Home Care In Liberty Hill, TX

LIBERTY HILL, Texas - As we're approaching the holidays, there is some work being done ahead of time to try and make one little boy's Christmas wish list happen, but they need help.

Meet Greyson Braune

Local perspective:

A 12-year-old boy named Greyson Braune of Liberty Hill is asking for more than a Nintendo Switch for Christmas.

Greyson lives with a condition called spinal muscular atrophy. It severely limits his mobility and requires him to use a wheelchair full-time.

Brittany Braune is the mother of Greyson and Archer. Her husband works full-time to support the family while Brittany homeschools both boys because Greyson requires 24-hour care.

"He wasn't even supposed to make it past one-year-old," said Brittany Braune. "There's a 90% chance of not making it. Now look where you are."

As Greyson gets older, it has become more difficult to physically lift him and his wheelchair in and out of the car. It also puts him at risk of getting hurt in the process.

Archer Braune is Greyson's older brother.

"Yeah, most people just think, 'oh, it's just put him in, take him out, easy stuff,'" said Archer Braune. "No, it's not. He's like a full-grown human being."

The family is in dire need of a wheelchair-accessible van. However, those vehicles are not cheap, averaging around $60,000-100,000.

"I don't want him to be limited on enjoying life," said Brittany Braune. "If we aren't able to do this soon, he could be homebound, and we don't want him to do that. We want him to go out and enjoy everything that he would get to enjoy."

Their home health nurse, Angela Klaassen, has been with Greyson almost all his life.

"I feel like he's one of my own," said Angela Klaassen. "I have three children of my own, and he's my fourth."

She decided to take matters into her own hands and started an online fundraiser to help them purchase a van in time for Christmas.

"I wanted to do anything and everything in my power to help this situation because it's not a luxury ask by any means," said Klaassen. "It's a crucial basic need that Grayson has to have."

Klaassen said she wants to be able to drive him around the neighborhoods and look at the Christmas lights like they do every year.

"It would just mean a lot for him to be able to still get out and enjoy life," said Klaassen.

Greyson does have one demand when it comes to his new ride.

"Well...Is this wheelchair-accessible van going to have a TV?" asked Greyson.

That's all he's worried about, is the car going to have a TV," said Brittany Braune.

If you would like to donate and help the family purchase a wheelchair-accessible van, here is a link to the GoFundMe.

The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Katie Pratt

The developers of a residential project have filed a lawsuit against Liberty Hill, saying the city has illegally denied them access to water they paid $9.3 million to reserve in 2022 and also has illegally denied them site development permits.

Developers of the 251-acre Mansions Project also asked a district judge to issue a temporary injunction that would stop the city from providing water to other new developments until it provides access to the water they reserved. Williamson County District Judge Betsy Lambeth denied the request for a temporary injunction on Thursday.

The attorneys representing the city and the developers did not respond to a request for comment.

The city's development agreement with the Mansions Project in 2023 was based on the city completing a South San Gabriel River Wastewater Improvement and Lift Station project, according to the city's response to the request for a temporary injunction. The city has not constructed the project because it has not secured the necessary easements, the response said.

The developers said in their request for a temporary injunction that city staff told them in May that none of the new water Liberty Hill would get in a contract with the city of Georgetown would be allocated to the Mansions Project. "Rather the city officials said that this new water capacity will go instead to new commercial projects based on a new city process that post-dates Plaintiffs' reservation of its water capacity," the request for a temporary injunction said.

"And there is no wonder why. The city is now charging double what it charged Plaintiffs to obtain water service, meaning that the city profits by giving the Mansion Project's water capacity to new developments."

The city made an agreement with Georgetown in August to pump 250,000 gallons of water per day to Liberty Hill. The water comes from the city of Round Rock but could only be transmitted through Georgetown's water lines.

The Liberty Hill City Council denied unconditional approvement of the site development permits for the Mansions Project on Sept. 10, the request for a temporary injunction said.

But at its meeting on Sept. 24, the City Council approved site development permits including connection to the city's water and wastewater utilities for two fast food restaurants, an office building, a mixed-use building and a warehouse, according to the lawsuit. "None of these developments," the lawsuit said, "reserved water capacity with the city prior to the plaintiffs."

The next court hearing on the lawsuit is set for Dec. 19.

The lawsuit was filed in October by three companies named 4400 CR 277 Investments, 5500 CR 277 Investments and 6600 County Road 277 Investments. The names of the developers are not listed in the lawsuit.

The Mansions Project consists of three large housing communities called the Mansions, the Luxe and the Cottages. Each of the projects would contain duplexes and offer 420 units, according to development plans. The project would be near County 277 and adjacent to Liberty Hill High School.

The lawsuit said that the Liberty Hill City Council illegally denied the unconditional approvement of the site development permits for the Mansions Project in September. Site development permits are issued when the city approves a site development plan. A site development plan is a detailed drawing showing where buildings, parking, landscaping, utilities and other improvements will be arranged and built to comply with city standards.

The permits that the developers applied for met all the requirements in the Unified Development Code so the City Council was legally required to approve them, according to the lawsuit. The City Council decided on Sept. 10 to issue only conditional approvement for the site development permit for the Mansions portion of the project after the city manager said the developers had to redo a utility reassessment already completed in 2021, the lawsuit said. The city said the original permit did not include water for the amenity center, pool or fire flow demands, the lawsuit said.

Matthew Heils, who said he was associated with the Mansions owner and development team, spoke against the city's new required utility assessment at the City Council meeting on Sept. 10. The site development permit for the Mansions portion of the project already included the utilities necessary for the amenity center, the pool and fire flow demands, he said. "I am vehemently opposed to doing a new utility evaluation," he said.

The City Council did not take action on Sept. 10 on the developer's request that the site development permits for the Luxe and the Cottages be approved.

The city manager had recommended to the City Council that it not approve the site development permits for the Luxe and the Cottages because the proposed developments did not have "sufficient permitted water or wastewater infrastructure," the lawsuit said.

The developers of the Mansion Project, in addition to spending $9.3 million for reserving water for the project, have also spent another $20 million on utility reservation fees, utility buy-in, and construction of public improvements, the lawsuit said. "But unless and until the City approves Plaintiffs’ Site Development Plans," according to the lawsuit, "the Mansions Project cannot meaningfully progress."

When longtime educators Angie Goodwin and Kristen Pritchett first met while teaching at Bill Burden Elementary, they immediately clicked. What started as a shared classroom and a handful of “wild ideas,” as they call them, would later become the foundation of something much bigger — a new approach to education in Liberty Hill.

After more than two decades in the classroom between them, the duo saw a growing need for an alternative learning environment — one that valued curiosity, critical thinking and the joy of discovery.

That vision came to life this year with the official opening of Blue Oak Academy, a micro-school meets homeschool type of vibe serving grades kindergarten through sixth that blends project-based learning, individualized instruction and community connection.

The idea for Blue Oak began with a summer camp.

“We started seeing kids who could name rappers but not historical figures,” Pritchett said. “I told Angie, we need to start a camp where kids can learn about history, science and culture in a fun, hands-on way.”

Their summer program — once branded as “Twin Teachers” — took off quickly. Parents loved the mix of STEM projects, themed lessons and engaging activities that encouraged kids to think and explore.

“After two summers, parents were asking if we could do this year-round,” Goodwin said. “We realized there was a real need for something different.”

That spark led to the creation of Blue Oak Academy, which now operates out of Goodwin’s Liberty Hill home. The school currently serves 17 students and runs Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

While Blue Oak can’t officially be classified as a private school, it functions much like one — with certified teachers, a full curriculum, and adherence to Texas TEKS standards. The biggest difference is flexibility and connection not just to their teachers and peers, but even with the outdoors.

Students learn at their own pace in a small group setting where lessons are tailored to their abilities.

“We meet kids where they are,” said Goodwin. “If a student is reading two grade levels ahead or needs extra support in math, we adjust. That’s the beauty of it.”

The academy uses a mix of whole-group lessons and small-group rotations.

“For math, I’ll pull one group while Kristen works on reading with another,” Goodwin said. “Our kids aren’t just sitting at desks — they’re outside tending chickens, building projects, or exploring cultural studies through art.”

Project-based learning is at the heart of their approach. Whether students are recreating the Texas Revolution in 3D or researching world cultures, the focus is on understanding concepts deeply and applying them in meaningful ways.

Beyond academics, the most remarkable outcomes have come from the students’ relationships with one another.

“We’ve had several parents tell us their kids are treating each other differently at home,” said Pritchett. “Siblings who used to argue are now playing together and showing respect for one another.”

The teachers believe the smaller environment encourages empathy, patience and teamwork. “

Our sixth graders are learning to lead, while the little ones learn from them,” Goodwin said. “It’s been amazing to watch.”

Opening Blue Oak Academy wasn’t without challenges. Both educators left the security of traditional teaching to pursue their dream.

“It was scary,” Pritchett said. “But sometimes you just have to take the risk and follow your heart. We wanted to create a space where kids love learning.”

Their families have been supportive every step of the way. Pritchett’s husband, a colonel in the U.S. Army National Guard, and Goodwin’s husband, co-owner of Ennis Golf Carts in Liberty Hill, have both cheered them on through the process.

The duo hopes to continue expanding in the years ahead, ideally onto a small piece of land that can preserve the academy’s cozy, nature-rich feel. They’ve already begun connecting with the Liberty Hill community — from collaborating with the local library on student writing displays to planning “Friday experience days” when Liberty Hill ISD schools are out.

“Our dream is to keep growing, to maybe one day offer opportunities for teachers, too,” Pritchett said. “We want Blue Oak to be a place where both students and educators can thrive.”

For more information on Blue Oak Academy, visit them online.

#IndependentTogether

Johnson Development has acquired 764 acres in Liberty Hill for a future master-planned community that is expected to include more than 1,900 homes, according to an announcement from the Houston-based developer.

The land, located at 680 E. CR 202 near the U.S. Highway 183A toll road extension, was purchased jointly by Johnson Development and the Texas General Land Office (GLO) from local landowners Bill Chapman, his partners, and Heath Chapman.

Tommy Tucker, Johnson Development’s vice president of business development for Central and North Texas, said the property — commonly known as Chapman Ranch — offers natural features and regional access that make it attractive for development.

“It’s a beautiful ranch with 1.5 miles of frontage along the north fork of the San Gabriel River,” Tucker said.

He noted its proximity to major Austin-area employers and the opportunity for future residents to attend Liberty Hill ISD schools.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said the GLO’s involvement aligns with its mission to generate revenue from state lands that support public education. She described the project as a development that would create “convenient, connected living environments” while adding housing options within Liberty Hill ISD.

The community’s official name has not yet been announced. Early plans call for a mix of homesites ranging from 45 to 70 feet wide, along with five acres set aside for commercial use, 15 acres for a future on-site school, and about 70 acres dedicated to open space. A five-acre amenity center, trail system, pocket parks and greenways are also included in the initial master plan.

Homebuilders and price ranges will be released at a later date, the company said. Johnson Development anticipates beginning home sales in fall 2027.

The purchase marks another major investment by the developer in Williamson County. Johnson Development previously completed Bryson, a master-planned community, in Leander.

“We are bullish on Liberty Hill and the Williamson County market,” Tucker said, citing the region’s rapid population growth and its appeal to people seeking proximity to Austin while maintaining a Hill Country setting.

Johnson Development currently operates communities across Texas and in the Atlanta area. More information can be found at www.johnsondevelopment.com.

#IndependentTogether

One of Central Texas' most booming communities is on track to welcome plenty of new developments to the mix — including the possibility of the world's largest Target.

The Austin suburb of Liberty Hill is on track to welcome a nearly 149,000-square-foot mega Target, with project plans registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration last December outlining a $22 million construction cost for the storefront. Construction was slated to begin in July and is expected to wrap in June 2026, with the future store being developed at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 183 and State Highway 29 in Liberty Hill.

On TikTok, Fort Hood-area realtor @jennifer.huggins.realtor posted a video last week highlighting the allegedly record-breaking store coming to Central Texas.

"We already know everything's bigger in Texas and now the Target will be," she said in the video that has since amassed nearly 9,000 likes and almost 146,000 views as of Tuesday, November 11.

MySA reached out to Target representatives for clarification on these claims and will update this story if we receive a response.

The massive upcoming Liberty Hill store — which, y'all, would be able to fit nearly two of the largest Buc-ee's inside it — is part of an ongoing company strategy to upsize its stores. Target officials confirmed in a November 2022 release its store strategy included upscaling its current stores and future Target projects, with project documents noting the revamped storefront layout with add up to nearly 150,000 square feet of shopping space, a marked increase of more than 20,000 square feet compared to the chain's average store sizes.

"Our new store layout is bigger than our previous stores, and that extra space and optimized layout ensures our team can offer the very best of Target to our guests, whether they’re shopping online or in our stores," John Conlin Target's senior vice president of properties, said at the time.