Florence

 Isaiah 117 House Williamson County Location Leader Tara Thornton, center, gives a speech before cutting the ribbon to open the house, September 6. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Isaiah 117 House Williamson County Location Leader Tara Thornton, center, gives a speech before cutting the ribbon to open the house, September 6. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Hope, healing and lavishing love

After three years of anticipation, Isaiah 117 House Williamson County held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday,  September 6, and welcomed its first children transitioning into the foster care system.

Fall welcomes harvest, sneak peak of hunting season

As the summer winds down into autumn, spring rains and mild summer temperatures have made way for plentiful vegetative cover and forage that will support many wildlife species for the fall hunting season, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Office.
Misty Valenta, director of animal services for Wilco, back, is joined by Laura Donahue, senior director of Best Friends Animal Society, front, to report on the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter’s success in 2024. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Misty Valenta, director of animal services for Wilco, back, is joined by Laura Donahue, senior director of Best Friends Animal Society, front, to report on the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter’s success in 2024. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Happy Trails: Animal shelter keeps no-kill status

The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter has maintained its no-kill designation from the Best Friends Animal Society.During the August 26 Commissioners Court meeting, the shelter received a plaque recognizing the distinction and provided an update on its programs.
 The Georgetown Community Center is filled to the brim for the first annual Wine, Women & Shoes event, benefiting CASA of Wilco, September 28, 2024. Photo courtesy of Rudy Ximenez.

The Georgetown Community Center is filled to the brim for the first annual Wine, Women & Shoes event, benefiting CASA of Wilco, September 28, 2024. Photo courtesy of Rudy Ximenez.

Fabulous Fun-raising: Wilco advocacy nonprofits host fashion-themed charity events in Sept.

Williamson County is home to many nonprofits that strive to make the community a better place.  Kicking off the fall fundraising season, two child advocacy groups will pair fashion with compassion in September.
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, right, speaks with John Howard, director of government affairs for Dell Technologies, left, during the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce's Power Lunch at Kalahari Resort and Convention Center on August 19. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, right, speaks with John Howard, director of government affairs for Dell Technologies, left, during the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce's Power Lunch at Kalahari Resort and Convention Center on August 19. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Senator Ted Cruz talks Big Beautiful Bill, jobs for Texas

The Round Rock Chamber of Commerce hosted U.S. Senator Ted Cruz at Kalahari Resort and Convention Center as part of its Power Lunch on August 19.
Justice of the Peace Judge Evelyn McLean, center, explains to participants what cases they are going to observe during the first Judge for a Day program for Precinct 3, August 6. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Justice of the Peace Judge Evelyn McLean, center, explains to participants what cases they are going to observe during the first Judge for a Day program for Precinct 3, August 6. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Residents witness inner workings of JP system

There are many different facets of government. From the state legislature to city council meetings, even the most informed resident can learn something new. That’s why Justice of the Peace Judge Evelyn McLean of Precinct 3 began the “Judge for a Day” shadowing program August 5-6.
Florence ISD School Board members are joined by Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Kelly Avritt and Mr. Kirkpatrick to cut the ribbon opening the new Florence Elementary School.

Florence ISD School Board members are joined by Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Kelly Avritt and Mr. Kirkpatrick to cut the ribbon opening the new Florence Elementary School.

Florence ISD opens new elementary school

Decked out in purple and white, the Florence ISD community — as well as members of the chamber of commerce, American Legion and city staff — gathered around to see the district’s highly anticipated new elementary school for the first time, July 30.
County Budget Officer Ashlie Holladay presents the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget to the Williamson County Commissioners Court, August 5. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

County Budget Officer Ashlie Holladay presents the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget to the Williamson County Commissioners Court, August 5. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County budget could go up by 5.6% this year

Williamson County’s preliminary Fiscal Year 2026 budget includes an estimated $671 million in expenditures.Budget Officer Ashlie Holladay presented the proposed budget to county commissioners during their August 5 meeting.
Back row left to right: Deputy Tre’vone Johnson, Deputy Mark Bell, Deputy Chase Cervenka, Deputy Brandon Cantu; front row left to right: Sergeant Albert Ortiz, Deputy Silvana Stoke, Deputy Derrick Johnson, Deputy Charles Duvall. (Courtesy Williamson County Sheriff's Office)

Back row left to right: Deputy Tre’vone Johnson, Deputy Mark Bell, Deputy Chase Cervenka, Deputy Brandon Cantu; front row left to right: Sergeant Albert Ortiz, Deputy Silvana Stoke, Deputy Derrick Johnson, Deputy Charles Duvall. (Courtesy Williamson County Sheriff's Office)

Sheriff’s K-9 unit earns multiple awards at educational seminar

The Williamson County Sheriff K-9 unit brought home three awards from the Lubbock Narcotic/Fugitive Apprehension K-9 Seminar that took place from June 24-27. The team took second and third place in narcotics detection and third place in patrol/apprehension.