🌱 Apartment Fire Victims Update + Young Cancer Fighter's Dream Trip

Happy Friday, friends! It's Elaine Thompson, your host of the Round Rock Daily. Follow along to find out the most important things happening in town, including:

• Where the residents of Tuesday's apartment complex fire relocated.
• Organization plans a visit to Round Rock resort for young cancer fighter.
• Newly constructed road will open to traffic.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and mild. High: 75 Low: 60.

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Here are the top stories in Round Rock today:

1. Several residents from Tuesday's apartment fire found refuge with their community, family and friends after losing much or all they had in their dwellings. Resident Olivia Burke and her fiancé are staying at a family friend's home and are hopeful to find that one of their dogs may have escaped the fire. Tenant Harish Vaddiraju was awakened out of his sleep by the alarms and was able to grab some of his belongings before evacuating the building. Vaddiraju is staying with friends at the same complex, while waiting for insurance adjusters to figure out his next steps. Read more on this story at KXAN.
2. The organization Campaign One at a Time is raising funds to help bring a five-year-old cancer fighter to Kalahari Resorts. Emerie Servantes's mother died in a car accident in March 2022 and her father passed away suddenly from pancreatic cancer in September 2022. Emerie's grandmother, Linda Servantes, says, "She's been crying like, this last month, every night. 'I miss my mommy and daddy' and 'I want my mommy and daddy' and 'I want to go with them. I don't want to be here,'" Linda Servantes told KVUE. "She gets on her knees and she puts her hands like praying and begs Mom and Dad to come give her a hug." To read more of Emerie's story and how you can help, visit this page. (KVUE)
3. Texas Department of Transportation was set to open up the RM 620 overpass to traffic Friday. Eastbound traffic begins on Briarwood Street, leading directly to I-35. Within a few weeks, weather permitting, the overpass will open up to westbound traffic as well. With completion of this project aimed for late 2023, "the overpass is a part of the RM 620 roundabout project which aims to improve safety and enhance mobility in the project area. Project highlights include the construction of two overpasses, a roundabout, U-turns, frontage roads, and widened lanes." (City of Round Rock)

Today in Round Rock:

• National Flag Football Championships at Round Rock Multipurpose Complex (All-day)
• Gracie Barra Georgetown Founders Special! at Gracie Barra Round Rock (8 a.m.)
• It's a Scavenger Hunt! *Virtual* (10 a.m.)
• Rainbow Starry Night ($39-$48 Ages 18+) at Painting With a Twist (7:30 p.m.)
• Live Music Groove Generation at Bar Louie (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• A special place, for a special event, just for daddy-daughter duos: "💃 🕺HEY ROUND ROCK! THE KALAHARI DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE! TICKETS WILL GO FAST! Friday, February 10 from 6pm to 9pm. Tickets are $15 per person. Click the link for direct ticket purchase: https://bit.ly/3ihdrOd" (Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department via Facebook)
• Local artists deadline call! "New Exhibition open on January 11th Artists in this show Art drop-off is on Monday January 9th 12pm-4pm." (Round Rock Arts via Facebook)
• The Hope Alliance has a reminder for everyone: "January is Stalking Awareness Month. The perpetrator is often someone the survivor knows, was in a relationship with, an acquaintance, or a family member. If you or someone you love is in need, contact our hotline advocates at 1-800-460-7233." (Hope Alliance via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (January 7)
• New Neighbors of Greater Round Rock Monthly Luncheon & Meeting (January 12)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you around.

— Elaine Thompson

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Round Rock Daily? Contact me at RoundRock@Patch.com