The city of Burnet recently hired a new chief building official, Steve Riggs, to help streamline responsiveness and communication at the city level during construction and development processes.
Riggs, who began work last week, will serve as a dedicated administrator of building codes, an inspector, and a plan reviewer of developments throughout the city.
“Having (Riggs’) expertise in-house allows the city to provide more responsive service, reduce reliance on third-party inspectors, and improve communication throughout the development process,” City Manager David Vaughn wrote in his City Manager Message on April 2. “Just as important, it brings greater consistency in how inspections are conducted and how codes are interpreted, which is something our contractors greatly value.”
Riggs previously served as the chief building official for the city of Boerne for over three years, the interim chief building official for the city of Kerrville for nearly three years, and as a building inspector for Kerrville for seven and a half years before that.
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As oak wilt season returns, Horseshoe Bay officials are reminding residents that a citywide pruning ban is in place to help protect the area’s tree canopy.
“Oak wilt is a serious tree disease that spreads if awareness is not provided. Our community thrives on our natural environment and understanding oak wilt risk and mitigation is critical to preservation of beautiful tree canopy,” City Manager Jeff Koska told DailyTrib.
Horseshoe Bay confirmed its first case of oak wilt in April 2020. The city prohibits pruning or wounding oak trees from Feb. 1 through June 30 each year, when the disease spreads most easily.
Oak wilt is a fungal disease that spreads through beetles attracted to fresh wounds and through interconnected root systems, particularly among live oaks. Red oaks pose a higher risk, as infected trees can spread the disease to new areas, including through transported firewood.
Residents should avoid pruning, paint any necessary cuts immediately, and properly dispose of infected trees, noting early prevention remains the most effective way to slow the spread.
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A new connection between U.S. 281 and Mormon Mill Road in Marble Falls is under construction and could be finished by winter. The Nature Heights Extension Project is expected to help alleviate some of the city’s traffic congestion.
According to the Marble Falls Project Portal, the project should be finished by late 2026 or early 2027. Work began in February, but the extension has been on the Marble Falls radar for years.
“That plan for (Nature Heights) has been on our thoroughfare plan for well over 10 years,” Mayor John Packer told DailyTrib when the project entered its bidding phase in 2025. “It’s just taken time to make it happen.
This map shows the general layout of the Nature Heights Extension project, which will connect Nature Heights Drive to the Mormon Mill Road-Park Ridge Drive intersection. Google Maps
Marble Falls City Council approved a $5 million construction bid from Packsaddle Management in December 2025.
The scope of the project includes extending Nature Heights Drive by 3,600 feet, cutting through undeveloped land up a steep hill that separates the commercial/industrial district of northern Marble Falls along U.S. 281 from the neighborhoods and residential space along Mormon Mill Road.
For reference, Nature Heights Drive connects to U.S. 281 across the highway from Walmart, right beside Layne’s Chicken Fingers at 2711 N. U.S. 281.
The work also includes the addition of a roundabout intersection at the future convergence of Nature Heights Drive, Mormon Mill Road, and Park Ridge Drive.
This is a rendering of the proposed roundabout that will be installed at the future intersection of Nature Heights Drive, Mormon Mill Road, and Park Ridge Drive. City of Marble Falls Image
A large, beloved tree along Nature Heights Drive will remain undisturbed during construction.
“The city doesn’t have a lot of connections between Mormon Mill and (U.S.) 281,” Marble Falls City Engineer Jeff Prato told DailyTrib when the project first went out for bid. “We’re hoping that, by constructing this road, we can alleviate traffic elsewhere.”
Beyond the extension project, the city is also working on upgrading the low water crossing on Nature Heights Drive.
According to Prato, Marble Falls is in the process of acquiring drainage easements before the low water crossing work can begin.
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News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
The Marble Falls High School boys soccer team fell 3-1 against the La Vega Pirates on Friday, April 3, in the state semifinals. This was the deepest playoff run in Mustangs soccer history, with the team taking the regional championship.
“Our Mustangs gave it their all tonight, battling hard against La Vega finishing with a 1–3 result,” reads a post from the official MFHS Boys Soccer Facebook page. “This team has so much to be proud of!”
The team ended its 2026 4A Division 1 season with an overall record of 18-4-5 and a district record of 10-1-1. Marble Falls was on a 13-game win streak leading up to the game against the Pirates. They beat the Davenport Wolves on March 31 taking the regional championship.
The Mustangs played in Waco for the semifinals game, on La Vega’s home turf, at Waco Independent School District Stadium after the previous venue in Kerrville fell through.
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Horseshoe Bay residents should prepare for the remainder of planned outages this week as Pedernales Electric Cooperative upgrades equipment in the area.
Power will be interrupted 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, and Wednesday, April 8, while crews work to double the voltage capacity from 7.2 kV to 14.4 kV, helping meet growing demand and improve reliability. Two planned outages were already completed on March 24 and 25.
Residents are advised to stay away from work sites, and outages may be rescheduled in the event of severe weather.
Those relying on life-sustaining medical equipment should arrange for backup power or make plans to stay elsewhere during the outages. Residents should also keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to preserve food.
If power is not restored by 3:30 p.m., customers can report an outage by texting “outage” to 25022, visiting map.mypec.com, using the SmartHub app, or calling PEC at 888-883-3379.
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The following people were arrested and booked into the Burnet County Jail from March 27 – April 2, 2026, according to the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office. City of residence and release information are listed when available. This list does not constitute an official court document, and all persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Keith Erick Burton, 56, of Kingsland was arrested March 27 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): possession of a controlled substance, penalty group 1-B of more than 4 grams but less than 200 grams.
Jacob Christopher Maldonado, 22, of Marble Falls was arrested March 27 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): evading arrest or detention with a vehicle. Released on March 27 on $15,000 in bonds.
Charity Ann Sims, 46, of Round Mountain was arrested March 27 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): failure to report aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Rolando Prince Solorzano, 39, of La Porte was arrested March 27 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): obstruction or retaliation.
Kimberly Ruth Carson, 62, of Marble Falls was arrested March 28 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): assault class c, family violence. Released on March 30 on $500 in bonds.
James Neil Hattery, 34, of Marble Falls was arrested March 28 by the Burnet Police Department (BPD): possession of marijuana of less than 2 ounces. Released on March 29 on $1,500 in bonds.
Robert Rodriguez Martinez, 48, of Marble Falls was arrested March 28 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): driving while intoxicated, second charge.
Justin Paul Poteet, 50, of Hawaii was arrested March 28 by the Granite Shoals Police Department (GSPD): unlicensed carry of a weapon, driving while intoxicated with a BAC greater than 0.15. Released on March 28 on $8,000 in bonds.
John Edward Sharp Jr., 53, of Marble Falls was arrested March 28 by the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD): parole violation.
Case Lane Trevino, 20, of Marble Falls was arrested March 28 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): trafficking a child or disabled individual engaging in sexual conduct. Released on March 28 on $50,000 in bonds.
Michael Steven Webster, 37, of Hutto was arrested March 28 by the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD): driving while intoxicated. Released on March 28 on $1,500 in bonds.
Manuel Delarosa, 43, of Lubbock was arrested March 29 by the Department of Public Safety (DPS): child support. Released on April 1 per judge’s orders.
Clifford Darel Denison II, 62, of Brownwood was arrested March 29 by the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD): violation of a bond or protective order. Released on March 29 on $5,000 in bonds.
Gage Alexander Hernandez, 27, of Burnet was arrested March 29 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): failure to identify, giving false or fictitious information. Released on March 29 on $1,500 in bonds.
James David Kincheloe, 61, of Bertram was arrested March 29 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): criminal trespassing with a deadly weapon, violation of a city ordinance, high weeds, accumulation of rubbish and or garbage, failure to maintain clean, safe, and sanitary, violation of zoning ordinance.
Thomas Ryan McAnally, 18, of Bertram was arrested March 29 by the Burnet Police Department (BPD): assault causing bodily injury. Released on March 29 on $2,500 in bonds.
Brandy Leah Parker, 47, of Burnet was arrested March 29 by the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD): expired license plate registration. Released on March 30 on $500 in bonds.
Douglas Paul Baldwin, 37, of Kingsland was arrested March 30 by the Granite Shoals Police Department (GSPD): driving while license invalid with a previous conviction or suspension without financial responsibility. Released on March 31 on $1,500 in bonds.
Danny Lee Davis, 55, of Granite Shoals was arrested March 30 by the Granite Shoals Police Department (GSPD): driving while intoxicated.
Shelton M Hermoso, 26, of Buchanan Dam was arrested March 30 by the Burnet Police Department (BPD): driving while license invalid with a previous conviction or suspension without financial responsibility. Released on March 31 on $1,500 in bonds.
Diana Lin Riley, 63, of Cottonwood Shores was arrested March 30 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): obstruction or retaliation, driving while intoxicated, third charge or more.
Dominic Adam Barron, 31, of Burnet was arrested March 31 by the Burnet Police Department (BPD): driving while intoxicated. Released on April 1 on $1,500 in bonds.
Efrain Fuentes Jr., 48, of Laredo was arrested March 31 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): tampering with governmental record. Released on April 1 on $25,000 in bonds.
Billy Bob Grona, 51, of Kerrville was arrested March 31 by the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD): possession of a controlled substance, penalty group 1 or 1-B of less than 1 gram, assault of a family or household member with a previous conviction.
David Wayne Hashaw, 62, of Llano was arrested March 31 by the Burnet Police Department (BPD): possession or delivery of drug paraphernalia, expired drivers license, parole violator.
Albert Scott Roach, 18, of Kingsland was arrested March 31 by the Department of Public Safety (DPS): possession of a controlled substance, penalty group 2 or 2-A of more than 4 grams but less than 400 grams, evading arrest or detention, fleeing police officer, harboring runaway child.
Cary Brian Stratton, 63, of Burnet was arrested March 31 by the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD): public intoxication.
Israel Veliz-Iglesias, 27, of Austin was arrested March 31 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): driving while intoxicated.
Stephen Atwood Wichman, 66, of Corpus Christi was arrested March 31 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): possession of a controlled substance, penalty group 1 or 1-B of more than 1 gram but less than 4 grams. Released on April 1 on $10,000 in bonds.
Dylan Travis Young, 32, of Leander was arrested March 31 by the Granite Shoals Police Department (GSPD): failure to maintain financial responsibility. Released on March 31 on $500 in bonds.
Ronald Anthony Derosa, 58, of Burnet was arrested April 1 by the Burnet Police Department (BPD): public intoxication.
Russell Vo Knouss, 48, of Georgetown was arrested April 1 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): evading arrest or detention with a vehicle.
Dominic Alan Grant Moore-Pogue, 18, of Marble Falls was arrested April 1 by the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD): assault causing bodily injury. Released on April 2 on $1,500 in bonds.
Spencer Dale Myers, 51, of Kingsland was arrested April 1 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): theft of property valued more than $2,500 but less than $30,000.
Albert Scott Roach, 18, of Kingsland was arrested April 1 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): no valid drivers license, speeding 15 miles or more over the posted limit, 63 mph in a 35 mph zone.
Rolando Prince Solorzano, 39, of La Porte was arrested April 1 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): possession of a controlled substance, penalty group 1 or 1-B of more than 1 gram but less than 4 gram.
Reyes Isidro Garcia Jr., 26, of Marble Falls was arrested April 2 by the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD): assault by contact, family violence.
Dustin Michael Holderfield, 27, of Buchanan Dam was arrested April 2 by the Burnet Police Department (BPD): driving while license invalid, four counts, failure to maintain financial responsibility.
Elizabeth Ashley Runyon, 40, of Elgin was arrested April 2 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): possession of a controlled substance, penalty group 1 of more than 1 gram but less than 4 grams.
Victor Anselmo Suarez, 57, of Marble Falls was arrested April 2 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): driving while license invalid with a previous conviction or suspension without financial responsibility.
Tabathia Latrelle Wright, 39, of Killeen was arrested April 2 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): assault of a peace officer or judge, criminal mischief of less than $30,000.
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Central Texas College will take its first steps in establishing a new Healthcare Pathways Hub in Marble Falls with the launch of its new science lab on Tuesday, April 7, hoping to bridge the gap in healthcare workforce shortages.
The lab, featuring resources to propel learning for students building careers in healthcare, is located at the Frank Fickett Center at 806 Steve Hawkins Parkway in Marble Falls. An open house and dedication ceremony will be held from 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesday to celebrate the launch.
“This milestone marks the first step in a broader Highland Lakes initiative to expand access to healthcare training close to home,” reads a CTC media release on the lab. “Building a strong, sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals to meet the region’s growing medical needs.”
After the ceremony, Chancellor Michelle Carter will provide guests a look at CTC’s plans to provide new Licensed Vocational Nursing courses during the upcoming fall semester.
Central Texas College offers several associate degrees, early-career courses, technical training, and adult continued education. For more information, visit the Central Texas College website.
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Agendas for Highland Lakes governments are posted 72 hours before a meeting so are not always ready by the time this story is published. Check the links for more information.
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