East Williamson County

Kyle Kokel, standing at left, works to free up wheat lodged in a combine during Aaron MartinaÕs wheat harvest on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Martinka is getting harvest help from friends Larry Svehlak and Kyle Kokel. Martinka and his helpers are harvesting 700 acres of wheat this season. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Kyle Kokel, standing at left, works to free up wheat lodged in a combine during Aaron MartinaÕs wheat harvest on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Martinka is getting harvest help from friends Larry Svehlak and Kyle Kokel. Martinka and his helpers are harvesting 700 acres of wheat this season. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Wheat harvest time in Williamson County

Andy Sharp
Thursday, May 29, 2025
A few years ago, after my lungs were straining after breathing in massive amounts of dust, I said that was the last time I’d do photographs during a wheat harvest. The fault was of my own making.
Overlook Park at Lake Georgetown is shown on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 as big waves of water pound the shoreline. For the first time in a long while, Lake Georgetown is approaching its full level of 791 feet. Sun Archive.

Overlook Park at Lake Georgetown is shown on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 as big waves of water pound the shoreline. For the first time in a long while, Lake Georgetown is approaching its full level of 791 feet. Sun Archive.

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County bakes, lakes ache

Nalani Nuylan
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Despite the recent rain relief this month, the Brazos River Authority and Williamson County are bracing for a hot, dry summer. The Farmer’s Almanac predicted this year to be a “scorcher of a summer” with Texas having a “Hot and Dry” outlook and temperature increasing, “4 degrees above normal.
DJ Daniel, joined by Georgetown Police Chief Cory Tchida, far left, Williamson County Sheriff Matt Lindemann, center left, Sheriff Deputy Jeff Combs, center right, and Interim Jarrell Police Chief Pacer Korn on the north side of the courthouse, Monday afternoon.

DJ Daniel, joined by Georgetown Police Chief Cory Tchida, far left, Williamson County Sheriff Matt Lindemann, center left, Sheriff Deputy Jeff Combs, center right, and Interim Jarrell Police Chief Pacer Korn on the north side of the courthouse, Monday afternoon.

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The boy in blue: Law enforcement initiates youth as honorary officer

Nalani Nuylan
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Photos by Nalani NuylanTo the average pedestrian who may be having lunch on the Square Monday, May 19, the display may have been jarring, as a crowd of law enforcement personnel from across the region — with their lights flashing, K9 in position and SWAT teams ready  — swarmed the north side of the...
Mike Maples, Bluebonnet Trails Community Services Chief Executive Officer, announces three new mental programs that are in collaboration with Williamson County during the May 13 commissioners court meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Mike Maples, Bluebonnet Trails Community Services Chief Executive Officer, announces three new mental programs that are in collaboration with Williamson County during the May 13 commissioners court meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

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County highlights new mental health resources, programs

Nalani Nuylan
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Bluebonnet Trails Community Services is working on three new programs to address mental health conditions in collaboration with Williamson County.
Mario Villarreal, 54, of Round Rock. Photo courtesy of the Williamson County District Attorney's Office.

Mario Villarreal, 54, of Round Rock. Photo courtesy of the Williamson County District Attorney's Office.

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Professor convicted of having child porn

Nalani Nuylan
Monday, May 12, 2025
A Williamson County jury found Mario Villarreal, 54, of Round Rock, guilty of possession of child pornography in five cases last Thursday, May 1. Following the verdict, Mr. Villarreal was sentenced to serve a total of 12 years in prison and fined $10,000.
The Leashing Hope graduate, Celes, sits with their handler in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Bartlett Innovation Unit at the Leashing Hope graduation, April 25. Photo courtesy of Williamson County.

The Leashing Hope graduate, Celes, sits with their handler in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Bartlett Innovation Unit at the Leashing Hope graduation, April 25. Photo courtesy of Williamson County.

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Top Dog Grads: Animal Shelter, Bartlett Innovation Unit celebrate first Leashing Hope dog graduation

Nalani Nuylan
Friday, May 9, 2025
Five dogs from the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter graduated from the Leashing Hope program at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Bartlett Innovation Unit on April 25. The Bartlett Innovation Unit is a state prison located on the southwest corner of Bartlett, at 1018 Arnold Drive.
County Commissioner Terry Cook, left, reads the proclamation to designate May 5 - 9 as Air Quality Awareness Week during the May 6 commissioners court meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

County Commissioner Terry Cook, left, reads the proclamation to designate May 5 - 9 as Air Quality Awareness Week during the May 6 commissioners court meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

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Air aware: County, state stride to reduce air pollution

Nalani Nuylan
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Williamson County commissioners designated May 5-9 as Air Quality Awareness Week. Air quality in the Austin Metropolitan Statistical Area was classified as “moderate or worse” for nearly half of the days in 2024, according to the Air Quality Index.
Bruce Clements, Wilco’s Director of the Office of Emergency Management, explains how the updated Hazard Mitigation plan can get grants to the county to improve infrastructure. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Bruce Clements, Wilco’s Director of the Office of Emergency Management, explains how the updated Hazard Mitigation plan can get grants to the county to improve infrastructure. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

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County debuts refashioned mitigation plan

Nalani Nuylan
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved a revamped Hazard Mitigation Plan on April 29. Emergency Management Director Bruce Clements said this plan — updated every 10 years — includes a detailed risk assessment, an inventory of infrastructure and mitigation strategies.
Mammatus clouds form over Saint Peter's Church of Coupland on Thursday evening, May 1, 2025. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Mammatus clouds form over Saint Peter's Church of Coupland on Thursday evening, May 1, 2025. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Stormy scenes in Williamson County

Andy Sharp
Friday, May 2, 2025
A few stormy evenings in Williamson County created picturesque sights overhead. Photos by Andy Sharp
From left to right, Jamie Felicia, Sarah Moore and Cari Warner received a board certification in Criminal Law from the state. Photo courtesy of the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office.

From left to right, Jamie Felicia, Sarah Moore and Cari Warner received a board certification in Criminal Law from the state. Photo courtesy of the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office.

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Williamson County district attorneys earn board certification

Nalani Nuylan
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Three Assistant District Attorneys from Williamson County — Jamie Felicia, Sarah Moore and Cari Warner —  earned board certification in criminal law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Friday, April 25.
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