1. UPDATED: Tornado touches down in Round Rock near I-35, SH 45 N
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for southeastern Williamson County and northeastern Travis County through 6:45 p.m. March 21. Included in this area are Round Rock, Pflugerville, Hutto and Taylor. The warning was upgraded from a tornado watch that afternoon, and Round Rock was dropped from the warning just after the city confirmed that a tornado touched down on I-35 and SH 45.
2. Round Rock CVS location to close in November
The CVS Pharmacy located at 7001 Wyoming Springs Blvd., Round Rock, closed Nov. 3. A manager of the store confirmed the closure was due to lack of demand at that location. Other locations throughout the city will remain open, including the store nearest this location at 800 W. Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock.
3. Investigation against RRISD superintendent latest example of controversy within district
Over the past year, the Round Rock ISD board of trustees has been the subject of numerous controversies that caused the district to make national headlines. Issues include the appointment of a Texas Education Agency monitor, disputes over COVID-19 policies and allegations resulting in the superintendent being placed on leave. In early 2021, officials and parents began clashing over the district’s mask policies, which led to lengthy regular and special meetings so the board could discuss the matter.
4. Round Rock ISD trustees break quorum during meeting on last day to pass budget
The Round Rock ISD board of trustees met June 16 to take action on its proposed budget in a highly unusual meeting wherein places 2 and 7 trustees Mary Bone and Danielle Weston broke quorum shortly after it was called. This interruption temporarily left the board without a quorum until Place 5 Trustee Amy Weir, who had been in attendance virtually because she was ill with COVID-19, could travel from her home and attend in person and restore the board's quorum. Place 1 Trustee Jun Xiao was not in attendance, his resignation having been accepted by the board earlier in the week.
5. Q&A: Round Rock ISD board of trustees election candidates talk priorities in public forum
Hundreds of community members gathered at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions Oct. 25 to hear from candidates in the Nov. 8 Round Rock ISD board of trustees election in a public forum. Hosted by the Round Rock ISD Council of PTAs, the Round Rock Chamber and the Austin Chamber of Commerce and moderated by Community Impact founder and CEO John Garrett, 13 of the candidates who will appear on the ballot in both the regular and special election responded to questions submitted by the community.
6. 10 businesses now open or coming soon to Round Rock
This roundup of new businesses in Round Rock announced the openings of Bar Louie, a gastropub located inside the new Embassy Suites by Hilton Hotel and Hometown Gift & Decor, a boutique located at 400 E. Main St., Round Rock. The story also teased the future opening of Cold Stone Creamery and the city's third Dutch Bros. Coffee location.
7. New restaurants, boutiques and clinics: 10 businesses now open or coming soon to Round Rock, Pflugerville and Hutto
Round Rock, Pflugerville and Hutto saw several new businesses open in January and February, including Mama Hono Tropical Spices, Foods & Beverages; Mma Dima African Boutique; and a Behavioral Innovations clinic.
8. 15 businesses and restaurants now open, coming soon to Round Rock, Pflugerville and Hutto
Kiddie Academy, Endeavor Physical Therapy and Meraki Salon Studios opened in late December 2021 and January 2022, bringing new services to Round Rock, Pflugerville and Hutto.
9. 5 development projects moving forward in Round Rock, Pflugerville and Hutto
Several new industrial, multifamily and mixed-use projects were approved for rezoning by city authorities in Round Rock, Pflugerville and Hutto in May 2022. One such development, located off of Gattis School Road in Round Rock, will bring up to 1,200 multifamily units to an area that will also be home to Kenney Fort Boulevard once completed. Another development approved at this time was an office park, to be located near the northeast corner of SH 130 and US 79 in Hutto.
10. Long Island Deli closes in Round Rock amid supply chain, staffing issues
Long Island Deli announced its closing July 5, just a few weeks after its May 24 opening. The deli, located in the former Little Red Wagon building at 1207 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock, closed due to issues obtaining supplies from the East Coast as well as difficulty hiring staff.
