A chance for county residents to toss old batteries, oil, paint, antifreeze, tires, and electronics will take place this weekend from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, at the Burnet County Reuse and Recycle Center at 2411 FM 963 in Burnet.
Burnet County will host its annual BOPATE event to offer safe and free disposal of waste materials and fluids that residents may have stocked up.
Waste collection is open for: automobile tires of 24 inches or less with no rims, non-oil based latex paints, lead-acid and rechargeable batteries, televisions without consoles, small electronics, antifreeze, scrap metal, and used motor oil and filters. Disposal is free of charge for all items, except for tires, which are $3 per tire after the first 10 free tires.
County officials reminded residents to only bring residential items, and not industrial or commercial waste.
Residents will have an opportunity for additional chemical or hazardous waste disposal at the county’s yearly chemical disposal event held in October.
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.
Bertram City Council has four seats up for grabs in the upcoming May 2 election, and 10 total applicants have applied for the positions. Early voting is April 20-28.
There are four seats total up for election, including the mayoral seat (a two-year term), two full-term aldermen seats (two-year terms), and one unexpired alderman seat that expires in May 2027 (one year).
The current holders of the council seats in question include the mayoral seat held by Interim Mayor John Baladez, and three aldermen seats held by Randal Fisher, James Predmore, and Lane Shipp (serving a partial term).
See polling locations, dates, and times at this link.
Candidate information
Current interim mayor, John Baladez, took the helm of Bertram after Mayor Mike Dickinson’s resignation in January. Baladez was the only candidate to file for the mayoral seat and will almost certainly take office after the election as he is running unopposed.
Six total candidates filed to run for the two, full, two-year terms. These candidates will run against each other under one ballot section, and the top two vote-getters will be elected to fill the seats.
Three candidates filed to run for the partial, one-year term, which is considered a separate office from the other two aldermen seats. The top vote-getter will be elected to fill the seat.
Filed candidates for mayoral seat
John Baladez
Filed candidates for two full-term seats
Philomena Carr
Randal Fisher
Jane Scheidler
Tracy Wilson
Amie Egbert
Andis Goble
Filed candidate for partial term seat
Betty Predmore
Robert Lane Shipp
Mike Konarik
Special appointment
Following the election, the council will appoint someone to fill the vacancy left behind by Baladez, who is leaving his unexpired seat on the council to take the mayoral seat come election day. The appointed candidate will then serve until May 2027, when the seat comes up for election.
Council information
The Bertram City Council consists of six members–five aldermen and the mayor–elected to represent city residents at the municipal level. Council members serve two-year terms in unpaid, volunteer positions.
While the day-to-day operation of the city is handled by the city manager, the council is responsible for hiring city managers, setting policies, guiding the direction of the city, appointing members of boards and commissions, creating the city budget, setting the city tax rate, and collaborating with city administration.
The city council typically meets at noon on the second Tuesday of the 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.
Two passenger cars from the Austin Steam Train Association will get a needed facelift this summer with help from the city of Burnet, after councilors approved $20,000 in funding for their restoration at a Tuesday, April 14, meeting.
Restoration funds will come from the city’s hotel occupancy tax budget, which can only be used on projects which promote the tourism industry and draw in visitors.
The project will include complete repainting and relettering of two passenger cars attached to the Hill Country Flyer, a steam train with routes between Cedar Park and Burnet that brings in an estimated 25,000 passengers annually.
According to ASTA Mechanical Foreman Matt Jackson, work will begin in July when volunteers are readily available, and should be completed within six weeks.
As a good-will gesture from the ASTA for the donation, the two passenger cars, currently named the Buckeye Lake and Buckeye Trail, will be renamed and renumbered in honor of the city of Burnet.
“These cars make up 30 percent of our coach ridership, which is roughly 5,200 passengers annually.” Jackson said at the meeting. “We thought they were great candidates and well represented community impact.”
Councilors showed appreciation for the ASTA Hill Country Flyer route and its impact on city tourism, while also voicing hopes for extended layovers in Burnet in the future. The typical 66-mile route currently features a 2-hour stop in Burnet.
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 Texas Department of Transportation has laid out planned infrastructure projects for Llano County, identifying several upgrades to the roads and bridges of the county that will be carried out over the next four years.
According to the 2027-20230 TxDOT Rural Transportation Improvement Program, Llano County has the following projects slated in the near future:
2027- bridge maintenance at Slickrock Creek on Texas 71, cost $238,550
2027- bridge maintenance at Pecan Creek on Texas 71, cost $545,821
2027- bridge maintenance at Byrnes Creek on Texas 71, cost $203,295
2027- bridge maintenance at Oatman Creek on Texas 71, cost $552,573
2028- widening of paved shoulder and addition of turn lane on RR 1431 between Industrial Boulevard and Texas Avenue, cost $723,583.50
2028- installation of advanced warning signs for a curve on RR 1431 near CR 321, $37,213
2028- installation of two left turn lanes on RM 2147 near Plaza Econdidio, cost $239,323
2029- full replacement of bridge and approaches at Lost Hollow Creek on Texas 16, $1.08 million
2030- major maintenance on Roy B. Inks Bridge on Texas 16 in Llano, $6.76 million
The full TxDOT Rural TIP for Llano County is expected to go live online on April 29. The public will have the ability to file comments on the proposed projects on May 9.
“This may not be the comprehensive list of projects,” TxDOT Planning Analyst Michelle Conkle told the Llano County Commissioners Court during a presentation on Monday, April 13. “Annually, we look at bridge maintenance and safety needs. We would certainly like to hear from you if there is anything not on the list of projects that you would like us to consider.”
Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Don Moss asked that TxDOT look at adding shoulders and turn lanes on Texas 16, Texas 29, and Texas 71 on the west side of the county.
“It’s very dangerous because there are no shoulders and no passing lanes,” Moss said, alluding to the risk of law enforcement making traffic stops along the aforementioned highways. “We’ve got those projects on the east end of the county, but they need to be done on the west end of the county as well.”
Precinct 2 Commissioner Linda Raschke told Konkle that her constituents have requested paved shoulders, a turn lane, and a stoplight at the intersection of Texas Avenue and RR 1431.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Brent Richards asked for a traffic light at the intersection of RM 2900 and River Oaks Drive.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Peter Jones also asked about the addition of a flashing signal at the intersection of RM 2831 and Texas 71.
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.
Collier Materials Inc. wants to expand its aggregate mining operations north of Marble Falls and is pursuing a permit from the Lower Colorado River Authority to move forward with the project.
According to the LCRA, Collier applied for a permit under the Highland Lakes Watershed Ordinance on Feb. 16, seeking approval to expand its operations by 289.5 acres on CR 120, also known as Fairland Road, near the Sims Lane intersection. The HLWO regulates stormwater management to protect water quality in the Highland Lakes area.
Collier’s application was declared “administratively complete” on March 12 and it is now under technical review by the LCRA to determine whether or not it meets the requirements of the HLWO. Notices of the application were mailed to surrounding property owners and physical copies of the notice were posted at the site by at least March 25.
The LCRA is accepting comments on the permit application until May 1. Submit comments by email to hlwo@lcra.org.
The HLWO includes, among other things, parameters for managing possible pollutants, erosion control, buffer zones around mining activity, and groundwater quality protection. The LCRA cannot consider factors outside of the scope of the HLWO.
Collier already has a large mining operation that stretches along roughly 1.4 miles of Fairland Road near the proposed expansion site.
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 residents will have an opportunity to clear out unwanted household items during an upcoming citywide cleanup on Saturday, April 18.
The City of Granite Shoals will host the cleanup starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday at 2221 N. Phillips Ranch Road. The event will continue until disposal containers reach capacity.
The event is open to city residents only, and participants must provide proof of residency, such as a valid ID or utility bill, upon arrival.
The cleanup will accept most household bulk items, including furniture, mattresses, brush and small appliances. In addition to general disposal, on-site services will include document shredding and tire disposal. Industrial and commercial waste will not be permitted.
Residents are encouraged to arrive early, as space is limited and services will end once containers are full.
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 cookbook-focused Little Free Library has been installed at the Horseshoe Bay City Center, 9101 RM 2147.
The library, installed by resident Kaye Owens, invites visitors to take a book and leave a book, with a special emphasis on cookbooks. A recipe box placed alongside the library allows residents to exchange favorite recipes.
The initiative is intended to encourage community connection through shared meals, reading, and storytelling.
“Cookbooks are more than a collection of recipes. They invite us to connect. I like to say, ‘Cookbooks are paths to adventures, creating memories to be shared,” Owens told DailyTrib.
Owens said her interest in cookbooks was inspired by her mother, who collected them, as well as her own love of libraries, which she described as places that “offer stability and solace and nurture curiosity.”
“Sharing books, sharing a table can be quietly transformative. That is why this Horseshoe Bay Little Free Library has an emphasis on sharing cookbooks, to encourage community, but all books are welcome,” Owens said.
The library is located near the entrance to the Elsie Thurman Walking Trail and includes a rotating selection of cookbooks and other books for residents and visitors.
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.
Highland Lakes area authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating Freddie Paul Ledet, 59, who has been missing since March 31.
The Llano County Sheriff’s Office and Burnet County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the disappearance of Ledet, who was last seen in Tow, Texas. Investigators said they are concerned for his safety due to the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
Ledet is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 140 pounds, with brown and gray hair and hazel eyes.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts or possible sightings is asked to contact the Llano County Sheriff’s Office at 325-247-5767 or the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office at 512-756-8080. Anonymous tips are welcome. The case is listed as: Burnet County Missing Person Report #BC26-0363.
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.
Horseshoe Bay’s Dottie Anderson Citizens Academy graduated its 18th class during a ceremony on April 9.
The nine-week program meets Thursdays from 2-4 p.m. and introduces residents to city operations, including City Council, finances and the fire department. Since the academy’s inception, 235 residents have participated.
Graduates received certificates signed by the mayor and a jacket or vest with the city logo.
“Participating in the Horseshoe Bay Citizen Academy gave us a deeper appreciation for how our city operates and the dedicated people behind it,” Kenneth and Kathryn Baird, members of the 18th academy class, said in a media release. “It’s a valuable experience that really connects you to your community and helps you understand the services that keep everything running smoothly.”
Residents interested in participating can apply online and be placed on a waitlist for the fall 2026 session, or registration is open for spring 2027. Preference is given to full-time Horseshoe Bay residents.
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.
