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.

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.

Fire engulfs another historic Taylor building

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.
Cameron Blodgett, 17, left, entered in steer wrestling (called chute dogging here), Bryden Gonzales, center, 18, entered in bull riding, and Talan Espinoza, 18, also entered in bull riding, wait for their time in the competition arena during the Bill Pickett Youth Rodeo, held at the Williamson County Expo Center  on Saturday, June 21, 2025.  Now in its second year, the rodeo showcases athletes 18 or younger. The event is coordinated by the Bill Pickett Youth Rodeo Association.     Photo by Andy Sharp.

Cameron Blodgett, 17, left, entered in steer wrestling (called chute dogging here), Bryden Gonzales, center, 18, entered in bull riding, and Talan Espinoza, 18, also entered in bull riding, wait for their time in the competition arena during the Bill Pickett Youth Rodeo, held at the Williamson County Expo Center on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Now in its second year, the rodeo showcases athletes 18 or younger. The event is coordinated by the Bill Pickett Youth Rodeo Association. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Bill Pickett Youth Rodeo in Taylor

The Bill Pickett Youth Rodeo was held at the Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor on Saturday, June 21.  Now in its second year, the rodeo showcases athletes 18 or younger. The event is coordinated by the Bill Pickett Youth Rodeo Association.    Photos by Andy Sharp
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.
Ethan Walden prepares to take part in Team Roping  at the 80th Williamson County Sheriff's Posse Rodeo on  Friday, June 28, 2024. Sun Archive.

Ethan Walden prepares to take part in Team Roping at the 80th Williamson County Sheriff's Posse Rodeo on Friday, June 28, 2024. Sun Archive.

Wrangle rodeo season with the WCSPR in Jarrell

The Williamson County Sheriff Posse Rodeo will host its annual event June 27-28 at the WCSP Arena, located at 1600 County Road 305 in Jarrell.
Linda Scarborough, co-owner and publisher of "The Williamson County Sun", passionately explained the history of the revitalization of the "Sun’s" office building at the Grace Heritage Center, April 22. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Linda Scarborough, co-owner and publisher of "The Williamson County Sun", passionately explained the history of the revitalization of the "Sun’s" office building at the Grace Heritage Center, April 22. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Through the archives

Lights spilt out from the windows of Grace Heritage Center on a not-so-typical Tuesday night. A packed crowd murmurs in small-talk conversation while munching on self-assembled charcuterie in the historic church, eagerly waiting for the evening’s presentation.
Cormorants gather at Murphy Park's rookery as a full moon wanders in and out of clouds on Thursday evening, March 13, 2025.  Photo by Andy Sharp.

Cormorants gather at Murphy Park's rookery as a full moon wanders in and out of clouds on Thursday evening, March 13, 2025. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Full moon above the rookery

Cormorants gather at Murphy Park's rookery as a full moon wanders in and out of clouds on Thursday evening, March 13, 2025. Photo by Andy Sharp. 
Melvin Orsack waits for the warming shelter  to open at San Gabriel Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Wednesday evening, February 19, 2025.   The shelter will be open until 9 a.m. on Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp

Melvin Orsack waits for the warming shelter to open at San Gabriel Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Wednesday evening, February 19, 2025. The shelter will be open until 9 a.m. on Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp

Warming Shelters open in Wilco during cold snap

Georgetown's San Gabriel Unitarian Universalist Fellowship warming shelter opened Wednesday, February 19 and will be open until 9 a.m. on Saturday to help while a cold front drops temperatures into the 20s and lower 30s.  In Taylor, a similar shelter opened in St.
Mayor of Yongin City Sang il Lee, left, gets introduced to Taylor Mayor Dwayne Ariola by County Judge Bill Gravell at the Taylor Expo Center, January 9.

Mayor of Yongin City Sang il Lee, left, gets introduced to Taylor Mayor Dwayne Ariola by County Judge Bill Gravell at the Taylor Expo Center, January 9.

A Seoul-ful celebration: Williamson County welcomes sister city

Gift exchanges, new experiences and heartfelt thanks were shared with out-of-town guests from Williamson County’s sister city on January 9. With an estimated 200 attendees at the Wilco Expo Center, the festive atmosphere was warm and welcoming.
From left to right: Karla Murillo, Jamie Zavodny, Denise Register, Andrew Larsen, Marc Hibner, Madison Seale, Sean Stevens, Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles, Jeffery Jenkins, Nathan Lerow, Russell Fishbeck, Jason Brown, Kelley Hernandez-Host, and Gabe Rodriguez break ground on the West Arena, Monday, December 2. Photo courtesy of Williamson County.

From left to right: Karla Murillo, Jamie Zavodny, Denise Register, Andrew Larsen, Marc Hibner, Madison Seale, Sean Stevens, Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles, Jeffery Jenkins, Nathan Lerow, Russell Fishbeck, Jason Brown, Kelley Hernandez-Host, and Gabe Rodriguez break ground on the West Arena, Monday, December 2. Photo courtesy of Williamson County.

Williamson County adds West Arena to Expo Center

 Williamson County broke ground on the Williamson County Expo Center West Arena during a ceremony on Monday, December 2 in Taylor.The West Arena project will feature a new 175-foot by 450-foot facility, including a covered arena.
Christopher “Ali” Vassef and Leonora Soriano were killed in a wreck September 5, 2022, when their vehicle was struck by a drunk driver in Williamson County. (Courtesy Williamson County District Attorney's Office)

Christopher “Ali” Vassef and Leonora Soriano were killed in a wreck September 5, 2022, when their vehicle was struck by a drunk driver in Williamson County. (Courtesy Williamson County District Attorney's Office)

Drunk driver gets 40 years for manslaughter of Elgin couple

Taylor resident John Crayton, Jr. was convicted of intoxication manslaughter on November 14 and sentenced to 40 years in prison. Charges stem from a vehicular wreck that killed Elgin couple Leonora Soriano and Christopher “Ali” Vassef in 2022.