Real Estate Photographer in Lockhart, TX

Aaron Aguilar of Lockhart was arrested on April 15 and booked into the Caldwell County Jail.

AUSTIN, Texas — A man in Caldwell County is facing charges, accused of sexual conduct with a child.

According to the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, Aaron Aguilar of Lockhart was arrested on April 15 on a warrant for a charge of sexual performance of a child.

According to the sheriff's office, Aguilar was recently employed as a volleyball coach. The sheriff's office is asking parents of children he had coached if they experienced any inappropriate behavior.

Lockhart ISD said Aguilar, who was formerly employed by the district, had not been employed there since March 2024.

The director of TopFlight Volleyball Club, which Aguilar coached for, sent an email to the club's members, informing them of his termination:

"Hello TopFlight, I am writing to inform you regarding a very sad situation that has happened with one of our coaches, Aaron Aguilar. I want you all to know that once this situation was brought to my attention his contract was terminated immediately. I also want you to know that every one of our coaches must go through a strenuous background check with USAV and AAU.

He did pass this background check with no flags.

At this time, we would like to pray for all parties that were affected by this situation and assure you that we will do everything we can to make sure all of our players are always safe."

Aguilar was booked into the Caldwell County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing, and the sheriff's office said Aguilar could face additional charges.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office at 512-359-4517 or sean.quinn@co.caldwell.tx.us.

Only a few weeks after Austin City Council passed a resolution requiring various regulations on artificial intelligence operations, a new 2GW data center is coming to Lockhart. Tract, a Colorado-based developer, has secured 1,500 acres for a “megasite” in Caldwell County, only about six miles away from famous barbecue joints Smitty’s Market, Kreuz Market, and Black’s. It has received enthusiastic support from Gov. Greg Abbott, who said in a statement that it will “create good-paying jobs, bolster the state’s power grid, and enhance our technology infrastructure.”

However, data centers threaten to have a detrimental effect on Texas’ energy infrastructure. Data centers, which operate 24/7 and provide computing power for cloud operations and AI, require cooling units, fans, and tons of water to operate. They account for almost 2 percent of overall global energy demand. Indeed, Texas energy demand is projected to nearly double by 2030, mostly thanks to data centers and cryptomining facilities, which account for about 50 percent of that expected demand.

As President Trump took office in January, he announced that Texas will be a cornerstone of his $500 billion Stargate initiative, with 10 data centers already under construction and 10 more planned. In a panel discussion on energy planning in April, Tom Oney, vice president of external affairs for the Lower Colorado River Authority, warned that data centers were a concern, saying: “The amount of load that’s coming to this area is something that we’re struggling with every day. ERCOT is putting out the alarm bell, and I think it’s right, because there’s not enough wires to move that kind of megawatts.”

To address the environmental effects of multiplying data centers in the Austin area, City Council’s resolution requires audits overseen by humans, and mandates an environmental study by Austin Energy, Austin Water, and the city climate and budget offices over the next decade. It also requires the utilities to report an assessment of the impact to utility rates and strains on resources and include recommendations on “ways to increase clean energy usage and water efficiency, address risks to the power grid, and minimize waste.”

In a press release, Tract writes that it has secured equipment from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative for an initial 360MW of energy to begin in 2028. It has also committed to helping fund road improvements on FM 2720 as part of a community investment, according to Judge Hoppy Haden, who said it “shows they are invested in the future of Caldwell County.” Tract’s CEO Grant van Rooyen says the center will be used for cloud and AI training, but is “unique” for these kinds of operations because it “sits at the intersection of transmission infrastructure, robust natural gas infrastructure and long-haul fiber.”

The Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee has recommended this session that data centers and other facilities that require large loads be required to “offset their impact on the grid by adding on-site power systems or participating in programs to curtail electricity usage during peak demand periods.” To that end, Senate Bill 6 by Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford – which has already won Senate approval and is currently in the House Committee on State Affairs – would put restraints on the state’s energy market, with the goal of protecting residential customers from bearing the cost burden of another grid catastrophe, by putting in place more stringent restrictions on operations with significant demand.

Until SB 6 is passed, those commitments remain up to the discretion of companies like Tract, which states in its press release that the campus will come with “provisions for supplemental on-site generation.”

Photo by Aleksomber – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link.

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Above, This is just one view of what visitors can expect to see at the Lockhart Rising event on Saturday, May 10 at Mill Scale Metalworks. Photo By Jay Baltierra

For the second year in a row, the crew at Mill Scale Culinary, Yeti and Miller Lite are gearing up for their Lockhart Rising event to be held on Saturday, May 10. The taste bud tantalizing event will feature some of the best chefs from around the globe, including Michelin-starred pros and Tuffy Stone, a six-time barbecue champ and Hall of Famer.

Matt Johnson, the founder and owner of Mill Scale Metalworks, stated “Lockhart Rising started as a chat among friends who had a shared dream: to put together an event that celebrates Central Texas barbecue, live-fire cooking, and the culture that comes with it. What we’re creating is more than just a food festival; it’s a heartfelt homage to Lockhart, Texas, and the people who make it special.”

Daniel Vaughn from Texas Monthly is the host of this event, which features a diverse lineup of 20 chefs and pitmaster teams hailing from Texas, across the U.S., and Europe.

Attendees can expect not only exceptional cuisine but also a remarkable array of musical performances. The 2025 event will showcase artists such as Shane Smith & The Saints, Ellis Bullard, Ryan Quiet, Jesper Lindell from Sweden, and DJ Giant Hornets from Japan.

The music lineup is as follows: 12:30pm brings DJ Giant Hornets from Japan to the stage, followed by Jesper Lindell at 1:30, Ryan Quiet at 2:30, at 3:45pm Ellis Bullard comes on with

Shane Smith & The Saints at 5 and rounding out the entertainment at 6:30pm Bar Last Call.

The gates will open for everyone at 1:30 PM, but if you secured VIP tickets, you can walk in an hour earlier at 12:30 PM. Once inside, you’ll find a ton of merchandise from different vendors like Turtlebox, Mill Scale Metalworks, Ellis Bullard, and Shane Smith and The Saints, just to name a few. Besides shopping, there are some fun activities lined up, including a fast pitch challenge, bar service from Old Pal, and other attractions. A side note from Mill Scale: no pets allowed, and weapons are a no-go on the grounds.

Food will be available from 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm, so don’t forget to grab a culinary wristband at www.millscale.co.

There are various levels of admission tickets and culinary passes available, some with limited quantities. Those levels include: General Admission is $20 per person and gets you access to live music, the retail pop-ups, cash bar. You can purchase a culinary pass separately. The Culinary Pass is $75 includes the general admission as well as full culinary access to all Mill Scale Ambassadors & Friends of the Fire Bites. The Ambassador Pass is $135 and gets you everything from the Culinary Pass offers plus early entry with exclusive access to all Ambassador Bites one hour before general admission gates open and an exclusive Lockhart Rising patch. If you want to experience the whole kit and caboodle then the Commerce Gallery Gold Lounge VIP Pass for $195 is your ticket. You not only get everything from the Ambassador Pass but you get access to the Commerce Gallery Gold Lounge VIP Only Area with stage viewing, private cash bar and private live fire food service and don’t forget the exclusive Lockhart Rising swag. Buy your ticket today and enjoy the tasty dishes before they sell out. Also as a reminder kiddos 11 and under are free. Tickets are non-refundable but can be transferred to another guest if needed.

The rain or shine fun kicks off at 12:30 pm and commencing at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, at Mill Scale Metalworks, located at 800 N. Commerce St., Lockhart, TX.

Community Partners and Activations:

Mill Scale Metalworks, Old Pal Bar, Commerce Gallery, Nightbirds Hospitality,

Lockhart Initiative for Tourism, Education Foundation for Lockhart ISD, Countywide Builders, Lockhart Chamber of Commerce, Commerce Cafe, Kreuz Market, 78644 Podcast, Plum Creek Records, 107.9 KLKT Lockhart Radio

Lockhart Rising Chefs/Teams:

Tuffy Stone / Cool Smoke,Charlie McKenna / Lillie’s Q, Seth Siegel-Gardner / LFG Hospitality, Phillip Moellering / Jerek Lara, Jesse Griffiths / Dai Due, Leonard Botello IV / Truth BBQ, Genevieve Taylor / UK, Mathew Peters / Prélude, John Bates / Interstellar BBQ, Daniel Castillo / Heritage BBQ, Edgar Rico / Nixta Taqueria, Aaron Bludorn / Bludorn, Lamberts / Austin, Commerce Gallery Gold Pass Lounge only, Brendan Yancy & Drew Ahumada / Austin Oyster Co., Mike Reeeber / Roaming Fire Food, Will Andrews / Rolling Bones BBQ, Nathan Lemley & Sarah Heard / Commerce Cafe, Kreuz Market / Lockhart, Levi Goode / Goode Co., Rebecca Masson / Fluff Bake Bar, Ronnie Killen / Killen’s BBQ.

Aaron Aguilar was arrested on April 15 and booked into the Caldwell County Jail on a felony charge of sexual performance of a child.

AUSTIN, Texas — (Editor's note: Some readers may find the content in this story disturbing.)

A man in Caldwell County is facing charges, accused of sexual conduct with a child.

According to the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, 28-year-old Aaron Aguilar of Lockhart was arrested on April 15 on a warrant for a charge of sexual performance of a child.

According to the sheriff's office, Aguilar was recently employed as a volleyball coach in Lockhart ISD. The district said Aguilar had not been employed there since March 2024.

According to an affidavit, Aguilar allegedly sent an explicit video to a 13-year-old boy, who then sent him back an unsolicited explicit picture of himself. Aguilar then prompted the boy to send him a sexually explicit video.

According to the boy's mother, Aguilar was a distant relative of both her and her son, and was listed in the boy's phone contact list as "CUZ."

Investigators learned that Aguilar had previously coached the boy in athletic competitions and that he had previously been employed in Lockhart ISD. He also previously held a job with the San Marcos Baptist Academy and was working with TopFlight Volleyball Club at the time of his arrest.

Detectives found that the number Aguilar had used to contact the boy was the same number he used to schedule private lessons for children he was coaching.

The director of TopFlight Volleyball Club sent an email to the club's members after Aguilar's arrest, informing them of his termination:

"Hello TopFlight, I am writing to inform you regarding a very sad situation that has happened with one of our coaches, Aaron Aguilar. I want you all to know that once this situation was brought to my attention his contract was terminated immediately. I also want you to know that every one of our coaches must go through a strenuous background check with USAV and AAU.

He did pass this background check with no flags.

At this time, we would like to pray for all parties that were affected by this situation and assure you that we will do everything we can to make sure all of our players are always safe."

Aguilar was booked into the Caldwell County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing, and the sheriff's office said Aguilar could face additional charges.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office at 512-359-4517 or sean.quinn@co.caldwell.tx.us.

Howdy! The Lockhart Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lockhart invite you and your family to Lockhart, Texas, for a fun and entertaining weekend at the 52nd Annual Chisholm Trail Roundup! What began 52 years ago as a hometown celebration inspired by the wild and raucous history of a cattle town along the historic Chisholm Trail has evolved into the quintessential expression of everything there is to love about Lockhart. Every year, it is the privilege and honor of the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce, along with our great partners, to showcase the people, businesses, and lifestyles that make Lockhart the growing and vibrant town it is today.

During June 12-14, thousands will travel from far and wide to Lockhart, Texas, for a weekend full of family-friendly fun featuring an award-winning rodeo, a main stage with live music from fantastic artists, food and craft vendors, a BBQ cook-off, carnival rides, and a Kids Corral complete with a petting zoo!

The festivities begin Wednesday morning with the Cowboy Breakfast in historic downtown Lockhart. Get a taste of chuckwagon-style cooking and enjoy the meal in the shadow of our famous Caldwell County Courthouse, routinely mentioned as one of the most picturesque courthouses in Texas.

Thursday evening is the first night of the festival, and we begin with the crowning of the 52nd Miss Chisholm Trail Roundup Queen and her royal court before the start of the rodeo. Thursday night’s rodeo features a Rough Stock Bucking Exhibition where you can watch the cowboys compete in the popular bucking events, Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, and Mutton Bustin’ for the littles ones. To kick-off our live music entertainment, we have Saltflat Blvd to give us a rocking show. And be sure to come back Friday night for more rodeo fun and live music! For Tejano Night, we have EZ Band on the main stage. Grab your dancin’ boots!

Make plans to spend your entire Saturday in Lockhart because there is lots of fun to be had! First, start the day at the famous Chisholm Trail Roundup Grand Parade, where Lockhart comes to life as fun and festive floats make their way around our picturesque courthouse. After the parade, visit the many shops and restaurants around the square and enjoy the culture and architecture of our historic downtown square. Then, make your way to Lockhart City Park when you’re done for the BBQ & Chili Cook-off, where you can sample some award-winning barbecue and maybe even help with judging. Sanctioned by the Lone Star Barbecue Society, the 2025 Chisholm Trail BBQ & Chili Cook-off will be bigger and better than ever!

Saturday night, watch the rodeo finals, shop with our vendors, ride carnival rides, listen to live music, and enjoy spending time with friends and family. See Nathan Colt Young warm up the main stage as our first act, and close the weekend by dancing the night away with Bart Crow!

Get your tickets early and enjoy all three days for just $25! Learn more about Chisholm Trail Roundup and purchase your tickets at ChisholmTrailRoundup.com. We would love to see y’all as we celebrate the 52nd Annual Chisholm Trail Roundup. We know you won’t be disappointed in experiencing everything Lockhart has to offer!