New community services
Hutto has launched a victims’ advocacy program. Khila Coleman has been hired as the victims assistance coordinator and will work with the police department. Now Hutto can offer victims of crimes a place to find information, referrals to social services, safety consultation, and details about the investigation process. Coleman lives in Hutto and has seven years of experience as a probation officer assisting with victims advocacy.
Hutto’s new Emergency Management Coordinator joined the city just in time to help dig the community out of the ice storm damage. Bill Zito, Jr. fills the newly created position. According to the city, the retired United States Army command sergeant major holds masters’ degrees in emergency/disaster management and in legislative affairs plus experience with the Texas Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) among others. Part of Zito’s new job will be to help Hutto develop an Emergency Operations Center.
Council meeting date changed
The originally-scheduled March 16 regular Hutto city council meeting has been moved to March 23 due to spring break.
Hippos dance to victory
Hutto middle and high school dancers leapt, kicked and turned their way to victory at the Ascension Central Texas Challenge at Lake Belton High School. Dancers from Hutto High School, Hutto Ninth Grade Center, Hutto Middle School and Farley Middle School competed.
The teams brought home a total of 29 recognitions. “Our Hutto High School Hi-Stepper Officers, Journey Owens, Kiley Ryza, and Katie Thibodeaux, were Overall Grand Champions. This means they scored the highest of all officer groups and got 1st place in every routine regardless of division or team size. That’s the big trophy,” said coach Tiffany Boehler. “Our Hi-Stepper Team received Grand Champion in their division and Grand Reserve Champion Overall (second place) and many other awards including first place in every routine in their division. It was nearly a clean sweep! Go Hippos!”
Hutto survey results
Hutto residents love their city more than most other Texans, according to a city services and culture survey. The results of the ETC Institute survey show 81% of respondents in Hutto think it is a great place to live, vs.
45% percent of people statewide who are happy with their hometowns.
The news isn’t all good, though. While 71% agree that Hutto provides a safe environment for residents of all backgrounds, only 24% believe that the city is managing growth well.
The survey results can be found on the city’s website under the Agendas & Minutes Archive for the March 2 council meeting.
Hutto “Love and Death” premiere
This year’s SXSW Film and TV Festival will feature an HBO MAX original mini-series shot partially in Hutto. The Warner Bros. miniseries “Love and Death” filmed on Live Oak and Church streets in 2021.
The seven-episode Max Original limited series will debut April 27 and stars Elizabeth Olsen. The series is based on a true story about “two churchgoing couples enjoying their small-town Texas life, until an extramarital affair leads somebody to pick up an axe,” according to Warner Media.
