East Williamson County

Misty Valenta, director of animal services for Wilco, back, is joined by Laura Donahue, senior director of Best Friends Animal Society, front, to report on the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter’s success in 2024. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Misty Valenta, director of animal services for Wilco, back, is joined by Laura Donahue, senior director of Best Friends Animal Society, front, to report on the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter’s success in 2024. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Happy Trails: Animal shelter keeps no-kill status

The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter has maintained its no-kill designation from the Best Friends Animal Society.During the August 26 Commissioners Court meeting, the shelter received a plaque recognizing the distinction and provided an update on its programs.
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, right, speaks with John Howard, director of government affairs for Dell Technologies, left, during the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce's Power Lunch at Kalahari Resort and Convention Center on August 19. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, right, speaks with John Howard, director of government affairs for Dell Technologies, left, during the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce's Power Lunch at Kalahari Resort and Convention Center on August 19. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Senator Ted Cruz talks Big Beautiful Bill, jobs for Texas

The Round Rock Chamber of Commerce hosted U.S. Senator Ted Cruz at Kalahari Resort and Convention Center as part of its Power Lunch on August 19.
Raindrops create patterns in the creek at Bull Branch Park on Monday morning, August 4, 2025.  Photo by Andy Sharp

Raindrops create patterns in the creek at Bull Branch Park on Monday morning, August 4, 2025. Photo by Andy Sharp

Follow the light: Finding new subjects on daily walks

The things we see when we slow down and look. For years, my daily walks, mostly in Taylor, were visual points of departure. Tiny landscapes, where the light embraced the landscape. This offering includes tidbits of what I saw last week on strolls around Taylor.
County Budget Officer Ashlie Holladay presents the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget to the Williamson County Commissioners Court, August 5. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

County Budget Officer Ashlie Holladay presents the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget to the Williamson County Commissioners Court, August 5. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County budget could go up by 5.6% this year

Williamson County’s preliminary Fiscal Year 2026 budget includes an estimated $671 million in expenditures.Budget Officer Ashlie Holladay presented the proposed budget to county commissioners during their August 5 meeting.
County Commissioner Valarie Covey gives a speech about the State Highway 195 at Ronald Reagan Boulevard ramp project in northwest Georgetown, Monday morning. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

County Commissioner Valarie Covey gives a speech about the State Highway 195 at Ronald Reagan Boulevard ramp project in northwest Georgetown, Monday morning. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County turns up dirt with new road projects

Despite inconsistent summer weather, Williamson County officials have kick-started a series of road projects for rural communities in Wilco.
Back row left to right: Deputy Tre’vone Johnson, Deputy Mark Bell, Deputy Chase Cervenka, Deputy Brandon Cantu; front row left to right: Sergeant Albert Ortiz, Deputy Silvana Stoke, Deputy Derrick Johnson, Deputy Charles Duvall. (Courtesy Williamson County Sheriff's Office)

Back row left to right: Deputy Tre’vone Johnson, Deputy Mark Bell, Deputy Chase Cervenka, Deputy Brandon Cantu; front row left to right: Sergeant Albert Ortiz, Deputy Silvana Stoke, Deputy Derrick Johnson, Deputy Charles Duvall. (Courtesy Williamson County Sheriff's Office)

Sheriff’s K-9 unit earns multiple awards at educational seminar

The Williamson County Sheriff K-9 unit brought home three awards from the Lubbock Narcotic/Fugitive Apprehension K-9 Seminar that took place from June 24-27. The team took second and third place in narcotics detection and third place in patrol/apprehension.
Democrat Caitlin Rourk enters the congressional race for Texas 31. Photo courtesy of Kate Roberts.

Democrat Caitlin Rourk enters the congressional race for Texas 31. Photo courtesy of Kate Roberts.

Democrat Caitlin Rourk declares candidacy for Congress

Democrat Caitlin Rourk, a Round Rock resident working in Global Marketing at Dell Technologies, officially launched her campaign for Texas’s 31st Congressional District, July 29.“I’ve had enough of these out-of-touch politicians,” she said in her campaign launch video. “So I’ve made the choice.
This Congressional redistricting map was proposed by Texas House Republicans on July 30. (Courtesy Texas Tribune)

This Congressional redistricting map was proposed by Texas House Republicans on July 30. (Courtesy Texas Tribune)

Texas House begins congressional redistricting

Every 10 years, congressional districts in Texas are redrawn to accommodate for population change based on the U.S. Census results.
The Williamson County Commissioners Court, from left, Terry Cook, Cynthia Long, County Judge Steve Snell and Valerie Covey approve a two percent salary increase for elected officials during the July 29 meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

The Williamson County Commissioners Court, from left, Terry Cook, Cynthia Long, County Judge Steve Snell and Valerie Covey approve a two percent salary increase for elected officials during the July 29 meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Elected Williamson County officials get 2% pay raise in Fiscal Year 26

Williamson County Commissioners Court approved a 2 percent salary increase for elected officials for the 2026 Fiscal Year budget. The salaries include all elected officials except the District Judges and the District Attorney.