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In looking at a monthly breakdown of Hotel and Occupancy Tax revenue, there has been a steady increase over the years during that month. With the rise of short-term rentals and more hotels in the area, visitors have more places to stay when there are major events in town. (Charts courtesy City of Georgetown)

In looking at a monthly breakdown of Hotel and Occupancy Tax revenue, there has been a steady increase over the years during that month. With the rise of short-term rentals and more hotels in the area, visitors have more places to stay when there are major events in town. (Charts courtesy City of Georgetown)

Data shows Two Step Inn boosts to sales, hotel tax

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
April is a busy month in Georgetown. Since the late ’90s, the Red Poppy Festival has been the premier spring event downtown. For the past three years, the Two Step Inn has brought more entertainment, guests — and money — to town.
The County’s new Lake Creek Annex used to be the Texas Department of Transportation’s testing facility. It sits between the 183 Toll and Lakeline Boulevard near Lakeline Mall in the northern tip of Austin. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

The County’s new Lake Creek Annex used to be the Texas Department of Transportation’s testing facility. It sits between the 183 Toll and Lakeline Boulevard near Lakeline Mall in the northern tip of Austin. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Capitol Improvement Projects: Williamson County sets upgrades for Lake Creek annex

Nalani Nuylan
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Updated plans for the future Lake Creek annex include new county assets including a crime laboratory, a radio tower and other support for county law enforcement, and Williamson County is looking at its future budget to accommodate needed updates.
There are six data center properties in Williamson County. Illustration by Matthew Brake.

There are six data center properties in Williamson County. Illustration by Matthew Brake.

Rise in data centers lead to opportunities, questions for Williamson County residents

Nalani Nuylan
Monday, April 6, 2026
 “I moved out here to get away from exactly that — the light, the noise, everything [a data center] brings is disgusting,” — Houston Brautigan, Jarrell residentHouston Brautigan moved to Jarell after leaving his hometown of Ashburn, Virginia — a city nicknamed “Data Center Alley” — about six years...
Aarushi Patel served as judge during the trials on March 24 in the Justice of the Peace Pct. 3, court room.

Aarushi Patel served as judge during the trials on March 24 in the Justice of the Peace Pct. 3, court room.

Teen court hears real traffic ticket case

Abbey Archer
Friday, April 3, 2026
A teenager shifted nervously in his seat on March 24. He had already paid his traffic ticket for failing to stop for a school bus, but now he had to go before the Teen Court to remove it from his record.
The Red Poppy Railroad, located behind Mulligan’s restaurant in Sun City, runs around a miniature version of Georgetown built by the Sun City Control Modelers Club. Photo by Abbey Archer

The Red Poppy Railroad, located behind Mulligan’s restaurant in Sun City, runs around a miniature version of Georgetown built by the Sun City Control Modelers Club. Photo by Abbey Archer

Red Poppy Railroad represents Georgetown’s spirit, history

Abbey Archer
Friday, April 3, 2026
Elvis Presley and the Beatles both played concerts in Georgetown at the same time, while, simultaneously, Batman and the Joker had a standoff.
Matthias Early gives a speech at his campaign kick-off for House District 20 on Sunday, March 22, at Red Horn in Leander. The 21-year-old is running on the Democratic ballot against Republican incumbent Terry Wilson. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Matthias Early gives a speech at his campaign kick-off for House District 20 on Sunday, March 22, at Red Horn in Leander. The 21-year-old is running on the Democratic ballot against Republican incumbent Terry Wilson. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

21-year-old launches campaign for House District 20

Nalani Nuylan
Thursday, April 2, 2026
A father-son duo are taking on Republican incumbents John Carter and Terry Wilson in this November’s general election. A 21-year-old, Matthias Early, is running against Representative Wilson in House District 20, which covers the western half of Williamson County.
Randell Dlouhy, left, makes way for food items he was collecting for several friends at Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry and Thrift Shop, at 121 East 2nd Street, was founded by Executive Director Loretta Masters in 1994. The group distributes food several times a week. In 2025 Shepherd’s Heart averaged 2,110 distributions a month. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Randell Dlouhy, left, makes way for food items he was collecting for several friends at Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry and Thrift Shop, at 121 East 2nd Street, was founded by Executive Director Loretta Masters in 1994. The group distributes food several times a week. In 2025 Shepherd’s Heart averaged 2,110 distributions a month. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Olson Legacy Foundation partners with food banks to fight summer hunger

News Staff
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
By ISIS AIDE REYESThe Georgetown-based Anna+Anton Olson Legacy Foundation has launched a new April initiative that targets food insecurity across Williamson County. The “Feeding Your Neighbors Challenge” strives to meet the demand students and their families face during the summertime.
Ron Watson, Executive Artistic Director at the Georgetown Palace, stands in the theatre’s seating area at the historic theater on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The theater, which turned 100 years-old in February, sustained severe damage during a winter storm on January 25th. The theater is closed while restoration work continues. The goal is to open a performance of “Jesus Christ Superstar” on the Springer Stage on May 29th.

Ron Watson, Executive Artistic Director at the Georgetown Palace, stands in the theatre’s seating area at the historic theater on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The theater, which turned 100 years-old in February, sustained severe damage during a winter storm on January 25th. The theater is closed while restoration work continues. The goal is to open a performance of “Jesus Christ Superstar” on the Springer Stage on May 29th.

The Palace needs $500,000 for repairs to bring it back 'like you've never seen'

Kaitlyn Wilkes and Photos By Andy Sharp
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
In what was supposed to be a year of celebrating 100 years of the Palace Theatre, mother nature had a different plan. The winter storm and low temperatures on January 24-26 damaged  The Palace Theatre on the Square, putting a damper on plans and closing the theatre for several months.
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