The Burnet Police Department will soon get new and upgraded cameras, tasers, and license plate readers as part of a new equipment contract approved by City Council during a Tuesday, June 9, meeting.
The contract, totaling roughly $75,000 a year for five years, will replace the department’s current equipment contract that totals about $47,000 a year.
Burnet Police Chief Tony Hefferin told council that the current contract with provider LensLock had fallen short due to equipment lacking GPS capabilities and integration for digital evidence uploads.
“The problem with LensLock that I see is there’s no GPS… and you also have no integration that we use for our reporting, dispatches, all of those things,” he said. “So when an officer wants to upload a video or check a video, they have to go through a separate set of steps.”
Chief Hefferin added that the new contract, with provider Axon, would give the department all of those things and more.
The company, which Hefferin touted as the “industry standard,” would provide in-car and body-worn cameras with livestream and GPS capabilities, integration with the department’s Motorola system, upgraded tasers, and automated license plate readers.
“If one of our people’s not answering on the radio, from my desk I can pull up my phone, access it and see what’s going on,” Hefferin said of the enhanced GPS capabilities. “Is he hurt? Is he ok? Those sort of things.”
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.
A pedestrian bridge stretching over U.S. 281 near Fourth Street in Burnet will soon enter the design phase after the City Council approved a firm to spearhead the project’s blueprint during a Tuesday, June 9, meeting.
The bridge, first introduced to the city in 2024, will serve as a safe crossing for residents at the highway, namely for students of the nearby Burnet middle and high schools.
The general area of where a pedestrian bridge will be built across U.S. 281 at Fourth Street in Burnet. Google Maps image enhanced by DailyTrib staff
The roughly $5 million project will be entirely funded by a grant awarded to the city in August 2024 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Initial estimates tapped a construction start date in April 2027, and completion by mid-2028.
H&H, an engineering firm with lengthy experience in designing bridges, highways, and interchanges, was selected from eight firms to lead the project. One of their conceptual designs for the bridge can be found here on slide 24.
City Engineer Eric Belaj shared some preliminary information about the bridge’s potential design with council, adding that there were conversations with firms about making the crossing more appealing to children, as well as paved paths from the middle school to the bridge.
“(Some firms) suggested to make it a destination. You got to make the kids want to use it,” Belaj said. “And we’re looking at an option, if there’s funding, to add walkways from the school… to the neighborhood.”
City staff has previously mentioned a desire for accessible stairs, elevators and ramps, a fully-enclosed walkway, plentiful lighting, and an aesthetically pleasing design.
With council unanimously approving the selection of the design firm, the next step will be for City Manager David Vaughn to negotiate and execute a contract with H&H to present to council.
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.
Burnet County Emergency Management Coordinator Derek Marchio submitted his resignation on May 29, stating that he had accepted a position with another agency. An interim coordinator was appointed to serve until a permanent replacement can be found to oversee and organize the county’s crisis management.
The Burnet County Commissioners Court accepted Marchio’s resignation during its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 9. His official last day of work will be on June 12, before he takes on a new role with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
“While it has been both a pleasure and an honor to serve the residents of Burnet County, that time has come to an end,” Marchio wrote in his resignation letter. “I will be moving on to a position that is better, firstly, for my family and will help advance and enrich my knowledge and career.”
The county’s emergency management office is responsible for organizing local, state, and federal resources to respond to disasters, crises, and emergencies, while also establishing emergency response policies and serving as a liaison to other emergency response agencies, like the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
The Commissioners Court also approved the appointment of an interim emergency management coordinator on Tuesday, Edward Hashbarger, who will hold the role until a permanent coordinator is hired.
Interim Burnet County Emergency Management Coordinator Edward Hashbarger was appointed by the Burnet County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, June 9. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
Hashbarger has been a volunteer with the Burnet County Office of Emergency Management since January of this year, working alongside Marchio and undergoing necessary trainings to contribute more to the department.
According to Burnet County Judge Bryan Wilson, Hashbarger will have to compete with all other applicants like normal for the full-time job. He told the court that five applicants had already applied for the position and he expects the hiring process to take about a month.
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.
Recent drainage improvements in Cottonwood Shores along Cottonwood Drive appear to have reduced flooding, with additional work planned to further improve stormwater drainage in the area.
According to City Manager J.C. Hughes, work completed at Birch Lane, Aspen Lane, and Magnolia Lane has reduced roadway, yard, and driveway flooding. The next phase, scheduled for fall, includes installing a large drainage grate at the Civic Center and running drain piping southward.
Additional improvements near RM 2147, including the area near the Hiccups Bar & Grill parking lot, will deepen drainage channels and add piping to better handle high-water flows from the south.
The drainage work follows the installation of larger culverts near the 800 block of Fir Lane as part of the 2025 Street Improvement Program. The culverts were installed to reduce street flooding in that area.
The projects are part of ongoing efforts in Cottonwood Shores to address roadway and neighborhood flooding through phased drainage improvements completed and planned in recent years.
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 90th annual Llano Open Pro Rodeo bucked into town on Friday, June 5, and Saturday, June 6, at the John L. Kuykendall Events Center, 2200 W. RR 152 in Llano.
This year’s rodeo was hosted by the Llano County Community Center Association, with over 1,000 attendees and competitors in rodeo favorites like bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, tie down, breakaway roping, saddle bronc, ranch bronc, calf roping, and mutton busting.
Kaycee Murray was crowned the 2026 rodeo queen and received $1,000 in scholarship from the LCCCA. The other contestants, Lila Debault, Regan Mikulenka, and Addison Boudreaux, each received $500 scholarships.
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 Llano County Commissioners Court recently approved the donation of a monument featuring the 10 Commandments, to be placed on the grounds of the county courthouse. The decision was made amid a full courtroom with ample input from the public.
The court voted unanimously to accept the donation during its Monday, June 8, meeting. The donation was orchestrated by local residents, including conservative activist Bonnie Wallace, and members of the court through the American History & Heritage Foundation. The monument will be made and installed at no cost to the county, with funds coming from donations made to the foundation.
“The placement of a monument displaying the 10 Commandments on the grounds of the Llano County historic courthouse would help the people of the United States, the state of Texas, and of Llano County to know that the 10 Commandments are one of the moral and historic foundations of the law,” reads the resolution passed by the court to accept the donation.
The basis of the donation and the monument’s installation centers on the 10 Commandments contribution to the history of the United States and the formation of its laws rather than its religious significance.
“The placement of this monument shall not be construed to mean that Llano County or the commissioners court of Llano County favors, endorses, or establishes any religion,” reads the resolution.
According to Place 3 Commissioner Brent Richards, the monument should be manufactured within 16-22 weeks and cost about $14,000. The Commandments will be placed on the grounds of the Llano County Courthouse, at 801 Ford Street in Llano. The exact location of the monument has not yet been determined.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Richards and Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Don Moss were officially designated as delegates of the court to handle the donation. With the monument officially accepted, the court will go on to determine the best path forward for installation of the 10 Commandments, but, regardless of the means and methods, the American History & Heritage Foundation has agreed to cover all of the costs involved.
“I was contacted by citizens of Llano County (about the donation of the monument), and it just kind of went from there,” Richards told DailyTrib.
One of the primary drivers behind the donation was Bonnie Wallace, a Llano County resident that has been publicly advocating for conservative and faith-based values over the last several years.
Wallace told DailyTrib that she learned about a possible monument donation from her friend Matt Krause, a Tarrant County commissioner who negotiated a donation of a monument to his county from the American History & Heritage Foundation in January of this year.
“I found out about (the monuments) 6-8 weeks ago and I started researching,” she said. “It seemed like a really great thing for Llano County.”
She and a group of other Llano County residents brought a proposal to Richards and the donation process unfolded from there.
Wallace is best known as a former defendant in the Little et al v. Llano County et al case, which saw a group of Llano County residents file a First Amendment lawsuit against members of the Llano County Commissioners Court and members of the Llano County Library Advisory Board over the removal of books from the library system. That case, after about three years in court, ultimately ended in 2025 with the U.S. Supreme Court allowing a lower court’s ruling to stand that supported the county’s right to determine which books can be included or removed from the library system.
She also made headlines in March of this year when she was escorted out of a Houston Independent School District board meeting for protesting profane material in public schools by reading sexually explicit excerpts from a book she said was available within the district’s high school library system.
The organization behind the donation, American History & Heritage Foundation, was founded in 2017 to fund the replacement of a 10 Commandments monument that was destroyed by a deranged motorist at the Arkansas State Capitol. Since then, the foundation has funded the erection of monuments across the country and the distribution of framed posters of the National Motto, “In God We Trust.”
Public input
The Commissioners Court’s decision came with wide support from attendees of Monday’s meeting, and a little pushback.
It was standing room only in the courtroom and several members of the audience spoke during public comment, sharing their hope that the court would approve the acceptance of the monument donation.
It was standing room only at the Monday, June 8, meeting of the Llano County Commissioners Court as the court discussed the donation of a 10 Commandments monument. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
“I am here to support the 10 Commandments at the courthouse,” said Wayne DeCesaris, a Llano resident and former Llano City Council member. “Imagine what the world would be if we all followed these commandments.”
Bonnie Wallace also shared her thoughts prior to the court’s vote.
“We need to stand for Christ, we need to stop this nonsense and stand for Christ in our community, dedicate our land to Jesus and watch how he makes our community thrive,” she said.
A Nacogdoches-based pastor, Rick Scarborough, also spoke. He was present with Wallace at the Houston ISD meeting in March, where he also protested against profane literature in public schools.
“The 10 Commandments were split into two sections, and both are vital to a healthy society,” he said.
Llano County resident Terry Schroth, who has been publicly critical of the Commissioners Court in the past for book removals from the Llano County Library System, shared that she thought the donation should not be accepted.
“I believe in the 10 Commandments, but I also believe that they should be in church, I don’t believe that we should push our religious beliefs on everybody in sight,” Schroth said.
Below are excerpts from a statement submitted to DailyTrib by Little on Monday.
“There’s no shortage of opportunities in our community to view these commandments already. They are displayed in our public library, in every classroom in our public schools, or within your choice of several churches. There is no legitimate reason to have these displayed.
“We have neighbors with differing faith traditions, as well as those who don’t appreciate comingling of government and religion. I don’t feel this monument is in this whole community’s best interests. These neighbors will not benefit from seeing this display at the home of our local government where justice is available to all, not just those of one faith. Romans 12:16 advises us to ‘live in harmony with one another.’ Is this really what that looks like?”
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.
A confirmed New World screwworm infection was documented next door to Llano County on Monday, June 8, just a few days after the flesh-eating parasite was first documented in the United States. Federal, state, and local authorities are cautioning Texas residents to keep a close eye on livestock, pets, and wildlife amidst the outbreak.
The first U.S. case was documented on June 3. Since then, four cases have been confirmed– one in New Mexico and three in Texas– including a goat in Gillespie County on Monday.
“This situation is evolving, and we expect new information to emerge as our investigation continues,” reads a statement from United States Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins. “USDA is committed to sharing what we learn quickly, accurately, and transparently so animal owners and local communities have the information they need to stay vigilant. We are working closely with our partners in New Mexico, Texas, and across the region to ensure we identify, contain, and respond to any potential cases as swiftly as possible.”
The New World screwworm is the larva of the New World screwworm fly. These flies lay their eggs on open wounds or openings in the bodies of warm-blooded animals. Once the eggs hatch, the screwworms burrow or “screw” into the flesh of the host animal causing tissue damage, infection, stress, and in some cases death. This is of special concern to ranchers due to potential impacts on livestock, and to populations of wild mammals, like white-tailed deer herds. The bug can also infect pets, and people in some instances.
A northward progression of the New World screwworm has been on the U.S.’s radar since 2023, when infections were observed in Central America. Federal and state governments began warning about a possible U.S. outbreak in 2025.
According to the USDA, there were 2,077 documented active cases in Mexico as of June 3, and 4,214 total cases documented in that country between Sept. 20, 2025 and June 3, 2026.
Background
The fly was a problem in the United States for decades, first becoming a threat in the 1930s, although it had been in the American Southwest since at least 1842. The pest was effectively eradicated in the United States in the 1980s, but not without some devastating consequences. In 1976 alone, the Texas economy lost about $329.59 million due to livestock deaths from a New World screwworm outbreak. Accounting for inflation, that would have been $1.8 billion in 2024. About 1.48 million cattle were reportedly infected in that outbreak.
Since eradication in the 1980s, screwworms have had a minimal impact on U.S. ranchers, but even the threat of a potential outbreak is enough to raise the alarm. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates a screwworm outbreak could cost the Texas cattle industry $1.8 billion in annual losses and up to $10.6 billion in national economic damages.
Combating the worm
The New World screwworm was originally eradicated in the United States using the “sterile insect technique” which is done by releasing massive numbers of sterilized male flies into infected areas, leading to infertile eggs and breaking the screwworm’s breeding cycle.
“Targeted releases of sterile (New World screwworm) flies are being expedited to eliminate any reproducing populations in the area associated with the detection,” reads the June 3 TPWD media release. “When combined with enhanced surveillance, movement restrictions, prompt treatment of wounds, and education and outreach efforts, the sterile insect technique is a proven and effective tool for controlling and eradicating this pest.”
The United States Department of Agriculture is already releasing large numbers of sterile flies along the U.S.-Mexico border and building a dedicated sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas.
Resources
All southern ports of entry are currently closed to livestock trade according to the USDA.
See a gallery of images from the USDA showing what New World screwworm infections may look like at this link. The images have not been included in the article due to their graphic nature.
Signs of New World screwworm infection include:
Feeling larva move or seeing maggots within a skin wound or sore, or in the ears, nose, eyes, or mouth
Painful skin wounds or sores that worsen within a few days
A foul-smelling odor from the site of the infestation
Bleeding from open sores
Prevention methods:
Make sure pets traveling internationally are inspected for screwworm
Handle livestock carefully and inspect pens and equipment for sharp objects that can cause wounds
Treat the umbilical cords of newborn animals and all wounds immediately with an approved insecticide
Protect pets and livestock from other wound-causing parasites such as ticks
If you are concerned about a possible New World screwworm infection, contact your local veterinarian or the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242.
dakota@thepicayune.com
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.
Marble Falls is hiring an engineering firm to conduct a feasibility study of the city’s water treatment plant as local leaders plan for future growth and increasing water demand.
The Marble Falls City Council approved a $169,224 contract with Plummer Associates during its June 2 meeting. The study was identified as a priority in the city’s 2023 Water Master Plan and comes as development continues in southern Marble Falls, including projects such as Roper Ranch and Flatrock Crossing.
City Engineer Jeff Prato said the study will help determine what upgrades are needed to meet future water needs and position the city to pursue grant funding in the future.
“We need this feasibility to help us decide exactly where we need to spend and improve our infrastructure to optimize our situation,” Prato said during the meeting.
Funded through the city’s Utility Improvements Fund, the study will evaluate the plant’s current capacity, identify reliability improvements, and examine options for increasing production.
Place 2 Councilor Dee Haddock said the existing plant was designed to serve a much smaller community.
“When this was designed originally, the problem is that it was designed to meet the needs at the time without consideration or knowledge of what this future would be,” Haddock said.
The city operates a single water treatment plant on Circle Drive that treats surface water pumped out of Lake Marble Falls from a raw water intake on Lakeshore Drive. The intake was recently upgraded, including improvements that raised equipment above the 100-year flood elevation.
While the plant is rated to produce 4.8 million gallons of treated water per day, there are limitations in pumps, filters and pipe sizing that prevent it from consistently reaching that capacity. One goal of the study is to determine the plant’s actual production limits and identify the most cost-effective path for future expansion.
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 annual Burnet County Area Fair is this weekend, bringing together bakers, jewelers, quilters, and cooks throughout the county to compete for a coveted blue ribbon and sell handmade goodies to the public.
The fair will open its doors to the community at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 12, at the AgriLife Auditorium, located at 607 N. Vanderveer Street in Burnet.
Interested visitors can explore the fair for free and enjoy a myriad of activities, like perusing the handcrafted and homemade goods and eats of the country store, jiving to live music, or bidding in the silent auction.
Those interested in competing as an exhibitor can choose from 18 divisions to compete in, including metal arts, potted plants, and photography. Exhibitors may register beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10, if competing in the quilt or creative writing divisions, or 4:30 p.m. for all other divisions.
Wednesday, June 10
9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. – Registration for quilts and creative writing exhibitors
4:30-6:30 p.m. – Early registration of all other exhibitors
Thursday, June 11
9 a.m. – Quilts and creative writing judging
9 a.m.-noon – Registration for all other exhibitors
Friday, June 12
9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. – Fair open to the public
9:30 a.m. – Opening ceremony
10 a.m. – Exhibits, country store, silent auction, and food vendors open to the public
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.
This Content Submission and License Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between Victory Media Marketing LLC (“Company,” “we,” or “us”) and you (“User,” “you,” or “Submitter”) upon your submission of content through our websites’ See it, Share It form.
Submitted Content “Submitted Content” means any news tips, text, descriptions, images, photographs, videos, audio files, recordings, or other materials you upload, submit, or provide to us via the news tips forms on DailyTrib.com, KBEYfm.com, 101highlandlakes.com, or any other websites owned or operated by Victory Media Marketing LLC.
License Grant By submitting any Submitted Content, you hereby grant to Company a worldwide, non- exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, fully sublicensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, display, and otherwise exploit the Submitted Content in any form or medium (now known or hereafter developed), including but not limited to:
Publishing on DailyTrib.com, KBEYfm.com, 101highlandlakes.com, other Company websites, apps, newsletters, and social media platforms (such as Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, etc.).
Editing, formatting, or combining with other content for news, promotional, archival, or commercial purposes.
Allowing third parties (e.g., affiliates, syndication partners) to use it under the same terms. You retain ownership of the copyright in your Submitted Content, subject to the license granted above.
User Representations and Warranties You represent and warrant that:
You are at least 18 years old and have the full right and authority to grant the rights in this Agreement.
The Submitted Content is your original work or you have obtained all necessary permissions, consents, and releases (including from any individuals appearing in photos/videos or owners of any third-party materials).
The Submitted Content does not infringe any third-party intellectual property rights, privacy rights, publicity rights, or defame any person.
It complies with all applicable laws and does not contain viruses, malware, or prohibited content.
You will not submit false, misleading, or confidential information.
No Compensation You understand and agree that you will receive no compensation for the submission or use of your Submitted Content.
Indemnification You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Company, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, liabilities, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from your breach of this Agreement or any third-party claims related to your Submitted Content.
Moral Rights and Publicity You waive any moral rights or rights of attribution in the Submitted Content to the extent permitted by law. Company may use your name, username, or likeness in connection with the Submitted Content if applicable.
Termination and Removal Company may, in its sole discretion, edit, refuse to post, or remove any Submitted Content at any time without notice. This Agreement survives any termination.
Governing Law This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict of laws principles. Any disputes shall be resolved exclusively in the courts located in Burnet County, Texas.
Entire Agreement This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements. Modifications must be in writing. By submitting content, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Agreement.
