Florence
County Commissioners Valerie Covey, left, and County Sheriff Matt Lindamann, right, participate in the January 15 Justice Complex Project open house at the EMS North Campus. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.
County Briefs: Justice Complex Project open house on the way
Nalani Nuylan
Williamson County will hold a public information session about the Justice Complex Project on Tuesday, March 3 at the EMS North Campus, 3189 S.E. Inner Loop, in Georgetown, from 5-7 p.m. The meeting is a come-and-go event with no formal presentation.
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Richard Semple, Wilco’s IT director, presents a new policy on what kind of information will be attached to online county agenda’s in the future. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.
Williamson County to limit online public information due to rising AI scams
Nalani Nuylan
Certain information — including contract details, project backgrounds and contact info — will not be available as part of future online Williamson Commissioners Court agenda packets in an effort to fight Artificial Intelligence scams that impersonate county entities.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Florence Police Chief Wayne Thompson (in the red long sleeve shirt) observes his officers as they complete their Texas Commission on Law Enforcement firearms qualification on January 5 in Killeen. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.
Hitting the mark: Florence PD sharpens skills, builds momentum
Nalani Nuylan
The Florence Police Department started the new year off with a bang – literally. After the holiday hiatus, Florence PD conducted its firearms qualification and training in an indoor gun range on Monday in Killeen.
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Grey Orchard team standing inside of Denny’s on October 2, the first day of the demolition. (Left to right) Sous Chef Damian Eimann, Executive Sous Chef Phil Varney, Collin Polley (General Manager of sister restaurant Fig Italian), Chef Partner Cole Fitzgerald, Owner James Sun, and Marketing/Events Sara Alarcon. Not pictured is the pastry chef Kat Sees.
New businesses coming to Williamson County in 2026
Abbey Archer
Grey Orchard, an upscale American restaurant with Asian influence, will open in mid-February in the old Denny’s at 2700 North Interstate 35, just south of University Boulevard in Round Rock. Restaurant owner James Sun and Michelin-awarded Chef Cole Fitzgerald are the force behind the restaurant.
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Exterior work, including Windows, doors and roofing, were completed on the new Williamson County administrative building in December.
Williamson County’s new HQ reaches construction milestone, slated for summer opening
Nalani Nuylan
Exterior work on Williamson County’s new administration building at the corner of Southwestern Boulevard and Southeast Inner Loop has been completed.County officials announced December 22 that the “dry-in phase” — including windows, doors and roofing — has been finished.
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Florence police look at a vehicle that was struck by a speeding driver. The suspect, Simarre Harris-Brunson, escaped the scene. Photo courtesy Florence PD
Florence police searching for escaped speeding suspect
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Hawkins Johnson, 16, sizes up the roaring San Gabriel River from the Austin Avenue bridge Saturday, July 5. Photo by Katherine Hamilton
2025 Year in Review: Top stories and photos published this year in the Williamson County Sun
News Staff
The year has come and gone. The following photos and snippets give a glimpse of what was reported in the Williamson County Sun during 2025, including the top stories over the past 12 months.
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Ryan Bownds (second from left) was awarded the Excellence in Justice Award from the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center’s Multi-Disciplinary Team on December 3. He is with members of the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office. Photo courtesy of the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office.
Williamson County prosecutor honored with Excellence in Justice Award
Nalani Nuylan
Ryan Bownds, special victims unit chief for the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office, was awarded the Excellence in Justice Award from the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center’s Multi-Disciplinary Team on December 3.
Monday, December 29, 2025
Senior Death Inquest Investigator Ruben Leal, front, joins Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Angela Williams, back, as she explains the new L.O.S.S program during the December 9 Williamson County Commissioners Court meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan
Williamson County to debut suicide survivor support program
Nalani Nuylan
Williamson County is launching a program to support individuals and families affected by suicide. Wilco’s senior death inquest investigator, Ruben Leal, joined Angela Williams, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, during the December 9 Commissioners Court meeting to explain the L.O.S.S.
Monday, December 22, 2025
Florence business Lee’s Wrecker Service towed the Grinch and Whoville into Florence for the city’s annual Christmas on Main Street parade on Saturday, December 13.
Christmas time in Florence
Nalani Nuylan
The City of Florence hosted its annual Christmas on Main Street festival downtown on Saturday, December 13. Activities included a holiday parade, children’s crafts, a snowball fight, entertainment, and opportunities to browse local shops. — Photos by Nalani Nuylan
Monday, December 22, 2025