Stories | Hill Country News

The robot that led the CPHS Robotics Team to semi-finals

Cedar Park HS Robotics Team reach semi-finals at FIRST Championship

The Cedar Park High School Robotics Team cheered an impressive accomplishment back on April 22 when the team reached the semi-finals for the “FIRST Championship” in Houston for the first … more

By Clayton Kelley, Staff Writer | 5/3/23

Leander ISD held a groundbreaking ceremony last Friday, April 28, 2023, to mark the beginning of construction on Elementary School No. 30, which will be located west of Bagdad Road and north of San Gabriel Parkway near Devine Lake Park

Leander ISD holds groundbreaking for Elementary School No. 30

Leander ISD held a groundbreaking ceremony last Friday to mark the beginning of construction on Elementary School No. 30. Located west of Bagdad Road and north of San Gabriel Parkway near Devine Lake … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 5/4/23

Narcan kits are being installed in school campuses around Williamson County as part of a partnership between the county and Bluebonnet Trails Community Services.

Williamson County program brings overdose treatment drug Narcan to LISD, county schools

Williamson County is partnering with Bluebonnet Trails Community Services to address the ongoing national opioid crisis by placing the overdose treatment drug Narcan in school campuses throughout the … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 5/4/23

Rhett Gardner scored a goal and tallied an assist as the Texas Stars beat the Rockford IceHogs 4-2 Wednesday at the HEB Center to advance to the Central Division Finals.

Texas Stars sweep Rockford IceHogs to advance to Central Division Finals

By every traditional metric, the Texas Stars’ fourth line is an anomaly. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/4/23

Two Houston-area men charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon in Leander

Two men from the Houston area have been charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon during the theft of a vehicle in Leander. Robert Sidney Turner, 53, and Triston D. Alfred, 33, … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 5/6/23

Keco Motton resigned from the Cedar Park Police Department and was arrested Friday, May 5, 2023, by Texas Rangers on a sexual assault charge.

Cedar Park officer arrested for sexual assault, no longer with department

A Cedar Park Police Department officer was arrested Friday by the Texas Rangers on charges of sexual assault and has been fired by the department. Keco Motton, who was with the department for … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 5/6/23

Several cows were observed at 8:51 a.m. Saturday, May 6, 2023, crossing Avery Ranch Boulevard near the intersection with North Canoa Hills Trail in Cedar Park.

Cows spotted on the moo-ve crossing Avery Ranch Boulevard

They're on the moooo-ve! Several cows were observed at 8:51 a.m. Saturday crossing Avery Ranch Boulevard near the intersection with North Canoa Hills Trail in Cedar Park. The cows didn't appear to … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 5/6/23

UPDATE: $762 million combined Leander ISD bond package passes

The $762 million combined Leander ISD bond package passed Saturday night during the May 6 General Elections by a sizable margin. Williamson County saw a 9% voter turnout rate countywide this … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 5/8/23

Junior Mikala Ham and Vista Ridge dropped their second-round playoff series against New Braunfels, losing 11-7 on Thursday and 6-5 on Friday.

Vista Ridge softball comes up short in area round of playoffs

Head coach JR Romero asked the Vista Ridge softball team an interesting question at one of the first practices this season: Has anyone played catcher before? more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/8/23

Vista Ridge senior Hank Howard had three strikeouts in a 4-0 loss to Bowie on Thursday. The Rangers dropped two straight games in the first-round playoff series.

Vista Ridge falls to Bowie in first round of baseball playoffs

The Vista Ridge baseball season came to an end in the first round of the playoffs after two straight losses to Austin Bowie. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/8/23

Texas pitcher Lebarron Johnson Jr. (57) during an NCAA college baseball game between Texas and LSU on Feb. 28, 2023, in Austin.

Texas pitcher Lebarron Johnson Jr. named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week

Texas pitcher Lebarron Johnson Jr. was named the Big 12 Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced on Monday. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/9/23

Austin FC midfielder Emilio Rigoni (7) moves the ball during an MLS soccer game between Austin FC and CF Montreal on Mar. 4, 2023, in Austin. Austin FC won, 1-0.

Austin FC making small improvements despite winless streak continuing

With more than a quarter of the MLS season in the review mirror, head coach Josh Wolff doesn’t care much about where Austin FC is in the standings. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/8/23

Kevin Sanchez of Vandegrift High School runs in the Class 6A boys 3200 meter run during the UIL State Track and Field Meet on May 7, 2021 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas. Sanchez finished ninth in the event.

Local athletes set for UIL State Track & Field Meet

The UIL State Track & Field meet begins Thursday at Mike Meyers Stadium in Austin. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/10/23

Commentary: Public Health 101: Guns

A Texas "gun enthusiast," Francisco Oropeza, 39, was firing off his AR15 in his yard Friday night about 40 miles from Houston. He was known to be touchy, so, despite the noise and danger, no one … more

By Tom H. Hastings, Guest Columnist | 5/10/23

Commentary: Paying for My Meds Twice: Texas Law Needed to Protect Patients

I was only 10 years old the first time I went to the hospital with severe head pain, uncontrollable vomiting, and visual disturbances with complete blindness in my left eye. Driving four hours to … more

By J.P. Summers, Guest Columnist | 5/9/23

5/4/23

Student art contest winners were on display for Williamson County's 175th Birthday Celebration art contest.

Williamson County 175th Birthday Celebration Student Art Contest Winners Announced

The student art contest winners were announced for Williamson County’s 175th Birthday Celebration art contest, presented by the Greater Round Rock Community Foundation, Williamson County and the … more

Contributed Report | 5/4/23

Krystall Williams named principal of RRISD's Elsa England Elementary

Krystall Williams has been named the new principal of Round Rock ISD's Elsa England Elementary School. She will replace longtime principal Jana Stowe, who will retire at the end of this school year. … more

Staff Reports | 5/13/23

Christy Hilbun named principal at LISD's Giddens Elementary

Christy Hilbun was named the new principal at Leander ISD's Giddens Elementary School. Superintendent Bruce Gearing described Hilbun as an "amazing educator with a heart and passion for her students, … more

Staff Reports | 5/7/23

Local gas prices continue to fall ahead of the summer driving season.

Local gas prices drop, but average remains above $3 per gallon

Average gasoline prices in across the Austin metro area dropped 11.7 cents over the last week to $3.14 per gallon, according to GasBuddy's survey of 830 area stations. Drivers in Cedar Park and … more

Staff Reports | 5/3/23

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