HORSESHOE BAY — The City Council Nov. 29 declared open war on cedars within the city limits on undeveloped property — but offered a reprieve for a select few.

"I make the motion that we initiate a plan to eradicate cedar trees over the next three to five years at the city’s expense," Councilman Jeff Robinson said.

The council unanimously passed the measure, which members say is needed to cut down on the danger of wildfire. Robinson introduced the idea during the October council meeting, and followed through this week on his promise to bring it up again.

Not everyone agreed with the council.

MARBLE FALLS — After a decade with the Marble Falls Independent School District, Assistant Superintendent Amy Jacobs is on her way to taking the job as the top educator with Coahoma ISD.

Jacobs, who oversees academic programs for MFISD, was named the lone finalist for the superintendent’s position Nov. 28 by Coahoma trustees.

She assumes her new role at the 2A district in West Texas March 19.

GRANITE SHOALS — Part of the beauty of any town or city can be found in how it develops its parks.

In the past few years, the Granite Shoals City Council has launched an initiative to improve its park system, including the purchase of 131 acres near City Hall to offer quick courts for tennis, a hike-and-bike trail, outdoor activities for a nearby elementary school and maybe even someday a water park.

It also helps that U.S. Olympian Leonel Manzano calls Granite Shoals home and champion tennis star Andy Roddick, who lives in the Austin area, has also taken an interest in the park.

The city will continue to emphasize recreational activities as a way to improve the quality of life in Granite Shoals.

“As an urban planner, that’s probably the real focus,” City Manager Judy Miller said.

The 131-acre park, the future centerpiece of the city’s recreational system, is at 410 N. Phillips Ranch Road and RR 1431 West.

HORSESHOE BAY — Authorities using night-vision goggles and thermal imaging have nabbed two people accused of hunting inside the city limits.

The incident happened about 8 a.m. Nov. 20 in the western part of the city, officers said.

Acting on tips from residents about suspected poachers, law officers began surveillance of the area.

"Horseshoe Bay police officers have been increasing patrols and surveillance using night vision and thermal imaging equipment as poaching is a routine violation," according to a statement from Chief Bill Lane.

Investigators said a patrol officer spotted two people in a vehicle in a remote cul-de-sac. The investigator said the female motorist attempted to drive away when the officer approached the vehicle.

The officer noticed a male passenger wearing camouflage, stopped the vehicle and notified game wardens with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The report stated lawmen found evidence of bow hunting. A game warden seized the hunting equipment.

Michael Gerald Waits, 54, and Cynthia Rene Waits, 53, both of Kingsland, are charged with hunting from a public roadway, a misdemeanor, according to reports.

They each posted a $2,500 bond Nov. 21 and were released from the Llano County Jail.

editor@thepicayune.com

GRANITE SHOALS — Fingerprints have connected a Granite Shoals man already in trouble with the law after a church break-in with a recent burglary at a boat repair shop, according to police.

After reviewing fingerprint results Nov. 21 from the Department of Public Safety crime lab, officers charged Gregory DeLoach, 26, in a warrant in connection with a burglary Sept. 4 at the RT Marine Shop, a news release said.

A thief stole a camera and about $100 from the shop, located in the 6900 block of RR 1431, investigators said.

Sgt. Gary Boshears processed the crime scene and continued to follow the case, officers said.

DeLoach is already in federal custody on an unrelated gun charge, police said.

Authorities described DeLoach as a suspect in a string of past burglaries and other related  charges in Burnet and Llano counties.

Investigators have charged the Granite Shoals man along with three others in a burglary of First Baptist Church of Kingsland in April.

A safe containing $600 in Ugandan currency earmarked for African orphans was taken from the church and later recovered alongside a road.

JOHNSON CITY — When Dexter Haynes was 13, he strung five strands of lights outside his family’s home just a mile north of Johnson aCity. This year he’ll flip a switch Saturday, Nov. 19, and half a million lights will pop to life.

“It literally grew from five strands of lights to more than 500,000 lights,” the 21-year-old said. “I just love seeing people’s expressions as they drive through here. You hear a lot about how little kids’ faces just light up when they come through a Christmas light display, but I see those same expressions on many adults’ faces as well.”

The Hill Country Christmas Lights at Haynes’ homestead is a drive-through display at 1685 U.S. 281. It’s just one of the many seasonal events happening the next two weeks that bring the Christmas spirit to the Highland Lakes.

Meanwhile, in Marble Falls, officials Friday turned on more than 2 million lights on the shores of Lake Marble Falls to bring the Walkway of Lights to scintillating life.

The annual Walkway parade downtown was Friday.

“The Walkway of Lights is one of our most anticipated community events,” said Amy Lee, the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce events director. “We have people come from all over to enjoy our lights.”

MARBLE FALLS — A new day has dawned for the Highland Lakes with the groundbreaking Wednesday of a Scott & White Healthcare clinic south of the city, the anchor for a future $183 million medical complex, officials said.

Marble Falls Mayor George Russell could hardly hide his happiness as he stood on the podium just before the ceremony, attended by a few hundred well-wishers and dignitaries.

“Isn’t this cool?” Russell asked, adding later: “It took years of time and a tremendous amount of effort by a lot of people.”

The mayor and other officials lauded the complex as beneficial for many reasons.

“It addresses a need for healthcare and will be a catalyst for future development,” Russell said.

Not long after he spoke, officials and guests grabbed gold-painted shovels to mark the ceremonial groundbreaking of the clinic, the first phase of the new Wayne & Eileen Hurd Regional Medical Center — Scott & White.

The center is at Texas 71 just west of U.S. 281.

COTTONWOOD SHORES — Only nine months after being hired, the City Council has dismissed Police Chief Chris Johnson.

He is the third police chief to leave city employment in about a year.

After going into executive session, the council voted 5-0 to dismiss Johnson during the Nov. 17 meeting, officials said.

Councilman Stephen Sherry was absent.

"He (Johnson) was let go on a vote of no confidence," City Secretary Mark Pederson said Nov. 21.

State laws requires a super-majority of votes to oust an individual because of no confidence, Pederson added.

City officials are beginning to search for a new chief, Pederson said.

"We hope to have it done in 90 days," he added. "We have spoken with the Burnet County sheriff already, and we will speak to other agencies in the area to see who is out there."

LLANO — The Llano County Extension Office will hold two courses on pest control and a program about estate planning in the coming weeks.

• The estate planning program is 6-8:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at St. James Lutheran Church, 1401 Ford St. Registration is 5:30 p.m.

The cost of the program is $20 for those who pre-register and $25 at the door. A meal is included.

Wayne A. Hayenga, professor emeritus and extension specialist with Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service, is an agricultural economist and attorney and works extensively with farmers, ranchers and family-owned firms in financial, business and estate-tax planning, according to a news release. He is a member of the Texas and American Bar Associations and the American Agricultural Law Association and is past chairman of the Agricultural Law Committee of the State Bar of Texas and past president of the Brazos Valley Estate and Financial Planning Council.

To pre-register, call the Extension Office at (325) 257-5159 by Nov. 23.

• A training course necessary to obtain a private pesticide applicators license is 8:15 a.m. Dec. 5 in the meeting room at the Extension Office, 1447 Texas 71, Unit E. Registration is 8 a.m.

The cost of the course is $75 and includes study materials, reference manuals and a noon meal.

Llano County Extension Agent Jamie Osbourn will present the class. A Texas Department of Agriculture representative will administer the one-hour license test after lunch.

To pre-register and pick up materials, call (325) 247-5159 or visit the Extension Office.

• A conference for those in pest control who need continuing education units to help fulfill re-certification requirements is Dec. 6 at St. James Lutheran Church.

The program is for those with a valid private applicators license, a commercial applicators license or a noncommercial applicators license.

The conference begins at 9 a.m. with registration at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $25 for those who pre-register and $30 at the door. It includes refreshments and lunch.

Burnet County Extension Agent Wade Hibler will discuss “Insect Integrated Pest Management"; the Texas Forest Service’s Robert Edmonson will discuss “Oak Wilt and Tree Diseases and Care"; Wayne Rhoden, past president of the Texas Master Gardener Association will discuss “Water Quality Safety and Plant Selection in the Landscape"; Eric Thorson of Dow AgroSciences will discuss “Weed & Brush Control"; and Kyle Eckert with the Texas Department of Agriculture will discuss “Pesticide Laws and Regulations."

To pre-register, call the Extension Office at (325) 247-5159 by Nov. 30.