Bartlett

Kevin Kennedy from Mahomet, Texas, in Burnet County, presents what a 765 kV transmission line is and how far they will spread across the state at a town hall in Salado, April 23. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Kevin Kennedy from Mahomet, Texas, in Burnet County, presents what a 765 kV transmission line is and how far they will spread across the state at a town hall in Salado, April 23. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Power struggle: Neighbors oppose incoming transmission lines

In a church down the winding roads of southwest Salado, a group of North Williamson County and Bell County landowners gathered on April 23 to learn about a proposed extra-high-voltage electricity transmission line that will cut through their properties as it makes its way across the state.
Praha Brothers Polka Band members, from left to right are Billy Havlik, the late Rev. Ardene Wuthrich, David Fraga, Russell Kalkbrenner, Tom Jones, Bernard Strmiska, and Jerry Haislera, perform a recent Polka Worship at St. John Lutheran Church in Bartlett. Photo courtesy of Ronnie Persky.

Praha Brothers Polka Band members, from left to right are Billy Havlik, the late Rev. Ardene Wuthrich, David Fraga, Russell Kalkbrenner, Tom Jones, Bernard Strmiska, and Jerry Haislera, perform a recent Polka Worship at St. John Lutheran Church in Bartlett. Photo courtesy of Ronnie Persky.

Polka worship returns to Bartlett

St. John Lutheran Church in Bartlett will host its annual polka worship on Sunday, September 21, at 10:30 a.m.“The Polka Worship Service is an uplifting celebration, which makes worshippers smile and feel the joy of life in praise of their Creator,” the church said in a statement.
A vacant church in Bartlett was scorched due to arson, June 11. Photo courtesy of Bell County Fire Marshal’s Office.

A vacant church in Bartlett was scorched due to arson, June 11. Photo courtesy of Bell County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Suspected Bartlett arsonist arrested

The Williamson County Fire Marshal’s Office arrested Carlos Crathers, of Temple, as a suspect in connection with one of four recent structure fires in Bartlett.Fire Marshal Mike Lugo told the Sun that no details on the motive or other suspects have been confirmed.
The Leashing Hope graduate, Celes, sits with their handler in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Bartlett Innovation Unit at the Leashing Hope graduation, April 25. Photo courtesy of Williamson County.

The Leashing Hope graduate, Celes, sits with their handler in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Bartlett Innovation Unit at the Leashing Hope graduation, April 25. Photo courtesy of Williamson County.

Top Dog Grads: Animal Shelter, Bartlett Innovation Unit celebrate first Leashing Hope dog graduation

Five dogs from the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter graduated from the Leashing Hope program at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Bartlett Innovation Unit on April 25. The Bartlett Innovation Unit is a state prison located on the southwest corner of Bartlett, at 1018 Arnold Drive.
 Producer Roxane Davis, left, directs Bartlett ISD Superintendent Theodore Clevenger, right, while Assistant Director Maddie Abdalla records the sound bite on how Marcus Lindemann entered the Bartlett ISD football stadium. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Producer Roxane Davis, left, directs Bartlett ISD Superintendent Theodore Clevenger, right, while Assistant Director Maddie Abdalla records the sound bite on how Marcus Lindemann entered the Bartlett ISD football stadium. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Football, Faith, Family: Bartlett heads to the Big Screen

 It’s the classic small-town America story: community, legacy and football. From Friday Night Lights to All American, the impactful stories from high school football are ingrained in culture. For the City of Bartlett, it’s even more so.
No guards stand watch at the Bartlett State Jail on July 12, 2017. Sun Archive.

No guards stand watch at the Bartlett State Jail on July 12, 2017. Sun Archive.

State jail set to reopen in Bartlett

Planted on the southwest side of the City of Bartlett, sits the Bartlett State Jail. The 139,736-square-foot facility used to house convicted state felons from 1995 until it closed in June 2017. The jail has sat vacant the seven years since, but is now set to reopen its doors later this year.

County cities gain revenue, new sales tax report finds

The Texas Comptroller has released the updated sales tax data for June 2024.  For cities across the county, most saw an increase in revenues when compared to 2023’s numbers. Most notably Liberty Hill gained 81.77 percent more in profit, earning over $575,000.

Comptroller publishes February sales tax data

The Texas Comptroller released updated sales tax data for February 2024.     When looking at the data, Liberty Hill brought in 58.60 percent less in sales tax revenues when compared to February 2023. On the other side of the county, Taylor brought in 56.51 percent more in sales tax revenues.
 A tractor toting hay bales makes its way along East Clark Street.

A tractor toting hay bales makes its way along East Clark Street.

Texas Photography Festival takes on Bartlett

Pistons On The Bricks, a car show and photography event, was hosted January 20 in Bartlett by the Texas Photography Festival and the Williamson Museum.  Attendees enjoyed presentations by photographers Tricia Zeigler, Egidio Leitao and Bridgett Piernik-Yoder.

Sales tax increases overall in county in newest report

Kicking off the new year, most of the cities in the county have seen increased revenue when comparing sales tax from January 2023 to January 2024.    Most notably, Taylor’s sales tax grew over 100 percent, allowing the city to rank in over $3.3 million.