Hill Country News

UPDATE: Manhunt underway for identified suspect, three dead in Arboretum shooting in Austin

(We will update this story as more information becomes available.)Austin Police have identified the suspect in the shooting that left three people dead Sunday near the Arboretum shopping area as … more

Staff Reports | 4/18/21

A member of the National Guard vaccinates a home bound senior in Williamson County last week.

National Guard, WilCo's VaxMob reaches home bound seniors

Last week, 40 homebound seniors in Williamson County received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine against the COVID-19 virus thanks to the efforts of the VaxMob … more

STAFF REPORTS | 4/16/21

Cedar Park, Leander municipal elections 2021

2021 Cedar Park, Leander elections see return to normal fundraising but big donors remain impactful

CORRECTION: The print version of this article incorrectly listed Claudia Chavez as running for Place 1, instead of Place 3, and Dorian Chavez as running for Place 3, but instead of Place 1.After two … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 4/15/21

The Buttercup Pool in Cedar Park was closed on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, following an incident involving a child who was taken to the hospital and later died.

Parents push pool safety bill after 2019 child drowning in Cedar Park public pool

The parents of a 6-year-old toddler who died after a near-drowning in a Cedar Park public pool back in the summer of 2019 are pushing a new pool safety bill in the Texas Legislature aimed at saving … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 4/13/21

Hospice discussion for caregivers seminiar

AGE of Central Texas will host the free virtual caregiver support seminar exploring “Breaking the Ice: A Hospice Conversation for Caregivers” more

4/12/21

2 Cedar Park men among 35 indicted in federal drug trafficking investigation

Two Cedar Park men, Liberty Hills man and a Georgetown woman were among the 35 people indicted by two separate Austin grand jury related to a federal drug trafficking investigation into the sales of … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 4/12/21

Leander's first-quarter sales tax revenues grew by 21% of the same period in the prior fiscal year.

Leander sales tax up 21% in 1st quarter; building permits surge despite snowstorm, COVID-19

Leander's first-quarter sales tax revenues were 21% higher than the same November through January period in the last fiscal year. The total is more than $400,000 higher than last year's first-quarter … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 4/9/21

Leander ISD will return to in-person-only education next year for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Leander ISD online-only high school fizzles from lack of interest; all student returning to in-person schooling next year

Leander ISD's plans to offer a permanent, online-only high school program called the Virtual Learning Academy this fall fizzled out due to not enough students expressing interest in participating in … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 4/9/21

WilCo has set aside up to $10 million to help small businesses like bars and restaurants who suffered losses during the pandemic.

County lowers bar to small business grant program

In Williamson County, 105 businesses have received an average of $6,559 each through Phase 2 of the County’s Wilco Forward Small Business Grant program financed ... more

STAFF REPORTS | 4/7/21

Since the rankings were first introduced in 2010, Williamson County has been ranked among the top healthiest counties.

WilCo ranked 2nd healthiest county in Texas

Where we live, work, and play matters to our health. In good news for Williamson County residents, the 2021 County Health Rankings, released last week, deem the county as Texas’ second … more

From Staff Reports | 4/7/21

The Williamson County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in identifying this vehicle and its occupants following a March 30 shootout resulting form a road rage incident on FM 1431.

Wilco Sheriff's investigating road rage shootout on 1431 outside Round Rock

The Williamson County Sheriff's Office is investigating a March 30 road rage incident that led to a shootout just outside of Round Rock's boundaries, just under two miles east of Cedar Park along FM … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 4/6/21

Miles Speight, 19, is accused of stabbing his mother to death, according to the Leander Police Department.

Affidavit: Son accused of murdering Leander Police dispatcher mother suffered from mental health challenges

The Leander man facing murder charges for allegedly stabbing his mother, a long-time Leander Police Department dispatcher, to death early morning Wednesday, March 31, at their 12931 Hero Way West … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 4/6/21

Tim League is the founder of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.

It will take more than a pandemic to stop Tim League and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: “I’m going to fight like hell”

In the past year, the coronavirus pandemic has forced Tim League, the founder of Texas-based Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, to furlough … more

By Alana Rocha, Justin Dehn and Todd Wiseman, The Texas Tribune | 4/6/21

Fred Hervey Water Reclamation Plant in El Paso treats 12 million gallons per day of wastewater effluent into reclaimed water.

Purple pipe: Leander plans to explore reclaimed water options

The City of Leander is planning to explore "purple pipe" water sources, or reclaimed water, as a supplemental water source for Leander. Cities across Texas and nationwide are increasingly … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 4/5/21

Local agencies partner with WilCo to help with rent

The Salvation Army Williamson County Service Center, along with Hill Country Community Ministries and other area agencies, are continuing to work with the Wilco Forward Phase III program to assist … more

STAFF REPORTS | 4/4/21

Former Williamson Conty Sheriff Robert Chody

Former Wilco Sheriff Chody, former general counsel Nassour face addition charges in Travis County related the Javier Amber case

Former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and former Williamson County general counsel Jason Nassour have been indicted on additional felony tampering with evidence charges ... more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 4/3/21

Soldiers were still guarding roadblocks on streets leading into the U.S. Capitol back on Jan. 20 even two days after the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration.

UPDATE: U.S. Capitol officer, driver who rammed Capitol barricade killed; second officer injured

The driver of a vehicle that rammed into two U.S. Capitol officers and a barricade, injuring them both, before being shot while running at them while wielding a knife has died after being taken to … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 4/2/21

'Live PD' is suing Williamson County Sheriff's Office, Austin Police over footage seizures, 'false claims' following Javier Ambler's death

Big Fish Entertainment, which produces the now-canceled reality television show "Live PD," is suing Williamson County Sheriff's Office, the Austin Police Department and other law enforcement … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 4/1/21

Pat Bryson Municipal Hall at 201 N. Brushy Street in Leander, Texas.

Leander Council to consider adopting updated Comprehensive Plan, discuss water plant backup power

Planning and building for Leander's future growth will be a major theme during Thursday's Leander City Council meeting.The Council will discuss and consider approving the latest updates to the new … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 4/1/21

Two Williamson County deputies indicted for Javier Ambler's death

A Travis County grand jury indicted two Williamson County Sheriff's deputies Monday on charges related to the death of Javier Ambler while he was in their custody., a poignant moment in the case … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 3/31/21

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