Jan.1
Several officials elected during 2024 take the oath of office Jan.1, 2025, including, Pct. 3 Commissioner Chad Collier, County Tax Assessor DeAnne Fisher and 33rd Judicial District Attorney Perry Thomas. Also, officials re-elected during 2024 were sworn for a new term, including County Constable Pct. 2 Garry Adams, County Attorney Eddie Arredondo, County Constable Pct. 4 Millicent “Missy” Bindseil, County Sheriff Calvin Boyd, County Constable Pct. 3 Scott Davis, County Constable Pct. 1 Leslie Ray and Pct.1 Commissioner Jim Luther Jr.
Jan. 3
Commissioners mull process of appointing new county judge
Burnet County Judge James Oakley resigns Jan. 2, two years before the expiration of his full term of office through 2026. The resignation spurs three applicants to succeed Oakley, including retired 33rd District of Texas Judge Guilford “Gil” Jones, County Sheriff Chief Deputy Alan Trevino and former Texas grant manager and probation officer Bryan Wilson.
Jan. 7
Commissioners seek county judge applicants
The Burnet County Commissioners Court begins to administer the appointment of a new county judge to complete the unexpired term of former county judge James Oakley through Dec. 31, 2026.
Jan. 7 Jan. 10
BCSO closes alleged threat probe against JP
Officials recently released documents detailing a “threat” investigation against a Burnet County justice of the peace, which authorities determined did not rise to the level of a crime.
Jan. 10
Council opts to join suit against natural gas group
Marble Falls City Council decided to oppose an energy rate hike proposed by ATMOS Energy, headquartered in Dallas. ATMOS is the main supplier of natural gas to Marble Falls for commercial, industrial, transportation and residential use
Jan. 10
Former preacher on trial for alleged abuse
The trial of an elderly former preacher from a Marble Falls church started this week in 424th Judicial District Court. Francis Young is on trial for alleged sex abuse of two children that reportedly began May 2023. The trial began Jan. 6 before a 12member jury evenly divided between men and women
Jan. 14
LCRA to review quarry permit application
A mining company has entered another phase of permit applications this month by making a request to the Lower Colorado River Authority. Asphalt Inc. submitted the application under the Highland Lakes Watershed Ordinance protocol by LCRA. The application is for “an aggregate processing plant and quarry near Inks Lake.” The proposed site is just outside the Burnet city limit on 71 acres in Hoover Valley at 3221 FM 3509, 3 miles west of Texas 29. The application comes on the heels of a contentious public meeting hosted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in December. On. Dec. 10, hundreds of residents attended a meeting in opposition, citing noise, dust, traffic and other environmental concerns. TCEQ’s decision on their permit request could come sometime this month.
Jan. 17
Sheriff's office calls jump by 13%
Despite a hike in calls for service from the previous year, Burnet County Sheriff’s Office officials say peace officers have maintained expeditious response times. Burnet County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Trevino reported Dec. 14 the sheriff’s office fielded more than 24,000 emergency 9-1-1 calls last year, a 13% increase from 2023.
Jan. 17
The Burnet County Commissioners Court gave a fond farewell to Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Debbie Bindseil during their recent meeting. At the end of court proceedings during its Jan.
14 regular session, the entire courtroom stood and applauded Bindseil, who plans to retire Feb. 7. Also during the meeting, the commissioners approved the appointment of Granite Shoals Municipal Court Judge Frank Reilly to replace Bindseil through the end of her term of office, set to expire Dec. 31, 2026.
Jan. 21
Standoff traffic stop ends with surrender
An unidentified man was taken to the hospital, following a standoff lasting over an hour near a park in Marble Falls. The incident unfolded around 2:30 p.m. Jan. 16 in the 1500 block of Second Street, just west of Avenue N.
