SMITHWICK — Firefighters entered their second day of fighting a stubborn 60-acre blaze on the Double Eagle Ranch Sept. 5, trying to keep it from reaching nine homes.

The fire started Sept. 4 as a flare-up from a much smaller blaze officials thought was extinguished Aug. 30. About 40 percent of the fire at CR 343 near the branch-off to Camp Creek Recreation Park was contained by noon Sept. 5, firefighters said.

One dilapidated outbuilding was destroyed, officials said. Fire crews continue working to protect nine homes in the area, but no other damage or injuries were reported.

“It’s very rough terrain and it’s hard going up in there,” said Chief Terry White of the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department. “Wind conditions today are worse than they were (Sept. 4). We’re watching it very closely because with the wind, it could easily jump around.”

Low humidity, high winds and extremely dry conditions are contributing to a rash of Central Texas wildfires during the Labor Day weekend, safety officials said.

The Double Eagle Ranch fire originally began Aug. 30 and was contained to about five-and-a-half acres.

Officials said they believe the fire started when a bulldozer struck a rock and threw a spark.

Fire units returned to the location the next day for a flare-up and have been monitoring it ever since.

A United States Fish and Wildlife Service crew was at the location during the day Sept. 4 watching the embers, White said, but they had to go back to their headquarters at the Balcones National Wildlife Refuge between Marble Falls and Lago Vista for equipment repairs.

“About the time they got back to the (refuge), the fire re-ignited around 4:30 p.m.,” White said. “We’re not sure what happened, but with conditions as they are it doesn’t take much. It went from five acres to almost 60 in a matter of minutes.”

At the time, Marble Falls volunteer crews were assisting other agencies at a major wildfire in the Paleface Ranch and Pedernales River area in southwest Travis County when the Smithwick blaze broke out again.

“We were called off that one to come back here,” White said.

The chief said many of his units remain at the Smithwick blaze.

“We’ll be out here all day, and probably on through the evening,” he said.

Along with the Marble Falls volunteers, units from Horseshoe Bay, Marble Falls Fire Rescue, Granite Shoals, Spicewood, the Texas Forest Service and USFWS have assisted at the Smithwick blaze.

Several of those departments have also sent units across Lake Travis to the Pedernales River blaze.

Officials said that fire has burned at least 6,400 acres and damaged at least 24 homes.

daniel@thepicayune.com

SMITHWICK — A flare-up of a brushfire Sept. 4 that started earlier in the week appeared to be contained by nightfall, firefighters said.

The blaze consumed 40-50 acres on the Double Eagle Ranch on CR 343, just across from the Camp Creek Recreation Area near Lake Travis.

The rekindle was reported about 5:30 p.m., said Chief Terry White of the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department.

“They’ve got it contained pretty well,” he said.

Fire crews, a Burnet County sheriff’s deputy and ranch hands remained on the scene during the night.

A spark from a bulldozer that hit a rock is believed to have started the fire Aug. 30, which at the time burned about 5 acres, officials said.

Flames and smoke Sept. 4 could be seen for miles from RR 1431 East.

No injuries were reported.

Just a few miles away and across the lake, dozens of crews in Spicewood battled a separate blaze that destroyed 1,000 acres, damaged up to 20 homes and forced the evacuation of at least two subdivisions, officials said.

MARBLE FALLS — A new city pool featuring a water park could be built in the next five to eight years to replace the current facility in Lakeside Park, which is becoming more expensive to operate and repair, officials said.

As part of the city’s master plan, the Parks and Recreation Department has proposed constructing a $3 million swimming facility with a water slide, a water cannon, a “lazy river” and other water-park features, said Director Robert Moss.

Workmen earlier this summer re-plastered the Marble Falls city pool in Lakeside Park. City officials said upkeep of the 35-year-old facility is becoming too expensive. They propose building a new pool and water park in five to eight years. File photo

There also could be swimming lanes for competition and wading, he added.

“It would not be a large commercial operation like a Schlitterbahn,” Moss said.

He referred to Schlitterbahn Waterparks, which operates water-recreation facilities in New Braunfels, South Padre Island and several other cities.

The facility will be connected to one water system, he added.

The vision is borne out of necessity, Moss indicated.

Sooner or later, the Lakeside Park swimming pool at 305 Buena Vista Drive will cost more than what it is worth, he said.

MARBLE FALLS — After several months of interviewing candidates, the Economic Development Corp. board has offered the executive director position to Christian Fletcher, who plans to step down as the top administrator at the Marble Falls/Lake Chamber of Commerce.

The EDC board during a special meeting Aug. 31 voted 5-2 to hire Fletcher for the job, which includes a salary and benefits advertised as $90,000-$100,000.

“He is good for Marble Falls,” said EDC President John Packer, who is also a City Council member.

The board considered Fletcher’s education, professional background and more than five years of experience as the executive director of the Chamber before reaching its decision, Packer recalled.

“He will be good for the job and good for the community,” Packer said.

Fletcher told The Tribune he plans to accept the EDC offer. He expects to receive pay at the low range of what was posted for the position, Fletcher said.

“It is an exciting new opportunity,” said Fletcher, who grew up in Marble Falls.

Also, he plans to meet Chamber officials to discuss his successor soon, Fletcher added.

“We will be meeting to discuss a transition,” he said.

Fletcher declined to discuss his salary paid by the Chamber, citing the organization’s privacy policies.

The EDC is a nonprofit group charged with attracting businesses to Marble Falls and keeping them in the city.

The City Council approves board appointees for the EDC and the organization’s budget, which is funded through sales taxes. Fletcher will be the only full-time employee.

Karen Carter and Jane Marie Hurst, who also is a councilwoman, dissented during the vote.

In addition to Packer, board members Keith Conrad, George “Butch” Kemper, Judy Miller and Steve Reitz voted in favor of hiring Fletcher.

The search for an executive director has taken several months. The board has met in executive session several times to consider the matter, only to emerge without taking action.

Earlier this year, the EDC board requested applications for the spot, receiving about 100 responses from both individuals and agencies.

EDC officials in the past said the Chamber applied as an agency, represented by Fletcher. The news that Fletcher was considered on an individual basis did not surface until Aug. 31.

“It was an option,” Packer said. “But the longer we looked at it — it didn’t seem like a good option for Marble Falls. It just didn’t make sense to put the two groups (EDC and Chamber) together that closely.”

Instead, the board voted to accept a personal application from Fletcher for the position, he added.

Fletcher is not the EDC’s first choice.

Several weeks ago, the board offered the position to Levelland EDC Executive Director Charles David “Dave” Quinn Jr. However, Quinn accepted a job with the Bastrop EDC.

Buda EDC Director Warren Ketteman also was a choice at one point. Another finalist withdrew his name in July.

Fletcher said he aims to review the board’s “plan of work” list during upcoming weeks.

“It has to be a key starting point as far as where the EDC goes next,” he added. “I hope to bring some stability to the table on behalf of the EDC and the community.”

In April 2006 Fletcher became executive director of the Chamber. In addition, he holds a master of arts in religion degree from Yale University in Massachusetts and an undergraduate degree from Duke University in North Carolina.

He is a Marble Falls High School graduate.

Earlier this year, there were tentative discussions about closer ties between the EDC and the Chamber, including having a Chamber representative serve with the economic development group.

The EDC has seen departures from two other employees just this year.

In February, Christy Fath, a former Burnet City Council member, was contracted by the EDC to work as an administrative assistant at an annual salary of $35,000 plus benefits. She was first hired on a temporary basis last November, according to officials.

She resigned after only a few weeks to work for Municipal Court, marking the second departure of an employee from the EDC in just a short period of time.

It was the second departure from the EDC. Special Projects Coordinator Olivia Cribbs had previously stepped down in early January due to health reasons.

raymond@thepicayune.com

MARBLE FALLS — The Texas Department of State Health Services will hold vaccination clinics for children Sept. 6, 7, 12 and 14 at various Highland Lakes locations.

Clinics are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. Sept. 6 at 1104 W. Buchanan No. 2 in Burnet; 9:30 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. Sept. 7 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 701 N. Main in Blanco; 1-4 p.m. Sept. 12 and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 14 at 1016 Broadway No. 103 in Marble Falls.

To prevent childhood diseases, children should receive routine vaccinations at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 months, 15-18 months, 4 years and 11-12 years of age.

As a Texas Vaccine for Children’s Provider, children may receive vaccines at low or no cost as an underinsured child, a child covered by CHIP or Medicaid and those who are Native American or Native Alaskan heritage.

Walk-ins are welcome as time permits.

For more, call (830) 693-8424.

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KINGSLAND — The Kingsland/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce will hold a network luncheon with guest speaker Kevin Leeper, chief executive of Scott & White Hospital of Llano, on Sept. 7 at Kingsland Community Park.

The event is 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the park, which is at the end of Williams Street on Lake LBJ. Eat and greet is 11:30 a.m.

Leeper will speak at noon about the future influence of the hospital on Kingsland’s housing, education and health.

Lunch is $10 and will be provided by Spykes Bar-B-Q. Businesses and organizations should bring door prizes.

RSVP by Sept. 2 to the Chamber, 2132 RR 1431, (325) 388-6211 or www.kingslandchamber.org.

KINGSLAND — A packed town-hall meeting to learn about the possible incorporation of Kingsland raised more questions than answers when supporters of the initiative didn’t show up.

Five members of Say Yes! to Kingsland, a group that submitted a petition for  incorporation, failed to appear during the session Aug. 23 attended by 290 audience members.

Organizers said they needed the group there to answer inquiries raised by attendees about the latest effort to turn the township into the Highland Lakes’ newest city.

"I’m not sure why they didn’t come," organizer Shelly Comerford told the crowd. "There is nothing we can do about it."

David Comerford said the gathering was held for informational purposes only. Many at the session voiced opposition to the proposal, which could be on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Members of Say Yes! to Kingsland were unavailable for comment Aug. 24.

According to organizers, Mark Chapman, Steve Fraser, Richard Goertz, Mary Hefner and Chuck LaCallade from Say Yes! to Kingsland were asked to talk about the petition.

The Comerfords helped organize and steer the meeting with help from Rhonda Coker.

David Comerford, who cited the Texas Constitution, claimed the Legislature cannot force Kingsland to incorporate.

He said state law gives an incorporated city the right to assess, levy and collect up to $1.50 per $100 of property valuation without voter consent.

The organizers gave attendees printouts of a budget estimated at $1 million, as well as the proposed map for an incorporated Kingsland. They said the materials came from incorporation proponents.

One attendee noted the proposed incorporation map excluded the Royal Oaks subdivision west of RR 1431.

Why?

"I don’t have the answer to that question," Comerford said.

Another audience member noticed the estimated budget includes about $400,000 for police salaries but nothing for firefighters.

Several attendees indicated they want additional information about how incorporation could affect businesses and taxes.

Say Yes! to Kingsland representatives ought to come forward soon, Kingsland Real Estate owner Will Gilliam said.

"I think they need one (another meeting) as soon as possible," he added.

The meeting originally was slated for 6:30 p.m. at the Kingsland Branch Library, but the standing-room only crowd forced organizers to move the gathering to the Kingsland Community Center, 3451 Rose Hill Drive.

Say Yes! to Kingsland recently submitted their petition for incorporation to Llano County Judge Wayne Brascom.

Llano County Elections Office rules say the petition must include at least 50 valid signatures from registered voters in the proposed boundaries for the city before an election is held.

More than 100 signatures were collected.

Possibly, the commissioners may discuss the petition during a meeting on Aug. 29.

The last day commissioners can order a fall election is Sept. 7.

Because a portion of Kingsland is also in Burnet County, any incorporation vote also would have to be included on that ballot, too, officials said.

If Llano County officials order an incorporation election Nov. 8, Burnet County residents in voting precincts 8 and 9 could participate in the election.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Kingsland has more than 6,000 residents. The postal service delivers to more than 3,500 mailboxes. It has no city government, no police force, no public works department, no planning/zoning commission or other municipal services.

Other than the nonprofit Kingsland Municipal Utility District and the Kingsland Water Supply Corp., Llano and Burnet counties provide most services for Kingsland residents.

If Kingsland becomes incorporated, the majority of what the counties provide will be consolidated into programs administered by new city officials.

raymond@thepicayune.com

MARBLE FALLS — A state senator is asking the Lower Colorado River Authority not to authorize a second release of water to rice farmers downstream to preserve the Highland Lakes during one of the state’s worst droughts.

“I have great concern looking at current lake levels today and the impact that a second release of water will have on meeting future firm-water needs,” Sen. Troy Fraser said in the Aug. 22 letter addressed to LCRA Chairman Timothy Timmerman.

LCRA officials said they are not commenting yet on the request from Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, but the leader of a local water coalition applauds the timing of the letter.

Fraser released his request on the eve of the river authority’s board meeting.

“I certainly appreciate the senator’s assertive stance,” said Jo Karr Tedder, a member of the Central Texas Water Coalition. “As anybody who lives around here can tell you, the lakes are being decimated.”

Meteorologists say Texas experienced the driest nine months — October 2010-May 2011 — since record-keeping began 116 years ago, with the water levels of the Highland Lakes shrinking each day as inflows slow.

“Given this dry pattern and the continued predictions for more dry weather, it seems irresponsible for the LCRA to release a second crop of water, endangering the water supply for firm customers,” Fraser said.

Critics say firm-water clients  — cities and agencies LCRA is under contract to supply  with water such as Austin, Burnet, Granite Shoals and Marble Falls— depend on a stable water supply that is endangered if LCRA releases too much to agricultural interests in Matagorda, Wharton and Colorado counties.

“The current drought has already been named worse than the 2009 drought and many are comparing it to the drought of record,” Fraser said. “I am asking the LCRA board to consider another exception this year to ensure that firm water supply is available for future needs.”

The senator said LCRA should “suspend the release of water downstream.”

An official with Fraser’s office said the letter was released knowing the board was meeting Aug. 23-24 and that the second release downstream for agriculture use is scheduled for later this month.

Tedder said she hoped the LCRA board would listen to Fraser’s request.

“When you’re in a situation like we are now, you have to make some hard choices,” she said. “It really comes down to drinking water and the health and safety of people.”

The LCRA board convenes Aug. 24 at 8:30 a.m. in the river authority’s Hancock Building, 3700 Lake Austin Boulevard in Austin.

The drought continues to have an impact on the Highland Lakes. Fraser said the evaporation levels of the lakes are 14 percent higher than during the last drought in 2009.

According to the LCRA, the two main reservoirs — lakes Buchanan and Travis — are 45 percent full. Lake Buchanan is currently at 994.45 feet above sea level, but the August average is typically 1,011.83.

Lake Travis is at 635.36 feet while its average during August is 665.87 feet.

Texas rice farmers also depend on the river to produce crops during the spring and fall months.

But Tedder said the concern is that a second release to rice farmers for a fall crop could make matters worse for people who rely on the lakes for drinking water and other needs.

“We need to do something to protect this water, especially if we’re looking at a drought that goes through the next year or even two years,” she said.

The LCRA provides water for rice farmers as a so-called interruptible source. Hence, the river authority can curtail the supply when conditions such as a prolonged or intense drought warrant.

But under the current LCRA water management plan, only if the stored water in lakes Travis and Buchanan dip below a specific level as of Jan. 1 will the river authority curtail supplies for agriculture irrigation in the lower portion of the basin.

If combined water levels are at 1.4 million acre-feet as of Jan. 1, LCRA can interrupt supplies to rice farmers. If it’s 325,000 acre-feet, the authority can stop the disbursements completely.

A Water Management Plan Advisory Committee in July recommended the LCRA adopt two trigger points when it comes to determining the availability of water for agriculture uses — Jan. 1 and June 1. If on either of those two days the combined stored water in lakes Travis and Buchanan dip below a specific mark, than the river authority can curtail those irrigation supplies.

But the LCRA board hasn’t taken action on those recommendations.

Fraser noted in his letter the LCRA can ask the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for emergency measures to temporarily revise its water management plan.

In 2009, during another significant drought, Fraser said the LCRA “contemplated” asking the TCEQ for the temporary water management plan revision, but a drought-ending rain made it unnecessary.

daniel@thepicayune.com

MARBLE FALLS — KBEY FM radio has hired Ted Wrenn as its vice president and general sales manager, the radio station announced Aug. 23 in a news release.

Wrenn is a former Highland Lakes resident and longtime local radio station executive.

“We are lucky he is available because Ted is someone with a long and successful track record of making good radio here, and he’s known for helping advertisers grow their business locally,” said new owner and president Tim L. Walker in the release. “Plus, he is really excited about coming home.”

From 1992 to 2001, Wrenn worked for KHLB AM/FM, which served listeners in the Highland Lakes. He will be relocating from Austin.

“We have lots of very good friends and memories from our years of living and working in the area, and it will be wonderful to get to see everyone again,” Wrenn said.

He and his wife Patti have been married for 37 years, and their three children graduated from Marble Falls High School.

Two Way Communications LLC recently took over operations of KBEY 92.5 FM .