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The Vista Ridge High School marching band performed in the annual holiday tradition Rose Bowl Parade on Monday, Jan. 2.

2023 Top Stories: Leander ISD students earn state, national attention

Leander ISD students made a big splash in 2023, garnering recognition in national and state competitions and participating in national events. As the district’s enrollment continues to grow, … more

By Clayton Kelley, Reporter | 1/2/24

The murder of former Cedar Park High School football player Ronnie Caldwell, 21, created intense turmoil for Northwestern State University and its football program. Caldwell was shot and killed … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 1/4/24

Families enjoy Cedar Park's grand opening of Phase 1 of Lakeline Park on March 24, 2023.

Cedar Park, Leander and Leander ISD are growing into the final version of themselves that will exist once their population growth reaches final buildout in the next decade. Leander alone was among … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 1/4/24

UDPDATE: 2023 Top Stories: Cedar Park, Leander police faced a tumultuous year

The Cedar Park Police Department and the Leander Police Department both experienced one of the most tumultuous years in their history in 2023. Cedar Park dealt with a shocking revelation about one of … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 1/8/24

The site of the future Leander Springs development, on the southwest corner of the intersection of RM 2243 and Toll 183-A in Leander, seen on December 7, 2023.

EXCLUSIVE: Leander Springs development missed its deadline; developer say it will take four more years to complete Phase 1

The Leander Springs development hasn't dried up yet, but even the first phase of the lagoon-centered project won't see water anytime soon. The $1 billion, 78-acre Leander Springs … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 1/8/24

The proposed $1 billion, 78-acre Leander Springs mixed-use project in Leander at the southwest corner of FM 2243 and 183A is planned to feature a 4-acre lagoon with white sand beaches in some portions and a 10-acre boardwalk near a planned area for a conference center and potentially Leander's second hotel. It would be surrounded by more than 1 million square feet of commercial development supported by up to 1,600 units of multifamily residential development.

(Our "Year of Success" and "Year of Disappointment" articles share one unified introductory section. The unique content for each story starts at the first subhead.) more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 1/9/24

Firefly Aerospace announced on Sept. 14, 2023, that it had beaten its personal rocket launch record by launching a rocket in 27 hours while participating in the Victus Nox mission, which is a test by the U.S. Space Force of private companies' response times.

2023 was a year of disappointment for Cedar Park, Leander and Williamson County's economic development plans. In Leander, the $1 billion Leander Springs failed to reach even its first … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 1/10/24

Affidavit: Former Williamson County District judge, wife murdered by son

Former Williamson County state District Judge Burt Carnes, 74, and his wife Susan, 74, were both shot and killed by their son late Monday night, Jan. 8, according to the arrest affidavit filed in … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 1/10/24

2024 Martin Luther King Jr. March and Celebration

Leander holding third MLK Day on Monday

Leander is gearing up for its third annual MLK Day event this Monday, Jan. 15. Organized in collaboration with the Leander Public Art and Culture Commission and the City of Leander, the theme … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 1/11/24

2024 FREEZE UPDATES: Leander, area MLK Day events postponed due to cold weather; Wilco opens Emergency Center; Austin opens warming stations

Leander and all other area cities have canceled their MLK Day events planned for Monday after the rush of freezing temperatures turned out to be colder than expected. The organizers have … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 1/14/24

On June 2, a family was shattered and the local LGBTQ+ community lost its sense of safety just as Pride Month was starting. According to the charging affidavit, 24-year-old Black gay woman Akira … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 1/16/24

Leander HS special education teacher charged with inappropriate relationship with student

A special education teacher at Leander High School is on administrative leave after being charged with having an inappropriate relationship with a student. Michael Winters was arrested Saturday … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 1/17/24

2023 MLK March and Celebration in Leander.

Leander to hold postponed MLK celebration on Jan. 27

The City of Leander will host its postponed MLK Day March and Celebration on Saturday, Jan. 27. The event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., was originally going to be held on the … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 1/18/24

The Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority (BCRUA) replacement pipeline is sitting near the shores of Lake Travis in anticipation of them replacing the BCRUA's current 36-inch raw water intake pipeline. The replacement project is slated to start Feb. 28 and may last up to six weeks.

Leander planning Stage 4 water restrictions mid-February during BCRUA pipeline replacement

The City of Leander plans to impose Stage 4 water restrictions, which prohibits all nonessential water usage, in mid-February while the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority (BCRUA) replaces its … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 1/19/24

Cedar Park man suspected of assault, arson found incompetent to stand trial

A Cedar Park man facing a felony charge for allegedly using a wooden board to assault multiple people before setting a house on fire was found incompetent to stand trial and is being temporarily … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 1/21/24

The Leander ISD administration building in Leander.

Leander ISD student self reports bringing gun, knife to Grandview Hills ES

A Grandview Hills Elementary School student self-reported on Wednesday, Jan. 17, that they had accidentally brought a backpack to school containing a gun and a knife instead of their school … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 1/22/24

Dozens of local residents participated in a march celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr., on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. The parade had been rescheduled from Jan. 15 due to inclement weather.

2024 Leander MLK March and Celebration draws crowd after rescheduling

Despite lingering cold from the freezing temperatures that caused the original event to be postponed, a sizeable crowd turned out Saturday, Jan. 27, for the rescheduled MLK Day March and Celebration. … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 1/28/24

Leander Mayor Christine DeLisle (incumbent) and challenger Andy Hogue

Leander mayoral race draws a challenger; Four challengers candidates have filed so far in Leander, Cedar Park

Four new, first-time candidates have filed to challenge incumbent city council candidates in Leander and Cedar Park. The filing period for running for local city council elections began on Jan. … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 1/30/24

Dead bat test postive for rabies in Cedar Park

A dead bat found in the 4500 block of Three Arrows Court in Cedar Park tested positive for rabies this week. Cedar Park has periodically had live and dead bats test positive for rabies in recent … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 1/31/24

Leander ISD proposed moving nearly 1,000 students around to various schools under the third scenario proposal for its Elementary School No. 30 attendance zoning map.

Leander ISD sends back proposed Elementary School No. 30 attendance zoning

After district officials presented with the proposed final scenario for the Elementary Schoo No. 30 attendance zoning map to at the Leander ISD Board of Trustees meeting on Jan. 18, the board opted … more

By Clayton Kelley, Reporter | 2/1/24

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