Construction of the new TownePlace Suites hotel in Burnet is on track, eyeing an opening day in the latter half of 2026.
The planned four-story TownePlace Suites will be located near the Burnet Municipal Airport and Burnet Police Department, at 1750 Cary Johnson Parkway off of U.S. 281.
The project was first introduced to the city in 2023 when developers TEKMAK Development and ARK Hospitality and Development bought 2.76 acres of land from the Burnet Economic Development Corporation for $436,000. City Manager David Vaughn told DailyTrib that the hotel is expected to open before the end of 2026.
TownePlace Suites is a Marriott Bonvoy brand that focuses on accommodating extended stays through amenities like a full in-room kitchen.
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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.
Tuesday, Jan. 6
Marble Falls City Council
6 p.m. regular meeting
Council Chambers, 800 Third Street in Marble Falls
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A Home2Suites hotel is under construction in South Marble Falls.
The new hotel will be next door to the Residences at Panther Hollow apartment complex, at 501 Panther Hollow Drive, just off of U.S. 281 on the south side of town.
The new hotel will be four stories and have 81 rooms, an outdoor pool and other amenities.
Home2Suites is a Hilton Hotels Corporation product, first rolled out in 2015, that specifically focuses on suite accommodations and extended stays.
dakota@thepicayune.com
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The city of Burnet bid farewell to long-time law enforcement agent, and chief of police, Brian Lee with a celebration of his career on Dec. 31, drawing in council members, officers, and residents to share the milestone. His replacement, Tony Hefferin, is already poised to take over BPD.
Lee moved to Burnet in 2021, accepting an offer as the chief of police and beginning work on May 3 that year. His impact on the city was immediate according to Burnet leadership.
“It was incredible that this one guy that eight people picked was going to come in and solve our issues. He had a big job in front of him,” Burnet Mayor Pro Tem Philip Thurman said during Lee’s retirement party. “But, Brian came in and he actually did it. He solved and fixed the organizational issues and departmental issues within a month or so.”
Lee’s retirement closed out 36 years total of public service which began with a degree in criminal justice administration from Colorado State Global and four years of service in the United States Air Force.
His foray into police work began in Idaho, where he worked his way up the ranks of the Twin Falls and Boise Police Departments for 27 years. Experiencing the full force of the service, Lee’s roles ranged from patrol, field training officer, narcotics, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and eventually captain, overseeing the criminal investigation division.
On Nov. 6, city officials announced that Tony Hefferin, a Navy veteran and seasoned law enforcement officer, was selected as the new chief of police. Chief Hefferin took command on Jan. 1, 2026.
Many members of the Burnet City Council were present to celebrate Lee’s retirement and took the opportunity to praise his work ethic, success, and devotion to making the community a safer place.
“Brian has done an absolutely outstanding job,” City Manager David Vaughn said. “But, the single biggest part of that is his leadership, his willingness to fight for his people and get them what they need.”
In over four years, Lee worked to increase staffing, officer presence and responsiveness, strengthen ties with the community, and modernize the department’s equipment and tools. Among his resume was acquiring the TruNarc system to enhance speed and officer safety during narcotics investigations.
Fellow officers also took to the mic to share their own praise for Lee’s determination to provide the police department with what they needed and wanted. Most notable was Lee’s dedication to sending officers to National Police Week in Washington, D.C., honoring fallen service members and their families.
“He’s done an amazing job for our department,” Captain Jeremy Stewart said. “Giving us opportunities to celebrate things that mean the most dearest to us like going to Police Week and being able to honor our fallen officers.”
Lee announced his impending retirement in May 2025, but quickly found his replacement and guided a smooth transition before his departure. In November, Tony Hefferin, a Navy veteran with 26 years of law enforcement under his belt, was selected as Lee’s successor. Since then, the two have worked closely together in preparation for the transition.
Mayor Gary Wideman speaks on behalf of the Burnet City Council about Chief Lee’s accomplishments and devotion to the community. Staff photo by Caden Senn.
“There’s a big part to leaving this thing,” Mayor Gary Wideman said. “And I just want to say thank you (addressing Lee) for making sure that we’re walking out of this building in good hands.”
Though Lee will be absent from the police department going forward, he and his family plan to stay in Burnet, where the former chief plans to enjoy his time golfing, playing pickleball with his wife, and serving on community boards.
“We’re going to be here, part of the community,” said Lee. “But, I’m going to have to learn pickleball a little better if I want to stay active with my wife.”
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Editor’s Note: As 2025 comes to a close, the DailyTrib staff would like to say thank you and Happy New Year to our readers. Your interest in local news keeps this publication alive and makes what we do possible. We look forward to serving the Highland Lakes in 2026 and continuing to cover the stories that matter.
DailyTrib published over 1,000 stories in 2025, covering the people, developments, communities, disasters, crime, projects, politics, businesses, governments, schools, and happenings of the Highland Lakes area.
Here are the top 10 stories and storylines from the year:
The Cedar Stays RV Park was just one of the many victims of the July flooding that devastated Central Texas, including Burnet County. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
Incredible amounts of rainfall across Central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend led to major flooding in the Hill Country that caused billions of dollars in damage and took the lives of over 130 people.
DailyTrib covered the flooding impacts on the Highland Lakes extensively–from photos, videos and updates during the initial devastation to features on the long-term local recovery efforts, which are still ongoing.
Camp Longhorn is right next door to the site of a proposed 715-acre rock quarry in rural Burnet County. Despite concerns from the public, the quarry project has acquired multiple permits and is just a few steps away from getting an official greenlight. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
Asphalt Inc., also known as Lone Star Paving, continued its plans to build out a 715-acre rock quarry on Hoover Valley Road in western Burnet County, right next door to two state parks and a children’s summer camp. DailyTrib began covering the project, and the strong public opposition against it, in 2024, but the story spilled deep into 2025.
In 2025, the project acquired permitted approval from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Lower Colorado River Authority. A state-level effort in the Texas Legislature to stop the quarry was also shot down thanks to the efforts of a South Texas representative with ties to the aggregate mining industry.
Now, as of October, a permit from the Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District is one of the final pieces needed to fully greenlight the project, but Asphalt Inc. has yet to make a permit application.
This rendering of the Ophelia Hotel and Conference Center shows what the long-awaited project will look like upon completion at its location near Lake Marble Falls. Courtesy image
Marble Falls had big developments in some of its largest projects throughout 2025, and people took notice. The city even released its own digital “projectportal” to help residents keep track of all of the work.
Below are a few of the big development stories from the year:
In a September update, DailyTrib reported that the large-scale retail shopping development, Flatrock Crossing, in south Marble Falls had been delayed significantly, but was not dead.
Marble Falls City Council approved a development agreement for a 253-acre community on the east side of town along Manzano Mile.
The highest viewed DailyTrib story of 2025 was in June, regarding the city of Marble Falls entering into negotiations with a developer to bring a 463-acre “resort-lifestyle” project to the city, complete with a 4-acre lagoon. No updates have been shared since the initial story was published and it is unclear if the resort is still moving forward.
The Burnet County Commissioners Court threw together an appointment selection process to pick a replacement for James Oakley after he resigned as Burnet County Judge in late 2024. The three possible picks were Gil Jones (left), Alan Trevino, and Bryan Wilson. The court ultimately went with Wilson. Staff photos
Three applicants threw their hats in the ring for the appointment, and Wilson was a dark horse pick in the process. He was only selected after the four remaining members of the Commissioners Court reached a deadlock vote twice when choosing between Burnet County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Alan Trevino and retired district judge Gil Jones.
Wilson, who hadn’t received any votes throughout the process, was chosen as a compromise by both court camps.
Now, with the current county judge term coming to an end, Wilson is running for the Burnet County judge seat in the 2026 election, facing off against Trevino for the Republican nomination in March.
The Llano Library was involved in years of controversy as Llano County officials removed several books from its shelves based on their content. A longtime lawsuit filed by residents alleging that their constitutional rights were violated by the book removals came to an end in 2025. Staff photo
After nearly four years of courtroom battles, the Llano County Library System lawsuit effectively came to an end on Dec. 8. The First Amendment lawsuit, filed against Llano County and several of its officials by Llano County residents, alleged that constitutional rights had been violated when several books were removed from library shelves based on their content.
DailyTrib has covered the lawsuit extensively, from when it was initially filed in April 2022 with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, all the way to when the U.S. Supreme Court denied hearing an appeal on the plaintiff’s behalf to continue the case in December.
The divisive lawsuit centered around 17 books that were removed from the Llano Library system outside of normal operating procedures. Initially, the law sided with the plaintiffs, ordering the books back into the library, but after years in court and multiple appeals, the law ultimately sided with Llano County’s right to curate the collections of the library as officials saw fit.
Here are the books, including links for reference, that were at the center of the controversy:
On May 3, Marble Falls Independent School District residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of approving four propositions totalling $172.2 million in bonds for major infrastructure improvements to MFISD schools.
The bond projects included basic infrastructure improvements at aging buildings across the district and big upgrades to education facilities for popular programs across multiple campuses. Other projects focused on major expansions to high school athletics, like a new baseball field and a new indoor training facility.
Read more about the bond projects in these two DailyTrib stories:
In May, Burnet County officials shared publicly that a state transmission line project could be cutting through the north end of the county, potentially impacting many landowners and rural residents.
The scope of the project is massive, using 765 kilovolt lines on 15-story towers that would be placed roughly every 1,000 feet along a 200-mile route between Bell and Schleicher counties. While an exact route has not yet been chosen, all preliminary plans show impacts on Burnet County.
As of the end of 2025, the organizations tasked with creating the line, Oncor Electric Delivery and the Lower Colorado River Authority, have pushed back their timeline and will likely pitch their plans to the Public Utility Commission of Texas in early 2026.
In July 2025, five Dallas-area women were killed in a wreck near the intersection of Park Road 4 and U.S. 281. The families of the young women are still seeking justice and often update a shrine dedicated to the girls near the site of the crash. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
On July 25, five Dallas-area women were killed in a reckless driving incident near the intersection of U.S. 281 and Park Road 4 in Burnet County. Thalia Salinas, Ruby Cruz, Jacqueline Velazco, Brianna Valadez, and Desiree Cervantez–all in their early twenties–were on their way to a birthday party in Kingsland when the crash occurred.
The investigation is ongoing, but according to an affidavit from officers on the scene of the crash, Talley was driving a large truck and trailer when he drifted into oncoming traffic without slowing down, striking the vehicle carrying the five women.
Protesters and Burnet County officials successfully stalled out a rail line project that would have brought roaring locomotives into the backyards of many Burnet County landowners. Staff photo
Plans to revitalize and expand an old rail line in Burnet County drew widespread public concern in the first half of 2025. The route would have seen a long-defunct rail line between Burnet and Lampasas brought back to life, and expanded, potentially putting roaring locomotives in the backyards of many Burnet County landowners.
Following intense public opposition and negotiations with county officials, Texas Materials Group Inc. chose to put a hold on the project in May. But, it may not be totally dead, and could be brought back for consideration in the future according to a company spokesman.
The Llano High School football team had a historic run in their 2025 season, reaching the state semi-finals for the second time in the program’s history and defeating longtime rival, Edna, for the first time ever in a 38-35 nailbiting quarterfinals round.
The Yellowjackets went 13-2 overall and 5-0 in district play before falling to the Yoakum Bulldogs in the fifth round of the playoffs.
“We won 13 ball games and it has been an amazing year,” Llano head coach Matt Green told DailyTrib at the end of the season. “These kids fought hard and inspired this community. It’s bittersweet, but it’s a lot more sweet than it is bitter.”
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Most cities in the Highland Lakes region have long prohibited the use of fireworks except as part of official, city-sanctioned celebrations. Granite Shoals had been the notable exception, until recently.
On August 12, Granite Shoals city leaders approved a revised ordinance that now restricts fireworks within city limits to professional, authorized displays only. The move aligns Granite Shoals with neighboring cities in the region and aims to reduce fire hazards and noise complaints.
Residents in unincorporated areas of Burnet and Llano counties still have the option to set off fireworks on private property, provided that no burn ban is in effect. As of now, both counties report no active burn bans, allowing residents to legally enjoy fireworks under current conditions.
Officials caution that fireworks can be dangerous and can spark wildfires, especially in dry conditions. They urge residents to exercise caution, follow safety guidelines, and respect local ordinances when planning personal celebrations.
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In observance of the holiday, all Highland Lakes city, county, and state government offices, as well as banks in Burnet and Llano counties, will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 1. Postal and delivery services will also be suspended.
Some small businesses may be closed or have altered hours, but large stores such as H-E-B and Walmart will remain open during normal business hours.
The confetti dropped in Times Square on New Year’s Eve has people’s wishes written on it.
In Denmark, residents smash plates on friends’ and family members’ doorsteps to welcome good fortune.
The first Times Square New Year’s celebration was held in 1904 to celebrate the opening of “The New York Times” building, with more than 200,000 people in attendance.
The first Times Square ball drop took place in 1907.
Lobster and chicken are considered bad-luck foods on New Year’s.
Over 50 tons of trash are left in Times Square following the festivities.
In Latin America, many people wait for the new year under a table to find the love of their life; this tradition has recently been combined with eating 12 grapes under the table.
Nearly 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions are forgotten by February.
January is rooted in the Latin word “ianua,” meaning “door,” symbolizing the opening of a new beginning with the new year.
Waterford creates a new Times Square ball pattern every year, displaying more than 16 million color combinations.
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Lulu the two-year-old, beefmaster-hereford heifer gave birth to her calf, Snowy, at about 10 p.m. on Dec. 27, while her owner Marble Falls High School junior Abi Boucher was over 250 miles away in Wichita Falls. Thanks to some timely help from the Marble Falls FFA family, the cow and calf had a safe delivery, and will be ready for the Burnet County Livestock Show on Jan. 9.
“I was honestly a little bit scared,” Abi told DailyTrib, referring to when she got the news that her heifer was going to give birth. “I didn’t know if anybody would be able to help.”
Abi was showing pigs at the Texas National Stock Show in Wichita Falls with her family and MFHS agricultural sciences teacher James Connor when she got word that her heifer Lulu was giving birth at the Marble Falls FFA Ag. barn on the night of Dec. 27.
Abigail Boucher shows off one of her prize pigs at a livestock show in Wichita Falls on Dec. 27. While at the show, her show heifer back home in Marble Falls was giving birth. Courtesy photo
Connor, the 15-year Ag. teacher, made some calls for help from afar, asking some other FFA parents, Jenah and Justin Smith, to help out.
“(The heifer) was having problems,” Connor said. “It was a struggle, it was a good thing (that the Smiths) were there.”
Connor explained that the calf had turned on its way out, going legs and head first, which would have been very challenging for a first time birth. For the uninitiated in the world of cattle, the term “heifer” refers to a young cow that has not yet had a calf.
“If it wasn’t for Jenah helping to pull that baby out it would have been tough,” he said.
After the birth, another FFA parent, Heather Duty, stepped in to make sure the new mother was nursing properly.
“It was awesome that they showed up as a team and made sure that the baby was OK,” Abi said. “I’m so thankful.”
Abi’s father, Justin, also felt the pressure on his daughter’s behalf.
“From a father’s perspective, it was stressful not being able to be there,” he said. “But, that’s what the FFA program is all about. Everybody pulls together when you see something that needs to be done.”
Abi had been showing Lulu the heifer at stock shows for over a year. Now, she’ll be showing her as a cow alongside her calf for the first time on Jan. 9 at the Burnet County Fairgrounds.
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A large, three-story indoor storage facility is under construction in Marble Falls.
The new building, an Extra Space Storage project, should be completed by February according to the company’s website. Work is underway at 1402 Max Copeland Drive, behind Home Depot.
This map shows the general location of the new Extra Space Storage building going in behind Home Depot in Marble Falls. Google Maps
Work began on the project in April 2025 according to the Marble Falls Project Portal, an online tool that provides updates on new developments throughout the city.
dakota@thepicayune.com
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