On January 31, the Williamson County Commissioners Court unanimously agreed to send a letter to US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) opposing efforts to declare an emergency to list the Jollyville Plateau salamander as an endangered species as requested by the Save Our Springs Alliance and the Center for Biological Diversity.  These groups requested that the USFWS consider an emergency listing of the species as endangered due to the ongoing construction of the City of Austin’s Water Treatment Plant 4.    Several known locations of the Jollyville Plateau salamander are located in the southwestern portion of Williamson County.  An emergency listing would affect every location where the species is found.

A Fire Weather Watch is in effect Sunday for Williamson County according to the National Weather Service in Austin/San Antonio.  Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.  Although Williamson County currently is not under a burn ban, outdoor burning is not recommended on Sunday due to these weather conditions.  For updated weather warnings, visit http://www.nws.noaa.gov/.

Registration for spring softball leagues in Williamson County is currently open through January 30.  League play begins on Monday, February 20, at the Southwest Williamson County Regional Park in Leander, and at the Cedar Park Athletic Complex fields.

The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter is planning a special Valentine’s “Pawty” and promotion for pet adoptions during the week of February 12 to 18.