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Community Impact Austin
Heartsong Music celebrates 20 years of joyful music-making with young families in Austin
Heartsong Music is celebrating 20 years of bringing families together through the joy of making music with the renowned Music Together program. Founded in 2004, Heartsong Music is owned by Carey Youngblood, and operates out of an Austin-based dance studio and a recreation center in the Allandale neighborhood, as well as a church in Northwest Austin. Over the years, the school has taught over 30,000 students, with the number continuing to grow.
Concerns over ballot secrecy cause Williamson County to consider pre-numbered paper ballots
Marcia Watson speaking at the Citizens Defending Freedom press conference after the July 2 Williamson County Commissioners Court meeting. (Courtesy Citizens Defending Freedom) In an effort to address concerns over ballot secrecy and to comply with a recent election advisory from the Texas State Secretary, The Williamson County Elections Board will consider changes to how ballots are numbered.
Georgetown City Council considers raising rates for utility customers with high water usage
The study shows that major issues will arise if the city maintains its current water utility rates. (Parks Kugle/Community Impact) In the continued effort to balance the rising cost of essential services with rapid growth and sharply rising demand, Georgetown city officials presented an update on the Georgetown Water and Sewer Rate Study during the July 27 City Council workshop.
Austin officials to undergo process toward funding climate-related projects
A resolution passed July 18 by Austin City Council kickstarts a process to create a bond package to fund climate-related projects to be placed on ballots by November 2026. (Ben Thompson/Community Impact) A formal process will take place before Austin voters ever see a climate-related bond on a future ballot,...
Round Rock moves forward with tertiary wastewater filters project
There are plans to add more filters in the future in the case of further expanding the wastewater treatment facility. (Courtesy city of Round Rock) A project to install tertiary filters at the Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater System East will be completed sometime next summer, Director of Utilities Michael Thane said.
$30M Bastrop H-E-B Plus expansion continues with temporary grocery entrance, curbside area and more
Officials said the $30 million renovations will give the store an additional 18,000 square feet of space. (Amanda Cutshall/Community Impact) Shoppers at Bastrop's H-E-B Plus will notice a few changes including a new entrance, a temporary curbside area and more. What's happening. Located in a portion of the Texas Backyard...
Liberty Hill ISD student enrollment projected to double over next decade
Student enrollment is projected to grow across all district campuses over the next 10 years. (Chloe Young/Community Impact) Student enrollment in Liberty Hill ISD—which currently sits around 9,000—has nearly doubled over the past five school years and is expected to keep climbing throughout the next decade. A recent...
Hutto ISD working to expand teacher incentive allotment program
Hutto ISD is working to expand its state-funded Teacher Incentive Allotment program to include more teachers, based on performance. (Brooke Sjoberg/Community Impact) Hutto ISD is working to expand its state-funded Teacher Incentive Allotment program to include more teachers, based on performance. What you need to know. During a July 16...
New menu items coming to Fast Friends Beer Co. as culinary leader changes
Fast Friends Beer Co. opened May 26 at 7313 N. I-35 Frontage Rd., Austin. (Amanda Cutshall/Community Impact) Southwest Austin brewery Fast Friends Beer Company announced a new leader of the culinary program July 1. Laura Cristina Licona, a Michelin-trained chef with 15 years of experience, will head the menu. Some...
Contractor selected for Chisholm Trail North project in Round Rock
Previous construction on Chisholm Trail Road. (Courtesy city of Round Rock) Smith Contracting Co., Inc. will lead a project to widen Chisholm Trail Road in Round Rock. The remaining two-lane section of the road will be expanded to match the five-lane section. About the project. The project is a continuation...
Lake Travis levels jump after recent rains; officials warn about currents
As of July 26, the lake is 47% full, up from about 40% on July 19, according to data from the Lower Colorado River Authority. (Falcon Sky Photography/Community Impact) Due to recent rainfall, Lake Travis has risen more than 7 feet in the past week, and is expected to continue filling up over the next few days.
What travelers can expect as President Biden visits Austin July 29
For security reasons, flights in and out of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will be temporarily grounded as President Joe Biden lands in and departs the city July 29. (Courtesy Flickr/Alan Wilson) President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Austin’s LBJ Presidential Library July 29, where he will deliver a speech...
Bastrop City Manager to host public discussion July 30
The Bastrop Museum & Visitor Center is located downtown at 904 Main Street. (Community Impact Staff) Residents of Bastrop will have the opportunity to speak with City Manager Sylvia Carrillo to discuss any issue or topic of importance at the upcoming Sit with Sylvia event. A closer look. The event,...
Q&A: Texas Freedom Network explains the role of politics in local school boards
Emily Witt is a senior communications and media strategist for the Texas Freedom Network. (Courtesy Texas Freedom Network) The Texas Freedom Network was founded about 30 years ago to be “the watchdogs of the religious right at the State Board of Education level," said Emily Witt, senior communications and media strategist. Over time, the organization began monitoring public education bills at the Texas Legislature and advocating for legislation that supports public schools.
Southeast Travis County residents see step towards relief after decades without running water
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar presents a $1 million check to Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gomez for water infrastructure projects on the east side of the county. (Haley McLeod/Community Impact) For decades, residents living in the unincorporated areas of southeast Travis County, near Elroy, have been living without running water to...
First responders conduct active shooter response training at Dripping Springs ISD elementary school
Residents near Cypress Springs Elementary School may hear sirens and simulated gunshots the morning of July 26 as law enforcement conduct an active shooter response training on the campus. (Elle Bent/Community Impact) First responders are conducting an active shooter response exercise at a Dripping Springs ISD elementary school July 26,...
Water 2 Wine Buda offers cozy, unique winemaking experience
Dane Aziz opened Water 2 Wine Buda in 2020. (Sarah Hernandez/Community Impact) At Water 2 Wine Buda, guests can enjoy a glass or bottle of the wine made on-site, or become a vintner and create a from-scratch batch with a personalized label. As the winery’s owner, Dane Aziz aims to...
Print, retail, vinyl and more now available at Austin’s newest social hub Feels So Good
The grand opening of print shop Feel So Good's newest retail outpost featured music, free drinks and free shirts to the first 50 customers. (Ben Thompson/Community Impact) An indication of the record and print shop’s creative vibe, Feels So Good featured a DJ and free drinks at the grand opening of its newest store this month.
Public safety staffing, downtown EMS expansion in focus as Austin budget takes shape
Public safety staffing and downtown medical responses were topics of interest during city officials' first review of Austin's next budget plan. (Ben Thompson/Community Impact) Austin leaders took their first deep dive into the city's fiscal year 2024-25 budget with a focus on the general fund, or the largely tax-supported and public-facing departments that make up about a quarter of the proposed $5.91 billion spending plan.
Bee Cave weighs growing building, road project costs ahead of budget season
In the past three years, estimated costs have climbed from a total of $104 million to $158 million, giving city leaders pause as they head into budget season. (Courtesy City of Bee Cave) Between a new public library, public safety building, Central Park improvements and dozens of road projects, a...
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