Decks are great to have on a house. Whether they are on the front, back, or all around your home they are normally enjoyed by all. Personally, we love to sit on our deck and just look out at the beautiful hill country around us. Or have company over and eat out on the deck is another favorite.

Your home has a great value to you, but one time when you want your home to be worth less is when it’s time to pay your property taxes. Each year, local taxing entities collect these taxes for local governments to use to pay for public services such as schools, roads and emergency response services.

On Tuesday of last week the DOW hit its highest level in four years as U.S. manufacturing had its fastest growth in 10 months. Manufacturing expanded last month at the strongest pace since June 2011, according to the Institute of Supply Management. But, Friday the DOW dropped 168.32 points to 13038.27 as news from April’s job growth wasn’t what investors were hoping for.

The Blanco Girls track team qualified for the State Track Meet in two events. Meaghen Seales won 2nd in the 1600 meter run at regionals in Odessa on April 28. The 800 meter relay captured 3rd at regionals, advancing to state in the wildcard position with the fastest 3rd place time of all four Texas 2A regions. The relay team members are Abbie Culton, Natalie Barnett, Leslie McClinton, and Abby Beard.

School is coming to a close, and now is the time to start thinking football! The Blanco Youth Football League has announced that registration for the 2012 season will begin on May 19 at Yett Park during the closing ceremonies for the Blanco Little League. BYFL members will be on hand to answer questions, give information, and help you get your child signed up!

Middle School Boys Team: 1st Place. Girls Team: 2nd Place. Individual Results: 7th Mixed 1st Place: Mark Kuebel & Viany Gonzalez 7th Boys Singles 1st: Garrett Seales, 2nd Logan Parker 7th Boys Doubles: 2nd: Joaquin Olmedo & Jacob Robinson, 3rd place: Jon Campbell & Chris Prosise 7th Girls Singles: 1st place: Andrea Calzoncit, 4th place: Victoria Moya 7th Girls Doubles: 1st place: Kaleigh Griffen & Montana Wiseman, 3rd place: Brenna Wallace & Jessica Sevilla 8th Mixed: 1st place Jared Mayf ...

The Blanco Panther Softball team made the long drive to Gatesville to meet the Clyde Bulldogs team on Thursday, May 3, for the first game of the Area playoff series. The Panthers came out on fire with the first five batters taking bases on 4 hits and a walk. Blanco led 4-0 at the end of the 1st inning.

Leslie McClinton was named to the San Antonio Express-News Girls Basketball Class 2A All-Area Team announced on April 29. Leslie is a junior at Blanco High School. Photo by Diana Schwind.

This year's prom was held at the Hangar Hotel Pacific Showroom in Fredericksburg.

State Law requires county appraisal districts to notify property owners about changes in their property’s value. On May 1, 2012, the Blanco County Appraisal District mailed 3,429 property owners letters showing their 2012 proposed appraised values. Hollis Boatright, Chief Appraiser for Blanco County, reminds property owners that the letter of appraised value is not a tax bill, so please do not pay at this time. Boatright emphasized the importance of this letter and the key information it co ...

Definition of unabashed: 1. not embarrassed or disconcerted; composed, easy, confident, etc., not abashed : undisguised, unapologetic; adjective not ashamed, disconcerted, or apologetic; boldly certain of one's position; Not disconcerted or embarrassed; poised. 2. Not concealed or disguised; obvious, unabashed adj. Not disconcerted or embarrassed; poised. Not concealed or disguised; obvious: unabashed disgust. You ‘gotta love the word ‘unabashed’.

Blanco's own Jerry and Deanna Dosser will debut their new CD, Western Sunday, on May 12. They will be holding a CD release party at the the Uptown Blanco Restaurant Courtyard. The new CD is devoted to the sound of country gospel music and features some of the couple's favorite songs and hymns. The Dossers recorded the compilation of songs at Los Senderos Studios in Blanco.

A little boy wrote a letter to God, and said, "Dear God, We had a good time at church today. Wish you could have been there." The beginning of the church after the ascension of Christ is recorded in Acts chapter two. The church of the New Testament was a convicted church - "Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart...

Jer 9:23-24 says, “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Springtime in the Hill Country brings an abundance of wild flowers blooming along the Gillespie County Country School Trail. Cherry Mountain and Crabapple School will be open May 12, 2012; they along with the St John Lutheran Church at Crabapple. Docents will be available to share the rich history of these buildings and grounds.