Meadowlakes City Secretary Stephanie Littleton swears in City Council members-elect Mary Ann Raesner and Gary Hammond (center) on May 22 at City Hall. Hammond defeated Georgina Christy for the Place 3 seat in the May 12 municipal election. Raesner and Mayor Don Williams ran unopposed. Courtesy photo
MARBLE FALLS — A rap song by pupils promoting the “No Place for Hate” initiative at Marble Falls Middle School drew a standing ovation May 21 at the School Board meeting, reminding listeners that “student power” makes a difference.
“When you hand over power to the students, it really does change the atmosphere of the campus,” said Megan Flowers of the Anti-Defamation League, who was at the meeting to recognize the middle school as the first “No Place for Hate” facility in the district.
Crews on May 21 began demolishing the former Northwood Health Care Center, a long-term assistance facility that closed in April 2011 at 1109 Northwood Drive in Marble Falls. The nursing home opened its doors more than 50 years ago. The property remains for sale. Staff photo by Connie Swinney
COTTONWOOD SHORES — The City Council saw some new faces and one departure — the city secretary — during the regular meeting this past week, the first after the May 12 elections.
Three uncontested council members were sworn in May 17 and a new city secretary was hired, the latest in a wave of comings and goings at City Hall.
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HORSESHOE BAY — City officials approved $25,000 this week for a program to remove cedar, which they say poses fire dangers and chokes oak trees in Horseshoe Bay West.
The money will come from the $250,000 contingency fun, city leaders said during a City Council meeting May 15.
Marble Falls Fire Rescue Firefighter Randy Rankin sprays down a hot spot during a brushfire May 17 on Turland Drive off Rocky Road, south of Marble Falls. Fire crews from the Marble Falls department, Horseshoe Bay Fire and the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department responded to the wildfire at 2:30 p.m. The blaze came within 50 feet of a residence, but crews contained it. The fire could have been worse, but a light wind and high humidity helped firefighters keep it under control, officials said. The cause is under investigation. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton
MARBLE FALLS — Fans can get an early glimpse of the 2012 Marble Falls High School football team May 17 when the Mustangs hold the purple-and-gold spring football game.
The inter-squad scrimmage will end spring football practice.
The game kicks off at 7 p.m. at Mustang Stadium, 2101 Mustang Drive.
New head coach Todd Dodge will divide the 110 players into two teams.
The first-string offense will face the first-string defense, while the second-string offense will meet the second-string defense.
The contest will have extra points, kickoffs and kick returns with four quarters that are at least 10 minutes each. Neither team will punt.
“We will play as much like a real game as possible,” Dodge said. “We’ll start it at 12 minutes each. If everything is all right, we’ll keep it at 12.”
During the spring drills, the first in more than a decade, the coaches worked on teaching players 60 percent of the offense and 60 percent of the defense.
Incoming senior quarterback Mike Richardson is expected to be with the first-string offense along with incoming junior receivers Garrett Gray and Aidin Parnell.
Incoming senior Brian Shrubar returned after suffering an injury to help the first-string defense.
And now that baseball season has ended, incoming seniors Saul Guzman and Stacy Heinatz also were at football practice May 14.
Fans have high hopes the Mustangs can return to the football glory days of the 1990s, and most of those are pinned on Dodge and the team he’s assembled.
Dodge, who was hired in late January, is the former University of Pittsburgh quarterbacks coach.
He also led Southlake Carroll High School to four 5A state titles from 2001-2006. Dodge was a quarterback at the University of Texas at Austin under coach Fred Akers.
The Mustangs in 2011 had a 4–6 record, playing in District 25–4A, which at the time included powerhouse teams such as Lake Travis High School.
Fans can follow the game and get updates on Tribune Sports Live. Just visit www.facebook.com/ThePicayuneTV.
KINGSLAND — A long-time incumbent won another term on the board of the Kingsland Municipal Utility District May 12.
Frank Willingham, who has already served 12 years, defeated challenger Shirley Shaw 316-84 in his re-election bid.
Incumbent Mary Ann Hefner ran unopposed for her Place 1 seat.
Terms are four years.
HORSESHOE BAY — After two years of starts and stops, the Bay West Boulevard Bridge reopened May 15 on schedule and under budget, officials said.
The $658,000 span will cut travel time and make a flood-prone area safer for traffic, city leaders said during an early morning ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Ross Construction and Voltaire Construction and Remodeling built the bridge in four months, debuting it on time, officials said.
PHOTO 1: Craig and Claudia Haydon drive across the newly re-opened Bay West Boulevard bridge May 15 as neighbors and city leaders greet them. Residents had to take a detour on Texas 71 for four months as construction progressed in the flood-prone area. Staff photo by Connie Swinney