Here is a recap of what was featured in the Wednesday, March 9, e-edition of the Taylor Press. The e-edition is mailed to subscribers and available at www.taylorpress.net.
FIRE CLAIMS TAYLOR HOME
A Taylor home is no longer habitable after being engulfed by flames.
At 8:59 a.m. Tuesday, March 8, the Taylor Fire Department rushed to a house fire in the 900 block of James Street. There were no injuries and no one inside during the blaze, which extensively damaged the building, officials said.
“The structure was fully involved with fire venting through the roof upon our arrival,” said Chief Daniel Baum. “The homeowners arrived at the house after firefighting efforts began.”
As blustery winds fanned the flames, firefighters fought to keep the fire from spreading to neighboring homes.
“It took approximately an hour to extinguish the bulk of the fire, but overhaul operations continued until nearly 1 p.m.,” said Baum. “The Taylor Fire Department was assisted by the Hutto Fire Department and Round Rock Fire Department.”
The cause of the conflagration remains under investigation.
ELECTIONS SET UP BY PRIMARIES
Williamson County incumbents won their respective parties’ races during primaries March 1, while voters also chose their opponents for Election Day, Nov. 8.
In the race for justice of the peace Precinct 4, Republican candidate Rhonda Redden narrowly escaped a runoff with 50.35% of the vote. She defeated Carole Callahan and Matthew Brading with 26.27% and 23.38% of the vote, respectively.
Stacy Hackenberg, Precinct 4 justice of the peace, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Redden will face off against her this fall.
For Williamson County’s top position, incumbent Bill Gravell received 57% of the votes in the GOP primary for county judge after defeating Ryan Gallagher. Gravell will challenge the Democrats’ Blane Conklin.
The Republican primary for Williamson County Precinct 4 commissioner was won by incumbent Russ Boles with 60% of the vote. He defeated Terri Romere.. Boles opposes Taylor resident Jose Orta, who did not have a challenger in the Democratic primary.
BOUND TO GLORY
On Monday, Feb. 28, Williamson County held a ribbon cutting for South Bounds Street. The road recently received improvements.
“Days like today are great to be able to come in and work with the city of Thrall on the repaving of South Bounds Street, “ said Boles. “It’s an important street to the city of Thrall, it’s important for Thrall Independent School District and it’s just an honor to be able to complete a project for the citizens of Thrall. I’m really excited about it.”
Boles thanked Mayor Troy Marx, Thrall ISD Superintendent Tommy Hooker, city staff and members of the school district for their help during the process.
The project included pavement reconstruction, drainage improvements and an overlay of the road from Railroad Avenue to south of East Eckhart Avenue in front of Thrall ISD buildings.
The design engineer was RS&H, and Chasco Constructors was the contractor. The $889,988 endeavor was funded through voterapproved 2019 road bonds.
12 VIRUS CASES IN TAYLOR
Active COVID-19 cases in Taylor were recently close to their lowest recorded numbers.
On Monday, March 7, Mayor Brandt Rydell reported Taylor had an estimated 12 active cases of the coronavirus. The city’s overall total during the pandemic is 4,478 cases, which grew 1,328 cases from Nov. 2, 2021..
A reported 4,466 residents have contracted the virus and recovered. There have been 64 recorded deaths in Taylor attributed to COVID-19, up eight from November.
Taylor’s all-time high of reported active cases was 105 Dec. 22, 2020, but has since dipped as low as 11 May 4, 2021.
Taylor Independent School District reported on its dashboard Monday, March 1, there was one student and no staff members infected with COVID-19.
In total, there have been 559 students and 153 staff members who have had the coronavirus during the 2021-22 school year. The tallies represent 18.58% of student enrollment and 30.35% of district staff. Cumulatively, 20.30% of the campuses’ total population has been infected with COVID-19 since the first day of school.
