A Dallas federal court on Jan. 2 upheld a 2003 state law that allows Texas schools to set aside time for students to reflect, pray or meditate in the classroom. Plaintiffs David Wallace Croft and spouse Shannon Kristine Croft filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The Crofts' children are students in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch school district. In their lawsuit, the Crofts alleged the Texas moment of silence law is unconstitutional under the Establ ...

I don’t worry about much – just things I can control, things I can’t and things that never happen. I recently worried about a newspaper from the year 2039. Its headlines read something like this: Spotted owl plague devastates northwestern United States’ crops and livestock, area states seek federal disaster relief.

As the Blanco Film Society moves into its Spring 2008 season, world news is full of radical Islamic terrorism and problems in Israeli-Palestinian relations, in addition to the fracas of the US Presidential debates. "Arranged," the first film of the season, shows that friendship truly has no religion - what people have in common is much more important than how they differ. A young Jewish Orthodox woman from Brooklyn, Rochel Meshenberg, is about to begin her first year as a special education te ...

January 10 •Trout Fishing in Blanco! Blanco State Park will be stocked with rainbow trout on January 10th, January 24th Pay only the $4.00 entry fee, no fishing license required! Fish from the bank or rent a canoe/kayak (no motorized boats are allowed in Blanco State Park). There is no length limit on trout, but a daily bag limit of five.

Crissy and Adriane from CKC Farms of Blanco will be letting customers sample their fresh and aged cheeses this Friday from 1 to 4 PM at Real Foods Market (north side of the Blanco Square). You may remember the BCN article several years back that told about a Blanco High School student who had started her own goat dairy and was making several cheeses. Well, this young woman is now a sophomore at Texas State (majoring in international business), and has had articles in a couple of magazines and ...

Navy Seaman Recruit Oscar A. Nunez, a 2007 graduate of Smithson Valley High School, Spring Branch, Texas, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program, Nunez completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety.

The Kingdom Keith–We’re still a few weeks behind after the holidays, but the Kingdom is a movie which came out a few weeks ago that is definitely worth seeing. A terrorist attack on Saudi soil kills over a hundred people and four special FBI subjects travel to try and help the investigation.

On New Year's Day, Dr. Jim and Carolyn Glenn (and their three dogs) returned from a two-week Christmas holiday in northern New Mexico, where their son, Brian, his wife, Kerri, and grandkids Kolby (10) and Halli (6) joined them at their mountain cabin south of Angel Fire. Kolby learned to ski and Halli gave it a good try.

This time of year many of us make new year’s resolutions like dieting, exercising, quitting smoking, etc. While these are honorable goals (and I pray you have good success), there are even more important things we should be resolved to do. Where do you find these things? In God’s Word.

By Dorothy Dillon It was around 1974 at the monthly meeting of the United Methodist Women (UMW) where they were discussing local missions, saying “What can we do to provide a service to Blanco and, at the same time, make money for UMW’s Local Missions?” Bonnie Ashley said, ”Blanco needs a resale shop, why don’t we start one?

Fredericksburg, Texas. January 7, 2008: After a successful start at Luckenbach Dance Hall, CRAVE is moving into the Family Life Center at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church. The Family Life Center is located at 1800 North Llano, Fredericksburg, Texas. CRAVE is a post-modern style service that will kick off its Spring Worship on January 13, 2008 at 5:55 pm in the Family Life Center of Fredericksburg, Texas.

By Roger Campbell Sagamore Hill, a tourist attraction at Oyster Bay, New York, was the home of President, Theodore Roosevelt and from 1902-1908 it was known as his Summer White House. The president’s downstairs office was often the place where he met with important dignitaries and government officials, but these meetings were abruptly interrupted daily for what Roosevelt considered more important business. At four o’clock each day, those in the office would hear the patter of little feet ...

... that's all I'm asking of You. Just give me the strength, to do every day what I need to do! Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus, and tomorrow may never be nigh... Lord, help me today, show me the way, one day at a time! It seems that the more intent I am on focusing on Jesus, the more I see that I can not live my life anymore without asking Him to be in control.

By Dr. Don Newbury Uncle Mort, who has survived (he claims thrived) for 90 years down in the thicket, sent Thanksgiving greetings in a note delivered by the bread truck driver who lives in our neighborhood. I knew Mort would call around the first of the year, if for no other reason than to re-cap the bowl games. Sure enough, when 2008 was but a few hours old, he called…. * * * * * “Most of the games were as predictable as the sunrise,” Mort opined. He pointed out that two vivid bowl ...

Kathleen Joy Martin was born July 25, 1944 in San Antonio, Texas to Elmer and Gladys (Stahl) Eickmann. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Tommy; son, Terry and wife Heather of Llano, son, Timmy and wife Lilly of San Marcos; one granddaughter, Taylor; and three grandsons, Tyler, Levi and Matthew; her mother, Gladys Pattison of San Marcos; brother, william and wife Arlene of Needville, brother, Kenneth and wife Charlene of Austin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Welmuth “Buddy” Uecker was born November 6, 1928 in Blanco County to Lena Bauer Uecker and Otto Uecker. He passed away January 6, 2008 at his home in the Rocky Community. He is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Dorothy, and three children: Myron and his wife Mary of Johnson City, David of Johnson City and Brenda Stone and her husband, Austin, of Tularosa, New Mexico.

Dear Editor, I can’t believe what has happened to the Blanco Oaks apartments and I don’t believe the owner is aware of it. Lights are out, people are fighting, children are messing witht he cars, the police are there on a regular basis and all complaints or request are ignored. It sure is giving Blanco a bad name.

Dear Editor, Live Oak Medical Center wishes to thank everyone who shared their talents, time and figts with our residents here during the Christmas Holiday. The list is too long to name everyone, but you all made the holiday much brighter for all of us at Live Oak. Thank you from the staff and families. Pauline Walker Activities Director

AUSTIN, Texas -- For the fifth year, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will host two Flat Out Fishing seminars to help anglers start the new year with an edge. The first event, in Corpus Christi, kicks-off at 8 a.m., Sat., Feb. 2, at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The event will be held at Bay Hall, Room 103, at TAMU-CC's Ward Island campus.

In December, all of the Kindergarten classes at Blanco Elementary went to see the Polar Express in 3D at the IMAX. The children had such a wonderful time and enjoyed an amazing literary experience. Blanco Kindergarten would like to thank Security State Bank for paying each child’s entrance fee.

Angelo State University conferred degrees upon 317 students during 2007 Fall commencement exercises December 15 in San Angelo, Texas and among those 317 was Travis L. Taylor, B.A., cum laude.

By Charlotte Thomas The JV Lady Panthers took on the Sonora Broncos on Friday, January 4 for their first district matchup. Blanco had a slow start unlike Sonora, who started out strong and sank 17 points while holding Blanco to only two points. The Panthers played hard, but could not get the ball to the basket and had a hard time getting rebounds. The Lady Panthers were defeated with a final score 24 - 47. Jenna Bryan and Morgan Petri each finished the night with 10 points followed by ...

By Charlotte Thomas The Varsity Lady Panthers took on the Sonora Broncos in Sonora for their first district game. The Panthers made a quick move in the first period to take the lead and stepped out in front of the Broncos with a score of 12-2. By half time, the Lady Panthers had sunk another 14 points, giving them a total of 26.

Before the Christmas break, the Varsity Panthers took on the Johnson City Eagles for a nail- biting game. The Panthers jumped out in the lead in the first period as they held the Eagles to only eight points. The Panthers, who were playing well on both sides of the ball, sank 14 points. As half time rolled around, the Eagles managed to catch up to the Panthers and go into half time with a tied game at 23-23. Both teams returned to the floor ready for action, and Blanco made the first move ...

After an outstanding win at the 2007 Gator Bowl, prospects for the Texas Tech University football team in 2008 are growing. The Texas Tech Alumni Association, Hill Country Chapter will host a National Signing Day Extravaganza on Wednesday, February 6 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Fredericksburg Event Center, 224 FM 2093, Fredericksburg.

Over the holidays, the Varsity boys took to the hoops in between all the turkey and fireworks. The Panthers participated in the Llano tournament, in which they brought home 1st place after a round robin. The Panthers went up against the Johnson City for the second time within a month. Blanco took to the court hard and finished with a huge victory with a final score 56-33. High scorer was Tesch and Thompson with 14 points each.

Happy New Year from all of the Keep Blanco Beautiful board members and officers. Today, Tom Philips, Judy Dorsett, Sue Houdek, and I spent our Tuesday workday taking down the lights and decorations from City Hall, The Byars Building, and Roland and Viola Bindseil Park. It always looks so empty and kind of sad when the lights go out for another year.

Happy New Year!!! Are you ready for another year of gardening? What are your goals for this coming year; new landscape, a new patio, install a new lawn or swimming pool, a water garden, or build up planting beds? All of these ideas need investigation and a plan for your landscaped area.

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 These convictions were filed on January 7, 2008. • Kevin Michael David, of Lexington, was fined $17 ...

Republicans to select chairman Monday January 6, 1978 The Republican Party of Blanco County has been informed of the registration of its Chairman, Rev. A.R. Wolber. Who has moved to Winter, Texas. Vice Chairman, Mrs. W. Wordsworth, has been called a meeting for the purpose of electing a new chairman. The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m.

By Waymond Lightfoot RE/MAX Genesis Are you considering buying that first home, but are torn between a smaller, more affordable home and one that will accommodate potential life changes? Purchasing your first home may be one of the most important decisions you will make in your lifetime. Among things to consider are your budget, location, and future plans, including job security, relocation, and children.