Decision restores funding for community college health coverage AUSTIN - Back in June, Gov. Rick Perry used the line-item veto to kill funding passed by the Texas House and Senate that would have continued paying for health benefits of most people who work at community colleges. Perry's veto prompted criticism from community college employees, state lawmakers, students and students' families who faced tuition and fee increases to make up for the loss in funding. On Oct.

Books have made a difference. They have changed the world and our individual lives. For me, stories and reading were normal when I was young and reading has made the difference ever since. The first stories that I remember vividly were the Uncle Wiggly Stories by Howard Garis. (If you were born after 1950, this will all be news to you.) Uncle Wiggly, the rabbit gentleman, who used a red and white striped crutch because of his rheumatism, was regularly challenged by a number of bad chaps.

The Invisible Keith–The Invisible is a great film from the producers of the "Sixth Sense" and my only advice is to watch this movie without any preconceived notions from the previews you might have seen leading up to this film. This is a great movie but takes turns that the previews left out and even omits part of the movie that was in the preview and it's a big part of the story if you're looking for it(confusing I know).

We are having our second spring here in the hill country, when everything blooms with relief after the summer heat. The air is crisp and dry, just chilly enough to make a small fire seem cozy, so we bake a lot of granola as an excuse to keep the oven set at 200 F.

Blanco’s American Legion Post held its annual spaghetti dinner on Saturday, October 27. Post Commander Bruce Huguelet (right) thanks Blanco Independent School District Superintendent Cliff Gardner for being the special speaker for the dinner. The American Legion post will soon be announcing new events for the community and schools soon.

This past week many Blanco folks enjoyed watching the surprise and laughter generated from the Blanco Blue Bike Project. Tourist giggled as they played on the Blanco Blue Bikes and enjoyed the fresh air, natural beauty and benefitted from the endorphins zipping through the body produced by the exercise! The first group of Blanco Blue Bikes was distributed throughout Blanco last week and many locals and tourist have used the bikes with great zest!

At a meeting on October 25th, the Blanco County Historical Commission voted to initiate the 2008 celebration for Blanco County with an event to commemorate the formation of Blanco County in March of 1858. We will celebrate our history with displays, stories, music, and a pageant as a tribute to this event in March 2008. It is hoped that the year will be filled with activities and events by the schools, merchants,and various groups and organizations of the entire county. A meeting is planned f ...

“Dance Halls of Central Texas: An Exhibit of Photographs and Drawings Documenting Wooden Structures Built Between 1840-1940” will open November 9 at the Blanco Library and run through November 30. Architect and photographer Krista Whitson was intrigued by these historic buildings when she first moved to Texas and visited Fischer Hall and Gruene Hall.

'''Part 1 of this article appeared in last week’s Blanco County News.''' Proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 9 would authorize the legislature to exempt all or part of the residence homesteads of totally disabled veterans from ad valorem taxation. Because the Texas Constitution requires that taxation be equal and uniform and that all property be taxed in proportion to its value, to extend exemptions for certain members of the public based on their status, an amendment is needed to extend p ...

Holidays are approaching, and now is the time to think about making hand-crafted Christmas cards and gifts. Omce DePew will offer new designs and instruction in paper cutting on Thursday, November 8, from 9:00-11:00 am. We will provide everything needed, although if you have small scissors we would appreciate your bringing them.

In May, 1859, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Silliman moved to Blanco from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Silliman began to organize a Baptist church. Mr. Silliman, a Presbyterian, soon became a Baptist and helped his wife with the organization of First Baptist Church, which was constituted on Sunday, November 6, 1859, with five members.

2Cor 13:1 tells us that out of the mouth of two or three witnesses, let every word be established. When you see something in The Word of God repeated two or three times (in proper context), that truth becomes established. When you see something repeated dozens of times, you can rest assured that it is an important matter.

When God calls, Rev. Dr. Bobby W. Leggett listens. The new minister of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rev. Dr. Leggett was called to Trinity Lutheran from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bulverde. At 63, Leggett says that he thought his days of moving were over. He hails from Louisiana, but because his father was in the Air Force, he and his family spent a great deal of time moving around.

Doris McMain Fisher of San Antonio went home to be with the Lord Thursday morning, October 25, 2007. Born in Kentucky, she moved to Texas in 1946 where she met and married the love of her life, J.P. Fisher, Jr. Doris was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, who passed on March 10, 2005.

To the editor: I wanted to let everyone know what a great Pumpkin Patch Festival was put on by the Moore Family. Ethan, our three year old, had a great time and my wife and I just enjoyed the beautiful surroundings of the Carriage Hills Ranch. Be sure and put this on your calendar for next year.

Randolph Air Force Base is opening its gates to the general public Nov. 3-4 to showcase the many aircraft that have contributed to 60 years of air superiority for the U.S. Air Force during its 2007 Randolph Air Show, entitled a “Tribute to Training.” Highlights of this year’s free show include the Air Force’s mighty F-15E Strike Eagle, A-10 Thunderbolt and C-17 Globemaster.

In grateful appreciation of their service to our country, Blanco Elementary invites all veterans to enjoy a musical program and luncheon in their honor. Friday, November 9th beginning at 10:30 in our auditorium at the elementary school, the first grade will present a collection of patriotic songs. Following the musical program, veterans are encouraged to join us for a turkey and all the trimmings luncheon in the cafeteria.

This past weekend found four Blanco FFA members competing at the Texas State Showdown in San Marcos. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the Collegiate FFA at Texas State University has sponsored this livestock show. In the steer show, Katie Baker would take Grand Champion honors with her Champion European steer, while also exhibiting the Champion British steer.

All Blanco County swine exhibitors must bring their pigs to the Blanco High School Agricultural Science Building on Sunday, November 18th from 1 pm to 5 pm to be validated. Students and parents / guardians will need to be prepared to complete paperwork, while also paying for validation fees and county show entries.

The BYFL JV Gold team faced the Marble Falls Mustangs in the North division semi-finals on Saturday. The Mustangs would score on their opening drive but the conversion attempt was stuffed, leaving the score 6-0. The Panthers would struggle in the first half, unable to mount any significant drive, but defensively would hold the Mustangs from threatening again.

The Blanco JV Panthers took on the Junction Eagles on Thursday, October 25 to take a victory with a final score 22-14. The Panthers began with a kickoff return by Corey Dowlearn who ran for a 20 yard return, but the Panthers did not stop there, they continued to move the ball down the field. Travis McClinton threw an eight yard pass to Kyle Holmes , who ran another eight yards for a Panther touchdown. The next play was a hand off from McClinton to Dowlearn who attempted to run the ball i ...

The Blanco Panther football team put together one of their best games of the year this past Friday defeating the Junction Eagles 48 to 0, but more importantly, Blanco clinched a play-off spot while also lowering their magic number to clinch the district championship to just one more victory. The Panthers played a balanced and complete game on both sides of the ball to improve to 7 and 1 on the year and 3 and 0 in district play. Blanco would start the game strong and play steady throughout, l ...

The Seventh grade Panthers took on the Junction Eagles in Junction on Thursday, October 25. The Panthers started out strong and took a big victory with a final score 36-6. Tim Goodman, Sam Isenberg and Darren White each had one touchdown and Colton Childress had two touchdowns. Tyler Brown, Chad Marshall and Isenberg each had a two-point conversion. Goodman and Jessie Ruiz each had a fumble recovery. The eighth grade, after a tough battle, did not par as well as the seventh grade.

Judy Brewer held a birthday party for her husband, Bobby, on Saturday, the 27th. A good time was had by all! Dorothy Dillon is still feeling under the weather. We hope to see her out and about soon. You won't be able to miss her - she is the fastest walker in Blanco! Sparky, the renowned canine owned by the Trimbles, has forsaken his friend, Marci, the lovely poodle, for another female - Lily.

Public records information is compiled by Charles Willgren from reports filed at the Blanco Police Department, Blanco County Sheriff’s Office, Blanco Volunteer Fire Department, Blanco County Clerk, District Clerk, and Justices of the Peace offices. Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Criminal Cases Convictions will not appear this week. Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Criminal Cases Convictions will not appear this week. Blanco Police Reports These reports were filed between Oct 1 ...

St. Ann’s Alter Society to hold Turkey Dinner October 27, 1967 The St. Ann’s Altar Society will hold a Turkey Dinner in the Parish Hall on November 5. Serving starts at noon. Plates will be $1.25 and $0.75. Proceeds will benefit the Improvement Fund. Hunter Sheep Win at Kansas City October 27, 1967 C.W. Hunter and Son showed the Champion Suffolk Ram and the Champion Suffolk Ewe at the recent American Royal at Kansas City, Mo. They are also won the Silver Tray for Premier Bre ...

Crude oil costs are higher than ever, and experts have been warning consumers to prepare for higher-than-average heating costs this winter. Well, it’s here, and so is the first bill – and it isn’t pretty. According to a report from CBS News, Texas has approximately 7.8 million energy consumers, and we use about 174 billion kilowatts in gas energy costs alone.