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In 2021 residential construction continued at a breakneck pace starting in July in Gregg Ranch, a new development in Marble Falls. New homes, like the ones pictured here at the intersection of Slenderleaf and Jasmine streets, signaled an uptick in building permits through December when the developer announced 70 of the 151 lots had been sold in phase 1 of the 240-acre site. File photo -
Winter Storm Uri took its toll on residents in 2021 but most, including Granite Shoals resident Freddie Walker, kept working and making their way through traffic. Ice-slicked streets caused a number of minor collisions and delays as well as prompted residents to car pool in weather-proof pickups to stores and jobs. File photo -
In August, state work crews revamped drainage project protocols on US 281 South in Marble Falls to fix a large sinkhole which halted or delayed traffic during a morning commute for a few hours in the southend of Marble Falls. -
On Sept. 1, parents and residents opposing a mask mandate at Marble Falls ISD – which was ultimately reversed – staged a protest in front of the district administration building. File photos -
Crews started the demolition process of the Pizza Hut building Dec. 1 in Marble Falls to rebuild a new structure for the facility with a smaller restaurant eating area foot-print and the possibility of an ice cream parlor next door. -
A first-time fall feature highlighting German heritage, polka music and beer, delighted Marble Falls area residents Oct. 22 and 23. Ragtime Oriole manager Justin Watson and local businesswoman Cheryl Westerman of Ms. Lollipop Party Fun & Gifts promoted the event.
Ice and snow from Winter Storm Uri threw a passel of curveballs at Highland Lakes residents for the second and part of the third week in February, creating conditions which hampered the state’s electrical grid, brought down tree branches on houses and cars, froze water pipes and made roads impassable.
The loss of power caused failures at water plants in Marble Falls, Horseshoe Bay, Cottonwood Shores and at both the Kingsland Water Supply Corporation and Corix-controlled facilities, leading to boil water notices being issued for those fortunate enough to even have water.
A loss of water pressure, along with cold temperatures, also caused pipes to burst, flooding homes already plagued by cold and darkness.
Snow on roadways, bridges and overpasses melted from passing traffic in the daytime, but refroze into ice in the evening, causing vehicles to slide off roadways and into ditches. Some of the more treacherous road stretches — Park Road 4 and Ranch to Market Road 1431 at Lookout Mountain in Kingsland — were shut down for periods of time to traffic because they were too hazardous for travel. First responders, road crews and wrecker operators worked long stretches of time away from their families to rescue motorists and help those in need. The Highland Lakes Crisis Network mobilized into action, manning a shelter at First United Methodist Church, providing food, supplies and water for area residents.
A look at the rest of the year indicated the Highland Lakes joined a fast track towards recovery, while demonstrating perseverance and great resolve in the face of calamity, everyday life struggles and accommodations for skyrocketing population growth.
Sinkhole diverts traffic, causes delays
A large sinkhole in US 281 South in front of the new 7-11 in Marble Falls caused delays for motorists on a busy highway on Aug. 19.
The roadway caved in as a result of a road bore for a drainage line on the east side of the highway, just north of Farm to Market Road 2147 East.
For at least an hour, northbound US 281 traffic was being diverted to FM 2147 east, while southbound traffic was being diverted all the way back at the FM 2147/Gateway Loop intersection.
Old Marble Falls Pizza Hut gets a make over
Crews started the demolition process on the site of the Pizza Hut building Dec. 1 in Marble Falls at the intersection of RR 1431 and US 281 in Marble Falls.
Officials said a new building will be constructed at the site to house the pizza joint with the possibility of a second franchise adjacent to it.
The eatery remained closed for months when 2020 pandemic restrictions led to the business temporarily shuttering its doors. Possible renovation plans were abandoned as well, leading to the decision to tear down the structure instead.
Burnet County Commissioners eye possible bridge route
Burnet County commissioners on June 22 approved and added a supplement to the county’s transportation plan showing their preferred preliminary proposed alignment for a bridge crossing over the Colorado River to connect Ranch to Market Road 1431 with Texas 71 near Spicewood.
Commissioners are hoping to see a route locked in for the proposed bridge crossing as soon as possible so the county can take the next steps necessary to further the project.
Oktoberfest comes to Marble Falls
A first-time fall feature highlighting German heritage, polka music and beer, delighted Marble Falls area residents Oct. 22 and 23.
The Ragtime Oriole, 202 Main St., was at the epicenter of the festivities. To add a German theme, the venue offered live music and brew in mugs and steins which hold a liter of beer. Other specials will include chilled pints. Neighboring business
Neighboring businesses in and around Main Street offered German food and dressed in costumes honoring the culture. Aspects of the heritage appealed to those interested in the history as well as those who embraced such traditions within their own families – many of which were the first pioneers in the area.
Division, legality prompts MFISD to reverse mask mandate
The Marble Falls Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously Sept. 8 to overturn a mask requirement at campuses after legal challenges changed and residents publicly voiced opinions.
On Sept. 1, parents and residents opposing the order staged a protest in front of the MFISD administration building. During the special meet
During the special meeting, approximately 50 people gathered in the Marble Falls High School common area to express their opinions on masks and the virus in general.
The vast majority of speakers opposed the mandate and approached their arguments from various angles including legality, liberty and parental choice.
Developer group announces builders for Thunder Rock
Centurion American Development Group, a privately held Texas-based real estate development company owned by Mehrdad Moayedi, selected two builders for the first phase of the Thunder Rock development in Marble Falls in Burnet County at the northwest corner of U.S. Highway 281 and state Highway 71.
DR Horton and Lennar Homes were selected as the home builders with homes beginning in the $250,000s. Features of the new de
Features of the new development include: 1,966 single-family residential homes; 924 multifamily units; 150 active adult units; 204,000 square feet of commercial development; 26-acre city sports complex with 4 baseball fields, 4 soccer fields and a multi-purpose field; 10-acre recreational center consisting of 20,000 square feet; and Linear parks with native habitat and nature trails along Flatrock Creek.
First Gregg Ranch resident moves in
In July, real estate investment and development company Harvard Investments welcomed its first resident to Gregg Ranch, Marble Falls first new large-scale residential development in three decades.
PulteGroup, the community’s first builder, debuted new floor plans and designs specific to the 240-acre master-planned community at the grand opening. Pulte’s sales have been going strong, and demand remains high as residents continue to move in through the winter. Phase one amenities at
Phase one amenities at Gregg Ranch include an outdoor kids play area, bocce ball, horseshoe pits, a barn-style ramada, outdoor barbeque, a “life-sized” checkers game and more. Phase two is anticipated to feature a centrally-located community center with a pool, plus a dog park, generous greenbelts and nearly six miles of walking, jogging and biking trails.
Upon completion, Gregg Ranch is anticipated to be home to approximately 700 single-family homes, 250 multi-family residences and a commercial area. As of December, officials reported half of all lots had been sold.
Housing dearth sweeps Horseshoe Bay
The number of homes currently available for sale in Horseshoe Bay was at one of its lowest points in June, while interest in moving to the community is at an all-time high, a local real estate broker told the Horseshoe Bay City Council. Two “hot” areas of particu
Two “hot” areas of particular interest right now are Summit Rock and the neighboring Tuscan Village, which is a community for senior adults age 55 and older.
At that time there were 19 newly-built homes on the market in Horseshoe Bay with four of those under contract with prices ranging from $383,000 to $2.6 million.
A total of 21 new construction homes had closed since January and sales prices ranged from $290,000 to $2.55 million.
Concerns resurface over slab project
Work progressed on a new bridge adjacent to the Schneider Slab Crossing on the Llano River, raising some questions about the fate of the old structure, considered a water recreation spot for local families.
TxDOT contracted with Hodge and Son to build the elevated bridge crossing spanning the Llano River at CR 103, about 8 miles from Castell off CR 152.
The state entity earmarked approximately $1.6 million for the construction.
Several years ago, residents debated the historical significance of the slab as talk of a replacement bridge surfaced.
Citizens along with county officials at the time requested preserving and/or keeping the slab as a pedestrian crossing.
Llano County Commissioners launch library book review
Llano County commissioners set the stage for a county-wide library advisory board that would not govern the county’s three libraries but would provide advice on such things as policies and how books are ordered. The action came on the heels of criticism about at least two books deemed “inappropriate” for children by two commissioners.
The board will include 13 members, three each from Precincts 2 and 3, three or four from Precinct 4, and two from Precinct 1, which doesn’t contain a county branch library.
Commissioners also voted to close the three branch libraries – in Llano, Kingsland and Buchanan Dam – for three days, Dec. 20 through 22, for inventory and possible re-cataloging of books.
LCRA lifts moratorium on dredging, sets new guidelines
By a vote of 8-6, the Lower Colorado River Authority Board of Directors lifted a months-long moratorium Nov. 17 on dredging the Highland Lakes, while also approving a newly-creating dredging ordinance that expands regulations for commercial operators.
The nearly 40-page document adds a Tier III component for dredging activities which specifically addresses commercial dredging.
The decision by the board came on the heels of a Feb. 24 moratorium prompted by citizen complaints in the Kingsland area on the Llano arm of Lake LBJ.
On Dec. 14, board members then approved unanimously an amendment to its commercial dredging rules to create “designated zones” to protect infrastructure, navigability and water supply.
Patriots make 13-mile trek for fallen service members
Kingsland residents Shawn McDaniel, Joshua Shirley and Dave Oxford launched their march, holding three flags at 6:30 a.m. Sept. 3 at the intersection of RR 1431 and RM 2900 in Kingsland. They completed their trek on foot around 11 a.m. near the intersection of RR 1431 and U.S. 281 in Marble Falls.
The distance symbolized 13 members of the armed forces —11 marines, one soldier and a Navy corpsman— killed Aug. 26 during a suicide bombing. National reports stated that
National reports stated that the 13 U.S. service members were among 100 deaths Aug. 26 killed by the terrorist as people were trying to evacuate the country outside of the Hamid Karzai International Airport.
Marble Falls long-time police chief retires
Marble Falls Police Chief Mark Whitacre retired in June after cultivating a 35-year career of improvements in agency staffing, facilities, resources and community policing.
Whitacre joined the department in December 1985, where over the years he was lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and eventually appointed chief Oct. 4, 1991.
Over the years, he worked with 10 mayors – some of which served multiple terms – more than 10 city managers; three district attorneys and several more municipal, county and district judges.
He oversaw a growing police force, guiding the transition from Main Street to a newly-built public safety facility, located at 606 Avenue N, upgrading the agency’s technology and investigative amenities.
The city hosted a retirement event for Whitacre on June 25 at Lakeside Pavilion. He was replaced by Glenn Hanson, the assistant chief.
Marble Falls completes work on bank stabilization
The City of Marble Falls officially opened the water front and parkland that has been improved as part of the Backbone Creek Bank Stabilization Project.
The ribbon-cutting took place Tuesday, Dec. 7 in Johnson Park.
During the October 2018 flood event, the area along Backbone Creek saw significant damage and erosion.
A Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) grant was formally awarded and construction began in November of that same year.
The total project cost was $8 million. The NRCS grant provided $4.69 million of the total project cost. The city utilized bond funding to make up the difference.
The project consists of eight sights along the waterfront park system.
State authorizes local COVID-19 therapeutic infusion center
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott under the guidance of the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and in partnership with local officials opened a new COVID-19 therapeutic infusion center in Burnet on Oct. 1. The temporary mobile trailer was provided with monoclonal antibodies – which can prevent a patient’s condition from worsening and requiring hospital care – treats outpatient cases of COVID-19 with a doctor’s referral at no cost to the patient.
Again, starting today, Dec. 31 the state dispatched a second mobile unit for treatment utilizing “outpatient monoclonal antibody infusion” at a site in the parking lot of the Burnet Community Center, 303 E. Jackson St. Those wanting to participate can find the form at burnetcountytexas.org.