MARBLE FALLS — Recent rains have led city officials to relax mandatory Stage 2 water restrictions and move to voluntary Stage 1, officials at City Hall said Oct. 3.

“As the hot summer months are behind us and we look forward to cooler temperatures, the city would like customers to continue to water conservatively to allow for preparation of lawns and landscaping for the upcoming winter months,” said Christina Laine, the city’s public information officer.

City officials said while Stage 1 restrictions are voluntary, they will continue to monitor for violations.

Under voluntary water use restrictions:

• Customers are asked to limit watering yards and other landscapes from midnight-10 a.m. and 7 p.m.-midnight on designated outdoor water use days.

• Even-numbered street addresses can water on even numbered days of the month, and customers with odd-numbered street addresses may water on odd number days.

“Water usage has remained below critical levels due to mandatory restrictions, cooler weather and the cooperation of water customers,” Laine said.

Under mandatory restrictions, violators can face citations and even fines.

The restrictions were put in place by the Lower Colorado River Authority, which sells water to Marble Falls and other customers.

Because of the drought that started in October 2010 and continues, firm-water clients have had to conserve water.

MARBLE FALLS — A veterinarian who hired a lawyer and any others opposed to a move by the city to annex 1,100 acres along U.S. 281 south of Marble Falls will get to have their say, officials are promising.

A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 2 during a City Council meeting, 800 Third St.

But veterinarian Tim Thompson of Hope Animal Clinic isn’t waiting for the meeting to let city officials know how he feels. He recently hired veteran attorney Will Moursund, who sent a sternly worded letter to the council taking issue with plans to possibly annex the area, which includes the clinic at 4015 U.S. 281.

“(My client) strongly objects to the sneaky manner that you are conducting this attempted annexation, and that he only found out about your intentions from neighboring property owners who had been sent a letter from the city in August 2012,” Moursund stated in the letter. “Second, my client strenuously objects to the forced annexation and is opposed to all aspects of annexation, announced in the so-called letter of August 2012.”

But Mayor George Russell said city officials haven’t made a final decision on the annexation and are only in the beginning phase.

“You have a process to go through during an annexation where people can give input,” the mayor said Oct. 1.

“Right now this letter is part of the process of the possible future — the key word there is possible — annexation of the area,” the mayor added.

During an Aug. 21 meeting, the council directed staff to begin looking into the annexation process.

Officials say they need to be able to regulate development along the corridor, which stretches to Texas 71 and includes the future Wayne and Eileen Hurd Regional Medical Center Campus, which is under construction.

Annexing the proposed area would also eliminate emergency response issues, since a portion of the corridor already falls within city limits and a portion doesn’t, officials added.

Also during the August meeting, Director of Development Services Caleb Kraenzel told the council that a formal annexation process wouldn’t begin until Nov. 6.

The process includes:

• Notifying affected property owners.

• Allowing property owners with an agricultural exemption an agreement to postpone annexation unless triggered by development.

• Developing an annexation plan.

• Setting dates for public hearings.

In his letter, Moursund said his client is upset because initial annexation discussions began in June but Thompson was never notified. He added that Thompson has spoken with landowners adjoining his property who are also opposed to annexation.

“Such proposed annexation only serves to devalue and degrade my client’s property, pose further taxation and unnecessary and unwanted control. The proposed annexation serves no public need excepting only to pacify City Staff ego,” Moursund stated in the letter. “Hope Animal Clinic and Dr. Tim Thompson object to and oppose the City’s proposed (ordinance), objects to the City’s high-handed and dictatorial conduct and lack of simple business courtesies.”

daniel@thepicayune.com

MARBLE FALLS — Traffic could start crossing the new replacement span of the U.S. 281 bridge project by late December or early 2013, officials said.

Work remains on schedule to complete the first of two spans to eventually replace a seven-decades old bridge over Lake Marble Falls.

GRANITE SHOALS — A deal with Highland Haven and the new Emergency Services District No. 3 will allow the Granite Shoals Fire Department to add full-time firefighters and offer constant coverage to those areas, officials said.

The City Council during its regular meeting Sept. 25 approved fire and first-responder contracts with the city of Highland Haven and ESD No. 3. Up to three full-time firefighters will join the department, officials said, but part-time firefighters and volunteers will continue to fill the ranks.

MARBLE FALLS —It was a celebration worthy of a hero.

Hundreds gathered in the Marble Falls High School auditorium Sept. 30 to welcome home Leonel “Leo” Manzano, who won a silver medal in the men’s 1,500-meter race during the 2012 London Summer Olympics.

PHOTO 1: Leonel ‘Leo’ Manzano holds the Olympic silver medal high as members of the Marble Falls High School band play the school fight song. Manzano is a 2004 graduate and set numerous track and cross-country records when he was a student there. Staff photos by Jennifer Fierro

PHOTO 2: Marble Falls High School 2004 graduate Leonel ‘Leo’ Manzano greets friends and fans as he walks into the high school auditorium Sept. 30 for a pep rally to congratulate him on winning the silver medal at the 2012 London Summer Olympics.

PHOTO 3: Alfredo Mata (left), a friend of the Manzano family; Jesùs Manzano, the father of Olympic silver medalist Leonel ‘Leo’ Manzano; and Leonel Manzano hold shovels that were used during a groundbreaking ceremony Sept. 30 at the Leonel Manzano Hike and Bike Trails at Granite Shoals City Hall as Granite Shoals Mayor Dennis Maier introduces the men.

PHOTO 4: Jesùs Manzano, father of 2012 Olympic 1,500-meter silver medalist Leonel ‘Leo’ Manzano, shakes Granite Shoals Mayor Dennis Maier’s hand after Maier presented the Manzano family a proclamation honoring the runner Sept. 30.

PHOTO 5: Former Granite Shoals Councilwoman Bessie Jackson greets 1,500-meter Olympic silver medalist Leonel ‘Leo’ Manzano when he arrives at the Marble Falls High School auditorium Sept. 30 for a celebration pep rally in his honor.

Manzano, who hails from Granite Shoals and graduated from Marble Falls High in 2004, said winning an Olympic medal in August was a everything he thought it would be and more.

To honor his achievements, the cities of Marble Falls and Granite Shoals held homecoming receptions for the Olympian on the same day.

“I wasn’t expecting as big of a turnout,” Manzano said. “So I’m real excited to be coming home and celebrate with everybody. It’s a very special moment.”

Burnet County Judge Donna Klaeger served as the master of ceremonies for the one-hour event at the school, which started about 3 p.m.

National recording artist john Arthur martinez, who is from Cottonwood Shores, sang a tribute song he wrote for Manzano, “Dare to Dream Out Loud.”

The runner said he hoped his success inspires other Marble Falls Independent School District students to work toward their dreams and not give up.

“If you put your mind to it, do something you like and enjoy it,” he said, “you can do anything.”

At least two students said Manzano has done just that.

“It’s pretty great,” said Marble Falls High School junior Jesùs Perez. “He came out of a small town, and it shows a hero can be great.”

“The first time I saw him running, it changed it my life,” said Marble Falls Middle School eighth-grader Anthony Machuca. “We know him. Look how well he’s done. He said, ‘Have a dream, work hard for it.’ After that I started working harder in sports and everything.”

The Marble Falls coaches who helped train Manzano, Karen Naumann and Kyle Futrell; former Granite Shoals Councilwoman Bessie Jackson; and former coaches Gary Fletcher and Chris Storer asked the runner, 28, questions submitted by the audience, including whether he wants to qualify for the Rio de Janiero Olympics in four years.

He said yes, which— if successful — would make this his third trip to the Olympics including his run in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, where he placed 12th in the 1,500 meters.

Marble Falls Mayor George Russell pointed to a display with letters from elected officials around the state and a flag that recently had flown at the state Capitol in the runner’s honor, which brought cheers.

After the race in London, Manzano said he fell to his knees. Foremost on his mind, he told the audience, were thoughts of all the people who helped him and the hard work it took to earn the silver.

Bill Rives, executive director of the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce, danced onstage with fruit hat on his head to greet and congratulate Manzano, which ended the ceremony.

The Chamber plans to dedicate this year’s annual Christmas display, known as the Walkway of Lights, to Manzano, he said.

“Something like this ought to last a day or two,” he joked. “It’s one more way we’ve recognized our hometown hero. What an outstanding guy he is.”

The runner used the last hour to sign autographs, take pictures and encourage youngsters to surpass his many accomplishments. Fellow Marble Falls High graduate Ashley Laughlin gave him a quick hug.

During Manzano’s student days at the high school, he claimed nine 4A state championships in track and cross country. After graduation, he moved on to the University of Texas, where he won five NCAA National Championship titles and holds four school records.

Jesùs and Maria Manzano, Leonel Manzano’s parents, were in the first row to at the high school to observe it all.

The younger Manzano was born in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico, and moved with his family to Texas when he was 4.

“I have a lot of joy for my son,” Jesùs Manzano said as he surveyed the long line of people wanting to get an autograph or a photo with the Olympian.

Later that afternoon, city officials and other dignitaries in Granite Shoals, where his family still lives, held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Leonel Manzano Hike and Bike Trails.

The runner handed out shovels to children to help dig and then council members, Mayor Dennis Maier and Klaeger, along with Manzano, grasped the shovels to symbolize the construction of the 2-mile, 8-foot wide trail system.

Afterwards Maier handed out proclamations on paper and granite in the shape of Texas to the Manzano family.

The silver medalist thanked the crowd in English and Spanish for their support and for inspiring him to keep dreaming, then went into City Hall to sign autographs.

Maier said the goal was to have an event worthy “of an Olympic champion.”

“He’s one of the best young men you can imagine,” he said. “His dedication is inspiring to all of us.”

Jackson agreed.

“Especially in his giving back,” she said. “He gives back to his community.”

It has been a whirlwind week for Manzano. He visited Washington, D.C., Sept. 27 to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month thanks to an invitation from Vice President Joe Biden. He then flew to Miami Sept. 28 for an interview with Univision’s Jorge Ramos, one of the top Hispanic television journalists in the country.

The athlete actually arrived in Marble Falls a day earlier than the engagement at the high school and Granite Shoals.

He attended a benefit dinner conducted by St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at Lakeside Pavilion in Marble Falls to provide funding for a parish building project.

Manzano said he plans to make the U.S. World Championship Track and Field Team and travel to Russia next year.

Manzano also just celebrated a birthday on Sept. 12.

jfierro@thepicayune.com

MARBLE FALLS — Burnet and Llano counties are under a flash-flood watch through late Saturday, Sept. 29, according to an alert from the National Weather Service.

The weather service says storms could dump 2-4 inches on the region, with isolated amounts of up to 6-8 inches.

Showers are expected to begin developing the afternoon of Friday, Sept.28.

The Burnet High School and Middle School cross-country meet in Salado Sept. 29 has been canceled, officials said.

No other sports-related cancellations have been announced so far.

The weather service urges residents to be wary of creeks and other waterways swollen by rains, and warns motorists not to cross flooded roadways.

The flash-flood watch continues until midnight Sunday, Sept. 30.

editor@thepicayune.com

DEERHAVEN — A neighboring fire department will continue to protect Deerhaven, but officials are urging the passage by voters Nov. 6 of a $1.2 million bond issue to add more fire hydrants.

The seven fire hydrants in Deerhaven aren’t enough, said Horseshoe Bay Fire Chief Jim Fiero. The Horseshoe Bay City Council recently approved extending the life of a fire protection contract for Deerhaven.

MARBLE FALLS — Officials hope a town-hall meeting to solicit residents’ concerns about new property ordinances for front yards will lead to changes in the rules everyone can live with.

“I was very pleased to see the number of citizens (who) came to this,” said Councilwoman Sharon Pittard. “(They came) to give their input. (They came) from all walks of life — everybody. It was great.”

PHOTO: Marble Falls Mayor George Russell (center) leads a small-group discussion Sept. 25 at Lakeside Pavilion as residents debate proposed city ordinance amendments for front yards. Marble Falls Fire Rescue Interim Chief Johnny Caraway takes notes during the exchange that will be passed on later to City Council members. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton

BURNET  — Although a burn ban for the unincorporated areas of Burnet County is still lifted, officials say residents must use caution because the danger for wildfires remains.

The County Commissioners Court voted Sept. 25 to keep the burn ban off.

"People need to use a lot of caution," said Herb Darling, director of county environmental services. "This is the time of the year we have these fronts come through where we go from good conditions to 30 mph winds the next day. Some of these burn piles take several days (to extinguish themselves), so this wind can stir up those embers and carry them off."’

Officials lifted the burn ban Sept. 17 after more than 6 inches of rain fell on some parts of the county.

The rainfall fed thirsty grasses and brush, normally fuel sources for wildfires when they are dry and parched.

However, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, a scale that measures a region’s susceptibility to fire based on dryness, remains high,

"The (Keetch-Byram Drought Index) has stayed up because it was so stinking dry," Darling said. "Drought conditions still exist."

The index ranges from 0-800 with 800 indicating the greatest potential for fire. Darling said Burnet County’s overall KBDI number is 548.

Since the burn ban has been lifted, Darling said there have been 26 calls to the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office for grass and brush fires. While only two were actual fires — a controlled burn that spread and  a blaze from a welding operation —dispatching fire crews costs time and money.

Residents in unincorporated parts of the county burning brush piles or other controlled burns should notify the Sheriff’s Office at (512) 756-8080 to prevent unnecessary fire runs.

More rain is possible Sept. 27-29, so it’s likely the burn ban will not reactivated, officials said..

daniel@thepicayune.com