🌱 Heartfelt Support For Voigt Teacher + Orlando Salinas Files Lawsuit

Good Morning, everyone! Elaine Thompson here, with your fresh copy of the Round Rock Daily. Keep reading to find out all the local information you need to know right now, including news on...

• Elementary school staff teams up to support a former teacher during family hardships
• Defeated school board candidate sues Texas Ethics Commission
• A look back on this year's most popular and memorable stories

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and warmer. High: 76 Low: 55.

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Here are the top stories today in Round Rock:

1. The Statesman Season For Caring program highlights the story of former Voigt Elementary school teacher, Michelle Jimenez, and the hardships that come with caring for her son, Joey, who has an unremovable brain tumor. The Jimenez family also suffered the loss of the father of the family in 2016. Through their strong religious beliefs and the support of close colleagues, Michelle has been able to weather this rough road a bit more smoothly. If you'd like to help out the Jimenezes or other families nominated, visit the Season for Caring page. (Austin American-Statesman)
2. The tension between school board candidates has certainly taken an interesting turn since November's elections. The alleged incident between incumbent Amber Feller and defeated candidate Orlando Salinas involved Facebook accusation posts, with Feller responding with a cease-and-desist complaint against Salinas and Round Rock One Family PAC. Salinas then filed a lawsuit against the executive director of the Texas Ethics Commission for "injunctive relief to remedy unconstitutional restrictions on Salinas’s rights to free speech and due process protected under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.” More on this story on The Austin Bulldog.
3. The year 2022 had many memorable moments, and we're here to highlight the top stories that had everyone talking: March 2022 tornado, drama between district parents and RRISD superintendent, new businesses that opened and those coming soon, and a few more that you can check out on Community Impact Newspaper.

Today in Round Rock:

• Christmas Tree Recycling at Deepwood Recycling Center (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
• Rides & Coffee at Detail Garage (9 a.m. - Noon)
• Monstrous Countdown to New Year! at Monster Mini Golf (Noon - 5 p.m.)
• It's a Scavenger Hunt! *Virtual* (10 a.m.)
• New Year's Eve Celebration (fee) at Kalahari Resorts (5 p.m. - 9 p.m.)
• Live Music by Pete Henry at Salt Lick BBQ (5 p.m.)
• A James Bond New Year's Eve at Provident Crossings Retirement Resort (5:30 p.m.)
• 2023 New Year's Eve '80s Bash ($25) at Cork and Barrel Pub (10 p.m. - 1 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• An interactive experience to get you out of the house: "🤳Step away from the screen. Round Rock Explorers provides education and social interaction IRL for young adults age 14-20 with an interest in law enforcement. The group meets Mondays at 6pm at the PD and newcomers are welcome!" (Round Rock Police Department via Instagram)
• Check out these city closures for New Year's: "👀Please make note of Holiday Closures for both Clay Madsen Recreation Center and Baca Center! 🎉 HAPPY NEW YEAR ROUND ROCK! 🎉 More City holiday hours of operation can be found here: https://www.roundrocktexas.gov/…/city-offices-closed-chris…/ " (Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department via Facebook)
• Stay safe and follow these firework activity tips! "Ring in the new year...but safely. 🎆 Dos and don’ts of firework safety" (Williamson County and Cities Health District via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update.

— Elaine Thompson

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