Local news | Hill Country News

Cedar Park, Leander and Georgetown McDonald's fined $21K for child labor violations

The U.S. Department of Labor has found child labor violations at four McDonald's locations owned by Marwen & Son LLC in Cedar Park, Leander and Georgetown and fined the company $21,466, according … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 8/3/23

Sen. Charles Schwertner's DWI charges dismissed

The drunk driving charge against Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) was dismissed July 18 by Travis County prosecutors. In an official statement, Travis County Attorney Delia Garza said … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/31/23

Third Brushy Creek MUD mosquito trap tests positive for West Nile virus

A mosquito trap in the Brushy Creek MUD tested positive on July 25 for carrying the West Nile virus, marking the third time a trap in that MUD has tested positive for the virus. More importantly, it … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/27/23

The Weir Fire Department assisted with responding to the Cobb Creek Fire last Friday, July 21, 2023.

Williamson County contains 300-acre grass fire near Jarrell, Georgetown; Burn bans in effect in Travis, Wilco counties

The massive 300-acre grass fire that swept through the northern portion of Williamson County between Jarrell and Georgetown was finally contained Saturday evening. No evacuations had to be issued … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/25/23

The Austin-based nonprofit Agni Foundation for the Arts plans to hold a Bollywod Festival from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, and Saturday, Sept. 30, at the new Multi-Purpose Pavillion at Lakeline Park in Cedar Park.

Bollywood Festival coming to Cedar Park

The dance, music and artistic expression of Bollywood is coming to Cedar Park! The Austin-based nonprofit Agni Foundation for the Arts plans to hold a Bollywod Festival from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. … more

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

Williamson County Emergency Services responded to the Cobb Creek Fire on Thursday, July 20, 2023.

Williamson County has 300-acre fire 50% contained near Jarrell, Georgetown; Burn bans in effect in Travis, Wilco counties

The massive 300-acre grass fire sweeping across Williamson County between Jarrell and Georgetown is now 50% contained by emergency responders as of Thursday evening. So far, no evacuations have … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/21/23

Leander lifts outdoor watering ban after BCRUA issues addressed

The City of Leander has downgraded its water restrictions back down to Phase 2 after the fix for the malfunctioning water barge pumps at the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority (BCRUA) plant is … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/20/23

PARCHED: Leander temporarily bans outdoor watering with irrigation systems as temperatures soar

The City of Leander is temporarily banning all outdoor watering except hand-held hose watering under the Phase 3 water restrictions it issued last Friday, July 14, due to soaring temperatures putting … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/19/23

An attendee dressed as the "LGBT-Rex" parades Saturday, July 15, 2023, through the Queer EmPower Pride Conference & Festival jointly hosted by Cedar Park and Leander Pride at Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church in Cedar Park.

Queer Empowerment Conference brings message of hope for local LGBTQ+ community

After months of hardship, tragedy and setbacks, the Queer EmPower Pride Conference and Festival jointly hosted last Saturday by Cedar Park Pride and Leander Pride brought a bright spot for the … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/18/23

29 firearms, material used in making explosives recovered from Cedar Park home; neighboring homes temporarily evacuated while removing them

Four Cedar Park homes were temporarily evacuated on July 12 after the Cedar Park Police Department responded to a report of suspicious items inside and ended up recovering 29 firearms, ammunition and … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/17/23

Justin Kelly, a 15-year-old percussionist in the Cedar Park High School band, donates his hair on June 28 to the nonprofit Locks of Love, which makes custom-made hair prosthetics for people who suffered hair loss due to medical conditions.

Cedar Park HS band student donates his hair to Locks of Love

A 15-year-old percussionist in the Cedar Park High School band bravely chose to donate his hair on June 28 to Locks of Love, something he was inspired to do by his biggest musical inspiration - Neil … more

By Clayton Kelley, Reporter | 7/13/23

The Queer EmPower Pride Conference and Festival will be jointly hosted this Saturday, July 15, by Cedar Park Pride and Leander Pride at Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church, which is located at 315 El Salido Parkway in Cedar Park.

Leander Pride, Cedar Park Pride jointly hosting LGBTQ+ conference July 15; Advocates speak about increased targeting, call for hate crime charges in Cedar Park slaying

Local LGBTQ+ residents and advocates feel afraid. A slate of anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation passed by the Texas Legislature this year combined with a recent uptick in incidents of LGBTQ+ … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/11/23

Anthony Hill, the father of slain 24-year-old gay woman Akira Ross, hugs an attendee Sunday, July 2, 2023, at a memorial held for Ross at Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church in Cedar Park.

Family, partner memorialize Akira Ross' life; Attendees call for love, justice

Akira Ross loved to laugh and to make people laugh, whether it was her family, her friends and the people who would watch the countless music video, dance videos and prank videos she would post … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/3/23

Round Rock pastor pleads guilty to child pornography charges

A Georgetown man pleaded guilty in a federal court in Austin Tuesday to an enhanced charge of possession of child pornography. According to the charging affidavit, Faith Baptist Church in Round … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 7/1/23

The City of Cedar Park plans to eventually build $30 million Public Safety Training near its firefighter training tower.

Cedar Park Council approves design firm for planned $30M Public Safety Training Facility

The Cedar Park City Council approved at its June 22 meeting its selection of an architectural firm to design the City of Cedar Park's new 31,000-square-foot Public Safety Training Facility. … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 6/29/23

Leander ISD Fiscal Year 23-24 budget projections

Leander ISD approves FY 23-24 budget; 1 cent tax rate cut planned

The Leander ISD Board of Trustees approved a $496.6 million general operating budget for fiscal year 2023-24 at the June 15 board meeting. The projected enrollment for that fiscal year is over 43,500 … more

By Clayton Kelley, Reporter | 6/26/23

Adrian Ozuna shows off his custom Force Ghostbuster cosplay on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the Greater Austin Comic Con held at H-E-B Center in Cedar Park.

Greater Austin Comic Con draws thousands of cosplayers, collectors and more

Thousands of cosplayers, collectors and a wide variety of all types of hobbyists out Saturday and Sunday for the fourth year of the Greater Austin Comic Con. While the organizers are still … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 6/26/23

Cafeteria employee Clara Ramos reads ‘Ferdinand the Bull’ to a group of students at Whitestone Elementary. Elementary schools throughout Leander ISD read books on Sept. 20, 2017, as part of the Reading for the Record program.

Leander ISD Trustees Discuss Redesigning Reading Interventions to Raise Scores

Leander ISD Board of Trustees discussed at their June 15 meeting redesigning the district’s reading intervention strategies to optimize student outcomes in reading and minimize the loss of core … more

By Clayton Kelley, Reporter | 6/22/23

Pataki wins District 2, Ekrut wins District 3 in PEC elections

Two incumbents won their reelection bids back on June 13 in the Pedernales Electrical Cooperative (PEC) Board of Directors elections. Emily Pataki, the incumbent, won reelection to her District … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 6/21/23

Liberty Hill resident Amanda Crossland spoke at the Thursday, June 15, 2023, Leander City Council about how her stepson Jaycee came out to his classmates last October and ended up taking his life just 10 days later due to the intensity of the bullying that he experienced.

After a gay woman’s murder, Leander, Cedar Park and Liberty Hill issued Pride Month proclamations. Then, people started protesting them.

After a gay woman’s murder and a Liberty Hill ISD student’s suicide last October, the mayors of Cedar Park, Leander and Liberty Hill issued Pride Month proclamations this month. … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 6/20/23

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