Photos

6-year-old Camden Velez happily settles into his kindergarten classroom on Wednesday, August 19, 2026,  the first day of classes at George Washington Carver Elementary School.

6-year-old Camden Velez happily settles into his kindergarten classroom on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, the first day of classes at George Washington Carver Elementary School.

Photos: Georgetown ISD students head back to school

Georgetown families lined up for the first day of classes at George Washington Carver Elementary School Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Carver begins the school year with 672 students.Photo by Andy Sharp
Sol Arce, left, hugs her freshman  grandson Jonas Aguiar of San Antonio  as he moves into Jessie Daniel Ames Hall on Saturday, August 15, 2026 during freshmen move-in day at Southwestern University.   Jessie Daniel Ames Hall opened to students in January.  The approximately 1400 students will begin their classes on August 24th.   Photo by Andy Sharp

Sol Arce, left, hugs her freshman grandson Jonas Aguiar of San Antonio as he moves into Jessie Daniel Ames Hall on Saturday, August 15, 2026 during freshmen move-in day at Southwestern University. Jessie Daniel Ames Hall opened to students in January. The approximately 1400 students will begin their classes on August 24th. Photo by Andy Sharp

Southwestern students move into Jessie Daniel Ames Hall

Southwestern University students moved into Jessie Daniel Ames Hall on Saturday, August 15, 2026, during freshmen move-in day. Jessie Daniel Ames Hall opened to students in January.  Approximately 1,400 students will begin their classes at the university on August 24.
Ed Denison of Hockley, Texas, who will be 80 in October introduces his horse called Hombre to his grandson, 8-year-old Levi Bentley and family friend McKenna Degarmo, 17, (sitting on Hombre) during the Texas Senior Pro Rodeo Association’s Rodeo held Sunday, August 16, 2026  at the Williamson County Expo Center. Denison has been competing in rodeos for decades.  Texas Senior Rodeo Association competitors must be at least 40-years-old to compete.  Many are in their 70s and 80s. Photo by Andy Sharp

Ed Denison of Hockley, Texas, who will be 80 in October introduces his horse called Hombre to his grandson, 8-year-old Levi Bentley and family friend McKenna Degarmo, 17, (sitting on Hombre) during the Texas Senior Pro Rodeo Association’s Rodeo held Sunday, August 16, 2026 at the Williamson County Expo Center. Denison has been competing in rodeos for decades. Texas Senior Rodeo Association competitors must be at least 40-years-old to compete. Many are in their 70s and 80s. Photo by Andy Sharp

Senior rodeo passes down traditions

The Texas Senior Pro Rodeo Association’s Rodeo was held last weekend, August 15 and 16, at the Williamson County Expo Center. Texas Senior Rodeo Association competitors must be at least 40-years-old to compete.  Many are in their 70s and 80s. Photo by Andy Sharp
Artist Shelby Gage smiles  Friday, August 14, while she puts finishing touches on a VFW mural she created for Msg. Ben D. Snowden Post 8587. Last steps included adding a clear coat to protect her work.

Artist Shelby Gage smiles Friday, August 14, while she puts finishing touches on a VFW mural she created for Msg. Ben D. Snowden Post 8587. Last steps included adding a clear coat to protect her work.

Navy vet’s wall painting pays tribute at Georgetown VFW

A local artist’s labor of love has turned a plain cinderblock wall at Georgetown’s VFW into a tribute for America’s military servicemembers.
Purple Martins gather in the sky over Greenlawn Crossing Shopping Complex on Friday, July 31, 2026.   Purple Martin Parties, hosted by  Travis Audubon, are being held behind the Wendy’s  on Friday, August 7th and Saturday, August 8th from 8-9pm.    Numbering in the thousands,  birds nest here before continuing their journey to a winter home in South America.  Photo by Andy Sharp

Purple Martins gather in the sky over Greenlawn Crossing Shopping Complex on Friday, July 31, 2026. Purple Martin Parties, hosted by Travis Audubon, are being held behind the Wendy’s on Friday, August 7th and Saturday, August 8th from 8-9pm. Numbering in the thousands, birds nest here before continuing their journey to a winter home in South America. Photo by Andy Sharp

Purple Martins take off in Round Rock

Purple Martin Parties, hosted by Travis Audubon, are being held behind the Wendy’s at 607 Louis Henna Boulevard,  Round Rock, on Friday, August 7, and Saturday, August 8, from 8-9 p.m. Numbering in the thousands,  birds nest here before continuing their journey to a winter home in South America.
A corn harvest continues under a Full Moon seen along County Road 366 on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.    Photo by Andy Sharp

A corn harvest continues under a Full Moon seen along County Road 366 on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Photo by Andy Sharp

Full Moon rises

 A Full Moon rises Tuesday, July 28, 2026.    Photo by Andy Sharp 
The main entrance area of the Williamson County Administration Building is pictured during the Grand Opening Celebration of the new facility on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.  A County Showcase was held in addition to a ribbon cutting ceremony in the County Commissioners Courtroom.   Photo by Andy Sharp

The main entrance area of the Williamson County Administration Building is pictured during the Grand Opening Celebration of the new facility on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. A County Showcase was held in addition to a ribbon cutting ceremony in the County Commissioners Courtroom. Photo by Andy Sharp

Williamson County opens new administrative building

The new county courtroom buzzed Tuesday morning with talk, hugs and handshakes as residents celebrated the opening of the new County Administration Building. “This building is a testament to the fast growing county,” County Judge Steve Snell said in his opening speech.
2-year-old Elliott Malz enjoys an icy treat on a warm morning during Market Days on Saturday, July 11, 2026.  Market Days  is held on the second Saturday  of the month in downtown Georgetown.   Photo by Andy Sharp

2-year-old Elliott Malz enjoys an icy treat on a warm morning during Market Days on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Market Days is held on the second Saturday of the month in downtown Georgetown. Photo by Andy Sharp

Beating the heat at Market Days

  Market Days  is held on the second Saturday of the month in downtown Georgetown.  Photos were taken Saturday, July 11. 
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.