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Leander Liberty Hill Edition VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1 MAY 20 JUNE 17, 2026
Brought to you by our premium gold sponsor: 2026 Home Edition
After housing boom, stores crop up near Hwy. 29 and Ronald Reagan intersection Retail follows rooftops
By Gracie Warhurst
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Rancho Santa Fe • 40-60 homes • Began construction in 2010s
Liberty Hill
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Key:
Neighborhood developments
Santa Rita Ranch • 10,000 planned homes • Began construction in 2013
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Ace Square Bar W Marketplace Gateway 29 Leander Tech Park Retail development 1 2 3 4
Leander
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Bar W Ranch • 1,500 planned homes • Began construction in 2020
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Rancho Sienna • 1,400 homes • Began construction in 2011
Bryson • 1,500 homes • Began construction in 2015
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Lively Ranch • 700 planned homes • Began construction in 2018
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Palmera Ridge • 1,000 planned homes • Began construction in 2014
Blu view Reserve • 105 planned homes • Began construction in 2018
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Impacts
4 KinderCare The childcare facility o ers programming for children age 6 weeks to 5 years. The daycare center features a range of small group pull-out programs focused on music, phonics and cooking. Additionally, the center features an indoor gym. • Opened April 23 • 441 W. Broade St., Leander • www.kindercare.com 5 The Home Depot The 352,304-square-foot home improvement store sells a variety of tools, outdoor plants, landscaping supplies, ooring, decor, furniture, paint and more. The Home Depot also o ers services such as truck, tool and large 6 Noble Dental Studio The new solo private practice o ers general dentistry with an emphasis on quality and personalized care. Under the care of Dr. Sahar Ghamsari, patients can receive same-day treatment as well as a schedule for convenient hours, such as evenings and Saturdays. • Opened May 11 • 1561 Hero Way, Ste. 110, Leander • www.nobledental.studio 7 LeapX LeapX, a gymnastics studio based in Leander, will provide co-ed lessons for children between the ages of 6 months and 12 years. The studio plans to host a grand equipment rentals. • Opened April 23 • 9541 183A Toll frontage road, Leander • www.homedepot.com opening in June. • Opened May 11 • 15201 Ronald Reagan Blvd., No. 214, Leander • www.leapxstudio.com
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45 TOLL 2 Dipti Boutique The boutique o ers a wide range of Indian clothing for customers of all ages. Beyond classic styles like saris and lehengas, the store also o ers stitching and alterations. • Opened in February • 15281 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Ste. 12170, Leander • Facebook: Dipti Boutique 3 Fifty/50 Pilates The business o ers strength and sculpt, cardio and endurance, and stretch and yoga classes. All studios will have reformer Pilates, in-studio virtual classes and an on-demand digital content library with classes. • Opened April 22 • 133 Collective Way, Ste. 130, Leander • www. ifty50pilates.com
Now open
Cedar Park 1 First Watch The concept boasts a chef-inspired menu and rotating seasonal o erings. The menu features classics, such as avocado toast, as well as specialty entrees, including smoked salmon eggs Benedict and lemon ricotta pancakes. • Opened April 13 • 19389 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Leander • www. irstwatch.com
Coming soon
8 TopSpin Tennis Academy The tennis coaching facility is a family-oriented learning center for children, junior and adult tennis players. The 19,136-square-foot facility features two full-sized indoor tennis courts, four indoor red and pickleball
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY HAMERA SHABBIR
11 The Quarry Splash Pad The Quarry Splash Pad at Southwest Williamson County Regional Park is set to reopen May 23. Beyond sprinklers, water cannons and a climbing wall, the pad also o ers neighboring picnic tables and a grassy area. Admission to the pad, which only accepts credit cards, costs $2 upon entry. • Opening May 23 • 3005 CR 175, Leander • www.wilcotx.gov/1484/quarry-splash-pad
courts, a full restroom with showers, a small cafe and a full-scale pro shop. • Opening by the end of May • 220 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park • www.thetopspinacademy.com 9 Prose and Pints A unique concept blending a bookstore and a beverage bar, Prose and Pints, is planning to open its rst brick-and-mortar storefront in August or September. The business will expand from its current online and market presence into a physical space featuring books and novelty items at the front and a micro-cocktail bar at the back. The bar will showcase literature-inspired cocktails and seating for about 20 people. • Opening this fall • 1972 N. US 183, Ste. 110, Leander • www.proseandpints.com 10 The Pulao Company The new Indian restaurant will open in June. Beyond a variety of pulao dishes, the restaurant will o er a range of drinks, including a fresh juice bar, beer, chai and falooda—a cold dessert drink. Chaat and pani puri will also be available. • Opening mid-June • 13920 Ronald Reagan Blvd, Ste. 100, Leander • Website and phone number not yet available
Now open
In the news
12 Leander Chamber of Commerce During a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Leander Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, Travel Texas recognized Leander as a Tourism Friendly Texas Certi ed Community. The chamber, which was previously located at 100 N. Brushy St., plans to continue to expand the facilities at their new site. • 103 N. West Drive, Leander • www.leandercc.org
13 Lioness Books Previously only operating as a mobile bookstore, Lioness Books has now opened its brick-and- mortar store in Leander. Despite delays from a storage re, the bookstore opened its doors for business in Old Town Leander. • Opened April
• 208 N. Gabriel St., Leander • www.lionessbookstx.com
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
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Impacts
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
• Coming summer 2027 • 13800 W. Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill • www.latequilarestaurant.com
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In the news
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5 Parker’s Corner Market The city of Liberty Hill is renovating the former Parker’s Corner Market to prepare for a new tenant. City Council approved a budget amendment March 25 that included $150,000 for renovations. The purchase of the $1.6 million property was first approved earlier this year. The lease agreement outlines a two-year term or until the city needs to use the space for other downtown improvements, according to city documents. A post on the city’s social media states that a new tenant will be announced shortly. • 1017 Main St., Liberty Hill 6 All-Star Trade Pros Plumbing & AC Liberty Hill-based All-Star Trade Pros Plumbing & AC is celebrating one year in business this May, according to company spokesperson Robin Arndt-Rives. The locally-owned HVAC and plumbing company serves the northern portion of the Austin metropolitan area. The company offers air conditioning, heating, air filtering,
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Liberty Hill area
Coming soon
3 Rodeo Mexican Kitchen & Bar The owners of Marisol’s Mexican Grill in Georgetown will be opening a second Liberty Hill location, Rodeo Mexican Kitchen & Bar, in early May. At Marisol’s Mexican Grill, about half of the menu items are Mexican dishes, and the other half are Tex-Mex favorites. Popular dishes include handmade tamales, fajitas, menudo, chile colorado and mole enchiladas. Owner Ismael Sanchez said the new location will be a similar concept. • Opening in May 4 La Tequila Jalisco The concept is expected to bring Mexican food-crowd favorites, including quesadillas, enchiladas, tacos, seafood and more. The drink menu boasts Mexican sodas, aguas frescas and cocktails. The restaurant is currently working through the city’s permitting process and expects to open sometime next summer, a company representative said. The concept has several other locations across the state. • 13750 W. Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill • www.marisolsmexicangrill.com
Now open
plumbing and water quality services. • 126 Holmes Road, Unit 10, Liberty Hill • www.allstartradepros.com
1 Masala Pizza and Bitezz The restaurant serves South Asian fusion cuisine and offers halal options. The menu features items such as wings, fusion pizzas, loaded fries, burgers and “street- style bites.” The Liberty Hill location is the business’ second with the first Masala Pizza and Bitezz located in South Riding, Virginia. • Opened April 9 • 9073 W. Hwy. 29, Unit 102, Liberty Hill • www.masalapizza.us 2 Marco’s Pizza The New York-style pizza chain offers a range of pizzas, pizzolis, subs, and more. Founded in 1978 by Italian immigrant Pasquale “Pat” Giammarco, Marco’s Pizza built its reputation on old-world recipes, careful craftsmanship and a commitment to never cutting corners, according to the company’s website. • Opened in March • 1892 US 183, Ste. 115, Leander • www.marcos.com
Worth the trip
Georgetown Palace Theatre After a four-month closure due to catastrophic flooding, the historic theater will reopen May 29 with a five- week run of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” coinciding with the venue’s centennial celebration. The theater is also running a Save a Seat campaign, allowing donors to purchase commemorative plaques for new seats. • Reopens May 29
• 810 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown • www.georgetownpalace.com
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Transportation
BY HAMERA SHABBIR
CRYSTAL FALLS PKWY.
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Redesign planned for Grand Lake Parkway, Crystal Falls Parkway Leander City Council approved $313,326 to go toward the planning of intersection improvements at Grand Lake Parkway and East Crystal Falls Parkway. The redesign will include plans for a temporary tra c light that will later be replaced by a permanent tra c signal. The project aims to improve tra c near the neighborhoods of Cold Springs and Ridgmar Landing.
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San Gabriel Parkway to see roadway expansion Nearly $4 million will be spent on improvements to San Gabriel Parkway for two di erent projects. Zooming in The rst redesign, the San Gabriel Parkway West
need to jump on this as quickly as possible,” CIP Manager Tony Bettis said. An additional $595,178 will go toward designing the addition of two northbound lanes along East San Gabriel Parkway at Ronald Reagan Boulevard as part of the San Gabriel Parkway Phase 2A project. Freese and Nichols has been selected to design the addition of two northbound lanes to San Gabriel at Ronald Reagan Boulevard.
Improvements, will plan the expansion of San Gabriel Parkway from two to four lanes between Bagdad Road and US 183 and will cost $3.36 million. “With our growth to the west, speci cally with LISD’s new child development center, we feel the
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Upcoming projects
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Liberty Hill Update: Schematic design has been completed. Construction is expected to begin this summer. • Timeline: East 2026-28; West TBD • Cost: TBD • Funding source: Williamson County 2023 road bond 2 CR 175 widening Project: Widening from south of Creek Meadow Cove to RM 2243 is expected to improve capacity. Update: The Phase 2 preliminary design is complete, and 100% design is expected later this year. • Timeline: summer 2027-late 2028 • Cost: TBD • Funding source: Williamson County 2023 road bond 3 CR 214 extension 281 Project: Two bidirectional lanes will be added to extend CR 214 from Lariat Loop-South Hemingway Loop to US 183 over the San Gabriel River. Update: Design expected to be completed later this year. • Timeline: summer 2027-early 2029 • Cost: $2.3 million • Funding source: 2023 Williamson County road bond 282 279 332 332 1869 1 Seward Junction Loop North reconstruction Project: Reconstruction of Seward Junction North Loop in two segments connecting US 183, Hwy. 29, and CR 260, CR 213 corridors.
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PALMERA RIDGE BLVD. • Funding source: Williamson County 2023 road bond 7 RM 2243, Hero Way controlled-access highway expansion Update: Crews broke ground on construction March 6. • Timeline: March 2026-summer 2026 • Cost: $1.4 million Project: Reconstructing and widening RM 2243 and Hero Way into a divided controlled-access highway from 183A Toll to Southwest Bypass, including frontage roads in both directions. Update: The initial phase of construction began in late January, including frontage road work from 183A Toll to Garey Park. Phase 2A is expected to begin in fall 2027. • Timeline: early 2026-spring 2029 • Cost: $132 million • Funding source: Williamson County 2019 road bond
A Isaias Drive to West Ronald Reagan Boulevard between Palmera Ridge and Palmera Blu subdivisions as an arterial roadway. Update: Construction is ongoing; a tra c signal at San Gabriel Parkway and Ronald Reagan Boulevard is expected to be operational by early 2026. • Timeline: January 2025-February 2027 • Cost: $7 million • Funding source: city of Leander certi icates of obligation bonds 6 Legacy Ranch Drive expansion Project: Expanding approximately 0.6 miles from N G A B R I E Seward Junction North Loop, also known as CR 258 and CR 260, to a CR 258 extension east of US 183, including new signals, pavement improvements and turn lanes serving a future Liberty Hill ISD site.
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MAP NOT TO SCALE N 4 Ronald Reagan Boulevard lane widening Project: Widening approximately seven miles from FM 3405 to Hwy. 29, including separated northbound and southbound roadways. Update: Construction is underway. • Timeline: August 2024-summer 2027 • Cost: $52.4 million • Funding source: Williamson County 2019 road bond 5 San Gabriel Parkway extension Project: Extending San Gabriel Parkway eastward from
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
Texas moves forward rst K 12 mandatory reading list After delaying a vote in January, the State Board of Education gave preliminary approval April 10 to roughly 200 literary works that all Texas public school students K-12 would be required to read beginning in 2030. The SBOE trimmed about 100 titles from a list proposed by the Texas Education Agency, which critics said was too long to be taught. The Republican-led board signed o on a revised list in a 9-5 party-line vote April 10, with all Republican members in favor and all Democrats opposed. The draft list ranges from nursery rhymes and short stories in early grades to classical and 20th-century literature in high school. The list also includes about a dozen excerpts from the Bible. Board members will have the opportunity to make additional amendments to the lists before taking a nal vote, which is scheduled for June. The full draft list of books being con- sidered can be found at https://bit.ly/4dEJJwp for those interested.
Liberty Hill ISD approves teacher pay raises The Liberty Hill ISD board of trustees approved increased teacher pay for the 2026-27 school year, raising salaries above local market medians.
director, said.” If we can get our salary scales adjusted, we’ll be able to retain those teachers.” Funding for the increases comes in part from Proposition A, approved by voters in 2025. The proposition allocated $10.7 million towards supporting student programming, teacher recruit- ment and retention. Additionally, the district also receives state funding tied to retention. The rst Teacher Incentive Allotment payout of $1.1 million is also expected in August.
Previously, LHISD ranked last among evaluated districts in compensation for teachers with 10 or more years of experience. Now, the starting salary of a LHISD teacher will rise to $58,500—surpassed by only Killeen ISD and Jarrell ISD, per district data. “Our goal is to recruit and retain strong teach- ers,” Rebecca Owen, human resource executive
Liberty Hill ISD teacher pay increases
2025-26 salary
2026-27 salary
$80K
+3.4% +3.74%
+2.78% +3.02%
+3.72%
$60K
Under new pay scales, teachers at every ve-year experience increment will exceed local median levels. The local median starting salary is roughly $57,266, according to district documents. A compensation audit was performed by the district, comparing LHISD’s previous pay scales to those of 15 surrounding districts.
$40K
$20K
$0
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5
10
15
20
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SOURCE: LIBERTY HILL ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
TSTC adding semiconductor, robotics curriculum The Williamson County Texas State Technical College campus will add semi- conductor technology as well as automation and robotics technology curriculum this fall, TSTC announced April 8. The addition of these courses to the Hutto school’s curriculum responds to a surge in demand for skilled workers in the semi- conductor and manufacturing industries locally, per a TSTC news release. This surge in demand is largely driven by increased fabrication and domestic chip production. The new curriculum will join the college’s existing Industrial Maintenance program among o erings in the greater Advanced Manufacturing program.
Leander ISD must comply with updated state seat belt requirements and equip 106 of its buses with three-point seat belts.
COURTESY LEANDER ISD
Leander ISD considers $18M for improved bus safety At its April 23 meeting, Leander ISD’s board of trustees considered two options to comply with state requirements that school buses have three- point seat belts by 2029. 212 of LISD’s 318 buses meet the requirement. For the remaining 106, the district can: o cials said the district’s bus manufacturer won’t warranty retro tted buses. • $18 million budget impact: Buy 106 buses before September 2029 DeWayne Street, senior executive director of
facilities, said LISD must decide on whether LISD’s general fund budget can comply with the require- ment before May 29.
• $4.2 million budget impact: Retro t noncom- pliant buses at $30,000-$45,000 each. However,
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Development
BY HAMERA SHABBIR & GRACIE WARHURST
191 new homes outlined for new housing development in Leander A new housing development is coming to Lean- der near the existing Bar W Ranch and Larkspur neighborhoods. The project will be located along CR 267, just south of Equine Road. The overview Leander City Council approved the annexation of the property, known as the Alexander Tract, and a zoning change that will allow the project to move forward at its April 2 meeting The neighborhood will be built by Pulte Homes. According to site plans, of the 191 homes in the development, 108 will be built on 50-foot lots, and 83 will be built on 60-foot lots. Of note Executive Director of Development Services
Tax reimbursement for Northline clari ed At its April 27 meeting, the Leander Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone board ensured that Northline Leander Develop- ment Company would receive reimburse- ments for improvements on land it sold to Endeavor Real Estate Group. Northline, a 116-acre mixed-use project, partnered with Endeavor on a 17-acre retail development. Endeavor, a commercial real estate company, has overseen several large projects like The Domain in north Austin.
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Robin Gri n said Williamson County is currently making improvements along CR 267, adjacent to the property. A representative of the development also said the company is committed to making further improvements to the road as part of the project. One more thing The motion to change the property’s zoning from agricultural to single-family passed 5-2 in favor, with those in dissent citing concerns about the strain on the city’s water infrastructure.
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Electronics manufacturer Compal secures Williamson County economic incentives
The company will manufacture technological products, with a particular focus on arti cial intelligence servers, People Operations Director Rick Ortiz said at the meeting. “We have a lot of big ambitions and plans—a lot of customer demand,” Ortiz said. “Now that we’re setting up shop here in town, we’re going to be closer to our customers, obviously providing a lot of opportunity for the community.”
Williamson County commissioners approved a tax abatement agreement with Taiwan-based electronics company Compal USA Technology for its facility in Georgetown. The agreement, approved April 14, between Compal and the county includes a 30% reduction in property taxes for 10 years in return for Com- pal’s $35 million capital investment in its facility and the creation of at least 100 full-time jobs.
Compal’s service facility in the Georgetown Logistics Business Park will cost $5 million.
GRACIE WARHURST COMMUNITY IMPACT
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Dining
BY KATLYNN FOX
Thirsty Penguin owner Brent Cloyd comes from a background in commercial real estate and software development, but he has always had a love for Louisiana air. Frequently traveling to the bayou state, Cloyd drew inspiration to open up a beer barn with frozen daiquiris and brews to go. The context Thirsty Penguin o cially opened four years ago, selling frozen drinks, draft beer, seltzers, jello shots and nonalcoholic beverages. The stars aligned for the concept while Cloyd was renovating Thirsty Penguin’s current location— Gov. Greg Abbott declared that to-go alcohol was permanently permitted. The Liberty Hill curbside cocktail stop sold roughly 300 gallons of rum in the rst weekend. “We had to shut down for two more weeks after that because we didn’t expect it to be as crazy as it was,” Cloyd said. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere The beverage depot crafts several of its o erings from scratch, including the Texas Cola—a Coke-and- bourbon avor—and sugar-free prickly pear. Named after The University of Texas at Austin’s beloved mascot, Cloyd’s favorite avor, the Bevo, features a combination of pina colada and orange crush, creating a "dreamsicle" avor pro le. Thirsty Penguin rotates avors monthly, so there is always a new product for customers to taste. The menu also features beer—available canned or sold on draft in growlers—seltzers and jello shots. A family a air In addition to frozen drinks and jello shots, Thirsty Penguin also sells Slush Puppies as a nonal- coholic option for kids. The beer barn and daiquiri place sells between 300 and 400 Slush Puppies on Saturdays, Cloyd said. Other nonalcoholic options include the brewed-in-house sweet tea. Thirsty Penguin also o ers free pup cups for dogs. “It’s cool because the wife can get her daiquiri, the husband can get a 32-oz beer, the kids can get their Slush Puppies and the dog gets his pup cup,” Cloyd said. “So it gets everyone taken care of.” Another detail On the patio, Thirsty Penguin patrons can get their drinks to go and enjoy them outdoors, along with an on-site food truck, Taqueria Mi Ranchito Thirsty Penguin brings ice-cold drinks to Liberty Hill and beyond
Thirsty Penguin owner Brent Cloyd drew inspiration for his to-go daiquiri concept from his frequent travels to Louisiana.
PHOTOS BY KATLYNN FOX COMMUNITY IMPACT
The beverage depot features alcoholic frozen drinks and jello shots, as well as nonalcoholic Slush Puppies.
"We’re ... really pushing [people to] support local even if it’s not us. This last year it was
hard on everybody." BRENT CLOYD, OWNER OF THIRSTY PENGUIN
Thirsty Penguin features patio space for patrons to enjoy to-go beverages. Bites are also available from the on-site food truck Taqueria Mi Ranchito Jaimes.
Jaimes. The taqueria serves fajita tacos, tortas, quesadillas and more. Thirsty Penguin also hosts live music outdoors every few weeks and bingo three times a year. Cloyd is a Liberty Hill resident and owns three Thirsty Penguin locations, with one in his home- town, Burnet, and Lampasas. A common miscon- ception that people have is that Thirsty Penguin is a franchise, Cloyd said.
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14751 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill www.thirstypenguin.com
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Big dreams deserve exceptional care
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Dining
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
across the Austin metro, as recently reported by Community Impact . CI Foodie
Looking to get out of your neighborhood to try a new dining experience? Check out the following restaurant news from
Round Rock
Bastrop
Leander
Odd’s Bar + Bistro space The menu—inspired by sister Michelin-starred restaurants under the same ownership as Frank & Margie’s—will feature thin-crust pizzas, handmade pastas, appetizers and salads, as well as secondi and desserts. Beverages will include Italian wines, local brews and a cocktail menu. • Opening May 16 • 1401 N. I-35, Ste. 120, Round Rock • www.scratchrestaurants.com
MooseBelly BBQ Located in the Chestnut Grove Food Truck Court, this BBQ joint offers traditional barbecue, with a signature Purple Sauce—a spicy blueberry-bourbon jam. Other customer favorites include apricot- rosemary-glazed sausage and smoked Gouda and brie brisket macaroni and cheese. • Opened April 1
Game On Bar & Grill This new sports bar serves 44 draft beers, hand-held appetizers such as boudin eggrolls and crispy Korean shrimp tostadas, entrees including crispy buffalo chicken tacos and smash burgers and two desserts— churro cake and a Game On brownie stack. • Opened March 21 • 15609 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Ste. A100, Leander • www.thegameonbar.com
• 710 Chestnut St., Bastrop • Facebook: MooseBelly BBQ
Del Valle
Austin
Austin
Crawfish KRAK House Recently relocated to Del Valle outside of Santo Patio, the food truck serves Louisiana-style crawfish with sides, such as potatoes, corn and sausage. Called “straight-from-the-bayou spicy,” the food truck boils are available for purchase Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m. • Relocated Feb. 28 • Santo Patio, 5496 Hwy. 71 E., Del Valle • Facebook: Crawfish KRAK House
Mexican Sugar The restaurant serves scratch-made Latin cuisine including hand-pressed tortillas made daily. Menu items include ceviche, Spanish mussels, mesquite grilled chicken, fried shrimp and elote tacos, and lump crab enchiladas. The restaurant also features handcrafted cocktails and an agave program. • Opened March 24 • 11506 Century Oaks Terrace, Ste. 128, Austin • www.mexicansugarcocina.com
Umarell A new Italian restaurant with New Jersey roots opened in Hyde Park. The casual Italian concept serves pastas, sandwiches, salads and appetizers. Pastas include the Ricotta Dumplings, Everything Bagel Caveteli and Ricotta Ravioli. The business is owned by a chef from Caldwell, New Jersey. • Opened Feb. 1 • 4413 Guadalupe St., Austin • www.umarellatx.com
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LEANDER - LIBERTY HILL EDITION
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Business
BY JESSICA MCLAREN
Brittani Shepherd’s wedding planning career began with coordinating her sister’s wedding in 2009. That experience sparked a passion that has grown into Cherished Lane Events, a Leander-based, full-service wedding and event planning company serving Austin and the sur- rounding areas. After planning her sister’s wedding while working as a music teacher’s assistant, Shepherd enrolled in wedding and event planning school. She graduated in 2012, just one week after getting engaged—to a man she met at the very rst wedding she coordinated on her own. What’s special about it? A self-proclaimed “people pleaser,” Shepherd has built her business on attention to detail and personal connection over the past 15 years. She o ers four planning packages ranging from day-of coordination starting at $1,500 to full planning services from $5,000 to $8,000. Her day-of coordination actually begins six weeks before the wedding, giving her time to nalize time- lines, coordinate vendors and ensure every detail aligns with the couple’s vision. Shepherd brings more than just organizational skills to each event, she said. As a cottage baker since age 9, she o ers DIY oral services and creates custom dessert bars featuring mini pies, chocolate-covered treats and specialty dessert cups for additional fees. She also provides complimentary content cre- ation, shooting and editing wedding day footage that couples receive sooner than most professional photographs, she said. “Content creation is really a thing now, and people are charging $1,200-$1,500 for it,” she said. “To me, it’s a gift I can give to my couples.” Serving couples across the region Based in Leander, Shepherd also serves as in-house coordinator and booking manager at Shiraz Garden venue in Bastrop. She maintains a carefully vetted vendor list, only recommending professionals she’s worked with at least three times, and is currently preparing for a busy fall season with frequent weekend weddings. Looking ahead, Shepherd dreams of opening a studio space for client meetings, expanding into wedding rental decor and possibly owning her own venue someday. Cherished Lane Events serves brides across Central Texas
Cherished Lane Events is a Leander-based, full-service wedding and event planning company serving the Austin area.
PHOTOS COURTESY CHERISHED LANE EVENTS
Cherished Lane o ers planning and decorating services for a variety of events, along with personal-sized dessert catering options.
“I just almost cry when they walk down the aisle because I get really
One more thing The planning company also o ers event coordination services outside of weddings, including milestones such as baby showers, bridal showers, birthdays or “just the desire to throw an epic themed party,” the company website states. Cherished can help plan home-based events or secure a venue for the occasion.
attached to my couples. All that hard work—once I get her down the aisle and I see the groom crying, I can breathe.” BRITTANI SHEPHERD, CHERISHED LANE EVENTS OWNER
www.cherishlaneevents.com
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Events
BY JILLIAN NACHTIGAL
May
Teen Craft Night: Tie Dye The library program invites teens to explore di erent art projects, experiment with materials and have fun making something unique. No experience is needed. White T-shirts will be provided for this program, but attendees can bring their own items to dye as well. • May 21, 7-8:30 p.m. • Free • Liberty Hill Public Library, 355 Main St., Liberty Hill • www.lhpl.org Floatopia Touted as the “ultimate lakeside party,” Volente Beach will host a variety of attractions during their water oat event, including a DJ and live music. Entry is free with a oat, or $15 without a oat. A crazy oat contest will take place at 6 p.m. • May 23, 3-10 p.m. • Up to $15 • Volente Beach Resort & Waterpark, 16107 FM 2769, Leander • www.volentebeach.com Evening Book Club Readers are welcome to join together and discuss Priscilla Morris’ “Black Butter ies.” The book club will allow participants to share thoughts, connect with fellow readers and enjoy great conversation in a welcoming environment. • May 27, 7-8:30 p.m. • Free • Liberty Hill Public Library, 355 Main St., Liberty Hill • www.lhpl.org/calendar Live Music at the Fieldhouse Residents in the area can enjoy LC Rocks, an ‘80s rock and roll tribute band. • May 29, 7-10 p.m. • Free • Fieldhouse at the Crossover, 1717 Scottsdale Drive, Ste. 160, Leander • www.the ieldhousetexas.com
BSE Birthday Bash The Brown Sugar Experience will celebrate one year with a birthday bash and vendor market. Those interested can shop with local vendors, grab something to eat and enjoy music. • May 30, 5-9 p.m. • Free • Robin Bledsoe Park, 601 S. Bagdad Road, Leander • www.brownsugarexperience.com Old Town Street Festival The annual event will kick o with a 5K race through the heart of Old Town, down through the streets of Leander. Participants will receive a race T-shirt and a nisher medal. Other activities include live music from the Bellamy Brothers, Boot Rock Boys and Steph Cash,
as well as a local vendor market. • June 6 • Free
• Old Town Leander, 100 N. Brushy St., Leander • www.oldtownleander.com/home/street-festival
• June 8-11, 9 a.m.-noon • $245 • Studio on Main, 1201 Main St., Ste. 200, Liberty Hill • www.studioonmainlh.square.site Juneteenth Block Party In partnership with the Leander Public Arts and Culture Commission and the city of Cedar Park, the city of Leander will commemorate Juneteenth with a block party at Robin Bledsoe Park. This free, family-friendly event is packed with musical performances, food vendors and a fun zone for all ages. • June 19, 5-9 p.m. • Free • Robin Bledsoe Park, 601 S. Bagdad, Leander • www.leandertx.gov/746/Juneteenth-Block-Party
June
Adopt-A Pet Camp Young Liberty Hill residents are invited to adopt a small stu ed puppy or kitty, decorate a cozy house for their new pet, make a collar and create pet-inspired art projects.
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
State
BY HANNAH NORTON
Texas bars buying sweets with SNAP
274K Texans apply for education savings accounts Funding for Texas’ education savings account program is expected to dry up before it reaches some low-income applicants, the state comptrol- ler’s o ce announced April 2. The big picture "It’s always hard to have to turn people away. We don’t want any families who are
As of April 1, Texans can no longer use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, bene ts to purchase sweetened beverages and candy. The details The changes come after state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 379 in 2025. Under the law, Texas’ 3.5 million SNAP enrollees cannot use food stamps to buy drinks con- taining any arti cial sweeteners or at least 5 grams of added sugar. Candy is also banned, while sweetened snacks, such as granola bars and ice cream, are still allowed. It is up to Texas businesses to determine which items are no longer SNAP-eligible, update their store purchase systems and train sta on the restrictions, according to the state.
turned away in year one due to lack of available funds to get discouraged." TRAVIS PILLOW, PROGRAM SPOKESPERSON
Texas Education Freedom Accounts will give participating families state funds for private edu- cation or homeschooling. Over 274,000 students applied for the rst year of the program, and about 247,00 were deemed eligible. Most eligible students will be placed on a wait- list for the 2026-27 school year, with the $1 billion program expected to serve between 90,000 and 100,000 students. State o cials said all funds will go to students with disabilities, their siblings and children from low-income families. Nearly 30,000 students are expected to receive top priority for funding based on their disability status and income, and the comptroller will run a lottery to determine which
of the 79,000 low-income applicants are accepted. Students with disabilities can receive up to $30,000 in TEFA funding, depending on their indi- vidual needs. Other accepted students will receive $10,474 to spend on private school expenses or up to $2,000 for homeschooling. The comptroller’s o ce said it would notify families in April if they are accepted into the program, and participants will begin receiving funds this summer.
Judge pauses state ban on smokable hemp products
Impact on Texas businesses
The following rules remain in e ect ahead of the April 23 hearing: • A more than 3,000% increase in licensing fees • Stricter packaging and labeling requirements • A prohibition on sales to customers under 21 Guerra Gamble temporarily blocked these rules: • New testing requirements banning most smokable hemp products • A restriction on transporting hemp products between states
experts said outlawed most smokable products containing the natural hemp ower. In an April 10 ruling, Travis County Judge Maya Guerra Gamble lifted that restriction, citing “immediate and signi cant economic harm” faced by businesses that cannot sell smokable products. Guerra Gamble kept in place heightened licens- ing fees for hemp businesses, with an additional hearing scheduled for April 23.
A Travis County judge temporarily blocked some of Texas’ sweeping new regulations on the consumable hemp industry, allowing thousands of businesses to continue selling smokable products. What’s happening On March 31, the state health department enacted a rule changing how THC levels are measured in consumable hemp, which industry
SOURCES: TRAVIS COUNTY DISTRICT COURT, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES COMMUNITY IMPACT
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Government
BY HAMERA SHABBIR & HALEY MCLEOD
Leander debuts free small-business tool Small businesses in the Leander area can now tap into free business planning tools. Launched in March, SizeUpLeander gives small businesses market insights that are “typically only available to large corpora- tions,” according to a city news release. Users can check out competitors, find gaps in the market, and connect with customers and suppliers. “Small businesses are an important part of Leander’s economy, and SizeUpLeander gives them access to practical information they can use to make informed decisions.” RANDALL MALIK, LEANDER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DEVINE LAKE PARK
SUNNY BROOK DR.
Liberty Fest, held at Leander’s Devine Lake Park, features live music, vendors, reworks and more.
N
COURTESY CITY OF LEANDER
Leander OKs up to $120k for expanded Liberty Fest On April 16, the Leander City Council voted 5-1 to approve a $120,280 expansion to this year’s Liberty Fest celebration, which will mark the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. The breakdown Ashlea Boyle, executive director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services for Leander, provided three options. Council members approved Option 1—the most expansive plan—which adds a $60,000 drone show, “patriotic parade,” and weekend of activ- ities before Liberty Fest. The plan also includes expanded programming, community giveaways, and city-wide decorations. Liberty Fest is planned for July 3 at Devine Lake and will have live music, food, and fireworks in addition to the approved additions.
BY HANNAH NORTON & HAMERA SHABBIR
Check out Liberty Hill election results Liberty Hill residents took to the polls May 2, voting on multiple Liberty Hill ISD board seats, along with a ballot item asking voters to renew street maintenance funding. Incumbents Chris Neighbors, Kendall Carter and Jaime Etzkorn will continue on in their official capacities as LHISD board of trustees Places 1, 2 and 4, according to unofficial results. The approved Street Maintenance Sales Tax provides roughly $700,000-$1 million in annual funding, according to city of Liberty Hill staff. The city uses the tax for the upkeep of city roads. The tax, which has been reauthorized every four years since it was first approved in 2002, was last approved by voters in 2022. Under Texas state law, the tax must appear on ballots every four years. All election results remain unofficial until canvassed.
ERCOT forecasts quadruple growth in electric demand Demand on the Texas power grid could more than quadruple in the next six years, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas announced April 15. The state grid operator projected that peak electric demand could hit 367,790 megawatts by 2032—more than four times the current demand record of 85,508 mega- watts, which was set during an August 2023 heat wave. Much of this forecasted growth is due to data centers, per ERCOT documents. Experts have emphasized that “there’s still a lot of uncertainty” about where data center projects will be located. ERCOT offi- cials are expected to issue a revised forecast in the coming weeks.
Results breakdown
Incumbent
Liberty Hill ISD Place 1
6.42% Kevin J. Weber 36.28% Albert Kennedy 57.3% Chris Neighbors
Liberty Hill ISD Place 2
100% Kendall Carter
Liberty Hill ISD Place 4
31.66% Sharon Yager 11.96% Antonio Canas 56.28% Jamie Etzkorn
Reauthorize Street Maintenance Sales and Use Tax Liberty Hill Proposition A
76.39% Yes 23.61% No
NOTE: ALL RESULTS ARE UNOFFICIAL UNTIL CANVASSED.
SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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