Florence

Florence Police Chief Wayne Thompson, right, gets tearful listening to 15 people vocalize their support of him during the January 20 special-called city council meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Florence Police Chief Wayne Thompson, right, gets tearful listening to 15 people vocalize their support of him during the January 20 special-called city council meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

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Florence terminates lieutenant, strips police chief of spending power

Nalani Nuylan
Thursday, January 22, 2026
In a five-hour-long special city council meeting, Florence officials fired Florence Police Department Lieutenant David Guthrie on Tuesday, January 20, and disciplined Chief Wayne Thompson for what the city administrator said was a misuse of city funds.
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 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.

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County Briefs: Justice Complex Project open house on the way

Nalani Nuylan
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
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.
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.

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
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
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.
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.

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
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
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.
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.

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
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
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.
Exterior work, including Windows, doors and roofing, were completed on the new Williamson County administrative building in December.

Exterior work, including Windows, doors and roofing, were completed on the new Williamson County administrative building in December.

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Williamson County’s new HQ reaches construction milestone, slated for summer opening

Nalani Nuylan
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
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.
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 look at a vehicle that was struck by a speeding driver. The suspect, Simarre Harris-Brunson, escaped the scene. Photo courtesy Florence PD

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Florence police searching for escaped speeding suspect

Wednesday, December 31, 2025
The Florence Police Department is looking for 31-year-old Simarre Harris-Brunson, who fled from police and escaped on foot after a traffic crash near Shell Road and Highway 195 on December 24.
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.

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.

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Williamson County prosecutor honored with Excellence in Justice Award

Nalani Nuylan
Monday, December 29, 2025
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.
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