Here is a recap of what was featured in the Wednesday, Sept. 4, e-edition of the Taylor Press. The e-edition is emailed to subscribers and available at www.taylorpress.net.
VIGILANT RESIDENTS HELP PUT THE BRAKES ON CAR BREAK-INS
HUTTO — Concern about rising car thefts and a more watchful population are paying off, resulting in the arrests of five suspected auto burglars, police said.
However, in another recent incident, armed neighbors themselves ended up chasing off some suspected vehicle burglars, according to neighborhood accounts.
The case involving the five arrests is just the latest example where residents calling in a tip have safely aided officers in preventing a suspected crime, investigators said.
Meanwhile, officials said officers have received multiple calls from residents about unlocked vehicles being burglarized on Sunday night and Monday morning.
According to Police Chief Jeffrey Yarbrough, the break ins are the work of organized groups whose members run away and jump into a waiting car when confronted.
One such confrontation happened the previous weekend in the Park at Brushy Creek neighborhood.
A resident reported on social media that after being repeatedly targeted by a group he said was attempting to burglarize cars, several neighbors set up a late-night watch and stood outside on the street. Some carried weapons.
The thieves returned but fled when they saw the armed neighbors.
When police arrived, they, at first, had to ensure safety was maintained, said Mayor Mike Snyder.
Veteran law enforcement officials often advise residents not to engage suspected criminals but to call police, to avoid misunderstandings or even accidental violence.
Those who believe they are crime victims or have security-camera footage should call the Police Department at 512- 846-2200.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted via text by sending the keyword HUTTOPD followed by the message/tip to 847411 (tip411).
MUSIC TEACHER AWARDED GRANT FOR DRUM PROGRAM
Main Street Elementary School has a new set of Tubano drums.
The drums are a part of music teacher Elaine Edwards’ new program, Drums for All, which was funded by the Game Changer grant from the Taylor Educational Enrichment Foundation.
The TEE Foundation awarded Edwards $5,998.82 to buy 15 small Tubano drums and stools and one instructor’s Tubano.
Introducing first through fifth graders to drums will develop hand-eye coordination, critical thinking and listening skills as they learn how to play the instrument, read music and listen to beats, educators said.
The Game Changer grant offers funds to teachers for things more than $3,000.
The foundation offers two other grants, the New Teacher Welcome and the Mallard Grant, which offers funds for things under $3,000. Applications for all three grants are open yearround, and Edwards encourages all Taylor teachers who need support to apply.
SHERIFF’S OFFICE APP LINKS CRIME VICTIMS TO RESOURCES GEORGETOWN — In his role responding to distress calls across Williamson County, sheriff’s Sgt. Robert Tijerina often wondered how crime victims fared after he left the scene.
His musings helped lead a team to devise an app that victims or their loved ones can use to access needed assistance and netted the veteran lawman the county’s “Game Changer” award.
Tijerina remembers his epiphany at a crime scene where loved ones of a deceased victim gathered in collective grief for their fallen family member.
The realization led to the development of an app of sorts linking victims and survivors to helpful services.
Three years in the making, the app created for the Sheriff’s Office Victim Services Unit came to fruition this year, offering crime victims and their loved ones information about making funeral arrangements and locating grief support, domestic-violence resources, mentalhealth care and more.
Metrics demonstrate growing use of the app, with an average 581 views between September 2023 and March, according to county officials.
The Sheriff’s Office is one of only two organizations statewide that have an app specifically aimed at providing consolidated resources to victims of crime, county officials said.
Beyond the links, the app provides guidance on more obscure services designed to ease the burden on family members, Tijerina noted.
TAYLOR-BORN BOBA TEA STORE OWNER HOLDS GRAND OPENING IN HUTTO
HUTTO — Austinbased Teapioca Lounge has marked a new milestone with the debut of the first Black-owned store in the franchise, officials said.
Located in the Highlights of Hutto Plaza, the store at 571 Ed Schmidt Blvd., Suite C 100, celebrated a recent grand opening as owners Eric and Tonya Thomas held a raffle and hosted performances from the Hutto High School band and cheerleaders, a mariachi band and folklore dance group.
Tonya Thomas is a Taylor native.
Customers filled the plaza strip, trying free samples as they waited their turn to enter the store.
Members of the Hutto Area Chamber of Commerce also welcomed the store to the community and held a ribbon cutting.
Teapioca Lounge is an Austin-based dessert franchise serving boba tea and Taiwanese shaved ice with almost 20 locations across Texas and a few outside the state, including Oklahoma, Colorado, Florida and Pennsylvania.
Being born and raised in Taylor and having lived in Hutto before, she knew the location was right for the new venture. The store is the only one in the area that specializes in boba tea.
The couple hopes to expand the store’s delivery service to serve Taylor in addition to Hutto.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
