Here is a recap of what was featured in the Wednesday, Oct. 9, e- edition of the Taylor Press. The e- edition is emailed to subscribers and available at www. taylorpress. net.
Cadet’s death caused by infection
From the web The death of Avery Koonce, a 19-year-old Taylor native who was found unresponsive in her dorm room Sept. 4 at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been ruled “natural,” according to an autopsy report. Various media accounts Friday citing the El Paso County Coroner’s Office said the Thrall High School grad and track star died from a “relatively rare” anaerobic bacteria that resulted in sepsis, coupled with a lower respiratory tract infection. The report indicated she had been battling a severe cough for days.
Suspected murder- suicide reported near Hutto
HUTTO — The violent deaths of a couple found with knife and gunshot wounds is being classified as a suspected murder-suicide, according to a statement from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.
No identities have been released in the tragic episode, which investigators said grew out of a domestic dispute.
However, there is no “continuing” threat to the public, deputies added.
According to investigators, deputies were called to an address in the 4000 block of CR 130 at 1 a.m. Oct. 4, an area in Hutto’s extraterritorial jurisdiction that falls under the sheriff’s jurisdiction.
Investigators Tuesday said no further information in the case is being released at this time.
Historic Howard Theatre gains new friends, funds
A fundraiser Oct. 5 may have been called a “Wrap Party,” but efforts to revitalize the historic Howard Theatre through a new nonprofit are only just getting started.
About 70 people of all ages gathered in the courtyard of the new Talbot Commons Pocket Hotel, located on the grounds of the former First Presbyterian Church, to launch a weekend kickoff membership drive for the Friends of the Howard Theatre to support bringing the 100-yearold movie house back to life.
Organizers said the event raised almost $4,000 through a silent auction as well as the sale of new memberships and donor-wall tiles, which will be displayed in the theater behind the projection room, said Channing Kingery-Boles, a board member who is also an owner of the theater.
Organizers said this free, family-friendly event was the first of many fundraisers in the upcoming months to pay for nonprofit initiatives, which could include everything from community education to historic preservation.
Taylor natives Amy Karija, an owner of Endless Events ATX, said she and her sister, Nydia Gamez, donated their digital photo-booth services to the party because they want to help save the historic movie theater, which is located at 308 N. Main St.
Holly Brocato, a chiropractor who recently opened a practice on Fourth Street, purchased one of the donor tiles after hearing Kingery-Boles speak at a recent Taylor Area Business Women’s luncheon.
Wilco hires first-ever county manager
GEORGETOWN — With little fanfare, the Williamson County Commissioners Court hired a county manager at a salary of more than $300,000 from its human resources ranks — marking the first time such a position has been created.
Saved until the last item of the Oct. 1 commissioners’ meeting, the official hiring was unanimously approved after a motion by Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles.
Rebecca Clemons clinched the job at a salary of $309,000.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey suggested the position was needed to oversee brisk growth in the county, and to fill administrative gaps when County Judge Bill Gravell is called out of the area, such as his recent trip to South Korea to encourage more business ties.
The new position was approved in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget. The new hire’s first day on the job was Oct. 1. According to a countyissued press release, Clemons reports directly to the Commissioners Court and is responsible for “... providing leadership and executing direct supervision over certain management, professional and administrative staff, including death-inquest specialists, pretrial service, human resources and others.
According to the county biography, Clemons previously served as the senior director of human resources for Williamson County. She also held positions in the office of the county judge as well as those in the budget office and county auditor departments.
Clemons earned a degree in business administration from Texas A&M University, according to the release.
In support of the new position, officials ticked off further growth numbers for the county, including a population of 713,000 comprising the 12th most-populous county in the state per the Texas Demographic Center.
Growth is reflected in the county government’s makeup, with 1,900 employees and a $635.1 million budget this fiscal year, according to officials.
Readers to see modest increase for subscriptions
Like a gas station, a grocery store or a dentist’s office, this newspaper provides a valuable public service — but it is also a business.
And like all businesses, this newspaper is subject to market forces that range from inflation to insurance costs, interest rates, taxes and more. Rising costs and a shifting economy that have resulted in price increases affecting everything from the cost of fuel to the cost of bread have not spared the Taylor Press.
For that reason, and after much thought and analysis, this paper is raising the cost of its subscriptions and singlecopy rates, marked by modest increases that take effect Nov. 1.
The Taylor Press is published more than 100 times a year, with half of those being e-editions. On average, the cost to produce a print edition is about $4,000 each week.
Here is a breakdown of the new prices for an annual subscription:
• In county: $75
• Out of county: $85
• Out of state: $90
• Digital only: $65
• Single copy: $1.50 We thank our readers for their patience, understanding and their continued patronage.
If you have questions, concerns or observations, don’t hesitate to reach out to us by calling 512-352- 8285.
