Tristan Sierra, a 2005 Blanco alumnus, graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin on May 23. His degree is in Government and he achieved his honors for writing an undergraduate thesis. He started attending U.S. Naval Officers Candidate School on June 21 before being commissioned in September at the rank of Ensign as a Surface Warfare Officer.

Gem of the Hills has begun planning their Third Annual Arts’n Crafts and Flea Market. The indoor market is scheduled for July 17 and 18 at the Gem of Hills Community Center, located 1/2 mile north of the red light at 281 and 4th St. in Blanco. The center is at 2233 Hwy 281 North.

One of the biggest and most difficult problems home owners have to face when they are remodeling or building a house is subcontractors who fall through on their contracts. If you have this kind of problem, how can you handle subcontractors who don't do what they say they will? Here are some basic tips for finding a reliable subcontractor and what to do if your subcontractor falls through on what they say they will do. Finding a reliable subcontractor can be hard for a number of different reason ...

“In the beautiful hills of Pennsylvania,” said James E. Faust, “a devout group of Christian people live a simple life without automobiles, electricity, or modern machinery. They work hard and live quiet, peaceful lives separate from the world. Most of their food comes from their own farms. The women sew and knit and weave their clothing, which is modest and plain.

AUSTIN — Special sessions of the Texas Legislature usually are 30 days long, but the first called session of the 81st Texas Legislature lasted only two days, beginning July 1 and ending July 2. The House and Senate passed just two bills, House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 2, and adjourned.

Blanco County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity received a donation of $1730.70 from Claudia Taylor Johnson High School volleyball team. The Jaguars, under the experienced leadership of Assistant Athletic Director/Head Volleyball Coach Nicole Blakeman, staged a benefit co-ed volleyball tournament on June 17 at the Johnson High campus gyms in San Antonio’s North East ISD.

I write today because of a promise made to the new Blanco Cemetery Association, which I had forgotten until I heard a remark. The remark was about the association feeding the Boy Scouts at the cemetery after having them clean the cemetery. There was nothing unusual or “ghoulish” about this practice to me.

AUSTIN – Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples is pleased to announce the Texas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the Texas Capital Fund, a program that provides more than $10 million in competitive awards each year to cities for infrastructure improvements, real estate acquisition and other enhancements that will help recruit businesses and create jobs. “The Texas Capital Fund assists in bringing jobs to communities and boosts economic development for a region,” Com ...

Darrell Hartman had his popcorn popper cranked up and the folks who had gathered at the Ice House were nibbling on the salty treat as they drank beer, laughed, and cajoled each other. The soft strains of country music partnered up with the welcome evening breeze in the shade of a huge old oak tree.

Fort Worth, Texas - After an eight-month investigation, a cattle theft case in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, is finally closed after a rodeo bullfighter pled guilty to felony embezzlement of cattle. On June 16, Michael Eugene Matt, 36, of Blanco, Texas, was sentenced to a five-year deferred sentence, including supervised probation and was ordered to pay nearly $15,000 in restitution after assisting in the theft of 300 head of cattle worth approximately $244,000 from a California couple who owned ...

Blanco Cowboy Church “Cowboys Riding for Jesus” Champion Header, Ryon Krause, and Champion Heeler, Justin Burgess, were honored by their Blanco Cowboy Church family for "Riding for Jesus" on Thursday, July 2. Twelve cowboys and cowgirls qualified for the Team Roping Finals by their faithful attendance at the weekly church worship services April 30 through June 28. When the dust settled over the church arena on Thursday night, July 2, and the Team Roping Buckle Series Finals came to an end, ...

Let us now continue our subject from last week. We have been speaking of New Covenant ministry, which is clearly different on many points than Old Covenant ministry. We saw through Scripture that it was Jesus who was judged for the sins of the world, and that the judgment of Christ-rejecting man will come on the appointed day - but that is not today.

The three keys to success in life are vision, faith and work. Vision, without faith and work, produces only visionaries: people who dream great dreams but never see them become reality. Even great faith must be expressed in some kind of action. According to the Bible, faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Those who look with envy at the accomplishments of others often overlook the long hours of labor that were necessary to make these achievements possible.

Have you tried the water yet? Have you tried to follow Jesus? Do you know Him? Do you love Him? Jesus said “15If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?” John 14:9 Luke 9:23 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. ...

In searching for a robbery suspect police put together a lineup and asked the men to repeat the phrase, "Give me the money or I'll shoot". A man in the lineup shouted, "That's not what I said!" You might say that the man was a little anxious to defend himself.

Ida Elizabeth Crow was born May 24, 1914 in Coleman County, Texas. A long-time resident of Blanco County, she passed away Friday, July 3, 2009, at the age of 95. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank. She is survived by her three daughters: Frances Heslep of Abilene; Judie Doggette and husband, Clatis, of South Carolina; and Wanda Palmer and husband Gaylan of San Antonio.

Dear Editor, When I heard Sarah Palin announce her resignation as Governor of Alaska, I recognized the answer to my prayer for guidance. This recognition is based on the assumption that she will stay in politics at the federal level. My hope springs from the possibility that she will ignore the pundits and run for the Presidency in 2012.

San Marcos, Texas June 21, 2009 -- While temperatures continued to rise above the 100 degree mark for multiple days in a row, Blanco High School Drum Line members took a break from the summer heat inside the cool confines of the School of Music building at Texas State University.

Blanco FFA members Mindy Dechert and Kylie Leachman spent three days at Camp McKinney Roughs in Bastrop attending the Area VII FFA Leadership Development Camp. The camp is designed to build and enhance leadership potential for those attending. Mindy, who will be serving as the Hill District President for the upcoming school year, as well as Kylie, took part in numerous character building activities.

Twelve student leaders from the Blanco High School Panther Marching Band attended band training camps preparation for this coming football season. Texas State University hosted two unique band training camps from June 21 through the 26. TSU hosted what was formerly known as the Yamaha Percussion Camp and the SASI Leadership Camp.

Lance Gottardy and Kevin Gray were selected to play in the 26th annual All-Star Baseball Game at St. Mary's University in San Antonio. This game is sponsored by the Valley-Hi Optimist Club. This club organized this game in 1984 to give young persons the opportunity to excel along with their peers.

The 2009 Minor Boys All-Stars season came to a close with the final game against Kerrville. It was a tough one, with a final score of 13-14. Blanco never gave up and they played their hearts out. The coaches and parents are very proud of our boys.

The word recycling has become synonymous with the “green” movement. However, this relatively new terminology has an ancient practical history. People have been recycling for centuries. In fact, before the industrial revolution, many people made much of what they needed and saved leftovers for reuse. For instance, my grandfather was a self-taught engineer.

Gentle readers: I have been away - Dorothy went back to Kansas. My husband’s parents celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary - that isn’t as common today as it once was, so it was a big to-do. Over 100 people (and half of them were relatives) came to the party - and a good time was had by all!

Blanco Police Department Reports These reports were filed between June 9 and June 18. June 9 • Super S. 12:10 PM. Traffic Stop • Pecan . 2:14 PM. Traffic Stop • 281 S SB. 5:01 PM. Reckless Driver • 281 SB into Blanco from N City Limits. 5:36 PM. Reckless Driver • Super S.

Our Servicemen July 11, 1969 U.S. Air Force Sergeant Calvin E. Sultemeier, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Sultemeier of Johnson City, is on duty at Phan Rang AB, Vietnam. Sergeant Sultemeier, is in unit of the pacific Air Forces. Before his arrival in Southeast Asia, he was assigned to the 3700th Civil Engineering Squadron at Lackland, AFB, Texas. The sergeant is a graduate of Johnson City. His wife, Carolyn, is the daughter of Mr.

Real estate experts say that the three most important factors in selling a house are location, condition and price. As a seller, there isn't much you can do about the location of your home and pricing should be a something that you and your Texas REALTOR® discuss in earnest. You do, however, have direct control over ensuring that the home is appealing to buyers when it's on the market.