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The Picayune Magazine

Marble Falls Independent School District has selected Huckabee & Associates, Inc. as the new architect for its 2025 bond projects, following the dismissal of Pfluger Architects last month. With the new firm on board, millions of dollars worth bond projects are now back on track.

The board replaced Pfluger Architects after the firm underestimated the cost of the high school baseball field, which ballooned from a projected $6.5 million to more than $10 million. Huckabee & Associates, which also worked with MFISD in 2018, will now take the lead on the district’s $172.2 million bond projects, including the baseball field, softball field renovation, band hall updates, multipurpose facility, with the goal of keeping the projects on budget and minimizing delays.

The new contract closely mirrors the 2018 bond agreement between Huckabee and MFISD, and is nearly identical to the previous architect’s terms, Superintendent Gasaway told the Board of Trustees during a Dec. 8 special meeting.

“I appreciate Huckabee being so easy to work with in getting this contract ready to present to the board before the break,” Gasaway said in a media release. “I look forward to working with them as we continue to move forward on the 2025 Bond projects.”

Jason Andrus, lead architect at Huckabee, said the district’s top priority is getting the baseball field project back on track. He noted that the original design requires minimal adjustments, and with permits already secured, construction could begin as early as February 2026 and be completed by next summer. The field was initially projected for completion in February 2026.

The gross maximum price for the baseball field is estimated at slightly above the original projected cost but remains well below the $10 million from the previous architect. Cost savings from other projects will help offset some of the difference.

“We appreciate Huckabee & Associates for coming alongside us and picking up these projects to ensure they are done well and completed within the Bond budgets,” Board President Alex Payson said in a media release.

Renovations to the softball field are ongoing with American Constructors, a firm Huckabee has worked with previously, and turf is planned to be laid next week, keeping the project on track for the upcoming season.

Some delays are expected, however. The $26.05 million multi-purpose field, originally planned for summer 2027, now has an uncertain timeline and a potential revised projected cost.

Last month, the district approved to move forward on the installation of a new scoreboard at Marble Falls High School before the Class of 2025-26 graduation, the purchase of nine school buses, and the replacement of roofs across district properties.

maci@thepicayune.com

There are several major contested races on the line in Burnet and Llano counties heading into the 2026 primaries. The window to file for party nominations closed at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8 and voters will have big decisions to make come Election Day in March 2026.

Republicans will duke it out in the primary, with multiple contenders arising for the county judges’ seats and county commissioners’ seats in both counties. 

Normally the Republican nominee scores an automatic win in the General Election in local Highland Lakes area races, but this year there is a lone Democratic challenger throwing their hat in the ring for the Llano County Precinct 4 commissioner’s seat.

Important dates for 2026 primaries

-Last day to register to vote, Feb. 2, 2026

-First day of early voting, Feb. 17, 2026

-Last day of early voting, Feb. 27, 2026

-Election Day, March 3, 2026

Burnet County

Contested races

County judge

The Burnet County judge serves as the chair of the Burnet County Commissioners Court and as the chief budget officer for the county. They are one of five voting members of the Commissioners Court that decide on county policies; determine the county’s budget; and represent the county at the local, state, and federal levels. 

The Burnet County judge serves a four-year term and, as of 2025, has an annual salary of $113,337.88. There are no term limits for serving as county judge.

  • Republican Bryan Wilson, incumbent Burnet County judge. Wilson was appointed to the county judge’s seat in March 2025 following a lengthy selection process that was created by the Burnet County Commissioners Court to fill the position following the resignation of former Burnet County Judge James Oakley in December 2024.
  • Republican Alan Trevino, Burnet County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy. Trevino announced his bid for Burnet County judge immediately after the resignation of former Burnet County Judge James Oakley in December 2024. He also lobbied for an appointment to the judge position during the Commissioners Court’s selection process, but the court ultimately chose Bryan Wilson for the appointment. 

Precinct 2 commissioner

The Burnet County Precinct 2 commissioner is one of five voting members of the Burnet County Commissioners Court. The court is the governing body of the county and responsible for determining county policy; setting the budget; and representing the county at the local, state, and federal levels. The Precinct 2 commissioner represents one of the four precincts in the county and is also responsible for maintaining the roads, bridges, and public infrastructure within that precinct, which covers most of northeast Burnet County. 

Burnet County commissioners serve four-year terms and, as of 2025, earn an annual salary of $95,742.83. There are no term limits for serving as a county commissioner.

  • Republican Damon Beierle, incumbent Precinct 2 commissioner. Beierle is in the midst of his second term as Precinct 2 commissioner, having first been elected in 2019. 
  • Republican Leonard Guenter, Burnet County resident. Guenter is from Burnet County and this appears to be his first time entering the local political arena according to his campaign page biography.

Uncontested races

  • Precinct 4 commissioner- Republican Joe Don Dockery, incumbent
  • County clerk- Republican Vicinta Stafford, incumbent
  • District clerk- Republican Casie Walker, incumbent
  • Court at law judge- Republican Cody Henson, incumbent
  • Precinct 1 justice of the peace- Republican Roxanne Nelson, incumbent
  • Precinct 2 justice of the peace- Republican Lisa Whitehead, incumbent
  • Precinct 3 justice of the peace- Republican Jane Marie Hurst, incumbent
  • Precinct 4 justice of the peace- Republican Frank Reilly, incumbent
  • County treasurer- Karrie Crownover, incumbent

Llano County

Contested races

County judge

The Llano County judge serves as the chair of the Llano County Commissioners Court and as the chief budget officer for the county. They are one of five voting members of the Commissioners Court that decide on county policies, determine the county’s budget, and represent the county at the local, state, and federal levels. 

The Llano County judge serves a four-year term and, as of 2025, earns an annual salary of $80,009. There are no term limits for serving as county judge.

Incumbent Llano County Judge Ron Cunningham did not file for reelection.

  • Republican Rob Hardy, mayor of Sunrise Beach Village. Hardy has a background in healthcare and also serves as the vice chair of the Llano Regional Hospital Board of Directors.
  • Republican Richard Kepp, Llano County resident. Kepp has a background in safety and risk management. He is also an active member of the city of Llano community as a volunteer, but this appears to be his first step into the political arena according to his campaign page biography. 

Precinct 4 commissioner

The Llano County Precinct 4 commissioner is one of five voting members of the Llano County Commissioners Court. The court is the governing body of the county and responsible for determining county policy; setting the budget; and representing the county at the local, state, and federal levels. The Precinct 4 commissioner represents one of the four precincts in the county and is also responsible for maintaining the roads, bridges, and county-owned infrastructure within that precinct that is outside of city limits. Precinct 4 includes the city of Llano and much of western Llano County.

Llano County commissioners serve four-year terms and, as of 2025, earn an annual salary of $73,786. There are no term limits for serving as a county commissioner.

  • Republican Jerry Don Moss, incumbent Precinct 4 commissioner. Moss is the senior member of the Llano County Commissioners Court, having served as the Llano County Precinct 4 commissioner since 2007. 
  • Republican Robert Little, Llano County resident. Little has a background in finance and this appears to be his first time stepping into the local political arena. He is also married to Leila Green Little, who is running for the Precinct 4 commissioner seat as a Democrat.
  • Democrat Leila Green Little, Llano County resident. Little received local, state, and national attention for spearheading the Llano County library lawsuit from 2022 to 2025. She is running for the Llano County Democratic Party nomination unopposed and will likely face the Republican nominee in the November general election. Her husband, Robert Little, is running for the Republican nomination.

Precinct 3 justice of the peace

The Llano County Precinct 3 justice of the peace is an elected official that handles small claims, Class C misdemeanors, truancy cases, landlord and tenant disputes, marriages, and other legal matters within their precinct, which covers the Kingsland area.

Llano County justices of the peace serve four-year terms and, as of 2025, earn an annual salary of $65,438. There are no term limits for serving as a Llano County justice of the peace.

Incumbent Llano County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Deb Edwards did not file for reelection.

  • Republican Kerri Laffoon, Llano County resident. Laffoon has worked in the Llano County Attorney’s Office as a legal assistant for eight years and has 16 years of experience working in probation. 
  • Republican Elizabeth Harvey, Llano County resident. DailyTrib could not find any information on Harvey by the time of this article’s publication.

Uncontested races

  • Precinct 2 commissioner- Republican Linda Raschke, incumbent
  • Precinct 1 justice of the peace- Republican Sam Silver, incumbent
  • Precinct 2 justice of the peace- Republican Maureen Riggs, incumbent
  • Precinct 4 justice of the peace- Republican Lisa Simpson, incumbent
  • County clerk- Republican Cecilia McClintock, incumbent
  • District clerk- Republican Ashley Inge, incumbent
  • County treasurer- Republican Cheryl Regmund, incumbent

dakota@thepicayune.com

A Horseshoe Bay water line project that has caused months of construction and traffic disruptions is almost finished, city officials said, with full completion planned for March 2026. Crews have finished installing a new 16-inch water transmission line along Clayton Nolen Drive, Pawnee Trail and Hi Mesa, a line designed to more than double water-flow capacity in one of the city’s fastest-growing areas.

The project, known as the High Zone Transmission Main, is funded entirely through utility impact fees, one-time charges collected from new development to help cities build the infrastructure needed to support growth.

“This project was identified as a critical water-infrastructure improvement in response to the city’s continued growth and increasing water demand,” Utilities Director Ray Garcias told DailyTrib. “The need for this upgrade was originally determined by the current city manager, Mr. Jeff Koska, during his tenure as director of the utilities department.”

Garcias said the project’s primary goal is to strengthen water supply on the west side of the city by installing a new 16-inch main transmission line capable of providing uninterrupted flow to the Summit Rock Water Tower.

“This improvement will be an addition to the existing 12-inch main line, which contains multiple service connections that restrict flow and slow the process of maintaining adequate tower levels during both peak demand and normal operating conditions,” Garcias added.

With installation finished, the contractor is pressure-testing the line and making any necessary repairs before connecting it to the city’s high-storage pump room in early 2026. Remaining work includes restoring streets, driveways and other disturbed areas.

Once fully operational, the new pipeline will reduce the current eight-hour water transfer from the Central Water Plant to the Summit Rock Water Tower to about four hours. The upgrade will allow faster, more reliable delivery to the 750,000-gallon tower while strengthening the city’s overall water infrastructure according to the Horseshoe Bay officials.

maci@thepicayune.com

The Llano High School football team is heading to the semifinals of the 2025 University Interscholastic League Championships after a historic win against the Edna Cowboys on Friday, Dec. 5.

The Yellowjackets (13-1 overall, 5-0 district) beat the Cowboys (10-4 overall, 6-1 district) in a  38-35 game, marking the team’s first victory over Edna in program history. This will only be the second time ever that Llano has made it to the state semifinals, the first being in 2020. 

Llano next faces the Yoakum Bulldogs (12-2 overall, 3-1 district) in the semifinals, set for 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12 at The Pfield, 1440 W. Pecan Street in Pflugerville. Get your tickets to the game and more details at this link.

Llano had previously lost to Edna in the quarterfinals on two different occasions, in 2022 and 2024. 

“It was nice to get a win over Edna,” Llano head coach Matt Green told DailyTrib. “Man, I can’t tell a lie, it’s pretty great.”

The Yellowjackets pulled off a cinematic victory on Friday, winning the game despite heading into the fourth quarter down 23 to 35 against the Cowboys. Llano racked up 15 points in that final quarter and held Edna to zero.

“From the stands, both sides probably thought we were in trouble going into the fourth,” Green said, recalling the game. “I think on the inside you’re churning, but I’ve done it so long, there is a calmness in that storm where you’re figuring things out.”

Now, Green is focused on the game against the Bulldogs. 

“We definitely do not feel invincible, but we do feel blessed to be in the semifinals,” he said. “We’re focused on trying to play the best football we can against Yoakum. I don’t want our kids looking ahead. That’s a natural reaction, it’s easy to say ‘you win this one, you’re in the finals’ but we want this to be a one game season.”

dakota@thepicayune.com

On Monday, Dec. 8, the U.S. Supreme Court denied hearing an appeal from the plaintiffs in a long-term First Amendment lawsuit involving Llano County regarding the contentious removal of several books from the county’s library shelves in 2021.

The Supreme Court’s decision has effectively closed the case, supporting a ruling made by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that sided with Llano County officials in May. The case, Leila Green Little, et al. v. Llano County, et. al., had been underway since April 2022, with several major swings in court decisions between the plaintiffs and defendants.

“It’s a welcome relief to have this over with,” Llano County Judge Ron Cunningham told DailyTrib on Monday morning. “We felt better after the en banc hearing (in May), but we didn’t know what the supreme court would do.”

It was announced during the Monday, Dec. 8 meeting of the Llano County Commissioners Court that the U.S. Supreme Court had sided with the county in an ongoing constitutional lawsuit regarding the county’s library system. Pictured here, just after learning the news, are Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Don Moss (left), Precinct 2 Commissioner Linda Rashcke, County Judge Ron Cunningham, and Precinct 1 Commissioner Peter Jones, who were all listed as defendants in the lawsuit. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey

Following the May ruling of the Fifth Circuit, the plaintiffs filed a request in September to the Supreme Court to hear an appeal of that decision. At 9:30 a.m. EST on Monday, the court released an order list, one of those orders being the denial of the plaintiffs’ request.

“This morning, the Supreme Court of the United States denied our petition for certiorari (the request to hear an appeal),” reads an email to DailyTrib from Leila Green Little, the plaintiff at the forefront of the years-long legal battle with Llano County. “They will not hear our case.  No explanation is given.”

Little also shared pointed words regarding her own beliefs on the court’s decision.

“This (decision) means that the en banc ruling of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will remain in effect for Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi,” she wrote. “This means that public library patrons have no First Amendment rights to access information. This means we now live in a censorship state.”

The May ruling of the Fifth Circuit established the county’s right to add or remove content from the county’s library system at the discretion of library leadership, denying that any constitutional rights had been violated when 17 books were removed from library shelves outside of normal procedures based on their sexual, historical, and cultural content. Several of the books in question dealt with LGBTQ-plus themes, others dealt with social commentary on race and class in the United States, and many were children’s books focused on “farts and butts.”

Read more about the the Fifth Circuit’s ruling and see the full list of the books removed from library shelves in the May 28 DailyTrib story “Appeals court reversal puts book decision back in Llano County’s hands.”

“Whoever won, whoever lost, we have to work together going forward after this,” Judge Cunningham said. “We are committed to doing that. It’s going to be up to others, who lost, if they want to work with us. I can’t make that choice for them.”

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit included Llano County residents Leila Green Little, Jeanne Puryear, Kathy Kennedy, Rebecca Jones, Richard Day, Cynthia Waring, and Diane Moster.

The plaintiffs in the Llano County library lawsuit were recognized in April 2023 by the Texas Library Association with the Sam G. Whitten Intellectual Freedom Award for fighting perceived censorship in the county’s libraries. Pictured here are TLA President Mary Woodard; Llano County residents Leila Green Little, Jean Puryear, Cynthia Waring, Rebecca Jones, Richard Day, Kathy Kennedy, and Diane Moster; and Dean of Baylor University Libraries Jeffry Archer. Courtesy photo

The defendants in the lawsuit included the Llano County government, as a standalone entity; Ron Cunningham, Jerry Don Moss, Peter Jones, Mike Sandoval, and Linda Raschke in their capacities as members of the Llano County Commissioners Court; and Amber Milum in her capacity as the Llano County Library System Director.

Legal background

Read more about the lawsuit and its history in the following DailyTrib stories:

List of books originally removed in December 2021

  • “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson
  • “They Called Themselves the K.K.K: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group” by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
  • “Spinning” by Tillie Walden
  • “Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen” by Jazz Jennings
  • “Shine” by Lauren Myracle
  • “Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale” by Lauren Myracle
  • “Gabi, a Girl in Pieces” by Isabel Quintero
  • “Freakboy” by Kristin Elizabeth Clark
  • “In the Night Kitchen” by Maurice Sendak
  • “It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health” by Robie Harris
  • “My Butt is So Noisy!” by Dawn McMillan
  • “I Broke my Butt!” by Dawn McMillan
  • “I Need a New Butt!” by Dawn McMillan
  • “Larry the Farting Leprechaun” By Jane Bexley
  • “Gary the Goose and His Gas on the Loose” by Jane Bexley
  • “Freddie the Farting Snowman” by Jane Bexley
  • “Harvey the Heart Had Too Many Farts” by Jane Bexley

Cottonwood Shores has a new lakefront restaurant, The Wave Bar & Grill, recently opening at 200 S. Wirtz Dam Road in the LBJ Yacht Club & Marina. The Wave features casual dining options such as sandwiches, tacos, grilled chicken, hamburgers, salads, and more.

“We wanted to create a place where the community can unwind, enjoy great food, and take in one of the best views on Lake LBJ,” Meghan Broyles, spokesperson for the new restaurant, told DailyTrib.

The Wave Bar & Grill is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and is currently closed on Mondays and Sundays. Call 830-414-4025 for further questions or visit the restaurant’s Facebook page for the menu.

maci@thepicayune.com

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, Dec. 9

Burnet County Commissioners Court 

9 a.m. regular meeting

2nd Floor Courtroom, 220 S. Pierce in Burnet

On the agenda:

  • discuss and take action regarding updates and potential actions to Burnet County’s response to the Bell County East to Big Hill 765-kV Transmission Project, LCRA/ ONCOR electric line
  • discuss and take action authorizing the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office to purchase one (1) vehicle for an amount that does not exceed $50,000
  • discuss and take action to distribute the 2025 traffic counts to the commissioners for review and to ensure the traffic counts are correct prior to Burnet County sending the traffic counts to outside entities

Lower Colorado River Authority Board 

1 p.m. regular meeting

Board Room, 3700 Lake Austin in Austin

On the agenda:

  • discuss and take action on LCRA Transmission Services Corporation Transmission contract refunding revenue bonds issuance and fiftieth supplemental resolution
  • general manager’s update
  • public comments

Burnet Economic Development Corporation 

3 p.m. regular meeting

City Hall, 301 E. Jackson St in Burnet

On the agenda:

  • discuss and consider action on development and/or potential sale of all or portions of the property located at the intersection at Polk and Pierce Street
  • discuss and consider action on Burnet Community Coalition
  • discuss and consider action on monthly financial reports

Horseshoe Bay City Council

3 p.m. regular meeting

Council Chambers, 1 Community Drive in Horseshoe Bay

On the agenda:

  • report from Freese and Nichols regarding development design standards and subdivision regulations 
  • discuss and consider action on request from the Waters Condominium Association in Horseshoe Bay to lower gallon usage charge From 5,000 to 2,000 gallons per unit 
  • committees and board reports

Burnet City Council 

5 p.m. regular meeting

Council Chambers, 301 E. Jackson St in Burnet

On the agenda:

  • discuss and consider action on approving purchase of a single purpose K-9 and providing training and equipment for the handler
  • discuss and consider action on City of Burnet July 2025 flood response
  • Burnet Police Department quarterly report

Granite Shoals City Council

6 p.m. regular meeting

City Hall, 2221 N. Philips Road in Granite Shoals

On the agenda:

  • discuss and take action on Ordinance 886 Hotel Occupancy
  • department reports
  • presentation on short term rentals software update

editor@thepicayune.com

Llano-area law enforcement arrested a suspect in a shooting that occurred on the morning of Friday, Dec. 5. The incident reportedly left one victim injured, but in stable condition.

According to a media release issued by the Llano Police Department, officers and Llano County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a possible shooting at around 9:30 a.m. on Friday in the 100 block of West Leon Street in Llano. 

Once on the scene, officers and deputies found one male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim received immediate, local emergency medical treatment, but was ultimately airlifted to a regional hospital for further care. They were said to be in stable condition as of Friday afternoon.

The suspect was immediately apprehended on the scene and transported to the Llano County Jail without further incident according to the media release.

“Being that this is an active and ongoing investigation, no additional details, including the identities of those involved, will be released at this time,” reads a statement from Llano Police Chief John Bauer. “Further information, as the investigation allows, will be provided as it becomes available.”

editor@thepicayune.com

The Picayune Magazine-KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Toy Drive brought in thousands of dollars and tons of toys on Dec. 3 at its donation sites in Marble Falls and Burnet.

“Thanks to the generosity of our Highland Lakes community, children across the area will have a brighter Christmas,” Victory Media Publisher Mandi Goldsmith said at the close of the drive. “This year’s Victory Media toy drive raised $5,060 along with an incredible amount of donated toys.”

The Picayune Magazine and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio are both under the the umbrella of the Victory Media family, and the toy drive has been an annual staple for the company for the last 14 years.

The money and toys collected during the drive are distributed among local charities that help families in need get gifts for Christmas. This year, those charities were Highland Lakes Christmas for Kids, Granite Shoals Christmas Outreach, and Burnet County Santa’s Helpers.

KBEY station manager Ben Shields broadcasted the drive live from Chevy-Buick Marble Falls, at 2301 U.S. 281 North, and KBEY host Mac McClennahan broadcasted from the Burnet Fire Station, at 2002 S. Water Street.

Chevy-Buick Marble Falls Sales Manager Damon Farmer (left) and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio station manager Ben Shields pose for a photo alongside dozens of donated toys at Chevy-Buick for the annual Picayune Magazine-KBEY 103.9 FM Toy Drive. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey

“Seeing people, whether it is a big or small donation, you can see that they’re genuine and their hearts are in the right place,” Shields told DailyTrib. 

The toy drive has been held at Chevy-Buick for the last 10 years. 

“This is the community’s dealership, so we want stuff like this to help give back,” said Damon Farmer, Chevy-Buick’s sales manager. “Since we’ve been here, we’ve reinvested half a million dollars into the Highland Lakes community.”

McClennahan broadcasted alongside Burnet County Clerk Vicinta Stafford, who is also a  leading member of Burnet County Santa’s Helpers.

Members of Santa’s Helpers spend hundreds of hours buying, sorting, and delivering toys to families in need throughout Burnet County every year. Stafford and a group of other dedicated volunteers took over the organization in 2020 when it nearly disbanded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have a kid myself, a 13-year-old son, and I would say he is fortunate and hasn’t had to go without,” she said. “When I thought about kids not having the joy of Christmas, I couldn’t let it go.”

dakota@thepicayune.com