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2020
Volume 33, Issue 22
www.LHIndependent.com
Area EDCs reaching out to their business communities
By MIKE EDDLEMAN out that we need to do someManaging Editor thing for them.” There’s no business like the The Leander program is offerbusiness that’s already a part ing grants for between $2,500 of the community, and that re- and $5,000, while the Bertram ality is not lost on local com- plan is for $1,000 per business munities as everyone feels the for up to 15 total grants. crunch of the pandemic. Both programs were conTo try and ease the pain felt ceived and launched quickly, by existing businesses, a pair knowing how important it of local area economic devel- is to get assistance funds in opment corporations – in Ber- the hands of business owners tram and Leander – have rolled quickly. out plans to use some of their “We spent quite a bit of time funds on hand to help those on it to come up with the probusinesses make ends meet. gram,” Custer said. “We’re “This city council is putting fortunate enough to have a their money where their mouth few bankers on the EDC, some is,” said Evan Milliorn, Eco- Realtors, and we all live right nomic Development Manag- there. It was something we felt ing Partner in Leander. “They we had to do and we needed to are truly wanting to do what- do it then and not drag it out ever they can. It is not a lot by into a next meeting. We wantany stretch, but it’s something. ed to make sure when we sat I think it is great to watch down we’d work it out while our council and city manager we were there.” step up to the plate and try to In Leander, they saw quick provide some relief in this “We’re not a big EDC, we don’t stressful time our local busi- have deep deep pockets, but we felt nesses are exlike we have enough businesses periencing.” that create a tax base in our city The Leander C O V I D - 1 9 and help us out that we need to do Emergency something for them.” Business Grant ~ David Custer program is being funded City of Bertram EDC President through the Old Town Incentive Program, which cur- grants as a way to help while rently has $208,000 in unused businesses waited for other funds for 2020. programs to be funded. In Bertram, the EDC has also “What the Mayor had asked taken funds -- where it has several weeks ago was for us them to spare -- to lend a hand. to come up with a way to pro“We saw that Burnet, Cedar vide some gap financing bePark and a few others were fore all the federal money rolls doing things for their small in for all the small business businesses so we came togeth- owners,” Milliorn said. “We er as a group and decided we have had the Old Town Grant should do something for the Program for a long time, so we small businesses in our city found our funding source. We because we knew there were were able to tap that grant prosome that were hurting,” said gram, and amend it to create a Bertram EDC President David sub program.” Custer. “We’re not a big EDC, Both programs require city we don’t have deep deep pock- council approval, and have a ets, but we felt like we have variety of stipulations. enough businesses that create a See GRANTS, Page 6 tax base in our city and help us
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LHISD focused on future, closing out academic year
By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor With the bulk of the logistics behind it, and confirmation last week from Gov. Greg Abbott that students would not return to school during the academic year, Liberty Hill ISD has been able to turn its attention to ironing out policies for finishing this year and preparing for the next.
©2020 The Liberty Hill Independent
those who need them – whether it’s tangible needs or simply a chance to somehow better their respective situations. During the current global COVID-19 outbreak, it’s been business as usual for the organization – albeit with a few necessary adjustments, said Lauren McAndrews, director of development. “Since the COVID-19 outbreak, we have continued to provide meals to our homebound seniors, as well as our congregate attendees – we’ve just adapted meal delivery,” she said. “We’re currently delivering two weeks of meals to home-bound seniors. These meals are freshly prepared and flash-frozen. We still have volunteers as well as staff who are
“We’ve come a long way in a month, not just Liberty Hill, but every school district,” said Superintendent Steve Snell. “I can’t thank parents and teachers enough. You want to talk about a group effort, there’s no way this could be done without parent involvement and support.” But the announcement from the Governor was bittersweet
Cases continue to rise, testing scarce
By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor The fifth death attributed to the COVID-19 virus in Williamson County – a male in his mid-30s – was announced Monday afternoon, following nearly two weeks without a death. The announcement came as calls have become louder across Texas and the nation to pull back stay home orders and reopen businesses to ease economic strains. Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell addressed that issue indirectly this week by focusing
on the families that have lost loved ones to the virus. “Every time we have someone who has lost their life to this horrible disease I’m mindful of the kids and grandkids, parents and grandparents that have to deal with this tragedy,” Gravell said. “I’ve heard individuals say, ‘Well, look at the cost and what it’s done to our area businesses and we’ve only had four or five people pass away.’ Perhaps for them, and through that filter maybe their
See UPDATE, Page 4
for district personnel. “It’s hard for teachers and students when we got word we were extending (at home learning) until the end of May,” said Dr. Toni Hicks, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability. “I think everybody cried. It’s so unusual to not have the things we are accustomed to and traditions
to celebrate one another, the friends and connections we have with one another. We’ve just kind of ended things without getting to say goodbye or wrap up.” Liberty Hill ISD has established how grading will be done for the entire Spring semester, and how that will fit
See LHISD, Page 8
COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS CASES & DEATHS Williamson County Cases Williamson County Deaths Texas Cases Texas Deaths U.S. Cases U.S. Deaths
APRIL 1
APRIL 8
APRIL 15
APRIL 22
55 1 3,997 58 186,101 3,603
97 4 9,353 177 395,011 12,754
128 4 15,492 364 605,390 24,582
167 5 21,096 543 802,583 44,575
SOURCE: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
CASES BY COUNTY
HARRIS 5,143 DALLAS 2,602 TARRANT 1,333 TRAVIS 1,233 BEXAR 1,080 WILLIAMSON 167
81 CASES
86 CASES
CASES BY AGE 0-17 18-40 41-60 Over 60
6 54 66 39
SOURCE: DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES 4/22/20
CASES BY LOCATION IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY
AUSTIN CEDAR PARK GEORGETOWN HUTTO LEANDER ROUND ROCK LIBERTY HILL
12 21 27 15 14 66 2
TESTED IN TEXAS APRIL 1 APRIL 8 APRIL 15 APRIL 22
47,857 96,258 151,810 216,783
SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY & CITIES HEALTH DISTRICTS 4/22/20
LHJH All Girls Considered
ANTHONY FLORES PHOTO
Mobile meals working overtime during coronavirus outbreak
By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Even under ordinary conditions there are those who need help. Be it home-bound seniors who need meals delivered to them, underprivileged children growing up in a needy home or families who find themselves up against overwhelming odds just to survive, the need is always there. Since 1965, Opportunities for Williamson and Burnet Counties (OWBC) has been there for
April 23, 2020 | 50 Cents
doing ‘no contact’ deliveries and our site managers are having regular contact with our clients. Congregate members can either have their meals delivered or can pick them up at their local site. We’re also taking new clients into the Meals on Wheels program, using a telephone assessment instead of a face-to-face home visit.” OWBC is currently delivering approximately 3,000 meals per week – 1,800 to seniors and 1,200 to students. However, it’s not all about providing meals, as the organization provides additional services for those who need them, she said. “We continue to provide
See MEALS, Page 4
Liberty Hill Junior High seventh graders Monique Achumama and Gabriella Vargas interview Williamson County Emergency Management Services deputy director Shantelle Brannon (left) for the school’s first episode of its “All Girls Considered” podcast, which is available this week. Brannon is the first female to hold the position in Williamson County and was able before spring break to talk to the students about planning for pandemics like COVID-19. The podcast can be downloaded on various platforms including Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.
Local manufacturer shifts gears to focus on mask making
By RACHEL MADISON Staff Writer Liberty Hill resident Michael Caird has spent the last 10 years locally manufacturing high-end hats, scarves, socks and gloves for clients around the world, but since the coronavirus pandemic started, he has since switched gears to make and sell knitted masks. Caird, owner of The Knitting Mill, has seen his business grow steadily over the last decade, and like many businesses, had plans for more growth this year. Now, because of the coronavirus, his growth is on hold, and so Michael Caird, owner of The Knitting Mill, wears one of his is his business with many of knitted, 100 percent Egyptian cotton masks with a filter insert. He started manufacturing masks when his other business See MASKS, Page 6 slowed to a halt. (Courtesy Photo)