A Kingsland man, identified as Mark Berryhill by the Llano County Sheriff’s Office, was found unresponsive on Jan. 17 at a residence on Airway Street in Kingsland and later airlifted to Dell Seton Medical Center in Austin.
A Jan. 20 media release from the Sheriff’s Office stated that deputies and Hamilton EMS personnel were sent to the 900 block of Airway Street at around 7:26 p.m. on in reference to an “unresponsive male.”
The Llano County Criminal Investigations Division also responded to the scene and is currently investigating the incident.
According to police scanner activity associated with the event, it was reported that Berryhill was, “struck in the face with fists…put to bed yesterday…still in the same position.”
Numerous posts on Facebook indicate that Berryhill died following the incident, but this has not been confirmed by LCSO or any official source as of this article’s publication.
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Horseshoe Bay has welcomed a new city secretary, Susie Quinn, following the dismissal of its longtime secretary in November.
Quinn has served as interim secretary since then and was officially named city secretary during the Jan. 20 council meeting.
“We are very pleased to have selected Susie Quinn as our new city secretary. She has an excellent municipal legislative and records management background and has a delightful personality that will blend perfectly with the city’s culture,” City Manager Jeff Koska told DailyTrib.
Quinn brings extensive experience as a city secretary in multiple cities, including Rowlett and Murphy. She received the Texas Municipal Clerks Association (TMCA) President’s Choice Award in 2023.
“It is truly an honor to become a part of the Horseshoe Bay team, working here as interim city secretary has been a wonderful experience. Not only are the employees a great team, but Council is so genuine and caring about this community,” Quinn told DailyTrib. “In my 29 years of experience, I have worked at five cities and loved them all and I know that Horseshoe Bay will be one of my favorites as well.”
The city secretary is a state-mandated position in Texas municipalities, responsible for record keeping, election administration, and other essential duties.
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Marble Falls City Council OK’d a conditional use permit on Tuesday, Jan. 20, for a new four-story, 116-room Marriott hotel on Old River Road, near the FM 2147 and U.S. 281 intersection on the south side of town. The 4-1 vote for approval came despite some concerns about the structure’s potential to block scenic views of Lake Marble Falls, the city, and the U.S. 281 bridge.
This map gives a general reference for where a proposed hotel would lie in relation to U.S. 281, FM 2147, another hotel, and downtown Marble Falls. Google Maps
The conditional use permit greenlights the developer, Houston-based SLTX Capital, to move forward with creating designs that will then be presented to City Council to acquire a building permit at a later date. Plans for the hotel were recommended for approval by city staff and the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission as long as proper safety and travel upgrades are made to Old River Road and its connection to U.S. 281.
The hotel would lie on roughly 3.85 acres northwest of the U.S. 281-FM 2147 intersection, but only be accessible via Old River Road.
This image gives a general idea of what the proposed Marriott hotel location would like upon completion. Courtesy image from city of Marble Falls
According to Marble Falls Development Services Director Scarlet Moreno, this project has been in the works since 2022, with the developer receiving original approval in June of that year. That initial agreement stipulated that ground be broken on the project within two years, but that never happened. After prolonged negotiations between the developer and Marriott, terms were agreed upon and new plans were put forth for approval, which led to the council’s decision on Tuesday.
The decision to approve the conditional use permit came after some deliberation between council members, who acknowledged that the project would likely impede the iconic view of Marble Falls as you drive northbound on U.S. 281 towards town.
“One of the cool things about Marble Falls, people say all the time when they come here, is when you come down that hill and you just look down over this cool little town,” Mayor John Packer said. “That’s going to block a lot of the downtown view and certain angles.”
“Some things are not worth sacrificing the unique beauty of our sweet town,” she said.
Based on the current plans for the hotel, it would rise about 30 feet higher than the U.S. 281-FM 2147 intersection.
At the meeting, Mayor Packer asked SLTX Capital partner Navid Karedia if it was possible to lower the profile of the building.
“We feel very confident that this is the best site plan that we can come up with to meet city standards,” Karedia said.
The hotel will stand at 59 feet tall, which is just under the city’s 60-foot height restriction for the transitional downtown district the property is zoned for. While a hotel requires council approval per the district’s rules, any structure built on the property can be up to 60 feet tall under current city regulations.
There is not yet a firm timeline on the project, but a building permit with the city is still required before work begins.
Marble Falls Mayor John Packer and Place 3 Councilor Lauren Haltom both expressed concerns about the impacts of a new hotel on the iconic views of the city from U.S. 281. Ultimately, Packer voted in favor of the project and Haltom against it. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
Council deliberations
While he ultimately voted in favor of the conditional use permit, Mayor Packer acknowledged that some constituents could be frustrated by its impact on the city skyline.
“I guess I’m on the fence about it,” he said. “I just know we’re going to get all kinds of people really upset.”
Packer pointed to public backlash about obstructed views that occurred when a La Quinta Inn was built in 2008, at 501 FM 2147, just a few hundred feet away from the proposed site of the Marriott.
“It concerns me as well,” said Place 3 Councilor Lauren Haltom.
When it came down to the vote, Mayor Packer, Place 1 Councilor Griff Morris, Place 2 Councilor Dee Haddock, and Place 6 Councilor Craig Magerkurth voted in favor of issuing the conditional use permit.
Place 3 Councilor Haltom voted against it.
Place 4 Councilor Karlee Hubble and Place 5 Councilor Richard Westerman were absent from the meeting.
In a written quote to DailyTrib, Haltom sent the following on why she voted against the hotel’s permit.
“Some things are not worth sacrificing the unique beauty of our sweet town,” she said.
After the meeting, Mayor Packer told DailyTrib that it was within the right of the council to deny the approval, but that the whims of the market were not theirs to decide.
“It’s really not up to us to decide how many hotels are in Marble Falls, it’s up to the market,” he said. “And if the market is saying they need more hotels then that’s a market thing.”
He did further acknowledge the possible public concern about the project.
“As far as this particular hotel, the concern about when you come over the hill and you see the view of town, is a concern,” he said. “I know a lot of residents will be concerned with that. I feel like yeah, it’ll block some of the view, but hopefully not as bad as some people think.”
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In a Jan. 16 letter addressed to the Public Utility Commission of Texas and its commissioners, House District 19 rep. Ellen Troxclair expressed her opposition to the current plans for a massive state transmission line project that would cut through Burnet County.
Troxclair is the latest official to take a vocal stance against the Bell County East to Big Hill 765 kV Transmission Project, which, if it comes to fruition, would string up over 200 miles of high-voltage powerlines on 15-story towers between Bell and Schleicher counties, with all possible routes running through rural northern Burnet County.
“Texas is a global leader in energy production, and that leadership has historically been achieved through careful consideration of private property rights and natural resources,” wrote Troxclair. “Consistent with those principles, I write to convey the significant concerns raised by residents of Burnet County within House District 19 related to the proposed routing and structure specifications of this project.”
The PUCT project, as proposed, would be built out by Oncor Electric Delivery and the Lower Colorado River Authority. Both organizations are still in the planning stages of the process, and are expected to submit their applications and proposals to the PUCT sometime in the spring of this year.
“As currently proposed, these (transmission line) structures and routes present substantial and long-term adverse impacts, including but not limited to effect on wildlife habitat, agricultural operations, tourism, property values, historic ranch lands, water quality and sedimentation, and public health and safety,” Troxclair continued.
The transmission line project has been a major point of concern in Burnet County since the Commissioners Court became fully aware of it in May 2025. According to the PUCT, the transmission line’s purpose is to bring reliable power from Central Texas to far West Texas to serve a growing demand for energy in that region.
Many landowners in Burnet County are worried that the lines will have an outsized impact on their properties.
“The Texas Hill Country is a uniquely valuable region characterized by sensitive aquifers, working ranch lands, scenic landscapes, and historically significant properties, all of which warrant careful consideration in the routing of major transmission infrastructure,” the letter continues.
The Burnet County Commissioners Court has taken several steps in opposition to the transmission project, and many residents have expressed their strong opposition through public protests and frequent comments at local government meetings.
“My office and I have engaged extensively with affected landowners, small business owners, natural resource experts, and local municipal and county officials regarding the proposed routes,” reads the closing paragraph of Troxclair’s letter. “There is broad and unified opposition to the current proposals, and a shared expectation that, if the (PUCT) determines the project is necessary, routing and structure decisions should reflect the highest degree of sensitivity to the existing land use, community character, and human ecology of the region.”
Background on the Bell County East to Big Hill 765 kV Transmission Line
The Bell County East to Big Hill 765-kV Transmission Project has been on Burnet County’s radar since May 2025. Since then, public opposition and protest has risen and the county has officially taken up opposition to the state project.
The transmission line project’s intention is to bring power to West Texas, but many Burnet County residents believe that it would be at the expense of Hill Country landowners.
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Local drive-thru coffee chain Mojo Coffee recently opened a new location in Kingsland, marking its 10th storefront since it opened for business in 2015. Born in Burnet, the chain has plans to expand beyond the Highland Lakes in the near future.
The new location, located at 1133 RR 1431 in Kingsland, opened in late 2025.
The original Burnet shop, a former 400-square-foot taco shack, quickly won over the community according to owners Austin Moon, Forrest Jackson, and Lloyd Reagan.
The trio, all cousins, opened their first location in late 2015 in Burnet with a goal that went beyond coffee: mentoring youth. Jackson, a former high school wrestling coach, had been considering returning to school when Moon suggested they explore other ways to support young people.
“It was a way to be able to create opportunities for people career-wise,” Moon told DailyTrib. “Every one of our managers and leadership is homegrown. We haven’t hired anyone outside of the company; all managers have worked their way up.”
As the company grew, expansion brought new challenges, Jackson said, noting that balancing multiple locations can be tricky. “How do you be in 10 places at once?” he added.
Yet, that has not slowed their growth with the next location planned for Jarrell, north of Georgetown, within the next 10-12 months.
“The idea is as long as we have people that want opportunity and leadership inside of Mojo, we’re going to keep going,” Moon said.
He went on to explain that the company’s growth is guided by staff readiness. If no one is prepared to lead a new store, they will not expand further.
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The Herman Brown Free Library will likely be making considerable upgrades to its facilities and equipment after receiving a generous $20,000 donation on Jan. 1 from Burnet community member Lavona Fry.
Plans for the new funds include finishing the “second phase” of the children’s bookroom, adding new furniture, toys, and games; and upgrading the library’s aging public print station equipment and software.
“We were overwhelmed by the donation we were given and just deeply moved at the generosity and the desire to invest in our community in that way,” Library Director Florence Reeves told DailyTrib.
The current library building, which opened in 1977, has faced the normal wear and tear of time and renovations are needed according Reeves.
With assistance from Burnet County’s maintenance department, the Friends of the Herman Brown Free Library, and donations from generous souls like Fry, the library has undergone many upgrades, including a building addition in 2017 that provided computer space, bathrooms, and a new genealogy room.
Over the years, much of the funding that the library has garnered from Burnet County and the Friends of the Library has gone towards keeping books and supplies stocked, with a few larger projects here and there.
“Burnet County maintenance and the additional funding provided by the Friends of the Library are our main support for programs, materials, and all those little things that make the library such a wonderful place to visit,” Reeves said.
For more information on the Herman Brown Free Library, visit their website at or call 512-715-5228.
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Frontier Communications is working on a major expansion project in Marble Falls that should bring light speed internet to homes across the city. A presentation to the City Council on Jan. 6 laid out the details on the expansion and what it will mean for residents.
According to Frontier Vice President of External Affairs David Russell, the communications company will soon begin buildout of a new fiber optic cable network, which should bring 7 gigabit download and upload speeds to about 4,300 homes in Marble Falls by the end of 2026.
“We’re building this advanced technology in dozens of communities across Texas to modernize our network,” Russell told the council. “We appreciate this opportunity to make (the council) and residents aware of this investment that we’re making here in Marble Falls.”
Frontier–a Dallas-based company– is funding the expansion with its own money, raised in capital markets. The project is not funded by tax dollars or grants according to Russell. He did not share a specific price tag for the investment, but described it as “quite a bit of money.”
Russell explained that Frontier staff had met with city staff in December 2025 to ensure that the project followed all necessary city rules and guidelines. Once these guidelines are clear, work will begin and the expansion could be completed before the end of 2026, with residents gaining access to the new fiber optic network as it is completed.
This is a private internet network, but its infrastructure will be in the public right-of-way throughout the city. The fiber will follow Frontier’s existing copper cable network, 74 percent of which is suspended along power lines, and the remaining 26 percent is buried.
Marble Falls city staff are working with the company on proper procedures for the project to move forward, but there is no official action for the City Council to take in greenlighting the project as long as it follows local, state, and federal regulations.
Frontier crews will leave door hangers and notify residents of the work as they proceed. The work should be relatively non-invasive, as it does not require streets to be torn open or any trenching.
Russell also said that Frontier Communications would be merging with Verizon in the coming months, and residents may see a change in branding after the companies combine.
Use of the fiber service will be optional, and once it is installed, the speeds can be upgraded in the future without impacting residential infrastructure. Russell said it will be an exceptional upgrade.
The industry standard for broadband, high speed internet is 100 megabits per second download speeds and 20 megabits per second upload speeds. The 7 gbs fiber optic service will offer speeds 70 times faster than the standard download speed and offer the same speed when uploading.
“The fiber itself is ultra-pure glass, as thin as a human hair, and then we use high intensity lasers to shoot different wavelengths of light through that glass and each wavelength has different levels of communication on it, depending on the different frequencies of the light signature,” he said. “By being able to put communications in light, over fiber, it’s the fastest form of communication that physics will permit as we know it.”
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The city of Burnet gathered for the swearing in of new Police Chief Tony Hefferin at City Hall on Friday, Jan. 16, drawing in friends, family, city council members, and even old coworkers to celebrate the occasion.
Hefferin, a U.S. Navy veteran and seasoned law enforcement agent, recently took the helm of the Burnet Police Department after the retirement of Chief Brian Lee on Dec. 31.
City Manager David Vaughn and City Secretary Maria Gonzales swear in Chief Hefferin on Friday, Jan. 16. Staff photo by Caden Senn.
Lee served the department for four years before deciding it was time to lay down his badge and spend time with his family. Hefferin and Lee worked closely together in the two months leading up to the retirement to ensure a smooth transition for the department and city.
Chief Hefferin brings with him a career in law enforcement that began in 1998 after finishing five years of service in the U.S. Navy and then joining the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, near Houston. There, he would spend the next six years working as a corrections officer and a patrol deputy before making a shift to Harris County and joining the Bellaire Police Department.
Chief Hefferin receives his chief badge, pinned by his wife Charlene. Staff photo by Caden Senn.
Throughout his 21-year tenure in Bellaire, Hefferin served as an officer, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain in various patrol and administrative settings.
Hefferin now hopes to use his rich experience to continue building the morale of BPD and support the work they do for the community.
“I’m just ready to be able to contribute to the great work that this department has already done,“ said Hefferin at the ceremony.
Mayor Gary Wideman was among several other city officials who were present at Chief Hefferin’s swearing in. Staff photo by Caden Senn.
Chief Hefferin’s ceremony drew the support of several members of the community, including Mayor Gary Wideman and councilors Philip Thurman and Tommy Gaut, as well as a few of his old coworkers from the city of Bellaire who travelled to see the occasion.
To keep up with Chief Hefferin and the BPD’s work in the city, visit the department’s website and email any questions or concerns to police@cityofburnet.com.
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The Cottonwood Shores City Council approved the rezoning of lots 2, 3, and 4 in the Castle Mountain Estates subdivision from single-family residential to planned-unit development mixed-use. The change means that both residential and commercial buildings are now permitted in the area.
The approval came during the Jan. 15 council meeting with a 2-1 vote, despite opposition from residents who raised concerns about infrastructure, safety during flooding, and the capacity of water and sewage systems.
The Kissling family, longtime property owners in the city, spoke at the meeting.
“We would like to see a little bit more of what’s intended,” Cameron Kissling said. “We’ve seen nothing to explain how this benefits the area.”
His father, Jim Kissling, added, “Is it going to be a bar? A restaurant? Retail? A gas station? That hasn’t been conveyed. I wouldn’t present it for approval without knowing what’s going to be there.”
Councilor Michael Ritchie assured residents that future developments would still require council approval and could be vetoed if concerns arise.
“As a (planned-use development), we can veto anything as a council that goes there. So if someone were to come up, they would have a plan and we would say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to that,” Ritchie said.
The council noted similar rezoning has already been approved for nearby lots, and a commercial entrance for the area has been approved by the Texas Department of Transportation.
According to the city, the request for the rezoning came from three different groups with an interest in the properties.
The Castle Mountain Estates area is on the west side of Cottonwood Shores, on a high hill overlooking the Highland Lakes. It is just off of Thanksgiving Mountain Road, and separated by elevation from RM 2147. The subdivision is also slated to neighbor a $75 million condominium project, Bluffview Waters, that was approved by Cottonwood Shores City Council in August 2025.
Cottonwood Shores city council structure
The approval for the rezoning came despite half of the six-member City Council being absent for the decision. The final vote came in at 2-1 with Place 1 Councilor Michael Ritchie and Place 2 Councilor Gary Parsons voting in favor of the rezoning and Mayor Pro Tem Cheryl Trinidad voting against it.
Mayor Jared Dodd, Place 4 Councilor Laura Hankins, and Place 5 Councilor Roger L. Wayson were absent from the meeting.
Cottonwood Shores is a Type A general-law municipality, meaning it is run by a City Council consisting of one mayor and five councilors. A city manager, in this case J.C. Hughes, handles the operation of the city while the council decides on policy, direction, and budget.
In a Type A general-law city, the mayor only votes when there is a tie to be broken. Otherwise, voting is up to the five city councilors. As long as there is a majority vote, even if only three of the five councilors are present, a measure may be passed.
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