🌱 More Utilities Payment Options + RRPD Delayed By Security Gates?

Happy Saturday, Round Rock! Here's everything worth knowing today in Round Rock.

First, today's weather:

A thunderstorm in spots. High: 84 Low: 71.

Here are the top three stories today in Round Rock:

1. On Apr. 28, Round Rock officials approved a $1.89 million contract with Paymentus Corp. that will allow the utility billing department to accept more forms of payment, which currently only accepts Visa and Mastercard. The agreement will allow the city's utilities department to accept Discover, American Express, Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. (Community Impact Newspaper)
2. Round Rock police are warning the community that automatic security gates with keypads and sensors could delay first responders in an emergency. On the night of Apr. 23, the Ubalde family called the Round Rock Police Department because they saw someone trying to break into one of the family’s cars, but the officers could not get through the community’s gate and had to call Ubalde for the gate code. Nicholas Olivier, an RRPD public information specialist, said that emergency responders rely on property owners to provide police with access codes in these types of situations. (KXAN)
3. Governor Greg Abbott will be in Round Rock on May 2 for the Governor's Prayer Breakfast, held in honor of National Day of Prayer. The breakfast will begin at 6:00 a.m. in the Kalahari Ballroom of the Kalahari Resort Convention Center, located at 3001 Kalahari Boulevard. At 6:50 a.m., the Governor will speak. (KCENTV)

Today in Round Rock:

• Open House for C.D. Fulkes Middle School/Former Round Rock High School At 300 W Anderson Ave (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Meet Barnicle, an adorable white rabbit, and many other amazing pets in your area! Click the link for the latest list of adoptable pets in Round Rock. (Round Rock Patch)
• Looking for some fun events in Round Rock in May? View the link for a list of amazing activities, including the Old Settlers Park The Muddy Miler Family Adventure, an outdoor dance under the stars, the Round Rock Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, and so much more! (Community Impact Newspaper)
• Remember, yesterday construction started on Wyoming Springs Drive at Smyers Lane, to install a dedicated left-turn lane southbound! Click the link for the full story. (FOX 7 Austin)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Healthy Kids Day - YMCA (May 1)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (May 2)
• Hire A Pro To Tackle Mom's To-Do List (May 8)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— 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!