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Cedar Park-based Firefly Aerospace successfully launched their fifth rocket on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, two days later than originally planned due to the twice having to scrub their launch to deal with issues. When the rocket finally took off, several locations were able to see the "the jellyfish effect" in its rocket trail, which is caused by the smoke plume in the upper atmosphere being illustrated by the setting sun.

ROCKET'S RED GLARE: Firefly Aerospace successfully launches 5th rocket after two restarts

Just as people's premature fireworks were lighting up the sky the night before the Fourth of July, Cedar Park-based aerospace company Firefly Aerospace outshined them all with its own rocket during … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/10/24

Leander ISD unveiled the initial designs for its planned Early Childhood Center at the June 27, 2024, meeting of the Leander ISD Board of Trustees.

Leander ISD unveils first designs for early childhood center

Leander ISD has unveiled its initial designs for its planned early childhood center. The 100,000-square-foot early childhood center will serve an estimated 616 prekindergarten students, ranging … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/8/24

"Death by 1,000 Cuts": Leander ISD facing $13.1 million deficit with adopted 2024-25 budget

Board considering 2-cent or deeper tax rate cut at future meetings more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/8/24

DRAMATIC REVERSAL: Mike Sanders seated on Wilco Appraisal District board after being blocked

In a dramatic reversal, Mike Sanders has finally been seated on the Williamson County Appraisal District (WCAD) Board of Directors, which he was blocked from sitting on back in May. … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/3/24

Voguing for the camera, Doug, the lost Emu, was recovered by the Leander Police Department Monday morning, July 1, 2024, and eventually returned to his family, where he could continue flocking with his sibling Limu.

EMU-SING SITUATION: Leander Police recover lost Emu

I'm not sure that's how the joke goes. Leander Police officers were shocked to Monday morning to find a young emu running across roads and lawns in the Palmera Ridge neighborhood. … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/1/24

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.

ROCKET'S RED FLAME: Firefly Aerospace plans to fires off 5th rocket tonight

Just days before the night sky was filled with exploding fireworks for the 4th of July, Cedar Park-based aerospace company Firefly Aerospace plans to launch its fifth rocket into the wild blue … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/1/24

The spa complex company WorldSprings presented their concept plans for the Colorado hot springs-style, 8-acre development they hope to build in Cedar Park at the March 28, 2024, Cedar Park City Council meeting, which will feature a 25,000-square-foot building plus 40 pools, ranging from Dead Sea-style floating pools to artificial hot springs to cold plunge pools.

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: WorldSpa to begin Cedar Park construction in early 2025; Texas Roadhouse coming to Leander in late summer 2025

WorldSpa will begin Cedar Park construction in early 2025; Texas Roadhouse coming to Leander in late summer 2025 more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/1/24

Courtney Moore and her dog Butter pose after winning five awards at the 2024 World Agility Championship in France back in May.

THE DOG HAS IT'S DAY: Leander woman, dog wins French dog agility championship

A doggone good showing! A Leander dog agility trainer's 4-year-old dog, a Papillon and Border Collie mix, competed in and won five awards at the 2024 World Agility Championship in … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 6/24/24

UPDATE: Cedar Park Police: Austin Police officer under investigation for child abuse

An Austin Police Department officer is under investigation for two felony charges of Injury to a Child, according to the Cedar Park Police Department. Cameron Caldwell turned himself into … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 6/21/24

Cedar Park returns to Stage 2 water restrictions

Cedar Park has returned to Stage 2 water restrictions after almost a year. In August 2023, Cedar Park imposed stricter water restrictions after the intense drought that year drew … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 6/21/24

Texas Central Vapor & Alternatives in Leander, seen on Monday, June 17, 2024.

Leander first area city to regulate vape shops

Leander will be the first area city to regulate vape shops. The Leander City Council approved an ordinance change at their June 6 meeting limiting the opening of future vape … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 6/17/24

Leander turns out for Juneteenth Block Party

Leander residents celebrated Juneteenth on Saturday, June 15, at the 2024 Juneteenth Block Party. The event, the city's third annual celebration of the national holiday, drew a sizable crowd to … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 6/17/24

FINAL RESULTS: Ross wins re-election to Leander Council Place 6 in runoff election

With Early Voting voting results already tallied, Leander City Council Place 6 incumbent Becki Ross is leading the runoff election for her seat. Becki Ross has received 55% of the votes, or 623 … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 6/15/24

The graphic shows the proposed 0.64-acre expansion to the system's pickup service area in Leander.

CapMetro planning pickup service expansion in Leander

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) system plans to expand its pickup service area in Leander. The CapMetro Board of Directors was briefed Wednesday, June … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 6/13/24

15-year-old teen who drowned in Cedar Park lake was Leander ISD student, had jumped from cliff

A few additional details have been revealed about the 15-year-old boy who drowned on June 1 at Twin Lakes Park, behind the Twin Lakes YMCA. The case is still under investigation by … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 6/11/24

Officials with the Northline development, its Georgetown-based Novak Residential Construction and the Leander Chamber of Commerce participated in an April 12, 2023, ribbon cutting in Leander for the first 17 brownstone homes being built in the Northline development nearing completion.

Williamson County's total market value increases by $9B; Increase is second-largest increase in county's history

Williamson County's total market value increased by $9 million this year, the second-biggest increase in the county's history. County staff detailed at the June 4 Williamson County … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 6/11/24

Former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and former Williamson County general counsel Jason Nassour

Indictments reveals new details in former Wilco sheriff Chody, Nassour evidence tampering case

New details have been revealed about the evidence tampering charges against former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and former Assistant County Attorney Jason Nassour related to the … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 6/10/24

The Leander Public Library was the site of early voting in the runoff election on June 3, 2024.

Early Voting begins in Leander Place 6 runoff election

Early Voting has begun in the runoff election for the Leander City Council Place 6 seat. Becki Ross, the incumbent, received 45% of the votes during the May 4 municipal … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 6/6/24

A Leander ISD bus drops children off after school in Cedar Park, Texas on Friday, August 13, 2021.

Leander ISD students will have to register by June 14 to get bus service in upcoming school year

After years of bus driver shortage, including having 50 bus driver positions vacant during the start of the 2023-24 school year, Leander ISD is making a major busing policy change. Leander ISD … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 6/3/24

Leander ISD projects $15M budget shortfall next fiscal year

Leander ISD is projecting a $15 million budget shortfall in the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. While the budget deficit is $5 million smaller than the district's estimates in January, district … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 6/3/24

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