February 18, 2010

Joe Johnson, Chief Deputy for the Blanco County Sheriff’s department, retired from duty February 15, 2010. Chief Deputy Johnson has been with the Blanco County Sheriff’s department for 17 years and became Chief Deputy in September of 2006. Bob Morgan will be installed as Chief Deputy upon Mr. Johnson’s retirement. Mr.

Early Voting for the Republican & Democrat Primaries has begun and will continue through February 26, 2010 from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm in the Commissioners Courtroom at the Blanco County Courthouse at 101 E. Pecan Drive, Johnson City. Early voting will also be conducted this weekend, on Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and again on Sunday, February 21, 2010 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm in the Commissioners Courtroom at the Blanco County Courthouse, 101 E.

Chris Stewart, M.A., M.S., will present Use ‘Em or Lose ‘Em: How to Build Workforce Muscle at this year’s National Head Start Association’s Annual Conference in Dallas this May. This presentation highlights successful leadership practices building employee confidence "muscle" - bringing out the best in people in today’s rapidly changing business environments. Business leaders have a unique opportunity to preview this conference presentation while also be ...

Homestead Exemptions A homestead exemption lowers the property taxes on your home by lowering its taxable value. Anyone who owned a home on January 1st and used it as their primary residence on that date is entitled to a general homestead exemption, and it does not matter if your home is a house, condominium, or mobile home. If you are 65 years of age or older or you are disabled, you are entitled to an additional exemption.

The Stonewall Volunteer Fire Department and First Responders is planning a building dedication ceremony on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at the new station located at the corner of U. S. Highway 290 East and Ranch Road 1623 North, in Stonewall. In 1957 a small group of residents and business owners in Stonewall recognized the need to provide fire protection to the eastern part of Gillespie County.

The theme of the banquet was Valentines Day ‘Falling In Love With Johnson City’. Our guest speaker, Nancy Robinson Masters provided a very entertaining, exciting and enjoyable presentation. The Bobby Beal Band performed with a variety of music, (country western, soft rock, blues & praise music) The Church of the Hills praise band also performed.

The Blanco County Cat Coalition (BCCC) is asking county residents to let the coalition know the location of feral cat colonies they have observed in order to determine the needs of each colony throughout the county. Please call the Cat Phone—(512) 318-5875—to give information about the location—the physical address, the nearby roadway, or a building or other landmark—the approximate number of cats that live in the colony, and whether the cats appear to be feral or fri ...

The Blanco County Youth Council invites all members and other interested persons to attend their Annual Meeting set for Wednesday, March 3, 2010 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Blanco County Show Barn in Johnson City. This is the annual meeting where items may be brought before the Board of Directors for consideration of a rule or policy change.

Respect Good old fashion values. They still work today, we as parents just have to make sure that we are teaching them to our children. Did respect for one’s elders skip a generation? Sometimes, I really start to wonder what has gone wrong. I tell my kids all the time that I am not their buddy, not their pal, and not their friend.

What a Valentine’s Day Luncheon we had on February 12th. We had B-B-Q chopped beef on bun with all the trimmings, chips and dips, plus fantastic desserts. It was definitely fun and delicious. Thanks to Texas Home Health and to J.C.H.A. Tenant Associations. Thank you! We have a very busy week this week with all the services here.

Are you waiting for a free day to quilt or piece your blocks? Well, wait no longer. Here are some ideas to help you find more time to quilt: 1. Get up 30 minutes earlier to sew before your morning rush begins. If you are not a morning person, stay up for an extra hour at night. 2.

I am not talking about my age here, I am referring to the temperature for the past week now that has been sitting determinedly on 46 degrees. This has been a winter to remember for Blanco County and I for one have enjoyed it. It’s been both cold and rainy and the earth, the flowers, both wild and planted, have needed both.

*****The Chamber of Commerce Banquet was held at the Show Barn at the Blanco County Fair Grounds on Thursday, February 11th. Randy Brodbeck & Rosie Danz always present the awards but a little birdie says Rosie was on a trip & missed it this year. *****Janie Moreland hosted a jewelry party on Sunday afternoon at her home.

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park announces the 3rd annual LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour, "A Ride to Preserve History," which begins on the historic LBJ Ranch airstrip near Stonewall, Texas on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. The tour provides four separate routes of 10, 30, 44 and 65 miles throughout the scenic Texas Hill Country and one special historical tour narrated by Luci Baines Johnson beginning at approximately 2 p.m.

Five Propositions face voters on the Republican Ballot for March 2, 2010. The non-binding propositions are meant to measure interest on the issues. Your voice will be heard and the elected officials will know where you stand on the issues. Propositions were decided on by the State Republican Executive Committee and presented to the voters on the Primary Ballot as follows: Prop #1 Photo ID The Texas legislature should make it a priority to p ...

Despite the cold, a total of 26 members and guests attended February’s meeting of the Community Garden Club of Johnson City. February’s program by guest speaker Dan Holland was "Butterflies and their Plants". Armed with the knowledge of key nectar and host plants for a starter butterfly garden, many members will be refreshing their gardens with suggested plants. President Pearl Hedlund presided over the business meeting.

Landowners and operators have spent generations becoming range stewards and leaving their piece of Earth better than how it was received. Ranching in the Texas Hill Country is a passion for most and a hobby for few. With the help of the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) producers across the region can obtain assistance and cost-share in implementing conservation practices. The 2008 Farm Bill authorized some key programs for technical and financial assistance.

Texas cattle breeders looking to sell a bull will want to make sure they’re in line with a new state health regulation launched Jan. 1 to help curb incidence of cattle trichomoniasis in Texas, Blanco County Farm Bureau Adrian Schulze said. "Several of our state’s top cattle industry minds worked hand in hand last year with animal health officials to find solutions for this growing problem,"

Johnson City Police Department Reports These reports were filed between Feb. 1 and Feb. 7. Feb. 1 • 281 S Stanton Rd. 1:38 AM. Traffic Stop • West City Limits. 1:43 AM. Traffic Stop • 116 Heritage Dr. 11:20 AM. Criminal Mischief • 100 YO Dr. 8:54 PM. Informational • 290 and LBJ Dr. 10:18 PM. Traffic Stop • Johnson City Oaks Apt 11.

Gene and LaVada Triesch of Menorah Music Ministry in Blanco will be singing their "southern country gospel music" in concert Saturday evening, February 20, at 5:00 PM at the 2010 monthly series of Gospel Sings at Spring Branch Baptist Church, 11750 US Hwy 281 N (just south of Hwy. 306 intersection) The concert is sponsored jointly by the South Texas Gospel Music Association (STGMA) of San Antonio, TX, and the Spring Branch Baptist Church as a community effort to support gospel music ...

Please join us for the World Day of Prayer to be celebrated on Friday, March 5, 2010, at the First United Methodist Church in Johnson City. The sanctuary will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM for all who wish to participate - come into the church and offer prayers.

February is the month Americans celebrate the birthdays of two unforgettable presidents: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. While we do this officially on President’s Day, many still prefer to do so on the dates they were born: Lincoln on February 12, and Washington on February 22. Lincoln was a man of many firsts: the first president to be elected without being a native of one of the thirteen original colonies; the first to have a beard ...

Whenever our Weekend to Remember speaker team gets together—as we’re passing each other in the hallway or stepping onto the elevator—we often ask each other one probing question: "Are you clean?" We’re calling each other to personal holiness—we don’t want anyone who represents our Lord and our ministry to stand before others with an unexamined heart. "Are you clean?"

LBJ FIGHTING BAND members Nathan Preece, Samantha Preece, Krista Kannon, Cory Hudson, Alyssa Rush, Jose Mesa, Desar Mesa, Andrew Stark, Noel Porter, Mike Banfield, Laura Meuerer, Elizabeth Nunn, Lawson Shumake, Katelyn Barrientes, Riley North, Brandon Adams, Betsy Cruz, Dayton Danz, Lydia Yachimski, Tome Johnson, Daniel Hawkins, Sawyer Marks and Jared Spears participated in the UIL Solo and Ensemble competition at Hays High School in Buda, TX.

Texas Tech University at Fredericksburg and the Hill Country University Center will present an information session on navigating the College Financial Aid process on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Fredericksburg High School Library at 5:30 p.m. Financial aid specialists from Texas Tech University and Austin Community College will be the speakers.

Texas Tech University at Fredericksburg and the Hill Country University Center will present an information session on navigating the College Financial Aid process on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Fredericksburg High School Library at 5:30 p.m. Financial aid specialists from Texas Tech University and Austin Community College will be the speakers.

The LBJ Eagle boys basketball team lost 2 tough, thrilling games this past week. On Friday evening, they took on the state ranked Randolph Ro-Hawks. The Eagles got off to a good start taking a 14-12 lead after the first period and a 24-18 halftime lead. Randolph cut into the lead in the 3rd period and the 4th quarter was a tense, tight affair.

This month, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. When a boy takes the Scout Oath, he promises on his honor to do his best, to do his duty to God and his country and to obey the Scout Law. For 100 years, Scouting has prepared young boys to become leaders to give them the tools to become good citizens of this great nation.