September and early October events in the Round Rock area include a 9/11 tribute, a "Clue" performance and a family-friendly activities.

9/11 Flag Tribute

The Texas Fallen Project Inc. will place 5,000 flags in the ground, one for each of the 2,979 American lives lost on 9/11, while the remainder represent veterans and first responders who have died in the line of duty since.

• Sept. 4-12

• Free (admission)

• Yonders Point at Old Settlers Park, 3103 Aten Loop, Round Rock

‘Clue’

Penfold Theatre Co. will put on a production of the whodunit based on the cult classic film and Hasbro board game.

• Sept. 11-Oct. 11, showtimes vary

• $29-$39

• Penfold Theatre, 2120 N. Mays St., Ste. 290, Round Rock

Family Construction Zone

With school closed in Round Rock ISD for a student holiday, families are invited to stop by the second floor of the library, where a construction zone will be set up.

• Oct. 9, 1-3 p.m.

• Free (admission)

• Round Rock Public Library, 200 E. Liberty Ave., Round Rock

As Williamson County’s population grows, local officials are working to get ahead of water demand.

At a Sept. 3 Round Rock Chamber Momentum breakfast, County Judge Steven Snell, Round Rock Public Works director Michael Thane, and Brazos River Authority CEO and General Manager David Collinsworth answered questions on a panel about the future of water planning and infrastructure in the county.

In a nutshell: Thane said an upcoming 12-month study of 20 of the county’s largest water utilities will identify immediate water supply and treatment shortfalls as well as plan regional solutions.

“One utility cannot afford to build the infrastructure by themselves, so there may be many solutions,” Thane said. “There will be regional solutions where these water utilities in Williamson County work together to help build out that infrastructure, whether it’s treatment or transmission pipelines across the county.”

Stay tuned: Thane said a contract for the regional water study, estimated to cost about $500,000, will head to Williamson County Commissioners Court for approval soon.

Two candidates are listed on the Nov. 3 ballot for Williamson County treasurer. D. Scott Heselmeyer has held the position since 2017, and is not seeking reelection.

The Treasury Department manages funds for the county, and primary duties of the position include maintaining financial accounts and distributing funds as directed by county commissioners.

Early voting for the Nov. 3 election runs from Oct. 19-30.

Read Q&As with each candidate below. Community Impact reached out to all candidates who will appear on the Williamson County treasurer ballot. Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents.

Texas senators indicated Sept. 1 that they intend to tighten regulations on data centers during next year’s legislative session, which begins in January.

What they're saying: “I think every member's district has had an impact from a data center conversation, so there will be plenty of bills trying to put things in place that are reasonable, responsible regulatory frameworks for data centers,” state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, said.

The big picture: With some Texas residents and conservation groups sounding the alarm about water-intensive technologies used by some data centers, state agencies have warned that limited information is available on how much water the industry actually uses. Officials said they have also had trouble determining exactly how many data centers are operating in the state today, as there is no “comprehensive statewide list” of existing and planned facilities.

Estimates from state agencies and the University of Texas at Austin suggest that roughly 370 data centers are currently operating in Texas, with about 100 facilities under construction and another 180 being proposed.