Local news | Hill Country News

Anna Smith (incumbent), Brandi Burkman and Zach Zayner

7 candidates running for 3 Leander ISD Board seats this year; All 3 seats are contested this year

Seven candidates have filed to run for the three Leander ISD Board of Trustees seats up for election in the upcoming Nov. 5 General Elections. Early voting will begin Oct. 21. All three seats … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 8/30/24

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

Former Wilco Sheriff Chody, Wilco lawyer Nassour evidence tampering trial paused during appeal ruling

The criminal trial of former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and assistant Williamson County attorney Jason Nassour for evidence tampering charges related to Javier Ambler's 2019 death while … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 8/30/24

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

CapMetro expands pickup service in Leander

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) system has expanded its pickup service area in Leander. A 0.64-square-mile area was added to the southwest corner of the existing … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 8/27/24

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.

Facing millions in liens and no incentive agreement, $1B Leander Springs development's future is in question

The Leander Springs is facing millions of dollars in liens against its developer and the City of Leander canceled its incentive agreement with the project back in April. more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 8/27/24

Leander ISD proposes 2-cent tax rate cut, lowest tax rate in six years

Leander ISD is considering adopting another tax rate cut for the seventh consecutive year. The Leander ISD Board of Trustees discussed at their Aug. 8 meeting their proposed tax rate of $1.08 … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 8/22/24

Cedar Park teen Jordan White conducts his final archery practice on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, before leaving to compete in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris this month. He is the youngest person to ever earn a spot on the U.S. Paralympics Archery Team.

NOCKED, READY TO FLY: Cedar Park teen aims to win medals in 2024 Paralympic Games; Jordan White is youngest person to ever earn spot on U.S. Paralympic archery team

The moment before it happens, there's a brief but deafening silence, as if everyone and everything were holding their breath. The recursive bow creaks slightly as 15-year-old Cedar Park teen Jordan … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 8/20/24

More than 560 Austin-area members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints turned out at 1801 East Park Street in Cedar Park on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, for the groundbreaking ceremony for the church's new Austin Temple.

Groundbreaking ceremony for LDS Temple in Cedar Park draws big crowd

More than 560 Austin-area members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) turned out Saturday, Aug. 17, for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Austin Temple, the first-ever … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 8/20/24

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.

Five years after Ambler's death, evidence tampering trial begins for former Wilco Sheriff Chody, Wilco lawyer Nassour

Five years after Javier Ambler II's death while in the custody of Williamson County deputies, former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and assistant Williamson County attorney Jason Nassour … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 8/13/24

Cedar Park proposes nearly 1 cent tax rate cut; Further cuts possible before final tax rate is adopted

Cedar Park residents will see their tax rate cut this year for the 12th consecutive year. The Cedar Park City Council unanimously approved last Thursday, Aug. 8, adopting a maximum proposed tax … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 8/9/24

Leander man dies while in San Marcos police custody; Death is under investigation

A Leander man's death while in the San Marcos Police Department's custody on Tuesday, Aug. 6, is being investigated. While responding to a call about a man yelling and throwing objects while … more

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

Leander Council proposes tax rate for 2024-25; Additional cut possible by final vote

Leander's tax rate will remain flat or possibly see its 12th consecutive year of tax rate cuts in Fiscal Year 2024-25. The Leander City Council unanimously approved last Thursday, Aug. 1, … more

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

Liberty Hill man charged with murder in Cedar Park teen's fentanyl death

A Liberty Hill man is facing murder charges after the pills he allegedly sold resulted in the fentanyl poisoning death of a Cedar Park teenager. Caleb Comer, 25, was charged with first-degree … more

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

A release from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service shows the two suspects and the vehicle they used after robbing a USPIS worker around 9 a.m. on Dec. 5, 2023, in the 2000 block of Lucky Lane in Williamson County, just outside of the Leander city limits. The USPIS is offering a $150,000 award for any information that leads to the arrest of the two suspects.

Fifth suspect in Leander, Round Rock mail theft ring pleads guilty; Sixth suspect arrested

An Austin man pleaded guilty to federal charges related to his involvement in a mail theft ring operating out of Austin that robbed or attempted to rob U.S. Postal Service master keys from local … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 8/2/24

The Leander Police Department arrested a woman early in the morning on Friday, July 12, 2024, for allegedly shooting a City of Leander employee while she was cleaning the area near the Benbrook Ranch Skate Park bathrooms.

Affidavit: Homeless woman who shot Leander city employee was a reoccurring issue at local parks

The suspect who shot a City of Leander employee in a city park bathroom on July 12 was a reoccurring issue for the Leander Parks and Recreation Department for several days prior to the shooting, … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/30/24

Mosquito trap at Lakewood Park in Leander test positive for West Nile; Wilco reports first positive West Nile case this year

The Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) reports that a mosquito trap at Lakewood Park in Leander tested positive for West Nile virus. The recently taken sample tested positive … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/29/24

Cedar Park man sentenced to illegally selling guns, lying to authorities

A Cedar Park man was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison followed by an additional three years of supervised release for dealing in firearms without a license and making a false statement … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/29/24

Bill Weber suddenly stepped down as CEO of Cedar Park-based Firefly Aerospace on July 17, 2024.

Firefly Aerospace CEO leaves company; Company investigating alleged misconduct

After two years in the role, Firefly Aerospace CEO Bill Weber has suddenly left the company. The company did not cite any reason for the departure when it announced on July 17 that Weber was … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/29/24

Place 4 incumbent Anna Smith and Place 5 incumbent Sade Fashokun have filed for reelection to the Leander ISD Board of Trustees while Nekosi Nelson is running for the open Place 3 seat.

Candidate filings kickoff for Leander ISD Board elections; Smith, Fashokun seeking reelection; Mauer not running

Smith, Fashokun seeking reelection; Mauer not running, endorsing new candidate for her seat more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/23/24

More farmers markets, entertainment options coming to Leander

More farmers markets, food truck parks and other entertainment options - ranging from night clubs to banquet halls to theaters - could be coming to Leander soon following changes to the City of … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/22/24

The rendering shows exterior designs for the 30,000-square-foot temple the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints plans to build in Cedar Park.

LDS Temple in Cedar Park holding groundbreaking Aug. 17

The Church of Latter-Day Saints will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its 30,000-square-foot temple in Cedar Park at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. Named the Austin Texas Temple because it will … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/19/24

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