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The winter storm in February caused hardship for many people in the area, especially when the power was knocked out. Some, such as Mallory Hughes (left), made the most out of the snowy weather. File photos -
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The BHS auditorium was flooded on Feb. 21 due to a burst pipe. Officials later estimated the damages at half a million dollars. File photo -
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The Space Dawgs of BHS won the NASA HUNCH competition with their artemis creamy chicken francese dish. File photos -
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Some of the approved bond package includes work on new sports fields, upgrades to existing sports facilities and a new student activity center. File photos
As 2021 was still in its infant stage, Winter Storm Uri caused power outages and other hardships for Highland Lakes residents. However, the community responded with service and kinship.
The remainder of the year brought change in the schools, governments and the population of Burnet County.
Winter Storm Uri
Ice and snow from Winter Storm Uri threw unexpected curveballs at Highland Lakes residents for the second and part of the third week in February, creating conditions which hampered the state’s electrical grid, brought down tree branches on houses and cars, froze water pipes and made roads impassable.
The loss of power caused failures at water plants in Marble Falls, Horseshoe Bay, Cottonwood Shores and at both the Kingsland Water Supply Corporation and Corix-controlled facilities, leading to boil water notices being issued for those fortunate enough to even have water.
A loss of water pressure, along with cold temperatures, also caused pipes to burst, flooding homes already plagued by cold and darkness.
Snow on roadways, bridges and overpasses melted from passing traffic in the daytime, but refroze into ice in the evening, causing vehicles to slide off roadways and into ditches. Some of the more treacherous road stretches — Park Road 4 and Ranch to Market Road 1431 at Lookout Mountain in Kingsland — were shut down for periods of time to traffic because they were too hazardous for travel. First responders, road crews and wrecker operators worked long stretches of time away from their families to rescue motorists and help those in need. The Highland Lakes Crisis Network mobilized into action, manning a shelter at First United Methodist Church, providing food, supplies and water for area residents.
Grocery stores like Walmart and H-E-B encountered long lines and shortages of groceries and other goods due to abbreviated, delayed or canceled deliveries.
The storm also brought out human kindness and decency with businesses and organizations donating food and water to those in need and helping those who were cold find shelter for warmth.
A look at the rest of the year indicated the Highland Lakes joined a fast track towards recovery, while demonstrating perseverance and great resolve in the face of calamity, everyday life struggles and accommodations for skyrocketing population growth.
Burst pipe causes damage at BHS
A burst pipe in the wall of the Burnet High School Fine Arts Building led to the auditorium being flooded Feb. 21, putting the first several rows of seating under water.
Crews from the Burnet Fire Department, Burnet Volunteer Fire Department and Cassie Volunteer Fire Department responded to the situation and helped provide pumps to remove the water, while custodial and maintenance crews worked into the night to mitigate further damage by cutting back sheetrock and portions of the stage.
In March, BCISD officials reported that repairs could cost nearly half a million dollars.
County livestock show breaks record
The 54th annual Burnet County Livestock Show Premium Sale set a new auction sales record on Saturday, Jan. 9 at the Burnet County Fairgrounds with $493,372 in sales, officials reported.
Grand champions at the 2021 show were:
Market Steer: Miley Evans
Market Lamb: McKenzie Evans
Market Hogs: Taylor Lilly
Market Turkey: Lydia Williams
Market Broilers: Kelly Linzer
Market Goats: Cooper Evans
Market Rabbits: Bryce Schwausch
Breeding Heifer: Hannah Brooks
Breeding Sheep: Kynslee Cody
Angora: Kody Burton
Boer Goat: Colton Davidson
Dairy Goat: Andrew Eppler
Breeding Gilt: Kelly Linzer
Ag Mechanics: Tyler Patterson
Burnet hires new police chief
The City of Burnet has officially hired Capt. Brian Lee of the Boise (Idaho) Police Department to be the Burnet chief of police in March.
Prior to the hiring,
Lee served as commander of the Boise PD Criminal Investigation Division, which includes 300 sworn personnel and 100 professional staff. His direct reports included the supervision and management of 62 sworn and professional staff who are assigned to the division.
He has extensive experience in internal affairs, human resources, criminal investigations, professional development, leadership, training and modern policing strategies. He also led the Chief’s Citizen Advisory Panel that meets every six weeks to address issues within the community.
In November, he used that experience in Burnet to establish a law enforcement advisory board.
The board, of eight to 10 members, is designed to give the police department citizen input in areas such as policy, policing strategies and priorities, according to a city news release.
Burnet County Commissioners eye possible bridge route
Burnet County commissioners on June 22 approved and added a supplement to the county’s transportation plan showing their preferred preliminary proposed alignment for a bridge crossing over the Colorado River to connect Ranch to Market Road 1431 with Texas 71 near Spicewood.
Commissioners are hoping to see a route locked in for the proposed bridge crossing as soon as possible so the county can take the next steps necessary to further the project.
BHS students win NASA competition
The Space Dawgs of Burnet High School found out on May 10 they had rocketed to first place with their Artemis Creamy Chicken Francese recipe and now their winning entry will be prepared by the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Lab and be served to astronauts on the International Space Station within the next six to nine months.
The five members of the Space Dawgs — Jacey Huston, Bridget Bristow, Matthew Thrane, Nicholai Rowland and Will Rundzieher — received a full-tuition scholarship to Sullivan University in Kentucky, one of the top culinary arts schools in America and the host of this year’s NASA HUNCH competition.
Voters approve BCISD bond package
The third time was the charm for Burnet Consolidated ISD as voters passed four bond issues totaling nearly $53 million in theMay 1 election.
Proposition A proposed $27,496,000 for facility improvements and accommodations for student growth, including expansion of Bertram Elementary School. This measure passed by a 1,221 to 597 margin.
Proposition B aimed to put aside $11,805,000 for middle and high school athletic facilities. This measure passed by a 972 to 838 margin.
Proposition C created a fund with $4,288,000 for instructional technology, infrastructure and campus security, and this measure was passed by a 1,208 to 605 margin.
Finally, Proposition D would let the district use $8,915,000 for a multipurpose student activities center. The closest of the four issues, this one passed by a 956 to 857 margin.
BCISD sold more than $52.5 million in the bonds in June, and the money was delivered in July.
Satterfield & Pontikes Construction Inc. was hired as the district’s construction manager at-risk (CMR) for delivery of selected large projects such as the Bertram Elementary addition and Burnet Middle School renovations.
Property values skyrocket
Certified market value of real estate property in Burnet County topped a record $12.88 billion this year, according to records from the Burnet Central Appraisal District released in August.
Burnet Consolidated ISD’s 2021 certified property market value is just under $6.06 billion, up more than $900 million from $5.16 billion in 2020.
The City of Burnet has a 2021 certified market value of $924.3 million, up more than $94.6 million from $829.7 million in certified market value in 2020.
The City of Bertram has a 2021 certified market value of nearly $151.5 million, up more than $22.9 million from $128.6 million in certified market value in 2020.
LCRA lifts moratorium on dredging, sets new guidelines
By a vote of 8-6, the Lower Colorado River Authority Board of Directors lifted a months-long moratorium Nov. 17 on dredging the Highland Lakes, while also approving a newly-creating dredging ordinance that expands regulations for commercial operators.
The nearly 40-page document adds a Tier III component for dredging activities which specifically addresses commercial dredging.
The decision by the board came on the heels of a Feb. 24 moratorium prompted by citizen complaints in the Kingsland area on the Llano arm of Lake LBJ.
On Dec. 14, board members then approved unanimously an amendment to its commercial dredging rules to create “designated zones” to protect infrastructure, navigability and water supply.
BCISD extends McBurnett’s contract
The Burnet Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to keep Superintendent Keith McBurnett in the district until 2025 with a contract extension in September. He was hired as superintendent on March 27, 2012.
“I am extremely blessed to live in this community and work alongside our Board of Trustees,” McBurnett said in a September statement. “The past two years have been filled with challenges that no one could have ever predicted, and I appreciate the Board’s constant focus on the well-being of our students and staff.”
Alleged burglar changes into homeowners clothing
A suspect faces burglary charges after reports of a man wandering through yards, entering a residence, changing into work clothes and trying to evade police, according to arrest documents.
The incidents allegedly unfolded around 2:24 p.m. on July 8 in the 300 block of Highland Drive in Burnet, when Burnet Police Department responded to the initial call.
Authorities eventually charged Henry Ledesma, 44, of Burnet with two counts of burglary of a habitation, after he allegedly changed into a homeowner’s work clothes, fixed himself a drink at the home and claimed he was in the neighborhood to find a date.
