Williamson County

The Williamson County Justices of the Peace attend the June 9 Commissioners Court to advocate entering into a contract with Tranquil Mortuary. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

The Williamson County Justices of the Peace attend the June 9 Commissioners Court to advocate entering into a contract with Tranquil Mortuary. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Commissioners, JPs debate exemption for transport contract

The Williamson County Commissioners Court voted to allow Hutto-based Tranquil Mortuary to continue providing transport services for recently-deceased bodies while directing county staff to pursue a formal contract, following debate over whether the service should have been competitively bid under...
Alvin Lankford, Chief Appraiser for the Williamson County Appraisal District, presents the 2026 preliminary data to the Commissioners Court, June 2. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Alvin Lankford, Chief Appraiser for the Williamson County Appraisal District, presents the 2026 preliminary data to the Commissioners Court, June 2. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County property appraisals total $188.9 billion

During his annual Chief Appraiser, Alvin Lankford said the total market value for Williamson County properties in 2026 is $188.91 billion, Chief Appraiser Alvin Lankford shared with commissioners court Tuesday, June 2. Compared with 2021 data, the market has appreciated by 76 percent in five years.
Jessica Ohle practices two minutes of chest compressions at the CPR class that was hosted by the Georgetown Fire Department and Williamson County EMS on June 3 for CPR Awareness Week. (Photo by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

Jessica Ohle practices two minutes of chest compressions at the CPR class that was hosted by the Georgetown Fire Department and Williamson County EMS on June 3 for CPR Awareness Week. (Photo by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

Georgetown, Williamson County first responders teach CPR on the Square

Cardiac-arrest victims have a 45 percent higher chance of survival when CPR chest compressions are started before first responders arrive at the scene. With that in mind, Georgetown Fire Department and Williamson County EMS held 10-minute hands-only CPR demonstrations on the courthouse lawn June 3.
Residents from Carlson Place, Saddle Creek, Pinnacle, Churchill Farms, Summercrest and University Park fill the Commissioner Courtroom during the May 19 meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Residents from Carlson Place, Saddle Creek, Pinnacle, Churchill Farms, Summercrest and University Park fill the Commissioner Courtroom during the May 19 meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Jail a done deal: Commissioners finalize $75M site purchase despite resident concerns

After an hour of public opposition from residents, Williamson County Commissioners Court finalized its contract to buy 248 acres off SE Inner Loop in South Georgetown for its future Jail and Justice Center.
The Sun’s staff, from left, Editor Nicholas Cicale, Reporter Nalani Nuylan, General Manager Jessica Ohle, Circulation Manager  Linda Fenton, Publishers Linda Scarbrough and Clark Thurmond, and reporters Kaitlyn Wilkes, Abbey Archer and Katherine Ham- ilton, join Williamson County Commissioners Tuesday, May 19, for a proclamation celebrating the newspaper’s 150th volume. Photo courtesy of Williamson County.

The Sun’s staff, from left, Editor Nicholas Cicale, Reporter Nalani Nuylan, General Manager Jessica Ohle, Circulation Manager Linda Fenton, Publishers Linda Scarbrough and Clark Thurmond, and reporters Kaitlyn Wilkes, Abbey Archer and Katherine Ham- ilton, join Williamson County Commissioners Tuesday, May 19, for a proclamation celebrating the newspaper’s 150th volume. Photo courtesy of Williamson County.

The Sun launches 150th volume

The Williamson County Sun entered its 150th year of operations Tuesday, May 19, by publishing Issue 1 of Volume 150.Each volume of the Sun represents one year of news coverage. Williamson County Commissioners Court honored the Sun and its 150th volume during its May 19 meeting.
Stephanie Tibbets, vice president for the Saddle Creek Board of Directors for the HOA and a retired pediatric sexual assault nurse examiner, speaks against the proposed Justice Complex location during the May 12 Commissioners Court meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Stephanie Tibbets, vice president for the Saddle Creek Board of Directors for the HOA and a retired pediatric sexual assault nurse examiner, speaks against the proposed Justice Complex location during the May 12 Commissioners Court meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Public pushback grows as Williamson County advances Justice Complex

The Williamson County Commissioners Court is moving ahead with plans to build a new Jail and Justice Center in South Georgetown on SE Inner Loop, despite growing public objections to the proposed location by residents in the area.
Ann Marie Kennon, wife of Judge Kennon, reads from his personal journal as part of her eulogy. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Ann Marie Kennon, wife of Judge Kennon, reads from his personal journal as part of her eulogy. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

District Judge remembered for fairness, laughter

Family, friends and colleagues of the late, honorable Judge Rick J. Kennon filled into the historic 26th District Court to celebrate his life Friday, May 8. Judge Kennon, 66, of Caldwell, Texas, passed away suddenly on April 10.
James Headrick, organizer for NotByOurSchools, which is a group of Georgetown residents who want the new Jail and Justice Center to be on a different property, speaks on why the current 248-acre site is not a good idea. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

James Headrick, organizer for NotByOurSchools, which is a group of Georgetown residents who want the new Jail and Justice Center to be on a different property, speaks on why the current 248-acre site is not a good idea. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Residents push back against potential jail site

Residents from six different Georgetown neighborhoods aired grievances Tuesday, May 5, about Williamson County’s plan to build a new jail and justice center on 248 acres on SE Inner Loop.
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.
Precinct 4 County Commissioner Russ Boles (right) welcomes Ronald Kurtz, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, to Wilco, April 24. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Precinct 4 County Commissioner Russ Boles (right) welcomes Ronald Kurtz, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, to Wilco, April 24. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

East Wilco Highway gets $5 million in federal funding

Williamson County officials were buzzing with excitement on Friday afternoon, as two major updates opened a new road and paved the way for another.