East Williamson County

16-month-old Maizlee Raesz sits with her grandmother Kari Raesz as the farm crew takes a supper break  along County Road 414 during corn harvest of brothers Shaun and Steven Raesz  on Friday, July 10, 2026.  Kari is Shaun’s wife.  Maizlee is the daughter of Shaun’ and Kari’s  son Montgomery and his wife Madalynn.  The ear of corn she’s holding was just a play toy for Maizlee.   These East Williamson County farmers are harvesting over 4,000 acres of corn this year.    Photo by Andy Sharp

16-month-old Maizlee Raesz sits with her grandmother Kari Raesz as the farm crew takes a supper break along County Road 414 during corn harvest of brothers Shaun and Steven Raesz on Friday, July 10, 2026. Kari is Shaun’s wife. Maizlee is the daughter of Shaun’ and Kari’s son Montgomery and his wife Madalynn. The ear of corn she’s holding was just a play toy for Maizlee. These East Williamson County farmers are harvesting over 4,000 acres of corn this year. Photo by Andy Sharp

Family, corn continue to grow on 4,000 acres

Photographing the corn harvests of the Raesz family through the years has been a blessing. Brothers Shaun Raesz, 51, and Steven, 49, continue the work begun by their father, Arnold Raesz, who turned over the mantle to them a few years back.
In center U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, 17th District; Russ Boles, Williamson County commissioner, Precinct 4; Steve Snell, Williamson County judge; Caroline Harris Davila, state representative and Marc Williams, executive director of TxDOT cut the ribbon to open the East Wilco Highway, June 20. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

In center U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, 17th District; Russ Boles, Williamson County commissioner, Precinct 4; Steve Snell, Williamson County judge; Caroline Harris Davila, state representative and Marc Williams, executive director of TxDOT cut the ribbon to open the East Wilco Highway, June 20. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

'We are looking beyond'

New roads can lead to new opportunities. For booming cities like Hutto and Taylor, the latest segment of the East Wilco Highway promises new paths for residents and businesses alike.
Firefighter Stephen Barnes gives a tour of one of the firetrucks at the ESD 10 station in  Coupland. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Firefighter Stephen Barnes gives a tour of one of the firetrucks at the ESD 10 station in Coupland. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County ESD shifts from volunteer to paid firefighters

With industry and development, comes an increase in population. In rural communities, the demand to keep citizens and property safe also spikes to the point where adjustments need to be made.
 A Texas Longhorn cuddles with her calf along County Road 365 on a foggy and sometimes rainy  Wednesday, January 24. Photos by Andy Sharp

A Texas Longhorn cuddles with her calf along County Road 365 on a foggy and sometimes rainy Wednesday, January 24. Photos by Andy Sharp

Follow the Light: Foggy days are a visual treat

After days and nights of bitter cold weather, rainfall blanketed our area Monday morning, soon followed by a dense layer of mist. Granted, foggy conditions can lead to challenging times for drivers, but for many photographers, they can transform the landscape.