About Todd Hower

When you should slow your roll …

You can drive 55 Sammy Hagar. And that’s what TxDOT wants you to do on Highway 71 from the Bee Cave city limits to the Pedernales River. This does not change the “left lane for passing only” sign for being known as the most ignored sign in Texas.

When you get a chilly slap …

Enjoy your last day of spring-like weather. You’ll see a 30-degree temperature drop in the Lake Travis area with a low around 36 degrees before dawn on Friday.

When you want to blame someone for that chilly slap …

It’s this armadillos fault. Bee Cave Bob said spring in Texas was coming early. Way to go Bob.

When you have 13.5 million dollars …

You can say that with your pinky on your lip Dr. Evil, but you’re not alone. More than one person wanted to buy the Belle Hill Estate at 3312 Bee Cave Road. The property went under contract with multiple offers on the very first day.

When you hit the pause button …

Do I get a t-shirt with that? Residents of the Homestead neighborhood donned red t-shirts and showed up in court. They want the city of Bee Cave to determine a solution to the low water crossing in their community, and the Travis County Commissioner seems to agree with the plan.

When you’re located in a strip mall …

Take care of your dry cleaning and hangry feeling. La Bodega Gourmet in Bee Cave is on the list of restaurants that deserve more hype. Chef Eric Paz cooks up a new variety of paella every day.

When you want to keep playing …

Wednesday morning was National Signing Day. These three Lake Travis Cavaliers committed to a future in college football.

And playing …

It’s what happens when you’re raised in a quarterback factory. Remember the wild ride with this former LT high school quarterback. On Saturday, Garrett Gilbert will be the starting quarterback of the Orlando Apollos during the grand opening for the Alliance of American Football.

When you want a view from atop a telephone pole …

Take the Quantum Leap at the Miraval. The 220-acre property overlooking Lake Travis is now open. Plan a visit and improve your wellbeing with yoga, healthy eating, body treatments, and outdoor activities like climbing and standing on top of a 30-foot telephone pole.

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When you like your low water crossing as is …

And you’re just trying to save the county some money. A Travis County study of high-priority stream crossings and passage of a $185 million bond package put the Great Divide low water crossing in Bee Cave on the radar for a bridge. Some say it’s necessary to protect against flooding. Others say not so much. A group of Homestead residents called Don’t Bridge the Great Divide started a neighborhood poll and numbers are shaping up to show most residents are against the proposed bridge.

When you don’t get reimbursed …

Unless you’re on the side that wins. A Travis County district judge granted a permanent injunction against the city of Lakeway so that it can’t reimburse Mayor Sandy Cox for her legal expenses from defending a lawsuit while she was a mayoral candidate. The judge also requires Lakeway to pay nearly $33,000 in attorney fees and costs to the winner of the lawsuit, Lakeway resident Tom Kilgore. Tom is taking heat for the suit but wanted to show the city of Lakeway that they need to follow the Texas Constitution.

When you don’t mess with Texas …

Two eighth-grade students at Hudson Bend Middle School in Lake Travis ISD are finalists for a statewide video contest that encourages conservation and environmental stewardship with the tagline “Take care of Texas; it’s the only one we’ve got.”

When you’re The Backyard …

Here we go again.

When you’re a turophile …

Visit this farm in Dripping Springs and get cheesy.

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When you’re feeling trapped …

Former Lakeway Mayor Charles Edwards is accused of making false statements (back in 2003) to members of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to allow the city a permit to begin trapping deer. Lakeway has spent almost $370,000 from 2005-2018 for its deer management program, and now some people are wondering if it was essential.

When you’re a kid baker …

Steiner Ranch resident and Canyon Ridge Middle School sixth-grader Madison Totaro is competing for the title of Kids Baking Champion on the Food Network. Madison knows who won, but she’s not telling. You’ll have to watch the Food Network on Mondays at 8pm to find out who wins. The program’s first episode aired on January 7, and the season runs through March.

When you’re a different kind of baker …

3,725 passing yards, a 63.8 completion percentage, and 27 touchdowns. Former Lake Travis quarterback and Cleveland Brown, Baker Mayfield, is the NFL Rookie of the Year.

When you’re too full …

You must be feeling like the outside mailbox at the Lakeway Post Office. That’s not a good look. And many (but not all) Lake Travis area residents are complaining about late or nondelivery of mail, packages left outside of cluster mailboxes, and missing packages.

When you say an Austin blizzard is on the way …

SNOW WAY. You’ll have to go to Dairy Queen.

When you have to decide to go wide or deep …

They’re going wide. TxDOT broke ground on the RM 2222 project that will widen a section of the roadway. The project and construction are expected to be completed by summer 2020 … and shorten your commute time on the four deuces.

When Houston’s still worse …

On Wednesday, LTL’s Cathy Hale shared a snapshot of TxDOT road construction — and ferry? — projects that are in the pipeline for the Lake Travis area.

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