About Todd Hower

When you think of rich people …

“When you think of Lakeway, you think of (a) resort, you think of rich people, you don’t think of homeless people living in the woods,” she said. This is an ugly side of Lake Travis.

When you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it …

She did, but the ring slipped off his finger while he was climbing back into the boat. A couple from Philidelphia was enjoying a day on Lake Travis when the husband’s ring sunk to the depths of Devils Cove. If you need to find something at the bottom of Lake Travis, call this guy. He located the ring amid mud and debris about 40 feet from where the couple believed it fell in the water.

When you’ll be wearing a ring soon …

You need ideas for a bachelorette party. Here are five bachelorette party locations in the Lone Star State with a couple that are close to home.

When you’re craving a Hut’s …

Hut’s Hamburgers has been making burgers in Austin for 80 years, so you’ll have to get there before they close in October.

When you’re down with HB3, yeah you know me …

Lake Travis is one of the fastest growing school districts in the state and has been for years, so the district was pleased with HB3 because it will balance the budget. It’s not a huge victory, but more so a financial “acknowledgment of adding 400 to 600 students per year to our district.”

When you practice …

This Lake Travis teen plays the piano for two to eight hours a day. Maybe that’s why she was selected to play the piano for National Public Radio’s “From the Top” The radio show shares the stories of young, classically trained musicians. You can catch Erin Fitzgerald’s performance in September.

When you’re not feeling outdoorsy …

On Wednesday, LTL’s Cathy Hale shared places for you to get a break from the summer heat. When you start to crave the cool, check out these five indoor spots in the Lake Travis area where you and your kiddos can have fun chilling in the A/C.

When you’re a father …

Happy Father’s Day to all of the dads in the Lake Travis area. Your gift this year? Boating on a full lake. As compared to last year when Lake Travis was at 663.12 and dropping fast.

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When you don’t have a strategy …

You’re winging it with a 5.2 million dollar tax fund balance. Some locals are voicing concern that Lakeway lacks the policy to evaluate the distribution of its substantial tax fund balance. Council member Louis Mastrangelo said Lakeway’s ongoing problem is it continues to accrue funds and “doesn’t encourage its use in any way, shape or form” other than TexArts, a regular HOT fund user. Lakeway collects 7% in HOT funds from area hotels, motels, and short-term rental properties every quarter.

When you say, “Goodbye, Lake Travis & Hello, East River.” …

“Brett the Met” got drafted by the NY Mets. On Saturday, Brett Baty helped Lake Travis advance to the state baseball tournament for just the second time in program history. On Sunday he flew with his family to New York to be there in person for the Major League Baseball draft. On Monday night he heard his name called when the New York Mets picked him 12th overall.

When you have available flat land …

You can build one of these. Construction on a new 206,000-square-foot multi-sport complex in Cedar Park is underway. iSports Cedar Park will be an indoor/outdoor sports complex featuring two hockey rinks and two turf fields.

When you want to get eaten by a shark in Lake Travis …

And you can do it on the float that young “Jaws” victim Alex Kintner was on when he was attacked. Jaws on the Water runs every Saturday night this summer starting this weekend through August 17 (although there’s no show July 6).

When you love to sleep outside …

Do you prefer a tent, tipi, treehouse, or hammock? Here are some unique camping destinations for your summer vacation close to home in a sleeping bag.

When you want to go downtown for scooting …

Know your scooter rules. Texting and scooting: You can’t do it. You can’t call and scoot, either. Here are the new rules for scooter riders. Now you’re a safe scooter.

When you’re here for a reason …

The survivor of the plane crash in Lakeway spoke to the press for the first time, thanking the two off-duty firefighters that happened to be there to rescue him.

When your input is sought …

The City of Lakeway and Legend Communities is seeking input about a new development project called The Square on Lohmans. Did the developer make one option look boring on purpose?

When your walls have something to say …

On Wednesday, LTL’s Cathy Hale introduced you to local artists, studios, and non-profits that are defining the artistic voice in the Lake Travis area. If you’d like to share your vision on a mural, this is your chance.

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When you keep trying …

A couple of the restaurants — Toscano and McArthur’s — that recently opened in the Oaks at Lakeway have already closed. The owners of McArthur’s are giving it another go on Lake Travis. Emerald Point Bar & Grill is now open, and there’s a grand opening celebration scheduled for June 1 with live music by the Spazmatic’s.

When you’re blinded by the light …

It’s going to take ten years, but the Lake Travis Youth Association has a plan to dim the lights at the Field of Dreams. Residents in the Homestead neighborhood said the lights from the field sometimes project a sharp beam of light into their homes illuminating their bedrooms and other family rooms. For people entering the community, the light sometimes blinds drivers trying to turn onto Great Divide Drive from Texas 71.

When you play your “Card” right…

Hudson Card, an incoming quarterback at Lake Travis High School and a University of Texas pledge, has been named to the 2019 watch list for the prestigious High School Quarterback of the Year Award.

When school is out …

Yes, it’s good to be a Lake Travis-ite this summer. Lake Travis is open for business, which makes for exciting summer days and breezy evenings gazing at a beautiful Texas sunset. On Wednesday, LTL kicked off the start of summer by sharing 30 Fun Things To Do This Summer in Lake Travis and the new schedule for Movies in the Park and Dive-In Movies in the Pool.

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When you have three days …

You enjoy your Memorial Day weekend. A big heartfelt thank you to all of the men and women who died serving our great country. It is a sacrifice we will always honor.

When you do Jell-O shots …

Don’t throw them in the lake when you’re finished. Divers with Lake Travis Scuba say people are thrashing Lake Travis, and it has become a never-ending process of picking up cans, lots of solo cups, lots of Jell-O shot cups, lids, and things that have no point in being down there. Don’t mess with Texas or Lake Travis.

When you should look before you leap …

It’s not just empty Jell-O shot cups. Sunken party barges, cars, houses, docks, and an old pecan orchard are some of the dangerous objects you’ll find lurking under the surface in Lake Travis. County officials want you to watch out for the underwater hazards. And if you’re thinking about being a drunk boater this weekend, you may want to reconsider. This Memorial Day Weekend, a judge will be stationed nearby, where he can issue — within minutes — blood search warrants for boaters suspected of being intoxicated.

When you live below a dam …

Across Texas, there are 1,263 high hazard dams according to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). It’s one of the reasons why Texas gets a “D” on the Infrastructure Report Cards. Let’s hope that Mansfield Dam (completed in 1941) isn’t on the high hazard list.

When you’re on third …

Brett Baty is the third baseman at Lake Travis High School and his name is on the list as one of the biggest bats in the 2019 MLB Draft. Go, Baty!

When you try to avoid portables …

You have to split up. The Lake Travis ISD realignment will divide the West Cypress Hills and Serene Hills Elementary School communities to create the new elementary school attendance zone. Parents from the Rough Hollow neighborhood are not ready for the break-up.

When you want visitors to spend the night …

Lakeway City Council awarded $50,000 to longtime performing arts venue TexArts and $40,000 to newcomer Lake Travis Film Festival for projects designed to “put heads in beds.”

When you’re portrayed as a less-than-safe county …

What ya’ gonna do when they come for you? You might find yourself in a conundrum like Williamson County. Then again, it is reality TV, so how can you say no.

When you have a four-legged friend …

There are lots of pet-friendly restaurants throughout the Texas Hill Country, so your favorite barkin’ best friend doesn’t have to miss out on the fun. On Wednesday, LTL’s Cathy Hale shared 5 Dog-Friendly Dining Spots in the Lake Travis Area.

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