We joyfully announce the birth of our baby girl, Ella Grace, born January 14, 2010. Ella Grace is welcomed by her proud parents, Rusty and Mary, and loving big brothers, Ryder James and Jack Rogan. Spoiling grandparents are Jim and Sandee Tabor and Belinda Graham.

I remember going home from work one day and reporting to my spouse that I had better begin looking for another job. My boss had demanded that I do something that, in good conscience, I could not do. “I want you to fire John Bailey,” the new superintendent had said. “But what has he done?” I asked.

Alvin and the Chipmunks - The Squeakquel Chloe and I decided to watch this last week since she loved the first one with the cute little voices and she adored the way the chipmunks sang. I can't speak for Chloe, but if she really enjoys a movie, then she will sit through the entire thing (mostly) and she didn't with this one.

AUSTIN — The 51st State District Court in Tom Green County on April 15 sentenced Lehi Barlow Jeffs of Eldorado to eight years in prison for sexually assaulting a child. The court, in San Angelo, rendered its prison sentence after the defendant entered a plea and the judge found that the defendant perpetrated both sexual assault and bigamy. The court also sentenced Michael George Emack of Eldorado to seven years in prison for violating Texas bigamy laws.

The First Christian Church of Johnson City is repeating its first annual Prom Dress Exchange this Saturday, April 24 from 11 am-2 pm. We have collected 65 dresses plus purses, jewelry, and shoes. Any teen can bring a dress to exchange for a new one or she can come and choose a dress.

A week before the grand reopening of the newly and extensively renovated Albert Dance Hall, the Texas-born Easley family, which purchased the historical Hill Country hamlet last fall, has invited locals to bring their branding irons to a party to make their marks on the new bar in the 88-year-old structure. Doors open at 5:00pm Saturday, May 1, to those who want to burn their brand into the bar in the Dance Hall, which has been sided with unfinished cedar, updated with sound, lights, ...

Applications for emergency farm/ranch loans for damages and losses caused by drought, above normal temperatures and associated wildfires on January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2009 are being accepted at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) office located in Uvalde, FSA Farm Loan Manager Sara K. Webb said today. Atascosa, Blanco, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Gillespie, Kimble, Kinney, LaSalle and Zavala Counties are 10 of the 191 counties in Texas recently named by Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vi ...

On Tuesday, April 27, the Fredericksburg Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) presents Lawrence Fagarason as our speaker for the evening. Larry has been a cactus hobbyist for 35 years and has pursued his botanical interest in desert flora, native plants, and cacti and succulents. He has run a landscape and nursery business for 15 years, specializing in native plants, cacti and succulents.

With so much recent attention given to climate change and “going green,” now is a great time to applaud the environmental responsibility of Texas farmers and ranchers - and hopefully dispel a few myths along the way. As some people around the world make a point to do something out of the ordinary in celebration of Earth Day, April 22 - like plant a tree or bike to work - Texas farmers and ranchers will do what they do every day to protect the sacred natural resources that ...

The Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center’s friends, J&M Tank Lines are sponsoring a Benefit Ride & Event supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. This rally will include a Poker Run for motorcycles beginning at 9:30 with the last bike out at 11:30, Bar-B-Q plates all day for $5 each, and a 50/50 drawing from sales of raffle tickets and entry fees. Please join us on Saturday, April 24 at 525 East Hwy 29 in Bertram for a great time at Scooters & Sho ...

At its April 19 Board meeting in Johnson City, Pedernales Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors announced that 13 PEC members will run for Director positions in the upcoming Board election. Members will elect directors for District 4 and District 5. The following candidates, listed in the order they will appear on the ballot, were nominated by members’ petitions: • Director, District 4: Dr.

The Blanco County Association of Retired Educators, also known as BCARE, will hold the fourth meeting since it was newly organized on Thursday, April 29, at The First Baptist Church in Johnson City at 2:30pm. The parent organization, TRTA, has grown to 70,000 members. TRTA uses its collective voice to advocate for retired educational personnel.

To no great surprise, the Blanco Chamber of Commerce is not content to sit back and enjoy the delightful weather that we have been having lately. Their current focus is on the Sixth Annual Lavender Festival which is set for June 11-13. The Lavender Festival has become one of the Hill Country’s most anticipated events and is a tribute to the tireless efforts of the Chamber and its volunteer network.

On Monday, April 22, Israel observed it's 62nd year of existence in modern times. The dream of Zion and return to the homeland has always been the dream of Jewish people for thousands of years and it became a reality due to the Nazi persecution and Holocaust. Here's some historical background via wikipedia: The State of Israel was established on May 14, 1948 after nearly two thousand years of Jewish dispersal, and after 55 years of efforts to create a Jewish homeland (Zionism).

Blanco Canyon Gospel Group would like to announce the release of their first CD Victory. The CD is a collection of songs performed by Jerry Dosser, Michele Wilson, Deanna Dosser all of Blanco, Hank Hankins of New Braunfels and Robbie Llanos of Spring Branch. With the help of Rich and Judy Schell and through the encouragement of family and friends the group was able to complete this CD.

Matthew 8:16-17 says, “When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, (Jesus) Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” There have been many arguments about whether or not Isaiah 53:3-5 was talking about physical healing as being part of the atoning sacrifice of Christ.

Someone has said, "after a good meal one can forgive anybody, even one's relatives". There does seem to be a better nature about a person when the stomach is full. Not too much and not too little, but just enough to ease one into a sweet disposition. "Dad can I ride my bike down to the creek and swim with my friends at the swimming hole?"

Well, first you must know Jesus! Jesus said “ 30"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.” Matthew 12:30 It is written in Matthew 11:17-27 “ 25 At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.

During his teen years, Yu Chen Kun was a member of the infamous Red Guard, a group inspired by the late Mao Zedong to destroy what the Communist government considered corrupting influences in the country, including Christianity. The Red Guards attacked churches, destroying Bibles throughout China. Then, one day, Yu visited a church service and was never the same again.

It is with great sorrow we let you know that Brian has passed on to the other side. He will be missed by all. He was a good-natured and kindly sort of fellow. If you were broke down on the road, he was the one who would stop and help you no matter the weather or time of day. Taken so early in life, he leaves behind his mother, Cheri Dawn; his only son, Thomas Glenn; his three brothers, Johnny, Jimmy, and Glenn; and his four sisters, Jana, Cheri, Samantha, and Amber. He was a fi ...

Fredric Wilson Reed was born in San Antonio, TX on November 8, 1913, and left with the angels from his home in Spring Branch, TX on April 5, 2010, after a brief illness. A warm and wonderful man, Fred was admired by all who knew him. With his sharp wit and gracious demeanor, friends often described him as a “classy gentleman.” An avid reader, he was a brilliant man, always eager to discuss the latest book he had read or tell you stories of his exploits in the war.

Trey Allen Noah from Kendalia, passed away at the age of 20. Trey is survived by his parents, Darrell and Melodie Noah and his brother, Tyler. He is also survived by his paternal grandparents, Cecil and Beth Noah of Kendalia and his maternal grandmother, Alice Kneupper of Kendalia. Visitation will be Thursday, April 22 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Dear Editor, The left wingers are doing their best to aggravate Tea Party members at the many anti-Obama demonstrations across the USA. They want to provoke us to violence so that police can be called in to maintain the peace. That is why we must be peaceful in spite of our growing resentment.

Blanco Middle School hosted their annual Talented and Gifted Open House Thursday evening, April 15. The cafeteria was packed with proud parents and fabulous independent study products by students who selected a topic that they wanted to explore, research and create. There was an architectural design with a “future” model coffee house that showed planning, dedication, and talent by seventh grade student, Dub Albrecht.

Some of the Blanco Middle School students were selected to represent their school as ambassadors at the Texas Hill Country Trail Region Brochure Launch. They enjoyed a wonderful experience getting to see the new brochure, as it was unveiled for the first time. They were also sworn in as Jr.

No matter what it took, the Lady Panthers were determined to go home with a win over Comfort last Tuesday. This determination was rewarded with a 12-10 victory in eight innings. The Panthers only district loss came in the first meeting of these teams on March 26. The Panthers took a first inning lead with Leslie McClinton taking a walk and Alex Gustafson hitting a single to get on base.

Over 100 volunteers helped make and keep the city of Blanco and the Blanco River beautiful and clean on April 10 at the “Don’t Mess With Texas and the Blanco River Cleanup”. Dr. Weaver’s Boy Scouts and the BISD Ag students, along with several citizens, took to the river in kayaks or walked along the banks to pick up trash. Four or five volunteers with trucks and trailers went up one street and down another to pick up throw-aways from people’s curbsides an ...

Little League is Recruiting Now April 24, 1970 All boys interested in playing Little League baseball this summer should meet at the Little League Baseball Field on Saturday, April 25, at 2:00 p.m. Boys must be eight years old on or before June 1, 1970 and cannot be thirteen prior to August 1, 1970, to be eligible. Blanco will again compete with Dripping Springs, Johnson City and Stonewall in a twelve game schedule starting on June 4th.