STAFF WRITER CONNIE SWINNEY LLANO — Investigators are sorting through how a Llano police officer’s Facebook posting of a popular song’s lyrics led to a voluntary evacuation of at least one department at the Llano County Courthouse on the eve of Thanksgiving. (more…)

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FROM STAFF REPORTS HORSESHOE BAY — Voters overwhelmingly re-elected two incumbents to the Horseshoe Bay City Council, according to results of the Nov. 7 election from election officials in Llano and Burnet counties. (more…)

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STAFF WRITER CONNIE SWINNEY HORSESHOE BAY — During a non-presidential election year, voters go to the polls Nov. 7 to decide on bond issues, some city and school elections, and a few state constitutional amendments. (more…)

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FROM STAFF REPORTS LLANO — Recent wet weather and fall-like conditions prompted Llano County officials to lift a ban on outdoor burning, allowing residents a chance to rid their property of landscaping materials, cut brush, and household garbage. (more…)

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STAFF WRITER CONNIE SWINNEY HORSESHOE BAY — Llano County commissioners sidestepped sending a resolution in opposition to a proposed rock crushing operation and opted instead to send individual letters to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, which is considering Asphalt Inc.’s air quality permit. (more…)

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STAFF WRITER CONNIE SWINNEY LLANO — Llano County commissioners proposed leasing several thousand acres of property in West Texas to a renewable energy company to launch a solar power farm, creating a potential revenue stream for local education. (more…)

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STAFF WRITER CONNIE SWINNEY LLANO —  Crews have reopened some Llano County offices Aug. 18, including the tax-assessor collector’s and treasurer’s offices, after completing water damage repairs caused by a ruptured water pipe that temporarily shuttered the three-story building adjacent to the Llano County Courthouse. (more…)

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STAFF WRITER CONNIE SWINNEY LLANO — Llano County commissioners approved a proposed budget Aug. 14 that included continued funding for Llano County Jail operations. This followed an outcry from local law enforcement, who rejected a consideration to house all inmates at the Burnet County Jail, officials said. (more…)

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CONNIE SWINNEY • STAFF WRITER BURNET COUNTY — The Federal Aviation Administration has launched investigations into two emergency plane landings — one in the middle of the night on Texas 71 —  in two days in Burnet and Llano counties, according to reports by the Texas Department of Public Safety. (more…)

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CONNIE SWINNEY • STAFF WRITER LLANO — Growth is spurring an increase in traffic in the Highland Lakes; however, state officials might put the brakes on additional funding for rural roadway upgrades as more populated areas compete for those dollars. (more…)

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DANIEL CLIFTON • EDITOR MARBLE FALLS — Some politicians might adjust their stance on the issues once the ballots are tallied and they’re headed for Austin, but Dawn Buckingham isn’t one of these. “I’m going to work on the same issues I campaigned on,” she said. “Nothing has changed.” (more…)

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CONNIE SWINNEY • STAFF WRITER LLANO — Officials in Llano and Burnet counties will welcome a few new faces, along with some familiar ones, during the ceremonial administration of the oaths of office. The public is invited. For elected officials in Llano County, the event starts at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 30, in the second-floor […]

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DANIEL CLIFTON • EDITOR BURNET — After forcing the issue on the Nov. 8 ballot, opponents to the Granite Shoals ban on feeding deer got their way. That city’s voters also passed a $3 million bond for several road improvements. As the numbers started coming in Nov. 8, Highland Lakes residents made their voices clear […]

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CONNIE SWINNEY • STAFF WRITER BURNET  — Several thousand more people than in past presidential elections have joined the voter registration rolls in Burnet and Llano counties as election officials tally the remaining applications of new voters for the upcoming election. “It’s been really brisk. We’re excited we’ve broken the 15,000 mark,”  Llano County Elections […]

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FROM STAFF REPORTS BURNET — Recent rains have provided enough moisture to allow officials in Burnet and Llano counties to lift burn bans, and more wet weather could be in the forecast for the weekend, officials say. (more…)

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FROM STAFF REPORTS MARBLE FALLS — It looks like Llano County Precinct 3 residents will have a new commissioner take the helm in January after a challenger upended the incumbent in the race for the Republican nomination. (more…)

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FROM STAFF REPORTS BURNET — While much of the election attention has turned to the presidential race at the top of the tickets, Texas and Highland Lakes voters still have some decisions to make for the Democratic and Republican nominations. (more…)

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BURNET — The second round of the Republican and Democratic primaries gets rolling May 16 with early voting for the joint primary runoff election. Early voting runs through May 20 with election day May 24. Several local and state races are on the ballot for Burnet and Llano counties. The winners of the runoffs will […]

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FROM STAFF REPORTS BURNET — Highland Lakes residents can help determine the future of their communities and school districts during the May 7 elections. (more…)

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CONNIE SWINNEY • STAFF WRITER LLANO — A candidate for sheriff has suspended his campaign in the upcoming May 24 runoff election, while the incumbent opponent says he will remain active in his bid to capture the Republican primary nomination. Challenger James Schilling’s name will still appear on the ballot. However, on April 25, he […]

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FROM STAFF REPORTS MARBLE FALLS — A celebratory Terry Wilson thanked supporters and well-wishers March 1 as it became evident he had unseated the incumbent District 20 state representative. (more…)

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FROM STAFF REPORTS LLANO — A five-way race for the Republican nomination for the Llano County sheriff is down to two. Sheriff Bill Blackburn will face challenger James Schilling in a May runoff after the two earned the most votes in the Republican primary March 1. Blackburn brought in 2,542 votes, or 46 percent, with […]

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CONNIE SWINNEY • STAFF WRITER LLANO — After a contentious debate Jan. 11 pitting Llano County Precinct 3 elected officials against Llano County commissioners, officials have approved consolidating the Kingsland annex into the East Llano County Annex in Buchanan Dam. (more…)

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CONNIE SWINNEY • STAFF WRITER LLANO — Candidates are vying for spots in several Republican nomination races in the Highland Lakes, so various political entities have organized a string of events to help voters determine who might be the best nominees for local and statewide elections. (more…)

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FROM STAFF REPORTS BURNET — While Christmas and the holiday season are upon us, it’s also another season this year: political. And the candidates for the March 1 primaries are lining up for your support. This year marks a big political year as the races feature candidates from the White House down to the county […]

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FROM STAFF REPORTS BURNET — Burnet County voters approved Nov. 3 a measure that will allow businesses and restaurants in unincorporated portions of the county to sell liquor by the drink. The proposition passed 3,311 to 1,031. It creates a more uniform standard for businesses seeking the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s approval for liquor-by-the-drink sales. […]

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