At its May 12 meeting, City Council committed to reducing fatalities and serious injury crashes by 50% by 2035 and eliminating them entirely by 2050, aligning with the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) and Texas Road to Zero initiatives.

The pledge comes as Texas Department of Transportation data shows 446 crashes involving 905 vehicles were reported in Bastrop in 2025, with nearly 1,200 people involved. Countywide, 2,335 crashes were reported during the same period.

Mayor Pro Tem John Kirkland said at first he was concerned about the state’s push for a zero fatality goal. “The only conceivable way to do that is to shut off our roads,” Kirkland said. “Given that the goal is not actually achievable, is that a concern? Is there a penalty for not getting to that?”

Business and Community Development Manager Jill Strube said there is no punishment tied to the goal and that the effort is about establishing a downward trend.

Council members approved two pedestrian safety projects to be submitted as SS4A grant applications.

The first would improve crosswalks, striping and signage at Chestnut and Martin Luther King Jr. streets. The second would improve intersections, signage and crosswalks on Texas 95 from north of Pine Street to south of Emile Street.

Officials said the projects would cost $1.2 million total, with an approved grant covering 80% and the city responsible for about $240,000.

Casey Tew, 31, was sentenced in the 21st District Court to two years in state jail on four counts of unlawful disclosure of intimate visual material, a state jail felony. He also received five years of probation through the Community Supervision and Corrections Department.

According to county records, Tew disclosed visual material of the victim exposed and engaging in sexual conduct in September 2024.

Records said some of the material, intended harm or embarrass the victim, was posted to social media.

Tew was arrested the same month and posted a $250,000 bond a few days later. He was indicted in November 2024.

The downtown business began with a “quiet opening” May 22, allowing staff to test operations and gather customer feedback before doors fully open in June. Managing partner Jose Salazar said the phased schedule is designed to help the business refine its menu and customer experience while reconnecting with the Elgin community.

“We’re kind of just testing the waters out here,” Salazar said. “We want to really get that feedback from all the guests and the community to see what we’re missing and how we can improve their experience.”

During the four-week soft opening period, the business plans to rotate menus weekly while testing concepts like Tex-Mex, bar food and appetizers. Salazar said the goal is to figure out which offerings resonate most with customers before finalizing a permanent menu.

“We’re going to have a customer box up front where they can leave us a note to say what they loved and what they didn’t love,” Salazar said. “We want to see what Elgin really likes.”

Salazar recently became managing partner alongside existing owners Cody and Stacey Mauck, who remain involved behind the scenes. He said he and his wife, Magdalena, plan to take a more hands-on role in daily operations.

The restaurant previously relied on food trucks for dining service, but Salazar said feedback showed many customers wanted a more traditional restaurant experience.

“What we’re doing is we’re bringing a different concept in … we’re actually adding servers, hostesses and bartenders,” Salazar said. “This is going to be more of a restaurant bar and grill.”

According to Salazar, the venue will continue hosting live bands and karaoke nights while working to create a more family-oriented atmosphere.

“We want this to be where you come out with your family and you enjoy a nice dinner at a good quality price,” he said. “We want to have a huge impact on the community.”

Millie’s plans to gradually expand operating days and hours during the reopening period and eventually add lunch service.

Jessica Jaimes was appointed to the position at the May 19 meeting following the resignation of Councilwoman Joy Casnovsky. Jaimes and fellow applicant Rick Harden each presented their qualifications to council, which voted by majority to select the new representative.

Casnovsky’s resignation letter, read aloud by Mayor Theresa McShan, cited her family’s relocation outside Elgin.

“It has been a true honor to represent the residents of Ward 1 since 2022 and work alongside you to address our city’s needs,” Casnovsky wrote.

Under the Elgin Home Rule Charter, when a council vacancy occurs more than 90 days before the next regular election, the dais appoints a replacement rather than calling a special election.

The city plans to hold a special election in November to allow Ward 1 voters to permanently fill the seat. Candidate filing deadlines will be announced once the election date is formally set, according to the city.

— Chief Bob Prendergast honors and remembrance ceremonies.

Three-volley salute, taps played by Bastrop vets

BASTROP — The Bastrop County Veterans Honor Guard (BCVHG) drew a crowd May 22 and paid respects to fallen service members with a special Memorial Day ceremony.

The honors, held at Silver Pines Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, featured a three-volley salute using M1 Garands and the playing of taps. Bastrop Mayor Ishmael Harris said the holiday carries weight beyond the long weekend.

“It is a time for memory, time for honor and a time for paying homage,” Harris said.

The BCVHG is a volunteer organization made up of veterans from multiple U.S. military branches, certified by the Department of War to provide military honors for veterans and their families in Bastrop County and surrounding areas.

The three-volley salute traces its roots to Civil War battlefield traditions, according to officials, when opposing armies temporarily paused fighting to recover fallen soldiers and the wounded.

“Memorial Day is for the veterans that didn’t come home,” Chief Bob Prendergast said. “We’re here for them.”

Commander John Hobbs said the group is dedicated to continuing its service to the community through military funeral

“We conduct the most solemn ceremony that I can imagine,” Hobbs said.

The organization relies on volunteers, donations and community support to carry out its mission. Hobbs said the honor guard is actively recruiting veterans willing to commit to serving with the group.

“To give back to the community is paramount,” Hobbs said. “We all served, but we’re not done serving.”

Mayor Theresa McShan was reelected with 459 votes cast in Bastrop and Travis counties, Roland Silva won the Ward 2 seat with 129 votes and Agatha Mayfield claimed Ward 3 with 102 votes. Brenda Pina was elected to represent Ward 4 unopposed.

“The certification of our election results reflects the will of Elgin’s voters, and I’m proud of the city’s commitment to an open and transparent process,” City Manager Robert Eads said in a statement. “We congratulate each of the newly elected officials and look forward to the work ahead on behalf of our community.”

No candidates filed to run for the Ward 1 seat held by Joy Casnovsky, whose term ends this month.

According to the Elgin Home Rule Charter, when a council vacancy occurs more than 90 days before the next regular election, the dais appoints a replacement rather than calling a special election.

The council will also select two new representatives for the Elgin Economic Development Corporation board, following the departure of council members Chuck Swain and Sue Brasher.

“Even if we’re not feeding people with just food, we’re feeding them with hope, we’re feeding them with healing.”

— Doreen Hunter, Thrive founder

A new partnership between two Elgin organizations is putting food on tables and connecting families in need with community support options.

Thrive Open Kitchen, a Thrive After Domestic Violence and Elgin Open Door Missions collaboration, held its first meal kit distribution May 16. The event provided a week’s worth of fresh ingredients to 10 local families facing food insecurity, with monthly distributions planned for the third Saturday of each month at 108 Depot St. in downtown Elgin.

“Thrive Open Kitchen is about neighbors helping neighbors,” said Thrive founder Doreen Hunter. “We are grateful to partner with Elgin Open Door Missions, whose deep connection to the Elgin community will help ensure more families know about the program and can access fresh food.”

Hunter said the idea grew from years of advocacy work with domestic violence survivors, during which she often helped struggling families by buying groceries, babysitting or providing emergency support through micro grants.

“A lot of the things I see — besides trying to escape the actual domestic violence that these families are in — is they have other concerns,” she said. “And one of them is food insecurity.”

Elgin Open Door Missions, a local church and food pantry led by Sister Irene Marapao, is serving as the distribution site.

The partnership helps expand the church’s reach, according to Marapao.

“If you come in and say, ‘I’m hungry,’ we’re going to feed you,” she said. “It doesn’t matter who you are. We have to help each other. If we’re a self-sufficient community, then we’re an example to others.”

Both Hunter and Marapao said community support will be crucial to expand the program beyond its initial 10 families. The initiative is built to grow as more volunteers, sponsors and local farm partners get involved.

Thrive Open Kitchen’s long-term goal, according to Hunter, is to create a dedicated kitchen and community space that could serve meals and support other nonprofit efforts.

Residents in Elgin, Manor, Paige, Littig, Kimbro, McDade, Webberville, Sayersville, Coupland, Bastrop and Giddings are all eligible to register for assistance.

“Even if we’re not feeding people with just food, we’re feeding them with hope, we’re feeding them with healing,” Hunter said.

Registration details and more information is available at thriveafterdv.com.

The deal with water technology company VVater brings a new chemical-free treatment process to Bastrop. The Austin-based company’s system looks to ensure the city can scale with modern demand and is prepared for the continued development officials say is unavoidable.

“As a city, we have a responsibility to make sure our water infrastructure is ready for the growth that’s coming,” Mayor Ishmael Harris said in a statement. “Working with VVater gives us an opportunity to explore new technology and be at the forefront of efforts aimed at improving how we efficiently treat and reuse water for our community.”

VVater uses an electricity- based treatment process rather than traditional chemical, filter and membrane systems, according to officials. The process is designed to remove contaminants like synthetic “forever chemicals” and microplastics, and reduce energy and operational costs.

“Legacy systems … were built for a different era, and they’re showing their age,” VVater CEO Kevin Gast said.

The company claims its technology can reduce costs by 40%, operating expenses by 80% and energy consumption by 40%. Officials said it has treated more than 4.3 billion gallons of water globally in municipal, industrial and commercial sectors. “The U.S. water crisis has stopped being a future problem,” Gast said. “It’s happening now, and cities are waking up to the fact that legacy treatment wasn’t built for what’s coming.”

A recent partnership with Nestle has also helped build confidence among cities exploring the technology, according to Gast, and Bastrop could serve as a model for other municipalities with water management concerns.

“Nestle runs on VVater to meet stringent quality standards at a pace few other operators can match,” Gast said. “In five years, Bastrop is the model. It’s the city that other municipalities point to and say, ‘That’s how you build for growth.’”

Elgin Independent School District Superintendent Jana Rueter announced plans to retire Dec. 31 after 34 years in public education.

Her last day serving as superintendent will be June 30, after which she will transition into the role of superintendent emeritus through the end of the year. Rueter, who has led the district since July 2022, credited Elgin ISD staff, administrators and community members for supporting student success.

“After a deeply fulfilling tenure as superintendent, I am announcing my retirement with an overflowing heart of gratitude and immense pride in all that this remarkable district has accomplished together,” Rueter said in a statement.

Board President Byron Mitchell praised Rueter’s leadership and said the district benefited from her focus on collaboration and student opportunity during her time.

“Dr. Rueter has been a tireless visionary for Elgin ISD,” Mitchell said. “Along with the board, Dr. Rueter has focused Elgin ISD and its stakeholders on identifying and developing the strengths and gifts of every child.”

During the past four years with Rueter at the helm, the district passed a $375 million bond package. The move will fund projects including Legacy Oak Middle School, scheduled to open next year, and expansions for athletics and technical education facilities after her departure.

According to the district, Elgin ISD has grown by about 1,200 students and earned recognition as a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase District under Rueter.

Aden Galindo faces a third-degree felony smuggling charge and a state-jail felony charge of unlawful transfer of a firearm to a person under 18 in the 335th District Court. He was arrested in October and posted a $150,000 bond Nov. 7 under the condition he not possess or attempt to possess a firearm, county records show.

Galindo and another suspect were both arrested Oct. 16 by Elgin police, with assistance from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office and Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team. Reports said investigators seized 14 firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and more than $4,000 in cash.

Officials noted the suspects may have supplied a firearm to Jayden Sherrod, 17. Sherrod is currently being held in the Bastrop County Jail on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of Jowel Wallace A pretrial hearing for Sherrod is set for June 8 in the 21st District Court.

Responding officers found Wallace dead inside a residence on Jefferson Cove, along with a spent .40-caliber Glock casing in a nearby closet.

Elgin police initially described the shooting as an isolated incident between acquaintances but said the arrests may indicate a broader investigation into illegal firearms trafficking.

According to an affidavit, a witness told investigators she observed a male argue with Wallace during a video call, point a gun at him and say he would shoot. She reported hearing the argument continue until a single gunshot rang out and the call went blank.

A suspect also told officers he was armed, pointed the gun at Wallace and pulled the trigger after Wallace moved toward him in an attempt to take the firearm, according to the affidavit.

City Council approved moving forward on a federal grant application May 5 to help advance planning for County Line Road Phase 3, a project Elgin officials say remains a top priority.

The resolution authorizes City Manager Robert Eads to seek services from Kimley-Horn Engineers for grant writing connected to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. According to officials, SS4A aims to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries through planning studies and infrastructure improvements.

Public Works Director Michael Gonzales said the grant could help advance planning for the section of County Line Road connecting to FM 1100, including pedestrian improvements like sidewalks.

“We are thinking about any funding opportunity … The number one question we got was 'When exactly are you going to start on Phase 3?'” Gonzales said, referencing a recent public engagement meeting at First Baptist Church. “We're thinking about Phase 3 just as much as any of our constituents.” 

The city scaled its proposal back from $40,000 to about $10,000 after determining it would be more competitive pursuing only the planning portion of the grant, rather than both planning and implementation.

“To make sure we're spending wisely, let's go after this $10,000 portion that we are most likely to get,” Eads said.

The city has also coordinated with the Texas Department of Transportation, which is pursuing funding for the corridor through the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. Gonzales said the parallel efforts could strengthen the case for both. 

“Both of us working on it together should, in my mind, bring some gravity to the situation,” he said.

Elgin has once again earned accredited status as a 2026 nationally designated Main Street America city, the organization’s highest designation level.

Of 1,291 communities nationwide, only 838 achieved the designation, which recognizes long-term downtown revitalization and economic impact efforts. Elgin has participated in the Texas Main Street Program since 1990 and has maintained accredited status since 1999.

“This recognition reflects years of collaboration and commitment from our board, volunteers, city leadership, business owners and community partners,” Main Street Manager Kristina Alvarez said in a statement.

Since joining, more than $42 million has been reinvested into downtown Elgin through public and private investments, according to officials.

“We are proud to continue building on Elgin’s historic character,” Alvarez said.

City Manager Robert Eads called the designation a testament to what sustained, community- driven investment can accomplish over time “From restored storefronts to new businesses opening their doors, the results speak for themselves,” he said.

Community involvement plays a major role in the program’s success, according to the city, particularly through the annual Hogeye Festival. Serving as a primary fundraiser, the festival helps fund downtown grants, public art and revitalization efforts.

Main Street America reported that accredited programs nationwide generated $9.4 billion in local reinvestment in 2025, along with nearly 6,900 new businesses and more than 36,500 new jobs on average.

BASTROP — Bastrop recently hired its first business and community development manager, a newly created role focused on internal growth. 

The city and Bastrop Economic Development Corporation brought on Dr. Jill Strube to fill the position aimed at strengthening local businesses. Officials said Strube will build a local “economic gardening” strategy designed to help existing businesses bloom rather than recruiting outside industry.

“This is new to Bastrop,” Strube said. “A lot of what the EDC has been doing is more business recruitment, but one of the reasons they were interested in bringing me on board was the work I had done with the quality-of-life side of economic development.”

Strube brings more than 17 years of experience in grant and economic development, most recently serving as economic development director in Smithville. She said her work will center on workforce development, entrepreneurial support and expanding community resources, noting that businesses often choose locations based on livability as much as economic factors. 

“Businesses are looking to come stay in communities that they like to be in,” she said.

Among early initiatives is a program to guide new and expanding businesses through permitting, inspections and planning. A broader education program for small and startup businesses is expected to launch later this year.

“We just want to make sure that we're giving people the chance to really get at that dream and make that dream a reality,” Strube said.

Supporting small businesses is critical to maintaining economic stability, according to Strube, as larger industries take root in the region. 

She added addressing workforce needs and affordable housing will be key challenges moving forward. 

“I’m trying to help stabilize the community so that where there are pockets of neighborhoods that are struggling, we can get them resources they need to thrive,” Strube said. “We want to continue to stabilize the community so that there’s not a lot of displacement with all the growth.” 

Rotting from untreated wood, used in both the original construction and later repairs, has caused the structure to lean about 4 degrees, according to officials. Though the gazebo is not currently unsafe, it has deteriorated to the point where reconstruction is the better option. 

“At this time, the gazebo out front of the historic jail is in disrepair,” said Leon Scaife, a county purchasing agent. “It's not dangerous at this point, but it is to the point where it needs to be reconstructed.”

The county approved hiring preservation architecture firm Architexas for $9,600 to design and oversee the replacement, plus an additional $800 for Texas Historical Commission permits. The project will be paid for using hotel occupancy tax funds, according to commissioners.

The historical commission initially preferred removing the gazebo to restore the courthouse grounds to its old appearance, but agreed to allow reconstruction if the new structure closely resembles its original look.

“As long as we put it back to the earliest known photos … we can reconstruct that,” Scaife said. 

According to Architexas and project documents, the current 14-foot octagonal gazebo likely dates to 2009 and was modeled after a bandstand dedicated during the 1976 bicentennial celebration. 

The county also provided evidence of an earlier gazebo on the courthouse square dating from about 1935 to 1941.

The firm and county officials emphasized the importance of the structure to the community, noting weddings, veterans events and local gatherings as reasons for keeping the gazebo standing. 

Under the contract, Architexas will review historic documents, measure the existing structure and surrounding pathways, prepare construction documents and coordinate with the historic commission.

A ribbon cutting Thursday celebrated the debut of Dynamic Systems Inc., which will manufacture heating, ventilation, air conditioning and plumbing components for large companies in Central Texas, such as Taylor’s nearby Samsung Austin Semiconductor.

“We make buildings live and breathe,” said DSI division manager Matthew Taylor at the ceremony, which included local dignitaries including Mayor Russell Schmidt.

The mayor and other officials said the new business could herald a trend in which more industries are locating to the Blackland Prairie and specifically the small city between Elgin and Taylor, where a John Deere equipment testing facility recently opened.

During the event, Coupland DSI operations manager Adam Roche said the opening of the Coupland facility signaled a great day for the company and the community.

“It’s the beginning of a long-term partnership,” Roche said.

Taylor said the Coupland DSI location will focus on high-purity infrastructure for semiconductor and biopharmaceutical companies handling large volumes of gases and chemicals that require more resilient stainless-steel pipes and carriers.

Like many of its contractors, the company also has a clean room to work on its pipes and delivery systems.

“We’re talking about cleanliness on a microscopic level,” Taylor said. “The smallest of particles can affect the manufacturing processes.”

DSI opened in 1988 and remained privately owned until summer 2025, with an annual income over half a billion dollars, company officials said.

Nationwide, the company employs more than 3,000 people with 500 of them in Central Texas. About 50 workers, many from the area, initially will staff the Coupland location and more growth is anticipated in the next few years, officials said. Guests at the May 7 event included DSI executives, employees and their families; local officials such as state Rep. Caroline Harris Davila and Harold Glasscock, outreach coordinator for U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions; and Schmidt.

Voters across Bastrop County cast ballots May 2 on a lineup of local races, with countywide turnout reaching about 12%, according to unofficial results.

Of 18,253 registered local voters, 2,214 turned in general election tickets. The count represents a nearly 4% increase compared to the 2025 general election, which saw 4,084 ballots cast among a larger pool of 53,036 registered voters.

All results remain unofficial until canvassed.

ELGIN

The Elgin City Council dais will see several new faces, though not in the mayoral seat.

Incumbent Mayor Theresa McShan secured her reelection with 56% of the Bastrop County vote, receiving 416 tallies to challenger Stephanie Lippke’s 319.

Lippke did claim the majority of Travis County votes, 40 of the total 62, or 65%.

In the Ward 2 council race, Roland Silva won with 71% of the vote, defeating Wes Callais and incumbent Chuck Swain.

The Ward 3 seat was closer, as Agatha Christi Mayfield won with 53% over Al Rodriguez’s 46%. Rodriguez had held the position since 2022.

Brenda Gullikson Pina ran unopposed in Ward 4.

Elgin Independent School District trustee races produced clear outcomes. Byron Mitchell retained the District 1 seat with nearly 78% of the vote over Michael Clowdus, and Cheryl Reese took District 2 with 62%, ahead of Cherish White and Dennis Saint Ives.

BASTROP

With a landslide win, Ishmael Harris will remain Bastrop’s mayor. He recorded 477 votes to challenger Joseph Stanfield’s 87, or 84% of the total.

Kevin Plunkett was unopposed in the Place 3 City Council race.

A proposition regarding Bastrop County Water Control Improvement District No. 3 failed. Three of four votes were cast against a measure that would have canceled the district’s authority to issue $6.7 million in previously approved bonds for improvements in the Elm Ridge defined area.

SMITHVILLE

The contested Smithville City Council races showed narrow margins.

Wini Griffin won the Place 4 race against Mitchell Jameson with just under 53% of ballots. Dana Tovar defeated Cathy Meek to earn the Place 5 seat, taking about 57%.

Sharon Foerster will remain mayor after running unopposed.

MCDADE

McDade Independent School District’s Proposition A failed, as 60% of voters sided against the move.

The proposition would have funded $4.5 million in development for school buildings and improvements through a property tax increase.

New $2.5M response center one of six statewide, will host Lost Pines Task Force

SMITHVILLE — Officials broke ground on a new Texas A&M Forest Service facility in Bastrop County last week, part of a statewide effort to expand wildfire response and forest management capabilities.

The Smithville location is the third of six planned facilities across Texas, funded through a capital investment approved by the system’s Board of Regents. Officials said the expanded space will allow for faster response times, better training and increased resources to support local communities as wildfire assistance requests continue to grow.

“This new building will be a long-term home for the forest service here and a clear signal that we’re here to stay,” said Jeff Savell, vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences. “It’s a promise of being close to the people we serve.”

The facility will cost $2.5 million and include a 4,400-squaref oot si ngle - s tor y building with multiple equipment sheds. Construction is estimated to last through the remainder of the year, with the facility fully operational in 2027.

Officials said the new space will serve as the central hub for the Lost Pines Task Force, which handles emergency responses and wildfire readiness in the region.

“We now have the room to bring in additional resources, host larger training courses and respond more effectively when it matters most,” said Reilly Ruggiero, wildland urban interface coordinator.

The agency has operated in Bastrop County since the 1990s, relocating multiple times as staff and demand grew following wildfire seasons, including the devastating 2011 fires. Leaders selected the Schulze Tract in Smithville as a permanent home, citing its suitability to support operations.

“This area is no stranger to fire history,” said Brian Hurtuk, regional operations chief. “We’re excited to be putting our feet down in our permanent home here and having a stake in both the fire response as well as the forest management and getting ready for the fire and recovering after the fire.”

Al Davis, director of the Texas A&M Forest Service, emphasized the facility’s importance in strengthening emergency responses and local partnerships.

“People don’t get to do this because they want to be rich … they do this because they are self less, professional servants,” Davis said. “We don’t do it alone, we do it with a lot of partners.”

“People don’t get to do this because they want to be rich … they do this because they are selfless, professional servants.”

— Al Davis, Texas A&M Forest Service

The 15-acre property at Texas 95 and Farm Street was originally planned for a 75-unit townhome development before being reclassified as part of a flood plain, halting the project. The city purchased the lot and, with the parks and recreation master plan calling for diversity in sporting options, began exploring the possibility of a golf course.

City Manager Carrillo-Trevino engaged the National Golf Foundation to conduct a feasibility study, which concluded the site has the characteristics needed for golf course development and that Bastrop can sustain a small par-3 course.

“Quality of life is a component that we really can’t measure in dollar bills, and we have to provide it for our community,” Councilwoman Cynthia Meyer said at the April 28 City Council meeting.

According to the city, estimated construction costs reach $3.5 million, with about $2 million more needed for facilities like a clubhouse or maintenance shed.

Carrillo-Trevino said the course could generate $800,000 in its second year of operation but would need additional revenue through sponsorships, grants and events to cover staffing and maintenance costs. Birthday parties, company events and food trucks could all support the course’s revenue stream.

Beyond recreation, she said the course would also serve as a detention pond to aid in flood prevention.

Nathan Crace, an award-winning golf course architect who worked with the foundation on the study, said the design would incorporate naturalized areas between holes to serve as wildlife habitats and would minimize the use of pesticides and herbicides. The course would be irrigated with treated wastewater rather than drinking water.

“We’re trying to make this golf course fun,” Crace said. “We want especially kids to get out there, have a good time, put a club in their hands, learn how to play golf and learn how to socialize a bit better.”

Crace said the course would be designed for families to play nine holes quickly, with an education component for children and beginners.

Carrillo-Trevino stressed the project is not finalized, saying she still intends to consult with the school district and potential partners before moving forward.

Mayor Ishmael Harris, who supported the project, acknowledged both community pushback and support.

“We have to be responsible,” Harris said. “If it increases the level of quality of life for our community we have to really try to make those projects work.”

The council asked Carrillo-Trevino to present an updated proposal at a July council meeting.

There will be more opportunities for public input as the project progresses, according to the city.

That was apparent Thursday morning when the Texas Department of Public Safety unveiled its new mounted patrol unit facility at 12708 Pfluger Berkman Road, evoking memories of the Old West for some guests.

The event at the Mounted Patrol Unit Equine Facility also welcomed the horses and their human partners, including three DPS training academy graduates entering the Texas Highway Patrol MPU.

“The Texas Rangers … relied on this patrol as early as 1823.”

— DPS Maj. Tony Rodriguez “Horses have long been woven into the fabric of Texas law enforcement,” said DPS state equine coordinator Maj. Tony Rodriguez. “Their partnership with riders dates back to the Texas Rangers who relied on this patrol as early as 1823. That spirit of mobility, visibility and trust lives on in our land unit today.”

The mounted units are used by the highway patrol for specific law-enforcement tasks around the Capitol and along the Texas-Mexico border, law officers said.

The equine patrols use quarter horses for specialized border patrol duty because the mounts can travel difficult terrain while helping with tracking, surveillance and apprehensions.

The Capitol unit uses larger horses, such as Clydesdales, to patrol the Austin complex, providing security for about 60 state buildings and managing crowd control.

The horses are also used in ceremonies for fallen officers and on visits to schools, officials said.

The Austin Police Department also has a mounted patrol unit in Coupland but separate from DPS.

The new mounted patrol facility straddles Williamson and Travis counties and will also be used for training.

DPS Lt. Dustin Gilmore, also a state-equine coordinator, said the complex underwent a complete transformation from an older stable.

“This facility represents more than just buildings and improvements; it represents our future. It positions us to continue to grow and move forward as a more professional and capable mounted unit,” Gilmore said.

He also shared his congratulations with the graduating troopers.

“You are stepping into a program that is stronger than ever and we are proud to have you carry it forward,” the lieutenant said.

According to a release, the $3 million Coupland facility occupies 18 acres. The expenditure covers “the land, barn and renovations to the already existing stables.”

The facility includes:

• 20,000 square-footcovered riding arenas, along with stables, offices, a tack room and wash racks

• 48,600 square-foot outdoor riding and skills arena with steel and cedar fencing

• 148,715 square feet of secured paddock area, divided into 18 paddocks

• 165,500 square feet of open pasture Troopers said 21 horses are housed at the Coupland facility. Eight are assigned to the training unit, “while the remaining 13 horses are assigned to the Capitol mounted team,” the release stated.

In addition, seven horses are tasked for border operations in Brackettville, Eagle Pass and Dilley.

Arthur Martinez will serve as the district’s next director of curriculum and instruction, while Randy Mathisen has been selected as the inaugural principal of Legacy Oak Middle School, slated to open in early 2027.

Officials said both bring proven leadership and strong ties to the community.

“Their reputations for building community and prioritizing student success will serve the district well for years to come,” Superintendent Jana Rueter said in a statement.

Martinez currently serves as the founding principal of Trinity Ranch Elementary School. Since joining the district in 2017, he has held several roles, including principal of Neidig Elementary School and assistant principal at Elgin High School.

Martinez also serves as an adjunct professor of education at Huston-Tillotson University.

“My years in EISD have been incredibly meaningful, and I’m excited to build on that experience to support academic success for all,” Martinez said.

Mathisen, who joined the district in 2018, will oversee the development of Legacy Oak after stepping away from his current role as principal of Elgin Intermediate. He has previously been an assistant principal and associate principal at Elgin High, and will be responsible for building school culture and staffing at the new campus, according to officials.

“I am incredibly excited to partner with our staff and families to cultivate an environment where every student is empowered to grow,” Mathisen said.

District officials said both leaders are positioned to guide new initiatives and expansion efforts as the district continues to grow.

Mark Faske Jr., 38, is scheduled to stand trial July 8 on charges of stalking and retaliation, third-degree felonies, as well as a second-degree robbery offense. His bonds total $110,000.

According to an affidavit, Faske was arrested March 11 for evading arrest in a vehicle and unlawful possession of a firearm charges related to a 2017 incident. Police allege the suspect physically assaulted and robbed a woman in August 2023 and added a stalking offense from an incident two months prior.

His criminal history in Bastrop County dates back to a burglary of a habitation charge in 2006.

Ernesto Vasquez Campos, 40, is in custody awaiting trial in the 335th District Court on a second- degree felony charge of solicitation of prostitution of a minor. His bond sum is set at $50,000.

Campos was originally arrested in November 2024 in connection with the case, which authorities said stems from a June 2023 incident.

Court records allege Campos attempted to induce a person younger than 17 to engage in sexual acts.

The city approved a deal last week to bring Elgin’s first speculative industrial building to its business park, paving the way for major development, officials said.

City Council greenlit a purchase and sale agreement April 21 between the Elgin Economic Development Corporation and Downstream Interests LLC for two parcels in Elgin’s industrial park, 508 Innovation Way. The

“This project is a transformational step for Elgin’s economy.”

— Kaley Frye, EDC land totals 12 acres and will be sold for about $1.5 million, according to city records.

“This project is a transformational step for Elgin’s economy,” said EDC Director Kaley Frye. “We’re positioning our community to compete for high-quality employers, create jobs and expand our tax base in a way that benefits residents for years to come.”

The project calls for construction of a class A industrial facility, expected to be completed within 18 months of closing, according to the city.

Officials called the move the first of its kind for Elgin, designed to attract companies seeking ready-to-occupy spaces. Designs call for a flexible industrial building that could house a single large tenant or be divided into as many as four spaces, depending on market demand. The facility will include features such as loading docks, high-clearance ceilings and modern industrial design standards.

Frye said the project would meet the growing demand from companies that prefer existing buildings rather than constructing new facilities.

“We’re getting a lot of requests right now for existing buildings from a lot of foreign investment,” Frye said. “They don’t understand how to develop here, so they want somewhere they can move quickly.”

As part of the agreement, there is a minimum capital investment of $10 million, with the potential for more depending on tenants and equipment. Officials said the development is expected to expand the city’s industrial tax base and provide room for local businesses that have outgrown current spaces.

“One thing we know we need in Elgin is expanding the industrial tax base … this will be a big chunk of that,” Frye said. “This is a project I’m really proud of the EDC for thinking outside the box to bring a good, solid development to the community that has potential to create a lot of jobs.”

To ensure quality and timely construction, the agreement includes development restrictions and safeguards that allow the city to repurchase the land if construction does not begin on schedule. Frye said the standard will remain tied to the property even if ownership changes.

“So we had to put a little bit more restrictions on it to make sure that somebody wasn’t going to bamboozle us,” she said.

The agreement also includes a master lease component in which the EDC agrees to lease any unoccupied space for up to one year after completion.

“It’s very hard to borrow right now for industrial buildings without a tenant in place,” Frye said. “It kind of mitigates the risk for the developer with us putting a little skin in the game.”

The facility will be the largest industrial building in Elgin once completed, according to the city.

Jason Chlapek

jason.chlapek@granitemediapartners.com

MANOR — An open house this past week offered a preview of potential improvements to FM 973 with officials predicting traffic will increase by 324% in the years ahead.

Samsung Austin Semiconductor and other high-tech industries locating to the region are

“The region as a whole is expecting to see the population double.”

— Doise Miers, CAMPO community outreach manager helping fuel the rise in autos traveling the roadway, organizers said.

The Texas Department of Transportation and Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization officials co-hosted the April 22 event at Manor Elementar y School to discuss the possibility of expanding 973 between 290 in Manor and Samsung Highway in Taylor.

The agencies met last summer in Taylor to present similar plans for 973 from Samsung Highway to U.S. 79.

“We wanted to update potential improvements on FM 973 and get the public’s feedback on driving that section of the corridor,” said Doise Miers, CAMPO community outreach manager. “We also wanted to complete a survey so we could be better informed on experiences.”

According to Miers, CAMPO and TxDOT want to see more lanes added to 973 and additional shared-use paths along the road for walkers and bikers.

“With Samsung coming in, the section between 79 and 290 traffic has increased. There’s also more development in the area,” Miers said. “It’s continuing to grow and we want 973 to keep up with and accommodate the growth.”

According to traffic data, 20,750 vehicles traveled 973 in 2024, but that figure could jump 324% to 84,700 vehicles in 2050, officials said.

The updated proposal calls for four main lanes – two northbound, two southbound – and two lanes of frontage roads in each direction along with sidewalks on both sides between Samsung Highway and 290.

“The region as a whole is expecting to see the population double in the six-county CAMPO area by 2050,” Miers said. “The population in Williamson County is expected to grow by almost 200% by 2050.”

CAMPO’s region covers Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties.

More information is available online until May 26 at www.campotexas. org/get-involved. Public comments are encouraged, officials said.

BASTROP — Five of nine St. David’s Foundation grants totaling almost $5 million are going toward local initiatives helping fund maternal health services.

The funding, announced April 13 in conjunction with Black Maternal Health Week, is aimed at addressing barriers to care for areas designated health deserts. Local recipients said access to care remains limited for many pregnant women in Bastrop County, where patients are often left without timely or consistent options.

“There has never been a facility where you could have a baby out in Bastrop,” said Ellie Tisdale, who opened The Bastrop Birthing Center in 2018. “It’s me or they drive to Austin.”

Area representatives said the funding comes at a critical time for the county. A total $4.6 million in grant funding will support programs including transportation, doula services, nutrition assistance, mobile care units and home visits, all built to improve outcomes for mothers and infants.

A NEW APPROACH

Recipients across Central Texas will address those gaps by building a community- based system of care. Organizers said plans will focus on culturally responsive and holistic approaches, particularly for

“Healthcare can look different for different individuals — it’s not a one size fits all.”

— Tresha Silva, Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry populations disproportionately affected.

“I’m getting people who haven’t had prenatal care their entire pregnancy,” Tisdale said.

Other recipients are focusing on addressing non-medical barriers to care.

Tresha Silva, CEO of the Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry, said the local food haven will focus on nutrition as part of a broader partnership with Chosen Women Empowered.

“Our model is really understanding and approaching food insecurity with a holistic approach,” Silva said. “We’re going to be focused on how to support new mommies and mommies-to-be with nutritious food and nutrition workshops.”

The partnership pairs food access with medical and social support through Chosen Women’s maternal health program, which includes doula, remote monitoring and transportation assistance.

“Transportation is a must in rural Texas,” said founder Chevalier Deshay. “Now moms can get to appointments, the grocery store or pharmacy without worrying how.”

LOCAL BARRIERS

Both Silva and Deshay say transportation, education and trust are sticking barriers in Bastrop County. While the area has seen recent growth in medical providers, many residents still seek care outside the county.

“Educating and building community with the mothers that we’re going to be working with gives them strength and empowers them to have their voice at the table and feel comfortable,” Silva said.

Disparities are also seen in maternal outcomes. Silva noted Black mothers face higher rates of low birth weight and postpartum complications, highlighting the need for targeted care.

“Healthcare can look different for different individuals — it’s not a one size fits all,” Silva said. “(That’s) what I love about this project and this initiative.”

Tisdale said the funding will help expand services to women who otherwise could not afford care, though she emphasized broader changes are still needed, including a local delivery facility.

“This is going to help me support 30 women over the course of two years — that’s a very small fraction of what Bastrop County actually needs,” she said. “Until we get a hospital where people can have babies, we’re going to be suffering.”

For now, recipients say the grants represent a significant step forward in addressing maternal health challenges in the region.

Organizations will record results and measure the program’s success with new information on complications and healthier births.

“Hopefully this turns into a ripple effect that brings the county the resources and support that it needs,” Tisdale said.

CureFast Urgent Care is slated to open in May pending final approvals, according to Elgin Economic Development Corporation Director Kaley Frye. The Clinic is fully staffed and awaiting final equipment deliveries and finishing touches before opening.

“This has been a top priority for both the council and the EDC board for at least the last year,” Frye said. “We have very little health care here in Elgin, so trying to strategically recruit the right partners that can get things open quickly has been our focus.”

The facility will be located in a former medical office building along U.S. 290 near the Whataburger and is expected to operate seven days a week. Services will include on-site X-rays, advanced testing and AI-assisted care.

Officials said the clinic will also feature an online system allowing patients to actively explore services, book appointments and track wait times.

The project is part of a broader mission to expand health care access in Elgin, according to Frye. Additional developments being discussed include a potential micro- hospital with emergency services.

“This urgent care will help establish the need,” Frye said. “Once you have that pipeline of medical talent, it’s a lot easier to expand into additional services.”

Officials said a key component of the clinic’s goal in the area is accessibility. CureFast will accept all major insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, as well as selfpay patients, a decision Frye said was intentional despite financial risks.

“They wanted to have access for all,” she said. “Anybody from any walk of life can receive care there, which is not always common for these types of facilities.”

The Elgin EDC is assisting the project through grant support for equipment and has worked to streamline the development process. Frye said the goal has been to remove barriers and ensure the clinic can open as quickly as possible.

According to officials, callers using a 210-area code claim they are investigating spikes in electricity usage and need to audit meters. In some cases reported in the western portion of Bluebonnet’s service area, including Bastrop County, callers attempted to schedule visits to homeowner properties.

“We’ve had several reports of this happening in this area,” said Will Holford of Bluebonnet. “Even if it’s two or three reports or 300, we take them all very seriously and make every effort to communicate with our members so they don’t fall victim.”

Holford clarified what the callers claim to be doing is not part of the cooperative’s standard operations. Bluebonnet may test or replace meters, but those visits are typically scheduled days or weeks in advance and do not involve pressure for immediate access to the property.

“If somebody calls you and they are demanding something immediately, or if it sounds too good to be true … it probably is,” he said.

Members who receive suspicious calls are encouraged to gather as much information as possible, including caller ID details, and report it to local law enforcement and Bluebonnet’s member services line at 800-949-4414.

Holford added one of the best ways to avoid falling victim to potential scams is for members to stay informed about their own energy usage through the MyBluebonnet app or their online account. Bluebonnet representatives and contractors are also required to be in uniform and drive clearly marked vehicles identifying them as associated with the company.

As of press time, Holford said the cooperative has not received reports of financial loss or property damage connected to the scam but is working to raise awareness.

“Our goal is to get the message out before anything like that does happen,” he said.

Members can find more information and scam prevention tips at bluebonnet. coop.

A former Smithville Volunteer Fire Department treasurer was arrested last week on allegations he stole tens of thousands of dollar s f rom the nonprof it , officials said John Johnson was taken into custody in the Houston area and booked into the Brazoria County Jail on a warrant tied to the case April 16. Authorities allege he stole between $30,000 and $150,000 from the Smithville VFD following an investigation that began in November.

According to officials, a forensic audit of the department was conducted after Smithville police received a report of theft within the VFD. The investigation reviewed financial records and bank accounts before issuing several subpoenas for additional information and an arrest warrant was obtained.

It was revealed the suspect lived in Alvin, where members of the Alvin Police Department arrested Johnson.

Local police said the suspect later confessed to taking money from the Smithville VFD’s fundraiser account.

As of press time, Johnson remains in jail pending a $75,000 bond.

Officials said the investigation is ongoing.

Council members unanimously voted at their April 14 meeting to repeal the old Bastrop Building Block (B3) code and adopt the new Bastrop Development Code (BDC). According to Mayor Pro Tem John Kirkland, the B3 code is estimated to have cost the city about $10 million in lost revenue since being adopted seven years ago.

“This (B3) code is the reason that a majority of us are seated up here, to fix this,” he said.

City leaders said the B3 code created a restrictive and often confusing process that slowed development. A combination of outdated rules and city management practices meant it could take up to a year to review simple building permits, according to Kirkland, with no appeals process available for denials.

The new system is designed to clear the way for growth, according to the city.

To commemorate the move, small candy- filled coffins labeled “Bastrop B3 Code, 2019 to 2026” were distributed to city staff as mementos for helping with the citywide overhaul.

City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino, who started with B3 in place in 2022, said the city has worked to rebuild its development process from the ground up.

“Thank you for allowing me to dismantle one of the worst codes I’ve seen in my career,” Carrillo- Trevino said. “I’m going to make a strong statement and say I think some of those folks (involved with the previous code) should be in jail.”

Under the new code, the city will reinstate its Zoning Board of Adjustment and allow for administrative flexibility when projects require special consideration. B3 offered no such relief, city staff said.

The old code was developed by a third party at a cost of about $750,000, while the BDC was created inhouse through a series of meetings with the council, developers, commissions and community.

Council members said saving money by working on critical functions themselves is one reason the city was able to approve a budget that did not increase property taxes. In addition to the new development code, Carrillo- Trevino said she has brought in new staff members who see themselves as public servants and want to help their neighbors.

“I want to make it very clear that this is a code for the people … it’s enforced by the people, and we work for the people,” the city manager said.

The BDC was approved with just one change at its second reading last week, the removal of a restriction that would have allowed no more than five residents including children in a 1,500 square foot home, and no more than 10 residents in a home of 3,000 square feet or larger.

Council member Kevin Plunkett jokingly pointed out that a two-parent, twochild family in a 1,500 square foot home had better hope the next pregnancy wasn’t twins or they would be in violation.

“You know, to me that’s going beyond what I feel this council is about,” Plunkett said. “If there are issues with parking, issues with noise, any other nuisance items that are going to bother the neighbors, then I think we need to attack those and not say how many kids somebody can have.”

Council agreed to fully remove the section restricting family size.

The city’s zoning map was updated alongside the code to reflect its clearer terminology, according to the council.

“This is probably one of the happiest days I’ve been on council, because roads and codes, we’re getting them done,” Councilwoman Cynthia Meyer said.

City officials reviewed April 14 planned safety improvements for County Line Road and Kennedy Street as part of Elgin’s nearly $11 million project set to begin next week.

The project, funded by a Texas General Land Office grant and supplemented by developer fees, will cover about “This is what growth looks like. It’s uncomfortable, but once you get over that hump, it’s worth the sacrifice.”

— City Manager Robert Eads

4,639 feet along County Line Road, Central Avenue, Kennedy Street and Brenham Road. Officials said work will start April 27 and should address flooding concerns with much-needed drainage upgrades.

“This is a drainage project — It’s about the safety of our community first,” City Manager Robert Eads said.

Residents should expect temporary road closures and changes to traffic during construction, according to the city. Officials said construction could last up to nine months as crews work to meet a strict grant deadline through the end of the year.

City council awarded the contract in March to Larry Young Paving, following a competitive bid process, according to Development Services Director Beau Perry.

Perry said the project aims to resolve persistent flooding issues that have repeatedly closed roads in the area as well as bring higher standards and modernization to those roadways. The community meeting last week was designed to give residents an opportunity to review plans and raise concerns directly with city staff, engineers and contractors.

According to city documents, Kennedy Street will be rebuilt as a standard residential roadway with sidewalks, County Line Road will be expanded to include multiple lanes and medians, and Central Avenue will see a new bridge built to replace a culvert that has failed on several occasions.

“Lots of drainage problems … and these projects are going to fix those issues and those concerns,” Perry said. “We’ve also been able to improve those roadways.”

While construction will disrupt daily routines, Perry said, the project comes with nearly no added financial burden for the city.

“Imagine that the city is paying (a 1% match) and they’re getting about $11 million back from the government in order to build these two roadways,” he said.

To meet requirements tied to the grant funding, officials said the city plans to complete the work on an accelerated timeline rather than in phases. Construction is expected to take place simultaneously on both sections of the project, with separate crews assigned to each area.

“If we were to take it in pieces … we will not make the deadline,” Eads said. “Let’s get in, let’s get out and let’s do it right.”

According to Eads, traffic congestion will be one of the biggest challenges as construction moves forward. Emergency crews have coordinated with local agencies to ensure first responders can still access affected areas during construction.

“This is what growth looks like. It’s uncomfortable, but once you get over that hump, it’s worth the sacrifice,” Eads said, adding communication with residents will remain a priority throughout construction.

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

Founded in 1876 by Swedish immigrants, the church traces its roots to settlers who came to Central Texas seeking opportunity, officials said. The congregation built its first church in 1879, and the current structure is considered a historic landmark in Travis County, completed in 1922.

“It’s honoring the past, challenged by the future,” said the Rev. Hans Lillejord, who has served the church for 23 years.

The surrounding area has grown to become one of the largest Swedish settlements in Texas, according to the church.

While Lillejord said the event highlights their deep Swedish roots, the day will also focus on inclusivity as the church moves forward.

“The future will be all-inclusive, and we are much more interested in being open to all,” he said.

The anniversary event will include a memorial stone commemorating the landmark date, along with performances from artists connected to the church. Among the acts are Stephanie Johnson Eukel and Linus Eukel, who have performed at venues across the country, including Carnegie Hall.

The event begins with a 10:30 a.m. worship service at the church, 12809 New Sweden Church Road, followed by a catered lunch, monument dedication and anniversary program. All events are open to the public, and a coffee and cookie social will conclude the day at 3:30 p.m.

Lunch tickets, priced at $15 per plate, have already sold out, though those interested in attending can contact the church for more information at 512-281-0056.