Hill Country News

Medical staff wearing full PPE wrap a deceased patient with bed sheets and a body bag in the COVID-19 intensive care unit at the United Memorial Medical Center on June 30, 2020, in Houston. (Go Nakamura/Getty Images/TNS)

Nearly every ICU bed in Central Texas filled amid COVID-19 surge, officials warn

In Central Texas, an 11-county region home to more than 2 million people, nearly every ICU bed has been filled amid a recent surge in COVID-19 cases. Health officials in Austin on Friday warned … more

Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News (TNS) | 7/31/21

Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell spoke to the media out side the courthouse in Georgetown on March 20, 2020 to discuss the county's preparedness for the COVID-19 virus.

WilCo Judge Bill Gravell urges people to get a vaccination

Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell today penned an open letter urging people to get vaccinated against a Covid-19 infection. The letter comes as reports suggest that Williamson County has … more

Richard Stone | Editor at Large | 7/29/21

Delta variant drives spike of new coronavirus infections in WilCo, Texas

The Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) reported Wednesday 313 new cases of the virus. That's a 7-day rolling average of more than 180 new cases a day and an infection rate of 30.9 per 100,000. more

Richard Stone | Editor at Large | 7/29/21

Phase 1 map for the Lakeline Park project

Lakeline Park Phase 1 construction agreement, initial work approved

After three years of design, planning and citizen input, Phase 1 of the massive Lakeline Park project is finally moving into construction. Located west of Bell Boulevard between Riviera Drive and … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 7/28/21

Delta varaint prompts new mask guidance; monthly WilCo case total surpasses 2,000

For those who may have relaxed their masking practices over the last couple of months, it's time to pull them back out.The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended Tuesday that vaccinated … more

Richard Stone | Editor at Large | 7/28/21

Rupal Chaudhari lead the Stop Candlewood "Real Town Hall" meeting at the Homewood Suites on Pecan Park Boulevard.

Stop Candlewood holds “Real Town Hall” meeting

Stop Candlewood held a “Real Town Hall” meeting Saturday after claiming their questions were not answered at the City of Austin’s town halls. more

Lilly Chandler | HCN Reporting Intern | 7/28/21

Affidavit: Man shot, killed Northwest Austin man after following his stepdaughter home, placing tracker on her vehicle

A northwest Austin man is facing a felony murder charge for allegedly following a former coworker home on July 12 to retrieve a tracking device he had put under her car and then shooting her … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 7/26/21

Man faces murder charges after Cedar Park stabbing

A man is facing a first-degree felony murder charge following a Cedar Park stabbing Tuesday, July 20, at The Bridge of Volente apartments located at 11908 Anderson Mill Road in Cedar Park.According … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 7/22/21

Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites (green) CFO Rupal Chaudhari and Freda’s Seafood Grille (blue) owner Freda Cheng spoke at the WilCo Commissioners’ Court about their concerns as business owners near the Candlewood Suites (red).

Business owners voice opposition to Candlewood homeless hotel

Business owners on Pecan Park Boulevard continue to voice their opposition to the City of Austin considering purchasing the Candlewood Suites for homeless housing.The Austin City Council, which is on … more

Lilly Chandler | HCN Reporting Intern | 7/22/21

On Monday, WilCo public health officials returned the county to the Red Phase — signaling uncontrolled community spread of COVID-19 — and urged everyone to return to wearing masks, even those who have been vaccinated.

Climbing infection rates push WilCo back to Red Phase

For a while there, it seemed like the world — or, at least, this part of it — was getting the upper hand over Covid-19.But, a climbing share of coronavirus tests coming back positive has sparked … more

Richard Stone | Editor at Large | 7/21/21

More than 30 PEC customers turned out Friday, July 16, to the PEC Board of Director meeting to oppose fee hikes that could increase costs for solar customers.

PEC withdraws most its proposed solar fee hike; will seek alternative to present by this fall

The Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) Board of Directors voted unanimously Friday to withdraw most of the proposed fee changes that could have doubled some solar power customers' bills, instead … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 7/21/21

Leander ISD seeks staff in departments like transportation, food, custodial and maintenance services, and others.

LISD to host job fair for support staff

Leander ISD will be hosting an in-person job fair on Sat. July 24, from 9 a.m. to noon, seeking support staff positions in the following departments: more

From Staff Reports | 7/20/21

Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick and Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody held dueling press conferences Monday afternoon, Sept. 28, 2020, following a Williamson County grand jury's indictment of Chody and Williamson County general counsel Jason Nassour for third-degree felony evidence tampering charges.

Former Wilco Sheriff Robert Chody drops election lawsuit against current sheriff

Former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody dropped his lawsuit alleging election fraud against current Williamson County Sheriff Mike Gleason Wednesday, which he filed following his loss to … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 7/18/21

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

Leander Council to discuss Comprehensive Plan, Water and Wasterwater rate; host Developers Forum

The Leander City Council will hold a strategic planning session Thursday to discuss the implementation of the Leander Comprehensive Plan, including the detailed item list for putting the Plan into … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 7/15/21

The statue at the entrance to Cedar Park Townhomes was encased in ice during the historic February snowstorm.

4 confirmed in Wilco, 28 in Travis County as confirmed deaths from February snowstorm rises to 210

The number of confirmed local deaths from the historic February snowstorm and subsequent power outages has reached four people in Williamson County and 28 people in Travis County following the Texas … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 7/15/21

Williamson County taxpayers face mounting costs over Chody-era lawsuits

Williamson County will be footing the bill, now and into the future, for an unheard-of 14 separate lawsuits against the County during former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody's tenure, which … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 7/14/21

Anna Smith voiced her concerns about including major maintenance projects in the bond package.

LISD bond discussion continues

At Tuesday’s special meeting, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees proposed making discussion about the $933.4 million bond recommendation a rolling agenda item.The board reviewed the Steering … more

Lilly Chandler | Reporting Intern | 7/13/21

Cedar Park man convicted of impersonating FBI agent

A Cedar Park man was convicted by a federal grand jury on June 28 of impersonating an FBI agent in order to obtain fentanyl patches, according to an announcement by the U.S. Department of … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 7/10/21

Leander resident Richard Hrabik poses with his new solar power array, which he had installed in September 2020.

Sunburned: Solar users, advocates raise alarm about PEC's fee proposal that doubles their bills; PEC argues changes make solar users pay their fair share

After years of research and delay, due to the substantial upfront cost, Leander resident Richard Hrabik finally pulled the trigger in September and installed a 10.24 kilowatt (KW) solar panel array. … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 7/8/21

A comparison of 2021 and 2019 STAAR Mathematics scores for grades 3-8.

LISD exam scores high compared to state averages

A deeper dive into the standardized test results released last week shows that Leander ISD students performed well during the coronavirus pandemic, especially compared to state and county … more

Lilly Chandler | Reporting Intern | 7/8/21

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