Public concern for a proposed massive rock-crushing facility in Burnet County is growing, especially regarding its potential impact on local aquifers.
The Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District said proper measures will be taken to regulate the aggregate operation but that the developer has yet to file a permit application for the project.
That permit is one of the final hurdles for Asphalt Inc. before it can bring to life a 715-acre quarry on Hoover Valley Road.
The Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District is responsible for managing and regulating groundwater use in Burnet County. It is a governing body lead by a board of five elected directors and a hired general manager.
The Asphalt Inc. project has been on the public radar since September 2024 and drawn considerable backlash due to its close proximity to Inks Lake State Park, Longhorn Cavern State Park, Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery, and Camp Longhorn.
“The Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District has received numerous concerns, comments, and questions regarding a proposed aggregate quarry within the district,” reads an Oct. 29 statement issued by GCD General Manager Mitchell Sodek.
Sodek was addressing the dozens of emails and phone calls from concerned Burnet County residents spurred on by local activist group Save Burnet, which formed in 2024 to oppose the rock crusher.
“Now is the time for every Burnet County resident to speak up,” reads an Oct. 24 post from Save Burnet’s 1,600-member Facebook page. “We ask that you write or email the CTGCD Board to express your concern about granting a groundwater permit to Burnet Ranch Investments (Asphalt Inc.).”
While the concerns are being taken into consideration, they might be a bit premature.
“The public comment period for this specific proposed permit is not open yet because no permit application has been submitted,” Sodek’s statement continued.
According to Sodek, the GCD does not know how much groundwater Asphalt Inc. will request to use but that the company is conducting hydrogeological studies in preparation for its permit application.
Once an application is filed, Sodek explained that ample public notice would be given and a public hearing would be held. The district will collect public comments on the matter at the hearing and via a dedicated portal on its website.
“When evaluating a permit, such as one associated with an aggregate quarry, the district must consider several factors, including the potential impacts of the proposed production on the aquifer, existing wells, and surrounding landowners,” Sodek explained. “No permit may be approved that would unreasonably affect surrounding landowners or cause a substantial adverse impact on the aquifer.”
Save Burnet jumping the gun could be justified, as the group has seen two state agencies issue permits to the aggregate company despite thousands of public comments in opposition.
Asphalt Inc. was granted an air-quality permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in February and a Highland Lakes Watershed Ordinance permit from the Lower Colorado River Authority in June. An effort to stop the rock crusher was also smashed at the Texas Legislature in May when a bill specifically designed to protect the pristine natural areas of western Burnet County was killed.
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Austin-based Microsoft staff partnered with Bertram-based Living Grace Canine Ranch for the company’s employee giving program. The rescue, which specializes in caring for senior dogs, has benefited from volunteer hours, matching donations, and exposure throughout October thanks to the program.
“Partnerships like Microsoft’s employee giving campaign remind us that caring for senior dogs is not a mission we walk alone,” Living Grace founder Rhonda Minardi wrote in an Oct. 28 media release. “With Microsoft employees by our side, we can transform rescue into recovery, and recovery into a life filled with dignity, comfort, and love.”
Living Grace is a nonprofit organization that bills itself as the largest dedicated senior dog sanctuary in Texas. The rescue, located just outside of Bertram, is always accepting donations and looking for volunteers. Learn how to get involved online.
Volunteers from Microsoft visited the ranch on Oct. 17 to plant trees and do other needed work around the property.
The Microsoft Employee Giving Program sees a one-to-one match of up to $15,000 from the company for donations made by employees. Employees gave over $255 million companywide in 2024 and volunteered more than 1.2 million hours.
“At Microsoft, we believe our employees can create meaningful change by giving their time, talent, and resources to strengthen the communities where we live and work,” reads a statement from Gilmere Vieira, a chief of staff with Microsoft. “Partnering with Living Grace Canine Ranch through our October employee giving campaign allows us to support vulnerable senior dogs while also fostering compassion, teamwork, and community impact among our employees.”
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Like the rest of the United States, the Highland Lakes area is bracing for the impending freeze of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which could happen Saturday, Nov. 1, if the federal shutdown does not end before then. Local officials are preemptively sharing a suite of food resources that can be used by those in need.
Thousands of low-income residents in Burnet and Llano counties purchase groceries with a government-issued electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card through SNAP. They could lose access to the federal program starting Saturday.
The government shutdown, caused by Congress’ failure to pass a federal funding bill before Oct. 1, is halting non-essential government programs, including SNAP. The stoppage will continue for however long it takes U.S. legislators to agree on and pass a budget.
According to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, as of September 2025, Burnet County has 1,672 active SNAP cases and 3,526 eligible residents. Llano County has 1,019 cases and 2,011 eligible residents. Texas, as a whole, has 1.63 million cases and 3.55 million eligible residents.
City of Marble Falls officials shared a Facebook post on Wednesday listing local food pantries serving Marble Falls, Kingsland, Granite Shoals, and Cottonwood Shores. The same day, Burnet County had a similar post.
“The city felt it was important to share information about food assistance options to ensure residents are aware of available community resources during the temporary absence of SNAP benefits,” City Secretary Christina McDonald told DailyTrib.com.
The impending SNAP pause comes amid a general rise in food pantry use across the Highland Lakes.
The Helping Center in Marble Falls has seen an increase from 300-500 families a month in 2017 to 2,500-3,000 a month in 2024.
LACare in Burnet reported in July that demand had tripled over the past 18 months.
Sharing the Harvest saw a 62 percent increase in households served between 2022 and 2024. Volunteers have been struggling to keep up with demand in recent years.
To help meet the growing need, The Picayune Magazine and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune will host a food drive on Nov. 5 from 6 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Marble Falls Fire Station, 700 Avenue N, and the Burnet Fire Station, 2002 U.S. 281.
SNAP eligibility in Texas depends on income, household size, and certain work or life circumstances. According to Texas Health and Human Services:
People in low-income households are eligible.
Most adults ages 18-54 with no children in their home can get SNAP benefits for only three months in a three-year period.
Households in which all members are either older adults (age 60 and older) or people with disabilities are eligible to participate in the Texas Simplified Application Project, which makes the SNAP application process easier and provides three years of benefits at a time instead of six months.
Applicants must apply through Texas Health and Human Services and provide documentation of income and household composition. The state may request an interview and generally process applications within 30 days. Approved recipients receive an EBT card by mail.
SNAP benefits will resume once the federal government ends the shutdown or issues new guidance. Anyone currently enrolled in the program can access unused benefits from previous months.
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A Buda toddler that has been missing since August might be in the Marble Falls area. The Hays County Sheriff’s Office believes the boy is with his non-custodial mother, according to a media release issued Monday, Oct. 27.
Sherlock Vasile Jones of Buda, who’s nearing his third birthday, is described as having fair skin, blonde hair, and brown eyes and standing about 3 feet 9 inches tall.
His mother, 34-year-old Jewel Ashley Jones, is a white female with brown hair and green eyes, standing 5 feet 8 inches, and weighing 120 pounds, according to the HCSO media release.
Jewel Ashley Jones, 34, Sherlock’s non-custodial mother, is suspected to have abducted the boy. A warrant is out for her arrest. Hays County Sheriff’s Office photo
While the pair are believed to be in Marble Falls, the media release states they also could be outside of Texas.
Contact Hays County Detective Keith Kopec at 512-393-2125 or keith.kopec@hayscountytx.gov with information on the case. Tipsters also may contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-324-8477 or submit information at P3tips.com.
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Burnet is plotting out a roadmap for its future transportation needs and city officials want resident feedback on how that should look.
A public input meeting for the development of the Burnet Transportation Master Plan is Nov. 5 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Burnet City Hall, 301 E. Jackson St.
The meeting will be a self-paced, interactive session with activity stations and information booths on the city’s transportation infrastructure. Resident feedback will be used to help shape the final master plan, including roadway connections, sidewalks and trails, intersection improvements, traffic safety, and local relief routes.
Burnet has teamed up with design firm The Goodman Corp. to create its “transportation master plan.” This plan will be used to guide the city through long-term transportation infrastructure development, providing an ongoing strategy that will be adhered to even as elected officials or city staff change.
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Marine Land Marina on Lake LBJ in Kingsland is seeking to expand its footprint before opening, according to a permit application filed with the Lower Colorado River Authority.
RSW Property Development LLC recently purchased the facility at 13915 RR 1431, previously Hill Country Marine Rental, and hopes to further develop the site by adding 23 wet mooring slips and three courtesy slips as well as replace the existing boat launch ramp and marine service station.
If the LCRA approves the permit, the marina’s water surface area would increase by about 7,227 square feet to a total 11,824 square feet on Lake LBJ.
The LCRA has determined that the application is administratively complete, meaning all required information has been submitted, and is now conducting a technical review to assess whether the proposal meets the standards set forth in its Highland Lakes Marina Ordinance. The review process could take up to 45 business days and be extended if additional information is required.
If the application passes the technical review, the LCRA will issue a Notice of Draft Permit and invite public comments. Property owners within 500 feet of the marina site will receive direct notification of the draft permit. The public will have the opportunity to submit written comments identifying specific standards in the ordinance that the proposed facility may or may not meet.
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The Llano County Sheriff’s Office announced at around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28 that Alan Reeves, the 80-year-old Buchanan Dam resident missing since Saturday, Oct. 25, has been found safe.
According to a Facebook post released by LCSO, Reeves was recently seen at Packsaddle Motel in Kingsland, 2919 RR 1431, and “appeared to be doing fine.”
He was said to be in possession of his oxygen treatment for his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and in no danger.
“Thank you to everyone who’s been keeping an eye out and sharing information- your support helps!” reads the closing of the LCSO Facebook post.
Previously reported
The Llano County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing 80-year-old Buchanan Dam resident who was last seen Oct. 25. (Has been found, see update above.)
According to the LCSO, on Saturday evening, Alan Reeves left his home near Fuzzy’s Corner at the intersection of Texas 29 and RR 1431 in Buchanan Dam. He was on foot and last seen wearing a black jacket with a silver cross on the shoulder, a dark gray shirt, bluejeans, and brown sneakers.
Reeves is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs around 200 pounds, according to the LCSO. He also suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is supposed to be on oxygen treatment for his condition.
The LCSO and other local and state agencies were actively searching for Reeves as of Tuesday, Oct. 28. Texas Department of Public Safety aircraft have been used in the search.
Contact the Llano County Sheriff’s Office at 325-247-5767 with any tips on Reeves’ whereabouts, or call 911 to provide urgent information.
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Highland Haven voters will decide on a $1 million water bond in the Nov. 4 election, a measure aimed at securing critical water system infrastructure without raising taxes or water rates.
According to an informational flyer released by the city leading up to the bond election, if the bond is adopted, “no debt service tax will be created and water rates will not be raised due to the bond.”
The bond would fund the purchase of 8.35 acres of property next to Highland Haven’s water plant, which includes two wells the city is currently leasing and paying royalties on.
“Without approval, the city will continue leasing water used from the property, incurring ongoing royalty payments and lacking control over critical water infrastructure,” City Administrator Andy Adams said in a written response to questions from DailyTrib.com. “Approval will enable the purchase of land near our water plant, securing access to two city wells, eliminating royalty payments, and supporting future water system upgrades and planning. This strengthens our water infrastructure without additional costs to residents.”
The bond money would also fund system upgrades, such as the required replacement of a generator, which is required by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Repayment of the bond will come from ongoing water system revenues, with no new debt service or tax rate increases necessary, according to city officials.
The ballot will include language saying “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE,” which is required by state law because the city is taking on a general obligation bond, but the tax rate will not be increased to pay the bond.
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Granite Shoals has a new dining option with the Oct. 25 grand opening of Chen China King at 4110 Valley View Lane, Suite A.
“I really appreciate the community as a whole for stopping by to support a small business like us,” owner Zhenguo Chen told DailyTrib.com. “I’m truly grateful for it.”
Chen China King is open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays and 4-9 p.m. Mondays. Dine in or carry out. Place a to-go order by calling 830-371-4431. Visit the restaurant’s Facebook page for more information.
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