb. 23, 2010 in Marble Falls at the age of 59. David was born on Dec. 17, 1950 in Falfurrias to Louis Luckenbach and Helen (Hanson) Luckenbach. David is survived by his wife Alison Pryce, daughter Sarah (Luckenbach) Hoffman, her husband Benny Hoffman and their children: Clare, Matthew, Ryan and David Hoffman, all of Llano.

Ella Claire was born in Llano on Oct. 7, 1917 to Luella (Ratliff) Ligon and Walter Hiram Ligon. She passed away Feb. 21, 2010 at the age of 92. She is survived by her two daughters; Barbara Bruhl Doyle and late husband Pat, of Llano and Kenda Bruhl Steubing and husband Garnet, of San Antonio, also six grandchildren: Ken Williamson of Llano, Kasi VanBevers and husband Don of Waxahachie, Kole Steubing and wife Amy of Frisco, Kelli Steen and husband Kevin of Boerne, P.

Gerard R. Staessens, Jr., age 77 of Alpine, formerly from Kingsland, passed away on Friday, Feb.26, 2010. He was born on July 31, 1932 in Evanston Ill., to Helene Verschwagen and Gerard R. Staessens, both born 1906 in Belgium. Gerard, Jr. married Sara D. Wooster, May 28, 1955 in Skokie, Ill.; Sara preceded him in death Feb.

Harold Earl Bernhard, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and uncle passed away on Feb. 23, 2010. He is survived by his wife of 23 years Linda Marie Bernhard , sons Carlton and wife Carol, Earl and wife Linda, and Carvel, and daughters Helene, Kelly, Christy and Mandy and husband Patrick, brothers Fred and wife Melody, and John Allen and wife Renae.

Keith Wade Burks, 47, of Kingsland, passed away Feb. 27, 2010. He was born to Lloyd Lee and Joanne (Whiteley) Burks on June 7, 1962 in Fort Worth. Mr. Burks spent his early years in Fort Worth and spent his senior year in Stephenville where he graduated from high school. He married Kathryn Hunter on June 1, 1985 at Carlton Baptist Church in Carlton, Texas.

Ken Wade, of Llano, formerly of Killeen, passed away on Jan. 23, 2010, after a lengthy illness. His service was held at Harper Talasek Funeral Home, Jan. 27, 2010, and burial followed at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. Ken was born May 24, 1931, to J. T. and Ernestine Davis Wade in Bell County.

Services for Louise Evans, 92 of Bluffton will be held on Saturday, March 06, 2010 at 2:00pm at Edgar Funeral Home with Whitney Pennock officiating. She was born on April 19, 1917 in Durbandt City, Texas (Granite Mine Community) to Julian and Pinkie Kuykendall Barnett and died on February 28, 2010 in Kingsland. She retired from the state as a teachers aide and was the last of thirteen Barnett children. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings and her husban ...

Nellie Yvonne McClintock Walls was born in Haskell County Aug. 29, 1933 to Earl and Lena McClintock. She went to be with the Lord and Savior Feb. 15, 2010 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She attended schools in Gomez, Brownfield and Santa Anna. Yvonne married the love of her life, Jesse Walls in l975.

Wilbur Lee Ragle, age 94 of Buchanan Dam formerly of Andrews passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010. He was born on February 7, 1916 in Refugio to Mary Alice (Hudson) Ragle and William Henry Ragle. He married Joye Bell (Flood) Ragle, March 1, 1966 in Andrews. Wilbur was a retired Plant Operator with Amoco Oil Co and was a WWII veteran serving in the U.S.

The headline on January 1, 1970, read “1969 sees good economic growth.” Other front-page stories told how Theo Crenwelge had been elected president of the Llano Chamber of Commerce for 1970, how People’s Savings and Loan had paid its first dividend after less than one year in business, and how there were 352 entries in the Llano County Junior Livestock Show that year. There were at least five grocery stores in Llano that year.

Funeral services for Red Bird Randolph were held in Belton on Monday. We extend our sympathy to the family. The Church of Christ had a blood drive last Tuesday. Congratulations to Jody and Katherine Simmons at the birth of their daughter, Anna Kate Simmons. Anna’s brothers are visiting grandparents in Corpus Christi. Maybelle Ray’s niece, Mildred Harkey Bearss from Austin, passed away Thursday morning.

Due to the limited release of Crazy Heart, Main Street is unable to show it at this time. However, we will present the heartwarming movie “ Dear John” this Friday night, March 5, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 6 at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. This is a romantic drama about a soldier who falls in love with a conservative idealistic college student.

Starting this Sunday, March 7, volunteers at the Fuel Coffee House will offer free hamburgers from 5 to 6 p.m. to anyone and everyone who stops by their East Main Street location. Rotating teams will do the cooking on the street in front of Fuel; fixings and beverages will be served inside.

Pull out your calendars, grab a pen, and get ready to mark down all of the fabulous programs scheduled at the libraries in March. Whatever your interests, chances are the library has had programs to suit you. But if not, remember we are always open to programming suggestions – especially if you personally have a program you would like to present. The Kingsland Library will have two programs this month that tie together with a gardening theme.

Yale University is one of the finest centers of learning in the world. Four of the last six American presidents have been Yale graduates. The 11,000 students currently enrolled at the New Haven (Connecticut) campus represent some of the brightest young minds from all fifty states and 108 countries. At least one of those elite 11,000 represents Llano; Kaitlyn Newell was Llano High School’s Valedictorian in 2008, and is now in her second year at Yale.