Stories | Hill Country News

12/20/23

Thomas Wayne Dooley, 57, of Cedar Park (TX), entered Heaven’s Gates on December 17, 2023 after a yearlong battle with cancer. Thomas was born on March 16, 1966 to Bill & Fannie Dooley … more

12/19/23

Atomic Tattoo shop on US 183 in northwest Austin, a few miles south of Cedar Park.

INK-ling of an idea: Cedar Park Council planning to loosen tattoo parlor zoning rules

Cedar Park doesn't have a single tattoo parlor. The cluster of them along the city's southern border, the newly opened tattoo parlor to the north in Leander's Old Town District and citizen … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/19/23

The Cedar Park Police Department provided a photo showing the approximately nine ounces of powder fentanyl seized during the May 16, 2022, bust.

Leander HS student dies after suspected fentanyl overdose

A Leander High School student's death last Saturday, Dec. 16, is suspected to have been a fentanyl overdose, according to the Williamson County Sheriff's Office. Zarek McMeekin, an 11th grader, … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/19/23

The Leander Independent School District Administration Office, located at 204 W. South St., Leander.

Substitute teacher bringing gun to Leander ISD campus under police investigation

The Travis County Sheriff's Office and the Leander ISD's district administration are investigating a Dec. 13 incident at Four Points Middle School where a substitute teacher brought a gun onto the … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/18/23

Texas outside hitter Madisen Skinner (right) leaps in celebration beating Ohio State in last year's NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament. The Longhorns won a second straight national championship with a 3-0 sweep of top overall seed Nebraska on Sunday.

Texas volleyball wins back-to-back national championships

Texas dismantled No. 1 ranked Nebraska, 25-22, 25-14, 25-11, to win the program’s second-consecutive national championship at Amalie Arena on Sunday afternoon. In addition … more

Staff Reports | 12/17/23

Rice hits game-winning free throw in return to Austin Spurs

On the day of his return to Austin, Sir’Jabari Rice hit a game winning free-throw with 0.5 seconds left in the game to push the Austin Spurs to a 127-126 victory against the Rio Grande Valley … more

Staff Reports | 12/17/23

Williamson County ..Williamson County held a ribbon cutting ceremony Dec. 13, 2023, for the completion of a $1.1 million sports fields and courts lighting project at Southwest Williamson County Regional Park in Leander

$1.1 million Southwest Williamson County Regional Park lighting project completed; other improvements planned

Williamson County held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 13 for the completion of a $1.1 million sports fields and courts lighting project at Southwest Williamson County Regional Park in Leander. … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/14/23

OBIT: Donald Lewis Hisle

Donald Lewis Hisle, a devoted family man and community leader, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 26, 2023, at the age of 77. Born on September 21, 1946, in Lexington, Kentucky, Don was the … more

12/14/23

Commentary: Would you like to sleep through Christmas?

It was never as high-profile as “Rudolph” or “Frosty,” but it’s worth noting that the animated special “The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas” turns 50 on … more

By Danny Tyree, Guest Columnist | 12/14/23

Leander ISD is starting the process of creating its own district school department to comply with a new law. The district hopes to have its application for the department reviewed and approved by summer 2024.

Leander ISD creating district police department

Leander ISD will start the process of creating its own district police department by summer 2024 to comply with the requirements of a new state law. The exact timeline for the Texas Commission … more

12/13/23

Commentary: It takes strength to survive poverty - and a safety net to escape it

As a 32 year-old mother, I understand the extreme challenges my single mom faced better than ever. But I’ve also seen the life-changing difference a strong social safety net can make. … more

By Asia Walters, Guest Columnist | 12/13/23

Leander will permanently close and vacate its right to the CR 177 low-water crossing bridge located east of the road's intersection with Ronald Reagan Boulevard due to it becoming a persistent safety issue.

Leander closing CR 177 low-water crossing bridge

Leander will permanently close the CR 177 low-water crossing bridge in the coming days. The bridge over Brushy Creek is located on a section of the county road near its midpoint between its … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/12/23

LISD votes No on chaplains as employees

Leander ISD will not allow chaplains, or clergy members, to serve as district school counselors. LISD Board of Trustees voted Nov. 30 against allowing or accepting chaplains as volunteers … more

By Clayton Kelley, Reporter | 12/8/23

Commentary: Tips for out of control tipping

Tipping demands sure have gotten out of control. With every purchase you make — at coffee shops, fast food restaurants, chain stores and more — you are presented with a digital … more

By Tom Purcell, Guest Columnist | 12/7/23

Commentary: The Pentagon just can't pass an audit

The Pentagon just failed its audit — again. For the sixth time in a row, the agency that accounts for half the money Congress approves each year can’t figure out what it did with all that … more

By Lindsay Koshgarian, Guest Columnist | 12/7/23

12/7/23

A release from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service shows the two suspects and the vehicle they used after robbing a USPIS worker around 9 a.m. on Dec. 5, 2023, in the 2000 block of Lucky Lane in Williamson County, just outside of the Leander city limits. The USPIS is offering a $150,000 award for any information that leads to the arrest of the two suspects.

Postal worker robbed just outside Leander limits; US Postal Service offering $150K reward for information on suspects

A U.S. Postal Inspection Service worker was robbed around 9 a.m. on Dec. 5 in the 2000 block of Lucky Lane in Williamson County, just outside of the Leander city limits. The Leander Police … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/6/23

May 11, 2022, Leander, Texas: A CapMetro Metro Rail train sits at the Leander Station as passengers arrive for a morning departure for its route to downtown Austin.

Death of woman killed by CapMetro train ruled accidental

The Leander Police Department has ruled the Nov. 18 death of woman fatally struck by a CapMetro commuter train in Leander while crossing a railway bridge as accidental. On the day of the … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/6/23

Sections

Services

Connect with us