Sharing the Harvest food pantry is leaving its longtime home at First Baptist Church of Kingsland due to a disagreement over how much spiritual input the church should have in pantry operations.
This came after a lengthy back-and-forth between church and pantry leaders on the pantry’s terms of occupancy, which boiled down to Sharing the Harvest refusing to amend an agreement with First Baptist to ensure that 20 percent of the pantry’s board members came from the church.
According to First Baptist Senior Pastor David Henneke, the church wanted a written stake in Sharing the Harvest leadership to ensure the organization was in alignment with church values.
“Since (Sharing the Harvest’s) inception, we’ve always had a member from the church on their board,” Henneke told DailyTrib.com. “For us, it is more about having some oversight over what is happening on the property.”
However, Sharing the Harvest Executive Director Cynthia Green and the food pantry’s Board of Directors worried that the “spiritual oversight” in the proposed deal would conflict with the pantry’s mission and possibly jeopardize funding and support from federal and state sources.
“I’m grateful and I’m thankful (for the church’s longtime support); however, they have put what we do for this community in a very compromising position,” Green told DailyTrib.com. “We will overcome and continue to provide for the community.”
She said the pantry has no firm plans on where it will go now but that it will continue to provide food to clients until the Dec. 1 move-out deadline.
Sharing the Harvest was created by a coalition of local churches in 1994 and has always been based on First Baptist property, where it operated free of charge. It became a standalone nonprofit in 2016 and continued its free operations. While it was not a stipulation that a First Baptist member always serve on the pantry’s board, one did so until recently.
That board member stepped down over the summer, and in July, First Baptist proposed a change to the memorandum of understanding between the organizations to implement a policy that would have 20 percent, or two of the nine board members, be from the church.
Sharing the Harvest rejected the proposal, as it would be “unfair,” according to Green, to the other churches and organizations with which the pantry works.
“This is not a mission that is supported by any one particular church,” she said.
Sharing the Harvest countered First Baptist’s offer, requesting the church draw up a lease agreement with a payment to clear up the terms of the relationship. First Baptist proposed a lease of $4,500 a month—$1 per square-foot—along with language allowing “spiritual guidance” and “spiritual oversight” from the church.
Sharing the Harvest countered with a $2,000 lease and maintaining the current agreement, but the church rejected the offer.
“We certainly could not meet the proposed lease of $4,500,” Green said.
Pastor Henneke said the decision to end the church’s relationship with the pantry is not about the money.
“I love what they do, our community needs what they provide,” he explained. “But we simply can’t allow an outside organization to operate on our property (without any oversight). They could have countered with $1 a month, and it would have been fine. We were more concerned with the accountability.”
Green said granting the church’s request for spiritual oversight might have caused issues with funding and support from the Central Texas Food Bank and possible grant opportunities.
It also conflicted with her personal interpretation of Sharing the Harvest’s mission.
“If somebody is hungry, I don’t care if you go to church,” she said. “My prayer each morning is that His light will shine through me in all that I do, not in the words that hang over your church door.”
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Horseshoe Bay is reducing its white-tailed deer population through a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department trap, transport, and process permit, aiming to curb growing public safety hazards created by the overabundance of animals.
“The objective is to lower the number of deer in the community to support a healthier herd,” Police Chief Jason Graham told DailyTrib.com.
He explained that maintaining a healthier deer population reduces the risk of disease, limits vegetation damage, and decreases the chance of vehicle accidents.
To achieve this, the city set up four high-walled pens at different sites that are monitored and baited with food to lure deer. Once trapped, the animals are transported to a processing site, where they are killed and the venison is donated to local food pantries.
“This is not a new issue statewide,” Graham said of white-tailed deer overpopulation.
The chief emphasized the urgency of controlling disease within the herd to mitigate health risks to the public, as certain diseases carried by deer, such as chronic wasting disease and Tuberculosis, potentially pose a threat to humans.
“With wild animals, you can’t round them up and give them medicine to keep them from getting sick. So when one gets sick, it spreads really quickly,” Graham said.
Furthermore, overpopulation increases the risk of road accidents, which can damage vehicles and physically harm drivers.
“It’s a risk to drivers but also a lot of property damage,” Graham said. “If we can get the number of deer along the roadways down, that decreases the damage to vehicles and other property.”
Alternative population control methods, such as culling the herd with crossbows or rifles, were ruled out due to safety concerns in the densely populated city. Additionally, previous attempts to capture deer with nets drew noise complaints from Horseshoe Bay residents.
“In lowering the risk to the public, we decided to use the pens,” Graham said.
While the trap, transport, and process program can be costly, the chief emphasized it is the best and safest option for the community.
The deer management program typically runs from October through March, as determined by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which also sets target reduction numbers. Graham noted that, while the program had been paused for several years, it resumed successfully last year with an increased need as environmental conditions had changed.
“It’s a very delicate balance of what would be conducive of a healthy herd,” he said. “By eliminating deer, we are just lowering the number so that it sustains their health overall.”
BAN ON FEEDING DEER
While Horseshoe Bay works to reduce its deer population, feeding the animals remains prohibited because it encourages them to stay in the area year-round, especially during drier periods when natural food sources are scarce. This can contribute to overpopulation and attract predators, which can also become problematic. Additionally, foods like corn can be harmful or even deadly to deer, working against the goal of maintaining a balanced and healthy herd.
Violation of the deer-feeding ordinance is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $100 to $500 and possibly a civil penalty of up to $250 a day if the offender was previously notified.
Graham said the Horseshoe Bay Police Department is appreciative of residents’ support for the program and emphasized the city’s openness to input and alternative methods.
“We have such a close relationship with our community, so we welcome feedback from the community,” he said. “We can all do this together to make (the program) more effective.”
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Marble Falls extended its contract with Waste Management for another three years with the same rates and now free monthly brush pickup for residents.
“This contract extension is an important step forward for our community,” said Marble Falls City Manager Caleb Kraenzel in a media release. “We’re not only guaranteeing consistent, dependable waste collection, but we’re also expanding services without increasing costs. It’s a win-win for our city.”
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A rocket exploded during testing at the Firefly Aerospace facility in Briggs on Sept. 29. While a large fiery plume could be seen in the sky, damage was minimal and no injuries were reported. A small grassfire sparked by the explosion was contained to the space company’s testing and manufacturing site, located in northeast Burnet County.
The explosion happened early Monday afternoon, according to Burnet County Emergency Management Coordinator Derek Marchio, who briefed the Commissioners Court on the matter during its Tuesday meeting.
“The mishap at the rocket test at 12:30 (p.m.) at Firefly resulted in a small wildland fire that was easily contained,” Marchio said. “The fire did not leave the property.”
He said the blaze only burned less than an acre due to Firefly keeping grass and brush near the testing sites short to prevent fires from spreading.
Northeast Burnet County Fire Rescue, the Bertram Fire Department, and Williamson County Emergency Services District No. 7 assisted Firefly in putting out the fire.
Firefly Aerospace, which is headquartered in Cedar Park, owns roughly 200 acres of property in Briggs, where it manufactures and tests rocket components. Nothing is actually launched from the site, but the company conducts rocket testing almost daily.
This is the most prominent testing mishap since Firefly took up residence at its Briggs location in 2014. The last major event was in 2020, when an engine test caused a brief fire. Burnet County first responders shut down traffic and evacuated nearby homes out of an abundance of caution.
A mission update from Firefly noted that the Sept. 29 test was for an Alpha Flight 7 rocket model, which was to be used in a commercial launch for customer Lockheed Martin scheduled later this year out of Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
A statement issued by the company after the explosion reads:
“During testing at Firefly’s facility in Briggs, Texas, the first stage of Firefly’s Alpha Flight 7 rocket experienced an event that resulted in a loss of the stage.
“Proper safety protocols were followed, and all personnel are safe. The company is assessing the impact to its stage test stand, and no other facilities were impacted.
“Regular testing is part of Firefly’s philosophy—we test each critical component, engine, and vehicle stage to ensure it operates within our flight requirements before we ship to the launch pad.
“We learn from each test to improve our designs and build a more reliable system. We will share more information on the path forward at a later date.”
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The city of Cottonwood Shores recently came under the protection of the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department following two years of minimal service from its own VFD, whose future is unclear.
The Marble Falls volunteer department took over fire protection services for Cottonwood Shores on Aug. 22, the same day the Horseshoe Bay Fire Department ended a mutual aid agreement with its neighbor over what it saw as a lopsided relationship.
“At the end of the day, (the City Council) just wants the city to be safe,” Cottonwood Shores Councilor Michael Ritchie told DailyTrib.com about the decision to sign with the Marble Falls Area VFD. “As far as I’m concerned, as long as we’ve got coverage, I’m good.”
Ritchie explained that Cottonwood Shores had traditionally contracted with its own VFD for fire protection services at about $45,000 per year, but that stopped in October 2024. According to the councilor, the volunteer department staff had dwindled to just one certified firefighter, Fire Chief Ray Schwartz, and the council did not believe the department could fulfill the city’s needs.
“The fire department in Cottonwood does not have the staffing or certifications to respond properly,” Ritchie said.
Over the past two years, the Horseshoe Bay Fire Department had been providing increasing levels of fire protection for Cottonwood Shores via mutual aid, a practice common among neighboring agencies that does not come with financial support or contractual obligations. By 2024, Horseshoe Bay firefighters were responding to about two calls a week in Cottonwood Shores.
According to Horseshoe Bay Fire Chief Doug Fowler, the relationship between his department and the city of Cottonwood Shores had gone far beyond the normal parameters of neighbors helping neighbors.
“We could not continue to provide free services,” Fowler said. “This was well past a mutual aid agreement.”
WHAT NOW?
With Cottonwood Shores highly dependent on help from Horseshoe Bay and Marble Falls agencies, the city is left without a clear path forward for independent fire protection.
At the heart of the issue is a lack of trained volunteers at the Cottonwood Shores VFD, something that was acknowledged by Schwartz, who has been chief since 2023.
“We’ve been shorthanded for a long time,” he told DailyTrib.com. “It’s hard enough to get someone to run toward a fire, let alone do it for free.”
This led to the city’s September 2024 decision to designate the Horseshoe Bay Fire Department as a first-call agency, along with the Cottonwood Shores VFD, to ensure an adequate response to emergency calls.
“Honestly, there has been a lot of trouble between the (Cottonwood Shores VFD) and (the city of Cottonwood Shores), but we want to put one foot in front of the other and keep going to calls,” Chief Schwartz said.
Following the collapse of the relationship between the Horseshoe Bay Fire Department and the city of Cottonwood Shores, the Marble Falls Area VFD stepped in with a solution. It would assume priority fire protection services for Cottonwood Shores and provide training and support to bring the city’s VFD up to speed.
Schwartz said he is committed to getting more volunteers and regaining a contract with the city, but that does not seem to be in the cards for the forseeable future. His agency is continuing to provide emergency services as needed, despite the lack of a contract and financial support from the city.
Councilor Ritchie said Marble Falls Area VFD Chief Thomas Jacobs will provide support and training for the Cottonwood Shores VFD and then likely give his assessment of the department to the city by 2026.
Pending the results of that appraisal, the city could decide to re-sign with the Cottonwood Shores VFD, ask the Marble Falls Area VFD to stay on a long-term basis, or pick a yet-to-be-determined option.
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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.
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The city of Granite Shoals’ white-tailed deer harvesting program opens Sept. 27 along with Texas’ archery-only season. Certified and approved hunters armed with crossbows will be out at designated spots starting Saturday in an effort to reduce the city’s nuisance deer population.
Over the years, a growing number of white-tailed deer have contributed to vehicle collisions and damage to local vegetation and landscaping. The animal’s overpopulation also increases the risk of disease, including Chronic Wasting Disease and tick-borne illnesses.
Currently, 90 hunters are signed up for the Granite Shoals program, which is in coordination with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Thirty participants are fully approved and ready to begin, and 60 are in the process of completing testing and background checks. Hunters do not need to be Granite Shoals residents to participate but must meet specific qualifications, including holding a Texas Hunting License and passing safety tests.
The program runs through the end of the general white-tailed deer season on Jan. 4, 2026.
There are 10 active hunting sites on city-owned and private properties, with three alternate locations available if needed. These sites include tree stands, feeders, and backstops. All crossbow shots must be taken within 20 yards of a deer.
Peter Hutnick, chair of the Granite Shoals Wildlife Advisory Committee, said site adjustments could be made throughout the season to improve success if certain areas are less productive.
Initially launched in 2017 and paused in 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city’s white-tailed deer program previously harvested 305 deer, logged over 2,000 hours, and produced nearly 6,000 pounds of venison. Hunters may keep their harvested venison, while leftovers are donated to local food pantries.
Most deer harvested are antlerless to reduce reproduction, and special permits limit the total number of deer taken.
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The lakeside park was originally deeded to the “Community of Kingsland” in 1962 with the chamber’s Board of Directors designated as its trustee. Since then, the chamber has maintained the park with support from local groups such as the Lions Club, but the growing demands of park management have become too much for the business-focused organization.
“Actively managing a public park is not a typical chamber responsibility, and it requires ongoing time and attention that goes beyond our organization’s capacity,” said chamber President Andy Virdell in a media release announcing the change in park management. “As trustees, our board believes KMUD is better positioned to dedicate the bandwidth and resources needed to operate and enhance the park over the long term. We look forward to seeing KMUD take the park to the next level in serving Kingsland residents and visitors.”
Since 2018, Kingsland Community Park has seen significant improvements, without the use of tax dollars, including the construction of modern restrooms, an upgraded boat ramp with courtesy docks providing access to Lake LBJ, a new fishing pier, and the addition of benches, sidewalks, and paved parking.
As part of the management transition, KMUD has committed to reimbursing the Kingsland Chamber for outstanding debt incurred during recent upgrades, specifically for paving and striping the boat trailer parking areas.
Additionally, the chamber has been fundraising to renovate the park’s community hall, with completion planned for 2026. Donors to that project will have the option to receive a refund or permanent recognition once work is completed under KMUD’s direction.
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The new Burnet City Hall opens to the public Monday, Sept. 29, at 301 E. Jackson St. in downtown, just a three-minute walk from the Burnet County Courthouse.
The old City Hall will be closed Friday so staff can move into the new space over the weekend. The building at 1001 Buchanan Drive has served as the center of city business for more than 20 years.
The new City Hall has been several years in the making. The $8 million project broke ground in May 2024, but Burnet leaders have been on the hunt for a new home since at least 2021.
“While the building itself may be new, our dedication to serving the Burnet community remains as strong as ever,” said Burnet City Manager David Vaughn in a media release.
The new City Hall was custom-made and designed to match Burnet’s downtown aesthetic. Most importantly, the 18,000-square-foot building solves the city’s space issue. At 8,000 square-feet, the old City Hall could not fit all of the city’s departments, many of which were housed in other buildings with costly rent.
Now under the same roof are Burnet’s utilities billing and customer service, municipal court, city administration, finance, human resources, and development services. The building also will hold meeting space for the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission.
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