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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Buchanan Dam, TX

Home Care Buchanan Dam, TX

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic C.S.A. Salt Works Texas Historical Marker gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Buchanan Dam, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Buchanan Dam, TX

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“I work for this team and it's a wonderful team , great communication and support for our clients, their family members and our caring team of staff .”

Antoinette G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken and Bonnie are wonderful people to help care for your loved ones. their staff was so caring to my mother and so nice to my family I highly recommend them to take care of your loved ones. I think there ought to be more than just five stars to give them”

Mark A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken and Bonnie were wonderful to work with. They were able to provide my mother with care and a very short notice. Their staff was some of the most caring people that I've ever met. Not only were they wonderful to my mother but also to my family. I would highly recommend using them.”

Mark A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Very professional and welcoming people so I would definitely recommend my friends and family to Always Best Care in Boerne.”

Laurie K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The owner is so understanding and supportive of how I want my loved ones cared for. He and his staff actually listen to what I would like done for my parents. Very thoughtful, very professional and very caring. It’s such a relief to have help in caring for my loved ones”

Kristen B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“ALWAYS BEST CARE is certainly a warm & caring business owned & operated by Ken Thomas. I certainly would recommend them for you or your loved ones excellent care.”

Shirley S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Kenneth is kind, patient, experienced and knowledgeable. We are thankful to him for all his efforts and for going above and beyond.”

Chae S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“For those who are searching for qualified caregivers for their loved ones, contact Ken Thomas at Always Best Care Senior Services. Mr. Thomas provides an authentic and professional guiding hand when discussing available services for your precious senior family members. When it is time for a beloved senior to receive assistance, Mr. Thomas understands the importance of providing trustworthy and quality support.”

Melissa C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken leads his Always Best Care Senior Services Agency with compassion for his clients and their families. He is a local senior care expert and leader in his community. If you are need of assistance in navigating your local senior care options, then do not hesitate to give Ken a call!”

Kelly B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Kenneth is knowledgeable and trustworthy. I can’t recommend him enough. You’re in good hands with Kenneth.”

Chae S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I will be forever grateful for the love you showered upon us and my grandmother”

Jill &.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Buchanan Dam, TX?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Buchanan Dam, TX

Types of Elderly Care in Buchanan Dam, TX

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Buchanan Dam, TX
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Buchanan Dam, TX
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Llano County Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Buchanan Dam, TX
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Dam Grill or visit Buchanan Dam, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Buchanan Dam, TX

Benefits of Home Care in Buchanan Dam, TX

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Buchanan Dam, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Buchanan Dam, TX

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your TX's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Buchanan Dam, TX

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Buchanan Dam, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Buchanan Dam, TX

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Buchanan Dam, TX

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Windchime at the Village Assisted Living
  • Country Oaks At Hamilton Creek
  • Kingsland Hills Care Center
  • Pafford Place
  • Oaks Nursing Center
  • Sunset Community Residence
Home Care Buchanan Dam, TX

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Buchanan Dam, TX

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Buchanan Dam, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Buchanan Dam, TX

Latest News in Buchanan Dam, TX

NEW BIZ: Los Cazadores in Buchanan Dam an outdoorsman’s oasis

Los Cazadores opened for business on Nov. 1 in Buchanan Dam at 15395 Texas 29 near Fuzzy’s Corner. This is the third location for the outdoors supply company, a one-stop shop for hunters and anglers in the Highland Lakes.Los Cazadores, which means “The Hunters,” isn’t just selling camo and cartridges. It’s also packed with hunting blinds, rifle scopes, archery equipment, rods and reels, ranching supplies, game cameras and fe...

Los Cazadores opened for business on Nov. 1 in Buchanan Dam at 15395 Texas 29 near Fuzzy’s Corner. This is the third location for the outdoors supply company, a one-stop shop for hunters and anglers in the Highland Lakes.

Los Cazadores, which means “The Hunters,” isn’t just selling camo and cartridges. It’s also packed with hunting blinds, rifle scopes, archery equipment, rods and reels, ranching supplies, game cameras and feeders, outdoor apparel, and much more. A gun room is in the works and an archery technician will be stationed in the back. Hunters can drop off their kills for processing and taxidermy on site.

“We’ve needed something like this for a very long time,” said Buchanan Dam resident and General Manager Haley Davis. “This area, this county, is one of the biggest for hunting and fishing in the state.”

Llano County lies in an area of the Hill Country that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department calls “the deer factory of Texas.”

According to Davis, this is why Los Cazadores chose Buchanan Dam for its third location. The other two stores are in Pearsall and Stonewall.

The business was founded in 1986 in tandem with the World’s Largest Deer Contest, which is still a big part of the brand’s story. The Buchanan Dam store has a heavy emphasis on fishing equipment due to its proximity to the Highland Lakes.

Los Cazadores held a soft opening on Nov. 1 to get business going in time for the white-tailed deer general season, which started Nov. 4. Some parts of the store are still in development, like the gun room and a drive-through feed supply, but these will be completed in the coming weeks, Davis said. A grand opening is planned for a later date, once everything is finished, but the business is officially open.

Visit Los Cazadores from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Keep up with the company on Facebook and Instagram.

Buchanan Dam Dollar General temporarily closed after DUI-related crash

A vehicle drove through the wall of the Dollar General store at 15355 Texas 29 in Buchanan Dam on the night of Saturday, Dec. 9. Nobody was injured in the incident, but the store is expected to be closed for the next three or four weeks for repairs.“We got the call at about 11:35 p.m., a report of a car off the roadway into the back of the Dollar General on (Texas) 29,” Buchanan Dam Volunteer Assistant Fire Chief Rustey Ward told DailyTrib.com. “When we got there, we saw that it was inside of the building.”...

A vehicle drove through the wall of the Dollar General store at 15355 Texas 29 in Buchanan Dam on the night of Saturday, Dec. 9. Nobody was injured in the incident, but the store is expected to be closed for the next three or four weeks for repairs.

“We got the call at about 11:35 p.m., a report of a car off the roadway into the back of the Dollar General on (Texas) 29,” Buchanan Dam Volunteer Assistant Fire Chief Rustey Ward told DailyTrib.com. “When we got there, we saw that it was inside of the building.”

According to Ward, the driver was arrested by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers on a charge of driving under the influence.

Firefighters were able to respond to the incident within one minute of receiving the call and spent about 2½ hours helping a wrecker remove the vehicle from the structure. Ward said that the vehicle penetrated through about six shelves’ worth of merchandise.

“It was surprising that the driver was not injured or that one of the store employees was not injured,” he said.

Two employees were in the process of closing down the store when the accident happened.

Check agendas to see if the following government meetings are in person, virtual, or both. Agendas are posted 72 hours before a meeting so are not always ready by the time this list is published. Click on links for more information.

Monday, Dec. 18

6 p.m. regular meeting

Central Office Community Room, 1800 Colt Circle, Marble Falls

On the agenda:

6 p.m. regular meeting

BCISD Board Room, 208 E. Brier, Burnet

The agenda wasn’t available at the time of publication. Check the district’s website for more information.

Tuesday, Dec. 19

7 p.m. regular meeting

Community Center, 118 Blackbird Drive, Highland Haven

On the agenda:

Thursday, Dec. 21

9 a.m. regular meeting

Second-floor courtroom, Burnet County Courthouse, 220 S. Pierce St., Burnet

On the agenda:

6 p.m. regular meeting

Civic Center, 4111 Cottonwood Drive, Cottonwood Shores

The agenda wasn’t available at the time of publication. Check the city’s website for more information.

A third Burnet City Council hearing to determine the fate of the historic and condemned Reagor building, 300 N. Water St., is at 6 p.m. Jan. 9 in council chambers. Building owner Kenneth Reagor agreed to abide by the council’s decision once members have heard a presentation on the structure’s history and the findings of a historical architect.

The home of Reagor Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing, and Electric was damaged in a fire on Dec. 5, 2022, and condemned by city inspectors a few days later. The Burnet City Council approved demolition orders on June 27, 2023, and again on Oct. 24 after the property owner took no action to remove the building. A final date for demolition was set for Dec. 4.

Reagor was granted a temporary restraining order by 424th District Court Judge Evan Stubbs on Dec. 1. Stubbs held a hearing on Thursday, Dec. 14, to consider issuing a temporary injunction of the demolition.

During a recess at the hearing, attorneys for the city and Reagor agreed to put the matter back before the City Council. The negotiations came about as Stubbs reviewed last-minute dueling memos in his chambers.

On Wednesday, Burnet City Attorney Scott Tschirhart filed a motion stating the District Court lacked the statutory authority to issue an injunction. The motion also countered claims by Reagor that he had not been properly notified of City Council hearings and meetings that led to the council’s two previous decisions to demolish the building.

“We just want to be heard,” Rhonda Martin, Reagor’s fiancée, told DailyTrib.com. “They won’t let us be heard.”

Reagor’s attorney, James Minerve of Austin, filed a motion the same day as the injunction hearing asking for a 14-day extension of the temporary restraining order to give him time to study the claims asserted in the defendant’s (city of Burnet) motion the previous day.

“If the plaintiff is not allowed time to brief the jurisdictional issue, the defendant will demolish the building that is the subject of this lawsuit,” the motion for extension reads.

“Plaintiff knew about the hearing and chose not to attend,” reads the defendant’s motion filed Dec. 13. “Plaintiff did not demolish the building and did not appeal the June 27, 2023, demolition order.”

According to the city’s motion, the property was re-inspected on Sept. 27 and again condemned as a “threat to public health, safety, or welfare.” Reagor was informed in a letter dated the same day that he “must demolish the structure and haul off any debris.”

After no response from Reagor, the Burnet City Council held another hearing on Oct. 24 and issued another order to bring down the building.

Demolition was set for Dec. 4 but stopped by the temporary restraining order granted by Stubbs on Dec. 1.

“We want to restore the historical part of the building,” Rhonda Martin said. “We’re trying to preserve as much as we can and arrange for a safe cleanup.”

According to Martin, the Reagor building was constructed sometime in the mid-1930s of scrap granite from Granite Mountain in Marble Falls. Its architectural design was sought after at the time, and she believes other buildings exist in Texas that were built on that model.

“This is the original,” she said. “There are tons of things that are unique about it. We want to shore up the stone facade and do the renovation properly so we don’t do any further damage.”

Burnet City Council Chambers are located at 2402 S. Water St. (U.S. 281 South). The Jan. 9 hearing is open to the public.

Animal hoarding cases cause struggles for Hill Country Humane Society

BUCHANAN DAM, Texas (KXAN) —The Hill Country Humane Society has taken in nearly 70 dogs this week after back-to-back seizures from animal hoarding cases. The influx of animals has caused staff to rush to find fosters and homes for adoptable animals.Paighton Corley, executive director of HCHS, said 19 animals were seized from a home in Granite Shoals Monday. Nearly 50 more were seized from a Bertram home days late...

BUCHANAN DAM, Texas (KXAN) —The Hill Country Humane Society has taken in nearly 70 dogs this week after back-to-back seizures from animal hoarding cases. The influx of animals has caused staff to rush to find fosters and homes for adoptable animals.

Paighton Corley, executive director of HCHS, said 19 animals were seized from a home in Granite Shoals Monday. Nearly 50 more were seized from a Bertram home days later Wednesday.

Corley said this sudden intake of animals has presented spatial challenges for the humane society as it now has twice as many dogs as it does kennels.

“All of our kennels are full and doubled up and we have other kennels spread across the entire shelter,” Corley said.

In an effort to find homes and free up kennel space, HCHS is hosting a free adoption event 11am-2pm Saturday at the Petco, located at 5001 183A Building M, Suite 100, in Cedar Park.

Staff have even moved stand-alone kennels into office spaces for individual dogs as space becomes more tight. Corley said the priority now is to free up space so that no dogs will have to be euthanized.

HCHS is a no-kill shelter but Corley said if more room isn’t made this weekend, the humane society may have to terminate some animals not currently suited for adoption.

“We have to get other dogs out so we can spend our resources and our time focusing on these guys and giving them what they need,” Corley said.

Teresa Hudler, operations manager and head medical staff at HCHS, said many of the dogs rescued this week are at veterinary offices for care.

She said once more space is available and those dogs return to the humane society, she can resume the work needed to socialize the animals.

“I’m slowly starting to get my hands on those and socialize them so I can do a full workup. The socialization is what’s going to move it forward,” Hudler said.

Lake Buchanan infested with zebra mussels, joining dozens of other Texas waterways, officials say

Lake Buchanan is among the latest Texas waterways to be infested with zebra mussels, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.The department designated the lake, which is west of Burnet and north of Inks Lake, as being infested after an October sampling showed evidence that the invasive mollusks were reproducing there.Zebra mussel larvae were found in plankton samples that Lower Colorado River Authority scientists took from three sites around the lake, officials said. Last month, more samples were tak...

Lake Buchanan is among the latest Texas waterways to be infested with zebra mussels, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The department designated the lake, which is west of Burnet and north of Inks Lake, as being infested after an October sampling showed evidence that the invasive mollusks were reproducing there.

Zebra mussel larvae were found in plankton samples that Lower Colorado River Authority scientists took from three sites around the lake, officials said. Last month, more samples were taken from two of three sites, and zebra mussels were found again.

More:Austin Water flexes capability to fight zebra mussel infestation

More:‘I feel like a ghostbuster’: How Austin tests for harmful lake algae

Zebra mussels were also found earlier in December near a floodgate project at Buchanan Dam.

“At this time, the results indicate that the population in the lake appears to be small,” said Monica McGarrity, a Texas Parks and Wildlife senior scientist for aquatic invasive species management. “However, as we have seen in other Texas lakes, the population is likely to increase rapidly over the next few years.”

Lake Buchanan is one of 31 lakes in the state to be infested with zebra mussels. In Central Texas, Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake, Lake Georgetown, Lake LBJ and Lake Marble Falls are all infested with zebra mussels, according to a parks department map.

Created by Buchanan Dam in 1938, Lake Buchanan was the first completed in the Highland Lakes chain, according to the LCRA. While no zebra mussels have been found in Inks Lake, officials say it's likely to become infested as it is downstream from Lake Buchanan. Zebra mussel environmental DNA was found in samples taken from Inks Lake in the fall, and officials say that could be an indicator of introduction of the mollusks.

Zebra mussels are about the size of a fingernail and will attach themselves to pipes, boats and other hard surfaces.

The tiny crustaceans were to blame for the foul-smelling water that poured from faucets across Austin in February 2019. A mass die-off of zebra mussels in a raw water intake pipe at the Ullrich Water Treatment Plant, the utility’s largest water treatment plant, tainted the city’s drinking water and triggered a citywide boil-water notice for days.

Since then, the Austin Water utility has spent millions on systems and chemicals to fight the scourge.

Boaters should be sure to clean, drain and dry boats and gear before going from lake to lake, officials said. Plants, mud and debris should be removed as well.

Help stop the spread

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department advises boaters to clean, drain and dry boats, trailers, livewells, bait buckets and other gear before traveling to another body of water. Draining water is required by law, and possession and transport of zebra mussels is illegal.

LCRA completes $51 million project to upgrade Buchanan Dam

The project included strengthening each floodgate, as well as adding 30 stationary remote-operated hoists, which will enable the LCRA to open the floodgates quicker.TEXAS, USA — The Lower Colorado River Authority, or LCRA, announced Thursday it had completed a more than 12-year, $51.1 million project to upgrade the floodgates at Buchanan Dam.The LCRA said it took more than a decade because "the rehabilitation work was extensive and was performed on o...

The project included strengthening each floodgate, as well as adding 30 stationary remote-operated hoists, which will enable the LCRA to open the floodgates quicker.

TEXAS, USA — The Lower Colorado River Authority, or LCRA, announced Thursday it had completed a more than 12-year, $51.1 million project to upgrade the floodgates at Buchanan Dam.

The LCRA said it took more than a decade because "the rehabilitation work was extensive and was performed on only a few of the dam’s 37 floodgates at a time to keep the dam capable of responding to flooding at all times."

“This is a remarkable dam and a remarkable project,” said Timothy Timmerman, chair of the LCRA Board of Directors. “The dam was completed in 1938 using technology and engineering standards of the day. Without changing the dam’s structure, we were able to upgrade the floodgates to meet today’s engineering standards, as well as make them able to respond to flooding more quickly.”

The project included strengthening each floodgate at the dam, as well as adding 30 stationary remote-operated hoists, which will enable the LCRA to open the floodgates more quickly.

The LCRA's utilization of the floodgates is critical during flooding events such as the October 2018 flooding event across the Hill Country.

RELATED: The KVUE backstory: Remembering the Llano River flood of October 2018

“LCRA operates dams in the heart of Flash Flood Alley, and we take that responsibility very seriously,” said Phil Wilson, LCRA general manager. “We have to stay vigilant and ready to protect the water supply and respond to flooding at any time, and a significant part of that effort involves keeping our dams in excellent condition. We are fully committed to keeping our dams safe and reliable to continue serving the people of Texas.”

The completion of the Buchanan Dam project now steers the LCRA's attention toward conversations between it and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) about potentially allowing Lake Buchanan to rise to a level of 1,020 feet above mean sea level (feet msl) year-round. The current agreement allows lake levels to be maintained or kept below from May through October, and 1,020 feet msl the rest of the year.

The Buchanan Dam is the uppermost dam in the Highland Lakes.

Credit: KVUE Staff

The water flows through the dams in the following order:

The LCRA also completed a $10.8 million project to replace each of the floodgates at Tom Miller Dam in Austin back in October 2020.

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