🌱 Crowded Public Transit? + Local Helps Ukrainians Evacuate

Hello again, Cedar Park-Leander! Important update: You all, as readers, have made the Cedar Park-Leander Daily so successful that it is my honor to announce the next stage of the newsletter. Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Cedar Park-Leander Daily. Although I have loved getting to know this community, we want to pass the torch to someone truly local to write about Cedar Park-Leander long term. So if you’re interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

First, today's weather:

Sunny, pleasant and warmer. High: 74 Low: 47.

Here are the top three stories in Cedar Park-Leander today:

1. As gas prices rise, the MetroRail and CapMetro buses are getting more crowded and ridership is expected to increase in the days ahead. Leander local, Rachel Montemayor, said "the train is getting more full every single day. With gas prices and traffic, my husband says there were about 20 people in his car getting off in Leander. There are about 20 people in the other car, it's getting packed." MetroRail is developing long-term improvements with additional stations and tracks that will allow train cars to pass one another and reduce wait times. (CBS Austin)
2. Cedar Park resident Aaron Pluto was stationed in Ukraine and Russia while serving in the Air Force and the Army and worked in an advisory role at the U.S. embassy in Kyiv back in 2014. Now, from Cedar Park, he is helping people evacuate Ukraine by getting and coordinating rides and help. Pluto says the best way to help is "to donate directly to the Ministry of Defense. Or you can donate to Save Our Allies." (KVUE)
3. Later in March, the award-winning Detroit-style pizzeria, Via 313, is opening a new location in Cedar Park, inside the 1890 Ranch shopping center. Via 313 is planning to hire over 80 additional team members for the opening. Co-founder Brandon Hunt said, "We’re beyond excited to grow throughout the Austin area and bring our genuine Detroit-style pizza to Cedar Park." (KVUE)

From our sponsor:

Hey Cedar Park-Leander, are you looking to buy a house, refinance or just explore your options? Check out the new Patch Mortgage Center for all your home financing needs!

Today in Cedar Park-Leander:

• Cedar Park City Council Meeting, At City Council Chambers (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Congratulations to Cedar Park High School junior guard Gisella Maul for being named the 2021-22 Gatorade Texas Girls Basketball Player of the Year! See the full story by viewing the link. (KVUE)
• A gorgeous three-bedroom home on Henry Rifle Road in Cedar Park is for sale! Click here to see the open house dates for that and many more houses for sale in your area. (Cedar Park-Leander Patch)
• Vote for who you think should be the 5A Texas Girls Basketball Player of the Year by Mar. 13! View the link to see the finalists and vote, then at the end of March, the SBLive Player of the Year award winners and all-state teams for 1A-6A will be announced. (Scorebook Live)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Taxes in Retirement Seminar (March 15)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar (March 17)
• Virtual Medicare 101 with Sid Martinez (March 22)
• Add your event

Loving the Cedar Park-Leander Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right. I'll see you around!

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!