Stories | Hill Country News

Leander ISD is starting the process of creating its own district school department to comply with a new law. The district hopes to have its application for the department reviewed and approved by summer 2024.

2023 Top Stories: Leander moves to adopt a district police department

Leander ISD is moving forward with creating a school police department. The decision adds a fundamentally new component to the school district, potentially for the rest of its existence, that … more

By Clayton Kelley, Reporter | 12/29/23

Austin FC supporters cheer following a US Open Cup match between Austin FC and New Mexico United on May 10, 2023 in Austin. Austin FC won, 2-0.

Austin FC announces 2024 MLS regular season schedule

Austin FC last week announced on the full 34-match schedule for its 2024 Major League Soccer regular season. Austin will kick off its fourth season with its home opener on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 … more

Staff Reports | 12/28/23

With a current estimated population of 2.23 million, the Austin metro area saw a population growth of 2.39% from 2022 to 2023, slightly less than the 2.79% growth rate from 2021 to 2022.

Texas gained more people than any other state in the last year

Texas’ population grew more than any other state in the country in the last year, by nearly half a million people, according to the recent estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Of the 1.6 … more

By William Melhado, The Texas Tribune | 12/28/23

Texas Stars defenseman Michael Karow (26) works against Grand Rapids Griffins forward Amadeus Lombardi (93) during last Wednesday's game at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. The Stars play a pair of games this weekend in Manitoba and will return home for a two-game series against the Rockford Icehogs on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6, with both games set for a 7 p.m. start.

Poirier guides Stars’ sweep of Griffins

The Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, completed a two-game series sweep with a 6-2 victory against the Grand Rapids Griffins last Wednesday at the H-E-B … more

Staff Reports | 12/28/23

Signs supporting and opposed to Leander ISDâ??s bond proposition for the May 6 election are visible on the first day of early voting, April 24, 2023, outside the Cedar Park Public Library polling place.

Although the lack of city and state elections this year may make it look like a lackluster year for elections, the absence was a welcome breather for Cedar Park and Leander voters, who had a marathon … more

By Clayton Kelley, Reporter, and Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/28/23

Texas Longhorns midfielder Lexi Missimo (10) was named to a second All American list following the 2023 season. Missimo recorded 26 goals and 20 assists during the season.

Soccer duo earns College Soccer News All-American status

Seventeen days after being named to the United Soccer Coaches All-American lists, Texas standouts Lexi Missimo and Trinity Byars picked up additional All-American honors as College Soccer News … more

Staff Reports | 12/27/23

Firefighters battle a structure fire Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023, resulting from a 50-acre grass fire along Parmer Lane that totally destroyed one apartment building and damaged two other apartment buildings at the Bexley at Silverado, located at 12820 West Parmer Lane in Cedar Park.

2023 started with winter ice and culminated in summer fire for Cedar Park, Leander, and most of Williamson County. The 2023 February ice storm wasn't as devastating as the historic 2021 winter … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/27/23

Commentary: Like it or not, billionaires are on your gift list this holiday season

It’s high giving season in America. From Angel Trees and red buckets to year-end appeals, nonprofits and charities receive more donations during the five week holiday stretch than any other on … more

By Bella DeVaan, Guest Columnist | 12/26/23

The Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority is nearly 28% completed with its approximately $290 million total deep water intake pipeline that will pull for the deepest section of Lake Travis. Construction of the pipeline is expected to be completed in April 2027.

Leander and Cedar Park residents had to repeatedly turn their taps off in 2023. Leander twice had to impose Stage 3 water restrictions, which prohibited all outdoor watering except for handheld … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/25/23

Commentary: Restoring Christmas joy

The best Christmas gift I ever gave anyone was the one I gave my father about 20 years ago: a Lionel train set. Every year, we got him the same gifts, you see. And every year he’d … more

By Tom Purcell, Guest Columnist | 12/24/23

12/22/23

12/21/23

Commentary: The importance of home

Too many of us have to depend on sheer good luck to make it — especially when it comes to putting a roof over our heads. We grow up hearing that hard work alone will lift us above the … more

By Kazmyn Ramos, Guest Columnist | 12/21/23

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.

Mail-theft ring arrested for Leander, Round Rock postal worker robberies

Four members of an alleged mail-theft ring operating out of Austin have been arrested and charged in connection with two robberies and a third attempted robbery of USPS master keys from postal … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/20/23

12/20/23

OBIT: Thomas Wayne Dooley

Thomas Wayne Dooley, 57, of Cedar Park (TX), entered Heaven’s Gates on December 17, 2023 after a yearlong battle with cancer. Thomas was born on March 16, 1966 to Bill & Fannie Dooley … more

12/19/23

Atomic Tattoo shop on US 183 in northwest Austin, a few miles south of Cedar Park.

INK-ling of an idea: Cedar Park Council planning to loosen tattoo parlor zoning rules

Cedar Park doesn't have a single tattoo parlor. The cluster of them along the city's southern border, the newly opened tattoo parlor to the north in Leander's Old Town District and citizen … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/19/23

The Cedar Park Police Department provided a photo showing the approximately nine ounces of powder fentanyl seized during the May 16, 2022, bust.

Leander HS student dies after suspected fentanyl overdose

A Leander High School student's death last Saturday, Dec. 16, is suspected to have been a fentanyl overdose, according to the Williamson County Sheriff's Office. Zarek McMeekin, an 11th grader, … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/19/23

The Leander Independent School District Administration Office, located at 204 W. South St., Leander.

Substitute teacher bringing gun to Leander ISD campus under police investigation

The Travis County Sheriff's Office and the Leander ISD's district administration are investigating a Dec. 13 incident at Four Points Middle School where a substitute teacher brought a gun onto the … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/18/23

Texas outside hitter Madisen Skinner (right) leaps in celebration beating Ohio State in last year's NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament. The Longhorns won a second straight national championship with a 3-0 sweep of top overall seed Nebraska on Sunday.

Texas volleyball wins back-to-back national championships

Texas dismantled No. 1 ranked Nebraska, 25-22, 25-14, 25-11, to win the program’s second-consecutive national championship at Amalie Arena on Sunday afternoon. In addition … more

Staff Reports | 12/17/23

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