News

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Burnet Bulletin

Texas Parks and Wildlife officials recovered two bodies in three days and unveiled the possible cause of death in the unrelated boating incidents over the weekend along the Colorado River on Lake LBJ.

The most recent death involved a 44-year-old Sarita man who was the operator of a boat on the Colorado arm of Lake LBJ in the area of Legends on Lake LBJ subdivision.

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, Jesse Marcus (Marc) Estes' body was recovered the morning of Sunday, July 14. Officials reported he had been involved in an accident two days earlier on Friday, July 12. 

“He hit a wave, and it threw him out of the boat,” TP&W Capt. Cody Hatfield said. “He was turning the boat and he hit a wave wrong; two other people were ejected.” 

Special to the Bulletin

Last month, the Burnet County Historical Commission was honored by the Texas Historical Commission as they were awarded the Distinguished Service Award (DSA), which recognizes County Historical Commissions that document well-rounded preservation programs and efforts. Burnet County commissioners recognized them at their Tuesday, July 9 regular meeting, after BCHC Chair JoAnn Myers reported on the accomplishments of the commission's volunteers.

The THC reported a 2018 total of 447,079 volunteer hours, the monetary equivalent of more than $11.3 million, from 189 counties. The BCHC, one of the 80 recipients of the DSA, racked up 4,936 of those volunteer hours, equaling a $125,522 value to Burnet County. Volunteer hours have grown exponentially since 2016, when the BCHC had 30 volunteers who contributed 2,815 hours, valuing at $67,954.

By Nathan Hendrix

Staff Writer

Burnet Bulletin

Bertram Police Chief L. Dewayne Kyle reported the Bertram Police Department is experiencing difficulty hiring experienced officers at the monthly city council meeting Tuesday, June 18.

The Bertram City Council approved an amendment of an ordinance to allow officers to take home patrol vehicles if they live in a 25-mile radius of the city limits to assist in the hiring process.

The department has two vacant officer slots and no current applications to fill those positions. Kyle interviewed an experienced officer recently, but the applicant declined the job due to lack of appropriate and affordable housing in the area.

“He was looking for a place to rent, but the cost of living here is too expensive,” Kyle said. “He's the sole provider and has four kids. He was trying to live in the 25-mile radius.”

Connie Swinney

Staff Writer

Burnet Bulletin

A former Bertram police chief has pled guilty to oppression and abuse, surrendered his peace officer's license, received an eight-day jail sentence, and exhibited “remorse” which influencing his judge-ordered penalty, officials said.

James J. (JJ) Wilson will face four days in jail on each of two counts of official oppression and five years probation on one count of abuse of official capacity, according to a release by the 33rd/424th Judicial District Attorney's Office.

As part of the plea on June 6, Wilson must permanently surrender his peace officer license, pay a $500 fine and $50 restitution to the subject of the charge.

Dannie Crawford (right) and Malcolm Young placed decorative wreaths near the headstone of Texas Ranger Hugh McCoy before the Texas Ranger memorial cross dedication on Saturday, June 22 at Bethel Cemetery. For more photos, see the June 26 issue of the Burnet Bulletin.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Burnet County Judge James Oakley won re-election by a very slim 55-vote margin to the Pedernales Electric Cooperative board of directors at Saturday's annual meeting, held at Horseshoe Bay Resort.

Oakley, seeking his third three-year term as a PEC director for District 5, received 1,565 votes, while Blanco County attorney John A. Watson received 1,510 votes. Lisa Ivie Miller received 1,456 votes and Kenneth Reneau received 286 votes.

Meanwhile, District 4 incumbent director Jim Powers was also re-elected as he defeated two challengers. Powers, who was seeking his second term on the board, received 2,558 votes, while Kathi Thomas received 2,066 vortes. Joe Pool received 1,282 votes.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

Burnet Bulletin

Co-workers, county officials, family and friends honored retiring Burnet Child Protective Services supervisor Dorinda Duzan last week in recognition of her many years of service.

Burnet County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday, June 11, thanking Duzan for her work on behalf of the children of Burnet County.

Duzan, a former teacher in Austin ISD, had worked in the Burnet case office for the past 15 years and had worked closely with Burnet County Attorney Eddie Arredondo, Llano County Attorney Becky Lange and Judge Cheryl Mabray of the Child Protection Court of the Hill Country to advocate for children when initiating investigations into abuse and neglect.

By Savanna Gregg

Staff Writer

Burnet Bulletin

The only thing better than winning big at the casino is that win is benefitting a special group of people. On Saturday, June 15, the YMCA of the Highland Lakes will host its second Casino Night, a fun-filled evening during which the community is invited to take the time to enjoy the company of others, fun games, prizes, great food, and supporting a great cause.

Tickets are $35 for individuals, $65 for couples, $250 for a table of eight, and $250 for a “Salute to Veterans” table of eight.

Basic tickets will give guests a $5,000 casino chip, $5 worth of “funny money” which may be used towards betting on virtual horse racing, and a barbecue dinner.

Added VIP packages are available as well, giving guests an enhanced casino experience. Details on these packages and ticket purchases may be found on tickettailor.com/events/ymcagwc.

Special to the Bulletin

The Burnet County Historical Commission (BCHC) is pleased to announce a Texas Ranger Memorial Cross Dedication at the gravesites of two former Texas Rangers and pioneer Burnet citizens: Hugh McCoy and Archibald Lewalen McCoy. During the Ranger ceremony, the gravesite of another Burnet pioneer, E. O.” Jiggs” Kleen, will be marked with a medallion from the Sons of the Republic of Texas. The public is invited to attend the dedication at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, 2019, at the Bethel Cemetery, 700 CR 202, Burnet, Texas. A lunch reception will follow at the Bethel Community Center, which is located at the T-intersection of FM963 and 2340. Please RSVP for lunch to Dot Creasey, dotcreasey@gmail.com by June 15. Banana pudding will be a featured dessert, provided by members of the BCHC.

Connie Swinney

Staff Writer

The Highlander

Nearly 75 passengers on a river boat cruise on Lake Buchanan experienced some tense moments as a brief but severe thunderstorm swept into the Highland Lakes June 9 and stranded the tourists on a remote peninsula on the waterway.

Overall, the weather event which included 65 mile per hour winds uprooted trees, caused power outages, damaged property and drenched the area for at least an hour.

The Vanishing Texas River Cruise tour boat – on a regular tour which travels for miles up the lake and into the Colorado River channel – began experiencing engine issues just after 6 p.m. that evening as choppy conditions began pelting the multi-story vessel.