18. This is the first win for the Lions since week one.

Flatonia entered the meeting coming off its first loss of the season, a road game against Nixon-Smiley where they fell 42-22. Granger now holds a 2-2 record as they look to begin district play on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. when they host the Moody Bearcats.

Moody currently holds a 1-3 overall record with district play beginning next week.

The Lions have not played Moody since 2015, where the Bearcats hosted and took down Granger 46-36.

The Taylor Independent School District has taken another major step in preparing its students for the future workforce in the semiconductor field, officials said.

In collaboration with Austin Community College, Taylor ISD has created a new high school dual-credit pathway program — called electronic technology — providing access to high-demand careers in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Upon finishing the program, Taylor High School students will earn an Automation, Robotics and Semiconductor Technology Advanced Specialization Level 1 Certificate, educators said.

“This is a transformational moment for our students and our community,” Superintendent Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen said in a release. “Taylor ISD is uniquely positioned to provide students with world-class opportunities connected directly to the industries shaping the future of Central Texas.”

Also included in the memorandum of understanding between the two districts, ACC pledged to advance Taylor ISD’s continued commitment to expanding college, career and workforce readiness opportunities for its high school students through apprenticeships, engineering programs and other regional industry opportunities.

“Our goal is to ensure every student graduates with meaningful skills, real-world experiences, and access to high-demand careers,” Garcia-Edwardsen said.

Williamson County is a hub for the semiconductor industry, one of the fastest-growing manufacturing bases in Central Texas.

In November 2021, Gov. Greg Abbott and officials with South Korea-based Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. announced a $17 billion semiconductor foundry would be built in Taylor.

Several related high-tech businesses have since followed.

Through the ACC partnerwww.

ship, Taylor High students will benefit from a “seamless student experience” that supports multiple postsecondary options, including immediate employment opportunities, engineering degrees and advanced technical careers, school officials said.

“This pathway brings together academic rigor, college access and workforce alignment in a way that creates real momentum for students,” said Chief Academic Officer Megan Zembik. “It ensures they graduate with both the knowledge and the credentials needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving economy.”

Through ongoing collaboration with industry partners, such as Samsung Austin Semiconductor, Taylor ISD identified the need for an educational model that is comprehensive and flexible but also “stackable,” allowing students to pursue multiple pathways within the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industries, educators said.

The pathway is designed to support both technical workforce entry and long-term academic advancement, providing pupils with flexibility as they determine their future goals, officials said.

“We want our students to have the opportunity to step directly into meaningful careers, apprenticeships or engineering programs connected to some of the most innovative companies in the world,” said career-technology-education Director Steven Vigil. “At the same time, we are building a sustainable pipeline that strengthens our local workforce and creates lasting opportunities for generations of students.”

The first ACC courses offered to Taylor ISD students opened for the first semester of the 2026-27 school year and include digital fundamentals, direct-current circuits, nanoelectronics manufacturing technology, principles of quality and robot application, set-up and testing.

To learn more, visit austincc.edu, or to enroll a student, contact CTE Director Steven Vigil, svigil@taylorisd.org, or call 512-352-6326.

The 573,000-square-foot building with the loading docks along the dedicated rail line is in the planning and design stages, said Mitchell Hanzik, partner and managing director for development at Partners Real Estate, a Houston-based development company.

TaylorPort 3 will join a 183,000-square-foot building now occupied by electric vehicle and robotics maker Tesla and a 366,000-squarefoot structure for Compal USA Technology, the U.S arm of a major Taiwanese tech manufacturer, on the 58 acres owned by Partners.

“TaylorPort 3 is planned to be the largest of our three phases at TaylorPort in recognition of the market’s continued evolution as an attractive location for institutional tenants and investors.” Hanzik said in a written statement to the Press.

He said the Taylor-area project is in the planning and design stage, and they aren’t ready yet to disclose a time- line for when construction will begin.

The location of TaylorPort in the 765acre RCR rail park next to Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.’s semiconductor fabrication site makes it ideal for Samsung suppliers seeking a spot adjacent to their client.

There are as many as 150 suppliers, mostly based in South Korea, that have found locations near Samsung’s 1,200-acres site or are looking.

One major win was Samsung-supplier Soulbrain TX LLC, the U.S. subsidiary of South Korea’s Soul Brain Co. Ltd., which is spending as much a $600 million for its headquarters, first U.S. plant and an eventual expansion at RCR.

However, the rail park and other industrial sites in Taylor and Hutto have proven attractive to other industries outside the semiconductor supply chain, including aerospace, advanced manufacturing, food packaging and cosmetics.

The newest Partners development will occupy the company’s last parcel at RCR and it could be looking for more land for future development in the Taylor area.

“We greatly appreciate being a part of the Taylor community and the success we have found there,” Hanzik said. “We believe both Taylor and Williamson County more broadly will continue to offer compelling development opportunities.”

TaylorPort 1 is occupied by Tesla, which was already using RCR for rail shipping of electric vehicles manufactured less than 30 miles away outside Bastrop.

Tesla also is the first major customer for the advanced semiconductors that will come out of Samsung’s Taylor campus, which is expected to be operational by the end of this year.

TaylorPort 2 tenant Compal is slated to bring 900 jobs to Taylor and another 100 at a site in Georgetown.

Visitors from a South Korean TV station, Munhwa Broadcasting Corp., came to Taylor last week to check out Taylor High School’s new Korean language class.

MBC is producing a story on the program, which will air at the end of the month.

Interest in Taylor by audiences in the Asian nation has grown ever since Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. announced in 2021 it was building a vast semiconductor manufacturing plant and creating thousands of jobs in Taylor and eastern Williamson County.

According to MBC interpreter and coordinator Daniel Legay, the TV station originally intended to cover the impact of the semiconductor industry on Central Texas and interview several people, including a semiconductor employee and media personnel.

However, after learning of Taylor High’s Korean language course, MBC turned its focus on the Taylor Independent School District.

“What they’re doing at the school is just amazing,” Legay said.

In January, students from Daeyeong High School in the Seoul area visited Taylor ISD and local students later expressed an interest in studying the Korean language. Another visit from Daeyeong High is planned for next month.

“We learned that our students love Korean pop culture and the language. Paired with the influx of businesses into Taylor and Williamson County, our students have grown interested in learning more about the culture and language,” said Jennifer Patschke, chief of Human Resources and Student Supports.

The school’s first Korean language program opened for the 2026-27 school year with 19 students enrolled.

Through the Foundation for Korean Language and Culture in the USA, a nonprofit organization that promotes Korean language education, cultural traditions and history, and a memorandum of understanding with the Houston Korean Education Center, Taylor ISD is able to provide language instruction and related cultural activities for students.

The appeal has extended beyond students who need a language credit.

Some pupils who have already completed their required language credits are choosing Korean as an elective, school officials said.

“This new language program opens another door for our students to connect their education with the opportunities developing right here in Taylor,” said Steven Vigil, director of Taylor ISD’s career and technical education.

He added, “With businesses and industries continuing to grow in Taylor and Williamson County, we want our students to have the skills and experiences that prepare them to take advantage of those opportunities, both now and in the future.”

Taylor ISD is one of only a handful of districts offering Korean as part of its curriculum.

HUTTO – The city is joining ranks with many other Texas municipalities by canceling its contract with Flock Safety to provide automatic license plate reader cameras.

The City Council unanimously voted Sept. 17 to remove 10 cameras from the toolbox of the Police Department, citing growing concerns from residents about government surveillance, data collection and potential misuse.

Also during the meeting, council members received updates on the county’s emergency services district turning down options involving a tax-sharing agreement and discussed the need for checks and balances on future data centers.

Meanwhile, the Flock cameras in contention were deactivated in August by Police Chief Jeff Yarbrough, who was awaiting more information regarding possible vulnerabilities in the system.

“We’ve heard concerns in the community and from law enforcement agencies that caused us to take a step back and look at where we are,” Yarbrough said.

The chief said that before activating the system a year ago, the Police Department put protocols into place to protect the public.

“We identified some concerns initially when we deployed the system and we took actions to solidify our policies, our practices and our procedures when it came to who could access it, how it was accessed, how our officers would and could access the data and what the circumstances were for them to use that,” Yarbrough said.

In the last few weeks, representatives of Flock have told various governmental bodies that new safeguards have been activated, but at the same time more allegations have surfaced of stored data being used to track people for non-investigatory reasons.

Law enforcement agencies have argued the cameras are a “force multiplier” that helps them more efficiently track and solve crimes.

Some of the concerns leading to the council’s vote revolved around how other agencies retrieve information from the system and how developments in artificial intelligence may reduce privacy.

Yarbrough said the department has successfully used Flock cameras to solve crimes in Hutto, but even without the cameras the department still has other resources and methods to continue solving cases.

The decision by council also prohibits the use of license plate reader technology from other companies in addition to Flock Safety.

The city retains contracts with Flock for closed-loop cameras and a video monitoring system that has no communication with the shared license plate reader system. The closed system monitors activities in areas including Hutto parks and is only viewable by police.

Other cities banning Flock cameras include Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Boerne, Elgin, Manor and Pflugerville.

City, ESD still at odds Mayor Mike Snyder said the city’s fire safety sub-committee met with Emergency Services District No. 3 last week over a tax-sharing agreement but could not find common ground.

ESD No. 3 Sept. 8 sent a letter to City Manager James Earp saying they would not be moving forward with any of the options presented to them by the city on Aug. 7.

Snyder said the ESD seemed to believe the options presented by the city were non-negotiable and left no room for discussion.

Those options include:

• Allow the community to vote on giving the city 80% of sales tax revenue on annexed properties

• Sign an agreement to transition the ESD into a city-owned fire service

• Agree to an 80/20 allocation of sales-tax revenue for 30 years Councilman Jim Morris, who is also on the sub-committee, said he thinks the ESD is trying to take a larger role in city growth.

“It seems like the ESD wants to be in economic development. Before we’ve signed anything, they want to be at the table and they want to be part of the negotiations. They stipulate how the (shared sales-tax revenue) is spent, where the money is spent,” Morris said. “They are handcuffing the city.”

Under the current agreement, the city’s share of the sales-tax revenue for annexed properties has to be spent in the annexed area. City leaders said they invest funding on infrastructure for annexed areas before they ever see any of the shared sales-tax revenue.

Fire Chief Scott Kerwood said ESD No. 3 believes the 2026 Sales and Use Tax Agreement signed by both entities May 7 is adequate to allow both to grow and deliver services.

“The issue before us should not be which entity receives the greater share of sales-tax revenue. The issue is whether the community will have the resources necessary to provide the right people, equipment, facilities and emergency-response capabilities when they are needed,” Kerwood said in his letter to the city.

ESDs were created in the 1990s as tax-funded entities providing fire and emergency medical aid to rural areas underserved by a municipal fire department. Both the city and ESD No. 3 have announced competing plans to build new stations in the vicinity of the Hutto Megasite.

City to consider standards for data centers

The council will discuss setting standards for data centers locating within the city at an upcoming meeting, after they receive more information this week.

“I would like to have us be the kind of community that says ‘OK, we’re going to have this, we cannot stop it, and we’re doing our due diligence to make sure we set standards that are flexible but we are letting developers know we are looking for this,’” said Councilwoman Corinne Zepeda.

Zepeda said she observed how Round Rock and neighboring cities have dealt with the issue, from complete moratoriums to strict design standards. She said her intention was to fast-track city guidelines to be in front of the coming wave of data center developments, and to protect quality of life without hindering the projects.

Supporters of data centers note the facilities often put tax revenue back into the coffers of school districts and local governments to fund infrastructure.

Snyder cautioned that specifications need to be responsive to the community and protect residential neighborhoods without causing an impediment for annexation.

He pointed to the Big Watt Digital / Powerhouse Digital Data Centers project in Taylor that recently rescinded its annexation request after community opposition.

Hutto officials also discussed a need for identifying what the city expects from data center developments in terms of public benefit funds to enhance quality of life projects such as trails and sidewalks.

Nearby Taylor has at least four data centers that could come to the city, but local activists have launched protests over fears of pollution and drains on power and water, issues that developers say are unfounded.

Gov. Greg Abbott declared a moratorium on new data centers until after state agencies have conducted energy and water audits and also directed government entities not to shift the cost of data centers to taxpayers.

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., general admission required.

• “Spark! Places of Innovation,” the Smithsonian in Taylor Exhibit at the Heidenheimer Building, 209 E. First St., Taylor, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free.

• 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.

Thursday, Sept. 24

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., general admission required.

• “Spark! Places of Innovation,” the Smithsonian in Taylor Exhibit at the Heidenheimer Building, 209 E. First St., Taylor, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free.

• 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.

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

Friday, Sept. 25

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., general admission required.

• “Spark! Places of Innovation,” the Smithsonian in Taylor Exhibit at the Heidenheimer Building, 209 E. First St., Taylor, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., free.

• 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.

• Dan Whitaker Band at SPJST Lodge 29, 5025 FM 619, Taylor, 7:30-11:30 p.m., free.

• Ripple and Rose Dance Party at Black Sparrow Music Parlor, 113 W. Second St., Taylor, 7 p.m., $10, ages 18 and up.

• Greed Fisher at Coupland Dance Hall, 101 Hoxie St., Coupland, doors open at 6 p.m., ticket information at CouplandDancehall.com.

Saturday, Sept. 26

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., general admission required.

• “Spark! Places of Innovation,” the Smithsonian in Taylor Exhibit at the Heidenheimer Building, 209 E. First St., Taylor, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., free.

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

• Fiesta Taylor at Heritage Square Park, 400 N. Main St., Taylor, 6-10 p.m., details at taylorchamber.org/fiestataylor- tx-tequila-music-2026/

• Black Sparrow Acoustic Showcase at Black Sparrow Music Parlor, 113 W.

Second St., Taylor, 7 p.m., $10.

Sunday, Sept. 27

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., general admission required.

• “Spark! Places of Innovation,” the Smithsonian in Taylor Exhibit at the Heidenheimer Building, 209 E. First St., Taylor, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free.

Monday, Sept. 28

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., general admission required.

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

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

Tuesday, Sept. 29

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., general admission required.

• 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, Sept. 30

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., general admission required.

• 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.

• East Wilco Dems meeting at Black Sparrow Music Parlor, 113 W. Second St., Taylor, 12:30 p.m., free.

• 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.

OCTOBER

Thursday, Oct. 1

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., general admission required.

• 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.

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

Friday, Oct. 2

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., general admission required.

• 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 at 5 p.m.

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

• Tracy Byrd at Coupland Dance Hall, 101 Hoxie St., Coupland, doors open at 6 p.m., ticket information at CouplandDancehall.com.

Saturday, Oct. 3

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., general admission required.

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

• 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.

“There are places I remember all my life, though some have changed.Some forever, not for better. Some have gone and some remain.”

— “In My Life” The Beatles

Lord willing, in a couple of weeks I’ll join members of the Mount Pleasant High School graduating class of 1966 for our 60th reunion.

That anticipation prompted reflection on today’s world through the eyes of the 18-yearolds we were in the summer of ‘66.

On Monday after graduation, I reported for work at Jerry Benton’s Monticello Highway peach orchards with a commercial driver’s license just days older than my diploma. By sunup, I was wrangling a refrigerated truckload of fruit to Dallas.

Life was tangible in ’66: whatever we could see and touch.

Everything else was a dream. Working was reality behind my dream of Kilgore College. Plans? I had none other than playing in the Kilgore marching band as I had immensely enjoyed at MPHS.

Life marched to a different tune then. Just simple motors and radios we tuned ourselves.

And look at what we’ve survived. Sixties muscle cars sipping cheap leaded gasoline morphing into computerized electric powerhouses purring like kittens, sporting digitized sound systems and performance way beyond the idolized cars we still cherish.

We grew up on transistor radios in junior high transitioning to crackling AM stations like KLIF in Dallas or WNOE in New Orleans.

We were the generation that watched rock ’n’ roll and country blend with Motown, British Invasion and psychedelic music. While today’s graduates access every song ever recorded instantly and on demand, we combed record racks at White’s Auto and Western Auto before joining the Columbia Record Club so we could forget to reject the automatic monthly record selection.

The “Information Highway” meant we hoofed it upstairs to the library in the old school building and hit the card catalog. Today’s 18-year-olds carry a supercomputer in their pocket that can provide access to all human knowledge.

In 1966, “staying connected” meant a rotary phone on the kitchen wall with a tangled cord. That came with risks, however.

When talking to your date, you chanced your parents or your little sister eavesdropping on the hallway extension.

Graduates today communicate entirely through glowing rectangles, using a language made up mostly of digital graphics and acronyms.

For me, looking back on a degree in psychology from East Texas State University, I had no idea I’d spend a career in newspaper publishing and marketing. Or that I’d watch the world transition from analog to digital, from newsprint to small screens, and paper boys to digital publishing.

But beneath all the mind-boggling changes, the experience remains stubbornly the same.

We stepped out into the unknown summer heat 60 years ago, filled with the same concoction of nervous terror and invincible optimism that graduates feel today.

We wanted to make our mark, find our groove, fall for what we loved — whatever that was.

Then see where that road took us.

When we meet to celebrate six decades of stories, scars and triumphs in a few days, the Class of ‘66 can tip our hats to the ghosts of the teenagers we used to be.

We’ll relive memories and compare stories, all the while acknowledging that, “Some have gone and some remain.” We’ll note that no matter how much the world changes, a good tune, the thrill of a fast car and a road untraveled never really go out of style.

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

At 6:45 p.m. in the 2900 block of North Main Street, officers responded to a report of a motor-vehicle crash. An investigation revealed a 35-year-old man had stolen the vehicle prior to the crash. He was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, a state jail felony. Responding to a disturbance report at 5:14 p.m. in the 1100 block West Seventh Street, officers learned a 37-year-old man physically assaulted a member of the household, causing injury. He was charged with assault with injury/ family violence, a Class A misdemeanor.

Officers responded to a report of an unwanted person at Dollar General, 116 W. Lake Drive at 9:08 a.m. A 44-year-old man on the property had previously been issued a criminal trespass warning previously. He was charged with criminal trespass, a Class B misdemeanor.

SEPT. 16

At 8:20 a.m., the Taylor Police Department learned a 47-yearold man turned himself in at the Williamson County Jail in Georgetown for an outstanding warrant out of Taylor for driving while license suspended.

SEPT. 19

A 48-year-old man was apprehended in the 1700 block of West Seventh Street with an outstanding warrant for criminal mischief over $100, a Class B misdemeanor. Responding to a report of an unwanted person at 1:31 p.m. in the 400 block of North Main Street, officers located a 31-year-old man who was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance, penalty group 1 under 1 gram, a state jail felony.

Noise complaint -- Officer advised -- Whataburger, 3510 N. Main St.

Unwanted person -- No report -- Second Street Station, 201 N. Main St.

Reckless/erratic driver Officer advised -- 4800 blk W. 2nd St.

Road/traffic hazard -- No report -- 1700 blk Davis St.

Welfare concern Arrested -- 900 blk W. 3rd St.

Reckless/erratic driver -- No report -- 3300 blk E. 4th St.

Suspicious person -- No report -- Main Street Commons, 3700 N. Main St.

911 call -- No report -- 700 blk E. 3rd St.

Animal welfare -- No report -- 1600 blk N. Lynn St.

Civil matter -- No offense -- Walmart, 3701 N. Main St.

911 call -- No report -- HEB, 100 NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd.

Citizen contact -- See supplement -- 400 blk Hosack St.

Theft -- Report taken 400 blk W. 7th St.

Citizen contact -- No report -- 400 blk W. 7th St.

Welfare concern -- No contact -- 500 blk E. Lake Dr.

Reckless/erratic driver Unable to locate -- N. Main St./E. Lake Dr.

Accident, minor -- Citation -- 3000 blk N. Main St.

Welfare concern -- Unable to locate -- E. 3rd St./N. Main St.

911 call -- No report -- 100 blk W. 4th St.

Unwanted person -- No report -- El Corral Lozano, 300 W. 2nd St.

Animal bite -- Report taken -- Baylor Scott and White Hospital, 305 Mallard Ln.

Unwanted person -- No report -- 1600 blk Jones St.

911 call -- Officer advised -- Murphy Park, 1600 Veterans Dr.

Threat -- Officer advised Taylor Mart, 1002 W. 2nd St.

Welfare concern -- No report -- 200 blk Wilson Springs Ln.

Disturbance -- No report -- Taylor Liquor, 1016 W. 2nd St.

Unwanted person -- No report -- M and M Food Mart, 100 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Citizen contact -- No report -- Taylor PD, 500 S. Main St.

SEPTEMBER 14

Accident, minor -- Report taken -- Chandler Rd./S. CR 366 Suspicious vehicle -- No report -- 600 blk Howard St.

Citizen contact -- See supplement -- W. 6th St./N. Main St.

911 call -- No report -- 300 blk S. Doak St.

Motorist assist -- See supplement -- W. 7th St./ Davis St.

Accident, minor -- Report taken -- 900 blk W. 7th St.

Criminal mischief -- Report taken -- Baylor Scott and White Hospital, 305 Mallard Ln.

Accident, minor -- Report taken -- W. 2nd St./N. Main St.

Accident, minor -- Report taken -- 3800 blk N. Main St.

Road/traffic hazard -- No report -- North Dr./NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd.

Animal complaint, dog at large -- No report -- 1600 blk Mallard Ln.

Unwanted person -- No report -- 300 blk E. 7th St.

Abandoned vehicle -- No report -- 300 blk E. 7th St.

Accident, hit and run -- No report -- McDonalds, 2501 N. Main St.

911 call -- Officer advised -- Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Motorist assist -- No report -- 1200 blk Mills Unwanted person -- No report -- Heritage Square, 400 N. Main St.

Citizen contact -- No report -- Heritage Square, 400 N. Main St.

911 call -- No contact 100 blk Hartson Dr.

911 call -- No report 1600 blk E. Walnut St.

Accident, minor -- Report taken -- Walmart, 3701 N. Main St.

Civil matter -- No report -- Mariachis de Jalisco, 3100 N. Main St.

Road/traffic hazard Unable to locate -- E. 5th St./N. Main St.

Traffic complaint -- Officer advised -- Mallard Ln./N. Main St.

Parking complaint -- Unable to locate Yellowstone Dr./Bill Pickett Trl.

Criminal trespass -- No report -- 300 blk E. 7th St.

Suspicious circumstances -- No report -- 500 blk Hosack St.

Loose livestock -- No report -- 3900 blk Old Georgetown Rd.

Welfare concern -- No report -- 200 blk Rodgers Rd.

Unwanted person -- No report -- 300 blk E. 8th St.

Animal complaint, dog at large -- Unable to locate S. CR 366/Chandler Rd.

Suspicious circumstances -- No report -- 300 blk NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd.

911 call -- Officer advised -- 100 blk Franklin St.

Suspicious circumstances -- No report -- 900 blk W. 3rd St.

City ordinance violation -- No report -- 500 blk W. Lake Dr.

City ordinance violation -- No report -- One Stop No. 2, 2710 Davis St.

City ordinance violation -- No report -- 400 blk W. Lake Dr.

City ordinance violation -- No report -- 5000 blk FM 619 Road/traffic hazard -- No report -- 3000 blk E. 4th St.

SEPTEMBER 15

Unauthorized use of motor vehicle -- No report -- 1700 blk T.H. Johnson Dr.

Road/traffic hazard -- No report -- 400 blk FM 973 Road/traffic hazard -- No contact -- 1100 blk SW Carlos G. Parker Blvd.

911 call -- Officer advised -- Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Citizen contact -- No report -- 2800 blk North Dr.

Criminal trespass Arrested -- General Dollar, 116 W. Lake Dr.

Criminal trespass -- Report taken -- 300 blk E. 7th St.

Road/traffic hazard Unable to locate -- 1000 blk NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd.

Animal welfare -- No report -- 2100 blk Meadow Ln.

911 call -- Officer advised -- Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Fraud -- Report taken Alliance Chemical, 204 S. Edmond St.

Road/traffic hazard -- No report -- 1100 blk NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd.

Road/traffic hazard No report -- 2300 blk E.

University Ave.

City ordinance violation -- No report -- Murphy Park, 1600 Veterans Dr.

Fraud -- Report taken -- HEB, 100 NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd.

Animal complaint, dog at large -- No report -- 1900 blk Donna Dr.

Parking complaint Unable to locate -- Baylor Scott and White Hospital, 403 Mallard Ln.

911 call -- Unable to locate -- 300 blk W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

City ordinance violation -- No report -- 1800 blk N. Lynn St.

911 call -- Officer advised -- Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Criminal mischief -- No report -- 100 blk Wilson Springs Ln.

Assist citizen -- No report -- 1200 blk N. Main St.

911 call -- No contact 200 blk Highland Dr.

Parking complaint No report -- Burns St./ Lexington St.

Assault, cause bodily injury FV -- Arrested -- 1100 blk W. 7th St.

911 call -- Officer advised -- Universal Auto Repair, 4408 N. Main St.

Unauthorized use of motor vehicle -- Report taken -- Mallard Ln./N. Main St.

Loose livestock -- Unable to locate -- 3900 blk Old Georgetown Rd.

Noise complaint -- Unable to locate -- 600 blk Annie St.

Animal bite -- Report taken -- 1900 blk W. 3rd St.

Disturbance -- No report -- Sunrise Hotel, 2003 W. 2nd St.

Suspicious vehicle -- No report -- Old Georgetown Rd./NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd.

SEPTEMBER 16

Harassment -- Report taken -- 1700 blk W. 7th St.

911 call -- No report Samsung, 1530 FM 973 911 call -- No report Samsung, 1530 FM 973 911 call -- No report Samsung, 1530 FM 973 911 call -- No report Samsung, 1530 FM 973 911 call -- No report Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Reckless/erratic driver Officer advised -- Chandler Rd./N. Main St.

Animal complaint, dog at large -- No report -- 200 blk Gym St.

Road/traffic hazard -- No report -- T.H. Johnson Dr./ North Dr.

Animal complaint, dog at large -- No report -- 800 blk Debra Dr.

Theft -- No report -- Power Food Mart, 600 N. Main St.

Suspicious circumstances -- No report -- 100 blk W. 11th St.

Unwanted person -- No report -- City Hall, 400 Porter St.

Suspicious circumstances -- Officer advised -- 100 blk W. 12th St.

Accident, major -- Report taken -- 700 blk SW Carlos G. Parker Blvd.

Welfare concern -- No report -- Refuel, 501 N. Main St.

Lost/found property Report taken -- Taco Bell, 2009 N. Main St.

Parking complaint -- No report -- Burns Blvd./ Victoria St.

Welfare concern -- No report -- Debus Cir.

Parking complaint -- No report -- Main Street Elementary School, 3101 N. Main St.

Theft -- No report -- 100 blk Lillian Dr.

Accident, minor -- Report taken -- Harbor Freight, 3100 N. Main St.

911 call -- No report Taylor High School, 355 FM 973 Threat -- No report -- 1700 blk W. 7th St.

Loose livestock -- No report -- 3900 blk Old Georgetown Rd.

Theft -- Report taken Dirty Duck Car Wash, 704 Mallard Ln.

Theft -- Report taken 200 blk N. Main St.

Noise complaint -- No report -- 900 blk E. Rio Grande St.

Suspicious circumstances -- No report -- 1600 blk Old Granger Rd.

Suspicious vehicle -- No report -- 1000 blk Fowzer St.

Suspicious circumstances -- No report -- Boost Mobile, 3118 N. Main St.

SEPTEMBER 17

Welfare concern -- No report -- Anytime Fitness, 106 W. Lake Dr.

911 call -- No report Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Disturbance -- No report -- 2200 blk Jason Dr.

Theft -- Report taken Taylor High School, 355 FM 973 911 call -- No report Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Animal complaint, dog at large -- Unable to locate W. 7th St./Howard St.

911 call -- No report Samsung, 1530 FM 973 911 call -- No report AT&T, 3605 N. Main St.

911 call -- No report Home 2 Suites by Hilton, 190 NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd.

Animal complaint, dog at large -- No report -- 900 blk Porter St.

Animal complaint -- No report -- Burkett St./Old Thorndale Rd.

Traffic complaint -- No report -- E. 5th St./N. Main St.

Abandoned vehicle -- No report -- 100 blk W. 7th St.

Reckless/erratic driver No report -- CR 407/S. SH 95 911 call -- No report -- 1100 blk Fisher St.

Reckless/erratic driver Officer advised -- S. CR 366/ Chandler Rd.

911 call -- No report 1200 blk Sycamore St.

Parking complaint -- No report -- 1400 blk Burns Blvd.

Suspicious vehicle Officer advised -- 700 blk Mallard Ln.

Accident, minor -- No report -- O’Reilly Auto Parts, 1910 N. Main St.

911 call -- No offense 3800 blk N. Main St.

Assist citizen -- No report -- Taylor PD, 500 S. Main St.

911 call -- Officer advised -- 300 blk E. 5th St.

Animal welfare -- No report -- FM 619/Old Thorndale Rd.

Suspicious circumstances -- No report -- 300 blk Branchwood Path Noise complaint -- No report -- 600 blk W. 5th St.

911 call -- Officer advised -- 300 blk Old Thorndale Rd.

SEPTEMBER 18

Citizen contact -- No report -- Nyle Maxwell, 3901 W. 2nd St.

Animal complaint, noise -- No report -- 1100 blk Fairgrounds St.

Welfare concern -- No report -- 500 blk Estes Park Disturbance -- No report -- 300 blk Branch St.

Animal complaint -- No report -- Debus Cir.

Disturbance -- Unable to locate -- 3100 blk N. Main St.

City ordinance violation Citation -- 800 blk Gilmore St.

City ordinance violation -- No report -- Heritage Square, 400 N. Main St.

Road/traffic hazard -- No report -- 1300 blk Wallace St.

Animal complaint -- No report -- 600 blk Annie St.

Animal complaint Unable to locate -- North Dr./W. Lake Dr.

Reckless/erratic driver -- Officer advised -- Cecelia St./Mills Animal welfare -- No report -- 600 blk Annie St.

Fraud -- No report Sirloin Stockade, 3607 N. Main St.

Suspicious circumstances -- No report -- T.H. Johnson Elementary School, 3100 Duck Ln.

Lost/found property No report -- HEB, 100 NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd.

Civil matter -- No report -- 300 blk Airport Rd.

Disturbance -- No report -- 2200 blk Jason Dr.

Theft -- No report Crestone Wellness, 301 Highland Dr.

911 call -- No report -- 100 blk Gradiant St.

Suspicious person Unable to locate -- 200 blk W. 2nd St.

Accident, minor -- Report taken -- 3300 blk E. 4th St.

Animal complaint, dog at large -- Unable to locate 1000 blk Estes Park Welfare concern -- No report -- E. 5th St./N. Main St.

Parking complaint Unable to locate -- Davis St./Mallard Ln.

Motorist assist -- No report -- 3300 blk E. 4th St.

Accident, minor -- Report taken -- 3800 blk N. Main St.

911 call -- No report -- HEB, 100 NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd.

911 call -- Officer advised -- Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Unwanted person Criminal trespass warning issued -- 300 blk E. 5th St.

911 call -- No report -- 400 blk E. 7th St.

Civil matter -- No report -- 2700 blk Sunny Ln.

Reckless/erratic driver -- Unable to locate Chandler Rd./S. CR 366 Civil matter -- No report Walmart, 3701 N. Main St.

911 call -- No report -- 200 blk Cratis Ln.

Civil matter -- No report Walmart, 3701 N. Main St.

Disturbance -- No report Great Clips, 3605 N. Main St.

Welfare concern -- No report -- Fowzer St./W. 2nd St.

Suspicious person -- Unable to locate Stepping Stone Apts., 2501 Davis St.

Unwanted person -- No report -- Taylor High School, 355 FM 973 Unwanted person -- No report -- 1000 blk Kent St.

911 call -- No report 1200 blk Welch St.

911 call -- No report -- 400 blk W. 12th St.

Noise complaint -- No report -- 900 blk James St.

Suspicious person -- No report -- 900 blk Talbot St.

Assault -- Report taken Second Street Station, 201 N. Main St.

Noise complaint -- No report -- 800 blk Debus Dr.

Disturbance -- No report -- 200 blk W. 2nd St.

Noise complaint -- Unable to locate -- Tractor Supply Co., 3600 N. Main St.

Noise complaint -- No report -- 1100 blk McLain St.

SEPTEMBER 19

Civil matter -- No report 100 blk Nathaniel Dr.

Welfare concern -- No report -- W. 2nd St./Talbot St.

Welfare concern -- Unable to locate -- 100 blk N. Main St.

Juvenile complaint -- No report -- 500 blk Wedemeyer St.

Unwanted person -- No report -- 100 blk E. Oak St.

Parking complaint -- No report -- 800 blk Gilmore St.

Parking complaint -- No offense -- Bull Branch Baseball Field, 2205 Davis St.

911 call -- No contact Walmart, 3701 N. Main St.

Harassment -- Report taken -- 500 blk Ferguson St.

Accident, minor -- Report taken -- Samsung, 1530 FM 973 Possession of controlled substance -- Arrested Heritage Square, 400 N. Main St.

Welfare concern -- Unable to locate -- Walmart, 3701 N. Main St.

Road/traffic hazard -- No report -- 1600 blk W. 2nd St.

Criminal mischief -- Report taken -- 1700 blk W. 7th St.

Welfare concern -- No contact -- 100 blk N. Main St.

Reckless/erratic driver -- Unable to locate -- NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd./ Mallard Ln.

911 call -- No report -- 400 blk W. 7th St.

Motorist assist -- No report -- Robinson Park, 206 S. Dolan Ave.

Parking complaint Unable to locate -- Main Street Commons, 3700 N. Main St.

Warrant service -- Arrested -- 1700 blk W. 7th St.

911 call -- Officer advised -- 200 blk Cratis Ln.

Disturbance -- No report -- 1300 blk W. 2nd St.

Noise complaint -- Unable to locate -- 200 blk Pivot Dr.

Noise complaint -- No report -- 100 blk Pivot Dr.

Noise complaint -- No report -- 400 blk Sams St.

Noise complaint -- No report -- Taylor Regional Park, 210 NW Carlos G. Parker Blvd.

Senior wide-receiver Jaiden Fields was the first to score for Hutto, catching the first of several passes from sophomore quarterback Micah Antoun in the endzone. Antoun passed 337 yards, clenched four touchdowns and one interception to accumulate a 70.8% completion rating.

Responding to his brother, junior wide-receiver Carson Fields then put the Hippos up 14-0 after he recovered a Wildcat fumble on the 43-yard line. Hutto senior wide-receiver Dylan Owens put up 14 points back-to-back to finish out the first quarter, putting the Hippos up 28-0.

Hutto junior quarterback Ethan Carlson was the next to score, bringing the Hippos up 34-0 after running from the third-yard line untagged into the endzone.

Temple found its first of two touchdowns late in the second quarter after junior running back Eric Shelly performed a three-yard run and landing in the endzone just before a tackle.

At halftime, Fields took a break from the action to be named Homecoming King.

Senior cheerleader Casee Fields was named Homecoming Queen.

The third quarter saw Wildcat action immediately, with junior quarterback Kylan Basinger blazing through the Hippo defense and bringing the score 34-14.

Hutto would go on to find the endzone two more times in the third quarter, and one final time in the fourth for a total score of 53-14.

The Hippos now hold a 3-1 overall record and are ranked in the top 70 of all Texas high school varsity teams.

The Hutto Hippos will begin district play next, facing off against the East View Patriots on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at East View.

Our next two heroes were also killed for their faith: John Hus directly and Dietrich Bonhoeffer indirectly.

Hus was an early Reformer who was martyred for challenging the religious system of his time.

By contrast, Bonhoeffer, a discipleshipfocused figure, was killed because his Christian convictions compelled him to resist the Nazis, help persecuted Jews and accept the consequences.

Let’s dive into both, beginning with Hus.

John Hus (c. 1372–1415)

“Seek the truth, listen to the truth, learn the truth, love the truth, speak the truth, hold the truth, defend the truth until death.”

Long before the Protestant Reformation, Hus called for the church to return to the authority of Scripture and to pursue integrity rather than corruption. As a preacher in Prague, he boldly challenged abuses among church leaders, earning devoted followers and determined enemies.

Summoned to the Council of Constance under a promise of safe conduct, Hus expected a fair hearing. Instead, he was imprisoned, condemned for heresy and ordered to renounce his teachings.

Refusing to deny what he believed Scripture taught, he was burned at the stake in 1415. His final witness inspired generations of reformers, including Martin Luther, who later acknowledged Hus’ influence.

Hus reminds Christians that truth sometimes demands extraordinary courage, even at great personal cost.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–1945) “Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession... Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”

As Adolf Hitler tightened his grip on Germany, many churches remained silent. But not Bonhoeffer.

A gifted pastor and theologian, he believed that following Christ required more than words—it demanded costly obedience. He helped lead the Confessing Church, which resisted Nazi control of Christianity, and wrote influential books such as “The Cost of Discipleship” and “Life Together.”

Eventually, Bonhoeffer became involved in efforts to oppose Hitler’s regime.

Arrested in 1943, he spent two years in prison, continuing to write letters filled with hope and faith. Just weeks before World War II ended in Europe, he was executed by the Nazis.

Bonhoeffer’s witness continues to challenge Christians to pursue justice, speak the truth and remain faithful even when discipleship carries a high price.

As with Justin Martyr and Perpetua (mentioned in Part One), these heroes of the Christian faith exemplify the cost of discipleship, which may include martyrdom.

I’m reminded of another martyr focused on discipleship, Stephen, one of the Church’s first deacons: “They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!’ Then, falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them!’ Having said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:59-60).

Next, we’ll meet two early disciple-making heroes: Thomas Aquinas and John of the Cross.

Blessings and peace.

Braley, a Taylor-based 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.

The last meeting between the two was in 2015, with Taylor putting away the Lady Jaguars 2-0 during a non-district match at home.

“We spent a lot of time working on some offensive strategy just because I know that’s going to come into play in some future games,” said Taylor varsity volleyball head coach Sarah Neal. “The girls really bought it and executed. I think they went in with no fear and with confidence.”

Junior outside hitter Kennedy Pleasants was a top player in the match, putting down 10 kills across the five sets.

Junior setter Maricela Hernandez collected 20 assists while junior Lauren Garza got 16 digs.

The Lady Ducks established the tone in the first set, taking down the visitors 25-19.

In the second set, LBJ responded to the hosts and tied up the match with a 25-23 victory.

Taylor would come out on top in the third set 25-20, with the Lady Jaguars striking Taylor back down 25-22 in the fourth set.

The Lady Ducks dug deep and came back to blow out the Lady Jaguars in the final set 15- 6. Taylor now holds a 7-22 overall record and a perfect 3-0 record for district play.

The Taylor Lady Ducks traveled to play Eastside Early College on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. before hosting Austin Achieve on Sept.

25 at 6:30 p.m.

“We’re not going to focus too much on the other team and get in our heads by panic about what they’re capable of,” said Neal.

“We are going to walk in and focus on playing our game, executing our strategy and not count anybody out.”

This was the first meeting between the Tigers and Bison in team history. Buffalo entered the match with a three-game win streak, coming off a 28-0 home victory against Anderson-Shiro. Both put in the work offensively, creating a halftime score of 19-14 in favor of Thrall.

The third quarter finished with the visiting Bison on top 28-25. The Buffalo lead was short lived however, as the Tigers found success in the endzone two more times during the fourth quarter and finalized the score at 38-28.

Thrall now holds a 3-1 overall record and will stay home to finish out non-district play on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. against the San Antonio Christian Lions.

This is a change from this time last season, where the Tigers had given up 94 points and just picked up their first of two wins. Thrall finished 2-8 overall and 0-4 for district play and came in last in the district rankings.

The Lions have yet to see a victory this pre-season, entering the match 0-4. San Antonio Christian completed last season with a steady 6-5 overall record and a 2-1 for district play, placing third on the rankings after allowing 66 points throughout the season.

In addition, the company hired by the city found no chemicals in the water, according to a social-media post by the Taylor Parks and Recreation Department.

The Facebook notification Tuesday noted that testing found a high level of biological oxygen demand, or BOD, which measures how much oxygen is needed to break down organic matter in the water.

A typical pond has a BOD level of 5 milligrams per liter or less. The Murphy Park pond tested at 35 milligrams per liter.

High BOD levels lowering the amount of oxygen in the water can disrupt aquatic life, officials said.

Common causes include decaying vegetation, warm water temperatures and sediment buildup, according to the post.

According to weather reports, the north Austin area has seen some of the highest summer temperatures ever recorded for September.

Parks and Rec brought in a pond management company to assess the situation.

“Fish kills caused by low dissolved oxygen are common during periods of extreme heat,” Parks & Recreation said in the Facebook post. “As water temperatures rise, the water is able to hold less dissolved oxygen.”

The department said oxygen levels are now returning to normal.

The city department said the water testing was conducted “out of an abundance of caution.”

This was the first meeting between the Tigers and Bison in team history. Both put in the work offensively, creating a halftime score of 19-14 in favor of Thrall. 

The third quarter finished with the visiting Bison on top 28-25. The Buffalo lead was short lived however, as the Tigers found success in the endzone two more times during the fourth quarter and finalized the score at 38-28. 

Thrall now holds a 3-1 overall record and will stay home to finish out non-district play on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. against the San Antonio Christian Lions.

The Lions have yet to see a victory this pre-season season, entering the match 0-4. 

Flatonia entered the meeting coming off its first loss of the season, a road game against Nixon-Smiley where they fell 42-22. 

Granger now holds a 2-2 record as they look to begin district play on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. when they host the Moody Bearcats. 

Moody currently holds a 1-3 overall record with district play beginning next week. 

The Lions have not played Moody since 2015, where the Bearcats hosted and took down Granger 46-36. 

This is the first meeting between the two teams since 2023, where Hutto clenched a 52-31 victory at home. 

Senior wide-receiver Jaiden Fields was the first to score for Hutto, catching the first of several passes from sophomore quarterback Micah Antoun in the endzone. 

Responding to his brother, junior wide-receiver Carson Fields then put the Hippos up 14-0 after he recovered a Wildcat fumble on the 43-yard line. 

Hutto senior wide-receiver Dylan Owens put up 14 points back-to-back to finish out the first quarter, putting the Hippos up 28-0.

Hutto junior quarterback Ethan Carlson was the next to score, bringing the Hippos up 34-0 after running from the third-yard line untagged into the endzone. 

Temple found its first of two touchdowns late in the second quarter after junior running back Eric Shelly performed a three-yard run and landing in the endzone just before a tackle. 

The third quarter saw Wildcat action immediately, with junior quarterback Kylan Basinger blazing through the Hippo defense and bringing the score 34-14. 

Hutto would go on to find the endzone two more times in the third quarter, and one final time in the fourth for a total score of 53-14. 

The Hippos now hold a 3-1 overall record and are ranked in the top 70 of all Texas high school varsity football teams. 

Hutto will begin district play next, facing off against the East View Patriots on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at East View. 

The 573,000-square-foot building with the loading docks along the dedicated rail line is in the planning and design stages, said Mitchell Hanzik, partner and managing director for development at Partners Real Estate, a Houston-based development company.

TaylorPort 3 will join a 183,000-square-foot building now occupied by electric vehicle and robotics maker Tesla and a 366,000-square-foot structure for Compal USA Technology, the U.S arm of a major Taiwanese tech manufacturer, on the 58 acres owned by Partners.

“TaylorPort 3 is planned to be the largest of our three phases at TaylorPort in recognition of the market’s continued evolution as an attractive location for institutional tenants and investors.” Hanzik said in a written statement to the Press.

He said the Taylor-area project is in the planning and design stage, and they aren’t ready yet to disclose a timeline for when construction will begin.

The location of TaylorPort in the 765-acre RCR rail park next to Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.’s semiconductor fabrication site makes it ideal for Samsung suppliers seeking a spot adjacent to their client.

There are as many as 150 suppliers, mostly based in South Korea, that have found locations near Samsung’s 1,200-acres site or are looking.

One major win was Samsung-supplier Soulbrain TX LLC, the U.S. subsidiary of South Korea’s Soul Brain Co. Ltd., which is spending as much a $600 million for its headquarters, first U.S. plant and an eventual expansion at RCR.

However, the rail park and other industrial sites in Taylor and Hutto have proven attractive to other industries outside the semiconductor supply chain, including aerospace, advanced manufacturing, food packaging and cosmetics.

The newest Partners development will occupy the company’s last parcel at RCR and it could be looking for more land for future development in the Taylor area.

“We greatly appreciate being a part of the Taylor community and the success we have found there,” Hanzik said. “We believe both Taylor and Williamson County more broadly will continue to offer compelling development opportunities.”

TaylorPort 1 is occupied by Tesla, which was already using RCR for rail shipping of electric vehicles manufactured less than 30 miles away outside Bastrop.

Tesla also is the first major customer for the advanced semiconductors that will come out of Samsung’s Taylor campus, which is expected to be operational by the end of this year.

TaylorPort 2 tenant Compal is slated to bring 900 jobs to Taylor and another 100 at a site in Georgetown.

The controversial project — which has prompted community protests, a lawsuit and calls for new zoning — is being developed by Blueprint Projects Data Centers.

“I will not allow any person or entity to disregard the rule of law or obligations owed to the public,” Paxton said in a prepared release Thursday. “If the Taylor data center development is unlawful, I will do everything in my power to stop it and hold those who have violated the law accountable.”

Paxton, a Republican, is running for the U.S. Senate in the Nov. 3 election against state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin.

The Press is seeking comment from the project’s developers.

The area in contention is home to generational residents who remember the original owner of the land allowing neighborhood children free access to play there.

Resident Pamela Griffin has said the owner told her father he would leave the land for the enjoyment of children.

According to neighbors and community activists, the farmer stayed true to his word, and in 1999 the Bland family transferred the property to the Texas Parks and Recreation Foundation “to be held in trust for future use as parkland.”

The Blands received $10 for the property.

Over time, the land passed through various hands.

In 2025, the Taylor Economic Development Corp. sold the property to a data center developer for $10 million.

The land was eventually purchased by NCP Travis TPP Project LLC, the investor behind the Blueprint Projects Data Center development.

Paxton said he is office intends to determine whether the property can legally be used for a data center or whether court intervention is needed to ensure it is used as a park.

In 2025, a group of residents brought a lawsuit to force the landowner to dedicate the site to parkland.

In Georgetown, 395th state District Court Judge Ryan Larson dismissed the suit and ruled the residents did not have standing due to having no financial interest in the case. The lawsuit is now under the jurisdiction of an appellate court to determine whether the claimants have standing.

Critics of the project including HALT Taylor Data Centers on Sept. 17 welcomed Paxton’s announcement.

“HALT is overjoyed that there is intention to investigate. Pamela and the neighbors are confident that the deed will be honored and park will be built and the community protected,” said coalition founder Carrie D’Anna. “Especially when the citizens come up against big businesses, what the communities lack is money and power, and we appreciate the state stepping in to represent its constituents.”

In state political circles, support for Texas data centers is shifting, with Gov. Greg Abbott calling on energy and water-use audits of the facilities, as well as directing local governments to stop awarding tax incentives.

Supporters note data centers are needed for artificial intelligence, telecommunications, banking and military support. Developers also note the centers pump millions back into local tax bases that support schools and infrastructure.

Detractors have raised concerns about noise issues, potential fears of pollution, drains on water and the power grid, and criticism of government-sponsored tax deals.

In Taylor, HALT and others are pushing for a Nov. 3 ballot initiative requiring the city to amend zoning codes to cover digital industries. City officials said they are already examining such policies.

Up to four data-center projects are planned for the Taylor area, according to reports.

• 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.

Our next two heroes were also killed for their faith: John Hus directly and Dietrich Bonhoeffer indirectly.

Hus was an early Reformer who was martyred for challenging the religious system of his time.

By contrast, Bonhoeffer, a discipleship- focused figure, was killed because his Christian convictions compelled him to resist the Nazis, help persecuted Jews and accept the consequences.

Let’s dive into both, beginning with Hus.

John Hus (c. 1372–1415)

“Seek the truth, listen to the truth, learn the truth, love the truth, speak the truth, hold the truth, defend the truth until death.”

Long before the Protestant Reformation, Hus called for the church to return to the authority of Scripture and to pursue integrity rather than corruption. As a preacher in Prague, he boldly challenged abuses among church leaders, earning devoted followers and determined enemies.

Summoned to the Council of Constance under a promise of safe conduct, Hus expected a fair hearing. Instead, he was imprisoned, condemned for heresy and ordered to renounce his teachings.

Refusing to deny what he believed Scripture taught, he was burned at the stake in 1415. His final witness inspired generations of reformers, including Martin Luther, who later acknowledged Hus’ influence.

Hus reminds Christians that truth sometimes demands extraordinary courage, even at great personal cost.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–1945) “Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession... Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”

As Adolf Hitler tightened his grip on Germany, many churches remained silent. But not Bonhoeffer.

A gifted pastor and theologian, he believed that following Christ required more than words—it demanded costly obedience. He helped lead the Confessing Church, which resisted Nazi control of Christianity, and wrote influential books such as “The Cost of Discipleship” and “Life Together.”

Eventually, Bonhoeffer became involved in efforts to oppose Hitler’s regime.

Arrested in 1943, he spent two years in prison, continuing to write letters filled with hope and faith. Just weeks before World War II ended in Europe, he was executed by the Nazis.

Bonhoeffer’s witness continues to challenge Christians to pursue justice, speak the truth and remain faithful even when discipleship carries a high price.

As with Justin Martyr and Perpetua (mentioned in Part One), these heroes of the Christian faith exemplify the cost of discipleship, which may include martyrdom.

I’m reminded of another martyr focused on discipleship, Stephen, one of the Church’s first deacons: “They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!’ Then, falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them!’ Having said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:59-60).

Next, we’ll meet two early disciple-making heroes: Thomas Aquinas and John of the Cross.

Blessings and peace.

Braley, a Taylor-based 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.

The Timberwolves attempted to establish dominance in the first set, winning 25-21. The Lady Hippos struck back in the second set with a two-point advantage 27-25 victory.

Set three was quieter, with the Timberwolves coming out on top 25-20.

Hutto fought the Cedar Park players to the bitter end in the extra set, narrowly falling after the Timberwolves grasped the twopoint advantage and finalized the game at 29-27.

This slump is a swift change from their pre-season tournament outcomes, where the Lady Hippos led a six-game win streak and 30 sets won.

A top player for the Hippos was senior setter Kharmin Fisher, who accumulated 17 assists, eight digs and two aces. She now holds a record of 27 kills and an average hit percentage of .328% Additionally, Kori Glasglow recorded 11 assists and five aces throughout all four sets.

The Lady Hippos faced the Vandegrift Vipers on Friday, Sept. 18 at 5 p.m. at Vandegrift High School.

It was a tough matchup, as the Lions entered the match with an eightgame win streak, all being 3-0 sweeps.

Thrall put up a strong fight throughout the first set but could not finish, ultimately coming up short at 25-21.

The second set proved to be a difficult one, with the Tigerettes facing their lowest score of the night at 25-15.

The Tigerettes attempted to recoup for the final set but the Lions defense pushed back relentlessly, keeping Thrall down and coming out on top 25-18.

Thrall volleyball struggles to find rhythm this season as they hold a 16-14 overall record and 1-2 for district play. This time last season, the Tigerettes possessed a neutral 2-2 district record but finished the year ranked fourth overall.

Franklin now holds a 23-4 overall record and a perfect district record. Last season, the Lions finished second overall in the district rankings and reached the first round of playoffs.

Thrall played C.H. Yoe at home on Friday, Sept. 18 at 5:30 p.m.

Central Texas job seekers

A new online platform aimed at connecting area residents with career and education resources across a 10-county region has launched.

Career Ready Central Texas, a Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area initiative, brings together career information for Travis County and Central Texas. It looks to offer a starting point for students, job seekers, educators and workforce professionals to explore opportunities and identify training pathways.

“Career Ready Central Texas isn’t just about telling people that opportunity exists. It’s about giving them the information and tools to see where it is, understand what it takes to get there and take the next step,” WSRCA CEO Paul Fletcher said in a statement.

As the Central Texas corridor continues to experience significant population and workforce growth, new possibilities open up across industries and communities. Officials said the tool is designed to help residents take advantage of that growth and keep pace by connecting career interests with the skills, education and training needed to compete for jobs across county lines.

“Whether someone is choosing a first career, planning their education or considering a new direction, we want them to see a future for themselves right here in Central Texas,” Fletcher said.

By bringing regional career information and resources into one platform, according to Workforce Solutions, the initiative allows itself to help students and families make more informed decisions while giving educators, counselors and workforce professionals another tool to guide those conversations.

More information is available at careerreadyctx. com.

GEORGETOWN – The county will move forward with the land purchase and construction of a new Precinct 4 annex building in Taylor after approving $30 million in the capital improvement plan.

Precincts 1, 2 and 3 all have centralized building complexes for performing county business in their areas. Precinct 4 does not.

“The county is growing in such a unique way, I’ve been trying to figure out exactly where the best spot for it is. I think it’s in Taylor. I think I have the site in mind that I would like to consider,” said Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles.

Specifics are still to come. Also, during the Williamson County Commissioners Court session Sept. 15, county leaders heard about a display using shoes to create awareness of suicide prevention and waived a park entrance fee.

Regarding the new $30 million building in Taylor, Boles said the county is in the process of securing right of way and making sure enough land is available.

The majority of the building would be for a justice center, but the location could also host ambulances and “Medic 42,” a county-owned 2020 Ford F-450 4x4 that is currently housed at the city-owned Emergency Medical Services Station 42, 1427 North Main St.

Precinct 4 will also see another $9 million in capital investments to remodel Taylor’s county tax office and build out the JP4 Hutto Annex, among other construction projects.

County suicide memorial on display The county created a memorial tribute using footwear to honor the 118 people who died by suicide in Williamson County in 2025, commissioners heard.

Titled “Every Step Remembered,” the temporary installation in the new county administration building at 1848 Texas Trail was announced during a proclamation recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Ruben Leal, a death investigator for Precinct 1, was instrumental in creating the memorial. Leal survived a suicide attempt.

“I wouldn’t be able to be here had my suicide attempt not been interrupted and I had those extra few minutes. I’m here to tell you it does get better. I promise it gets better,” Leal said.

The memorial included 118 pairs of shoes representing the people who are no longer alive to continue walking in them. It includes footwear donated by the parents of a 14-year-old suicide victim as well as 14 pairs of combat boots representing the military veterans lost to self-harm last year.

“Sometimes seeing it physically just makes a harder impact on you,” Leal said of the display.

County residents have access to 24/7 assistance from the Bluebonnet Trails crisis hotline at 800-8411255. The public can also call 911 for connection to mental health resources in an immediate crisis.

The county has been developing a new service called a “loss team” to assist residents who have survived a suicide attempt and those dealing with loss of loved ones.

Free entrance to River Ranch Park Sept. 26 Commissioners voted to waive the standard entrance fees at the Williamson County River Ranch Park, 2100 CR 279 in Liberty Hill on National Public Lands Day, Sept. 26.

The occasion marks the country’s largest single- day volunteer event dedicated to caring for public lands.

The free admission was the idea of Parks Department employee Sam Gibson.

“It is our hope that waiving this described fee on Sept. 26 will incentivize folks to come to the park for the first time or second time to rediscover the beauty of River Ranch Park,” Gibson said.

The free entrance does not include service fees or facility fees.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced his office is investigating how land once slated to become a community park in southeast Taylor could now house a 135,000-square-foot data center.

The controversial project — which has prompted community protests, a lawsuit and calls for new zoning — is being developed by Blueprint Projects Data Centers.

“I will not allow any person or entity to disregard the rule of law or obligations owed to the public,” Paxton said in a prepared release Thursday. “If the Taylor data center development is unlawful, I will do everything in my power to stop it and hold those who have violated the law accountable.”

Paxton, a Republican, is running for the U.S. Senate in the Nov. 3 election against state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin.

The Press is seeking com- ment from the project’s developers.

The area in contention is home to generational residents who remember the original owner of the land allowing neighborhood children free access to play there.

Resident Pamela Griffin has said the owner told her father he would leave the land for the enjoyment of children.

According to neighbors and community activists, the farmer stayed true to his word, and in 1999 the Bland family transferred the property to the Texas Parks and Recreation Foundation “to be held in trust for future use as parkland.”

The Blands received $10 for the property.

Over time, the land passed through various hands.

In 2025, the Taylor Economic Development Corp. sold the property to a data center developer for $10 million.

The land was eventually purchased by NCP Travis TPP Project LLC, the investor behind the Blueprint Projects Data Center development.

Paxton said he is office intends to determine whether the property can legally be used for a data center or whether court intervention is needed to ensure it is used as a park.

In 2025, a group of residents brought a lawsuit to force the landowner to dedicate the site to parkland.

In Georgetown, 395th state District Court Judge Ryan Larson dismissed the suit and ruled the residents did not have standing due to having no financial interest in the case. The lawsuit is now under the jurisdiction of an appellate court to determine whether the claimants have standing.

Critics of the project including HALT Taylor Data Centers on Sept. 17 welcomed Paxton’s announcement.

“HALT is overjoyed that there is intention to investigate. Pamela and the neighbors are confident that the deed will be honored and park will be built and the community protected,” said coalition founder Carrie D’Anna. “Especially when the citizens come up against big businesses, what the communities lack is money and power, and we appreciate the state stepping in to represent its constituents.”

In state political circles, support for Texas data centers is shifting, with Gov. Greg Abbott calling on energy and water-use audits of the facilities, as well as directing local governments to stop awarding tax incentives.

Supporters note data centers are needed for artificial intelligence, telecommunications, banking and military support. Developers also note the centers pump millions back into local tax bases that support schools and infrastructure.

Detractors have raised concerns about noise issues, potential fears of pollution, drains on water and the power grid, and criticism of government-sponsored tax deals.

In Taylor, HALT and others are pushing for a Nov. 3 ballot initiative requiring the city to amend zoning codes to cover digital industries. City officials said they are already examining such policies.

Up to four data-center projects are planned for the Taylor area, according to reports.

HUTTO – Williamson County Emergency Services District No. 3 gave a resounding “no” to three options presented by the city in Hutto’s attempt to renegotiate the sales-and-use tax sharing agreement between the pair.

It is just the latest salvo fired in what is turning into a duel between the county fire service and the city’s plans to build its own fire station.

In a letter dated Sept. 8, Fire Chief Scott Kerwood told City Manager James Earp that ESD No. 3, also known as Hutto Fire Rescue, would not pursue the suggestions presented by the City Council Aug. 7.

“The issue before us should not be which entity receives the greater share of sales-tax revenue. The issue is whether the community will have the resources necessary to provide the right people, equipment facilities and emergency-response capabilities when they are needed,” Kerwood said in his letter.

The ESD, which is under the county umbrella, is a tax-funded entity originally designed to provide fire and medical support in rural areas. Hutto, meanwhile, is planning on opening its first municipal fire station.

When the council first floated the idea of a city-run fire department, officials commended Hutto Fire Rescue’s expertise and said Hutto wants to fold the organization into the city. Mayor Mike Snyder said ideally it would continue to work seamlessly with the only change being that Hutto, not the county, owned the agency.

In the Aug. 7 letter to Kerwood, the city offered three options:

• Allow the community to vote on giving the city 80% of sales tax revenue on annexed properties

• Sign an agreement to transition the ESD into a city-owned fire service

• Agree to an 80/20 allocation of sales-tax revenue for 30 years “It’s very unfortunate that ESD No. 3 is unwilling to negotiate on our sales-tax sharing issue. The ESD No. 3 has an almost 90% reserve balance,” Snyder said. “Millions are invested in infrastructure by the city of Hutto and I think it is wholly appropriate for the taxpayers of the city to get a return on the infrastructure costs.” He added, “Bottom line is that you cannot operate a city responsibly without a long-term share of sales taxes — sales taxes that came about because of the investment made by the city of Hutto.”

Voters in unincorporated areas surrounding Hutto voted in 2016 to allocate a portion of the sales and use tax to ESD No. 3, as allowed by Texas law. The state receives a 6.25% sales tax and the county receives an additional 2% to make the total 8.25% sales tax.

Under the current agreement created in 2017 and renewed earlier this year, when a property is annexed into the city, ESD No. 3 will give the city 60% of its portion of the sales tax if the property meets certain requirements, one of them being that it is over 5 acres in size.

Snyder noted most retail properties annexed by Hutto are less than 5 acres so the city will not be able to collect any sales tax revenue, yet will have to fund infrastructure and city services to support the development.

In his letter, Kerwood said the money collected by ESD No. 3 is necessary for growth. Hutto Fire Rescue recently announced the purchase of land for a sixth fire station in the Hutto area.

The site is in the same area as land the city has bought to build its first city-owned station.

The growing area that is the epicenter for the dueling fire stations will soon be home to salestax heavy hitters slated for the Cottonwood Properties retail development, as well as the Hutto Megasite where construction is generating use-taxes.

“There is no room in public safety for decisions driven solely by financial considerations, politics or personal agendas. The responsibility shared by the district and the city is to put the safety of the community first; nothing more – and to ensure that the emergency services provided today remain capable of protecting this community tomorrow,” Kerwood said in his letter.

The missive added. “The district retains sole authority and responsibility to determine the resources capacity, and operational requirements necessary to provide adequate emergency protection. The district will work with the city, but it will not compromise or surrender that authority.”

The ESD’s response was first reported by community advocate site HuttoTransparency.org.

Hutto Fire Rescue posted the city’s letter and its own response on its website huttofire.gov/e-s-d-3.

If I could travel back in time to witness any of the numerous significant events in Taylor’s history, the 1910 paving of First Street with wooden bricks would be at the top of my list.

I’ve known for quite some time that pinewood pavers were hidden under the pavement in front of the old Blazilmar Hotel, and I have stopped on several occasions to look through holes in the pavement where I could see small glimpses of the wooden bricks underneath.

Now, in conjunction with Taylor’s 150th birthday celebration, and the arrival of the “Spark! Places of Innovation” traveling Smithsonian exhibit, the city of Taylor has removed a large section of First Street pavement, leaving the wooden pavers totally exposed for anyone who would like to stop by the spot where the city began and take a closer look at this part of our history.

You can even reach down and touch the still visible rings from when these bricks were pine trees and imagine what life might have been like for the people who walked across this unique street when it was new, or rode in horse-drawn carriages across these exact same bricks.

I wanted to learn more about this unique part of our history, so I contacted local historian and Realtor, Emily Downs Smith, to learn more about the topic from her many hours of research.

As a retired educator, I also wanted to include some of Taylor’s youth in this project to learn more about their local history. Three members of the Stroud family accepted my invitation: Wade, 13, Annie, 10, and Ryder, 8. You may have seen their family, including parents Warren and Ashley, and younger siblings Ember and Colton, in several fun and creative social-media commercials for their family business, Plumbing Outfitters.

Wade, Annie and Ryder joined me in Emily’s office for the interview, and then we all went down to First Street to examine the unique pavers close-up.

Wade asked the first question: “How big were the wooden bricks?”

“The wooden pavers were 4 inches deep by about 10 or 12 inches long,” Emily explained. “It’s basically a chunk of railroad tie that was treated with tar to keep out the moisture.”

The paving was done by The Kaw Paving Company. The general office was in Topeka, Kansas, but the southern office was located right here in Taylor.

“They did a layer of gravel, and then a layer of sand, and then they laid the pavers down,” Emily said. “The pavers would go down in one direction in the center of the street and on the borders they would go a different direction. They were horizontal on the street and vertical along the curbs.”

Another layer of sand would fill in the cracks between the bricks, and then a final layer of tar was poured over the top.

In an advertisement from the 1916 Taylor High School Yearbook, The Kaw Paving Company informed the community it constructed “asphaltic, concrete, brick and other forms of street paving.”

The firm also claimed, “Good streets and sidewalks are town builders and essential to community progress.”

Emily’s interest in local history has proven to be a benefit as she works with clients in real estate.

“Because we work with a lot of downtown business owners and downtown building owners, one of the things we like to do with all of our incoming businesses owners is to (introduce them to) the rich history we have here in Taylor,” Emily said. “When someone buys a property, we want them to know how amazing it is and the deep roots and the history that the home or the building or the property holds. We want them to carry that love and reverence with them.”

While Emily hasn’t found the exact measurements for the length of the wooden brick section of First Street, it likely ran from close to Elliott Street to Main Street. That distance would have provided pavement for the high-traffic area in front of the train station and the Murphy Hotel, which later became the Blazilmar Hotel.

A quick look at city directories from the time indicates the 100 block of East First Street also included a barber shop, a cigar and liquor store, a tailor shop and a saloon.

Emily has also found where property owners paid for the paving. Taylor’s original dirt streets were known to be dusty, and often a muddy mess. So, it seems that paving would have provided a significant benefit to businesses.

“I found a receipt for a payment from T. W. Marse for 270 feet which is from corner to corner, the entire block from Porter to Main Street,” Emily said. “It likely went down to Elliott Street, closer to the Heidenheimer building.”

The Heidenheimer building, 209 E. First St., is the location of the free “Spark!” exhibit, which runs through Sept. 27.

Our young historians asked excellent questions during the interview. In addition to the size of the bricks, Wade wanted to know how many people lived in Taylor at the time, and if they used chainsaws to cut the wooden bricks.

Ryder asked if they had axes back then, and how many bricks were used.

According to the 1910 Taylor city directory, the population at the time was 6,612. Emily explained they would have used handsaws to cut the pine wood into bricks, and measurements were probably taken in square yards rather than by the number of bricks.

The young historians also asked about the Kamp Hotel, and the fire of 1879 that destroyed much of downtown Taylor. Annie wanted to know what happened to the homes and farms when Lake Granger was built. Wade also asked if people in Taylor’s early days settled their differences in the way you might see in old western movies and TV shows.

That last question brought to mind my column from Aug. 16 about how the Taylor City Cemetery began. If you missed it, check it out in the Taylor Press archives at taylorpress. net.

I must say, it warms this old Duck’s heart to see the younger generation taking such an interest in their hometown history. I believe every family in Taylor would enjoy a visit to see the wooden bricks, and the “Spark!” showcase while it is still in Taylor.

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 a suggestion, reach out to Crow via emily.treadway@ granitemediapartners. com.

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., general admission required.

• “Spark! Places of Innovation,” the Smithsonian in Taylor Exhibit at the Heidenheimer Building, 209 E. First St., Taylor, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., free.

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

• Margarita Mile in downtownTaylor, starts at 417 N. Main St., 1-5 p.m., ages 21 and up. • She Speaks Film Festival Award Ceremony at Black Sparrow Music Parlor, 113 W. Second St., Taylor, 8 p.m., free, all ages.

• 6th Annual Spay-ghetti Dinner & Raffle benefiting Texas Critter Crusaders at Taylor SPJST Hall, 5025 FM 619, Taylor, 5 to 9 p.m., $40, tickets at www.texascrittercrusaders. com.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 20

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., general admission required.

MONDAY, SEPT. 21

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., general admission required.

• “Spark! Places of Innovation,” the Smithsonian in Taylor Exhibit at the Heidenheimer Building, 209 E. First St., Taylor, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free.

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

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

TUESDAY, SEPT. 22

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., general admission required.

• “Spark! Places of Innovation,” the Smithsonian in Taylor Exhibit at the Heidenheimer Building, 209 E. First St., Taylor, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free.

• 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, SEPT. 23

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., general admission required.

• “Spark! Places of Innovation,” the Smithsonian in Taylor Exhibit at the Heidenheimer Building, 209 E. First St., Taylor, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free.

• 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.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 24

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., general admission required.

• “Spark! Places of Innovation,” the Smithsonian in Taylor Exhibit at the Heidenheimer Building, 209 E. First St., Taylor, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free.

• 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.

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

FRIDAY, SEPT. 25

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., general admission required.

• “Spark! Places of Innovation,” the Smithsonian in Taylor Exhibit at the Heidenheimer Building, 209 E. First St., Taylor, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., free.

• 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.

• Dan Whitaker Band at SPJST Lodge 29, 5025 FM 619, Taylor, 7:3011:30 p.m., free.

• Ripple and Rose Dance Party at Black Sparrow Music Parlor, 113 W. Second St., Taylor, 7 p.m., $10, ages 18 and up.

• Greed Fisher at Coupland Dance Hall, 101 Hoxie St., Coupland, doors open at 6 p.m., ticket information at CouplandDancehall. com.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 26

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., general admission required.

• “Spark! Places of Innovation,” the Smithsonian in Taylor Exhibit at the Heidenheimer Building, 209 E. First St., Taylor, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., free.

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

• Fiesta Taylor at Heritage Square Park, 400 N. Main St., Taylor, 6-10 p.m., details at taylorchamber.org/ fiesta-taylor-tx-tequila-music-2026/

• Black Sparrow Acoustic Showcase at Black Sparrow Music Parlor, 113 W. Second St., Taylor, 7 p.m., $10.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 27

• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. Texas 29, Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., general admission required.