Bastrop County voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages, including mixed drinks, after commissioners ordered local-option elections June 27.

Rather than holding one countywide vote, four separate elections will be conducted for each of the area’s four justice of the peace precincts. Officials said the elections look to resolve conflicting alcohol regulations created by recent precinct boundary changes, which left some with both “wet” and “dry” areas.

“This is the final step,” Director of Tourism and Economic Development Adena Lewis said. “Because you’re having a general election, we can take this item on, call an election for a yes or no vote to increase the territory where mixed beverage licenses can be obtained.”

County records state changing precinct boundaries does not automatically change an area’s alcohol status. Previous designations remain in place and create mixed-regulation precincts until addressed.

The local-option elections would allow voters in each newly drawn precinct to establish a uniform alcohol status within its borders.

“This is a long time coming,” Lewis said.

The county has held multiple local-option alcohol elections over the decades.

Elgin voters last approved drink sales in 1995.

The elections stem from House Bill 2885, penned by state Rep. Stan Gerdes. The law amended the Texas Election Code to allow the Bastrop County Commissioners Court to order local-option liquor elections following changes to justice of the peace precinct boundaries.

Public hearings set for September ahead of last vote

Elgin leaders Aug. 4 continued work on the fiscal year 2026-27 budget process, considering property taxes and agreeing not to exceed the rate set by voters.

The city approved the maximum property tax rate it is allowed to consider before public hearings in September, matching the voter-approval rate of nearly 72 cents per $100 valuation. Officials stressed the vote does not lock in that amount but creates the upper boundary while staff continue preparing the proposed budget for council review.

“This does not commit the city to this tax rate,” Interim Finance Director Pamela Sanders said. “The city has the option to adopt a lower tax rate, but this will protect the city’s options.” Sanders said the city is considering a range of potential tax rates. Any rate higher than the approved maximum would trigger additional steps, including a public vote.

According to city records, the proposed maximum rate includes 60 cents for maintenance and operations — about 83% — with the remainder going toward interest and sinking debt service.

The city’s no-new-revenue tax rate is set at 63 cents, making the proposed maximum about 9 cents higher.

City Manager Robert Eads repeatedly stated the vote was procedural and should not be interpreted as the official approval of a tax increase.

“We’re not even going to contemplate going above the voter-approval rate,” he said.

Sanders noted setting the maximum rate gives the city a range to work within as the proposed budget is finalized in the coming weeks.

“This puts guardrails in for staff as we prepare the budget,” she said. “Without the guardrails, we would find a way to fund everything that was presented to you all in the workshops.”

Council members also reviewed last year’s tax rate increase, which went up from 57 cents to 61.9 cents per $100 valuation. They clarified any rate below the voter-approval threshold can be adopted by the council following the required public hearings, while a rate above that would call for additional procedures under state law.

Residents will have an opportunity to comment during public hearings Sept. 1 and Sept. 15 before the council votes on the city’s final property tax rate.

The city is required to adopt the property tax in a separate vote from the annual budget.

Bastrop County Emergency Services District No. 3 officials told commissioners July 27 the transition to a district-operated emergency medical service remains on schedule for October, with additional ambulances, new equipment and staffing expected to improve response in Elgin and across the county.

Allen Johnson, ESD No. 3 executive director, said the district has spent the past 20 months preparing to take over ambulance operations after being approved in 2024. Initially excluded, Elgin voters later agreed to join the district in November, with residents and those living in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction in Bastrop County set to pay a property tax of up to 10 cents per $100 valuation beginning in January.

“When we took over, there were four ambulances available in the county on any given day,” Johnson said. “As I stand here talking to you today, there’s eight ambulances available.”

Five ambulances are operating around the clock, according to Johnson, with three additional units available during peak hours. When the district officially launches Oct. 1, the system will expand to 11 ambulances, including eight all-day and two supervisors assisting with countywide coverage.

The district has already begun receiving its new f leet of ambulances equipped with updated medical technology, including heart monitors, ventilators and ultrasound equipment.

Along with expanding coverage, Johnson said the district has nearly completed hiring staff and dispatchers and expects to be fully staffed by the end of August.

“We have a really strong team,” Johnson said. “We recruited a great group of people from around the region to come in.”

Johnson noted determining where dispatchers will operate remains a challenge. He said the district is working with the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety to address requirements related to the county’s emergency communications center.

Commissioner Clara Beckett said she hopes the issue can be resolved so dispatchers can work alongside other emergency responders in the same building, an important move to avoid wasting taxpayer dollars.

“It’s a state-of-theart dispatch center and there’s plenty of room right now and in the future … that’s why we invested in it,” she said.

The district is also searching for a solution ahead of the Oct. 1 transition that would allow dispatchers to receive automatic caller location information without delays, according to Johnson.

Elgin police are asking for the public’s help identifying two suspects wanted in connection with early morning burglaries they say caused about $6,500 in losses.

According to the Elgin Police Department, the suspects broke into Elgin Food Mart and Elgin General Store during the early morning hours of July 29 and stole merchandise and other property.

Investigators said they believe the suspects fled the area on foot.

Police described both individuals as young Black males with thin builds.

One suspect was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, sweatpants and a black face covering. The other was wearing a white T-shirt, green Adidas jogger pants, a face covering and three bracelets on his left wrist.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Dylan Judd at 512-285-6673 or by email at dylan.judd@elgintexas. gov.

Funded through the Texas Water Development Board, the grant will help collect data from the Colorado River and Colorado River Alluvial to better understand the relationship between their aquifers. The project will support future groundwater management decisions and long-term water planning, according to officials.

“Projects like this help us build a stronger understanding of our local water resources so we can continue making science- based decisions that benefit current and future generations,” LPGCD General Manager Elvis Hernandez said in a statement.

An alluvial aquifer is formed by sediments deposited by rivers over thousands of years. The Colorado River Alluvial spans roughly 200 miles, stretching south from Austin to Wharton.

The study will focus on portions of the Colorado River where the alluvial is present.

Information gathered will also help the district learn how groundwater and river flows influence one another under different conditions.

District officials said ground and surface waters are closely connected in many areas and thanked the Texas Water Development Board for investing in better understanding them.

Just one year after chartering, Bastrop Toastmasters has earned one of the program’s highest honors, a milestone club leaders say reflects a growing demand for communication and leadership development in Bastrop County.

The club was recognized as a President’s Distinguished Club after achieving all 10 goals in Toastmasters International’s Distinguished Club Program, a performance standard measuring educational achievement, membership growth, officer training and club administration.

Club President Scott Allen said the accomplishment is especially significant because many new clubs struggle to maintain momentum after launching.

“We achieved it in five months that most clubs get a year to do,” Allen said. “We had a plan, enthusiastic new members and friendly accountability.”

The recognition caps a successful first full year for the club, which was chartered in early 2025 and now serves members from Bastrop, Elgin and surrounding communities.

While many join to become more comfortable with public speaking, members say the club also helps develop leadership skills, both professionally and in everyday life.

“People think it’s just a public speaking club, and it’s so much more,” Allen said. “We create a safe and supportive environment for people to develop communication and leadership skills and build greater self-confidence.”

According to Allen, the club attracts members from a variety of backgrounds, including people whose careers require public speaking and residents simply looking to become more confident communicators.

Heather Bloom, president of the Elgin Chamber of Commerce, said she joined the club earlier this year to build upon skills she uses regularly in her position.

“Public speaking isn’t something that comes naturally to me,” Bloom said. “Toastmasters has helped me become more confident speaking in front of groups and helped me find a more authentic voice.”

She also credited the club’s supportive atmosphere with helping members grow.

“Toastmasters meetings are safe spaces for us to make mistakes and learn from our peers,” Bloom said. “It makes me more prepared for the real world when I need to apply those skills.”

Allen noted building that environment has been key to the club’s success and is central to its future.

“We want growth to become a habit … participation is what drives growth,” he said.

The Bastrop Toastmasters meet Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at First National Bank on Texas 71 in Bastrop. Allen encourages anyone interested to attend the meetings and participate at their own comfort level.

Commissioners say grant could speed up water testing after floods

Bastrop County residents could see more mobile vaccination clinics following extreme weather and receive water quality data quicker if a grant application approved by commissioners last week is accepted.

The Bastrop County Public Health Department is seeking nearly $22,000 through the Lower Colorado River Authority Community Grants Program and would provide a local match of about $5,500. If awarded, the funds would help expand the county’s mobile public health unit and environmental health response capabilities.

Public Health Director Donna Nichols said the idea to add rapid water-testing gained traction following recent heavy rains.

“One of the items that we always get asked about is what’s the bacterial content in the water,” she said.

The department does not have the capability to answer those questions immediately, according to Nichols, but field results would become available with two new water-testing systems.

She noted the project aligns with the county’s environmental health priorities by giving officials more timely scientific information during emergencies.

“It will give the court data on what is contained in water during floods, fires and infrastructure failure — and any other concerns around water,” Nichols said.

In addition to rapid water testing, the proposed equipment would help conduct pop-up vaccination clinics across the county, including at schools, libraries and community centers.

The grant would also fund accessibility improvements for residents with limited mobility and equipment to respond to medical emergencies.

Commissioners discussed public interest in river conditions following recent flooding, noting that residents frequently ask when waterways are safe to reopen and how water quality changes after storms.

The department expects to maintain the new equipment for at least 10 years, according to county records.

Commissioners at their last meeting approved updated tax abatement guidelines, saying the agreements remain Bastrop County’s strongest tool for negotiating environmental protections as discussions continue on proposed data center deals.

According to county records, the updated policy requires a minimum $20 million investment for new businesses and $10 million for expansions, simultaneously setting standards for job creation, environmental review and employee benefits. Projects also must create at least 25 jobs, with a goal of filling 25% of those positions with Bastrop County residents.

“In order to protect all of us in this room, we have to use tax abatements, because that’s all the state gives us,” Commissioner Butch Carmack said.

The vote came after a lengthy discussion and slate of public comments. Those concerned over data center growth and potential environmental impacts questioned whether those developments should receive any tax incentives.

Carmack noted residents often misunderstand what tax abatements accomplish.

“We now can negotiate how much water you’re going to use, how much light you’re going to put out, how much noise you’re going to put out — we are doing our best to protect you,” he said.

According to County Judge Gregory Klaus, state law limits the county’s authority over private property development, adding landowners have discretion over how they use or sell their property.

“The county did not ask these data centers to come, they just came in here,” Klaus said. “We have no ruling over whether they can come to the county or not.”

Local attorney Nick Lealos, who spoke at the July 27 meeting, said residents who attended a recent community town hall were not opposed to economic development but wanted more information and involvement before projects move forward.

“They complained most about lack of information, notice and transparency throughout the process,” Lealos said.

He described what he calls the “Bastrop Bill of Rights,” suggesting the county publish information about projects, establish a citizens advisory working group and encourage state leaders to grant temporary authority to address the expansion of data center development.

Commissioner David Glass said many residents have called for a moratorium on data center construction on the county level but explained counties cannot legally enact one without authority granted by the state.

In Hill County, commissioners approved a one-year moratorium before rescinding the action after facing a $100 million federal lawsuit from the developer.

“The abatement is really the only tool we have at this time,” Glass said. “I encourage you to call your senators and your representatives.”

Linda Curtis, speaking on behalf of the League of Independent Voters, urged commissioners to signal to residents they are at least pursuing additional options beyond tax abatements.

“We are looking for a signal from you that you want to turn this train around,” Curtis said.

Before approving the new policy, commissioners reviewed its environmental language and if it should reference specific concerns such as noise and light pollution.

County officials said the policy’s broad language allows those issues to be considered while also preserving flexibility on a case-bycase basis. Commissioners can also amend the policy in the future if additional changes are needed.

BASTROP — A statewide campaign to curb speed-related crashes through increased enforcement made a recent stop at the Bastrop Bucee’s.

The Texas Department of Transportation’s “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” interactive event coincided with a push from law enforcement agencies across the state, including Bastrop County. Departments have increased patrol count and citations issued to drivers who exceed the speed limit.

“Speeding is ultimately a choice drivers make behind the wheel,” said TxDOT Public Information Officer Mariah Van. “Drivers may feel the risk isn’t that high, especially when they’re in a hurry — speeding doesn’t just affect the driver, it puts everyone on the road at greater risk.”

According to TxDOT, speeding contributed to more than 150,000 crashes statewide in 2025, resulting in 1,247 deaths and 5,652 serious injuries.

Despite the grim toll, TxDOT data shows improvement year over year. Speed-related crashes fell 5% in 2025 to 150,129, down from 158,506 in 2024, while speed-related fatalities dropped 15% over the same period.

“Our goal is zero deaths on our roadways,” Van said. “To get there, we need to encourage drivers to make safer choices. For some drivers, the threat of a speeding ticket is what it takes to get them to slow down.”

The campaign is part of TxDOT’s broader “Drive like a Texan: Kind. Courteous. Safe.” initiative, which promotes safe driving habits and mutual awareness on the road.

“Drive like a Texan is about taking pride in looking out for one another on the road,” Van said. “Putting that message into practice means giving other drivers space, obeying traffic laws, driving a safe speed, staying focused behind the wheel and making decisions that help protect everyone.”

With summer travel underway, Van urged drivers to plan ahead.

“Give yourselves plenty of time to reach your destination and always remember that arriving a few minutes later is better than risking a crash,” she said.

City Council agreed earlier this month to formally repeal a voter- approved marijuana decriminalization ordinance, a move officials say could finally close out more than two years of litigation with the Texas Attorney General’s office.

The repeal was authorized under the Elgin Home Rule Charter, which allows council to strike a citizen-initiated ordinance two years after being passed. Voters approved the original measure in November 2022 with more than 70% in favor of eliminating enforcement for lowlevel marijuana offences. The ordinance reached the ballot through a citizen petition organized by Decriminalize Elgin, though City Attorney Mark Schroeder said it conflicted with state law from the start.

“It went to the ballot — it passed — you were subsequently sued by the attorney general because of the illegality of that ordinance,” Schroeder said. “More than two years have passed, so now you are able to repeal.”

According to Schroeder, the repeal could effectively end the legal dispute.

“If this ordinance is repealed, it would essentially make the lawsuit moot because there would be no ordinance to challenge,” he said.

The city and attorney general’s office had previously reached a consent decree in June 2024, declaring the ordinance void and removing it from Elgin’s code.

While officials agreed not to implement the ordinance, Police Chief Chris Noble said at the time the department would continue operating within the “spirit of the ordinance” by not actively pursuing lowlevel marijuana cases.

It was not addressed at the meeting whether that practice will change once the ordinance is formally repealed.

“This would just be a cleanup to put to rest any questions as to whether or not this ordinance exists and is enforceable,” Schroeder said.

Council members also asked what would happen if they declined to repeal the ordinance.

According to Schroeder, the case would continue before the Texas Supreme Court, adding more legal work and costs for the city.

The litigation remained active after the consent decree because Decriminalize Elgin Chair Courtenay Paris sought to intervene in the case. A trial court denied the request, which led to an appeal that argued the court should have first found whether the attorney general had authority to bring the lawsuit before dismissing the group’s intervention.

Richard Gladden, an attorney representing Decriminalize Elgin, said the repeal changed the legal landscape by making the Supreme Court case moot and eliminating any precedential value from lower court rulings in the case.

“What it means is the legal horizon is exactly the same way it was before the Attorney General ever filed a lawsuit,” Gladden said.

Gladden disputes the city’s position that courts have determined the ordinance violated state law. He said no Texas appellate court has ruled on the merits of whether local marijuana decriminalization ordinances are lawful, arguing previous appellate decisions involving Austin and San Marcos addressed only whether the attorney general was entitled to a temporary injunction while those cases proceeded.

He also said Decriminalize Elgin is considering circulating a new petition to place another marijuana decriminalization ordinance before voters and discussing whether to pursue recall petitions against council members who voted to repeal the measure.

Schroeder said repealing the ordinance removes the basis for the intervenors’ claims, since the city would be exercising its own charter authority to eliminate the ordinance rather than defending its legality in court.

The five-month investigation targeting the manufacture and distribution of illicit substances resulted in warrants being served July 23 in the 100 block of West Point Way in Elgin and the 400 block of Gano Street in Taylor, deputies said in a release.

According to the July 24 statement, the Taylor site “was identified as a location where (a suspect) was allegedly distributing narcotics. Further investigation also indicated that narcotics were being stored at this residence.”

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Trevor Hunt, 34, who lived at the Elgin residence, is charged with the manufacture/ delivery of methamphetamine and cocaine, and marijuana possession. Deputies also said Cynthia Alderete, 36, is charged with possession of a controlled substance 1 to 4 grams.

Items seized by law officers at the Taylor residence include methamphetamines, cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms and marijuana. Discovered at the Elgin residence, investigators said, were crystal meth and meth pills, powder cocaine and crack cocaine, marijuana, THC vapes, promethazine, a loaded revolver, a “loaded Taurus handgun” and $5,000 in cash.

Both Alderete and Hunt were booked into the Bastrop County Jail July 23, where both suspects remained Monday evening in lieu of bond amounts of $50,000 and $250,000, respectively.

“This investigation highlights the importance of multi-agency coordination and partnerships,” the sheriff’s release noted.

Participating agencies and units included the sheriff’s Organized Crime Unit, sheriff’s Special Weapons and Tactics team, the Texas Department of Public Safety Major Drug Unit 6C1 and the Elgin Police Department, investigators said.

Peace officers said anonymous tips on crimes can be submitted through the sheriff’s Organized Crime Unit Tipline at 512-943-1170 or by emailing drug humantraffickinginfo@wilco.org.

Tipsters can also reach out to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-253-7867, through the free P3Tips mobile app, or online by visiting wilcocrimestoppers.org/sitemenu.aspx?ID=316&.

“We have to put some guardrails around this industry, or we’re going to be in a huge train wreck.”— Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller 

BASTROP — Area residents gathered July 22 for a community- focused town hall to push for greater transparency and local oversight over data center development in Bastrop County.

The event follows recent company- hosted meetings including a series of EdgeConneX town halls that many said left pressing questions unresolved. Attendees continued to explore concerns about the company’s projects in Cedar Creek, where one data center is under construction near Wolf Lane and FM 535 and two more remain in development.

Residents are considering how the facilities may affect future development and long-term impacts on water resources, electric demand, noise, farmland and nearby neighborhoods.

However, not every speaker opposed the statewide spike in development.

CALLS FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION 

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller told attendees he supports technological growth but believes the state has moved too quickly without adequate safeguards.

“We have to put some guardrails around this industry, or we’re going to be in a huge train wreck,” Miller said. “We’re losing a farm a week.”

Miller has called for a one-year pause on new data center development to give lawmakers time to establish statewide standards on water use, electric demand and land preservation.

When residents asked Miller about environmental repercussions tied to data center projects statewide, he said a lack of oversight is the core problem.

“These are the kinds of questions that we need the Legislature to address,” Miller said. “Right now, there’s no answer because they don’t answer to anyone. There’s no regulation — there’s no oversight.”

LOCAL PROPOSALS

Elgin attorney Nick Lealos urged county leaders to adopt what he called a “Bastrop Bill of Rights,” which would require developers seeking tax abatements to disclose water and electrical usage details, publish project documents online and support the creation of a citizen advisory committee.

“If we are included in the process … we will be better situated to both understand the cost to our county and also perhaps put a stop to some of these bad projects before they actually get off the ground,” Lealos said.

Data center proponents also took the stand.

Cameron Dodd, political director for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 520, said data center construction has become one of the largest sources of construction work in Central Texas, employing hundreds of union members.

Dodd said he supports stronger regulation but believes tax abatements can be leveraged to require labor agreements and workforce investment.

“Data centers are kind of like the main game in town when it comes to good construction work,” Dodd said. “We have hundreds of members just in our union working in them, depending on them to feed our families.”

COUNTY AUTHORITY

A letter from Commissioner Butch Carmack, read aloud during the meeting, said state law limits the county’s ability to block private commercial developments that meet legal requirements.

Carmack said tax abatements remain one of the county’s few tools to negotiate environmental protections and community benefits, and noted the county is updating its abatement policy.

A separate data center proposal from Pacifico Energy currently remains under county review.

STATE RESPONSE

The town hall came one day before Gov. Greg Abbott announced that a Henderson County data center proposed by Diode had withdrawn after failing to meet the state’s expectations.

“Data centers that want to do business in Texas must meet a clear standard,” Abbott said in a statement. “Texas requires companies to put communities first, protect our natural resources and power grid and respect the quality of life of our residents.”

Abbott also announced plans to pursue legislation requiring data centers to report annual water and electricity usage while eliminating certain tax incentives for the industry.

The event follows recent company-hosted meetings including a series of EdgeConneX town halls that many said left pressing questions unresolved. Attendees continued to explore concerns about the company’s projects in Cedar Creek, where one data center is under construction near Wolf Lane and FM 535 and two more remain in development.

Residents are considering how the facilities may affect future development and long-term impacts on water resources, electric demand, noise, farmland and nearby neighborhoods.

However, not every speaker opposed the statewide spike in development.

CALLS FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller told attendees he supports technological growth but believes the state has moved too quickly without adequate safeguards.

“We have to put some guardrails around this industry, or we’re going to be in a huge train wreck,” Miller said. “We’re losing a farm a week.”

Miller has called for a one-year pause on new data center development to give lawmakers time to establish statewide standards on water use, electric demand and land preservation.

When residents asked Miller about environmental repercussions tied to data center projects statewide, he said a lack of oversight is the core problem.

“These are the kinds of questions that we need the Legislature to address,” Miller said. “Right now, there’s no answer because they don’t answer to anyone. There’s no regulation — there’s no oversight.”

LOCAL PROPOSALS

Elgin attorney Nick Lealos urged county leaders to adopt what he called a “Bastrop Bill of Rights,” which would require developers seeking tax abatements to disclose water and electrical usage details, publish project documents online and support the creation of a citizen advisory committee.

“If we are included in the process … we will be better situated to both understand the cost to our county and also perhaps put a stop to some of these bad projects before they actually get off the ground,” Lealos said.

Data center proponents also took the stand.

Cameron Dodd, political director for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 520, said data center construction has become one of the largest sources of construction work in Central Texas, employing hundreds of union members.

Dodd said he supports stronger regulation but believes tax abatements can be leveraged to require labor agreements and workforce investment.

“Data centers are kind of like the main game in town when it comes to good construction work,” Dodd said. “We have hundreds of members just in our union working in them, depending on them to feed our families.”

COUNTY AUTHORITY

A letter from Commissioner Butch Carmack, read aloud during the meeting, said state law limits the county’s ability to block private commercial developments that meet legal requirements.

Carmack said tax abatements remain one of the county’s few tools to negotiate environmental protections and community benefits, and noted the county is updating its abatement policy.

A separate data center proposal from Pacifico Energy currently remains under county review.

STATE RESPONSE

The town hall came one day before Gov. Greg Abbott announced that a Henderson County data center proposed by Diode had withdrawn after failing to meet the state’s expectations.

“Data centers that want to do business in Texas must meet a clear standard,” Abbott said in a statement. “Texas requires companies to put communities first, protect our natural resources and power grid and respect the quality of life of our residents.”

Abbott also announced plans to pursue legislation requiring data centers to report annual water and electricity usage while eliminating certain tax incentives for the industry.

According to the Elgin Police Depa r tment , Christopher Vargas is being held without bond on unrelated charges in the Hays County Jail in San Marcos.

He awaits extradition to the Bastrop County Jail in Bastrop in connection with the homicide case, officers said.

The body of Sonya Martinez Guerra, 55, at 108-A Anderson Drive was found at 12:44 p.m. June 30 when police, the Elgin Fire Department and paramedics responded to a welfare check, according to a city news release.

“Guerra sustained obvious trauma to her body,” the release noted.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact Detective Dylan Judd at 512-285-5757 or Dylan. Judd@ElginTexas.gov.

Commissioners voted last week to apply for a federal grant to purchase protective equipment for the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office, over objections from residents who feared the funding could draw the county into immigration enforcement.

The application discussed July 13 targets Category 2 of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bridging Immigration-Related Deficits Experienced Nationwide (BIDEN) program, which funds law enforcement technology and equipment. County officials said the application does not seek funding for detention facilities and has no connection to immigration enforcement.

Applications for the DOJ’s $3 billion grant program opened June 15 after it was authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The DOJ has not released a list of applicants, making it unclear how many Texas counties have applied.

The grant would provide ballistic helmets, armor plates, tasers, trauma kits and other protective equipment for the Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team, which investigates violent crime, drug trafficking and human trafficking, according to Assistant Auditor Nicole Moore.

“Funding can be used to purchase and support multi-year implementation, ongoing subscriptions, training and maintenance of equipment … to address critical resource gaps and enhance capacity to support criminal justice operations,” Moore said.

The county clarified it is only applying for equipment funding and not for the grant category that allows construction of temporary detention centers.

Much of the public opposition centered on concerns the grant’s overall language referencing immigration enforcement could eventually pull the county deeper into federal immigration efforts.

Edie Clark, speaking on behalf of Central Texas Interfaith, asked commissioners to postpone the vote until residents could learn more about the program.

“We have many questions about this, but few answers,” Clark said. “Will accepting federal funding mean that our county law enforcement will have to prioritize immigration enforcement over the other important work they do to keep us all safe?”

Other residents said they feared the grant could increase surveillance technology or pave the way for detention facilities. Critics were sharp with commissioners for moving forward without additional public discussion.

County officials repeatedly rejected those claims.

Moore reiterated the county is only seeking funds for safety equipment and the Sheriff’s Office is due for updated protective gear.

County Auditor Jennifer Pacheco added her office would ensure funds are spent only as approved.

“I can guarantee that these funds will not be spent for a detention center,” Pacheco said. “This is only for equipment for our sheriff’s deputies to keep them safe.”

Sheriff Maurice Cook said the grant would allow the county to replace equipment it already purchases at a lower cost to taxpayers.

“Anytime we can save the county money, we’re looking for ways of doing that,” Cook said. “I would say this would be a benefit to the county, our office and the safety of our people.”

Commissioners acknowledged that listing all three grant categories on the agenda item contributed to public confusion, since the county ultimately chose to pursue only equipment funding — Category 2.

“We’ve clearly stated what we’re planning on doing here,” Commissioner Butch Carmack said. “It’s got nothing to do with detention centers, flock cameras, whatever … We’re using this for safety equipment for our sheriff’s office — period.”

“I would say this would be a benefit to the county, our office and the safety of our people.”

— Sheriff Maurice Cook

Texas A&M Forest Service looks to purchase two helicopters as the first step toward creating a dedicated, state-managed fleet of aircraft for fighting wildfires.

The SUBARU Bell 412EPX helicopters are expected to provide faster aerial response, precision water drops and greater access to rugged terrain during wildfire suppression efforts. The first helicopter is expected to be delivered in December 2027, with the second expected three to six months later.

“Texas families and communities depend on strong protection from wildfires,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. “This investment in a dedicated fleet of firefighting aircraft gives our responders faster response times and greater strength to contain fires.”

The aircraft purchase comes as the state continues to experience increased wildfire activity. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, 6,304 wildfires burned 132,366 acres across Texas.

During those responses, wildfire suppression aircraft flew 1,589 hours and made 1,345 drops, which delivered more than 1 million gallons of water and fire retardant. The service said the new helicopters are intended to help firefighters get aerial resources to fires sooner before they can grow into larger incidents.

In 2011, the costliest and most destructive wildfire in Texas history occurred in Bastrop County. From the first week of September to the last week of October, the Bastrop County Complex Fire killed two people and injured 12 more, burning 32,000 acres. Over 1,700 homes and buildings were destroyed, inflicting $350 million in property damage.

Texas has historically relied on federal resource- sharing agreements and a partnership with the Texas Military Department for aerial wildfire suppression. Those partnerships will continue as the state develops its own fleet.

The Texas Legislature allocated $257 million to the Texas A&M Forest Service to purchase, operate and maintain the two aircraft. According to the service, the purchase is the first step in a planned two-year expansion that will add more aircraft over time, including multimission fixed-wing planes and large airtankers.

“Texas is growing, and so is the risk of catastrophic wildfire,” Chancellor Glenn Hegar said in a statement. “These aircraft will give Texas A&M Forest Service another critical tool to respond quickly, support firefighters on the ground and help protect lives, property and natural resources across our state.”

Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief Jared Karns said in a statement that the new aircraft will provide a significant addition to the state’s wildfire preparedness efforts.

“Aviation resources provide tremendous support to firefighters on the ground, including life and property saving intelligence for firefighters and access to otherwise inaccessible areas,” he said.

“Texas is growing, and so is the risk of catastrophic wildfire.”

— Chancellor Glenn Hegar, Texas A&M

A new summer program for students with dyslexia and other learning gaps is preparing to expand after wrapping up its inaugural four-week session with strong demand for next year.

Chosen Women Empower launched the UnlockEd Summer Institute last month, serving 10 students with individualized academic instruction, including STEM activities, sports development and leadership programming. With no cost to participating families, the program already has 41 students on a waitlist for next summer, according to CEO and founder Chevalier DeShay.

“We didn’t know what the response would be,” DeShay said. “The overwhelming response from families has reinforced the need for this type of programming.”

DeShay added the program was created in response to academic gaps that widened during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for students with dyslexia and different educational demands.

“For myself living in Bastrop County, I have to drive my child to Austin for an education that makes up that gap,” she said. “So, I thought about all the other parents and students who don’t have that luxury.”

The institute combines five nationally recognized educational models into its curriculum —DIBELS 8 for reading comprehension, IXL for mathematics, creative STEM enrichment, sports development and a house system focused on teamwork and leadership.

All of this is delivered at a one-to-two teacher- to-student ratio that allows educators to tailor lessons to child-specific needs.

According to DeShay, the small class size was intentional, based in part on her family’s experience supporting a child with dyslexia.

“The teachers were just as excited as the students,” DeShay said. “The funny thing is we have teachers on the wait list to actually teach next summer.”

Grants, community donations and local partnerships help make the program free for families.

“The funding is truly necessary,” DeShay said. “We need help to step into the education realm and understand that when our children are struggling, it really does cause a health impact, but then it also causes a household impact.”

With demand for the program already exceeding its capacity, the nonprofit plans to expand in 2027 and continue to reach more students across Bastrop County.

“The funny thing is we have teachers on the wait list to actually teach next summer.”

— Chevalier DeShay, UnlockEd Summer Institute CEO and founder

A Bastrop County nonprofit has expanded its maternal health program to offer free pregnancy and postpartum support to Black mothers Backed by a rural health grant from the St. David’s Foundation, Chosen Women Empower recently launched Chosen Beginnings, replacing its earlier Empowered Beginnings program, which focused solely on doula services. The expanded program adds health monitoring devices that transmit data through a secure mobile app, allowing licensed providers to intervene quickly if health indicators raise concern, according to CEO and founder Chevalier DeShay.

“Now that we have this program exactly how we want it … we’re already seeing changes in mom’s health and what mom is going through,” DeShay said.

New equipment available includes blood pressure monitors, glucometers and activity trackers.

“The funding allowed us to wave our magic wand and create what was needed in rural Texas,” DeShay said.

Staff also screen participants for social factors such as food insecurity, housing instability and utility needs, connecting families with resources as issues arise.

According to DeShay, one of the program’s early findings has been the need to advocate for younger mothers, whose concerns are sometimes overlooked during medical appointments.

“My team has had to step in to advocate for them to get to a place where everybody is feeling heard,” she said.

The organization has already welcomed its first baby under the program and will continue supporting the family through the child’s first year, helping ensure wellness visits are completed and addressing social needs as they come up.

“We’ll still walk with the mom for 12 months post pregnancy,” DeShay said. With the transition to Chosen Beginnings, the nonprofit looks to further shape its unique mission and identity within the community.

“You cannot empower a woman unless you’re empowering every step of her life,” DeShay said. “Our team is always available. Our goal at Chosen Women Empower is truly to create healthy communities.”

All services are provided at no cost through grant funding and community support.

More information can be found at chosenwomenempower.org.

Elgin’s oldest home is headed into public ownership after City Council recently voted to accept a historic property donation and set the stage for future preservation efforts.

The city agreed to accept the Mary Christian Burleson Homestead and surrounding property from the Mary Christian Burleson Foundation. The move comes after months of discussions on costs associated with maintaining the homestead as part of the city’s park system.

The donation includes $7,000 to be put toward an estimated $30,000 in improvements needed to make the grounds safe and accessible for public use, leaving the city to fund the remaining $23,000 from the general fund.

That estimate only covers making the grounds safe for public access, according to Recreation Program Manager Riggin Anderson, and does not include further restoration or renovations needed for the home itself.

Proposed improvements include decorative fencing around the house, filling two abandoned wells, landscaping, trail connections and signage detailing the site’s history. Filling the two wells would cost around $6,400, while decorative wrought-iron fencing is estimated at about $8,000, according to Anderson.

City Manager Robert Eads said the immediate priority after taking ownership would be addressing safety concerns before any interior work is considered.

“If the intent was to go any further, we would have to find that money if we wanted to step inside and start making those improvements,” Eads said. “We don’t have an assessment yet as to what that would cost or look like.”

Council members questioned whether the city should commit to additional staffing and longterm maintenance before completing its annual budget process.

“This could be an item we take up in the next couple of weeks when we start talking about budget,” Eads said. “A steady hand and a clear mind as to where these expenses are coming from is smart business.”

Ultimately, Councilman Liston Crim encouraged the city to move forward with accepting the donation, citing the site’s historical importance.

“I don’t think we can pass it up in terms of its important part of our history,” he said.

According to officials, any future restoration work and associated costs will be considered during upcoming budget discussions.

The grant-funded County Line Road and Kennedy Street projects are designed to reduce flooding by routing stormwater beneath roadways while widening roads and improving infrastructure. Public Works Director Michael Gonzales said coordinating utility relocations from multiple providers, combined with the city’s own water and sewage infrastructure have been the primary challenges.

“Recent heavy rainfall has also affected construction, as the area’s clay-heavy soils retain significant moisture,” Gonzales said.

About 1,400 linear feet of reinforced concrete storm drainage boxes have been installed along County Line Road, where aging open bar ditches will be replaced with an enclosed drainage system. According to the city, the improvements will help with stormwater collection and roadway safety.

The corridor will also be widened from two lanes to four, with a center median and turn lane.

At Kennedy Street and Central Avenue, crews have completed installation of drainage structures and excavated the future stormwater retention area, though recent rains have continued to slow the pace.

“The contractors are finding in this area that you just kind of move that water out of the way before you can put those boxes in,” Gonzales said. “It takes time and the crews working along to get to that.”

The city has logged about 60 working days of construction with roughly 258 remaining. Gonzales said crews are also in a “discovery phase,” as they uncover older underground infrastructure that predates modern survey equipment.

“A lot of this stuff was put in the ground before survey equipment was common in Elgin,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Gonzales said the city expects to meet the grant’s end-of-year construction deadline, and the city appreciates residents’ patience as work continues.

“We’ve asked our community to make some short-term sacrifices in convenience as we work on this project that will be a long-term benefit for the community,” Gonzales said.

Additional project information and updates can be found at elgintexas. gov.

The newsroom recently shuffled some roles.

Reporter Emily Treadway is now the area editor for the Centex Group, which includes the Courier, the Taylor Press and the Manor Journal.

Former Area Editor Jason Chlapek has switched to the digital editor role.

“Both Emily and Jason are strong journalists with significant and lasting ties to the community and a love for telling stories,” said Thomas Edwards, executive editor for Granite Media Partners Inc., which owns the papers. “They’re both dedicated to covering the news, serving current readers and bringing in new audience members.” While Treadway will have editorial oversight for the Centex Group publications and their related platforms, Chlapek will focus on timely stories for the websites — including www.taylorpress. net — and posting news tidbits and links to digital stories through social-media channels.

“With the changing media landscape, it’s vital for media outlets — newspapers included — to push out digital content,” Chlapek said. “My goal in this new role is to get copy out quickly and accurately.”

Chlapek, a Taylor resident, began his new role July 6. A 20-year industry veteran, he has been with The Press since February 2025.

Treadway also started with The Press in February 2025. She began her current assignment July 6 after serving the previous 15 months as an education and general assignments reporter.

She also lives in the area.

“We already have a great paper and a great team in place. We’re very excited about the changes here and hope the community will be, too,” Treadway said.

For news tips, contact Chlapek or Treadway by email at jason.chlapek@ granitemediapaertners. com or emily.treadway@taylorpress.net or call 512-352-8535.

To subscribe to The Press, email carolyn. hill@taylorpress.net or call 512-352-8535.

The pursuit involved the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Austin Police Department’s Air Support Unit, the Manor Police Department and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.

The teen, who is not being identified because he is a minor, is charged under juvenile statutes by Austin police with burglary of a vehicle and aggravated robbery; and evading arrest in a vehicle, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and reckless driving by Manor police.

According to authorities, Manor police received a report of an aggravated robbery about 9:30 p.m. Saturday near U.S. 290 and George Bush Street in east Austin.

Manor police spotted the vehicle about 9:40 p.m. on Abigail Fillmore Road, officers said. According to authorities, the driver sped off and drove through the Presidential Glen neighborhood before heading west on 290.

The motorist turned onto Harris Branch Parkway, stopped not much later and was arrested without incident, police said.

Jacob Johns, 43, was taken into custody by Elgin Police Department officers about 9 a.m. July 1 on a warrant from the Bastrop Police Department. He is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child, a first-degree felony, and is being held in the Bastrop County Jail.

According to Elgin Independent School District officials, Johns was hired as a substitute teacher in January and had been pursuing a permanent teaching and coaching position with the district for the fall.

He previously served as an educator and coach at Cedar Creek High School in Bastrop Independent School District from August 2024 to January 2026.

More on this case to come in the Courier.

William Ewer, 58, died from injuries suffered in the mishap and his spouse, 54-year-old Brenda Ewer, was airlifted to an area hospital in stable condition, according to officers.

The driver of the other vehicle was detained by the Manor Police Department and charged with no driver’s license, officials said.

Authorities said the two-vehicle collision occurred near U.S. 290 and Old Kimbro Road about 4:30 a.m.

When officers arrived, one vehicle was in the middle of the roadway and the other was off the blacktop in a fence line, according to reports.

The driver and a passenger in the other vehicle were not injured and remained at the accident site, police said.

First responders with Travis County Emergency Services District 12 pulled Brenda Ewer from the vehicle before a STAR Flight medical helicopter arrived.

William Ewer, who drove the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident remains under investigation, police said.

The Texas Talent Connection grants, administered by the Texas Workforce Investment Council, support education, skills training and job placement programs for Texans facing workforce barriers, according to officials. Four local programs were among the total 27 recipients.

“The Texas economy soars to new heights because of the hard work and dedication of our young and skilled workforce,” Abbott said in a statement. “These grants will allow more Texans to acquire the skills they need to succeed in high-demand careers.”

Locally, the Rural Capital Area Workforce Development Board received $236,709 for the second year of its Rural Pre-Nursing Readiness and Education Program. The funds will help connect underserved rural residents with employer partnerships and educational pathways toward nursing degrees.

The Smithville Workforce Training Center received $350,000 for the first year of its Auto Works Technician Program.

The center will offer automotive technician training to workers in Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette and Lee counties to improve the pipeline of qualified workers and employers, officials said.

American YouthWorks was awarded $200,000 for its effort with area residents ages 16-24, offering no-cost pre-apprenticeship training for those not enrolled in school or employed.

Skillpoint Alliance also claimed $200,000 for the first year of its IGNITE project, which looks to guide students transitioning from electrical pre-apprenticeship into registered apprenticeship programs.

“As we train our future workforce, Texas will remain the economic engine of the country,” Abbott said.

Officers discovered the body of Sonya Martinez Guerra, 55, at 108-A Anderson Drive on the afternoon of June 30. An investigation revealed she had sustained trauma to her body.

Police have identified Christopher Vargas, 33, as a person of interest in connection with the death.

As of July 6, Vargas was being held in the Hays County Jail in San Marcos on unrelated charges and awaits transfer to the Bastrop County Jail, where he will be held on a $1 million bond for burglary of a habitation with intent to commit another crime.

Additional charges and a higher bond amount are possible as the investigation continues, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Dylan Judd at 512-285-5757 or Dylan.Judd@ElginTexas.gov.

Families and community members gathered July 4 at Elgin VFW Post 6115 to celebrate America’s

250th birthday with a day of patriotic activities, live music, food and craft vendors, children’s games and a silent auction before a fireworks display capped the evening. The celebration began with a public reading of the Constitution and included a community sing-along and birthday cake honoring the nation’s semiquincentennial, drawing residents together for Independence Day festivities along Old Sayers Road.

Photos by Frank Gagliano

A Georgetown man who failed to appear for a Bastrop County trial on child sexual assault charges was arrested by U.S. Marshals in a remote Oregon forest last week, officials said.

Kenneth Leatherwood, 41, was taken into custody without incident June 23 near Agness, Oregon, in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, according to reports. He had been scheduled to appear June 15 in the 335th District Court on two counts of continuous sexual assault of a child and three counts of indecency with a child — all felony offenses.

After Leatherwood failed to appear, investigators determined he had been working in the Roswell, New Mexico area.

Authorities said he stole a vehicle from his employer, which was recovered June 16 near Agness. A search of a cabin in the forest turned up a firearm, a survival book and personal belongings.

Leatherwood is accused of committing sexual acts against two children under the age of 17, including one under 14, on multiple occasions between October 2016 and October 2020.

He awaits extradition to Texas.

Photos courtesy of Heather Bloom