Judge Bill Guthrie issued the proclamation that April 2008 is Child Abuse Awareness Month in Blanco County. This was requested by Diane Beagle, Chairwoman of the Blanco County Child Protection and Family Advocacy Board.

AUSTIN - More than 5,300 wildfires have burned an estimated 940,000 acres and destroyed 140 homes in Texas, the governor's office reported on March 20. Gov. Rick Perry is urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide more assistance in dealing with three months of wildfires that have burned in 216 of Texas' 254 counties since Jan.

Enchanted Keith–Enchanted is a wonderful Disney family film that starts out in the spoofy cartoon land of a Prince, Princess, Evil Stepmom, and birds singing with the excitement of love in the air. This world quickly fades when a spell is put on the princess-to-be and she ends up in New York...

I was privileged to chat with Maxine Blackburn the other day. I have read one of her books, but didn’t realize she has four! Her books are collections of memories, helpful hints, and just plain interesting stuff. I know we have an autographed one at the library - check it out!

CASA for the Highland Lakes Area celebrated their 15 year anniversary on March 12, 2008. All active & inactive volunteers, past & present board members, and previous CASA staff are invited to visit CASA in Kingsland on Friday, April 18th, between 4-6pm, for a Volunteer Reunion & Anniversary Celebration. In 1993, CASA of Burnet County was formed.

Not all towns get to celebrate 150 years. What a perfect year to be a newcomer to Blanco and to become involved with the Blanco County Historical Commission, initiating the celebrations. I was very proud and excited to be in charge of setting up the Byars building for the Fireside Chats.

The Blanco-Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District has scheduled a workshop on assessing the needs, capabilities, opportunities, etc., for aquifer/groundwater research in and around Blanco County. We are interested in both local research and research that may involve other groundwater districts. We are particularly interested in hearing about ongoing research work by groundwater districts in adjacent counties.

Stonewall, TX – Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park will host the first-ever “Celebration of the 1960s” on Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12, to be held on the LBJ Ranch. Authors, educators, and experts on the tumultuous decade will gather for lectures, reminiscences and book signings in an exploration of Lyndon Johnson’s legacy in the field of education and a look back at the decade’s significance.

On March 29 and 30, a group of students at First Baptist Church of Blanco will be hosting a Dinner Theater in the Fellowship Hall at the First Baptist Church. There will be an Italian meal served during the performance, featuring skits and comedy routines. The Dinner Theater has been held annually for the past 20 years to help fund mission trips that the students go on during the summer.

On March 15, 2008, the Franklin Family opened their ranch to the public for a huge celebration for Easter. Hundreds of people came and enjoyed the many activities that were set up. Run solely by the Franklin family and volunteers, the event hosts hundreds of people each year. In an effort to share the word of Jesus Christ, the family began opening their ranch on Easter several years ago to the public and introducing them to the Word.

A Columbian came to faith in Christ through reading the Bible and soon after his conversion immigrated to America. Here he began searching for church where he could grow in his newfound faith but became confused by the number of churches from which to choose. Finally he settled on a test for choosing the church he would make his own.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:1-2 – “1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Paul said in Romans 2:1-11 – “1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Lev 16:14 “And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon (Heb. over, above, against) the mercy seat eastward; and before (Heb. In front of) the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.” Leviticus 16 is a very interesting chapter that describes the all-important Day of Atonement, a.k.a.

Ronnie Smith, 64, of Blanco, died Sunday, March 9, 2008 in Austin, Texas. Ronnie was born September 13, 1943 in Houston, Texas to Hubert and Myrtle Ellen Martin Smith. He was the fourth of seven children. Ronnie is survived by his wife Lillie Jo, son B’Lee Smith, Daughter-in-law Maary, and a grandbaby to be, a daughter D’Layna Jo Smith, and son James Smith, stepson Kevin Morrow and step daughter Lacie LaMonica.

“The Stars at Night, Are Big and Bright….Deep in the Heart of Texas!” Right? Well, yes and no. Here in Blanco we are blessed with a dark night sky that lets the Milky Way and all the other stars and planets shine brightly down on the Blanco Valley…sort of. At least that’s the way it used to be, back in the days before light pollution.

Wildflowers! Farmer’s market – all sorts of interesting booths and lavender too! Workshops with photographers, master gardeners, rainwater experts! Home and garden tour! Arts and crafts! Food! Live music! Family fun! That’s part of the array of activities for WILD FLOWER DAYS in downtown Johnson City, Texas, April 19 & 20, 2008, from 9 AM – 5 PM. Enjoy the Hill Country wildflowers and fresh air and make the most of a tremendous opportunity to increase your gardening savvy by visiting w ...

Hill Country students interested in attending college close to home are invited to an information session about local college programs on April 1 at 6:00 p.m. at Tivy High School, 3250 Loop 534, Kerrville, JROTC room #D115. Everyone interested in college is invited. The information session is sponsored by Hill Country University Center (HCUC) in Fredericksburg.

The Blanco Panther Band Boosters are proud to announce the date for the early Spring concert and fundraising event. Please join the band on Sunday, March 30 at 1:00 p.m. in the High School Cafeteria. Sixth grade, seventh grade and High School Bands will be performing on Sunday for your enjoyment.

Please be advised that all Blanco campuses will have an early dismissal on Thursday, April 3. The Elementary will get out at 12:30, the Middle School and High School will be released at 1:00 respectively.

The old guys came back home and put on a show, all 30 of them. It was the largest turnout in over 10 years. A special thanks to all of them for coming and helping the program. Mark Upshaw, Eddie Calzoncit, Jessie Ruiz, Neil Upshaw, Daniel Jenkins, Colt Petrie, Michael Mayo, Akram Weusi, Muhammad Weusi, Josh Cox, Calen McNett, Juan Hernandez, AJ Mann, Josh Mann, Joe Mann, Pepe Mancha, Sean Pruit, Aaron Lux, James Allen, Ryan Breeding, Mark Mobley, Ky McNett, Daniel Myane, Coy Johnson, Trevo ...

Blanco defeated Junction 4-1 behind the arm of Ross McCormick. McCormick went the distance, striking out 14 and scattering 5 hits. Blanco only managed 5 hits, McCormick had the big stick going 2 for 3 with a 2-run home run and 2 RBI. Lance Gottardy was 1 for 3 with 2 RBI, and Kevin Gray and Justin Warner both had singles.

The Blanco Panther tennis teams hosted the Cole Cougars on Tuesday, March 11. The Panthers did well over all, winning a total of eight of their games. In girls singles, Yvette Guerrero won 8-2, Rachel Calzoncit won with a score of 9-7. In the boys singles, Austin Carrola won 8-0 and 8-0 in two games.

The end of March and the beginning of April brings a change in the planting season. It is still a little early to set out transplants without preparing for another quick freeze. Keep buckets or row cloth ready to cover plants. Now is the time to apply a second application of insecticide and fungicide spray as peach and plum petals fall. Add organic mulch around trees and woody plants to help retain water and keep away weeds.

Burnet County Sheriff’s Office and Hill Country Area Crime Stoppers are asking for the public’s assistance for any information on criminal mischief in the Hoover Valley area. Tuesday March 11, 2008, suspects wrote graffiti on signs and mailboxes on Clen Oaks Parkway. Anyone with information should call Burnet County Sheriff’s Office at 1-512-756-8080.

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 • Oliver Jason Farnsworth, of Temple, was fined $284.10 for speeding on Sep 10, 2005 (DPS). • Ch ...

Kiernat New Pledge March 23, 1988 Lisa Kiernat of Blanco has pledged with the Kappa Gamma Chi Greek social organization at Austin College. There are nine fraternities and seven sororities chartered on the campus. Each Greek organization is locally controlled and no separate houses or special facilities are maintained for them Greek membership on campus is limited to those regularly enrolled, full-time students maintaining a 2.0 (2.25 for women) cumulative grade point average who are on ...

Whether you are buying or selling property, choosing the right real estate agent is an important step in the process. If you plan to sell your home, you need to find a Realtor who will be the most effective in marketing your home. If you are looking to purchase, it’s important to find someone who knows the area.