Stories | Hill Country News

10/5/23

An aerial photograph taken Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, shows the extent of the massive 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.

Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell issued an order Monday that officially lifted the county's burn ban. The mandatory burn ban was issued back on July 18 during weeks of over 100-degree … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 10/4/23

The Leander ISD administration building in Leander.

LISD considering opening new early childhood center

Due to ongoing growth in the northern part of the district, Leander ISD is considering opening an early childhood center in 2025. The early childhood center, which is recommended at the Sept. 21 … more

By Clayton Kelley, Reporter | 10/3/23

10/3/23

Texans for Vaccination Choice, an anti-vaccine requirement political action group, shared images of the email that Leander ISD accidently sent to over 200 people without blind copying the email addresses, resulting in the vaccination status of the associated students potentially being revealed to people.

Leander ISD accidentally sent students' vaccination status to over 200 people

Cedar Park High School accidentally sent out requests for updated vaccination records to 207 Leander ISD parents without blind copying the email addresses, resulting in every email address being … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 10/2/23

Isaac Turner named Leander's Interim City Manager; Leander approves agreement with SGR for city manager replacement search

The Leander City Council voted last Thursday to select former Taylor City Manager Isaac Turner as the Interim City Manager for the city. The council also voted on Sept. 18 during a special city … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/29/23

9/28/23

Commentary: Are you obsessed with spicy foods?

Hot peppers bring tears to my eyes, but so does a family anecdote from my young adulthood. I was living with my parents and slept during the day because I worked graveyard shift. One day my … more

By Danny Tyree, Guest Columnist | 9/28/23

Commentary: Why should we care if a politician is unmarried?

It appears some Republican donors are really concerned that presidential candidate Tim Scott, South Carolina's junior senator, is a 57-year-old bachelor — and whatever implications that … more

By Elwood Watson, Guest Columnist | 9/28/23

In October 2021, an estimated 11,000 people attended the Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor for the county's first-ever fair and rodeo. The event returns for this week, running from Wednesday through Saturday.

Williamson County planning October open house meetings for biggest bond election in county history

Williamson County will host several open house meetings this October for its planned Nov. 7 bond elections for the biggest bond package in the county's history. Early voting runs from Oct. 23 through … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/27/23

Students from Jim Plain and Bagdad elementary schools help with a Leander ISD groundbreaking ceremony for Elementary School No. 30, in Leander on April 28, 2023.

Leander ISD is asking for the public’s input on naming Elementary School No. 30

Residents within LISD's boundaries have until Sept. 29 to submit their name suggestions using the district’s website. The submission form can be found at: … more

By Clayton Kelley, Reporter | 9/27/23

Round Rock pastor sentenced to nearly six years in prison for child pornography

A Round Rock pastor was sentenced to 70 months in prison - nearly six years - and 10 years of supervised release for an enhanced charge of possession of child pornography. David Lloyd Walther, … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/25/23

Texas defensive back Jerrin Thompson (28) returns an interception 27 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of last Saturday's game against Wyoming.

Texas begins Big 12 play at Baylor Saturday

After a comfortable, but unflashy 31-10 win over Wyoming, the Texas Longhorns travel to Waco this Saturday for their final Big 12 matchup against Baylor. Saturday’s win over Wyoming saw … more

Staff Reports | 9/22/23

Leander ISD joins lawsuits over TEA accountability ratings

Leander ISD is joining more than two dozen other Texas school districts in a lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) planned changes to its accountability ratings. The Leander ISD … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/22/23

Cedar Park adopts 2 cent tax rate cut; 11th consecutive year of tax rate cuts

Cedar Park residents will see a tax rate cut for the 11th consecutive year. The Cedar Park City Council unanimously adopted last Thursday a 2 cent tax rate cut, which set the tax rate at $0.37 … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/21/23

Vandegrift head coach Drew Sanders will lead his undefeated squad into a matchup with Manor next week in a drive to return to the state title game after last year's state finals appearance.

This week's football schedule

Friday: Cedar Park (2-1) vs East View (1-2) Birkelbach Field, 7 p.m.; Glenn (1-2) vs Hendrickson (2-1) The Pfield, 7 p.m.; Lago Vista (2-2) vs Smithville (1-3) … more

Staff Reports | 9/21/23

The Dallas Stars will hold a training camp schedule at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park next week, concluding with an NHL preseason game between the Dallas Stars and the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday, September 24.

Dallas Stars announce training camp schedule ahead of preseason NHL game at H-E-B Center

The Dallas Stars will open training camp at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park on Thursday, Sept. 21, and will begin their preseason slate with an on-site game against the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday, Sept. … more

Staff Reports | 9/21/23

The Williamson County Deputies Association held a press conference on Aug. 29 ahead of the Williamson County Commissioners Court's final vote on the final budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24, criticized the budget for including 18% of the additional deputies that the Williamson County Sheriff's Office had requested for the new budget.

Williamson County adopts two-tenth cent tax rate hike for Fiscal Year 2023-24; Williamson County deputies, district attorney criticize lack of hirings

The Williamson County Commissioners Court adopted a two-tenth of a cent tax rate increase during their Aug. 29 meeting, which will make their next county tax bill $130 more than under this year's tax … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/20/23

OBIT: James Dayton Enderlin

In loving memory of James Dayton Enderlin, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, who touched the hearts of all who knew him. He was born on May 10, 1932, in … more

9/19/23

Derrick Neal, the former director for the Williamson County and Cities Health District, discusses how they were tackling the coronavirus pandemic during an April 2020 interview.

Former Williamson County health director sues county, health district over alleged racial discrimination by county judge

The former director of the Williamson County and Cities Health District has filed a federal lawsuit against the Williamson County and Cities Health District and Williamson County itself, alleging … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/19/23

Sections

Services

Connect with us