The following people were arrested and booked into the Burnet County Jail from June 5-11, 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.

Logan Daniel Thomas Doss, 29, of San Antonio, was arrested June 5 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): driving while intoxicated. Released on June 6 on $1,500 in bonds.

Sonny George Ortiz, 49, of Marble Falls, was arrested June 5 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): possession of a controlled substance, penalty group 1 or 1-B of less than 1 gram. Released on June 7, credit time served.

Sayde Ty Peterson, 23, of Granite Shoals, was arrested June 5 by the Granite Shoals Police Department (GSPD): indecency with a child, three counts, indecent exposure, three counts.

Michael Scott Coe, 34, of Taylor, was arrested June 6 by the Bertram Police Department (BTPD): driving while intoxicated. Released on June 7 on $1,500 in bonds.

Jesse Robert Leppert, 45, of Burnet, was arrested June 6 by the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD): public intoxication with three prior convictions.

Reece Jordan Metcalf, 28, of Caballo, was arrested June 6 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): possession of a controlled substance, penalty group 2 of more than 1 gram but less than 4 grams. Released on June 10 on $5,000 in bonds.

Nicholas Lee Ortiz, 23, of Marble Falls, was arrested June 6 by the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD): assault by contact, family violence. Released on June 7 on $500 in bonds.

Izaak Nathaniel Tate, 19, of Caballo, New Mexico, was arrested June 6 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): possession of drug paraphernalia. Released on June 8 on $250 in bonds.

Autumn Josephine Allen, 41, of Burnet, was arrested June 7 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): driving while intoxicated. Released on June 7 on $1,500 in bonds.

Jeffery Howard Ingle, 64, of Marble Falls, was arrested June 7 by the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD): driving while license invalid with a previous conviction or suspension without financial responsibility.

Jorge Ramirez Jr., 44, of Marble Falls, was arrested June 7 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): evading arrest or detention, failure to identify as a fugitive with intent to give false information, theft of property valued more than $2,500 but less than $30,000, two counts, parole violation, forgery of financial instrumentation of more than $2,500 but less than $30,000.

Lucas Dean Smith, 18, of Bertram, was arrested June 7 by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA): driving while intoxicated. Released on June 8 on $1,500 in bonds.

Matthew Scott Conners, 38, of Marble Falls, was arrested June 8 by the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD): parole violation.

Jimmy Lee Lerma, 53, of Marble Falls, was arrested June 8 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): possession of a controlled substance, penalty group 1 or 1-B of less than 1 gram, bail jumping and failure to appear as a felon.

Edi Edgar Ornelas, 42, of Granite Shoals, was arrested June 8 by the Granite Shoals Police Department (GSPD): assault by contact, domestic violence.

Nicholas Lee Ortiz, 23, of Marble Falls, was arrested June 8 by the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD): violation of a bond or protective order. Released on June 8 on $2,500 in bonds.

Samantha Lynn Pons, 32, of Bertram, was arrested June 8 by the Bertram Police Department (BTPD): expired motor vehicle registration. Released on June 9 per judges orders.

Erick Nathaniel Reed, 55, of Marble Falls, was arrested June 8 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): disorderly conduct with three or more prior convictions, public intoxication with three prior convictions, two counts.

Jacquelin Chavez, 30, of Granite Shoals, was arrested June 9 by the Granite Shoals Police Department (GSPD): theft of property valued more than $100 but less than $750.

Jimmie Wayne Goodson, 53, of Tacoma, Washington, was arrested June 9 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): forgery of financial instrumentation valued more than $2,500 but less than $30,000, theft of property valued more than $2,500 but less than $30,000.

Payton Shawn Kahn, 28, of Bertram, was arrested June 9 by the Bertram Police Department (BTPD): assault causing bodily injury to a family member. Released on June 9 on $5,000 in bonds.

Ross William O’Connor, 63, of Marble Falls, was arrested June 9 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): unlawful restraint. Released on June 9 on $2,500.

Lindsey Jo Walker, 35, of Johnson City, was arrested June 9 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): unlawful restraint of a person under 17 years of age.

Aaron William Zwahr, 44, of San Marcos, was arrested June 9 by the Granite Shoals Police Department (GSPD): possession of a controlled substance, penalty group 2 of less than 1 gram, unlicensed carry of a weapon, terroristic threat of the family or household. Released on June 9 on $12,500 in bonds.

Eric Nathan Clark, 36, of Marble Falls, was arrested June 10 by the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD): criminal mischief valued more than $750 but less than $2,500.

Jesse Rodgers Hunt, 43, of Burnet, was arrested June 10 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): assault causing bodily injury to a family member, two counts.

Kevin Quintanilla Jaramillo, 47, of Kempner, was arrested June 10 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): continuous violence against the family, violation of a bond or protective order.

Lesa Jean O’Connor, 61, of Marble Falls, was arrested June 10 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): injury of a child, elderly, or disabled individual with intentional bodily injury, unlawful restraint, assault against an elderly or disabled individual. Released on June 10 on $15,000 in bonds.

Michael Paul Salmeron, 42, of Bertram, was arrested June 10 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): assault causing bodily injury to a family member, unlicensed carry of a weapon, possession of marijuana of less than 2 ounces. Released on June 10 on $9,000 in bonds.

Alicia Nicole Simmons, 27, of Marble Falls, was arrested June 10 by the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD): assault causing bodily injury to a family member.

Dalia Villaescusa-Acosta, 31, of Kingsland, was arrested June 10 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO): terroristic threat against a public servant.

James Ray Collard, 43, of Kingsland, was arrested on June 11 by the Llano County Sheriff’s Office: possession of a controlled substance penalty group 1/1-B >=<4 grams.

Ramon Compean, 37, of Granite Shoals, was arrested on June 11 by the Burnet Police Department: public intoxication. 

Mark Russell Lindsey, 54, of Burnet, was arrested on June 11 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office: driving while intoxicated.

Melanie Preece, 18, of Kingsland, was arrested on June 11 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office: possession of a controlled substance and theft. 

Adelfo Soto Carbajal, 20, of Bertram, was arrested on June 11 by the Bertram Police Department: no drivers license.

Robert Christopher Tillery, 34, of Kingsland, was arrested on June 11 by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office: possession of a controlled substance. 

editor@thepicayune.com

Burnet residents will soon receive emergency communications through a new alert system.

Burnet City Council on Tuesday, June 9, moved to enter an interlocal agreement with the Capital Area Council of Governments to join the Warn Central Texas emergency alert system.

Warn Central Texas, which replaces Burnet’s current Voyent Alert system, will instantly connect with nearly 9,800 contacts within the Burnet area to provide critical emergency information and weather warnings.

Assistant City Manager Keith McBurnett cited low community participation in VoyantAlert as a key reason behind the city’s shift to Warn Central Texas. VoyantAlert required residents to sign up for alerts on their own volition, leading to just 2,749 contacts being registered in the city.

“Given the size of our community, it’s a relatively low turnout,” he said. “What if I told you I can instantly increase that number at no cost? That’s exactly what this local agreement will do.”

As McBurnett noted, the new alert system will be provided at no cost to the city. Warn Central Texas also provides alerts for the broader Highland Lakes community, including the cities of Marble Falls and Granite Shoals and the residents of Burnet and Llano counties in unincorporated areas.

Create a Warn Central Texas account at this link.

caden@thepicayune.com

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.

Monday, June 15

Marble Falls ISD Board of Trustees

6 p.m. special meeting 

Community Room, 1800 Colt Circle in Marble Falls

On the agenda:

• discuss and take action on annual wireless license
• discuss and take action on federal funds intent to apply
• executive session on hiring of Marble Falls Middle School Principal

Tuesday, June 16

Horseshoe Bay City Council

3 p.m. regular meeting 

Council Chambers, 9101 W FM 2147 in Horseshoe Bay

On the agenda:

• discuss and take action on new patrol unit 
• discuss and take action on building permit cost for Lake Church 
• discuss and take action on amending fire prevention code of ordinances

Marble Falls City Council

6 p.m. regular meeting 

City Hall, 800 Third Street in Marble Falls

On the agenda:

• discuss and take action on new councilmember
• discuss and take action on council subcommittees
• discuss and take action on purchase of Fire Engine 2

Meadowlakes City Council

6 p.m. regular meeting 

Totten Hall, 177 Broadmoor St in Meadowlakes

On the agenda:

• discuss and take action on establishing golf course advisory board 
• discuss and take action on waste management for future services
• monthly city manager’s report

Wednesday, May 20

LCRA Board 

Noon regular meeting 

Board Room, 3700 Lake Austin Boulevard in Austin

On the agenda:

• discuss and take action on contracts and contract changes
• discuss and take action on directors’ fees
• executive session on legal matters

Thursday, June 18

Sunrise Beach Village City Council

1:30 p.m. regular meeting 

Civic Center, 124 Sunrise Dr in Sunrise Beach Village

No agenda was posted at this time.

Cottonwood Shores City Council

6 p.m. regular meeting 

Civic Center, 4111 Cottonwood Dr in Cottonwood Shores

No agenda was posted at this time.

Friday, June 19

Pedernales Electric Cooperative Board of Directors

9 a.m. regular meeting

PEC Headquarters Auditorium, 201 S Ave F in Johnson City

Agenda is not posted at this time. 

editor@thepicayune.com

One person was shot following an incident on the night of Thursday, June 11, in Marble Falls.

The Marble Falls Police Department responded to a reported shooting at 113 Gray Slate Avenue in the Thunder Rock subdivision at about 8:05 p.m. on Thursday. 

One victim was transported to Dell Seton Medical Center in Austin.

Details about the victim’s condition and the circumstances surrounding the shooting were not immediately available at the time of this article’s publication. 

MFPD, the lead agency on the case, told DailyTrib that no additional information would be released at this time due to the nature of the incident and department policies.

The investigation is active and ongoing. 

Additional information will be released as it becomes available according to MFPD. 

maci@thepicayune.com

Editor’s note: This story has been made free by DailyTrib as a matter of public safety.

A confirmed New World screwworm case documented on Monday, June 8, in Gillespie County has put southwest Llano County within the “Adjacent Surveillance Zone” established by the Texas Animal Health Commission to monitor the outbreak. 

An updated TAHC map released on Wednesday, June 10, shows southwest Llano County as within the “Adjacent Surveillance Zone” surrounding the “Infested Zone” emanating from western Gillespie County. 

Residents within the Adjacent Surveillance Zone are being asked to:

• Closely monitor animals for wounds and maggot infestations
• Cover and treat open wounds quickly
• Report suspicious wounds or wounds that appear to be infested with maggots on livestock to the TAHC Incident Command Post line at 737-900-7455. Report similar symptoms in wildlife to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Incident Command Post at 956-755-8559
• Work with your private veterinarian on approved preventative treatment methods

The state and federal government are coordinating sterile New World screwworm fly dispersals within the surveillance zone, a method of releasing sterile male flies en masse within an area to help produce sterile eggs from females and break the insect’s breeding cycle. 

Llano County is not under any animal movement restrictions as of Thursday, June 11, but any areas that are included in the Infested Zone are under strict quarantines that prohibit the movement of warm-blooded animals without prior authorization from the TAHC. 

Background on the worm

The screwworm is the larval form of the New World screwworm fly. It is a flesh-eating parasite that wreaked havoc on Texas livestock, pets, and wildlife for decades before being effectively eradicated in the United States by the 1980s. 

A resurgence of the bug was detected in Central America in 2023, moving steadily northward, with state and federal officials warning in 2025 of a possible U.S. outbreak.

The first confirmed infection documented in the recent wave within U.S. borders was in Zavala County, TX, on June 3. 

Texas has been on high alert since the Zavala County case was detected. On Monday, June 8, Governor Greg Abbott activated the Texas State Emergency Operations Center to “Level II,” mobilizing state resources and agencies to combat the screwworm outbreak. 

“I have activated the full use of all state resources to respond to the New World screwworm threat,” Governor Abbott wrote in a June 8 media release. “The protection of our ranchers, livestock producers, deer breeders, and the Texas economy from this pest is a top priority.”

Fly/worm life cycle and impacts 

The concern about the worm centers on its ability to quickly harm or even kill animals if left untreated. 

According to a research evaluation from the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension on the New World screwworm, female flies are attracted to fresh, open wounds on warm-blooded animals. A wound as small as a thorn scratch or a tick bite is enough to draw them in. 

Of special concern are the umbilical cord attachment points on newborn livestock, castration wounds, branding wounds, shearing wounds, dehorning wounds, or other wounds caused in regular ranching or agricultural work. 

Female flies lay 100-300 eggs on the perimeter of a wound and within 24 hours the eggs hatch and begin to feed on living or dead flesh in the area.

Within one to two weeks, the worms grow, feeding on their host, consuming a large amount of flesh. 

“Untreated screwworm infestations can be fatal,” wrote Texas A&M Entomologist Bart Drees. “The larvae will continue to feed on the animal and will eventually eat the host alive.”

Drees wrote that treating wounds immediately was the best control measure for screwworm infestations. 

“Any animal with a severe wound should not be left untreated or out in the pasture unprotected,” he said.

dakota@thepicayune.com 

Portions of several streets throughout the under development Creekfall Phase 3 subdivision in Burnet have been designated as “no parking” zones to ensure safe flows for traffic and emergency vehicles.

City Manager David Vaughn told City Council during a Tuesday, June 9, meeting that parking would be prohibited on seven streets in the subdivision. They include the north side of Big Sugar Road, south sides of Gristmill and Wheel Horse roads, west sides of Prairie Dew, Desert, and Bridle roads, and east side of Hayburner Road.

Vaughn explained that there was a misapplication for the subdivision which allowed the streets in question to be 27 feet wide. Current city code requires streets to be a minimum of 31 feet wide.

Vaughn added that, if vehicles are parked on both sides of those streets, the flow of traffic and access for emergency vehicles could be a major concern.

“When you drive through there… it’s easy to envision with people parked on both sides that you’ll have a very difficult time,” he said. “Not only getting through with a pedestrian vehicle, but an ambulance or fire truck has to go through there.”

In addition to the zones being established, a $200 fine was approved for future violations.

caden@thepicayune.com

Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, home to the nesting grounds of the endangered golden-cheeked warbler, has just grown by 293 acres in Burnet County. The land expansion is part of an ongoing effort by local and national organizations to protect the habitat of the endangered songbird and the other wild inhabitants of the Highland Lakes area.

The Friends of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, a nonprofit dedicated solely to supporting the refuge, partnered with the WoodNext Foundation and the Land and Water Conservation Fund to acquire 293 acres in Burnet County in April, adding to the 317 acres acquired by the coalition in 2025.

The 293-acre land addition is on the northside of E. RR 1431 outside of Marble Falls, just east of Hidden Falls Adventure Park.

“For a species that nests nowhere else in the world but Central Texas, every acre matters,” reads a media release issued by the Friends of Balcones Canyonlands on Monday, June 8. “The golden-cheeked warbler depends on mature Ashe-juniper and oak woodlands to breed before migrating to southern Mexico and Central America for the winter — habitat that is rapidly disappearing under the pressure of development. By securing this land, conservation partners are ensuring that these ecosystems remain intact and connected for generations to come.”

Balcones Canyonlands was founded in 1992 to help protect habitat for the golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped viero. It spans about 28,000 acres, lying in the limestone hills at the intersection of Burnet, Travis, and Williamson counties. 

While the newly-added property does not have any public access points, the refuge as a whole has miles of hiking trails, programs, and resources available for visitors. 

Learn more about the refuge, volunteering, hiking, songbird tours, and more on the Friends of Balcones Canyonlands website. 

dakota@thepicayune.com 

A portion of Texas 29 in Burnet will soon see its speed limit reduced after an engineering study conducted by the Texas Department of Transportation deemed the corridor’s current speed unsafe.

The portion of Texas 29, between Coke Street and 180 feet west of CR 250, will see its current speed limit of 55 miles per hour reduced to 50 mph. This section spans approximately a quarter mile of the highway. 

An exact timeframe for the speed limit change was not shared.

During a recent city council meeting on June 9, Burnet Police Chief Tony Hefferin told councilors he believed the changes were due to the ongoing construction of Texas 29 east of Burnet, but that the indication was for the speed limit reduction to be permanent.

“In our conversation, we talked about the construction that’s going on down 29,” he said. “I think that they’re wanting to slow people down so it’s more safe.”

Councilors also approved a resolution to allow the Burnet Police Department to enforce the new speed limit. Chief Hefferin told the council that, while the reduction was mandated by TxDOT, the city was required to allow enforcement before any changes could occur.

“It’s not a recommendation and it’s (TxDOT’s) highway so they can do it,” he said. “They’ve already decided that this is going to happen. But, we can’t technically enforce it through our courts without there being an ordinance modifying this language.”

caden@thepicayune.com

Marble Falls is working with the Texas Department of Transportation on several potential traffic improvements, including studies that could lead to changes along U.S. 281 near the growing Thunder Rock development.

City Manager Caleb Kraenzel presented the possible projects to Marble Falls City Council on June 2, sharing that the city had submitted a request to TXDOT in early May for a signalization study at the intersection of Thunder Rock Boulevard and U.S. 281 to determine whether a traffic signal is warranted.

“The fatality in that area occurred right after that,” Kraenzel said, referring to the May 17 multi-vehicle collision on U.S. 281 that left five people killed.

Following the accident, the city also requested a speed study along the entire South U.S. 281 corridor. Kraenzel said there is no timetable yet for either study.

The city is also continuing discussions with TxDOT on other traffic-related projects, including a potential median on the curved stretch of RR 1431 near Avenue D, synchronization of traffic signals throughout the city and coordination on driveway permits for new developments.

“Obviously summer is a difficult time for us just with traffic in general and one light slips, it affects how well you travel throughout the community,” Kraenzel said.

Kraenzel said TxDOT is pushing communities to consider innovative intersection designs. While the city remains open to the concept, he noted that relatively few have been deployed across Texas, particularly in rural areas.

As of now, Marble Falls is not pursuing the designs, preferring to see them implemented more widely in urban areas so local drivers can gain familiarity with them before considering the addition in the city.

maci@thepicayune.com