This past year was chock-full of stories in the Taylor area. While there were many memorable moments covered in over 100 Taylor Press issues this year, the newspaper has highlighted some articles that stick out from the rest.
Feb. 5 - Devastated community unites to help
As the city woke up Feb. 2 to the aftermath of the worst ice storm to hit the region since 2007, there was a scene of utter devastation. The storm that came to be known as Winter Storm Mara left utility poles collapsed, trees split down the center and power lines on the ground.
Thousands of customers were left without electricity, including major big-box retailers and other chains. Gas stations were out of fuel, with long lines for the remaining pumps.
While Mayor Brandt Rydell issued a disaster declaration for the city Feb. 1, people had already begun stepping in to do their part.
Recovery efforts involved street cleanups, electrical service repair and sheltering and feeding people.
May 9 - Local incumbents remain in office
The results came in for local elections May 6, and the people have chosen to keep two incumbents in office.
In the city of Taylor, Dwayne Ariola won his election with 63.50% of the vote, which means there was no need for a run-off.
Ariola defeated opponents Janetta McCoy, 30.81%, Rick Von Pfeil, 5.07% and Sandra Wolfe 0.63% in the election. At Taylor Independent School District, Buzan remained in the at-large seat for another term. Buzan defeated his opponent, Lisa Baum, with 75.47% of the vote.
July 12 - Body ID’d as missing man
Taylor police began working to locate Adrian Zachary, 45, of Taylor after he had been missing for about a week. Zachary was reported missing June 20 from his home at 706 Mariposa St.
Zachary had not been seen or had contact with family members that have been in communication with Taylor detectives.
On Thursday, July 6, at 9:54 p.m., officers and detectives responded to a body found in a cornfield in the 600 block of Gravel Pit Road. Preliminary indications have revealed no trauma and nothing suspicious was found at the scene, officers said.
The body matched the physical description of Zachary. The body was in advanced stages of decomposition. An autopsy was then ordered to determine the cause and manner of death.
While police believed it could be Zachary, a positive identification only took place after the autopsy results came back July 10.
Police said Zachary’s cause of death is pending the toxicology report, which typically can take up to about eight weeks to come back. Taylor PD has not released the toxicology result as of Dec. 29.
July 17 Superintendent headed to Georgetown, Oct. 24 - Taylor ISD names lone finalist
Taylor Independent School District learned July 17 they would have to begin a search for a new superintendent after Georgetown ISD announced Devin Padavil as the lone finalist for the position.
Padavil remained as Taylor ISD’s superintendent until the mandatory 21-day waiting period was completed. Taylor ISD’s board named Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen as the lone finalist for its vacant superintendent position late Tuesday, Oct. 24.
Garcia-Edwardsen, who previously served as chief of schools at New Braunfels Independent School District, took over at Taylor ISD after the mandatory 21-day waiting period.
The announcement concluded what was an 11-week vacancy. Former Superintendent Devin Padavil left the district for Georgetown ISD officially Aug. 7. Steve Flores served as the interim superintendent during that time.
Aug. 9 Commissioners call for bond election
GEORGETOWN — The Williamson County Commissioners Court officially approved an order to call a nearly $900 million bond election during its meeting Tuesday, Aug. 8.
The order meant voters would decide on $825 million for road projects and $59 million for park projects. The vote took place Nov. 7 and both propositions passed.
Approval of the roads bond allows the court to sell bonds for roads, highways and bridges. Some of the potential projects that were listed in the proposition affect Taylor, such as projects on Chandler Road, East Wilco Highway and Corridor A-2.
Similarly, the parks bond meant the court could sell bonds for park and recreational purposes, pedestrian trails and bike trails if voters approved it later. One specifically listed Taylor project is putting a cover on the west side of the Williamson County Expo Center.
Sept. 17 – Wilco recruits in Korea
While Korean companies tried to find Williamson County workers in Taylor to fill jobs at a job fair, county and city officials were heading to South Korea to strengthen the business ties that could fuel an economic boom for at least the next two decades.
Samsung Austin Semiconductor, a local subsidiary of South Korean based Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., and 13 suppliers to the technology giant were among 21 companies looking for the qualified applicants in and around Taylor at the East Wilco Business Expo & Job Fair the previous weekend.
Soon after the job fair, a delegation of Williamson County civic leaders, including elected and city economic development officials touched down in Korea.
The Williamson County Economic Development Partnership delegation planned the trip after talks with the Korean Trade Investment Promotion Agency and U.S. Embassy staff in Seoul “about ways to encourage and facilitate greater investment in Williamson County,” wrote Taylor Mayor Brandt Rydell.
For economic development purposes, it is estimated that every direct semiconductor foundry job, another six ancillary jobs are created by companies serving the manufacturer.
While there has been some criticism of local officials embracing the tech boom where cotton and corn were once king, others say they are grateful that their children will have a better chance staying in their communities for careers.
Nov. 19 - Taylor ISD receives $1M gift
Samsung Austin Semiconductor announced a $1 million investment in the Taylor Independent School District’s career and technical education program Nov. 14 during the groundbreaking ceremony for Taylor High School’s new CTE building.
Rachelle Finck, Taylor ISD’s director of behavioral health and student services, said the $1 million check will fund equipment for advanced manufacturing programs of study. She said this includes industrial systems, precision machining, automation and robotics and
welding. According to a press release from Samsung, the company’s initial investment will help underwrite vital equipment,
staff and training needed for classrooms, dual credit labs for coursework, robotics and automation and other manufacturingrelated program specific laboratories for the new CTE building, which is targeted for completion in the fall of 2025.
The investment is to help build the talent pipeline needed to support the growing semiconductor ecosystem in Central Texas, the press release said. It is part of its 5-Star Workforce Development Plan.
It will also help the district’s projects at all grade levels, such as a Taylor Middle School computer science initiative called Project Lead the Way.
