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A new break in the recently repaired section of the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority's (BCRUA) 36-inch raw water intake pipeline was discovered. The Cedar Park Treatment Plant on Lime Creek Road at Lake Travis (below) is located close to where the break occurred in an underwater section of the pipeline. Cedar Park plant is not directly impacted by the break, which impacts the BCRUA water treatment plant located elsewhere in Cedar Park.

Leander enters Stage 4 water restriction ahead of BCRUA plant shutdown; Outdoor watering temporarily banned

Leander entered Stage 4 water restrictions today, Dec. 30, as part of its planned water usage reduction ahead of the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority (BCRUA) water treatment plant going … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/30/24

Construction continues on Samsung’s $17 billion manufacturing facility located in Taylor, Texas, about 30 miles northeast of downtown Austin, on September 20, 2024. Media reports indicate the company recently withdrew most of its staff from Taylor and is reconsidering its strategy for the facility as a result of market conditions. Samsung Electronics had signed a preliminary agreement to receive up to $9 trillion won in subsidies from the U.S. CHIPS Act, but the current setbacks could put the agreement at risk.

2024 YEAR IN REVIEW: Samsung doubles size of Taylor campus to $37B after securing CHIPS Act funding; Economic challenge, U.S. policy resulted in plant plans being scaled down by $8B, mass production being pushed back to 2026

2024 YEAR IN REVIEW: Samsung doubles size of Taylor campus to $37B after securing CHIPS Act funding; Economic challenge, U.S. policy resulted in plant plans being scaled down by $8B, mass production … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/26/24

Firefly Aerospace's Blue Moon lunar lander, which it built for NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program that aims to use private companies to deliver its scientific payloads to the Moon, was delivered to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida back on Dec. 16 and will launch for the Moon aboard a SpaceX rocket sometime in mid-January 2025.

YEAR IN REVIEW: Firefly Aerospace prepared for Moon mission in January, capping off a year of growth, turmoil

Cedar Park-based Firefly Aerospace has been metaphorically shooting for the Moon this year with a massive expansion of their company and ambitious new business opportunities. Next month, the … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/26/24

The graphic shows how Leander ISD plans to renovate Leander High School's athletic facilities by moving the auxiliary gym to the front of the campus near the competition gym.

SCHOOL NOTEBOOK: Leander ISD hopeful police department will open next spring; Leander HS athletic facilities renovations nearing final construction; Leander ISD budget shortfall could rise to $29M

Leander ISD has been busy in recent months as it rapidly expands its operations and facilities to meet the demands of Williamson County's population boom. Some of the district's biggest projects … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/19/24

(left to right) Lia Ortiz, Penelope Wilkinson, Zoey Wingler and Kaitlyn Tran pose with rain barrels they painted as part of the local group they formed, Steward 4 Stormwater. The group, which they organized to raise awareness about stormwater runoff pollutants, collaborated with the Cedar Park High School Art Club to make nine painted rain barrels total, which are being hosted at the Randall's on Cypress Creek Road in Cedar Park. The groups are holding a silent auction for the barrels using attached QR codes through at least the end of this year. The proceeds of the auction will help fund both groups' efforts and a portion will be donated to environmental nonprofits.

FIGHTING THE STORM: Cedar Park teens organizing to combat stormwater pollution; Group auctioning artistic rain barrels in Cedar Park this month to fund efforts

Kaitlyn Tran really, really love dogs. The fact she can't own one herself because she's allergic to them doesn't even make her love them any less. The 10th grader from Cedar Park High … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/16/24

Retired Leander ISD principal facing child pornography charges

A former Leander ISD principal has been charged with possession of child pornography and booked into Montgomery County Jail. Curtis John Locklear, an author who served from June 1995 to July 2008 … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/16/24

Cedar Park City Council members, city staff and other local community leaders participated in a ribbon-cutting event for the opening of the new Bell Park in the Bell District.

Ribbon cutting marks opening of Bell Park

Bell Park is finally open to the public! The City of Cedar Park held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday for the opening of the new Bell Park. Cedar Park City Council members, city staff and … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/13/24

Williamson County Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles (center) joined county officials and contractors in holding a groundbreaking ceremony on Dec. 2, 2024, in Taylor for the new Williamson County Expo Center West Arena.

Williamson County holds groundbreaking for new expo center arena

Williamson County officials gathered in Taylor on Dec. 2 to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the new $10.7 million Williamson County Expo Center West Arena. Located at 5350 Bill Pickett Trail, … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/12/24

Vista Ridge HS student arrested for killing livestock show goat

A 17-year-old female student at Vista Ridge High School had been arrested and accused of using pesticides to poison and kill a goat in the school's animal barn that another student was raising for a … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/12/24

Trump, Biden proposed China policies, China mineral ban could pose headaches for Samsung Taylor plant plans

Three U.S. policy decisions by the current and incoming presidents have the potential to create headaches for South Korea-based technology company Samsung Electronics - and the potential to impact or … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/8/24

Cedar Park man sentenced to 20 years in jail for sexual assault of child

A Cedar Park man has been sentenced to 20 years in jail after pleading guilty to the sexual assault of a child. Richard Nicholas Osborn, 51, pled guilt on Dec. 2 to one count of aggravated … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/8/24

The buildings around the Historic Williamson County Jail in Georgetown, Texas, are being demolished on November 29, 2024, as the county seeks a buyer for the entire site, including the portion of the jail building that will not be demolished due to its protection as a Texas Historic Landmark and registration on the National Register of historic Places. A jail has stood on the site since 1848, with the current French Bastille-style limestone building opening to replace the original building in 1888 and remaining in operation until 1989.

Williamson County repurposing historic county jail site

Williamson County has completed the demolition of the buildings around the Historic Williamson County Jail so it can repurpose the block and eventually sell it, enabling it to be used for new … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/8/24

Cub Scout Powwow Dance Presentation will be held at YMCA Camp Twin Lakes this Saturday

The Cub Scout Powwow Dance Presentation will be hosted by Troop 2020 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday at the Adventure Lodge building at the YMCA Camp Twin Lakes site in Cedar Park. The … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/5/24

The City of Austin recently opened Pecan Gardens, a new permanent supportive housing community for seniors exiting homelessness, in northwest Austin near Lakeline Mall. The former hotel property features 78 furnished studio apartment providing housing stability services including case management, health assessments, living skills coordination, community-building activities, as well as assistance with basic needs like food through an onsite food pantry. Tenants will not pay more than 30% of their income on rent, and all utilities are covered.

After three years, Pecan Gardens finally opens for seniors exiting homelessness

After three years of work, refurbishment and political debate, Pecan Gardens finally held its grand opening on Oct. 17 and is providing permanent housing for 55-years-old and older seniors who are … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/5/24

The graphic shows the proposed site for Cedar Park's first tattoo parlor - Don't Tell Mama Tattoo - plans to open in mid-January 2025.

FROM TATTOO TABOO TO OPPORTUNITY: Cedar Park approves first tattoo parlor

Cedar Park may have inked its first-ever tattoo parlor opening in the near future. The Cedar Park City Council approved a Special Use Permit (SUP) request at their Nov. 21 meeting by James and … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/3/24

Leander residents, young and old, participate in the Rudolph Run 5K during a previous celebration of the Old Town Christmas Festival, which will be held this Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

Old Town Christmas Festival coming to Leander this Saturday

The Old Town Christmas Festival returns to Leander this Saturday! The annual event kicks off at 10 a.m. with the Old Town Rudolph Run, a 5K, chip-timed event starting in the Old Town district … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 12/2/24

The City of Cedar Park and Williamson County celebrated the official opening of the 1.8-mile, four-lane New Hope Drive extension from Ronald Reagan Boulevard to Sam Bass Road with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 20, 2024. The road is now open to traffic.

New Hope Drive extension ribbon cutting celebrated by Cedar Park, Williamson County; Extension intended to help ease traffic congestion

The City of Cedar Park and Williamson County celebrated the official opening of the 1.8-mile, four-lane New Hope Drive extension with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 20. Stretching from Ronald … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 11/27/24

Carmen Llanes Pulido concedes in Austin mayoral race

Carmen Llanes Pulido conceded in the Austin mayoral race last Friday, securing Austin Mayor Kirk Watson's reelection victory. Watson had avoided a runoff election with Llanes Pulido by just 13 … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 11/23/24

Leander, Cedar Park formally ban TikTok from city business devices

Cedar Park and Leander have formally banned the social media app TikTok from city devices used for government business by city staff. The Leander City Council voted unanimously for the new … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 11/19/24

ANALYSIS: Williamson County appears to secures Austin mayoral race for Watson again; Watson double his votes in Wilco

Williamson County appears to have secured a mayoral race victory for Austin Mayor Kirk Watson for the second year in a row. Watson declared victory last Thursday, Nov. 14, after securing 17 more … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 11/19/24

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