Here is a recap of what was featured in the Wednesday, March 30, e-edition of the Taylor Press. The e-edition is mailed to subscribers and available at www.taylorpress.net.
RELIEF EFFORTS BEGIN IN TAYLOR
On Monday, March 28, the Williamson County Commissioners’ court met to discuss relief efforts throughout the county, including a site in Taylor.
Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell gave details on how much damage the tornadoes caused in the county from Round Rock to Hutto to Granger.
According to Gravell, 1,119 structures that were damaged in Williamson County from the tornadoes. In the rural area, there were 343 structures damaged.
“I care about the uninsured and the under-insured,” he said. “I want to make sure we have every tool in our tool belt to help our people.”
On Wednesday, representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were in the county to review the area.
“Our goal is pretty simple as a county,” Gravell said. “It’s to help us get all of the assessments in so that we can potentially qualify for federal relief.”
The Multi Agency Resource Center (MARC) wax open in Taylor March 29-31 at the Williamson County Expo Center for those affected by the tornadoes. Gravell said the MARC center was to provide resources to all residents in the county. Aside from the county owning the Expo Center, he said it was an open place where people can come to get help. “We wanted a nonde
“We wanted a nondescript safe place for folks to come to so they can be transparent, and we can be helpful for them,” he said.
On Tuesday, the first day of the MARC, 14 families came through before 2 p.m. For residents who are not able to make it to the MARC, Constables in Williamson County, led by Constable Paul Leal, are visiting residents to deliver a letter from Gravell.
“As long as we can get (residents’) information and pictures, that will begin the process,” Gravell said. “If they can’t get to us, we’re going to them.”
MAN DIES IN S.H. 95 CRASH
A man has died after a crash between Taylor and Granger on the highway. On Saturday, March
On Saturday, March 26, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers responded to a fatal crash on S.H. 45. Jerry Vrabal, 83, of Granger was pronounced deceased on scene by Justice of the Peace 4 Stacy Hackenberg.
According to DPS, a 2014 Dodge Durango northbound struck the rear of a stopped 2001 Chevrolet Silverado attempting to turn left onto County Road 124. The Chevrolet was driven by Vrabal.
“The Chevrolet was pushed into the southbound lane, causing two additional vehicles to strike the Chevrolet,” said Sgt. Deon Cockrell. Meanwhile, the
Meanwhile, the Dodge rolled onto its side and was then hit by a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The incident remains under investigation.
CITY REVIEWS FINANCES
On March 24, the Taylor City Council received and accepted the comprehensive annual financial report for the 2020-21 fiscal year. Michael Brooks, of BrooksWatson & Company PLLC, said the city’s audit received the company’s highest mark.
“We have issued a clean unmodified audit opinion on the city’s financials, which is the highest level of assurance that we can give,” said Brooks. “These financials are free of any material misstatement and all footnotes are disclosed.”
Brooks said an important part of the report is the auditor’s opinion. The opinion types, ranked lowest to highest, include adverse, disclaimed, qualified and unmodified.
The presentation included a look at changes in revenue and expenses.
“Across the board, revenues went up generally in most cases, and this is pretty much a sign of the city’s growth,” said Brooks. “As the city is growing, the revenues are increasing and the corresponding expenditures are also increasing.”
VIRUS CASES STAY LOW
Williamson County COVID-19 cases increased by 361 in two weeks and remain low compared to the thousands per week in January.
Confirmed cases, which include past and current episodes reported to the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD), increased by an by average of 180 in Williamson County March 15-28. As of Monday, March 28, WCCHD confirmed a total of 110,457 COVID-19 cases in Williamson County during the pandemic.
The tally continues mostly downward trend of weekly new cases since the weeks of Jan 11-24, which saw a seven-day average of 7,938 new cases.
WCCHD’s toll for deaths linked to the disease went up by seven in the last two weeks. The number stands at 873 as of March 28.
