Local news | Hill Country News

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

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.

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

Carjacking suspect shot, killed by police after firing at them in Four Points area

A carjacking suspect was shot and killed by police on Nov. 7 after firing at them during a chase, according to information released by the Austin Police Department. According to a release and … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 11/18/24

The City of Cedar Park held a groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 6, 2024, for the new $30 million 31,000-square-foot Public Safety Joint Training Facility at 1200-1204 Fire Lane in Cedar Park. The city hopes to have construction completed by spring 2026.

Cedar Park holds groundbreaking for $30M Public Safety Joint Training Facility

Construction of the $30 million 31,000-square-foot Public Safety Joint Training Facility is underway in Cedar Park. The City of Cedar Park hold a groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 6 for the new … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 11/15/24

Bands from Cedar Park, Glenn, Leander and Rouse high schools all competed at the UIL State Marching Band Championships last week, with Cedar Park winning the state championship. Rouse and Leander finished second and third, respectively, with LISD schools sweeping the top awards in the Class 5A competition.

Leander ISD schools sweep 5A marching band contest

All four of Leander ISD’s 5A high school bands — Cedar Park, Glenn, Leander and Rouse — competed at the UIL State Marching Band Championships from Nov. 4-5 at the Alamodome. … more

Staff Reports | 11/14/24

2024 Leander ISD Board of Trustees election winners: Nekosi Nelson, Anna Smith and Sade Fashokun.

ANALYSIS: Trump won Williamson County. But the county is still going to turn blue.

Former Pres. Donald Trump and local Republicans won big in Williamson County during the Nov. 5 General Elections, riding the wave of his unprecedented nationwide presidential victory. Trump … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 11/13/24

Voters wait to cast their ballots outside a polling place as early voting is underway in the U.S. Presidential Election on October 23, 2024, in suburban Austin, Texas USA.

FINAL RESULTS: Williamson County state, local incumbents win their races; Leander ISD incumbents, Nelson win races; Wilco saw record number of voters

With all Early Voting ballots already counted and 0 out of 164 Williamson County voting precincts reporting their Election Day ballots so far, here are the voting results for Williamson County and its … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 11/5/24

The Leander Public Library was the site of early voting in the runoff election on June 3, 2024.

More than half of Williamson County cast Early Voting ballot; Highest voter turnout since 2020

More than half of Williamson County's registered voters has already cast a ballot during the Early Voting period ahead of the Tuesday, Nov. 5 General Elections, meaning it already one of the highest … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 11/4/24

UPDATE: Leander ISD Board candidates, PACs return to minimal fundraising after recent spike

Despite the almost record-high Early Voting turnout ahead of the Nov. 5 General Elections and the prominent clashes between the groups of candidates running, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 11/4/24

The City of Cedar Park held a ribbon-cutting event Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, for the opening of the new 4,7000-square-foot, two-story Cedar Park Public Library at 425 South Parkwest Drive in the city's new $350 million, 54-acre Bell District. Following the ceremony, the building opened to the public for the first time.

New Cedar Park Library building opens to public

The new Cedar Park Public Library building is finally open to the public. Culminating 10 years of planning and more than a year of construction, the City of Cedar Park held a ribbon-cutting … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 11/4/24

Sections

Services

Connect with us