Good Morning, Pflugerville & Hutto!

Top Story
More than 400 goats return to graze their way through Pflugerville

The city of Pflugerville welcomed back a herd of over 400 goats to parks and greenbelts across the community in mid-August to act as natural lawnmowers.

The big picture: The city has been bringing in the goats, and a few sheep, twice a year for the last four years. Through a partnership with GoatScaping LLC, the animals are herded through different parks throughout the city.

GoatScaping LLC is family-owned, and uses goats and sheep to naturally clear brush, weeds, and invasive plants in municipal parks, green spaces and commercial properties.

More details: The goats are able to access areas that traditional landscaping equipment can’t reach, including creek beds, steep slopes and uneven terrain, according to a press release from the city. By grazing on grass, overgrown brush and poison ivy, the herd helps the city maintain green spaces in a sustainable way.

Pflugerville Assistant Parks & Recreation Director Jeff Achee said the goats work for about eight weeks and maintain 100 acres in the city.

 
New Development
Smart Stop convenience store coming to Pflugerville

A new Smart Stop convenience store is set to open in Pflugerville, per a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The details: The convenience store has locations in Hutto, Leander and Round Rock, and offers snacks, drinks, alcoholic beverages, a coffee and hot food bar, and gas pumps.

According to the filing, the project is estimated to cost $1.5 million. Construction is set to begin in December, and wrap up in December 2027.

  • 19806 Panther Drive, Pflugerville
 

Bridging the financial literacy gap—a conversation with Farmers Insurance agent Aneka Grandison

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Latest News
Pflugerville ISD ends use of Flock cameras following Council action

On Aug. 26, Pflugerville ISD announced it will discontinue the use of Flock cameras on district property, effective immediately. 

“Following the City Council's lead and in response to our community's clear direction on this issue, we have decided to halt use of the cameras immediately,” the district said in a news release.

According to the press release, PfISD has operated Flock cameras at its high schools and the Pfield athletic complex to support safety efforts, including sending real-time alerts to law enforcement when stolen or watch-listed vehicles are detected on district property.

What happened: Pflugerville officials terminated the city’s contract with Flock Safety during an Aug. 25 City Council meeting.

City Manager James Hartshorn directed staff to cover the city-leased Flock cameras and turn off the license plate reader system until further direction was given by Council, according to a post on Facebook.
 
On The Ballot
Q&A: Meet the candidates for Williamson County judge

Two candidates, including incumbent Steve Snell, are running for the Williamson County judge position this November.

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

Read Q&As with each candidate here. Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents.
 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

The Front Festival

Pinoy Pickleball US National Championship Series

Aug. 27-30 (Times vary)
Downtown Austin

Aug. 29, 11 a.m.
Cedar Park

More info

More info

 

Wine & Cheese, thoughtfully paired

Le Garage Sale

Aug. 30, 3-5:30 p.m.
Dripping Springs

Aug. 29-30
Austin

More info

More info

 
To submit your own event, click here.

Across The Region
Study shows Austin-San Antonio rail could hit 125 mph

A Travis County-funded feasibility study has found no engineering dealbreakers for a 125 mph passenger rail line connecting Austin and San Antonio, Travis County Judge Andy Brown announced Aug. 20.


The roughly $13.5 billion project would run largely on public right-of-way along SH 130 and I-10, cutting travel time between the two cities to 55-65 minutes, according to county documents.


"Central Texas has studied passenger rail before, and we cannot wait another 30 years to study it again," Brown said in the release.


What you need to know: The line would connect Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to a terminus near downtown San Antonio's Alamodome, with connectivity to the existing San Antonio Amtrak Station, and run independently of freight trains, per the study.


How we got here: Commissioners voted unanimously in October 2025 to hire HNTB for about $125,000 to study SH 130 and I-10 as an alternative to the congested I-35 corridor.


This is a feasibility analysis only, not a funding commitment. Environmental, ridership and financial studies are still needed.
 

Your local team

Claire Shoop
Editor

Amy Leonard Bryant
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

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