Howdy, Hutto. Hopefully you got a little rain this weekend; our crispy yards and cracking clay soil definitely needed it. We’ve got a packed week ahead, especially Saturday, plus plenty from City Hall (including a City budget with no increase in City taxes or utility rates), Chief Yarbrough’s Hero of Hope fundraiser, and an Olive Garden officially on the way. And a big shout-out to the Hippos for picking up their first win of the season and continuing to light up the scoreboard! Check out what’s happening around town below, and thanks, as always, for stopping by.

Quick local updates from around town.

Olive Garden Coming | Olive Garden is expected to open in the Sprouts-anchored development at Hwy. 79 and SH 130, joining LongHorn Steakhouse, Pepper Lunch, and Jason’s Deli.

FY27 Budget | Hutto has adopted its Fiscal Year 2027 budget with no increase in City taxes or utility rates while continuing investments in roads, utilities, public safety, parks, and city services.

AI Data Center | Colovore has filed plans for a $250 million, nearly 200,000-square-foot AI data center at Hutto Crossing, next to the site being considered for a proposed Blue Origin manufacturing campus.

Road Treatments | HA5 pavement preservation work begins Sept. 9 in Mustang Creek, Hutto Square, Hutto Highlands, and along East Street, with affected roads closing from 7 AM to 7 PM during treatment.

Hero of Hope | Hutto Police Chief Yarbrough is competing in the Hero of Hope challenge to raise money for the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center and support children and families impacted by abuse.

Bluebonnets For Sale | After six years, the owner of Bluebonnets Shaved Ice is stepping away and searching for a buyer to carry on the Hutto business, which will remain open through Sept. 27 under current ownership.

Things to do around town from Wednesday through Sunday.

Pecan Street Project Open House
Hutto City Hall
Tuesday, September 8 • 4:00–7:00 PM
Stop by the City Hall lobby to review design elements being considered for the Pecan Street Improvement Project and share feedback with the project team.

Fiber Friends
The Story Emporium & Bookshop
Tuesday, September 8 • 5:30–6:30 PM
Bring a knitting, crochet, embroidery, or other portable craft for a free, all-ages evening of crafting and conversation; all skill levels are welcome.

Hutto Farmers Market
350 Ed Schmidt Blvd.
Wednesday, September 9 • 3:00–7:00 PM
Local farmers, ranchers, artisans, food vendors, coffee, handmade goods, and more.

General Knowledge Trivia
Cottonwood Creek Brewery
Wednesday, September 9 • 7:00 PM
Put your random knowledge to the test with Cottonwood Creek Brewery’s weekly general trivia night.

Sweet Wine Tasting Experience
Grapes & Rye
Thursday, September 10 • 6:30 PM
Sample four sweet wines from around the world during a guided tasting with pocket charcuterie included; tickets are $50 per person.

Sip & Scribble: Session 4
Cottonwood Creek Brewery
Thursday, September 10 • 6:30 PM
Unwind with an evening of coloring, craft beer, and conversation with fellow creatives at Cottonwood Creek Brewery.

September Star Party
Hutto Lake Park
Friday, September 11 • 9:30–11:00 PM
Stars & Science Austin hosts a free, family-friendly night of stargazing at Hutto Lake Park; bring a telescope if you have one, with a weather makeup date set for Saturday, September 12.

Candlelight Cinema Series: “9 to 5”
The Curious Hippo
Friday, September 11 • 7:00–9:00 PM
Catch a screening of 9 to 5 as part of The Curious Hippo’s Dolly Parton tribute series, with free movie-style popcorn included with each paid ticket.

Yoga at the Gin
Hutto Gin Building
Saturday, September 12 • 10:00–11:00 AM
Join Hutto Parks and Recreation and instructor Ellen Hill for a free flow yoga class; bring your own mat, and tips are accepted.

Twilight Day
The Story Emporium & Bookshop
Saturday, September 12 • 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
Spend the day immersed in a Twilight-themed shop takeover with themed drinks and treats, costumes, free merch while supplies last, and trivia at 5:45 PM.

Cocktail Brunch
Grapes & Rye
Saturday, September 12 • 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Enjoy cocktails and brunch during Grapes & Rye's weekly Saturday brunch.

Crochet for Beginners
The Story Emporium & Bookshop
Saturday, September 12 • 12:00–1:00 PM
Learn the basics of crochet in a beginner-friendly class with materials included; tickets are $20, space is limited, and first-time students receive a crochet kit to take home.

Tatting for Beginners
The Story Emporium & Bookshop
Saturday, September 12 • 1:30–2:30 PM
Learn the basics of tatting, a traditional knotted lace technique, in this beginner-friendly class with materials included; tickets are $25, and space is limited.

Candlelight Cinema Series: “Steel Magnolias”
The Curious Hippo
Saturday, September 12 • 3:00–5:00 PM
Watch Steel Magnolias as part of The Curious Hippo’s Dolly Parton tribute series, with free movie-style popcorn included with each paid ticket.

The Craft Squad: Mixed Media Hoop Art
Hutto Public Library
Saturday, September 12 • 3:00–4:30 PM
Kids ages 9+ can make mixed media hoop art during this free Craft Squad session; no registration is required, but supplies are limited.

Ladies’ Night
Hutto Wine Bar
Saturday, September 12 • 5:00–9:00 PM
Enjoy all-night happy hour with $2 off glasses of wine, $5 off bottles, and $5 bubbles.

Candlelight Cinema Series: “Clue”
The Curious Hippo
Saturday, September 12 • 5:00–7:00 PM
Catch Clue as part of The Curious Hippo’s Tim Curry tribute series, with free movie-style popcorn included with each paid ticket.

Hot Rod Nights at Top Notch Hamburgers
Top Notch Hamburgers
Saturday, September 12 • 5:30–9:00 PM
Check out classic cars and hot rods, plus live music and food, at this free, family-friendly monthly event.

Painting Class with Bill: Koi Pond
Cumberland Road Art Studio
Saturday, September 12 • 6:00–8:30 PM
Create a koi pond acrylic painting with step-by-step instruction in this beginner-friendly class for ages 16+; all materials are provided, and tickets are $40.

Texas vs. Ohio State Watch Party
Cottonwood Creek Brewery
Saturday, September 12 • 6:30 PM
Watch Texas take on Ohio State live with sound at Cottonwood Creek Brewery as the Longhorns host the Buckeyes in Austin.

Head & Heart Craft Night
Mini Mischief Ranch
Saturday, September 12 • 7:00–9:30 PM
Make your own succulent arrangement, meet the ranch animals at golden hour, and enjoy light refreshments during this beginner-friendly outdoor craft night; tickets are $45.

Candlelight Cinema Series: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”
The Curious Hippo
Saturday, September 12 • 7:00–9:00 PM
Catch The Rocky Horror Picture Show as part of The Curious Hippo’s Tim Curry tribute series, with free movie-style popcorn included with each paid ticket.

National Grandparents Day at the Bookshop
The Story Emporium & Bookshop
Sunday, September 13 • 12:00–5:00 PM
Celebrate Grandparents Day with storytime, a keepsake craft, and family activities; grandparents also receive a free 12 oz. tea or drip coffee and 10% off their purchase.

Writing Talk: Plotting Your Novel
The Story Emporium & Bookshop
Sunday, September 13 • 2:00–3:00 PM
Writers of all ages, genres, and experience levels can learn practical approaches to plotting a novel in this free workshop covering story structure, turning points, outlines, and endings.

A quick recap of what Hutto City Council covered last week.

Hutto’s Planning & Zoning Commission met on Sept. 1, followed by a City Council workshop and regular City Council meeting on Sept. 3, and all three included updates that could shape future growth, development, taxes, and infrastructure around town.

Another Data Center Site | Planning & Zoning backed a zoning change for a 140-acre, Hutto EDC-owned property that would allow a data center and on-site power generation. If you’re curious, that could mean another large industrial project is coming to Hutto, although the zoning still has more steps to go through before anything is built.

FY27 Budget Approved | City Council adopted the new City budget using a $0.397011 property tax rate, which is Hutto’s calculated no-new-revenue rate. The rate itself is higher than last year’s, but the City’s example shows a lower estimated City tax bill for the median homestead because the median taxable value used in the calculation also fell.

More Industrial Development | Planning & Zoning supported plans to shift about 18.7 acres along CR 119 from future residential use to employment and light-industrial development. In plain English: land that had been expected to become housing could instead eventually bring businesses, jobs, warehouses, or other light-industrial uses to the area.

More Retail Near Limmer Loop | City Council moved forward with bringing about 4.2 acres near Limmer Loop and CR 132 into the City and zoning it for commercial development. That clears another step for future shops and services in one of Hutto’s growing areas.

CR 132 Widening Moves Along | Council approved another $111,512 in engineering work for the CR 132 widening project. It doesn’t mean construction starts immediately, but it moves the project further through the design process before shovels can hit the ground.

Innovation/Limmer Signal | The City formally accepted the new traffic signal improvements at Innovation Boulevard and Limmer Loop into its public infrastructure. In practical terms, the City is now taking responsibility for that signal and its ongoing maintenance.

Sports news and updates from Hippo Nation.

Hutto’s offense came alive Friday night with a 67-41 win over Converse Judson, the program’s highest-scoring game since 2023 and its first victory under head coach Casey Walraven.

Senior Jaiden Fields got things started immediately, returning a fumble for a touchdown on the first play before adding two receiving scores. His brother, junior Carson Fields, caught two touchdowns of his own, while sophomore quarterback Micah Antoun finished 16-of-20 for 201 yards and three scores.

The win moves Hutto to 1-1 after two games that have produced a combined 211 points between the Hippos and their opponents. Safe to say, it hasn’t been boring.

The Hippos are back on the road Friday, September 11 at 7:00 PM against the Copperas Cove Bulldawgs. Cove is also 1-1, opening with a 49-27 win over Ellison before falling to Cedar Ridge 42-35 last week.

Varsity Volleyball | at Vista Ridge • Tuesday, September 8 • 6:30 PM

Varsity Tennis | at Bastrop • Tuesday, September 8 • 4:00 PM
Varsity Tennis | at Vista Ridge • Friday, September 11 • 4:00 PM

Varsity Swimming | at Bryan/Temple • Thursday, September 10 • 5:30 PM

Get schedules, scores, and more at huttoathletics.com

A running list of businesses, restaurants, and developments headed our way.

Buffalo Wild Wings | 2270 Muirfield Bend Dr. • Buildout scheduled through Sept. 26; opening date TBD.
7 Brew Coffee | 130 Chris Kelley Blvd. • Construction scheduled through Sept. 20; opening date TBD.
El Pollo Rico | 901 Ed Schmidt Blvd. • Under construction; opening date TBD.
Antioch Pizza | The Co-Op District • Listed as opening soon; date TBD.
HTeaO | FM 685 & Knowles Dr. • Announced; opening date TBD.
Munch Munch Waffles & More | 170 Alliance Blvd., Suite 100 • Buildout scheduled through early January; opening date TBD.
Jason’s Deli | SH 130/US 79 development • Announced; opening date TBD.
LongHorn Steakhouse | SH 130/US 79 development • Lease announced; opening date TBD.
Pepper Lunch | SH 130/US 79 development • Planned; opening expected in late 2027 or early 2028.
Olive Garden | SH 130/US 79 development • Announced; opening date TBD.

Heritage Bloom Fiber Co. | 115 East St. • Soft opening planned for Oct. 10.
Petco | 150 Alliance Blvd. • Building work scheduled through October; opening date TBD.
Dollar Tree | 150 Alliance Blvd. • Store buildout scheduled through mid-November; opening date TBD.
Bitewise Orthodontics | 111 Co-Op Blvd., Suite 302 • Buildout scheduled through Oct. 1; opening date TBD.
Glam Nails & Head Spa | 170 Alliance Blvd., Suite 140 • Buildout scheduled through Dec. 1; opening date TBD.
La Dolce Nail Spa | 20808 SH 130 • Buildout scheduled through June 2027; opening date TBD.
Toyota of Hutto | 2160 Innovation Blvd. • New dealership under construction; opening date TBD.
Sprouts Farmers Market | SH 130 & US 79 • Construction scheduled to begin Sept. 15; opening expected in 2028.

Crunch Fitness | 320 Ed Schmidt Blvd. • Construction scheduled from November 2026 through December 2027; opening date TBD.
Everhome Suites | 2235 Limmer Loop • New hotel planned; opening expected in late 2027.
Residence Inn by Marriott | 328 Ed Schmidt Blvd. • Development approved; construction timeline TBD.

AI Prefab Solutions | Innovation Business Park • New Hutto headquarters and manufacturing operation, with production starting this month and 200–300 jobs planned by 2028.
Blue Origin | Proposed aerospace manufacturing campus could bring at least $650 million in investment and up to 2,000 jobs; Hutto and Williamson County incentives have been approved, but Blue Origin has not officially committed to the site.
ASML | The Co-Op District • New office planned for more than 100 employees; opening date TBD.
Cottonwood Marketplace | US 79 near CR 132 • Site plan submitted for the 58-acre shopping and dining development; tenants and construction timeline TBD.
The Gateway at Hutto | CR 137/CR 138 • Large mixed-use development proposed with shopping, dining, hospitality, housing, and public spaces; timeline TBD.

Mostly accurate forecast until Texas decides otherwise.

After that welcome rain, it looks like September is getting right back to its regularly scheduled Texas summer programming. Expect afternoon highs near 100° all week, overnight lows in the mid-to-upper 70s, and very little rain in the forecast.

☀️ Tuesday–Wednesday: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy, 75–100°
☀️ Thursday–Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, 76–99°
🌤️ Weekend: Mostly sunny, 75–100°, with a slight rain chance Sunday

👉 TL;DR: Hot and mostly dry

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