The design changes for the proposed Hampton Inn & Suites that got the nod Tuesday will help speed up the project, according to Roshan Patel with Triangle Engineering, representing developer Taylor Star LLC.

The hotel development at 140 N.W. Carlos G. Parker Blvd. will join Home2 Suites and Holiday Inn Express & Suites in the growing area between the Taylor Regional Park and Sports Complex and H-E-B.

The 2.5-acre, four-story project will have 113 rooms and 113 parking spaces.

The site is zoned as P5, a designation which allows hotels but requires developments to have all parking in the rear of the building.

The board, however, approved parking on all sides of the site to accommodate the 113 spots.

Development Services Director Martin Griggs said the developer asked for a variance because the shape of the building along with a 26-foot-wide fire lane and access easement at the front would not allow the structure to sit far enough forward to allow parking in the rear.

The board also approved reducing the facade build-out from 80% of the lot frontage to 63%. Due to the lot’s configuration, the larger facade as required by local rules would have eliminated the drive aisles, access point and fire lane.

The board’s variance ruling does not have to go before City Council for approval, so Patel said Triangle Engineering will be able to move quickly to finalize plans.

Also during the Williamson County Commissioners Court meeting May 5, the leaders honored the Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office; covered amendments to previously approved software licenses and updates; and heard from residents concerned about the proposed Justice Complex.

During the Tuesday session, the commissioners gave the green light to lodge a pair of formal complaints against the TCEQ regarding municipal utility districts 67 and 69.

“The reason why we’re protesting them (with TCEQ) is because the rest of the county could fill in as a MUD, which would then be under the county,” said Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey.

MUDs provide water, sewage, drainage and other services to areas outside of city boundaries and are often precursors to developments.

Covey noted issues with MUDs frequently come before the commissioners.

She added the protests do not signal the county wants to kill the MUDs under the oversight of TCEQ.

“We just want them to work with us,” she said.

County Judge Steven Snell added, “We definitely want to work together and make sure we’re moving forward in the best interest of the county.”

The commissioners also lauded the Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office after Williamson County was one of three in Texas to receive the Gold Level Recognition in the Performance Quality Recognition Program from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

“The PQRP celebrates outstanding partnerships that result in better service for Texans,” said Annette Quintero, director of Vehicle Titles and Registration for TxDMV.

“Our team is honored to receive this Gold Level Recognition,” said Tax Assessor- Collector Larry Gaddes. “This award reflects the dedication and professionalism of every staff member across our offices, from our frontline customer service teams to our accounting and title specialists.”

According to officials, the county’s DMV has a 99% customer satisfaction rating.

Meanwhile, with no discussion, the court approved a program manager-level three contract position, in conjunction with GTS Technology Solutions Inc., for the county’s Information Systems Department for 1,300 hours with a salary not to exceed $201,500.

The court also approved the purchase of additional Microsoft Azure licenses for public-safety needs through SoftwareOne Inc. for county offices and buying 37 Panasonic FZ-55 Toughbooks at more than $170,000 for the Criminal Investigation Division of the William County Sheriff’s Office.

At both the beginning and the end of the session, several Georgetown residents spoke out against the site chosen for the county’s new Justice Complex, noting the location is one-third of a mile away from two schools and backs up against the Pinnacle neighborhood.

The planned center will include a new county jail.

In March, commissioners approved the purchase of 253 acres for nearly $76 million for the future complex in southeast Georgetown. The largest tract is a 134-acre triangular property at 1200 CR 110.

Covey asked residents to provide information to County Manager Rebecca Clemons for further review.

The court next meets at 9:30 a.m. May 12 at 710 S. Main St. Sessions can also be viewed online at wilcotx.gov/331/ Commissioners- Court.

Officers are seeking the public’s assistance to develop more leads in the case, according to a city news release.

Alfred Olguin Flores, 48, was found about 5 p.m. Sunday, May 3, in the 1000 block of Price Street.

Though authorities so far remain tight-lipped about the incident including how the victim died, additional information will be released to the public as it becomes available, officials said.

“The investigation is ongoing and is being investigated as a murder,” according to a release from the Police Department.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Aaron Koch at aaron.koch@taylortx.gov or call 512-3525551 ext. 2228.

The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the victim’s identity, officials said.

Taylor officers are working on the case with cooperation from the Texas Rangers, the Williamson County Crime Scene Unit, the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office and a Williamson County death investigator.

Phillips Worm Farm was a family-owned business on Texas 95 just south of Taylor. Owned and operated by Henry and Olene Phillips and their daughters, Sue and Brenda, the worms lived in peat moss contained in raised beds in a building behind their house.

Keep in mind, we’re talking about hundreds of thousands of worms, and they required the same basic care you would give to any “livestock” raised on a farm.

“They had to be watered and fed every day,” Brenda recalled. “We sprinkled oats all over the top that had been ground into a very fine powder. With that many worms in one place, you could actually hear them smacking as they ate.”

When you have huge numbers of worms eating and drinking daily, you also end up with lots of manure, known officially as worm castings. Over a period of about six months, the level of peat moss would grow about six inches in height from all the poop added by the little wigglers.

“We would pile up the existing dirt in the middle of the bed,” Brenda explained. “Then we would spread fresh peat moss all around it. The worms would crawl out of the pile and into the fresh, clean bedding.”

The discarded worm castings proved to be a very nutrient-rich soil the family sold by the pickup load. Olene eventually opened a second business on the property, The Flower Barn, where she grew incredibly beautiful plants with the plentiful byproduct of worm farming. Totally unrelated to the worm business, she also opened a successful ceramics business on the property.

Henry’s other job involved working for the phone company for a number of years.

My family was friends with the Phillips, and we would visit them on occasion. I remember when Sue and Brenda were in high school, and Sue taught me how to swim in the pool at the old Carlow Motel on Second Street. If you remember the Carlow, then you know the sign for the motel was the inspiration for the sign that now welcomes visitors coming into Taylor from the west on U.S. 79.

While I’ve known for quite some time our two families have been acquainted for at least a couple of generations, I just recently discovered that we are also related. Brenda and Sue’s greatgrandmother and my great-grandfather were brother and sister.

As a young boy, I found the worm business fascinating. I still remember going into the building out back and seeing all those raised beds lined up in rows. At the time, I never thought about having to give all those worms food and water, or fresh bedding, or that lights stayed on around the clock.

“We raised two kinds of worms to sell, the smaller red wigglers and African night crawlers, which were larger,” Brenda said. “The lights were kept on around the clock to keep the night crawlers in their place. If they ever sensed it was dark, they would become more active and leave.”

Phillips Worm Farm began in 1952 and served the needs of area fishing enthusiasts for several decades. They started out raising rabbits with a few worms added to the soil under the cages to help manage the waste. When people started asking to buy the worms to go fishing, and the rabbits failed to show a profit, the family redirected their attention to the worm business instead. The worms reproduced with such frequency the family never needed to restock from outside sources. As demand grew, the business expanded beyond the capacity of the building that had previously been a portable classroom purchased from the Granger Independent School District.

They built a large brush arbor for the red wigglers since those worms didn’t have to have the lights on 24/7.

Henry and Olene often hired high school boys to help with handling the huge bales of peat moss and large quantities of ground oats as well as counting worms and other duties. One of those students was Gerald Welch, Brenda’s future husband.

Brenda recalled how she and Sue separated the big worms from the little ones and counted them out one by one to package for sale. They sold 30 worms for $1 to drive-up customers, and wholesale at $20 for a thousand.

Years later, Brenda and Gerald’s son, Clint, helped care for the worms. At age 6, he planned to take over the family business someday so his grandparents wouldn’t have to work so hard.

On more than one occasion, the family was awakened by a predawn honk from an eager fisherman.

“We’ve had them come too early,” Olene said in a 1990 interview with the Austin American-Statesman.

“We don’t really get mad, but we don’t really appreciate getting up at four or five in the morning.”

Looking back, Brenda said all the responsibilities of working in the family business taught her a good work ethic. She recalls getting paid 10 cents an hour to work with the worms while her friends laboring at local dime stores earned 35 cents an hour. Later, she began working for C. R. Anthony on Main Street for 75 cents an hour.

When asked how she felt about working with worms, Brenda said, “I liked the rabbits better. As a teenage girl, there were times when it was kind of embarrassing. But we had done this since we were little so they weren’t creepy to us.”

Phillips Worm Farm is long gone but continues to be a pleasant memory for their many customers through the years. One of those loyal customers asked to have the sign that stood at the end of their driveway by the highway, and placed it on the side of his barn to remember this part of Taylor’s history.

Join me here in a couple of weeks as we explore another tale from Taylor. Until then, be proud of where you’re from.

Crow is a longtime Taylor resident and retired from the Taylor Independent School District after 40 years of service. For a topic or suggestion, reach out to Crow via jason.chlapek@granite mediapartners.com.

HUTTO — A fond farewell to an outgoing councilman, supporting cooperation with a new industrial development and ordering a noise study of data centers topped this past week’s City Council meeting.

During the May 7 session, Councilman Peter Gordon was lauded for his seven years on the dais after hitting term limits, which meant he could not run in the May 2 election. Corinne Zepeda is moving into the Place 4 seat and will take the oath of office May 12 after the voting results are canvassed.

City Manager James Earp presented Gordon with a certificate of appreciation, a bouquet, a plaque and a photo book of his years serving the city.

Gordon’s tenure included being the mayor pro-tem and participation on many boards and commissions overseeing city growth.

“From infrastructure to long-term planning, Council Member Gordon has had a seat at the table for all of it,” Earp said.

Gordon took office in May 2019 and helped helm Hutto through a pandemic and a full city financial restructuring in which more than 40 people lost their jobs.

He was also part of the city’s rebuilding after the upheaval, presiding during a time that saw a new City Hall and library built, construction of the Hutto Megasite, exponential city growth and the beginning of a concerted infrastructure improvement program.

The exiting representative told listeners one of his proudest achievements included helping negotiate the new agreement with The Hutto Co-op District that reinvigorated the development near City Hall and voting to bring the SkyBox Datacenters complex to Hutto.

When it’s fully activated, Skybox will help reduce the tax burden on residents more than any other project in the city, he said.

“I learned very quickly it was impossible for me to please everyone all the time. I realized that I was doing fine as long as I didn’t make everybody mad at me all at once,” Gordon said.

Opus Development gets council nod

City leaders during the meeting Thursday also directed municipal staffers to continue building a relationship with the developers of a 69-acre, light-industrial project known as the Opus Development.

Amanda Swor, a director with Austin-based Drenner Group representing the Opus Development Group, said they are asking city staff to continue working with them on development applications including service extension requests, development agreements, permits and others.

Two buildings will measure 800,000 square feet. In addition, the site includes two adjacent parcels, 50.58 acres which have already been annexed into the city and 18.74 acres for which the developer intends to request annexation.

The property lies between CR 108 and Ed Schmidt Boulevard.

The developer plans to build a public street connecting the two roads, which is an extension the city had already identified as a desired road in its thoroughfare master plan.

Total project investment is estimated at $125 million. Swor said the developer is in negotiations with potential tenants, though their identities remain confidential for now.

Data center sound study ordered

The council members also directed staff to develop a proposal for a sound study that would include measurements of existing and operating data centers.

The study will include lowfrequency tonal noise as well as measured loudness.

The request comes after some residents protested a proposed data center at an April 7 Planning and Zoning Commission hearing. Many of the complaints centered on health issues connected with noise from data centers.

On April 17, the city announced Zydeco Development had formally withdrawn its application to build a data center on a 41-acre parcel on Ed Schmidt Boulevard.

Mayor Mike Snyder said he wanted the city to gather data and create regulations for special-use permits that would govern where and how data centers could be built within city limits.

The protocol would include maximum levels of noise that would be permitted as well as water usage and other factors.

Snyder said another reason to have the study is to avoid the backlash neighboring cities such as Taylor are seeing over data centers.

“In Taylor, the public is petitioning to write their own SUP guidelines, which I am firmly against. So, I’d rather have input from the staff, our input, input with the consultant and we come up with the SUP process,” Snyder said.

“

I was doing fine as long as I didn’t make everybody mad at me all at once.”

— Councilman Peter Gordon

SATURDAY, MAY 9

• Sunflower Festival and Unicorns at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: https:// www.sweeteats.com/.

• “Mom’s Day Market” at Talbot Commons, 616 Talbot St., Taylor, 9 a.m. to noon, free.

• “Mother’s Day Build a Bouquet” at Hutto Wine Bar, 105 East St., Hutto, 6-8 p.m. Tickets: huttowinebar.com.

• Heritage Square Farmers Market, 400 N. Main St., Taylor, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., free.

• “Shred Fest” at Pierce Park, 326 Porter St., Taylor, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Open mic at Black Sparrow Music Parlor, 113 W. Second St., Taylor, 6 p.m., free, ages 18 and up.

• “Kubo and the Two Strings” hosted by the Taylor Film Society at Dickey-Givens Community Center, 1015 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Taylor, 7 p.m., free.

• “Shameless, A Garth Brooks Tribute” at Coupland Dance Hall, 101 Hoxie St., Coupland, doors open at 6 p.m. Ticket information at CouplandDancehall.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 10 MOTHER’S DAY

• Sunflower Festival and Unicorns at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: https:// www.sweeteats.com/.

MONDAY, MAY 11

• Sunflower Festival and Unicorns at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: https:// www.sweeteats.com/.

• Chair yoga at Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor, 9:30 a.m., free.

• “Moving Stories Monday” at The Story Emporium & Bookshop, 202 U.S. 79, Hutto, 10:30–11:30 a.m. for ages 4–12, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for ages 13–18.

• Sketch Club at Atelier 95, 311 N. Main St., Taylor, doors open at 6 p.m. Donation: $15, ages 18 and up.

TUESDAY, MAY 12

• Sunflower Festival and Unicorns at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: https:// www.sweeteats.com/.

• SeniorFit by Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St., Taylor, 10:30 a.m., $5.

• Pilates by Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St., Taylor, 6 p.m., $5.

• Track time and walk to run by Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St., Taylor, 6:30 p.m., $12.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13

• Sunflower Festival and Unicorns at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: https:// www.sweeteats.com/.

• Storytime at Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor, 10:30 a.m., free, all ages.

• Preschool Storytime at the Hutto Public Library, 500 W. Live Oak St., Hutto, 11 a.m.

• Senior Social at Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor, 2 p.m., free.

• Hutto Farmers Market at 350 Ed Schmidt Blvd., Hutto, 3-7 p.m.

• Community Gathering with St. James at Black Sparrow Music Parlor, 113 W. Second St., Taylor, 6 p.m., free, all ages.

• Yoga by Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St., Taylor, 6:30 p.m., $5.

THURSDAY, MAY 14

• Sunflower Festival and Unicorns at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: https:// www.sweeteats.com/.

• Chair yoga at Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor, 9:30 a.m., free.

• Butts ’N’ Guts by Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St., Taylor, 6 p.m., $5.

• “Limoncello Making Class” at Hutto Wine Bar, 105 East St., Hutto, 6-7:30 p.m. Tickets: huttowinebar. com.

• Track time and walk to run by Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St., Taylor, 6:30 p.m., $12.

FRIDAY, MAY 15

• Sunflower Festival and Unicorns at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: https://www.sweeteats. com/.

• Senior Social at Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor, 2 p.m., free.

• SeniorFit by Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St., Taylor, 10:30 a.m., $5.

• Karaoke Night and pool tournament at Cotton Country Club, 212 E. Davilla St., Granger, doors open at 5 p.m.

• Live Music at Hutto Wine Bar, 105 East St., Hutto, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

• Sterling Country at SPJST Lodge 29, 5025 FM 619, Taylor, 7:30-11:30 p.m., free.

SATURDAY, MAY 16

• Sunflower Festival and Unicorns at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: https://www.sweeteats. com/.

• Heritage Square Farmers Market, 400 N. Main St., Taylor, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., free.

• “The Parlor Presents” at Black Sparrow Music Parlor, 113 W. Second St., Taylor, 4 p.m., free.

• Meets the first and third Wednesday at Sirloin Stockade, 3607 N. Main St., Taylor.

ROTARY CLUB

• Meets noon Thursday at Sirloin Stockade, 3607 N. Main St., Taylor.

STITCHIN’ TIME AND HOOKS & NEEDLES

• Meets 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., and 1:30-4 p.m. Fridays at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3505 N. Main St., Taylor. For more, call Dorothy at 512-914-1371.

LIONS CLUB

• Meets noon Friday at Sirloin Stockade, 3607 N. Main St., Taylor.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP Meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays each month in the Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor.

Are we missing your civic organization? Submit your group’s info to news@taylorpress.net or by calling 512-352-8535.

What do think of when the name Ted Turner comes to mind?

For some, it might be Headline News or the Cable News Network — CNN. For others, it’s the Atlanta Braves baseball club.

For me, my initial thought is World Championship Wrestling.

Turner once owned all of these entities.

On Wednesday, Turner died at the age of 87. He accomplished more than most on the journey from the cradle to the grave.

After starting in the billboard business, Turner bought an Atlanta television station in 1970, which became the Turner Broadcasting System. The station aired nationwide through cable television providers.

Turner also became a pioneer in news coverage. He introduced the world to CNN and Headline News in 1980, which became the first station to air a 24-hour news cycle.

Turner also launched other popular cable channels such as Turner Network Television or TNT, the Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies, to name a few. He also owned the Braves, the team that won the World Series in 1995, and the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks for a brief period.

My favorite Turner venture took place in 1988. He purchased a wrestling promotion, which was later named World Championship Wrestling.

Turner helped wrestlers such as Richard Fliehr (Ric Flair), Steven Borden (Sting) and Lenny Pfiel (Lex Luger) reach international stardom. He also helped WCW win the ratings war against Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation — now World Wrestling Entertainment — in the mid-1990s.

Ironically, former WWF/E superstars Terry Bollea (Hulk Hogan), Randy Poffo (Randy Savage), Scott Hall and Kevin Nash helped WCW in the ratings wars from 1996-98. That quartet formed the New World Order faction, which became one of the biggest heel — or “bad guy” — groups in wrestling history.

Sadly, WCW was ultimately bought out by McMahon and WWF/E. Meanwhile, Turner broadcasting merged with Time Warner in 1996.

In the 1990s, Turner became critical of religion, particularly Christianity. But in a 2013 interview with the Christian Broadcast Network, he said he prayed for a friend who had cancer.

My prayer is that Turner found Jesus before his death. While being the originator of the 24-hour news cycle and the owner of professional sports franchises and a wrestling organization is impressive, none of that holds a candle to being a follower of Jesus in my opinion.

While the Good Lord is the only one who knows where Turner will spend life after death, the world did lose a media icon this past week. Turner truly was a media pioneer.

Chlapek is the area editor of the Taylor Press and Elgin Courier. He can be reached at jason.chlapek@granite mediapartners.com.

I have not infrequently heard people say, “Hate the sin but love the sinner” or interchangeably, “Love the sinner but hate the sin.” These days, we often hear such phrasing when referencing the LGBTQ community, but it came to be used frequently in the 20thcentury evangelical Christian culture in reference to moral issues.

• Hate the adultery but love the adulterer

• Hate the thievery but love the thief

• Hate the murder but love the murderer

• Hate the abuse of children but love the abuser The expression gets translated to the LGBTQ community as “Love the person, but hate the sin,” which we aren’t sure how to talk about since “the sin” often looks like a loving marriage or a life partnership.

“The sin” looks like a thousand acts that happen between people we don’t label as LGBTQ: holding hands, a warm embrace, words of care and endearment. As far as I can tell, “the sin” is primarily focused on what we imagine other people are doing in private spaces, which is oddly quite similar to what people we don’t label as LBGTQ do in their private spaces.

Jonathan Merritt, a gay man who writes extensively about faith and culture, wrote about this expression: “Many who use this phrase don’t intend to harm others but wish to express love for another at some level. But the scriptural reasoning behind this phrase is unclear. Jesus never asked us to ‘Love the sinner, hate the sin’ and neither did any other biblical writer. ….

“I think Jesus knew that if he commanded his disciples to ‘love the sinner,’ they would begin looking at other people more as sinners than neighbors. And that, inevitably, would lead to judgment. If I love you more as a sinner than as my neighbor, then I am bound to focus more on your sin. I will start looking for all the things that are wrong with you. And perhaps, without intending it, I will begin thinking about our relationship like this: ‘You are a sinner, but I graciously choose to love you anyway.’ If that sounds a little puffed up, selfrighteous and even prideful to you, then you have perceived accurately.”

Jesus also did not say “Thou shalt not judge.” He did say, “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For the judgment you give will be the judgment you get, and the measure you give will be the measure you get” Matthew 7:1-2 NRSVue.

Jesus teaches that we should judge righteously using an appropriate standard of judgment and that our judgment begins with ourselves, not with others.

Two important commandments for our times: “Love your neighbor” and “Do not judge so that you may not be judged.”

Pierce is the vicar of St. James’ Episcopal Church in Taylor and can be reached by email at ministry@ stjamestaylor.org.

Despite those expectations, the Lady Hippos still managed to exceed them, capping off an incredibly dominant regular season with a 15-1 district record and a district championship following a dramatic 6-4 victory over Vista Ridge.

Hutto head coach Matthew Mullins spoke about his team’s accomplishment.

“Just from the jump during the offseason, they meshed together very well. The camaraderie is the best I’ve had here at Hutto,” Mullins said. “They showed up for each other not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. So, I had a good idea that we would be successful.”

Kiyoke Earle came through with the game-winning hit as the Lady Hippos secured the district title.

“There was so much riding on that game with the district championship, but we kept reminding the girls — and they kept reminding themselves — that we have been here before,” Mullins said. “We have been down late and we have been down early, and that’s what we did.”

Hutto dominated the remainder of its district schedule after an 8-7 extra-inning loss to Stony Point in the district opener. The Lady Hippos rattled off 15 straight district wins as part of a 20-game winning streak.

The Lady Hippos won 11 of those 15 district games by 10 or more runs in a season filled with dominant performances.

Hutto featured a lineup with few weaknesses, finishing the season with a team batting average above .400. The offense was led by senior second baseman Sophie McElyea, senior third baseman Kenna Spence and senior catcher M’Kayla Hicks.

“We try to balance out the lineup so it’s not top-heavy and you have players who are dangerous throughout,” Mullins said. “The productivity we got from the top of our lineup was good, but the productivity we got from our 6-7-8 hitters, that’s what sets you up for big-time success.”

The Lady Hippos also received strong production from several underclassmen, including sophomore Kaelyn Price, freshman Jenna May, freshman Brooklyn Moldenhour and sophomore pitcher Bailey Kelley, all of whom played major roles throughout the season.

The season, however, ended on a bittersweet note as the Lady Hippos were unable to get past the second round for the second straight year. Last season, Hutto fell to Taft, while this season it was swept by San Antonio Clark in the area round.

“We just have to stay in the fight, keep being in the moment and when opportunities present themselves, we have to take advantage of them,” Mullins said. “We had many opportunities against Clark and we came up short.”

Still, the future remains bright in Hutto. The Lady Hippos are set to return 14 players from this year’s team, and they will likely enter next season as the favorite to win the district title once again.

THRALL – When it comes to the Thrall softball team’s “secret to success,” it’s really no secret at all.

The team’s players and coaches rely on three F’s – Faith, Family and Fun. In a day and age where faith is frowned upon in some circles – public schools included – the Tigerettes revolve their success around a higher authority.

“Faith is very important,” said Miley Pokorny, Thrall’s Pitcher. “Before each inning, we go out to the circle and say that no matter what happens, Jesus loves us and He’s so much bigger than softball. It’s who we are in Christ and it’s bigger than the game.”

Pokorny and her teammates are halfway to a trip to the region final after defeating Nacogdoches Central Heights, 3-0, Thursday evening at Montgomery High School. The Tigerettes have a 1-0 lead in the Class 3A-Division II region semifinal series and can clinch the series with a win today.

Game Two takes place at 2 p.m. today at Montgomery High School with a third game to follow if necessary. In the series opener, Pokorny struck out 11 batters and gave up a hit, two walks and a hit batter in the win.

“Central Heights is a very good team. They have a solid pitcher,” said Matt Pokorny, Thrall Head Coach. “The key is to keep the girls happy and locked in, play for each other and give God the glory. We’re ready to rock and roll.”

The head coach is the pitcher’s dad as well. Matt has coached Miley since she was 5.

“I wouldn’t say that he’s harder on me than the rest of my teammates, but he knows what I can do,” Miley said of her dad and coach.

Next year will be a first for the younger Pokorny. She will play at Concordia-Austin under a coach not named Matt Pokorny.

“It’s going to be different not having Dad as a coach, but I’ve met the coaches at Concordia and they’re all really good,” Miley said. “They’re like a family and they’re Christ-Centered, which is what I was looking for in a school and team.”

Junior catcher/utility player Kenzie Engelke has been one of the top hitters for the Tigerettes this season. She also spent most of her playing career catching for Pokorny.

“Catching for Miley has been fun. We have a lot of inside jokes, and we work together very well,” Engelke said. “I’ve talked to Concordia and that’s definitely an option for playing after high school.”

Engelke said the team has a threeseconds rule. They’re allowed to dwell on a negative play for three seconds then it’s time to move on.

“The happy mindset helps us trust each other and work together as a team. If we play loose, we play better,” Engelke said. “We focus on the next play. We focus on what we can control.”

In last week’s threegame series against McGregor, there were a lot of “three-seconds” moments as the Tigerettes committed multiple errors in the trio of contests. Rainy and cold conditions had something to do with that, however.

“We can’t control the weather, but we can control the little things,” Engelke said. “If we take care of the little things, the big things will come.”

Thrall (28-9) controlled the little things Thursday night. The Tigerettes did not commit an error and were able to piece together timely hits to score their runs.

Thrall broke a scoreless tie in the top of the second inning on an RBI double from Riley Luton, who played catcher Thursday night. Engelke was the designated player and batted in place of Pokorny. The score remained the same until Ryleigh Jensen hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh. Central Heights put runners on second and third base with two outs in the bottom of the sixth before Pokorny ended the threat with a strikeout.

Engelke (1-3, 3B), Jensen (1-3, HR, 2 RBI), Luton (1-2, BB, 2B, RBI) and A Bishop (1-3) recorded hits for Thrall Thursday night. Central Heights’ only hit came in the bottom of the sixth with one out.

With a win today, the Tigerettes will face either Kirbyville or District 19-3A rival Lexington. Those teams split the first two games of their region semifinal series and play a decisive third game today.

“We have great teammates and a positive mindset. It’s very important at their age to keep them happy,” Matt Pokorny said. “We have a lot of underclassmen who have come in and we’re teaching them what we know. It’s not just me. It’s the coaches, it’s the girls, and it’s the buy-in process as well. These girls are going to step up.”

Barrett received a firstround bye before defeating Samantha White of San Antonio Cole 6-3, 6-2. She advanced to the semifinals with that win, but lost to eventual state champion Amelia Taylor of Wall, 6-2, 6-1, in the semifinal round.

Barrett won the District 19-3A and Region III-3A championships this season. She will play tennis next year at Concordia-Austin.

Hutto's Economic Development Corp entered a contract with Fidelis, a leading retail real estate development firm, for the development of approximately 58 acres on the Cottonwood Properties, located just north of US 79 and west of CR 132. This agreement marks a milestone in the city's ongoing efforts to expand its commercial base and bring new retail options to the community.

"Fidelis is the partner we were waiting for," said Caitlin Morales, HEDC Vice Chair. "This site is crucial to Hutto's growth and giving its residents a sense of place in their own community. The Fidelis team has the experience and the track record to do something really special here, and we are proud and excited for what's to come."

The project, to be known as Cottonwood Marketplace, will bring a major retail destination to one of Hutto's most strategically located properties, creating new shopping, dining and gathering opportunities for residents while generating jobs and increasing the city's tax base. The HEDC has been actively working to attract quality development partners, and the contract with Fidelis represents the kind of meaningful investment the organization has been working toward.

More on this can be seen in a future edition of the Taylor Press. To subscribe to the Taylor Press, email carolyn.hill@taylorpress.net or call 512-365-8535.

• Baby Animal Days at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tickets: https://www.sweeteats.com/.

• Storytime at Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor, 10:30 a.m., free, all ages.

• Preschool Storytime at the Hutto Public Library, 500 W. Live Oak St., Hutto, 11 a.m.

• Senior Social at Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor, 2 p.m., free.

• Hutto Farmers Market at 350 Ed Schmidt Blvd., Hutto, 3-7 p.m.

• Yoga by Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St., Taylor, 6:30 p.m., $5.

• Downtown Taylor Book Club at Curio Mrvosa Books and More, 114 N. Main St., Taylor, 7 p.m., free.

Thursday, May 7

• Baby Animal Days at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tickets: https://www.sweeteats.com/.

• Chair yoga at Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor, 9:30 a.m., free.

• Butts ’N’ Guts by Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St., Taylor, 6 p.m., $5.

• “150 Years in Taylor: Marcella Schoener Award” at Taylor Mansion, 2109 E. Fourth St., Taylor, 6-9 p.m. Tickets: https://www.zeffy. com/en-US/ticketing/4th-annual-marcellashoener- award.

• Track time and walk to run by Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St., Taylor, 6:30 p.m., $12.

• Taylor Neighbors Coalition at Black Sparrow Music Parlor, 113 W. Second St., Taylor, 7 p.m., free, ages 18 and up.

• Taylor Conservation and Heritage Society Soiree at Taylor Mansion, 2109 E. Fourth St., 6-9 p.m.

Friday: May 8

• Baby Animal Days at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tickets: https://www.sweeteats.com/.

• Senior Social at Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor, 2 p.m., free.

• SeniorFit by Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St., Taylor, 10:30 a.m., $5.

• Karaoke Night and pool tournament at Cotton Country Club, 212 E. Davilla St., Granger, doors open at 5 p.m.

• Live music at Hutto Wine Bar, 105 East St., Hutto, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

• Robert Lawhorn and Triple Threat at SPJST Lodge 29, 5025 FM 619, Taylor, 7:30-11:30 p.m., free.

• “Red: Taylor Swift Tribute” at Coupland Dance Hall, 101 Hoxie St., Coupland, doors open at 6 p.m. Ticket information at CouplandDancehall.com

Saturday, May 9

• Sunflower Festival and Unicorns at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: https://www.sweeteats. com/.

• “Mom’s Day Market” at Talbot Commons, 616 Talbot St., Taylor, 9 a.m. to noon, free.

• “Mother’s Day Build a Bouquet” at Hutto Wine Bar, 105 East St., Hutto, 6-8 p.m. Tickets: huttowinebar.com.

• Heritage Square Farmers Market, 400 N.

Main St., Taylor, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., free.

• “Shred Fest” at Pierce Park, 326 Porter St., Taylor, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Open mic at Black Sparrow Music Parlor, 113 W. Second St., Taylor, 6 p.m., free, ages 18 and up.

• “Kubo and the Two Strings” hosted by the Taylor Film Society at Dickey-Givens Community Center, 1015 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Taylor, 7 p.m., free.

• “Shameless, A Garth Brooks Tribute” at Coupland Dance Hall, 101 Hoxie St., Coupland, doors open at 6 p.m. Ticket information at CouplandDancehall.com.

Sunday, May 10 Mother’s Day • Sunflower Festival and Unicorns at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: https://www.sweeteats. com/.

Monday, May 11

• Sunflower Festival and Unicorns at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: https://www.sweeteats. com/.

• Chair yoga at Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor, 9:30 a.m., free.

• “Moving Stories Monday” at The Story Emporium & Bookshop, 202 U.S. 79, Hutto, 10:30–11:30 a.m. for ages 4–12, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for ages 13–18.

• Sketch Club at Atelier 95, 311 N. Main St., Taylor, doors open at 6 p.m. Donation: $15, ages 18 and up.

Tuesday, May 12

• Sunflower Festival and Unicorns at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: https://www.sweeteats. com/.

• SeniorFit by Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St., Taylor, 10:30 a.m., $5.

• Pilates by Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St., Taylor, 6 p.m., $5.

• Track time and walk to run by Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St., Taylor, 6:30 p.m., $12.

Wednesday, May 13

• Sunflower Festival and Unicorns at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: https://www.sweeteats. com/.

• Storytime at Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor, 10:30 a.m., free, all ages.

• Preschool Storytime at the Hutto Public Library, 500 W. Live Oak St., Hutto, 11 a.m.

• Senior Social at Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor, 2 p.m., free.

• Hutto Farmers Market at 350 Ed Schmidt Blvd., Hutto, 3-7 p.m.

• Community Gathering with St. James at Black Sparrow Music Parlor, 113 W. Second St., Taylor, 6 p.m., free, all ages.

• Yoga by Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St., Taylor, 6:30 p.m., $5.

Thursday, May 14

• Sunflower Festival and Unicorns at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: https://www.sweeteats. com/.

• Chair yoga at Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor, 9:30 a.m., free.

• Butts ’N’ Guts by Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St., Taylor, 6 p.m., $5.

• “Limoncello Making Class” at Hutto Wine Bar, 105 East St., Hutto, 6-7:30 p.m. Tickets: huttowinebar.com.

• Track time and walk to run by Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St., Taylor, 6:30 p.m., $12.

Friday, May 15

• Sunflower Festival and Unicorns at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: https://www.sweeteats. com/.

• Senior Social at Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor, 2 p.m., free.

• SeniorFit by Taylor Parks and Recreation Department, 1412 Davis St., Taylor, 10:30 a.m., $5.

• Karaoke Night and pool tournament at Cotton Country Club, 212 E. Davilla St., Granger, doors open at 5 p.m.

• Live Music at Hutto Wine Bar, 105 East St., Hutto, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

• Sterling Country at SPJST Lodge 29, 5025 FM 619, Taylor, 7:30-11:30 p.m., free.

Saturday, May 16

• Sunflower Festival and Unicorns at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: https://www.sweeteats. com/.

• Heritage Square Farmers Market, 400 N.

Main St., Taylor, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., free.

• “The Parlor Presents” at Black Sparrow Music Parlor, 113 W. Second St., Taylor, 4 p.m., free.

• “Black Sheldon: A Tribute” at Coupland Dance Hall, 101 Hoxie St., Coupland, doors open at 6 p.m. Ticket information at CouplandDancehall. com.

Sunday, May 17

• Sunflower Festival and Unicorns at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: https://www.sweeteats. com/.

Monday, May 18

• Sunflower Festival and Unicorns at Sweet Eats Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: https://www.sweeteats. com/.

• Chair yoga at Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor, 9:30 a.m., free.

• “Moving Stories Monday” at The Story Emporium & Bookshop, 202 U.S. 79, Hutto, 10:30-11:30 a.m. for ages 4-12, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for ages 13-18.

• Sketch Club at Atelier 95, 311 N. Main St., Taylor, doors open at 6 p.m. Donation: $15, ages 18 and up.

“Studies reveal the mystery of gifted people often having bad handwriting. It’s because their brain is working faster than their hands.”

—That’s my story

“Put your John Hancock right here,” the nice teller instructed with a practiced smile. In those prehistoric, pre-ATM days, being 400 miles from home and short on cash was a high-stakes adventure.

“Here you go,” I replied, sliding the signed check and pen back across the counter.

Her smile faltered.

“Is this … ah?”

“Aldridge,” I assured her, putting forth my most convincing smile.

“I’ll need identification with a matching signature.”

With that, she dialed my bank in Center as I waited, watched, wondered and worried. Would I be hitching a ride to get home?

“Sorry for the inconvenience,” she said, counting out the bills, “ but it’s for your protection. We always double-check when a signature looks forged.”

“Forged?” My smile waned.

“Well, the way you sign your name, it looks a bit like ‘Arp,’” she said with a laugh.

This wasn’t the first time my penmanship had been insulted.

There is evidence, however, that my teachers did their job. Historical documents still exist with my name penned in perfectly legible script.

The downfall began, as I recall, following college, the start of a career and around the time I signed a marriage license, though I’ll avoid drawing any dangerous parallels to the last one for my safety’s sake.

Today, though, who scrutinizes a signature? What’s a signature really worth?

Graphologists—a term for handwriting analysts— claim our artistic loops, eloquently crossed t’s and even the “loop and a line” variations reveal our deepest secrets.

Friend and former colleague, Lois Cooper, used to say that every time we drop a “John Hancock,” we reveal traits as unique as a fingerprint. Lois claimed to have the “gift,” but she refused to analyze mine. She didn’t like to “read” people she knew.

I think I learned why from a total stranger at an out-of-town dinner party. She was the guest of a guest. When the friend with whom she was attending turned the conversation to her skills, she shied away. Eventually, however, she gave in to the group’s curiosity.

At her direction, we wrote two cursive sentences on a sheet of paper. No names.

“You will know yours,” she said with a grin.

We watched as she opened each folded note, studied it and delivered detailed descriptions. I tuned in when she started with, “This is a middle-aged, right-handed male.

Tall — six feet. More of a ‘right-brain’ artsy type than a ‘left-brain’ detail person.”

I listened closer.

“He works in a professional office setting, likely a supervisor.

Loves music, art and creativity. A writer, perhaps?”

Then she got spooky. “He’s married; children, more than one.

Two … or is it three?

I’m not sure. And he has an injury scar on his right leg, lower.

Ankle or foot maybe?”

I was speechless.

She got everything right or was in the ballpark.

So I’m thinking if that bank teller had been one of those graphologists, she would’ve known that I was not a forger.

I thought about how our signatures, like our stories, are unique, often messy. We spend our lives writing them and watching them change, then hope the world reads the mystery and meaning behind them in good faith.

So, if my signature is that telling and messy, maybe I should just lean into the mystery.

“Hello, my name is Leon Arp.”

It has a catchy ring to it, don’t you think?

Contact Aldridge at leonaldridge@gmail. com. Other Aldridge columns are archived at leonaldridge.com.

• Meets noon Wednesday at Sirloin Stockade, 3607 N. Main St., Taylor.

Rotary Club

• Meets noon Thursday at Sirloin Stockade, 3607 N. Main St., Taylor.

Lions Club

• Meets noon Friday at Sirloin Stockade, 3607 N. Main St., Taylor.

Stitchin’ Time and Hooks & Needles • Meets 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., and 1:30-4 p.m. Fridays at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3505 N. Main St., Taylor. For more, call Dorothy at 512-914-1371.

Grief Support Group

• Meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays each month in the Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor.

Are we missing your civic organization? Submit your group’s info to news@taylorpress.net or by calling 512-352-8535.

Assault – report taken – 200 blk E. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Suspicious circumstances – no report – 2100 blk Lathan Ln Unwanted person – no report – 400 blk Victoria St Disturbance – no report – Whataburger, 3510 N.

Main St Animal welfare – no report – 800 blk Dellinger Dr 911 call – no report – 200 blk E. 4th St Reckless/erratic driver – unable to locate – Chandler Rd/S. CR 366 911 call – officer advised – Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Theft – report taken – Walmart, 3701 N. Main St Burglary of building – report taken – 1000 blk W.

6th St 911 call – no report – Tractor Supply, 3600 N.

Main St Juvenile complaint – no report – 800 blk Yellowstone Dr Motorist assist – no report – 1900 blk N. Main St Accident minor – report taken – 1200 blk W. Lake Dr Theft – report taken – 4200 blk Kings Canyon Dr Harassment – no report – 500 blk Gilmore St Unwanted person – no report – 700 blk Gilmore St Animal bite – report taken – 100 blk Reagor Suspicious circumstances – unable to locate – 100 blk SW Carlos G. Parker Blvd Accident minor – report taken – 5800 blk FM 619 911 call – unable to locate – 2100 blk Holly Springs Dr Abandoned vehicle – report taken – 800 blk SW Carlos G. Parker Blvd Suspicious circumstances – unable to locate – 800 blk Dellinger Dr Suspicious circumstances – no report – Davis St/N.

Lynn St Noise complaint – no report – 900 blk Burkett St Motorist assist – no report – 1000 blk S. Main St

APRIL 27

Suspicious vehicle – no report – 2100 blk Holly Springs Dr Harassment – no report – 200 blk Kyra Ln Suspicious circumstances – no report – 300 blk debus dr Lost/found property – report taken – 300 blk W.

Lake Dr Unwanted person – no report – Scrub Tub, 1100 W. 2nd St 911 call – officer advised – Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Animal complaint – no report – Murphy Park, 1600 Veterans Dr Citizen contact – no report – 1800 blk W. 2nd St Unwanted person – no report – 200 blk E. 7th St 911 call – no report – Arbors of Taylor, 201 Highland Dr Citizen contact – no report – Mallard Ln/Davis St Citizen contact – no report – 2700 blk N. Main St Animal complaint – no report – Walmart, 3701 N.

Main St 911 call – officer advised – SW Carlos G. Parker Blvd/ FM 973 Traffic complaint – no report – W. Lake Dr/N. Main St Suspicious circumstances – no report – H-E-B, 100 NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd Lost/found property – no report – Taylor High School, 355 FM 973 Criminal mischief – report taken – City Hall, 400 Porter St Animal complaint-dog at large – no report – 1600 blk Jones St Suspicious circumstances – no report – E. 7th St/ Porter St Road/traffic hazard – no report – 600 blk Gravel Pit Rd Juvenile complaint – no report – Taylor High School, 355 FM 973 Citizen contact – no report – 500 blk Bland St Lost/found property – report taken – Samsung, 1530 FM 973 911 call – no report – Taylor High School, 355 FM 973 Suspicious vehicle – no report – 1000 blk Mallard Ln Unwanted person – no report – 800 blk Burkett St 911 call – officer advised – Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Juvenile complaint – unable to locate – 200 blk Break Ave 911 call – no report – 900 blk Gilmore St Welfare concern – no report – 500 blk SW Carlos G. Parker Blvd Disturbance – no report – 2800 blk Meadow Ln Citizen contact – no report – 2900 blk Meadow Ln Suspicious person – no report – 1000 blk Mallard Ln Accident minor – report taken – 3400 blk N. Main St Noise complaint – no report – 500 blk Symes St Disturbance – no report – 100 blk N. Logistics Lp 911 call – officer advised – 2000 blk Brewers Pl 911 call – no report – hart components, 110 Southpark Blvd

APRIL 28

Citizen contact – no report – 1100 blk NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd Harassment – unable to locate – Debus Dr/Thomas St Violate bond/protection order – arrested – 2800 blk Possum Tr Criminal trespass – report taken – Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant, 1808 W. 2nd St Abandoned vehicle – no report – Possum Tr/Mallard Ln 911 call – officer advised – Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Animal complaint-dog at large – no report – 2000 blk W. 3rd St Reckless/erratic driver – unable to locate – 300 blk FM 973 Citizen contact – no report – 400 blk E. 2nd St 911 call – no report – 200 blk E. 3rd St 911 call – no report – 300 blk Drake Ln Lost/found property – report taken – 100 blk Greinert Dr Theft – report taken – Walmart, 3701 N. Main St Animal complaint-dog at large – no report – 4300 blk J. M. Cuba Dr 911 call – officer advised – Samsung, 1530 FM 973 911 call – no report – 100 blk Bethann Lp Animal complaint-dog at large – animal control officer advised – Walmart, 3701 N. Main St Abandoned vehicle – no report – E. 3rd St/Murphy St Citizen contact – unable to locate – 3800 blk N.

Main St Lost/found property – no report Suspicious circumstances – no report – Tractor Supply, 3600 N. Main St Burglary of building – report taken – 400 blk Talbot St Motorist assist – no report – SE Carlos G. Parker Blvd/E. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Reckless/erratic driver – unable to locate – 3200 blk S. Main St Animal complaint-dog at large – unable to locate – 600 blk Kirk St Suspicious person – no report – 300 blk FM 973 Animal welfare – no report – 300 blk Washburn St Suspicious person – no report – 200 blk Kyra Ln Welfare concern – no report – H-E-B, 100 NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd Suspicious circumstances – no report – 1000 blk Washburn St Suspicious circumstances – report taken – Heritage Square, 400 N. Main St

APRIL 29

911 call – officer advised – 700 blk FM 3349 Welfare concern – officer advised – 200 blk E. 7th St City ordinance violation – no report – 1100 blk Davis St City ordinance violation – no report – 1100 blk Talbot St City ordinance violation – no report – 400 blk W.

5th St Accident minor – report taken – 700 blk SW Carlos G. Parker Blvd 911 call – no report – 500 blk McFadin Way Animal complaint – no report – 1100 blk E. 4th St Animal complaint – no report – W. 5th St/N. Main St Welfare concern – no report – Mallard Run Apts, 1000 Mallard Ln 911 call – no report – 4000 blk N. Main St Unwanted person – unable to locate – 500 blk Symes St Traffic complaint – no report – 300 blk FM 973 Animal complaint – no report – 500 blk Westchester Rd Unwanted person – report taken – 100 blk E.

6th St Road/traffic hazard – unable to locate – 1400 blk SW Carlos G. Parker Blvd Welfare concern – no report – 200 blk E. 7th St Fraud – no report – 3100 blk Davis St 911 call – officer advised – Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Burglary of habitation – no report – 800 blk Debra Dr Lost/found property – no report – E. 10th St/N. Main St Animal complaint – no report – 700 blk Estes Park 911 call – officer advised – Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Traffic complaint – officer advised – N. Main St/T. H.

Johnson Dr Parking complaint – citation issued – 100 blk E.

3rd St Animal complaint-dog at large – no report – 2100 blk North Dr Suspicious person – no report – 200 blk W. 4th St Animal welfare – unable to locate – 300 blk E. 7th St Animal complaint-dog at large – no report – 1600 blk Jones St Animal complaint – no report – 800 blk Kirk St Disturbance – no report – Mallard Run Apts, 1000 Mallard Ln Assault – no report – 1000 blk Welch St 911 call – officer advised – Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Criminal mischief – no report – 100 blk W. 4th St Welfare concern – no report – 200 blk Oscar St Theft – report taken – Walmart, 3701 N. Main St Assault – report taken – Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Threat – no report – Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Suspicious person – no report – 1000 blk Kirk St Accident hit and run – no report – 800 blk N. Main St Reckless/erratic driver – officer advised – 700 blk NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd Unwanted person – no report – refuel, 501 N. Main St Suspicious person – no report – Burnett Place Apts, 405 Sloan St Citizen contact – no report – McLain St/Victoria St

APRIL 30

Unwanted person – no report – 200 blk S. Main St Criminal mischief – report taken – 1900 blk Muscovy Cv Suspicious person – no report – 300 blk E. 7th St Citizen contact – no report – 800 blk Porter St Citizen contact – no report – 700 blk Washburn St Criminal trespass – report taken – 600 blk Washburn St Welfare concern – no report – 800 blk W. 6th St Animal complaint-dog at large – unable to locate – W. 5th St/Howard St Abandoned vehicle – no report – Possum Tr/Mallard Ln Animal complaint-dog at large – animal impounded – Samsung, 1530 FM 973 911 call – no report – 100 blk Mullen Way Animal complaint-dog at large – no report – 900 blk W. 5th St Traffic complaint – officer advised – W. 2nd St/ Ferguson St 911 call – no report – 100 blk Janice Rd Animal complaint – no report – 1900 blk W. 3rd St Animal complaint – no report – 1000 blk Scott St Harassment – no report – Taylor Regional Park, 210 NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd 911 call – no report – 100 blk Mullen Way Burglary of habitation – report taken – 100 blk E.

6th St Theft – report taken – 900 blk Debra Dr 911 call – officer advised – Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Fraud – no report – 3100 blk Davis St Juvenile complaint – no report – Taylor High School, 355 FM 973 Animal complaint-dog at large – no report – 500 blk E. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Suspicious vehicle – gone on arrival – Taco Bell, 2009 N. Main St Fraud – no report Reckless/erratic driver – officer advised – W. 4th St/N. Main St Accident minor – no report – 700 blk SW Carlos G. Parker Blvd Road/traffic hazard – no report – N. Main St/NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd Welfare concern – unable to locate – 3000 blk N.

Main St Welfare concern – no report – 1100 blk Scott St Noise complaint – no report – 1700 blk Cecelia St Noise complaint – report taken – 1700 blk Cecelia St Suspicious person – no report – 100 blk S. Doak St

MAY 1

Unwanted person – no report – Second Street Station, 201 N. Main St 911 call – officer advised – 100 blk Branchwood Path Unwanted person – no report – Crestone Wellness, 301 Highland Dr Missing person – no report – 100 blk N.

Robinson St Animal complaint – no report – Smith Ave/Mallard Ln Criminal trespass – no report – 100 blk E. 6th St 911 call – officer advised – Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Animal Welfare – No Report – 200 Blk E. 9th St Animal complaint – no report – 100 blk E. 6th St Unwanted person – criminal trespass warning issued – Scrub Tub, 1100 W. 2nd st Illegal dumping – report taken – 700 blk Mallard Ln Animal complaint-dog at large – no report – Taylor Regional Park, 210 NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd Suspicious circumstances – no report – 600 blk Davis St Unwanted person – no report – 1100 blk Symes St Animal welfare – no report – 1100 blk Victoria St 911 call – no report – 3600 blk N. Main St 911 call – no report – Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Reckless/erratic driver – no report – 3100 blk N.

Main St Citizen contact – no report – 1400 blk N. Main St Unwanted person – unable to locate – Car Mart, 1912 N. Main St 911 call – no report – 900 blk Cottonbowl Dr Threat – no report – 2300 blk Gladnell St Welfare concern – no report – 200 blk E. 9th St Unwanted person – no report – 200 blk E. 7th St Disturbance – no report – 1400 blk Summit Cir

MAY 2

Suspicious person – unable to locate – 800 blk Yellowstone Dr 911 call – officer advised – 800 blk Debra Dr City ordinance violation – no report – 100 blk E.

4th St Welfare concern – no report – Hermann Sons Rd/ Lorax Ln City ordinance violation – report taken – city hall, 400 Porter St Accident minor – report taken – 1100 blk NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd Disturbance – report taken – 700 blk E. 4th St Suspicious circumstances – no report – 200 blk S.

Dolan Ave Suspicious vehicle – no report – 900 blk Yellowstone Dr Criminal trespass – report taken – Art Off Center, 116 W. 2nd St Motorist assist – no report – 1100 blk SW Carlos G.

Parker Blvd Citizen contact – no report – Taylor PD, 500 S.

Main St Harassment – no report – H-E-B, 100 NW Carlos G.

Parker Blvd Missing person – no report – 200 blk E. 9th St 911 call – no report – 200 blk Pivot Dr Criminal trespass – arrested – 100 blk E. 6th St 911 call – no report – 400 blk Wyeth St 911 call – no report – 2800 blk Tyler Ln Disturbance – no report – 400 blk W. 7th St 911 call – officer advised – 1200 blk NW Carlos G.

Parker Blvd Reckless/erratic driver – unable to locate – 12400 blk US 79 Welfare concern – unable to locate – 2000 blk Holly Springs Dr Noise complaint – no report – 1700 blk Cecelia St Reckless/erratic driver – unable to locate – 12400 blk US 79 Suspicious person – unable to locate – 1100 blk Victoria St Suspicious circumstances – unable to locate – 500 blk Davis St Fraud – report taken – 100 blk Tennessee St Noise complaint – no report – 600 blk Mockingbird Ln Noise complaint – no report – W. 4th St/Wyeth St Noise complaint – no report – 500 blk Mockingbird Ln Motorist assist – no report – 5100 blk N. Main St Noise complaint – no report – Blazimar Ln/ Wedemeyer St

APRIL 28

At 7:55 a.m., Taylor Police Department officers investigating reports of suspicious circumstances in the 2800 block of Possum Trail arrested a 52-year-old woman suspected of violating her bond conditions. She was charged with violation of bond/protective order, a Class A misdemeanor.

MAY 2

At 4:52 p.m., Taylor police responded to a residential alarm in the 100 block of East Sixth Street and discovered a 35-year-old man entered the residence without permission.

The suspect, who was named in a warning not to be on the property, was charged with criminal trespass, a Class B misdemeanor.

MAY 3

At 9:18 a.m., Taylor police investigated a report of damaged mailboxes in the 900 block of Howard Street and detained a 25-year-old woman, charging her with a trio of Class B misdemeanors – two for criminal mischief and one for driving while intoxicated.

At 11:18 a.m., city law officers arrested a 61-year-old man in the 1100 block of Beech Street and charged him with criminal trespass, a Class B misdemeanor. Police said he entered the property in violation of an active criminal-trespass warning.

A charter amendment that would have given Taylor residents the ability to recall a City Council member was voted down 5-4 at Monday’s Charter Review Commission meeting.

According to Vice-chairman Gary Gola, Taylor is one of few area towns that does not have the power to remove an elected official once he or she has taken office.

“A recall is just another tool citizens can utilize if they find out someone they elected isn’t who they thought they would be,” Gola said May 4.

Mayor-elect Jim Buzan, who is on the commission, did not support giving recall powers to the public. The new mayor, who won his bid May 2, expressed concerns about the effect on economic development if the city was in the middle of a recall.

Buzan said Monday’s meeting would be his last, since he is being sworn in as mayor May 12.

After discussions, a majority of the commission members decided against including the recall measure.

The commission has two more meetings to finalize recommended amendments to the charter, which will then go before the council for a vote.

The approved amendments will then be decided by voters during the Nov. 3 general election.

Council members can also vote to add their own amendments to the charter.

Gola led a successful petition drive in 2024 to amend the charter to set council compensation.

This time, the recall amendment he proposed would have required signatures from 25% of registered voters on a petition to place the measure on a ballot. Next, for the recall to be successful, 60% of people voting would have to agree to the recall.

Attorney Charles Zech, who is providing legal counsel to the commission, said the recall provision would be one of the most restrictive he has seen.

Zech said Texas does not have a state law regarding recall of city officials, though the state does limit any recall petition effort to 180 days before signatures become invalid.

The attorney voiced agreement with board members concerned that a recall petition would be troublesome for the city.

“It’s always a disruption in the community. It always creates a bad taste and bad feelings. It just always does,” Zech said.

The two members of the public who spoke during the public comment session were also divided.

Pam Harper worried about who would run for office if they knew the public could recall them, a sentiment echoed by some on the board.

“Allowing recall is dangerous,” she said. “It will be a recipe for disaster. We will be a laughingstock.”

Laura Baker spoke in support of the recall power, saying it was a tool for accountability. She added she believed it would only be used in extreme conditions.

“Just because we elect someone doesn’t mean they’re going to be accountable,” Baker said.

Commission member Christine Lopez was against adding a recall provision to the City Charter, saying it would lead to people trying to remove elected officials due to political differences and could be abused.

She, too, feared that knowing they could be recalled would make some potential candidates decide not to run for office.

“Instead of bringing out the pitchforks...if they are not happy with their representatives, you vote them out,” Lopez said.

Commission Chairman John McDonald agreed the ability to vote out a representative should be the public’s only solution for dissatisfaction with an elected official.

“Elections have ramifications. If somebody elected the wrong person, then shame on them. The whole city shouldn’t have to pay that price,” McDonald said.

Commission members were also concerned about the public successfully petitioning to remove several council members at once, a situation that happened in Copperas Cove and left the city unable to function for a time because the council did not have a quorum.

Other issues cited included the cost of elections and the potential for opposing political parties to “weaponize” the recall process.

In addition, Taylor does not have an ethics ordinance allowing the council to vote out a sitting member for bad behavior. Without the ethics ordinance or a recall petition, Gola likened winning a seat on the dais to getting a three-year contract and being untouchable.

On a local level, calls for supporting a recall have quietly picked up speed.

Critics of the council’s actions to allow Blueprint Data Centers to operate in Taylor have floated socialmedia posts about other cities where council members were recalled for approving such projects.

The next Charter Review Commission meeting is 6 p.m. May 20 in the Taylor Public Library meeting room, 801 Vance St.

“It’s always a disruption in the community.”

— Attorney Charles Zech

The body of Alfred Olguin Flores, 48, was discovered about 5 p.m. Sunday, May 3, in the 1000 block of Price Street. No other details have been released by the authorities.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Aaron Koch at aaron.koch@taylortx.gov or call 512-3525551 ext. 2228.

According to a city news release, detectives are probing the circumstances surrounding the incident, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the man’s identity, officials said.

Taylor officers are working on the case with cooperation from the Texas Rangers, the Williamson County Crime Scene Unit, the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office and a Williamson County death investigator.

Hutto will see a runoff in June

JASON CHLAPEK

jason.chlapek@granitemediapartners.com

Elections May 2 returned several incumbents, set the stage for a runoff in Hutto and sent voters to the polls to select Taylor’s first mayor by popular vote.

Here is a quick breakdown of the results: 

TAYLOR

Jim Buzan will be sworn in as the new mayor of Taylor May 12.

Buzan earned 72.51% of the vote. Taylor Stubbs (22.64%) and Sandra Wolff (4.85%) also ran in the mayoral contest.

This marks the first time Taylor residents voted for the city’s chief executive. The position was previously appointed to someone on the City Council dais, but that was changed by a public referendum in May 2024.

Current Mayor Dwayne Ariola decided not to run again. Ariola, a Navy veteran and businessman, was first elected to the council in 2017 and was appointed mayor in 2024.

HUTTO

There will be a runoff June 13 in Hutto for City Council Place 1 since neither candidate got more than 50 percent of the vote. Jerrel W. Reynolds (41.97%) and Brandy McCool (24.19%) will face each other again at the ballot box. Sarosh Jafri (23.07%) and Luiz Dunham (10.77%) also ran for Place 1.

Place 4 will not need a runoff, with Corine Zepeda at 54.85% of ballots cast pulling ahead of challenger Brandon DeLeon (45.15%).

GRANGER

Two out of three Granger City Council incumbents – Mark Matoska and Ron Marx – kept their spots on the dais. Matoska and Marx earned 26.40% and 20.40% of the ballots cast, respectively, while challenger Denise Stefek will join them after earning the most votes at 33.60%.

Incumbent Lori Gick (19.60%) was not reelected.

THRALL

Proposition A on the city ballot passed with flying colors, earning 84.75% approval by the electorate. The measure called for the reauthorization of a 0.25% sales-and-use tax rate to maintain and repair city streets.

HUTTO ISD

Incumbent Felix Chavez will remain on the Hutto Independent School District’s school board after earning 28.21% of the vote in a five-person race for two seats. April Adams (28.11%) takes the other spot, fending off fellow candidates Lynn Green (19.82%), Taylor Lopez (13.93%) and Samantha Martinez (9.93%).

GRANGER ISD

The Granger Independent School District will have a new president soon. Current trustee and board president Daryl Stefek was not one of the top three vote earners in the sixperson race for three trustee seats.

Ricky Luna (22.24%) and Jen David (21.46%) were the top vote earners and will join Jason Huf (20.22%) on the school board.

In addition to Stefek (13.53%), David Tucker (17.88%) and Rosangel Rodriguez (4.68%) also ran for the seats.

THRALL ISD

Incumbent Bryan Holubec and challenger Jason Seaton were elected to the Thrall Independent School District board. Seaton earned 36.80% of the vote, while Holubec garnered 30.40%.

Other candidates included Ashley Harper (24.53%) and Joshua Seagroves (8.27%). Incumbent Wesley Grisham decided not to seek office again.

LOWER BRUSHY CREEK WCID

Two incumbents and one challenger earned spots on the Lower Brushy Creek Water Control and Improvement District during a three-seat, four-person race.

Incumbents Allen Ray David (27.86%) and Laine Holman (27.29%) earned the most ballots, while challenger Mitch Drummond garnered 24.26% of the vote.

Drummond is a former Taylor councilman. Mark Baudek (20.59%) also ran for a seat.

(RIGHT) Taylor Public Library Director Amy Keyes reads stories to children from the Heritage Square stage at the third annual Taylor Fest May 2.

After a week of rain and dark clouds, the sun broke free and shined down on the third annual Taylor Fest May 2.

The Heritage Square park event, 400 N. Main St., featured vendors selling food and crafts; activities for kids of all ages including a bounce house, a climbing wall and a petting zoo; ballet folklorico dancers; and a Lucha Libre wrestling match.

The free event downtown celebrated “the tapestry of cultures” that make up Taylor, according to organizers.

At a celebratory luncheon held Friday, May 1, the six teachers were honored alongside their principals, school board trustees and other district leaders for their leadership, dedication and commitment to excellence.

“Taylor ISD is proud to recognize the outstanding educators who to continue to shape the future of students across the district,” said Taylor ISD spokesman Christian Aleman.

According to school officials, the campus winners inspire learning, go above and beyond each day to support their students and make a lasting impact in their classrooms and school communities.

The Tigerettes used a big second inning, scoring seven runs to go along with one in the first, to take an early 8-0 lead. Ryleigh Jensen had an RBI double, while Selena Quintanilla and Reese Madsen added RBI singles to make it 5-0. Kenzie Engelke capped the inning with a three-RBI double to extend the lead to 8-0.

McGregor responded in the bottom of the third, scoring five runs on a sacrifice fly, a double and a single to cut the deficit to 8-5.

Thrall extended its lead to 10-5 in the fifth inning behind an RBI triple from Addison Dickens, who later scored on a sacrifice fly.

McGregor added a solo home run to make it 10-6, but the Tigerettes answered with an insurance run to push the lead to 11-6 heading into the final inning.

McGregor rallied with three runs and had a runner on third with two outs, but a popout ended the game as Thrall secured the win and advanced.

Miley Pokorny was the winning pitcher, throwing a complete game giving up nine runs on eight hits with 10 strikeouts.

The Tigerettes will face Central Heights in the regional semifinals, beginning Thursday, May 7, at 7 p.m. at Montgomery High School. The series could conclude with a doubleheader on Saturday, if necessary.

The Lions suffered a tough defeat as a throwing error allowed the game-winning run to score in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Granger got on the board first with a sacrifice fly in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Goldthwaite answered in the bottom half with a sacrifice fly of its own to tie the game at 1-1.

The Lions built a 4-1 lead in the second inning, getting an RBI double from Mason Vanek, a run scored on a groundout and an RBI triple from Tre Castillo.

Goldthwaite responded again, scoring on a lineout and adding a two-RBI single to tie the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the inning. It took its first lead in the third inning on another lineout to make it 5-4, then extended the lead to 6-4 in the fifth.

Granger battled back to tie the game at 6-6, getting an RBI triple from Castillo and an RBI double from Seth Good.

Both teams were held scoreless until the bottom of the seventh, when Goldthwaite hit a leadoff double. A routine popout later turned into a throwing error, allowing the game-winning run to score.

The Lions finished district play with an 8-4 record and will look ahead to next season with a mix of returning production and new faces.

Game 1

The Lady Hippos were forced into a weather delay in Game 1 while trailing 14-11, with play resuming the following day. Hutto ultimately fell 16-13 on Friday, April 30.

Clark had the bases loaded with no outs in the sixth inning and added two more runs on a double to take a 16-11 lead.

The Lady Hippos attempted to rally, scoring two runs in the bottom half of the inning on a fielder’s choice and a sacrifice fly, but Clark held on for the seriesopening win.

Hutto had one of its weakest pitching performances of the season. Starter Bailey Kelley lasted just 3.1 innings, allowing nine runs on nine hits with two strikeouts. Molly Kreig came on in relief but also struggled, pitching 1.2 innings and giving up six runs while recording three strikeouts.

However, the bats stayed hot for Hutto, as seven players recorded at least one RBI. Kenna Spence and M’Kayla Hicks led the way with two RBIs each.

Game 2

Hutto settled down in the circle in Game 2 but came up just short in a 6-5 loss just 30 minutes after Game 1 on Friday.

Despite outhitting Clark 11-6, the Lady Hippos were unable to capitalize with runners in scoring position as their season came to a close.

Hutto got on the board first with an RBI single from Makenna Castillo to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Both teams were scoreless in the second before Clark scored four runs in the bottom of the third to go ahead 4-1.

Clark added two more runs in the fourth to extend its lead to 6-1, but the Lady Hippos responded in the top of the sixth. Castillo delivered a two-RBI double, followed by a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 6-4.

Hutto nearly completed the comeback in the seventh inning, scoring on a sacrifice fly to make it 6-5. However, with a runner on third and two outs, a groundout from Hicks ended the game and the Lady Hippos’ season.

Jenna May took the loss, pitching 2.1 innings and allowing four runs with one strikeout.

The Lady Hippos finished the year with a 15-1 district record, securing first place. Hutto looks ahead to a bright future, with most of its key players expected to return next season.

a 22”5”. He will compete at the state track meet next week on Thursday, May 14 at Mike A. Meyers Stadium at the University of Texas at Austin.

Someone told me this when I was 16: “All you have to do to be saved from hell is believe in Jesus and say this silent prayer.”

It sounded too good to be true, and I thought, “Surely, there must be more to a relationship with God.”

Now I can tell you that rescue from hell is possible only through an active, two-way relationship (covenant) with him that we need to foster… do our part… until we die or the world ends.

But this isn’t what many Protestants believe.

In Part One of this series, I defined salvation as both a rescue from God’s future wrath (will be saved) and the process of being made whole (being saved). I also noted that salvation involves two main parts: Entering a relationship with God and remaining in that relationship.

Here, I will expand on these points and explain their elements.

Covenant

Enter a relationship (covenant) with God. Some believe that everyone is on the fast track to hell unless God occasionally rescues someone. Others teach that everyone will be saved.

The truth: Anyone can choose salvation, but not everyone will … or stay if they do.

• Who: “God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).

• Why: “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18, 1 John 2:2).

• How: Entry into the relationship, like a marriage, requires experience, decision and devotion: “He came as a witness, to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him” (John 1:7; 20:31) and, “Confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved …” (Romans 10:9-10).

Stay

Stay in the relationship. Honor God, be charitable to people and abide (stay):

• Honor God with all you are and have (Matthew 22:34-40).

• Be charitable (love others through a fruitful faith). “Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share …” (1 Timothy 6:18). Otherwise, “Faith, if it has no works, is dead” (James 2:17).

• Persevere. “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. … If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away … and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (Matthew 24:13, John 15:6).

Summary

Partner with God for transformation, rescue and eternal life by devoting yourself fully to him and remaining in the relationship.

What’s next? Many Christians view their connection to a heavenly father (which should be a covenant) as a onesided affair with a lovesick God. So we’ll work to better understand it. Meanwhile, honor God, be charitable, love justice and mercy, and focus on purity and spiritual growth.

Blessings and peace.

Braley, a Taylorbased minister, Air Force veteran, husband and father, earned a Master of Divinity degree from Regent University in 2018 and a Doctor of Ministry from the same school in 2021.