The Marble Falls and Burnet police departments are splitting the cost and use of new software that will allow them to access locked phones to acquire evidence when necessary.
MFPD and BPD will split the annual $20,000 contract with digital forensics firm Cellebrite down the middle. The deal gives each department 20 phone “cracks” a year and unlimited access to phone data analysis.
“The folks that we’re dealing with nowadays are not doing their nefarious business on desktop computers; they’re doing it on their smartphones,” Marble Falls Police Chief Glenn Hanson told the City Council during its meeting Tuesday, Sept. 17. “The evidence that we need to be able to prosecute the crimes that we are looking at are most often found on these phones.”
Hanson explained that the technology would be utilized only when absolutely necessary because the contract limits uses to 20 a year for each department.
Law enforcement agencies need a search warrant to access a locked phone without permission from the owner, but if a person gives consent to access, the Cellebrite technology can be used to analyze a phone’s data without burning through one of the 20 cracks.
Without the technology, the MFPD would not be able to access locked phones without help from another agency, like the Texas Department of Public Safety, Hanson said.
DPS can take up to two years to produce needed information due to the long wait list, which can prolong investigations and even snuff them out because of the statute of limitations on certain crimes, Hanson continued.
“When we do come across an issue where we really need this, and we need it now, it’s really frustrating to know that we can’t get it,” he said. “A lot of cases might be dead in the water if we didn’t have the ability to get evidence, and digital evidence is the name of the game these days,”
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National Voter Registration Day is Tuesday, Sept. 17, marking 17 days until the Oct. 7 deadline to register to vote in the November election.
“Texans have just a few short weeks left to register to vote, and I want to ensure all eligible Texans who want to make their voices heard are registered and prepared to do so,” wrote Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson in a media release about National Voter Registration Day.
Texans can register to vote or check their registration status at VoteTexas.gov. The Nov. 5 ballot includes the presidential election and other big national, state, and regional races. Elections in Burnet and Llano counties were decided in the March primaries due to the lack of Democratic challengers to Republican candidates.
Important dates for voters
Oct. 7 is the last day to register to vote.
Oct. 21 is the first day of early voting.
Oct. 25 is the last day to apply for a ballot by mail. (The application must be received by Oct. 25.)
Nov. 1 is the last day of early voting.
Nov. 5 is election day. Polls will be opened from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
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Hundreds of concerned residents gathered Sept. 14 at Hill Country Fellowship in Burnet to protest a proposed rock-crushing facility to be built on a site just south of the Burnet city limits at 3221 FM 3509. Organized by the newly formed SaveBurnet.com, the meeting featured speakers who outlined strategies for fighting the plant they say would threaten the community’s environmental and economic well-being.
Asphalt Inc. LLC of Austin recently applied for an air quality standard permit with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to build the rock crusher on 715 acres of land south of the city of Burnet. The location is near Camp Longhorn, Delaware Springs Golf Course, and Longhorn Cavern and Inks Lake state parks.
“This is a heavyweight championship fight,” said Fermin Ortiz, a founding member of Texans for Responsible Aggregate Mining, and one of several speakers at the event. “We have to keep fighting every round.”
Fermin Ortiz, a founding member of Texans for Responsible Aggregate Mining, spoke at a town hall meeting in Burnet on Sept. 14 to protest a proposed rock-crushing facility planned for just south of the city near Longhorn Cavern and Inks Lake state parks and the Delaware Springs golf course. Staff photo by Elizabeth De Los Santos
Other speakers included Burnet Mayor Gary Widemen, Burnet County Precinct 1 Commissioner Jim Luther, and Stacy Smith, a representative of state Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-District 19).
Troxclair and state Sen. Pete Flores (R-District 24) requested the TCEQ hold a public meeting on the plant. Smith confirmed at Saturday’s town hall that efforts are underway to schedule that meeting with the state agency.
Ortiz recommended waiting until after the Texas legislative session, which starts in January, to hold the public meeting.
“This will give us time to educate, get more people involved, and allow state officials to be involved,” he said.
He also discussed the potential legal path SaveBurnet.com would take if the TCEQ approves Asphalt Inc.’s permit.
“(If) the TCEQ (goes) through their process and the executive director signs the permit, then we will continue with ours,” Ortiz said. “Then, we have to go to the next step, which is called a contested case hearing, and that would go into the judicial side of things.”
A rock-crushing plant is proposed for 715 acres of land south of Burnet near two state parks and a city golf course. Image courtesy of Randy Printz
The proposed rock-crushing facility requires several permits, including one from the Lower Colorado River Authority for quarry operations. In a statement issued on Sept. 13, the LCRA confirmed it had not yet received a permit application from Asphalt Inc. for the Burnet plant.
As of Sept. 16, the TCEQ had received over 3,000 comments from the public regarding the project. The online comment page can be found here. The permit number is 176835.
“It’s not going to be easy,” Ortiz continued. “You can make a difference. You know, we’ve got some good educated people that live out here. If you know a geologist, an environmental attorney, we need some. Ask them to come help us.”
He warned those against the plant not to become discouraged.
“Sometimes, you’re going to wonder is it worth it?” he said. “But all you have to do is go outside and breathe this good, clean Hill Country air and understand the investment we have in protecting our natural resources.”
To learn more about the community efforts against the rock-crushing facility, visit saveburnet.com.
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The city of Horseshoe Bay is holding its annual town hall meeting on Sept. 18 to share the current status of the city and its future going into the next fiscal year. The meeting is 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Horseshoe Bay Resort Yacht Club, 1009 Horseshoe Bay Blvd.
The town hall features presentations from leaders on major projects, such as the new city center—which is set to break ground before the end of September—and the fire station as well as question-and-answer sessions with city staff and elected officials.
“We’re very excited about (the town hall),” Horseshoe Bay Mayor Elsie Thurman told DailyTrib.com. “We’re going to update the community on what we’ve been working on. They’re going to see that we’re on sound financial footing, we’re staying ahead of the infrastructure (needs), and we’ve been working hard on asset management.”
Leadership will also roll out a land-use survey during the town hall that will give residents the opportunity to offer feedback on potential uses of undeveloped land in the city.
Thurman said she expects the event to be positive overall, and even fun.
“I look forward to a huge gathering of residents on September 18,” she wrote in a letter to residents, inviting them to the meeting.
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The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission recently voted to purchase 630 acres in Gillespie County adjacent to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. The park expansion would add more protected habitat for wildlife and increase recreational opportunities for visitors.
The vote came at the commission’s regular meeting on Aug. 22. The park would grow from 1,650 acres to 2,280 acres—about 38 percent—with the purchase.
A Texas Parks and Wildlife Department graphic outlines where 630 acres of land could be added to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area if an authorized land purchase goes through. Courtesy image
Enchanted Rock is located at 16710 RR 965 on the Gillespie-Llano County line. According to a commission report, it is one of the most visited parks in Texas, attracting about 250,000 people each year.
“Staff prioritizes acquiring state park inholdings and adjacent properties from willing sellers to improve recreational opportunities and ensure the conservation of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department public lands,” reads the pitch to purchase the land given by TPWD landman Trey Vick. “Acquisition of this tract, which is adjacent to Enchanted Rock SNA and totals approximately 630 acres, will increase the total size of Enchanted Rock SNA and allow improved access to the SNA.”
The land purchase is still under negotiations and no price or terms have been released as of Monday, Sept. 16.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is known for its 640-acre granite dome, which rises about 425 feet above the surrounding rolling hills of rural Llano County. It is a popular hiking and rock climbing destination with over 10 miles of trails and a busy calendar of year-round events.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, which approved the land purchase, is the governing body of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The commission is made up of nine members who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate.
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.
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.
Granite Shoals police arrested a juvenile late Sept. 12 in connection to a threatening social media post that put area school districts on high alert this week. The young suspect is not the source of the post but rather shared it, according to the law enforcement investigation, which is ongoing.
The juvenile, a Granite Shoals resident who is under the age of 17, was released from police custody on Friday after being charged with a “false alarm or report” for sharing the social media post. The online threat raised the alarm and safety concerns at Marble Falls, Llano, and Blanco independent school districts.
A person can be charged with false alarm/report when they knowingly spread false information about an emergency or dangerous situation. The charge can be a Class A misdemeanor or even a state jail felony if the alleged crime involves a public institution such as a school.
“The safety and security of our children is of the highest priority,” Granite Shoals Police Chief John Ortis told DailyTrib.com after the arrest.
The Granite Shoals and Marble Falls police departments worked together leading up to the arrest. Both agencies are continuing their co-investigation in hopes of finding the origin of the threatening social media post.
The Marble Falls, Llano, and Blanco school districts all issued public statements following the juvenile’s arrest, letting parents and students know that law enforcement presence on campuses would be enhanced but classes would continue as normal and there did not appear to be a true threat.
According to a Sept. 13 media release from MFISD, students reported the threat through the district’s official reporting system.
“Security is a top priority in Marble Falls ISD, and we have many measures in place to keep our students and staff safe,” reads the release. “These security procedures have proven effective this week, and we are confident in our community’s ability to work together to inform and protect Marble Falls ISD.”
The release also emphasizes the importance of responsible social media use and how seriously threats must be taken.
“A student can be held criminally responsible for forwarding these posts, whether or not they originated the post or threat,” the release reads. “We need to stop the rumor mill and the spread of social media threats. Every concern will be taken seriously and fully investigated. Students could face serious consequences for spreading posts containing threats.”
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The Horseshoe Bay Property Owners Association is holding a public forum Sept. 18 on its ongoing legal conflict with Horseshoe Bay Resort. The informational event is 1 p.m. Wednesday at Quail Point Lodge, 107 Twilight Lane in Horseshoe Bay.
“It’s time to set the record straight,” POA board President Donald Beeman told DailyTrib.com. “There has been too much misinformation coming from the other side this past year.”
The Horseshoe Bay POA and its board members have been openly at odds with Horseshoe Bay Resort since October 2023, when the resort revoked the memberships of Beeman and several other board members over a disagreement concerning property maintenance in the city.
The conflict escalated during the 2023 mayoral race, which Beeman lost to current Mayor Elsie Thurman. An anonymous letter attacking Beeman’s character was mailed to Horseshoe Bay residents at the beginning of his campaign. Residents also received flyers from the Safe and Beautiful Horseshoe Bay PAC accusing Beeman of criminal misconduct in past business dealings.
Amid the election controversy, Horseshoe Bay Resort filed a $1 million lawsuit against the POA in October 2023, claiming the POA failed to conduct proper landscaping as per a contract between the association and “the declarant,” who in this case was represented by Horseshoe Bay Resort. The resort dropped the lawsuit in March 2024 after court-ordered mediation.
The POA filed its own lawsuit against the resort in May 2024, seeking $200,000 to $1 million in financial relief for what it believed to be breaches of contract.
The POA board previously held a similar forum to the one set for Wednesday at one of its regular meetings in October 2023.
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 Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District is holding a public hearing on Sept. 17 over its proposed tax rate for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Although the rate is the same as last year’s, it would slightly increase taxes for Burnet County residents due to a rise in property values.
The public hearing is 9 a.m. Tuesday in the district’s office, 225 S. Pierce St. in Burnet.
The proposed rate of $0.0055 per $100 of property valuation matches the 2023 rate but will lead to a 10.75 percent tax increase on the average Burnet County home because of rising property values. It is just over the no-new-revenue rate of $0.0053 per $100, so by law, a public hearing must be held.
2023
2024
Change
Total tax rate (per $100 value)
$0.0055
$0.0055
0% increase
Average homestead taxable value
$389,686
$431,608
10.75% increase
Tax on average homestead
$21
$23
10.75% increase
Total tax levy on all properties
$733,148
$779,490
6.32% increase
If the new tax rate is approved, the district will bring in $46,342 more than last year, up from $733,148 to $779,490.
The district’s voter-approval rate, which would require an election, is $0.0061 per $100. Although a vote will not be held for the public to reject or accept the new rate, Burnet County residents can express support or opposition during the Tuesday hearing or by contacting members of the district’s Board of Directors.
The Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District regulates groundwater resources for Burnet County, developing and implementing water conservation, augmentation, and other management strategies to benefit residents.
For more information or assistance with tax calculations, contact the county tax assessor at 512-756-8291 or visit the Burnet Central Appraisal District website.
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