East Williamson County

Javier Garcia, 29, of Georgetown. Photo courtesy of the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office.

Javier Garcia, 29, of Georgetown. Photo courtesy of the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office.

29-year-old receives double sentence for child sexual assault

A Williamson County jury found 29-year-old Javier Garcia of Georgetown guilty of aggravated sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact on November 19.
Williamson County Judge Steve Snell, left, Central Texas Community Foundation executive director Amy Merida, center, and Travis County Judge Andy Brown, right, provide an update on the financial assistance to the July floods, December 1. Photo courtesy of  Williamson County.

Williamson County Judge Steve Snell, left, Central Texas Community Foundation executive director Amy Merida, center, and Travis County Judge Andy Brown, right, provide an update on the financial assistance to the July floods, December 1. Photo courtesy of Williamson County.

$8 million raised so far for flood victims

The Central Texas Community Foundation this year has already distributed about $3.35 million in direct financial support to more than 100 residents impacted by the July 5 floods.
Ryan Bownds, prosecutor for the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office, is running for Judge of the 512th District Court. Photo courtesy of Ryan Bownds.

Ryan Bownds, prosecutor for the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office, is running for Judge of the 512th District Court. Photo courtesy of Ryan Bownds.

Williamson County prosecutor enters district judge race

Prosecutor Ryan Bownds announced his candidacy for judge of the newly created 512th District Court on November 17. He will run on the Republican primary ticket in March. Mr.
County Judge Steve Snell, center, announces the plan for the Williamson County Water Study, November 25. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

County Judge Steve Snell, center, announces the plan for the Williamson County Water Study, November 25. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County forms group to bolster long-term water supply

Williamson County officials officially launched what they say will be a long-term water solution for the region. County commissioners allocated $500,000 for a Williamson County Water Study on November 25. The goal, according to the agenda, is to have a water solution in place for the next 50 years.
Hutto Resource Center Director Sandy Brockwell, left, and Food Pantery Assocaite Kenneth Wiley, right, unload a truck of donated food, November 18. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Hutto Resource Center Director Sandy Brockwell, left, and Food Pantery Assocaite Kenneth Wiley, right, unload a truck of donated food, November 18. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Nonprofits combat hunger across Wilco ahead of holidays

Sandy Brockwell, joined by Crystal Alexander, typed away on their laptops as volunteers Josh Ponce and Israel Maza restocked the food pantry at the Hutto Resource Center, November 18.Recently, the nonprofit has seen an uptick in people needing resources.
 From left, VP of Resource Development Linda Stephens, VP of Marketing Yvonne Woodburn, Southwestern Volunteer Holly Akers, and VP of Finance Deborah Thomas stand in the newly-decorated Assistance League Thrift Shop at 900 North Austin Avenue.  The Assistance League supports causes including Operation School Bell — which provides clothing to students up to fifth grade — Georgetown ISD’s Bridges program,  mentoring and reading programs in Jarrell and Florence ISDs, teacher funding and scholarships.

From left, VP of Resource Development Linda Stephens, VP of Marketing Yvonne Woodburn, Southwestern Volunteer Holly Akers, and VP of Finance Deborah Thomas stand in the newly-decorated Assistance League Thrift Shop at 900 North Austin Avenue. The Assistance League supports causes including Operation School Bell — which provides clothing to students up to fifth grade — Georgetown ISD’s Bridges program, mentoring and reading programs in Jarrell and Florence ISDs, teacher funding and scholarships.

Volunteer guide: Ways to give back this holiday season

Explore opportunities to help others in the Georgetown area. This guide lists area nonprofit organizations, service clubs and public groups that offer volunteer opportunities to residents or fundraisers that support the community.This list is not comprehensive.

Flood assistance deadline draws near

Editor's note: Story has been edited to add data after publication date. Time is running out for businesses, renters and homeowners seeking assistance from the July fifth floods. The grace period deadline for Small Business Administration Disaster Relief loans is November 27.

One more opportunity to give in 2025

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that takes place the Tuesday immediately after Thanksgiving. The effort serves as many nonprofit organization’s last push to raise funds for the year, and one last time to make a tax-deductible donation before the year’s end.

New ballots generate mixed opinions from voters

For the first time in more than a decade, Williamson County residents on November 4 voted using hand-marked paper ballots — bubbling in selections with pen on a printout — instead of electronic ballots.
Starlings fill the sky above pastureland at the Lutonsky Farm on Saturday, November 15, 2025.  The farm is located on County Road 405, south of Taylor.

Starlings fill the sky above pastureland at the Lutonsky Farm on Saturday, November 15, 2025. The farm is located on County Road 405, south of Taylor.

Photo: Birds of a Feather

Starlings fill the sky above pastureland at the Lutonsky Farm on Saturday, November 15, 2025.  The farm is located on County Road 405, south of Taylor.