East Williamson County

Williamson County Human Resources Department was the recipient of the 2024 County Best Practices Awards. Photo courtesy of Williamson County.

Williamson County Human Resources Department was the recipient of the 2024 County Best Practices Awards. Photo courtesy of Williamson County.

Williamson County honored with two Best Practices Awards

 The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and Williamson County Human Resources both received top honors by the Texas Association of Counties for county programs.
Firefighter Stephen Barnes gives a tour of one of the firetrucks at the ESD 10 station in  Coupland. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Firefighter Stephen Barnes gives a tour of one of the firetrucks at the ESD 10 station in Coupland. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County ESD shifts from volunteer to paid firefighters

With industry and development, comes an increase in population. In rural communities, the demand to keep citizens and property safe also spikes to the point where adjustments need to be made.
 Large numbers of egrets gather around the rookery at Murphy Park on Thursday evening, September 5, 2024.  Photo by Andy Sharp.

Large numbers of egrets gather around the rookery at Murphy Park on Thursday evening, September 5, 2024. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Photos: Flock prepares to leave as summer ends

As summer nears its conclusion, the egrets making their home at the rookery in Taylor’s Murphy Park will soon move on. These migratory birds arrive here each spring to add to their families, usually leaving by late-September, or early-October.
Waterloo Gin co-owner David Wollett drives a truckload of cotton from a field onto a scale  on Friday, September 13, 2024. Clement Strmiska and David Wollett are co-owners of the Waterloo Gin, located on County Road 414 east of Taylor.     Photo by Andy Sharp.

Waterloo Gin co-owner David Wollett drives a truckload of cotton from a field onto a scale on Friday, September 13, 2024. Clement Strmiska and David Wollett are co-owners of the Waterloo Gin, located on County Road 414 east of Taylor. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Photos: Cotton collections progress in Williamson County

The Waterloo Cotton Gin, a few minutes east of Taylor, along County Road 414, is beginning cotton harvest season on a high note this year, after last summer’s combination of triple digit heat and drought made it hard for farmers and cotton gins in 2023.
County Commissioner Valerie Covey, center, explains her reason for adding personnel to handle Child Protective Services cases in Williamson County during the September 17 meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

County Commissioner Valerie Covey, center, explains her reason for adding personnel to handle Child Protective Services cases in Williamson County during the September 17 meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County adds personnel to CPS caseworkers

 "We realized what an abysmal situation it is.” – Valerie Covey, County Commissioner Precinct 3 Williamson County will add a legal assistant and two care coordinators to help with Child Protection Service cases.
 Aaron Martinka navigates his combine through a field of cotton along F.M. 972 east of Walburg  on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Martinka is harvesting 1,100 acres of cotton this year.  Photo by Andy Sharp.

Aaron Martinka navigates his combine through a field of cotton along F.M. 972 east of Walburg on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Martinka is harvesting 1,100 acres of cotton this year. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Cotton harvest time in Williamson County

Members of the Taylor Fire Department take part in the parade along Main Street  during the Patriot Day observance on Wednesday evening, September 11, 2024.   Patriot Day commemorates the events of September 11, 2001.    Photo by Andy Sharp.

Members of the Taylor Fire Department take part in the parade along Main Street during the Patriot Day observance on Wednesday evening, September 11, 2024. Patriot Day commemorates the events of September 11, 2001. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Taylor observes Patriot Day

The marijuana seized by the Wilco Criminal Interdiction Unit. (Courtesy Williamson County Sheriff's Office)

The marijuana seized by the Wilco Criminal Interdiction Unit. (Courtesy Williamson County Sheriff's Office)

Two more drug-related cases close out August

Approximately 32 pounds of marijuana were seized after a vehicle was searched as part of a traffic stop August 27 in Williamson County. The Williamson County Criminal Interdiction Unit conducted a traffic stop for a traffic violation.
From left to right, Chairman of the Central Texas Community Foundation Luke Cochran, Texas Baptist Children's Home President Debbie Rippstein,  Ron Martin of Emerson Technologies, volunteer of the year Hollis Bone and Executive Director of CTXCF Amy Merida take a photo at the 2024 CTXCF Legacy Luncheon in Kalahari Resort and Conventions on September 4.  Photo courtesy of Central Texas Community Foundation.

From left to right, Chairman of the Central Texas Community Foundation Luke Cochran, Texas Baptist Children's Home President Debbie Rippstein, Ron Martin of Emerson Technologies, volunteer of the year Hollis Bone and Executive Director of CTXCF Amy Merida take a photo at the 2024 CTXCF Legacy Luncheon in Kalahari Resort and Conventions on September 4. Photo courtesy of Central Texas Community Foundation.

Williamson County foundation honors nonprofits, volunteers at awards lunch

 The Texas Baptist Children's Home received the 2024 Impact Award September 4 during the Central Texas Community Foundation’s sixth annual Legacy Luncheon. Formerly the Greater Round Rock Community Foundation, Central Texas Community Foundation’s mission is to spark philanthropic giving.
A rainbow forms over a cotton field and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church a little after 7 p.m. on Monday, August 26, 2024.  The church is on County Road 417 in Wuthrich Hill.  Areas of Williamson County welcomed rain and cooler temperatures beginning Monday afternoon.    Photo by Andy Sharp.

A rainbow forms over a cotton field and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church a little after 7 p.m. on Monday, August 26, 2024. The church is on County Road 417 in Wuthrich Hill. Areas of Williamson County welcomed rain and cooler temperatures beginning Monday afternoon. Photo by Andy Sharp.