🌱 Patch AM: Why Round Rock side yards keep turning muddy—and how to fix them

Hey hey Round Rock! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Round Rock side yards keep turning muddy—and how to fix them
• Why is Round Rock ISD being sued over Ten Commandments posters?
• Why are Central Texas Cubans watching Venezuela’s turmoil so closely?

Also on today's calendar: The International Gem & Jewelry Show - Austin, TX (January 2026) and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the hammer say after getting an A on a test? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and very warm, with a high of 78 and low of 66 degrees.
• Thursday: Mostly cloudy and warm, temps: high: 80, low: 59.
• Friday: A thunderstorm in spots, with a high of 75 and low of 43 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Side-Yard Sadness (roundrocktexas.gov) — If your Round Rock side yard is always muddy or bare, this guide explains why local Bermuda lawns struggle in shade, how our clay soils compact, and how overwatering makes things worse. It also walks you through aeration, composting, smarter irrigation, and even how City of Round Rock water customers can earn a Healthy Lawn Rebate.
   

2. Vouchers, hemp, vaccines, these are the Texas developments to watch in 2026 (cbs4local.com) — Round Rock ISD is directly in the crosshairs of a new state law requiring Ten Commandments posters in classrooms, as Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued the district over alleged noncompliance. That fight is just one of many 2026 Texas policy battles, from school vouchers and vaccine exemptions to prison air conditioning, hemp rules, and flood warning funding that could indirectly affect local families and budgets.
   

3. Cubans in Austin hopeful for change after Venezuela's Maduro ousted (kvue.com) — From a Round Rock dateline, Central Texas Cubans are reacting to Venezuela’s political upheaval and what it could mean for Cuba’s future. Local residents share stories of shortages and repression back home while experts in Austin downplay the likelihood of U.S. military intervention. Their hopes for a freer Cuba highlight how global events ripple through nearby immigrant communities.
   

4. 55 Central Texas high school girls soccer players to watch this season (statesman.com) — Round Rock girls soccer standouts Carlee Deegan, Grace El-Deir and Audrey Redus are among 55 Central Texas players to watch this season, spotlighting the Dragons’ strong lineup. The list surveys top returning talent across Austin-area programs, from prolific scorers to shutdown defenders, as the 2026 high school girls soccer season kicks off.
   

5. Here's why we loved Austin in 2025: Purple martins, local music, film, food (statesman.com) — Round Rock slips into this Austin love letter thanks to the spectacular summer roost of purple martins at Round Rock Crossing’s Discount Tire parking lot, where families gather to watch the swirling birds. The rest of the story celebrates Austin’s 2025 music, film, food, quirky alleys, and even a weather-predicting armadillo.
   

📸 Around Round Rock

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Round Rock

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday January 10

• The International Gem & Jewelry Show - Austin, TX (January 2026)
  Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday January 8

• 7th Boys Basketball vs Ridgeview
  Walsh Middle School , 3850 Walsh Ranch Blvd , Round Rock
  5:30 pm
• 8th Boys Basketball @Ridgeview
  Ridgeview Middle School , 2000 Via Sonoma Trail #5659 , Round Rock
  5:30 pm
• City Council Meeting
  City Council Chambers , 221 East Main Street , Round Rock
  6:00 pm

Friday January 9

• Girls Basketball (FR) @ McNeil
  McNeil High School , 5720 McNeil Dr , Austin
  5:15 pm
• Girls Basketball (JV) @ McNeil
  McNeil High School , 5720 McNeil Dr , Austin
  5:30 pm
• Girls Basketball (V) @ McNeil
  McNeil High School , 5720 McNeil Dr , Austin
  7:00 pm

Tuesday January 13

• Early College High School & PTECH Nursing Info Session
  Hopewell Middle School , 1535 Gulf Way , Round Rock
  6:00 pm

Wednesday January 14

• High School Orientation Night
  Chisholm Trail Middle School , 500 Oakridge Dr , Round Rock
  5:30 pm

📣 Round Rock Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday January 8

• 7th Boys Basketball vs Ridgeview
  Walsh Middle School , 3850 Walsh Ranch Blvd , Round Rock
  5:30 pm
• 8th Boys Basketball @Ridgeview
  Ridgeview Middle School , 2000 Via Sonoma Trail #5659 , Round Rock
  5:30 pm

Friday January 9

• Brushy Creek Elementary (RR) Performance
  Brushy Creek Elementary School , 3800 Stonebridge Dr , Round Rock
  9:30 am

Wednesday January 14

• High School Orientation Night
  Chisholm Trail Middle School , 500 Oakridge Dr , Round Rock
  5:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Round Rock PatchAM possible:

• My Favorite Handyman — (512) 701-2684
  Tile, Paint, Repairs & More — Locally Owned & Trusted
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Dog found.
  Black Chihuahua, so small, but so cute. Found in Greenlawn neighborhood, near Prestons Braid Ln. (Nextdoor Greenlawn)
• My sweet Oliver has gotten out of our home.
  If you see him please contact us. 512-903-5292. Thank you (Nextdoor Sam Bass Corridor)

• McDonald's Restaurants posted a job opening for Maintenance Team Member in Round Rock. Apply here.
• Walmart posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate in Round Rock. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Round Rock here.

Ok Round Rock! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I nailed it!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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