News

Savanna Gregg

Staff Writer

Burnet Bulletin

With an overwhelming 1.7 million votes tallied at the end of election day Tuesday, Nov. 5, Texans approved Proposition 5, a constitutional amendment appropriating revenue from the state's Sporting Goods Sales Tax to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission, ensuring steady funding for these entities to maintain their parks and historic sites for the enjoyment of future generations.

Local parks like Inks Lake State Park and Longhorn Cavern State Park will be able to enjoy the benefits of this revenue, and though it is too soon to tell how the funds will specifically impact these parks and others in the area, the appropriations will allow officials to plan and perform projects on a regular basis to maintain their property for the public's use.

Above left, Taylor Kelley and his son, Walker, of Burnet were among families having fun on Thursday, Oct. 31, at Sweet Berry Farm, 1801 FM 1980, Tobyville. Above right, Jensen Robles of Hoover's Valley picked the best pumpkins for his mother, Alyssa. The pumpkin patch, which operates through Nov. 10, is open every weekday except Wednesday and also is open on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

By Savanna Gregg

Staff Writer

Burnet Bulletin

An enormous music festival that started out as a small gathering on a family ranch in Utopia has made its way to the Highland Lakes again this year, and with it, unique singers and songwriters bring their craft for the enjoyment of music lovers of all kinds.

UTOPiAfest will take place Thursday, Nov. 14 through Saturday, Nov. 16 at Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet, and will consist of non-stop music and fun activities for guests of all ages.

Founder Travis Sutherland started the festival in his hometown on his family's ranch in 2009 to bring his family and friends together and showcase talented musicians he came to know during his time in San Marcos in the early 2000's.

Joy Taylor (left) and Chick Wood celebrated their 90th birthdays during the September Burnet Fellowship of Church Women meeting last month. Also celebrated was Dot James, who was unable to attend the ceremony. The ladies were featured in Lake Country Life 10 years ago in an article about their 80th birthdays and continue to share their smiles and stories with the community.

By Savanna Gregg

Staff Writer

Burnet Bulletin

The community is invited to a garage sale this Saturday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 3, hosted by Oaks Nursing Center's Agape Committee, a group of members whose goal is to kindness towards their residents and community.

“We want to raise money for supplies for the residents like glasses, dentures, and other clothing items, and also give them a chance to look for something to decorate their room with,” said Linsey Mussman, LVN.

Funds from the garage sale will also go towards medical supplies like pull-ups and pads, which, like other personal items, are usually only provided for residents by their family members. Staff recognizes the fact that not all residents have financial assistance from family, so they are doing what they can to help.

By Connie Swinney

Staff Writer

The Highlander

Burnet County officials deemed successful a reuse and recycling collection event at a new location due to a wealth of volunteer help and a record intake of old tires and latex paint.

The BOPATE event was held Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Burnet County Reuse and Recycle Center, 2411 FM 963, just outside Burnet. BOPATE stands for batteries, oil, paint, antifreeze, tires and electronics.

“It went very well; it was pretty much seamless,” Burnet County Commissioner Joe Don Dockery said. “We filled up two 18-wheelers with tires and one gooseneck trailer full.”

Collections included 15 55-gallon drums of latex paint and 300 gallons of used motor oil.

County officials calculated as many as 258 vehicles (possibly 300 households) dropping off items during the morning-long event.

Rob Beall of Hairston Creek Farm in Burnet coaxed customer Gary Wood of Highland Haven with some hot peppers at the Farmers Market at Crownover Feed Store, 1810 Ranch Road 1431 in Marble Falls. The market is open from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

By Savanna Gregg

Staff Writer

Burnet Bulletin

In an effort to spread awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, the Burnet County 4-H Program and Burnet CISD have collaborated with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to bring the community a “Talk/Text Crash” presentation Tuesday, Oct. 29 at the Burnet CISD Board room.

During the program, guests will have the opportunity to view a program by the Passenger Safety Project, who will use Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service's Distracted Driving Simulator, to give individuals a firsthand experience of the dangers of texting and driving.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation and AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, in 2018, one in five crashes were caused by distracted driving, and distraction was a major factor in 59% of crashes involving teenagers. 398 people were killed in distracted driving accidents last year, and approximately 3,000 were seriously injured.

Savanna Gregg

Staff Writer

Burnet Bulletin

Staff at the Hill Country Children's Advocacy Center in Burnet are gearing up for the return of one of their most popular fundraisers this Saturday, Oct. 26.

The sixth annual Rifles, Racks, and Deer Tracks fundraiser has grown each year since its first event, and, along with the annual Designer Purse Bingo, continues to support the HCCAC's operations financially and through community support.

“The HCCAC's fundraisers are a tremendous benefit for the center,” Executive Director Ken Nikel said. “Last year, the net proceeds from both Rifles, Racks, and Deer Tracks and Designer Purse Bingo covered the cost of two employees in 2019. We are grateful for the generosity of the Hill Country Community.”

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

Burnet Bulletin

Burnet County jail administrators want to install a new control system at the facility that would prevent inmates from wasting water, which results in thousands of dollars in extra costs every year.

Before they can do that, though, they will have to deal with another, more pressing water-related issue — repairs to the jail's 88 showers, where resin failure has caused the shower pan to separate from the wall, allowing water to get into the wall and create damage.

The issue was brought up by jail administrator Capt. Matt Kimbler and County Judge James Oakley at the Tuesday, Oct. 22, Burnet County Commissioners Court meeting. Kimbler said the showers appear to have been installed with a design flaw when the 587-bed jail was built in 2008 through a bond issue.