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“It’s hard to believe it has been a year to the day that the arson happened ... it was a hate crime,” said Jose Orta, community member. “Out of hate, out of those ashes, the Dickey house will rise like a phoenix.”

The annual Taylor Rodeo is just days away. Held every year since 1950, the rodeo begins this Thursday, July 13, and runs through Saturday, July 15.

On Monday, July 10, Taylor detectives received confirmation that the body found last week is the Taylor man who has been missing since June 20. Fingerprint comparison done by Hill Country Forensics matched the body to that of Adrian Zachary, 45, of Taylor.

While the Taylor Independent School District gave its teachers the largest pay raise in the district’s history, it forced every other department to experience cuts. Taylor ISD’s budget, which the school board approved in a unanimous vote June 29, is balanced in respect to the general operating funds.

The 10th annual Taylor Press 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament was held on July 8–9 at Taylor High School with 19 teams in the 18-and-older division, six squads in the 11–14 division and the Shining Stars special needs group playing on Sunday at the end of the action. A new champion was crowned in the 18-and-older division as Snipe Squad Reloaded knocked off the defending champion Austin Knightz in an extremely competitive semifinal matchup on Sunday and cruised in the championship game against the Bandits.

On July 10 of last year, the historic home of Dr. James Lee Dickey was destroyed when it was burned to the ground. Although the home was destroyed, it did not stop the efforts of the Dickey Museum and Multipurpose Center board from moving forward.

In an effort to connect Taylor area residents to open positions in the area, the Taylor Chamber of Commerce, city of Taylor and Workforce Solutions are joining forces to connect jobs to job seekers, by hosting a Hiring Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at the Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St.

Heritage Square Farmer’s Market The Farmer’s Market is typically every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Heritage Square, 400 N. Main St. Booths provide high-quality locally grown produce, responsibly raised meats and unique handmade goods from local farmers, ranchers and artisans. For updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/heritagesquarefarmersmarket.

Kiwanis Club • Meets every Wednesday at noon at Sirloin Stockade, 3607 N. Main St.

This column represents the thoughts and opinions of Dr. Ron Braley.

Although the Taylor Independent School District projects to spend more money than it will receive during the 2023-2024 school year, officials say the move is a calculated one. Taylor ISD expects to receive $45 million in total revenue this coming academic cycle, which is about $1.3 million less than its expenditures.

This won’t be Taylor’s first rodeo. Held every year since 1950, the Taylor Annual Rodeo returns to the Williamson County Expo Center.

Taylor mom reflects on life of daughter poisoned by fentanyl NICOLE LESSIN [email protected] When former Taylor High School student Grace Samuelson was a little girl, her parents took her to see Disney on Ice’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” and she attempted to warn the fairy tale princess that she was about to be poisoned. “She stood up and yelled, ‘Don’t eat that apple,’ when she was getting ready to eat it,’’ said her mom, Billie Samuelson.