MARBLE FALLS — The City Council Tuesday will review five applicants for an open slot on the EDC board, marking the first time for a possible appointment under a new rule allowing non-residents to serve.

The applicants are vying to complete the unexpired term of Director Karen Carter, who resigned from the Economic Development Corp. last month for “business reasons.”

The applicants include former council members Bryan Hicks and Josh Parker; former Burnet County Judge David Kithil; Mark Mayfield, the Texas Housing Foundation president and CEO; and local businessman Greg Mills.

Though the council appoints EDC board members and approves its budget, the nonprofit is funded by local sales taxes. The mission of the EDC is to attract and keep businesses in Marble Falls.

“It is one of the most important agencies in the city,” Hicks said Friday. “Business has been a bit slow, and the EDC board must complement what City Council is doing to create a climate that is receptive to business.”

MARBLE FALLS — Now that autumn is here, members of the Marble Falls Parks and Recreation Department are busy attending to various projects at Johnson Park, VFW Park and the city’s soccer fields.

“The Greens,” the affectionate term residents call the soccer fields, will receive  bleachers with money from the Capital Improvement Program, Parks and Recreation Director Robert Moss said.

Granite Country Youth Soccer Association members will assemble and place the bleachers where needed.

“They’re three-row bleachers only,” Moss said. “President Jimmy Fermin said he thought the bleachers would be more beneficial.”

The cost is $1,000 each for four.

“There are at least 10 fields of various sizes,” the director said. “They’ll put them where high participation and more registration is.”

MARBLE FALLS — Two teens required a hospital visit after cutting themselves on broken window glass while trying to flee from police after the boys entered a vacant nursing home, officers said Friday.

The wounds were not life-threatening, but both minors were rushed to Seton Highland Lakes Medical Center in Burnet.

Officers responded to the former Northwood Health Care Center, 1109 Northwood Drive, around 1:30 p.m. Friday after somebody reported people inside the building. The center, which is across from Marble Falls Middle School, closed down April 1.

MARBLE FALLS — A man detained after a break-in at The Dollar General Store has police looking for possible links to a recent string of burglaries at other businesses and homes.

The latest incident, reported about 2 a.m. Oct. 27 at the department store in the 1400 block of Mormon Mill Road, occurred when someone rammed a shopping cart into a front glass door to get inside.

The case may give officers leads to the other break-ins, but so far investigators haven’t found any links.

“We’re comparing physical evidence collected at each scene to see if there is anything overlapping,” said police Capt. Glenn Hanson.

When police Sgt. Trisha Ratliff and Officer David Amidon responded to an alarm at the store, they found a man inside and took him into custody.

In addition to this case, police are probing a series of burglaries that started in late September.

On Oct. 21, somebody broke into Coach Wash in the 2600 block of U.S. 281.

In earlier incidents from Oct. 13-17,  intruders made off with computers, guns and collectibles.

One case occurred at For Curiosity Sake in the 200 block of Avenue G. Also, several apartment residents in the 300 block of Avenue S reported burglaries on Oct. 14.

Then, sometime on Oct. 16 or Oct. 17, thieves burglarized an office complex in the 100 block of Avenue H and made off with computers and other office supplies.

Police are still looking for information in a burglary Sept. 25 at Canyon Cleaners in the 2200 block of U.S. 281. A person wearing a wig and covering his or her face entered the business after-hours and stole cash.

Officers said the thief appeared to know his or her way around the building.

Anyone with information on the crimes can contact police at (830) 693-3611 or the Hill Country Crime Stoppers at 1-866-756-8477 or through www.hcacrimestoppers.com.

Tipsters to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and their information could lead to a reward, investigators said.

daniel@thepicayune.com

PHOTO 1: Do you need a trim? The stylists at CrossHairs Salon, 309 Main St. in Marble Falls, channel ‘Edward Scissorhands’ for the annual ‘Moonlight Madness’ celebration Oct. 27. Stephanie Gutierez (left), Crista Chance and Christine Elizondl worked during the morning to get their costumes just right. More than 40 Marble Falls area businesses participated in the event, which included sales, discounts and stores staying open late to kick off the holiday shopping season. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton

PHOTO 2: What about the mustard? MacKenzie Shorb of the BookShop, 212 Main St. in Marble Falls, adds a bit of flavor to the annual ‘Moonlight Madness’ celebration Oct. 27. Business owners, employees and even customers dressed up and enjoyed the kickoff for the holiday shopping season. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton

PHOTO 3: Pam Spiller (left) and Jolene Pool of In Harmony Thrift Store, 1104 West RR 1431 in Marble Falls, enjoy the fun of ‘Moonlight Madness’ Oct. 27. More than 40 area businesses and merchants participated in the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Area Chamber of Commerce shopping extravaganza, which included stores staying open late and offering special deals. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton

GRANITE SHOALS — A new drought contingency plan carries mandatory restrictions and even fines of up to $1,000 for violations as the city girds for future water shortages.

The City Council approved the new set of guidelines Oct. 25 as Texas endures one of its worst droughts on record. Forecasters say lakes Buchanan and Travis, which supply the area’s drinking water, could drop to record lows by spring if there is no significant rainfall.

"We’ve hashed this (drought contingency plan) since July," Mayor Dennis Maier said. "It isn’t punitive, but hopefully encourages people to conserve."

The plan outlines measures the city and residents will take during water-shortage trigger points. There are four stages — mild, moderate, severe and critical.

Under a mild water shortage, or Stage 1, voluntary limited landscape irrigation is allowed on certain days at specified hours.

MARBLE FALLS — Get ready for some ghoulish great fun and frightfully good deals Thursday, Oct. 27, as area merchants celebrate another season of Moonlight Madness.

Timed to coincide with Halloween every year, Moonlight Madness — an annual shopping and costume extravaganza —promises sales and other promotions from participating stores.

Sponsors say Moonlight Madness gets people excited about the wares offered by local retailers — especially with the Christmas shopping season just weeks away.

“It’s just a great, fun event,” said Dortha Feaster Coalter, the owner of The BookShop, 212 Main St.  “I love seeing the kids come in in their costumes with smiles on their faces.”

Sponsored by the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce, merchants taking part in Moonlight Madness offer sales, discounts and special deals.

The stores often extend their hours, and shop owners and employees enjoy a bit of the “madness” themselves by dressing in costumes.

For a complete list of participating retailers, pick up copies of the Oct. 23 River Cities Sunday Tribune and the Oct. 26 Picayune. Both editions feature special pages that include a map of all the merchants.

A segment on Moonlight Madness also is featured on this week’s “Picayune Roundup” on www.thepicayunetv.com.

“It’s a lot of fun because the businesses and customers really get excited about it,” said Kathy Daniels of the Chamber.

In conjunction with Moonlight Madness, a “Haunted Dungeon” is offered at the Boys & Girls Club of the Highland Lakes, 1701 Broadway. It runs Oct. 27-Oct. 30. The cost is $5 for ages 8 and up, but adults must accompany children 8-12 years old.

For more on Moonlight Madness, contact the Chamber at (830) 693-4449 or (830) 693-2815.

MARBLE FALLS — Lower temperatures and reduced use have prompted city officials to lift mandatory watering restrictions.

Stage 1 voluntary water-use restrictions went into effect Oct. 24. The city had been under the more stringent Stage 2 at the behest of the Lower Colorado River Authority.

“The city believes we can meet our (water) conservation goals with voluntary restrictions,” City Secretary Christina Laine said.

Under voluntary restrictions, officials ask residents to water lawns only on certain days from 7 p.m. to 10 a.m.

Residents with even-numbered street addresses are asked to water during even-numbered days. Those with odd-numbered street addresses are asked to water during odd-numbered days.

HORSESHOE BAY — Two golfers recorded a hole-in-one at Horseshoe Bay Resort recently.

Doreen Drinkard of Horseshoe Bay recorded an ace on the par-3 17th hole of the Slick Rock golf course Oct. 15. She used a 7-iron from 110 yards. Carole Barnes witnessed the feat.

David Tapp aced the 170 yard par-3 8th hole on Slick Rock golf course. He did this on Oct. 18 with a 5-wood. Witnesses were Dan Holitzke, Ken Walker and Bill White.