“We had a wonderful experience with Specialty Millworks! Very responsive, great work product, and pleasant work crew. We used a lot of contractors through our house build and wish they had all been as wonderful as Specialty. I will be contacting J again in the future for any additional projects! 5 Stars! ”
Latest business news and what’s coming soon to Liberty Hill
Masala Pizza & Bitezz
9073 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill
Masala Pizza & Bitezz is bringing a new fusion concept to Liberty Hill, blending South Asian flavors with classic pizza favorites. Known for creations like Tikka Masala pizza and Masala wings, the brand has built a loyal following in its original Virginia location. The restaurant is set to open soon in the former location of Angela Ronzoni's Pizzeria.
Mackey's Pizza
719 Hwy. 183, Liberty Hill
A new pizza restaurant is planned for Liberty Hill as renovations are set to begin at Hill Country Square Plaza. According to filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Mackey’s Pizza plans to renovate a 915-squarefoot space, transforming a former yoga studio into a pizzeria. Construction is scheduled to begin April 6 and is expected to be completed by June 1.
Signarama
113 Cantera Way, Georgetown Signarama has opened a new location. The shop is owned by Katie Brewster, an entrepreneur who is passionate about helping companies and organizations attract customers and
supporters. Signarama o ers over 40 years of experience helping businesses enhance visibility and drive marketing e orts through custom signage. The Georgetown location o ers services including vehicle wraps, illuminated signs, window decals, banners, murals, real estate signs and more.
Stiles Construction
Liberty Hill
Stiles Construction is a Texas Hill Country–based builder specializing in custom homes and full-scale remodels. Known for thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship, the team creates timeless spaces tailored to each client’s lifestyle. As a faith-led company, Stiles Construction is committed to serving with integrity, excellence and care—making the building and remodeling process seamless from start to finish. Founders Sam Stiles, project manager, and Hannah Stiles, lead designer, are proud to serve the community they grew up in.
Texas Pools & Patios
14251 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill
Texas Pools & Patios recently opened a new location in Liberty Hill, next door to P&R Propane. The company, founded in 2006, o ers custom pool design, pool construction and pool renovation services. It also o ers outdoor living construction services.
• Monet Interior 7600 RR 1869, Liberty Hill
• HausGro
Online, Liberty Hill
• SafeSplash Swim School
80 Kau man Loop, Liberty Hill
• Rustin Sun Mobile Tanning
Mobile, Liberty Hill
• Liberty Hill Sports Center
901 Jase Reid Ln., Liberty Hill
• 2 Broke Dudes
Mobile, Liberty Hill
• Hill Country Mobile Diesel & Hydraulics
Mobile, Liberty Hill
• Texas Hill Country TMS
14001 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill
• Pu & Play
14745 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill
Liberty Hill City Park
251 CR 200, Liberty Hill
Improvements are planned at Liberty Hill City Park as the city prepares to pave the park’s existing gravel parking lot. The project will convert the current parking area at the park into a concrete parking lot covering approximately 299,262 square feet. Construction is scheduled to begin May 4 and is expected to be completed by Sept. 4, with an estimated cost of $1.5 million.
Sheri Hudgens & Nick Lopez, Liberty Hill School of Music
3608 RR 1869, Liberty Hill
Sheri Hudgens and Nick Lopez are the newest music instructors to join the team at Liberty Hill School of Music. Hudgens teaches flute, while Lopez teaches beginner piano and gives voice lessons.
JJ Roohms, Williamson County
3151 SE Inner Loop, Georgetown
JJ Roohms is the new director of transportation planning and road bond o ce for Williamson County. Roohms will oversee all things with the county's road bond o ce, as well as CAMPO and TXDOT-related projects. He has 33 years of experience as a transportation executive and engineer.
Main Street Marketplace
704 Main St., Liberty Hill
Main Street Marketplace recently welcomed several new vendors, including Scotty & Co. Handmade, Narrow Path
Workshop and Puro Pars Golf
Co. Main Street Marketplace is also celebrating its four-year anniversary in April.
Liberty Hill Beer Market
13851 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill
Liberty Hill Beer Market celebrated its one-year anniversary under the new ownership of Brian and Donna Leonard in March.
Kristin Coulter, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas
1315 Barbara Jordan Blvd., Austin Liberty Hill resident Kristin Coulter was recently named the CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas. Coulter is a former RMHC family member and previously served as chief operating o cer for RMHC.
Clean Slate Waxing Lounge
101 CR 279, Liberty Hill
Clean Slate Waxing Lounge will permanently close its local location on May 23. The business, which opened in June 2024, cited a di cult decision to cease operations after e orts to make the location sustainable. Following the closure, the lounge’s infrared sauna will be relocated to its Northwest Austin location. Clients will also have the option to continue services at Clean Slate’s Northwest Austin or Georgetown locations.
Liberty Hill Animal Hospital 13100 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill
Liberty Hill Animal Hospital celebrated three years in business in March. The veterinary center o ers everything from routine care to surgeries to the pets of Liberty Hill.
Conejos Tex Mex Cantina
2082 Hwy. 183, Leander
In March, Conejos Tex Mex Cantina celebrated its first business anniversary.
Sam Bauman, Cross Tracks Church
101 Church St., Liberty Hill
Sam Bauman is the new children's and youth director at Cross Tracks Church in Liberty Hill. He is a graduate of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Rebel Fitness
111 Bevers Rd., Liberty Hill
Rebel Fitness has moved to a new location in Liberty Hill on Bevers Road.
James Sanchez, Freedom Electrical Solutions
Mobile, Liberty Hill
James Sanchez is the newest electrician to join the team at Freedom Electrical Solutions. Sanchez has been an electrician since 2015 and has worked in residential services for the last eight years.
•
Lighting ordinance discussion takes center stage as group of business owners speaks out against local restrictions
BY JACE BRAZIEL STAFF WRITER
In 2025, following a five-year-long journey that began with the local Save Our Stars group, Liberty Hill was officially designated an International Dark Sky Community.
The designation was given as a result of the city’s push for lower light pollution through retrofi ing public street lighting or enacting certain lighting restrictions for homes and businesses. It is the la er of these that inspired a group of business owners to speak out against the designation during the first of the Liberty Hill City Council’s regular March meetings. Members of the group took to the podium, each speaking out against the current restrictions concerning electronic message displays, or EMDs.
new UDC (Unified Development Code) in 2027.”
When the City of Liberty Hill adopted its current outdoor lighting ordinance in 2022, EMDs had to meet certain requirements to be considered compliant: limits on illumination intensity, message transition timing and the number of EMDs allowed on any given stretch of road, to name a few.
The ordinance made it clear that the city was pushing for a significant drop in the scope and scale of bright, back-lit signs.
As the city undertakes the process of rewriting the city’s UDC; however, windows of opportunity for community input arise.
One Liberty Hill business owner, Shane White of RE/ MAX Town & Country, who also has an EMD outside his business, was unable to a end the meeting but sent a le er requesting a compromise on the ordinance in the updated UDC.
White requested the council consider allowing existing EMDs to be grandfathered in – exempting them from fullon EMD bans –and allowing the business to have repairs conducted should the sign break down.
well as a former member of Liberty Hill’s Planning and Zoning Commission.
She created a petition in the wake of the public comments.
In her petition, titled “Petition to Protect Liberty Hill’s Dark Sky Designation,” Jenkins asked members of the community to signify their support for continued adherence to lighting standards that ensure Liberty Hill retains its designation as a Dark Sky community.
As of March 28, the petition has garnered 340 signatures.
“Liberty Hill already invested in becoming a Dark Sky community,” wrote Jenkins. “Now it’s time to protect that investment.”
City council was set to discuss the regulations during its second regular meeting in March due to the recent controversy. During that meeting, several residents shared public comments with the council in defense of the Dark Sky ordinance, citing disturbances in wildlife migration, economic benefit for the city, and the beauty of an unblemished night sky.
“I’ve got hundreds of studies that show
how this affects human health, circadian rhythms, wildlife ecosystems, our agriculture,” said Jenkins. “Being a Dark Sky International community is actually a multimillion-dollar economic opportunity. This is not just a symbolic designation.”
“I think this is the right thing to do,” added former Liberty Hill Mayor Liz Branigan. “We should honor the beauty of Texas.”
Following the public comments, the council unanimously voted to postpone the agenda item concerning Dark Sky discussion.
The given reason for the move was to involve more of the members in the council in the discussion, including Mayor Crystal Mancilla, who was absent from the meeting.
“The mayor was unable to a end tonight because she had some work calling her out of town,” said Council member Diane Williams. “She emailed me when she knew that and had asked me for this to be postponed.”
The council agreed to move the discussion to a future, undetermined date.
“There are several current ordinances regarding EMDs that are simply unrealistic and irrational,” said Keith Bright, owner of Bright Fire Cigars, which has an EMD display on its building. “These are issues that must be addressed before the
Removing restrictions for moving messages, loosening the timing window during which the sign must be shut off and allowing the grandfathered status to transfer to new property owners (in the event the property is sold, for example) were also requested in the le er.
Leah Jenkins is a volunteer member of both Save Our Stars and DarkSky Texas as
to provide personalized, high-quality, comprehensive eye care and fashion-forward eyewear with exceptional service to our
We can’t wait to serve you!
BY RACHEL MADISON OWNER/PUBLISHER
Long before Liberty Hill’s growth boom, before big-box retailers and national brands began looking north of Austin, Bill Pohl saw something others didn’t.
Driving past a stretch of Liberty Hill land years ago, in the 1970s, he remembers thinking not about what he saw when he looked at the land, but about what that land could become.
That vision, formed decades ago and backed by years of persistence, relationships and strategic land deals, would eventually help bring one of the nation’s largest retailers to Liberty Hill.
On March 11, Costco officially opened its doors – a roughly 160,000-square-foot store built at a cost of approximately $62.6 million. But for Pohl, president of Pohl Jensen and his daughter, CEO Jennifer Jensen, the milestone represents far more than a ribbon cutting.
It represents a long game – one that started years before Liberty Hill was on most developers’ radar.
A foundation built over time
Pohl’s connection to the land dates back to the early days of his career, when he was working in real estate and focused on growth forecasting across Central Texas. At the time, much of what is now Liberty Hill’s commercial corridor was still largely undeveloped, but Pohl said he saw long-term potential others overlooked.
He recalls driving through the area and studying how growth patterns were moving outward from Austin, eventually identifying the State Highway 29 and U.S. Highway 183 corridors as future anchors for development.
“I used to look at that area and think, one day this is going to be something,” he said.
That early conviction led him to begin working on land deals in the area, including a tract owned by a local family that would later become a cornerstone of Liberty Hill’s retail growth.
At the time, the property – more than 100 acres – was owned by a longtime local family. Pohl said he made repeated efforts to list the land, but the answer was always the same: “No.”
Every Friday at 4:30 p.m., the homeowners would host brokers from across the region – complete with bourbon – and give them a chance to pitch why they should sell their property. Pohl was among those who showed
up, hoping to build a relationship and eventually earn the listing.
“He’d have everybody over for a drink,” Pohl said. “But he wouldn’t list it with anyone.”
That was until circumstances changed. The property later went into foreclosure, opening the door for a new deal. Pohl stepped back in and worked to broker the sale to a client, helping move the land into new hands.
At one point, a portion of the property was acquired by H-E-B under a long-term agreement, but the deal came with uncertainty. While H-E-B secured the land, there was no clear timeline for when development would actually occur.
Pohl said that lack of certainty raised concerns.
“They wouldn’t say when they were going to build,” he said. “That mattered.”
To protect against the land sitting idle indefinitely, a provision was included in the agreement – a clause allowing the property to be repurchased if construction had not begun within a specified period.
Years passed and the site remained untouched.
Pohl remembers driving by the property more than a decade later and realizing nothing had changed.
“There wasn’t even a slab,” he said. That moment prompted action.
After revisiting the agreement, Pohl reached out to the property owners and began the process of reacquiring the land. The move wasn’t simple – and it wasn’t without resistance – but ultimately, the deal came together.
That proved to be a turning point. About seven years ago, Pohl Jensen closed on both key tracts, consolidating control of the land and positioning it for future development.
Jensen said that moment marked the beginning of a new phase – one focused not just on land ownership, but on execution.
“Once we had control of the property, that’s when the real work began,” she said.
From there, the focus shifted to preparing the site for the kind of large-scale development Pohl had envisioned years earlier – a process that would ultimately pave the way for retailers like Costco (and Target) to take notice.
Seeing what others didn’t
From the beginning, Pohl had a clear vision for the site – one that went beyond simply developing land and instead cen-
tered on bringing in nationally recognized retailers that could anchor long-term growth in Liberty Hill.
“We predicted we would bring Target and Costco,” he said. “That was our target.”
At the time, that vision was far from widely shared.
The area was still emerging, with much of the surrounding infrastructure and rooftops yet to come. For many in the commercial real estate world, Liberty Hill wasn’t seen as ready for major national retailers – at least not anytime soon.
“A lot of people told us it would take 20 years — that we were crazy,” said Jensen.
But for Pohl and Jensen, the timeline wasn’t the point – the trajectory was. They weren’t looking at what Liberty Hill was in that moment. They were looking at where it was headed.
“That’s always how we approach development,” Jensen said. “You have to think ahead of the growth, not react to it.”
Still, having a vision was only part of the equation. Turning that vision into reality required years of groundwork – much of it happening long before any retailer would commit.
The team focused on positioning the site to meet the expectations of large national users, studying market trends, working with brokers and developers, and building a case for why Liberty Hill made sense as a longterm investment.
“It wasn’t just about landing a retailer,” Jensen said. “We had to make the property ready for them.”
That meant thinking through everything from access and visibility to infrastructure
and surrounding development – all factors that companies like Costco and Target evaluate before making a decision.
It also meant being willing to move forward despite uncertainty, continuing to invest time and resources into a project that, at the time, many believed was still years — if not decades — away from fruition.
“We knew what we were trying to build,” Jensen said. “It just took patience to get there.”
Before a company like Costco would commit, the site had to be fully prepared – a process that took years of behind-the-scenes work.
That included securing entitlements, navigating zoning and development agreements, and coordinating infrastructure improvements like drainage, water and sewer service.
“It took about five years just to get utilities and infrastructure in place,” Pohl said. Jensen said those steps are often invisible to the public, but critical to attracting largescale users.
“You have to remove as many unknowns as possible,” she said. “That’s what makes a site attractive to a company like Costco.”
Once the groundwork was in place, Pohl Jensen began actively pursuing major retailers, initiating conversations with both Target and Costco.
The process was anything but straightforward.
Negotiations shifted. Timelines stretched. At times, progress stalled. But the team stayed consistent.
“We just kept working at it,” Jensen said. “We stayed in contact, stayed persistent.”
The role of the city
Both Pohl and Jensen emphasized that bringing a project of this scale to Liberty Hill wasn’t something a private developer could accomplish alone. It required ongoing collaboration with the City of Liberty Hill – particularly as the project moved from concept to reality.
Jensen said a shi in city leadership in recent years played a key role in gaining momentum.
“We had a fresh mayor, fresh city staff and council who understood the value of growth,” she said.
That alignment, she said, helped create a more solutions-oriented environment at a critical time in the project.
Large-scale developments o en come with challenges — from infrastructure gaps to complex agreements – and Jensen said having city leaders willing to engage in those conversations made a difference.
“It wasn’t about saying no,” she said. “It was about working through what needed to happen to make it work.”
That approach proved especially important when addressing infrastructure
needs like water and sewer service, as well as refining development agreements and navigating incentive structures tied to the project.
Pohl said that willingness to collaborate helped keep the project moving forward, even when obstacles arose.
“If there was a problem, the approach became, ‘How do we fix it?’” he said.
He also credited city leadership with maintaining a long-term perspective –recognizing that projects like Costco are not just about immediate development, but about shaping the city’s future.
Jensen said that perspective is key when balancing growth with community needs.
“This isn’t just about one retailer,” she said. “It’s about what it brings with it.”
At the same time, both acknowledged that rapid growth can come with concerns for residents – from increased traffic and infrastructure strain to questions about how quickly the community is changing. Jensen said those concerns are valid and part of the broader conversation that comes with development.
“Growth has to be done thoughtfully,” she said. “You have to plan for it and make sure the infrastructure and community can support it.”
Developments like Costco, she added, create ripple effects – from job opportunities to increased local spending and additional commercial interest in the area.
“It keeps sales tax dollars here, creates jobs and gives people more options close to home,” Jensen said. A local perspective
Unlike many developers working in fast-growing communities, Pohl Jensen’s leadership doesn’t operate from a distance. Both Pohl and Jensen live in Liberty Hill and that proximity, they say, shaped not only their vision for the project but how they approached every step of the process.
“In this business, being local ma ers,” Pohl said.
For Pohl, that means more than just geography. It’s about relationships, accessibility and a deeper understanding of the community itself – something he believes can’t be replicated from outside the area.
“When you’re here, you see it every day,” he said. “You understand the pace of growth, the needs, the concerns – all of it.”
That local presence influenced how the team worked with city staff, partners and stakeholders. Rather than relying heavily on emails or virtual meetings, Pohl Jensen prioritized in-person conversations, o en
meeting face-to-face to work through challenges as they arose.
“It’s easier to work through challenges face-to-face,” Jensen said. “You can sit down, talk through it and get to a solution faster.”
Jensen said that approach helped build trust over time — something that proved critical during the more complex phases of the project, particularly when navigating infrastructure issues and development agreements.
“There’s a level of clarity you get in person that you don’t always get over email,” she said. “You can avoid misunderstandings and keep things moving.”
Beyond logistics, Jensen said living in Liberty Hill brings a different level of accountability to their work.
“This isn’t just another project for us,” she said. “This is our community.”
That perspective, she said, influences decisions both big and small – from the types of tenants they pursue to how developments are integrated into the surrounding area.
“We’re not just building something and leaving,” Jensen said. “We’re going to be
Local author pens book showcasing Florence High School’s sports history while revisiting life during simpler times
BY BRAD MARTIN STAFF WRITER
As if anyone needed a reminder, the explosive growth of Liberty Hill and its surrounding areas has brought with it many changes. From many modern conveniences that continue to rival even the largest metroplexes and the arrival of almost countless commercial and residential developments, to new roads, schools and all the new faces to fill them, this small town has gone from quiet and sleepy to full thro le with a triple espresso in hand.
Florence, Texas – Liberty Hill’s friendly northeastern neighbor – has been experiencing some growth of its own. Though it may pale in comparison to what is currently taking place along the State Highway 29 and U.S. Highway 183 corridors, their landscape continues to evolve as they welcome many new neighbors to their longstanding slice of the Texas pie.
Though the pace of Florence is still much slower than Liberty Hill’s, offering a glimpse of what life was like not too long ago, Troy Futrell, Florence native and author of Where Everybody Knew the Score: Remembering the Games, the People, and the Place We Called Home, has given the gi of a key to yesteryear through a wonderfully detailed, historic recollection of Florence High School sports, beginning in the year 1898, all the way through the late 1950s.
COSTCO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
here, too.”
For Pohl, that long-term investment ties back to the same mindset that guided him decades ago – looking beyond immediate returns and focusing on what will serve the community over time.
“If you’re part of the community, you think differently about what you’re building,” he said.
Looking ahead
While Costco is now open, Pohl Jensen’s
In his “love le er to small-town America,” Futrell has captured so much more than sports in his 416-page authorial debut. Though his research is painstakingly thorough, an impressive feat given the 50-year span, the true stars of the show are “the people who showed up” – the players, their coaches and the community itself as each generation, much like Liberty Hill, can still recall “exactly where they were when the lights came on and the game began.”
“That’s where everybody was on Friday night,” said Futrell. “It’s the place we called home and I wanted to tell what it was like in, what I call, the good old days.”
A natural and gi ed storyteller, Futrell could have easily filled twice the number of pages in his book. For those who will likely find themselves wanting more once they reach the final page, Futrell has plans to write a follow-up book, one that will pick up in the early 1960s while also telling some more of Florence High School’s history as there were many changes, including many new facilities that were constructed during the decades that followed.
Futrell spent his career as an educator and coach, 31 years of which took place within the Florence Independent School District, giving him quite the advantage when it comes to the stories that are told from his long list of memorable experiences as both a student and a coach. But through years of research and conversations with countless locals from
work in Liberty Hill is far from finished.
The project represents just the first phase of a broader vision – one that includes additional retail, mixed-use and commercial development to support the city’s continued growth.
Target, currently under construction and expected to open in fall 2026, will serve as the next major anchor. The roughly 148,000-square-foot store will further establish the corridor as a regional retail destination.
Both Costco and Target now own their respective tracts, meaning they will
multiple generations, he also tells the stories of those that came before him, including his father, who played on Florence High’s 1927 basketball team.
Given the emphasis on local high school sports that has seemed to be the lifeblood of every small town in Texas and beyond since their inception all the way to present day, Futrell has found a perfectly fi ing catalyst to showcase those who shaped the Florence community and, in return, have gone on to live enriched lives thanks to the foundation that this cherished community laid for them.
To him, the sports aspect merely cracks the surface of a history so deeply filled with pride, gratitude, and good fortune.
ultimately determine what additional businesses are developed within their sites.
Pohl Jensen retains a 2.99-acre tract within the development and is taking a measured approach to what comes next.
“We’re going to be patient and make sure whatever comes next is the right fit,” Jensen said.
Beyond the anchor sites, growth is already taking shape. Two multifamily developments and a 7-Eleven convenience store and gas station are confirmed nearby.
Pohl Jensen also owns multiple large tracts of land along State Highway 29, po-
“I got to thinking about things to tell,” he said of his inspiration to write the book. “I wanted to give hope to people now, showing them what it was like at one time.”
A book signing will be held April 11 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the old Florence High School gymnasium, 306 College Ave. in Florence. All are welcome to a end this “homecoming” of sorts as Futrell’s book has offered the chance to rekindle many relationships from the past with contemporaries, former students and players alike. Books will be available for purchase at the event.
Copies can also be purchased at Main Street Co-Op on Main Street in Florence, as well as on Amazon.
sitioning them to continue shaping future commercial and mixed-use development in the area.
For Jensen, the focus is on building thoughtfully as Liberty Hill grows. For Pohl, the philosophy hasn’t changed.
“People tend to react to what’s here now,” he said. “But development is about what’s coming.”
With Costco open, Target on the way and additional development in motion, that long-held vision is no longer theoretical. It’s taking shape – one project at a time.
BY LESHELLE VALLEJO STAFF WRITER
In a fast-growing community like Liberty Hill, where backyard pools have become a staple of Texas living, one local business is quietly building a reputation rooted in trust, service and relationships.
Liberty Hill Pool Service, owned and operated by Jason and Renee Drosche, is a family-owned company that has grown organically alongside the community it serves.
The Drosches made the move to Liberty Hill in 2017, drawn by the small-town feel and closeknit atmosphere.
Originally from the Waco area, they were living in Cedar Park when they decided to make the transition. Like many residents, they were seeking a slower pace and a stronger sense of community – something they say still exists, even as the area continues to expand.
What started as a side job quickly turned into something much bigger. Jason, who previously worked in a chemical-related field servicing pools for commercial properties, began helping friends and neighbors with pool cleanings. Word spread quickly.
“It really just grew by word of mouth,” Renee
said. “Neighbors started asking, then their friends, and before we knew it, it became something we could turn into a business.”
By the early 2020s, the couple made the decision to go all in. Today, Liberty Hill Pool Service employs a team of five, including Jason and Renee and serves customers throughout Liberty Hill, Georgetown, Bertram, Burnet, Leander, Cedar Park and surrounding areas.
Their core service is weekly pool maintenance, but their offerings go far beyond routine cleanings. The company provides filter cleanings, equipment repairs, green-to-clean services, system programming and troubleshooting – o en identifying issues before homeowners even notice them.
“One of the biggest benefits of weekly service is having eyes on your equipment regularly,” Renee said. “We’re able to catch small issues before they turn into big, expensive problems.”
That proactive approach has become a cornerstone of their business. But what truly sets them apart, according to Renee, is their commitment to customer service and communication.
“We hear all the time from customers who say their previous company didn’t communicate,” she said. “That’s huge for us. Jason always
answers his phone. We want our customers to feel supported.”
In many cases, that support goes beyond business transactions. Renee said Jason o en helps customers troubleshoot issues over the phone – sometimes without charging a service fee.
“It’s just who he is,” she said. “He genuinely wants to help people. And we’re so appreciative of our customers. They’re the reason we have this business.”
That philosophy has paid off. The company has grown almost entirely through referrals, with li le investment in traditional advertising. Instead, their reputation continues to spread through satisfied customers and strong community ties.
As the business continues to grow, the Drosches are focused on expanding thoughtfully. They’ve added team members and are exploring additional certifications and services but remain commi ed to maintaining quality over rapid growth.
“We don’t want to grow so fast that it impacts our level of service,” Renee said. “Finding the right people and building a strong team is really important to us. We appreciate our employees in addition to our customers. The work is phys-
ical and done in extreme weather conditions much of the year. It is not an easy job, and we greatly respect what they put in to their role in making us successful.”
For more information on Liberty Hill Pool Service, visit lhpool.com.
This is a paid advertising feature for Liberty Hill Pool Service.
BY ABBY JENKINS PHOTOGRAPHY/EDITORIAL INTERN
The opponents pupils are all Alyciana Rogers can see.
No crowd noise and no past matches.
“The crowd fades out, it’s just me , my opponent and the clock,” Rogers said. “Your heart is pounding, your muscles are firing and every move has to be intentional. It’s controlled chaos, you don’t think – you react – and that’s where all the hours of practice show up.”
All those hours of practice would pay off in a huge way for Rogers, as the Liberty Hill junior won the Class 5A wrestling state championship for in the 235-pound weight class.
According to her the emotions came flooding immediately upon her victory.
“I felt relief, happiness and gratitude,” Rogers said. “All the early mornings, all the after-school practices, the
countless hours of conditioning – it all hits you at once. It’s just not your win. It’s your coaches’, teammates’, family’s and everyone that pushed you.”
Panthers head coach Danny Zieschang has now had a running list of state qualifiers during his three seasons at Liberty Hill in Blake Hunter (‘24, ‘26), Rogers (‘24, ‘25, ‘26), Aubree Schubert (‘24, ‘25), Jacob Morris (‘24), Lydia Miller (‘26) and Eva Granchukoff (‘26).
Both Rogers’ and Zieschang’s stories start back in Zieschang’s first year at Liberty Hill and Rogers’ freshman year.
“When Alyciana joined our program as a freshman, she had never wrestled before,” Zieschang said. “Now, she has a full understanding of the sport, the technique and the strategy that goes into winning. She has developed a mental edge that gives her an advantage over her opponents.”
Rogers has had that mental edge
all three years, with a large array of awards under her belt.
the hours in each other and the sport, with both speaking highly of the other and their bond.
“Coach Z has pushed me beyond what I thought my limits were,” Rogers said. “He doesn’t just build wrestlers – he builds mental toughness and he’s helped me believe I can compete at the highest level.”
“I’ve won District 12 5A girls’ Wrestler of the Year, Most Outstanding Wrestler twice, I’m a three-time district champ, two-time regional champ and one silver medal for second at state and state champion,” she said. “But, the awards are just the showcase of all the hard work I’ve put into these couple of years.”
But of course, nothing compares to Rogers’ ultimate win this February.
“I prepared physically and mentally – physically, it was drilling, conditioning and trusting my training,” Rogers said. “Mentally, it was visualizing every position and reminding myself I belong here, that I’ve worked for this and no one can take that away from me and by the time I stepped on the mat I wasn’t hoping to win. I was ready to.”
“Alyciana’s state championship match is definitely one of my all-time favorites because it has been a goal of hers for a while,” Zieschang added. “Getting to see her accomplish that goal on such a large stage was very special.”
Zieschang said Rogers has executed his personal philosophy and idea for the season.
Zieschang was confident in Rogers’ growth and success, he said
“My philosophy is committed hard work pays off,” he said. “I emphasize commitment and hard work every day and hope wrestlers buy into that teaching. Alyciana is one of those wrestlers. She has been committed to the hard work it takes to be successful and helps teach those traits to her teammates.”
With two more sport seasons wrapping up this year, including qualifying for state in powerlifting,, Rogers is looking forward to next year.
“She’s committed,” Zieschang said. “Whatever needs to be done to accomplish her goals, Alyciana is committed to doing. Whether it is early morning weight room, club wrestling in the off-season, extra effort put into recovery, Alyciana does it all. Alyciana works just as hard if not harder than anyone I have ever coached and that commitment has paid off for her in the form of a state championship.”
Both coach and athlete have put in
“It takes discipline and time management,” she said. “I have to stay organized, prioritize recovery and sometimes sacrifice free time. But competing in multiple sports keeps me competitive and mentally sharp.”
BY SCOTT AKANEWICH OWNER/PUBLISHER
Last season during its improbable run to a state championship, Liberty Hill found ways to persevere and grind out victories in the survive-and-advance knockout tournament and it seems as if the lessons learned during the Panthers’ title run is already paying future dividends.
Following a scoreless draw through 80 minutes of regulation and 20 minutes of overtime, the Purple-and-Gold prevailed on penalties, 5-4, to defeat Champion at Bob Shelton Stadium at Hays High School in Buda in the teams’ Class 5A Division II playoff opener.
Senior goalkeeper Angel Cardenas made a pair of saves in the shootout and once Danny Gutierrez, David Candia, David Alejo and Alonso Aguayo had all buried their respective chances from the spot, it was le for senior Raheem Abdulhameed to coolly slot home the winner, se ing off a wild celebration as Panthers players poured off the bench to mob their teammates. But, not so fast.
A er the shootout was tied, 4-4, at the end of the first five rounds, UIL rules stipulate sudden death from that point on, but it seemed as if the game officials weren’t quite sure if that was the case a er Champion questioned the proceedings, which put a delay on the celebrations for several minutes while the officials looked up the rules, only for the referee to finally give the signal to the Panthers they had indeed won, which triggered a second celebration.
When the smoke of confusion and controversy had finally cleared some three hours a er the contest had started, Liberty Hill head coach Stefano Salerno was le to reflect on another remarkable victory for his players, which had been the squad’s trademark on its march to the championship last season.
“We kept talking about that – this is pre y much the same group from last year that has eight playoff games under its belt,” he said. “Having that experience certainly helps in certain situations as far as going to overtime and penalty kicks.”
In fact, the Panthers needed only to look back on what happened on the same exact playing surface 24 hours short of one year ago to the day when they defeated Boerne, 5-4, on penalties a er having played to a 2-2
draw through regulation and overtime.
On that occasion – as on this one – it was Cardenas who played the role of hero, only this time around doubled his saves haul from last season with a pair of stellar stops to keep his side in the game – an occurrence that didn’t surprise Salerno, he said.
“There’s a reason Angel is one of the best goalkeepers in the area,” said Salerno. “We’ve been lucky to have him four years in the program at the varsity level and he never disappoints – he made a spectacular save with about six or seven minutes le and then saved the penalties.”
All the drama at game’s end certainly made up for a regulation period that was short on scoring opportunities as neither side was able to impose its will on the other.
A er 18 minutes with li le to worry either team, it was Panthers senior Zeke Garcia who streaked into the final third in the 19th minute and passed to Aguayo, who stung a shot at the Chargers keeper, only for it to be saved. Just 60 seconds later Aguayo and Candia were both denied on pointblank chances to keep the game scoreless.
Cardenas was tested early in the second half and responded with saves in the 46th and 48th minutes before Liberty Hill’s Vance Stanley broke in on goal at the other end in the 53rd, but shot wide.
Finally in the 80th minute with only seconds remaining in regulation a er Cardenas had made yet another save, Candia was brought down in the area, which prompted the Panthers to appeal for a penalty only for the referee to decide the contact wasn’t enough to warrant a foul and the game moved on to a pair of 10-minute overtime periods, still without producing a winner.
All there was le at that point was the ensuing lo ery that is a penalty shootout and when the numbers had all been drawn, the Panthers had the winning combination on a night that ended up being as difficult as he had anticipated, said Salerno.
“It was close to the end, which is what we expected,” he said. “Whenever you play somebody from that district, it’s going to be close, just like the last three years now.”
At the end of the this evening, though, Salerno felt empathy for the opponent – but not too much.
“You feel bad for the other team because you never want to lose that way,” he said. “But, in the end, we’re going to take this win and start planning for the next round.”
BY PHOEBE JOHNSON-QUAIFE EDITORIAL INTERN
On Feb. 14, Peyton Brown, an outstanding swimmer representing Legacy Ranch High School, competed at the UIL State Championship, securing Legacy Ranch’s first podium ranking with a third place medal.
Additionally, she achieved the title of youngest state medalist at Legacy Ranch, remarkably, as a freshman.
“When I saw that I placed third, I was obviously overjoyed and excited to have reached the podium as a freshman,” Brown said. “However, it was also a very complicated feeling. Knowing how close I was to ge ing second place was definitely hard to consider, how close the race was.”
While Brown is understandably elated with her achievement, she is also driven and determined to improve.
Like many athletes at Legacy Ranch, Brown faced the challenge of competing
against seasoned seniors.
“I think having faith in myself was definitely the most important part of starting every race,” she said. “Knowing I have put in the work and deserve to be here was a huge aspect for me. I also kept telling myself I made it this far competing against seniors – this is the same as any other meet and I can do this.”
With this motivation in mind, it’s no wonder she achieved the extraordinary feat of finishing third at state.
Brown competed in both the 100 butterfly and the 200 medley relay at the UIL State Championships.
Alongside her impressive podium finish, Brown secured eighth place in the 200 medley relay.
When asked about her feelings on competing with her relay team and her individual bronze medal, Brown said both are unique in their own ways.
“To me, nothing can really compare to winning my individual event at state – it
was such a cool thing to experience as a freshman,” she said. “However, there is something special about competing in a relay with your friends and cheering each other on. We created special traditions the entire year and it was really fun to see all of our hard work pay off.”
The 100 bu erfly and the 200 medley relay are distinct events, showcasing different aspects of swimming.
The 100 bu erfly is a demanding individual sprint, while the 200 medley relay fosters a strong team dynamic.
Brown reflected on the intensity of the 100 bu erfly.
“I was just focused on my underwater for the entire race,” she said. “In those last 25 yards, I tried to use whatever I had le to move my arms as fast as I possibly could – it was really just a dead sprint to the end.”
Swimming is notorious for its monotonous nature, waking up early in the morning to gaze at a black line for hours in chilly waters, an aspect of the sport Brown is all too familiar with, she said.
“On hard days, I try to keep my end goal in mind. I focus on where I want to be in the future and tell myself that every minute counts,” said Brown. “At the beginning of the season, when practice was the toughest, I was just trying to make it to state. Now that I have made it to state and medaled, it’s so cool to see how all those tough days paid off.”
Now representing her school, Brown will serve as an inspiration for future un-
derclassmen and her legacy will forever be embedded in the school’s history. What comes next for Brown over the following three years?
“Moving up to 5A is going to be an exciting challenge,” she said. “My goal is to maintain my stroke and work every day to shave off time. 5A means more competition and I’m going to keep working to podium and drop times not only in the 100 fly, but in my other events as well. I’m going to do a li le bit extra each day and exceed my expectations to ensure I reach my goal.”
BY PHOEBE JOHNSON-QUAIFE EDITORIAL INTERN
During the 2025-2026 school year so far, Legacy Ranch High School has accomplished some remarkable achievements.
The success of Legacy Ranch’s sports teams was doubted because of their unprecedented varsity programs. Nonetheless, these incredible athletes rose to the challenge and broke past personal limits. Amongst the Wrangler athletes, the girls’ soccer program excelled exceptionally. The team, composed of 13 freshmen and five sophomores, made school history in its inaugural varsity season.
The Lady Wranglers secured first place in the district with a seasonal record of 140-1. The junior varsity squad also finished first place in the district. A er winning district, the girls progressed to the playoffs, a feat only one other varsity team has achieved at the Ranch.
On March 20, Legacy Ranch faced Canyon Lake in the opening round of the Class 4A state playoffs. A er a 3-3 score at the end of regulation, the girls lost in overtime a er Canyon Lake scored two goals, resulting in a final score of 5-3.
At the start of the season, it was determined the district season may pose a challenge to the team. Brand new to the varsity world, nobody really knew what to expect. The Lady Wranglers, unsuspecting of the season they were about to have, trained every day. The players determined to win showed up for every early morning practice, never complaining about the cold winter weather or the freezing rain. Their dedication was impeccable – they never said, “I don’t want to be here,” because they knew they didn’t have to be there –they got to be there.
On the field, varsity captains, sophomore Adelyn Eaton and freshman Gabriella McCall led the team with ambition and composure.
“Some challenges the team faced this year would be encouraging each other more on and off the field,” Eaton said.
“I think the challenges the team overcame this year were being more connected when communicating and playing teams that have seniors and juniors only as a team with freshmen and sophomores,” added McCall.
McCall – the team’s No. 1 goalkeeper –led the Lady Wranglers with a vocal presence and sense of responsibility from her
position between the posts, while Eaton did the same in her outfield role.
“As a captain, I lead this team with clear communication, guiding each player on their role in the game. I maintain high intensity, motivate my teammates, and ensure everyone stays focused when it ma ers most,” said Eaton, who plays multiple positions on the pitch. “As captain, I always focus on li ing up my teammates.
I believe in building their confidence by recognizing their hard work –whether it’s a simple ‘great job,’ a high-five, or a supportive pat on the back. My goal is to create an atmosphere where everyone feels appreciated and encouraged to grow.”
However, this year, leadership came from more than just the captains.
Elynn McNabb’s contributions were shown on the scoreboard. As the team’s high-intensity striker, she contributed a significant number of goals this season, alongside fellow powerhouse striker Sade Harrington.
“I truly enjoyed playing with my friends, creating unforge able memories and competing week a er week,” McNabb said. “Our team culture is deeply connected to being the first team to win district. Achieving this milestone will definitely strengthen our culture even further. Our team thrives on this energy; we all contribute to the game and grow together, feeding off each other’s strengths.”
Lady Wranglers head coach Kaitlyn Lopez shared her thoughts on the playoff game.
“While our playoff game didn’t go how we hoped, I think there is so much positive to take from it,” she said. “First of all, it was super competitive and I believe we proved that we belong in discussions about who the top contenders are in Texas. It’s a li le unfortunate that this particular match-up came in the first round, but our girls put up a great fight and represented our program really well. Second, for our first-ever varsity season, I think it’s an incredible experience we will draw on for years to come. Now the girls know what it’s like to head into playoffs, what that energy is like and how high the stakes are. The most exciting part is that our current group will have two more opportunities to make a playoff run before our first class graduates.“
Lopez also shared what she took away from the season.
“I think this season will serve as a great
foundation for us to continue to build on,” she said. “We were able to accomplish our goal of being district champs, which we’re all really proud of. Next year, we will bump up to 5A and try to put ourselves in a position to go further into the playoffs. The experience this year will give our girls confidence moving forward and make them hungry to achieve more.” Lastly, Lopez reflected back on the season’s success.
“Our biggest factor in this year’s success is the relationships these girls have built with each other,” she said. “The most fun part of high school soccer is the experience of playing with your best friends. Our girls have really come together on and off the field and I’m so excited to see what the future holds for them.”
Read our round up to learn more about the biggest news stories affecting our community
BY JACE BRAZIEL STAFF WRITER
The first thing that comes to most everyone’s mind when discussing Liberty Hill Independent School District’s actions during March is the approval of the calendar for the 2026-2027 school year.
However, LHISD’s board meeting was filled with plenty of other impactful items beyond the calendar, including a discussion surrounding Louine Noble Elementary and a budget workshop presentation.
The board moved forward with adopting a more traditional school calendar for the 2026-27 school year. Sixty percent of the weeks on this calendar consist of five instructional days; holiday breaks will always be preceded by an early release day; and school days will be shortened.
Exactly how much the days will be shortened has not yet been officially announced, as the process for finalizing the bell schedules for schools involves a transportation audit that has not been completed. That audit is expected to wrap up in early April, at which point the bell schedules will be ironed out. Superintendent Travis Motal is expected to give an update to the board regarding campus schedules during the regular April board meeting.
Moving to a more traditional calendar was met with surprise from many members of the community. In the fall, the district sent out a calendar survey to parents, staff and high school students. This survey showed that about two-thirds of the 5,000 respondents preferred a four-day week as opposed to a five-day one.
The survey was sent out in the fall, before a staff development waiver from the Texas Education Agency was denied in December. Historically, as Motal explained during the board’s meeting, calendars with 60% five-day weeks met the TEA’s standard for a non-fourday calendar, thereby allowing the district to qualify for a staff development waiver. When the district’s waiver was denied in January, more days had to be added to the
calendar so the district would still meet the operational minutes threshold for the year and remain eligible for state funding.
Members of the board mentioned a reluctance to push for an innovative calendar in the event that it could cost the district funding in the future.
“I’m willing to bet that the good state of Texas is going to make it more and more difficult for public schools…” said Trustee Michael Ferguson. “They’re going to do everything in their power to make us go back to a traditional five-day [calendar].”
Sticking to every source of funding will be increasingly important for the district, especially when taking into account the information presented during the budget workshop. Chief Financial Officer Rosanna Guerrero spoke to the board at their regular March meeting, detailing the projected revenue and expenditures of the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years.
Revenue projections take into account tax rate compression, property value growth, and changing enrollment growth, coupled with expenditure projections that account for a growing need for staff, operational cost increases due to new campuses, and inflation. The presented numbers point toward a troubling conclusion: a budget deficit for the 2027-2028 school year.
If every projection rings true, the district will face a budget shortfall of nearly $3 million. Before panic sets in, it’s important to recognize that a lot can change in two years.
“This is a projection based on an estimate,” Guerrero told The Independent
One of the estimates that is the most likely to change is expenditures related to staff compensation and pay grade adjustments. The district is still undergoing a payroll audit, after which a more concrete number can be slotted into the budget, which could tip the scales in any number of ways.
Regardless, Trustee Kendall Carter told Guerrero during the workshop that he would outright decline any proposed budget that realized a deficit for the district.
“As a board member, let me just say I will not adopt a deficit budget,” he said.
The board also discussed possible changes to the district’s Pre-K system. As of now, Pre-K classes are available at several elemen-
tary campuses, including Liberty Hill, Noble, Santa Rita and Bar W. Should the board decide to change this system, they were presented with two ways of doing so.
The first possible change would involve consolidating those Pre-K resources into two existing elementary campuses – one for the east side of the district and one for the west. The second option would see the Louine Noble campus converted from an elementary school to an early learning center.
These options, as well as the possibility of making no change at all, will be further considered by the board in a future meeting, as they await cost estimates for each of the proposals.
The City of Liberty Hill discussed and took action on several items during March, including discussing the demolition of a downtown property, changes to the board and committee process for city advisory boards, and more.
During the first March meeting, a group of local business owners voiced their opposition to certain current lighting restrictions that limit the usage of electronic message displays. City Council was unable to comment on the concerns during the meeting, as replies to public comments are not allowed. An agenda item was on the docket for the meeting held in the latter half of the month; however, it was postponed to an undetermined future date.
Two items relating to various advisory boards and committees were brought before the council. The first was an ordinance that would move the authority to review and issue final actions on plat applications to city staff, a power historically held by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The passage of House Bill 2933 in 2023, though, allows such a change in the interest of helping city governments meet strict statutory deadlines.
The second item relating to boards was broader. City Manager Thomas Hunter asked council to consider going to greater lengths to advertise the need for more applicants to fill the vacancies in some of the city’s boards. Following discussion in executive session, action was taken on the matter.
“We’re going to make sure that staff puts a robust explanation about what each board is, what they do, and qualifications that we would be looking for in someone that wants to serve on that board, and put it on a website for our residents to really see where they want to serve,” said Mayor Crystal Mancilla.
The proposal to demolish a property in downtown was brought before the council.
The property in question is 202 Myrtle Lane, a residential plat adjacent to the recently-demolished VFW.
“Several consultants have decided that it is not something that we can utilize in the future, and to save time, being able to demo it now would make the most sense,” Christian Kurtz, Economic Development Corporation director, said.
The proposal was not approved, with the council citing concerns regarding the sum of money being requested in relation to the quote given by the demolition company. Kurtz said the difference was calculated based on recent contract amendments that had been taken before the council during the VFW’s demolition – a project that would utilize the same contractor, and would therefore likely benefit from a similar contract amendment in the future.
The denial of this proposal, as well as comments made by members of the council during Marche’s meeting regarding a separate contract, signal a shift in attitude toward a more stringent contract-approval process.
“I would like to ask that the city be more diligent when we lay out our contracting needs, so that when contractors put in a bid for whatever contract we’re asking them for, they know specifically what we’re asking for, the parameters of it, all those things,” said Council member Wade Ashley. “Moving forward for any other contracts that we have in the city, when we set a ‘no greater than’ amount, that we hold the contractor’s feet to the fire to stay in that.”
Amendments to the 2026 budget were approved, tuning up the numbers that were presented originally to reflect the additional spending from the city’s purchase of Parker’s, as well as the funds needed to perform repairs on the building. The budget amendments also lay the groundwork for shifting away from the utilization of third-party firms for certain city engineering and information technology jobs. This is done by creating new positions within city staff, like a city engineer position and an IT administrator, that will allow the city to take on tasks in-house.
Deputy City Manager Brandon Pritchett estimated the personnel costs would land around $820,000 annually, with engineering savings alone totaling over $900,000 annually. The budget amendments were approved. City Council also approved the hiring of a new city secretary, a position that has been vacant since Elaine Simpson resigned in January.
Beatrice Canseco, formerly the deputy city secretary for Killeen, was hired for the role. She has eight years of administrative government experience.
BY RACHEL MADISON OWNER/PUBLISHER
The race for Williamson County Commissioner Precinct 2 is headed to a May 26 runoff, with David McDonald and Jeff Mayes emerging as the top two vote-ge ers in the Republican primary.
McDonald led the three-candidate field with 5,819 votes (46.13%), followed by Mayes with 3,716 votes (29.46%). Rupal Chaudhari received 3,080 votes (24.42%), falling short of advancing.
Because no candidate secured more than 50 percent of the vote, the contest now moves to a runoff election that will determine the Republican nominee for the Precinct 2 seat ahead of the November general election.
The race drew a ention across the county as voters weighed priorities for one of the region’s fastest-growing areas, including infrastructure demands, road expansion and how to manage continued growth in communities such as Liberty Hill.
Following the results, both candidates struck a forward-looking tone as they prepare for the next phase of the campaign.
“I’ve been thanking God so much,” McDonald said. “If you look at our campaign finance reports, I did not raise the most money, but we worked really hard, had a clear message, ran a clean campaign and just wanted to be a voice for the people. I feel like that message resonated.”
McDonald also acknowledged his opponents and the nature of running for office.
“I want to say congratulations to Jeff and Rupal,” he said. “Pu ing yourself out there and wanting to serve – you’re vulnerable.”
As he looks toward the runoff, McDonald said his campaign will remain focused on consistency and connection with voters.
“Stay with our message – I think it resonates,” he said. “We want folks to see how genuine I am and know that I’m in it for the right reasons and want to serve the people of Williamson County, especially Precinct 2.”
A longtime resident of the area, McDonald said his priorities center on managing growth while maintaining quality of life.
“My goal has always been to leave something be er than what I found,” he said. “That would be my goal as county commissioner — to manage our growth, keep
the quality of life we have and be responsive to the needs of our community.”
Mayes, who secured the second runoff spot, said he is energized by the opportunity to continue his campaign.
“I’m excited to be in this position. I thank everybody that came out and supported me over the last several months,” Mayes said. “We’re regrouping and buckling down for the next step in this process.”
He acknowledged the extended timeline and the need to reset strategy heading into the runoff.
“An additional almost three months of campaigning brings additional challenges,” Mayes said. “In a way, we are restarting – regrouping, looking at what we did right and what we can do be er.”
Mayes said his focus moving forward will be direct voter engagement.
“We’re going to knock on a bunch of doors,” he said. “I’m the common-sense conservative.”
With the field narrowed to two candidates, both campaigns are expected to ramp up outreach efforts in the weeks ahead, with turnout likely to play a decisive role in the May 26 runoff.
The Liberty Hill Independent will also co-host a candidate forum in late April, providing voters an opportunity to hear directly from both candidates ahead of early voting.
BY JAMES WEAR COLUMNIST
Funny how quickly two decades can slip by. Twenty years ago I had not yet reached my 50th birthday, had not yet experienced a heart attack and spent at least two Monday nights a month attending meetings of the Liberty Hill City Council.
Twenty years ago this month the council hired Mel Yantis to serve as city administrator. Yantis, who later would become Jarrell’s city administrator, passed away in 2018.
I had the opportunity to interview Yantis when he first came to Liberty Hill. The text of that story follows:
“It’s a new city with new challenges for newly hired city administrator Mel Yantis, but the 64-year-old veteran of city business says he’s ready for the task.
Yantis, who was hired last week by the Liberty Hill City Council to take over the dayto-day operations of the city, said Monday his first task, is to “quickly” learn what the community wants. “I need to find out the people’s vision of Liberty Hill,” he said.
Yantis only has a few hours a week to devote to the community. He’s been hired as a part-time city administrator (15 hours per week, he noted, although he concedes he’ll probably wind up donating more hours of his time) of a city that has sometimes been divided in the past about its direction.
He’ll have a better idea of what the council expects of him once his job description is complete.
Yantis grew up in the San Antonio area and attended college at St. Mary’s University there, where he earned his degree in financial management. After getting out of school, he went to work for the Handy Dandy grocery chain as he worked to pay off student loans.
After leaving Handy Dandy, he spent the next 28 years working for the Texas Workforce Commission. He left that agency in 1998 to go to work for the City of Hutto as finance director.
That position led to him becoming Hutto’s first city administrator, and although Yantis and Hutto parted ways last year, he says he’s proud of what was accomplished under his leadership. “There were 800 people living in Hutto when I first went to work there and the city had about $65,000. When I left the population was up to 8,200 and there was $6 million in the city’s bank account.”
Yantis said much of Hutto’s improvements were due to the city utilizing impact fees paid by developers.
And although Hutto and Yantis could not come to an agreement on his role (“Sometimes different visions clash,” he noted), he said he left feeling good about the community. He points out that after his resignation the city retained him for several weeks as a consultant to wrap up much of the projects he had started.
Because Yantis, who lives in Round Rock with his wife Gail, is part-time, he notes the current city staff is “going to have to carry quite a bit of the load.”
“I’ll be coming in Mondays and Tuesdays
$25 for Minimum 30 Words (Print Edition), Additional Words $0.20, Contact us for Online Rates NEWS@LHINDEPENDENT.COM
Private Portuguese Teacher (Homeschooling)
Location: Liberty Hill, Texas
Contact information: rosana.radford@gmail.com
We are seeking a highly qualified and dedicated Private Portuguese Teacher to provide in person homeschooling instruction for 2 children, aged 5 and 7, in Liberty Hill, TX.
Position Overview
The selected candidate will deliver structured Portuguese language instruction using developmentally appropriate practices aligned with early elementary education standards. Instruction should include literacy development, foundational grammar, vocabulary acquisition, and conversational fluency.
Twenty years ago this month, Tina Wyatt’s Pre-AP English class read the classic novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” and constructed the City of Maycomb, where the story takes place, as a class project. Pictured front row from left, are Cassandra Furr, Rachel Rubin, Morgan Buchanan, Ryan Cox, Carlos Dubon, Stephen Winstead and Sarah Vance. Second row from left, are Caitlin Case, Patrick Cannell, Macy Hobbs, Katelyn Zurovec, Kristina Danielak, Jordan Emmert, Braden Fickel, Ty Roberts and Thomas Stites. COURTESY PHOTO
and be available to meet with citizens,” he said.
But the city was not my only focus. Liberty Hill had not yet experienced explosive growth with its school district, but even so, there was plenty to keep up with. Elsewhere on this page one will find a photograph of a group of students who were inspired by the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” and constructed the City of Maycomb, where the story takes place, as a class project.
In the sports world, Coach Vicki Bates reported the Lady Panthers track team traveled
Responsibilities
- Design and implement age-appropriate lesson plans aligned with early childhood learning standards
- Develop foundational literacy and language acquisition skills in Portuguese
- Apply differentiated instruction strategies when appropriate
- Monitor, assess, and communicate student progress regularly
- Create an engaging, structured, and nurturing learning environment
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Languages, or related academicfield
- Diploma or certification in Special Education
- Demonstrated knowledge of bilingual instructional methodologies
- Understanding of English language teaching methodology
- Experience with cross-curricular integration, including Art Education as a complementary instructional tool
- Native or fluent proficiency in Portuguese
- Prior experience teaching children aged 5+
- Experience with homeschooling preferred
to Burnet to run in the Bulldog Relays. There were 11 teams participating, including Waco Midway, St. Michael’s, Lake Travis, Burnet, Del Valle, Lampasas, Faith Academy, Kerrville Tivy, Marble Falls and Hyde Park.
“We were the only 3A team and we had some good competition. Janet Suarez broke the school record (again) in the 3200-meter run with a time of 12:19.06. She had already shattered the record earlier this year but managed to shave another three seconds off.” I have to wonder, does Suarez still hold the record?
- Strong communication, organizational, and instructional planning skills
Professional Approach
The ideal candidate will utilize a bilingual instructional approach, integrating language development strategies across disciplines. Emphasis will be placed on cross-curricular integration, incorporating creative arts to enhance cognitive development, engagement, and linguistic proficiency.
Schedule
- In-person instruction
- Full-time position
- Long-term position
- Days and hours to be agreed upon
Compensation
- $13 per hour
Application Instructions
- A brief professional introduction
- Relevant teaching experience with Portuguese language
Dec. 5, 1925 - March 14, 2026
Ike Iverson, a proud Marine and cherished family patriarch, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2026, at the home of Ehren and Katie Iverson in Liberty Hill, Texas. He was 100 years old.
Born on December 5, 1925, in Big Spring, Texas, Ike was the youngest of five children born to Alfred Oscar and Eula Mamie (Mullican) Iverson. He was preceded in death by his siblings: John, Alice, Conrad, and Iver.
A member of the “Greatest Generation,” Ike served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Serving with the Fighting Fifth of the 1st Marine Division, Corporal Iverson’s service took him
across the Pacific theater, including New Britain, Pavuvu, Peleliu, and China. For his courageous service, he was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four bronze battle stars.
Ike was deeply devoted to his family, leaving a legacy through twenty-eight descendants. He is survived by his children: Larry (Regina) Iverson, Coleen Iverson-Routh, Jon (Shelley) Iverson, and step-son Larry (Gayle) Patterson. He also leaves behind cousins Bruce Whelan and Margie Hood.
His spirit will be carried forward by his ten grandchildren: Alysabeth (John) Spiece, Ehren (Katie) Iverson, Alex Iverson, Riley Iverson, Elijah (Katryna) Iverson,
Sylvia Grace (Nolan) Johnson, Nathaniel Routh, Peter (Emma) Iverson, step-granddaughter Whitney (Chris) Wright, and step-grandson Dustin (Julie) Patterson; and his thirteen great-grandchildren: Georgia (Ian), Cedar, Riley, Hallie, Hayes, Knox, Ike, Olive, Calvin, Mason, Rowen, Parks, and Payne, with another joyfully expected soon.
A memorial service to celebrate Ike’s life was held at 2 p.m. on March 28, 2026, at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home in Leander, TX.
The family expresses their deep appreciation for the kindness shown during this time.
Semper Fi and guns up, Grandpa. You will be deeply missed.
Oct. 23, 1979 - March 17, 2026
Aimee Chapman died March 17, 2026 at St. David’s South Hospital in Austin after a year-long battle with Lymphoma. She died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was 46.
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Aimee Janee Battle was born October 23, 1979, the youngest of 4 siblings. Her parents, Bob and Jackie Battle, moved to Llano when she was two years old, and Aimee went on to graduate from Llano High School in 1997–a year ahead of her class. She began her undergraduate education at the University of Texas, eventually earning a Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. She later earned a Master of Education degree from Texas State University, and completed her administrative certification training at Lamar Univer-
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Aimee was a voracious reader and lifetime
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Never plant directly below power lines. If you have underground service, be sure to leave 10 feet of clearance in the front
learner, with hobbies ranging from photography to journaling, and even hosted a YouTube channel on setting up planners. Any time her family got together, whether for holidays, birthdays, or other special occasions, Aimee could be found in a heated game of “42” at any hour of the day.
She found her career passion when she became an educator later in life, and poured her heart and soul into every child fortunate enough to pass through the door of her classroom. Her love of tracking data, planning, and leading from the heart led her to pursue a role as an administrator, and she was in her second year as Assistant Principal at Garden Ridge Elementary School at the time of her passing.
She is survived by her children, Grayson Battle Rayburn, Jackson Alan Chapman, and Addison Lea Chapman, her parents, Bob and Jackie Battle, her sister, Melissa Battle, brother Jay Battle and his wife, Sarah, sister
When making plans for your plants, it’s easy to overlook the impact they could have on your electric service. PEC’s handy guide is here to help!
Never plant directly below power lines. If you have underground service, be sure to leave 10 feet of clearance in the front and 5 feet around the sides of pad-mounted transformers.
For more important planting tips, visit myPEC.com/planting
Maurie Battle Beasley and her husband, Jim. She was also aunt to Jacob Beasley and his wife, Tori, Dalton Battle and his fiancee, Taylor, Chase Battle, Raychel Beasley-Burke and her husband, Matthew, and Jared Beasley and his fiancee, Kaitlyn. She was great-aunt to Adaline Burke and Nora Beasley. She is also survived by her Lobster, Laura Meutzner and her Big Gorilla, Chuck Arnold. Honorary Pallbearers are: Grayson Rayburn, Jackson Chapman, Jacob Beasley, Dalton Battle, Chase Battle, and Jared Beasley A memorial service in her honor took place March 28 at 2 p.m. in the chapel at Doppenschmidt Funeral Home, 189 N. Seguin Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hydrocephalus Association (hydroassoc.org), or to the American Cancer Society. Please go on to Doeppenschmidt Funeral
For more important planting tips, visit myPEC.com/planting.
When making plans for your plants,
April 8
WEDNESDAY NIGHT TRIVIA
Liberty Hill Beer Market
13851 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill
7-9 p.m.
www.facebook.com/even ts/1593572278508198/159357231184 1528/
April 9
THE FUTURE OF LIBERTY HILL
City of Liberty Hill
13125 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill (Liberty Hill Middle School)
5-8 p.m.
www.facebook.com/ events/4414930272086536
April 10
CHRISTIAN FAMILY BARN DANCE
Williamson County Cowboy Church 8111 RM 1869, Liberty Hill 6:30-10 p.m.
www.facebook.com/even ts/967862855922150/967862862588 816/
CHUCK MEAD AND THE STALWARTS Globe Theatre
132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram
8-10 p.m., $25-$233 globetheatretx.com
April 17
TASMIN AND TIM
Liberty Hill Beer Market
13851 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/ events/915418870896849
April 18
WORX GAMES 2026 WORC
217 CR 214, Liberty Hill
8 a.m.-12 p.m., $75 worcwithus.com
LARIAT STAMPEDE 5K
Lariat Subdivision
396 Oak Blossom Road, Liberty Hill
8-11 a.m., $36 www.facebook.com/LariatLibertyHill
FISH FRY
Fire Oak Distillery
4600 CR 207, Liberty Hill
1-7 p.m.
fireoakdistillery.com
RELENTLESS ROLLOUT
Relentless Rides
225 CR 214, Liberty Hill
6-9 p.m. relentlessridesinc.com
BRI BAGWELL WITH BEN DANAHER
Globe Theatre
132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram
8-10 p.m., $30-$233 globetheatretx.com
BRING THE MILKY WAY HOME STAR
PARTY
Williamson County Friends of the Night Sky
194 Reveille Way, Liberty Hill (River Ranch County Park)
8-10:30 p.m.
www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61579164051764
April 20
LIBERTY HILL REPUBLICAN WOMEN MONTHLY MEETING
Jardin Corona 15395 W. Hwy 29, Liberty Hill 12 p.m. lhrepublicanwomen.org
April 24
GABRIEL RIVER BAND Dahlia Cafe 2450 RR 1869, Liberty Hill 6:30-8:30 p.m. dahliacafe.com
April 25
LIBERTY HILL FOOTBALL AND GOLF CRAWFISH BOIL FUNDRAISER
Panther Stadium 16500 W. Hwy 29, Liberty Hill 12 p.m. www.facebook.com/ events/1649888336001245
THE MARKET LHTX FOURTH SATURDAY MARKET Noble Elementary School
HANDS ON IN THE GARDEN GARDENING WITH HERBS, PERENNIALS, LAWNS AND INSECT CONTROL
Williamson County Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens
3151 SE Inner Loop, Georgetown 9-11 a.m. txmg.org/williamson
