Mayor: Christina “Tina” Gourley 55 votes City Council: Pamela Capps, 40 votes; Bob”Bobby Mac” McClung, 63 votes;Danny Ray, 46 votes

USDA Rural Development Acting State Director, Scooter Brockette, announced today the Agency is accepting applications for the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) Program for Fiscal Year 2009 as published in the April 29, 2009 Federal Register. Applications will compete nationwide. The RCDG Program fosters rural cooperative development through projects that provide rural residents with education and technical assistance in areas of cooperative startup, marketing and managing, and other se ...

I had just left the bait shop. Stuck in traffic, an old hearse caught my eye. Pondering what becomes of old hearses, it struck me – the ultimate sportsman’s vehicle! That sled would put an SUV to shame, I reasoned. Isn’t a hearse actually an upscale SUV? A Sport Undertakers Vehicle with leather interior and smoother ride. SUV’s cost more than Noah would have paid to fill the ark via guided hunts.

As summertime approaches and the sun’s rays become more and more intense, people tend to start sweating more and wearing fewer clothes. While your pets may be stuck with their fur coats year-round, there arethings that you can do to get them ready for the impending heat. Dr. Mark Stickney, Director of General Surgery Services at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences explains that heat stroke in pets is both dangerous and preventable. “With heat stro ...

AUSTIN — The House on May 4 approved HB 4765, legislation to raise the small business exemption to the state margins tax from $300,000 to $1 million but only for years 2010-11. The primary author of the bill is Rep. Rene Oliveira, D-Brownsville. One of the bill’s four co-authors, Rep. Bill Callegari, R-Katy, said the timing of the new margins tax could not have been worse on Texas businesses because tax bills came due right as the economy began to worsen.

Have you ever walked in to an open house and wondered what that smell was? Or wondered why you keep tripping over children’s toys? Many sellers believe that open houses are an effective way to market their home. And they can be – if done properly. But it’s more than just picking up the clutter and airing out the odors.

After a few delays, which we apologize for, we had a great night full of action. We started the night with our wonderful announcer Shane Anderson welcoming everyone to the event. Shelby Haynes gave the invocation to bless the arena, its participants and spectators. The crowd was moved by the beautiful singing voice of Rachel Wheat as she sang our Nation Anthem, while Kaleigh Anderson and Kendra Smith posted the colors.

May 14, 2009 •Blanco State Park - Toddler Time at the Park: Early exposure to and good experiences in nature are key to a child's future relationship and stewardship of our natural resources. This class is a relaxed and inviting experience for parents and toddlers, ages 1-3, to enjoy nature together.

AUSTIN, Texas — In 2008, 61 boaters died on Texas waters. It was the highest number in more than a decade, tying the tragic 2002 boating season. Even more alarming, in 2002 there were more than 620,000 registered vessels in the state; six years later that number had fallen to just slightly more than 591,000. It’s a trend that troubles state, federal and local officials, and one they’re sure to be talking about in a series of National Safe Boating Week events beginning May 16th at Lewisvil ...

Hill Country Memorial Wellness Center’s summer Masters and Triathlon adult swim program is set to begin June 9 at the Lady Bird Johnson Park pool. “The program has a spot for every adult who has an interest in swimming,” Dawn Bourgeois, Wellness Center director, said. “Whether you want to swim a mile with maximum efficiency or just need to polish your technique, this program can help you.” The summer class schedule is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Coach Al Carr, w ...

AUSTIN, Texas – Parents looking to save a few dollars by vacationing closer to home this summer might consider taking their youngsters to a nearby Texas state park, where they can try their luck at hooking a fish or two without worrying about needing a fishing license to do so.

Bernice Brown of Wimberley will be the demonstrating artist at Highland Arts Guild and Gallery’s event on Thursday, May 21, at 9:30am, at the gallery, located 318 Main Street in Marble Falls. She will paint a still life with oils, and show several completed works. Brown says she has studied art “all of my life” and in her early career, worked in commercial art and children’s book illustrations.

Hill Country Memorial Hospital (HCMH) is welcoming neurologist Theresa Phillips, M.D., to its medical staff. She has joined the Pedernales Medical Group, LLP, which also includes Pamela D. Cantu, M.D.; Michael G. Campbell, M.D.; Felice H. Howard, M.D.; James R. Partin, M.D.; and Nancy K. Thompson, M.D. Dr. Phillips treats nervous system disorders.

The Project Graduation 2nd Annual Bass Tournament took place at Canyon Lake on Sunday, May 3rd. It was a great day for fishing, with a total of 67 fish caught and released. Results: 1st Place Charles Whited/Bill Polkinghorn-10.82 lbs.; 2nd Place Rodney Schaefer/Mitch Fain-10.52 lbs., and they took Big Bass-5.62 lbs.; 3rd Place Eddie Mckinnes/Joe Ramos-10.49 lbs. Thank you to all the sponsors of the tournament and to all who fished it.

Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service and the Natural Resource Conservation Service along with the Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District are sponsoring a Spring Field Day, to be held on May 22nd. This event will be held at the Roy Bruemmer Ranch, located outside of Blanco at 1275 RR 473 East. It is just past the old school house; Mr.

Austin, Texas – Thirty-two law enforcement cadets from the Central Texas area have recently graduated from the Capital Area Council of Governments Regional Training Academy’s Basic Peace Office Course. “We are pleased to have a 100 percent pass rate on the licensing exam”, said Mike Jennings, Director of the CAPCOG Regional Training Academy.

Page 111 God says to Mack, “So then, where does that leave us?” In the book Jesus says, “Right where you were always intended to be; in the very center of our love and purpose.” In Matthew 7:21 Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

In the historical narrative in the world’s cultures and societies, Jewish people have often been typecast or set on the outer fringes of people. Shakespeare had his Jewish shylock in the Merchants of Venice. While I have just glimpsed the surface of literature, notably of the European variety, I am compelled to share one of major lesson I learned while taking a course titled “a history of anti-Semitism”.

2 Tim 2:24-26 - “24And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong. 25He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted w ...

The current concern about a possible Swine Flu pandemic killing thousands brings back memories to me of the effects of the Asiatic Flu, a vicious virus of the fifties that brought untold suffering and claimed many lives. While traveling to Illinois to conduct a preaching mission for 15 days during that time I became so concerned about the danger of contracting this strain of the flu that unwanted questions began to surface. What if so many in the community to which I was headed should become il ...

From the United States Senate, the Honorable John Cornyn writes, “I recently learned that First Baptist Church of Blanco is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Congratulations on this significant milestone. It is encouraging to see congregations such as yours continuing to share hope and goodwill. Sandy and I send our best wishes for the continued ministry of your church.” The Baptist Young People’s Union was organized in 1902 with a few minutes recorded earlier. In the early 190 ...

Once again, the Blanco FFA Chapter was awarded a grant as part of the Cargill Community Scholarship Program administered by the National FFA. The local FFA qualified for the grant as a result of having a member receive a National FFA Scholarship sponsored by Cargill. Students were selected for high academic achievement and excellence in school and community activities.

Child abuse and neglect is a wide-spread problem in Texas communities. Last year, 83,000 children were victims of child abuse and neglect and 213 children died. The Texas Legislature and the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) have been working hard to improve the state response and have had encouraging results.

On Monday, May 4th, the second graders at Blanco Elementary were able to have a conversation with Dal Hunter and his colleague, Abdulaziz Kaabi. What made this conversation so interesting is that Mr. Hunter and Mr. Kaabi were in Damman, Saudi Arabia at the time! By using the Internet program “Skype,” the second graders were able to have a video conversation right from their classroom.

We have been researching the evolution of garbage and it's impact on our waterways. While this column has touched on international problems with garbage, my goal is to illustrate local causes that contribute to global problems. There are many forms of waste in our oceans and rivers. But what about the "garbage"

There are lots of things that you will need to consider when building or remodeling a home that are far more complicated than bricks and mortar. There are permits to acquire, contractors to choose, insurance policies to take out and much more. There is a great deal of liability involved in remodeling or building a home and you need to protect yourself.

Thanks to YHT May 9, 1969 Mayor Wayne Smith, on behalf of the City of Blanco, and as representative of the Chamber of Commerce, wishes to express his appreciation to the Blanco Young Homemakers for their sustained effort in the cleanup campaign during the month of April. Cooperation of the other Blanco Citizens in this campaign is appreciated, also, he said. Kindergarteners register Monday May 9, 1980 Blanco Elementary School Principal B.R.