East Williamson County

Thrall ISD Interim Superintendent Blake Schneider, Thrall Elementary School principal Sherri Maruska, and students Bree Guajardo, left, and Prestly Pehl, celebrate the school’s third “A” state rating at lunch. A marquee touts the great news. Photo by Katherine Hamilton

Thrall ISD Interim Superintendent Blake Schneider, Thrall Elementary School principal Sherri Maruska, and students Bree Guajardo, left, and Prestly Pehl, celebrate the school’s third “A” state rating at lunch. A marquee touts the great news. Photo by Katherine Hamilton

Thrall ISD earns ‘A’ State rating for third consecutive year

Katherine Hamilton
Friday, August 28, 2026
With the determination of the Little Engine That Could, Thrall ISD in East Williamson County earned its third consecutive “A” rating in the State of Texas Accountability System this year.
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

Andy Sharp
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
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.

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'We are looking beyond'

Nalani Nuylan
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
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.

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Williamson County ESD shifts from volunteer to paid firefighters

Nalani Nuylan
Monday, September 23, 2024
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

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Follow the Light: Foggy days are a visual treat

Andy Sharp
Friday, January 26, 2024
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.
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