Local Government Issues Recommendations

In a letter to the community of Johnson City, Mayor Rhonda Stell addressed concerns about COVID-19, a virus that has spread to many countries including the U.S. and is now affecting business and community events here in Blanco County.

“Local, Blanco, County, Law Enforcement, School and Emergency Services met Monday [March 16] to discuss the COVID-19 virus. We collaborated on a plan to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens in Blanco County. We must be diligent as a community and county in following the [Center for Disease Control] guidelines,” Mayor Stell said.

“We are asking for all group gatherings of over 50 participants to be canceled or postponed until further notice.” Entry into City Hall will also be restricted, and payments for city utilities are encouraged to be made over the phone or online. The municipal court will also be postponed until further notice.

The City of Johnson City is also asking that all events within the city limits be canceled or postponed until further notice. If City facilities were rented, refunds will be issued to events canceled because of COVID-19.

For the full letter, visit the City of Johnson City’s Facebook page @JohnsonCityTX. For updates and changes, they will update their Facebook and website, www.johnsoncitytx.org.

JCISD

JCISD began its scheduled spring break last week.

In a letter to the community on March 17, Superintendent Richard Kolek stated that campuses will be closed until April 3, with students returning to campus on April 6, 2020.

Should any changes be made, the school district will notify parents and the community. Updates will be posted on the district website, www.jc.txed.net. You can also read the full statement by Superintendent Kolek on the website.

Johnson City Library

The Johnson City Library has canceled all programs through April 20, 2020, but the Library will stay open until further notice. The Library also offers free wi-fi access from the parking lot. Call (830) 868-4469 for the password and with any questions, or visit their Facebook page for updates @JohnsonCityLibrary.

Parks

LBJ State Park and the Sauer-Beckmann Farm have closed some non-essential park facilities and services. In a Facebook post, @LBJStatePark, the park staff announced changes to daily operations and restricted access to the park store.

At the Pedernales Falls State Park, the Bird Blinds and Butterfly garden will be closed until further notice, and some group activities and programs are canceled.

Both parks remain open to the public. As always, make sure you make a reservation online as parks tend to be full these days, even with CDC guidelines advising otherwise.

The LBJ National Historical Park has temporarily closed all visitor centers. However, the Johnson Settlement, Boyhood Home grounds, LBJ Ranch driving tour, Birthplace, Show Barn, and other facilities are open and available for self-guided tours. Updates will be posted at www.nps.gov/lyjo

Warn Central Texas

The Capital Area Council of Governments offers citizens of Johnson City an emergency notification service called Warn Central Texas. Registered users are notified via call, text or email about emergencies and updates from local officials. You can sign up at warncentraltexas.org and select your preferred method of notification, as well as any special needs you may have in an emergency.

Local Businesses Modify Operations

The Record-Courier complied with some of the updates posted by local businesses on social media, which reflect how local business owners are taking seriously the concerns of customers of COVID-19. These updates were as of press time on March 18, 2020, and are subject to change, especially now as the city of Austin has closed all dine-in restaurants and bars.

To see what your favorite local business is doing during this epidemic, don’t hesitate to call or check out their social media and websites. Each business that is able to stay open as CDC and the local government recommends needs patronage to be able to keep employees paid and operations running as normal. Restaurant listings are at the bottom of this article.

Hye Dance Hall has canceled all their events for this week, and plans to reopen March 25, 2020, but will compensate bands and employees despite the closure. Hye Market has extended its hours of operation to be open “with a heavy focus on to-go items,” according to a statement on their Facebook page, @HyeMarket.

The 290 Vinery has postponed the Mark Stevens concert, but continues to be open for regular business hours and has implemented a thorough daily cleaning of the tasting room, counter surfaces, and restrooms. All stemware, dishes, and serving utensils are subjected to a commercial-grade sanitation protocol. To learn more, visit their Facebook page @290Vinery.

The West Henley Boil Shack continues its crawfish season and is open to regular business hours.

The Exotic Resort Zoo will not and cannot stop operations for the animal residents. And humans are welcome to visit and stay in the cabins. You can see updates and availability on their Facebook page @adventurezoosafari.

Dollar General is encouraging the first open hour of shopping each day to be dedicated to senior citizens. All stores are closing an hour earlier to clean and restock shelves, as of March 17. See the full statement from DG at dollargeneral.com.

Lowe’s Market is open regular business hours “We are working closely with our suppliers to remain in stock on all items and we are receiving regular shipments to restock our shelves,” according to a statement posted on social media.

The Record-Courier appreciates those who renew and purchase subscriptions online and via mail and will keep the office open for in-person visits as long as possible. You can also read the paper online anytime with an online subscription at jcrecordcourier.com.

Community Support

The Blanco County Community Resource Center is open for business. Call for more details: (830) 868-0208.

The Johnson City Christian Food Pantry is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and every fourth Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

The Highland Lakes Crisis Network of churches is available to serve Blanco County residents in need. Call (830) 613-5919 or go online to highlandlakescrisisnetwork.com to ask for help or volunteer.

Tax Extension

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced Tuesday, March 17 that his department was pushing back the April 15 deadline to pay taxes owed, giving individuals and many businesses 90 extra days to pay. See more information on irs.gov.

Event Cancellations

The Record-Courier previously announced some of the following events and is now announcing their cancellations and postponements. We will continue to update as we receive word on changes in the local community events calendar.

The office of State Rep. Erin Zwiener will be canceling monthly roving district office hours in Wimberley, Johnson City, Blanco, and Dripping Springs indefinitely to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Rep. Zwiener’s office typically hosts roving district office hours in Johnson City, and Blanco on the second and third Wednesdays of the month, respectively.

Free Cone Day at Dairy Queen is postponed at all stores across Texas.

Art Beat Gallery in Johnson City has canceled art classes for this week and next.

Highland Arts Guild has Cancelled the Janie Rives art demonstration scheduled March 19.

The Central Texas Beginning Beekeepers School scheduled for Saturday, March 21 in Brenham is canceled.

The Mark Stevens Concert scheduled on March 21 at the 290 Vinery in Johnson City has been postponed until May 23.

ArtWalkJCTX, supposed to be on Saturday, March 28, is canceled this month. 

Market Days, programmed for March 28 and 29, is canceled. The Chamber looks forward to re-opening Market Days in April 2020 for the fourth weekend of each month thereafter.

The Dementia Care Giver Support Group at the Johnson City Library on March 31 has been canceled, along with all Morning Star Memory Care of Fredericksburg’s scheduled events, meetings, and public gatherings.

The Austin Stock Show is canceled.

The 2020 San Antonio Boat & Outdoor Expo scheduled for March 27-29 at the Freeman Coliseum is canceled. 

Keep Blanco Beautiful's 21st Annual Don't Mess with Texas Trash-Off and 14th Annual Blanco River Cleanup have been postponed until further notice.

All events for the Blanco County Pioneers Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas have been canceled for March and April.

The Rotary Club of Blanco County annual golf charity classic fundraiser on April 6 has been postponed until September 2020.

Restaurants in Johnson City:

Everybody's got to eat, so here are all the restaurants in Johnson City offering food service in compliance with the State of Texas's order restricting dine-in service.

Please send me any updates to this list via Messenger or email: [email protected]

Ate-o-six Provisions at Tapz 32: See their page for menu updates and hours. To-go: Call 830-225-4345.

Fat Boy Burgers: Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday for lunch and dinner. See page for details. Curbside: Call 830-868-0264. Delivery: Available FRIDAY from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. within 5 miles of JC city limits.

El Charro: Closing at 8 p.m., but may close earlier if slow. Curbside: Call 830-868-7040 to place your order.

El Agave: 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. through Sunday, March 22. See their page for more updates. Drive-thru: Call (830) 868-0812 for faster service.

East Main Grill: See page for hours and the latest menu. Curbside: ‭Call 830-868-7710‬ to order. On-Site Ordering: Come in, order, and enjoy your meal outside in the courtyard.

Bryanson290: To go orders: Call 830-868-2424. On-Site Ordering: Come in, order, sip some wine as you wait for the to-go order. Catering Home Meal Replacement: Call (210) 483-3272.

Pecan Street Brewing: The last call for orders is March 23, 2020. PSB will remain closed until further notice.

West Henly Boil Shack: Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. See their page for updates. Take out: Call 830-225-4701 to place your order.

Hill Country Cupboard: Sunday - Thursday 8 am to 5 pm. Friday & Saturday, 8 am to 9 pm. ‭Curbside and To-Go: Call 830-868-4625‬ to place an order.

Lady Bird Lane Cafe : See their page for updates, specials and hours. To-go: Call (830) 832-7884 to place an order.

HometownDonuts JohnsonCity: Drive-thru and to-go: Call 830-225-1119 to place an order.

Subway Johnson City: To-Go orders only: 830-868-4525

Dairy Queen: Drive-thru: Call 830-868-7067 for faster pick up through the window.

Again, please send me any updates to this list via Messenger or email: [email protected]