Williamson County

 Pigs make their way around the course for the for the Swifty Swine show at the Williamson County Fair on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Held at the Williamson County Expo Center, the fair and rodeo continues through Saturday.   Photo by Andy Sharp.

Pigs make their way around the course for the for the Swifty Swine show at the Williamson County Fair on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Held at the Williamson County Expo Center, the fair and rodeo continues through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Williamson County Fair opening night

Held at the Williamson County Expo Center, the Williamson County Fair opened on Wednesday, October 22. The fair and rodeo continues through Saturday evening.  
The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved the tax abatement agreement for Labatt Food Services to set up shop in Jarrell. From left: Commissioners Terry Cook, Cynthia Long, County Judge Steve Snell, Commissioner Valerie Covey and Russ Boles. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved the tax abatement agreement for Labatt Food Services to set up shop in Jarrell. From left: Commissioners Terry Cook, Cynthia Long, County Judge Steve Snell, Commissioner Valerie Covey and Russ Boles. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County okays tax incentives for food distributor in Jarrell

Williamson County commissioners approved a tax abatement agreement for Labatt Food Service, LLC during the October 21 meeting. According to the company's website, Labatt Food Service is headquartered in San Antonio and is the 10th-largest food service distributor in the nation.
Larry Schmitt holds a sign that says “Tyrants Fear a Free Press” during a “No Kings” demonstration in downtown Taylor on on Saturday afternoon,  October 18, 2025. The crowd was approximately 300, mostly gathered at 2nd and Main Streets.  Photo by Andy Sharp.

Larry Schmitt holds a sign that says “Tyrants Fear a Free Press” during a “No Kings” demonstration in downtown Taylor on on Saturday afternoon, October 18, 2025. The crowd was approximately 300, mostly gathered at 2nd and Main Streets. Photo by Andy Sharp.

‘No Kings’ protests draws supporters, opposition, costumes

Demonstrators gathered in downtown Taylor on Saturday afternoon, October 18, for a "No Kings" protest. The crowd was approximately 300, mostly gathered at Second and Main Streets. Other nearby protests were held in Round Rock, Pflugerville and downtown Austin at the same time.- Photos by Andy Sharp
Scott Matthew, Williamson County’s executive director of Juvenile Services, front, is joined by Judge Ryan Larson of the 395th District Court, back, to answer questions about funding juvenile programs through grants. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Scott Matthew, Williamson County’s executive director of Juvenile Services, front, is joined by Judge Ryan Larson of the 395th District Court, back, to answer questions about funding juvenile programs through grants. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Justices seek grant opportunities to better help youth

Williamson County could receive more than $1 million in grants to fund juvenile assistance programs.During the October 14 Commissioners Court meeting, officials authorized justices of the peace to apply for grants supporting juvenile programs focused on substance use, violence and indigent defense.
Ekong Ikpe, 65, of Round Rock. Photo courtesy of the Williamson County Jail.

Ekong Ikpe, 65, of Round Rock. Photo courtesy of the Williamson County Jail.

Domestic violence shooting leads to arrest

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported shooting at the 5800 block of Parma Lane, located outside the city limits of Round Rock, around 9 a.m. October 12.
Emergency Management Director Bruce Clements provides an update on clean-up efforts during the Tuesday, October 14, commissioners court meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Emergency Management Director Bruce Clements provides an update on clean-up efforts during the Tuesday, October 14, commissioners court meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Flood update: County tackles debris slowly, assistance still available

It’s been three months since the region was hit by deadly flooding in July. Although Wilco Emergency Management and partners have been removing debris from the North and South forks of the San Gabriel River, the county is still only about 10 percent done with clean-up.
The Williamson County Commissioners Court, from left, Commissioners Terry Cook, Cynthia Long, County Judge Steve Snell and Commissioners Valerie Covey approve issuing a county-wide burn ban during the September 30 meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

The Williamson County Commissioners Court, from left, Commissioners Terry Cook, Cynthia Long, County Judge Steve Snell and Commissioners Valerie Covey approve issuing a county-wide burn ban during the September 30 meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County enacts fall burn ban due to dry conditions

The Williamson County Commissioners Court issued a countywide burn ban effective Tuesday, September 30, for up to 90 days as a precaution during increased drought conditions. The order may be lifted earlier by commissioners' court or the county judge if conditions improve.
Wilco Fair and Rodeo Fair Queens, inaugural Queen Morgan Notgrass (seated back), first runner up Courtney Hall (seated front) and Alexis Zua Zua (standing back), speak about this year’s fair and rodeo during the Commissioners Court meeting on August 12. Photo by Nalani Nuylan

Wilco Fair and Rodeo Fair Queens, inaugural Queen Morgan Notgrass (seated back), first runner up Courtney Hall (seated front) and Alexis Zua Zua (standing back), speak about this year’s fair and rodeo during the Commissioners Court meeting on August 12. Photo by Nalani Nuylan

Revived county fair and rodeo celebrates fifth year

From Ferris wheels to farming, lumberjacks to lassos, and barrel racing to barbecue, the Wilco Fair and Rodeo offers a little of everything.
County Commissioner Valerei Covey explains her reasoning for the Lipstick project during the September 9 Commissioners Court meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

County Commissioner Valerei Covey explains her reasoning for the Lipstick project during the September 9 Commissioners Court meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Commissioners hash out improvement projects

The Williamson County Commissioners Court allocated more than half of its designated Capital Improvement Projects budget to construction tasks during the September 9 meeting. Commissioners approved $25,459,211 of the $44.
Misty Valenta, director of animal services for Wilco, back, is joined by Laura Donahue, senior director of Best Friends Animal Society, front, to report on the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter’s success in 2024. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Misty Valenta, director of animal services for Wilco, back, is joined by Laura Donahue, senior director of Best Friends Animal Society, front, to report on the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter’s success in 2024. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Happy Trails: Animal shelter keeps no-kill status

The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter has maintained its no-kill designation from the Best Friends Animal Society.During the August 26 Commissioners Court meeting, the shelter received a plaque recognizing the distinction and provided an update on its programs.