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Rough wind, waves halt Alcatraz swim

Katherine Hamilton
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
East View High School Counselor Alan Oakes said it was “an awesome  experience” undertaking the two-mile, open-water Alcatraz swim, but he wasn’t able to complete the challenge.“The strong wind and chop did me in,” he said.Mr. Oakes said he “put forth a valiant effort” in the June 28 swim, but...
Rendering of potential Phase 1 of SU's 560 Plan.

Rendering of potential Phase 1 of SU's 560 Plan.

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Southwestern unveils early plan for vacant 560 acres

Katherine Hamilton
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
A mixed-use development — with offices, retail, apartments, music venue, hotel/conference and open green space — could be built on part of the 560 vacant acres of Southwestern University's campus. Southwestern’s “560 Plan” outlines ideas and initial plans for the university’s undeveloped space.
Sally Bardwell, Williamston County HUD Grants coordinator, answers questions about the allocation of the grants for the 2025 fiscal year. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Sally Bardwell, Williamston County HUD Grants coordinator, answers questions about the allocation of the grants for the 2025 fiscal year. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

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Williamson County begins federal grant process

Nalani Nuylan
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
With 23 local applications and the Trump Administration planning to cut Community Block Development Grant funding, Grant Manager Sally Bardwell said Williamson County has to weigh its options carefully to ensure funding is optimized.

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Animal shelter merger starts mid-July

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
The Georgetown Animal Shelter and the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter will officially merge on July 14. On that date, the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter campus at 1855 Inner Loop will serve as the central location for main shelter services.
The Old Dickey-Givens Community Center, located at 903 East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, was destroyed by a fire Sunday morning. Photo courtesy of the City of Taylor.

The Old Dickey-Givens Community Center, located at 903 East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, was destroyed by a fire Sunday morning. Photo courtesy of the City of Taylor.

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Fire engulfs another historic Taylor building

Nalani Nuylan
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
A fire destroyed the Old Dickey-Givens Community Center building located at 903 East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard early Sunday morning, June 29.The Taylor Fire Department responded to the scene at approximately 8:45 a.m., according to a news release from the city.
11-month-old Verlon Haire sits on a horse with his grandfather, Lee Brown, a member of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse Drill Team, just before granddad rode into the arena with team during the Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo on Friday, June 27. (Photos by Andy Sharp)

11-month-old Verlon Haire sits on a horse with his grandfather, Lee Brown, a member of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse Drill Team, just before granddad rode into the arena with team during the Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo on Friday, June 27. (Photos by Andy Sharp)

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Competitors give it their all at Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo

Kaitlyn Wilkes and Andy Sharp
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Time is precious at the rodeo. Time is also money. A matter of milliseconds can be the difference between triumph and going home with your tail between your legs.

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2% electric rate increases on the way

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Georgetown electric rates could raise approximately 2 percent for all rate classes for the first time since 2019 to help the electric utility maintain sufficient revenue and protect the utility if projected large-load growth onto the city’s electric grid doesn’t materialize.
Lone Star Circle of Care's mobile mammography unit provides mammograms to women around Central Texas. (Photo Courtesy Lone Star Circle of Care)

Lone Star Circle of Care's mobile mammography unit provides mammograms to women around Central Texas. (Photo Courtesy Lone Star Circle of Care)

$15,000 grant supports mobile mammography unit

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Monday, June 30, 2025
Lone Star Circle of Care in Georgetown received a $15,000 Blue Impact grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas to help with operational support for its Big Pink Bus mobile mammography unit.

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Georgetown staff previews budget priorities

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Monday, June 30, 2025
In a sneak peek of what’s to come in Georgetown’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget, city staff outlined focus areas, possible cost-saving decisions, and proposed fee changes to departments including Parks and Recreation and the library.
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