Little bits of big news
Crime up, crashes down
HUTTO — The Police Department released its July statistics this week, and the results show that while officers responded to fewer calls in July than in June, some serious crimes saw an increase.
“Criminal behavior isn’t static, and trends change based on a variety of factors. The recent increase in thefts and car burglaries in Hutto may (be) influenced by crimes of opportunity, such as vehicles being left unlocked with valuables inside, as well as seasonal changes and higher foot traffic during the summer,” said Police Chief Jeffrey Yarbrough.
“In Hutto, community vigilance has been instrumental in deterring many of these crimes,” he added. “Residents regularly report suspicious persons and behavior in their neighborhoods, which recently helped Hutto PD in locating and detaining several potential car-burglary suspects.”
In June, the report shows only 14 combined theft and possession of drug paraphernalia reports. In July, there were 70 thefts and 19 possession crimes reported. Assault, burglary and criminal mischief cases were also on the rise that month, according to police.
Officers filed 245 incident reports — 38 more than in June — and made 43 arrests, a 53 percent increase over the previous month.
Meanwhile, trafficrelated police action calmed down a bit, officers said, with July seeing fewer traffic stops and fewer vehicle crashes.
Expired registration stickers continued to be the most common traffic violation, followed by speeding, police said. Though fewer people were stopped, officers issued 125 more written citations for traffic violations in July than in June.
“The statistical trends in criminal activity and road safety demonstrate how trends can change rapidly, depending on various influences like community involvement, law enforcement strategies and even changes in weather or local events,” Yarbrough said. “Our objective is to remain adaptable and responsive to shifting trends in a manner that maintains the highest level of safety in Hutto.”
Council talks budget, development this week Thursday’s City Council meeting begins at 6 p.m. with a work session to discuss industrial-development standards. The workshop will be in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall, 500 W. Live Oak St. The regular meeting follows at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers. On the agenda is a public hearing for a 372-acre planned unit development, an annexation request and review of the Fiscal Year 2025 proposed budget.
Saturday at 6 p.m., the city will hold a town-hall meeting to discuss the capital improvement plan and tax outlook for the next 5-10 years. The event will be in the City Hall lobby while a familyfriendly movie is shown in Council Chambers to entertain children while parents attend the session.
Mosquito danger spreads
A second West Nile virus-infected mosquito sample has been collected in Hutto, this time at Creekside Park, officials said. The recent discovery by the Williamson County and Cities Health District was announced last week.
The city is working with the district to schedule truck-mounted spraying of the area.
The first incidence of the virus was discovered at Hutto Lake Park in late July, and the county sprayed mosquito poison in the affected area Aug. 2 and Aug. 3, officials said.
The product used to kill the mosquito larva is said to pose no significant health risk to people or pets, but city leaders encourage anyone with concerns to stay inside during the spraying.
So far this year, the county has collected more West Nile-positive samples than in 2022 or 2023.
New library director
joins staff
Kristin Phillips was named as the city’s library director on Aug. 6. She previously was the lead librarian at the Killeen Independent School District.
Phillips received her master of library science degree from Texas Woman’s University. She brings 19 years of experience to her new post, including strategic planning and budgetmanagement skills, officials said.
“Her leadership at both district and campus levels has been instrumental in developing library programs, enhancing collections and fostering a culture of reading,” according to a city news release.
