🌱 Fentanyl Overdose Leads To New Law + Leander ISD Teachers Get Raise

Happy weekend, Cedar Park-Leander! Elaine Thompson here, your host of the Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in town today, including:

• New House Bill brings requirements of fentanyl education.
• Leander ISD teachers and staff will get a raise.
• City Council moves forward with rehabilitation project.

But first, today's weather: Times of clouds and sun. High: 87 Low: 67.

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

1. Stefanie Turner lost her son to a fentanyl overdose in 2021. She brought large cookie trays to the Texas Capitol to thank "three state lawmakers who she said helped send a bill named for her late son to the governor’s desk." The House Bill is named, "Tucker's Law" in honor of Turner's son, who died at their Leander home after overdosing. The bill would require school districts to provide age-appropriate instruction going around the prevention and abuse of fentanyl, as well as the dangers it poses. Visit KXAN for more.
2. The Leander ISD board approved a 4 percent raise for teachers. The raise is meant to retain and recruit employees for the 2023-2024 school year. Superintendent Bruce Gearing noted that with inflation, it adds to the affordability issues for teachers to live in Leander and surrounding cities. This would be the second year in a row that teachers and staff have been given a raise, with last year's at 5 percent. For the full story, visit KVUE.
3. Cedar Park City Council is moving forward with the Lakeline Boulevard Rehabilitation Project. The project "involves the reconstruction of Lakeline Boulevard from Continental Pass to Cedar Hills Boulevard." The start of the project will begin May 30 and will possibly be completed when Leander ISD is back in session, August 16. The project will not exceed $88,580. Crews will work Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is recommended to prepare for traffic delays ahead of time and also plan for alternate routes. Visit Community Impact Newspaper for more details.

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Today in Cedar Park-Leander:

• Men's Firepit at Journey Bible Fellowship (6:30 AM)
• Fairbanks & the Lonesome Light at Texas Farmers Market (9 AM)
• Hill Country Flyer at Austin Steam Train (9 AM)
• Splash Pad Opening at The Quarry (10 AM)
• Kid's Pokemon Play and Trade at Titan Moon Comics (1:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Possible abuse of powers: "Chairman Murr also justified the process by stating: "Because of Paxton’s long-standing pattern of abuse of office and public trust, disregard and dereliction of duty, and obstruction of justice and abuse of judicial process, it is imperative that the house proceed with impeachment." (FOX 7 Austin)
• Get to know members of Cedar Park Police Department: "Good morning, Cedar Park! ☀️ Our #FaceoftheForce for this Friday is Officer Richards. He's a born and raised Texan who worked 6 years in the Travis County Jail before joining CPPD over a year ago." (Cedar Park Police Department via Facebook)
• State schools underfunded: "Heading into the session, school districts had high hopes that lawmakers would increase the basic allotment, helping students and teachers in districts across the state, but now many who have pushed for more funding are upset." (KXAN)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed.

— Elaine Thompson

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Cedar Park-Leander Patch newsletter? Contact me at CedarParkLeander@Patch.com