Bastrop - Cedar Creek Edition | October 2025

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Bastrop Cedar Creek Edition VOLUME 2, ISSUE 8 OCT. 28NOV. 24, 2025

Circuit of the Americas to oer amusement at top speed

BY JOEL VALLEY

Circuit of the Americas is shifting into high gear to provide more entertainment—a move that will make the facility more than a motorsports mecca. Bobby Epstein, chairman of COTA, shared plans with Community Impact to open a full-scale amusement park next summer at its sprawling complex. “I think what we’re trying to do is build a destination,” he said. “We want Central Texas residents’ rst thought to be, ‘There’s a lot to do out at COTA.’”

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With 33 attractions planned, including the Circuit Breaker roller coaster, an amusement park is taking shape 25 miles west from Bastrop. COURTESY CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS

CONTINUED ON 16

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1311 Chestnut Street | Bastrop, Texas 78602 | 512-332-8800 info@cityofbastrop.org | www.cityofbastrop.org

BASTROP - CEDAR CREEK EDITION

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About Community Impact

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Brittany Anderson

Katlynn Fox Dacia Garcia

Manny Holguin Haley McLeod Hannah Norton Karoline Pfeil Brooke Sjoberg Ben Thompson Joel Valley Gracie Warhurst

Leslie Bradshaw General Manager lbradshaw@ communityimpact.com

Sienna Wight Chloe Young Graphic Designers Abbey Eckhardt Alissa Foss Abigail Jones Sabrina Musachia

Minh Nguyen Joseph Veloz Managing Editor Darcy Sprague Product Manager Gloria Amareth Quality Desk Editor Adrian Gandara Austin Market President Travis Baker

Amanda Cutshall Editor acutshall@ communityimpact.com

Travis Baker Austin Market President tbaker@ communityimpact.com

16225 Impact Way Pugerville, TX 78660 • 5129896808 CI Careers

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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION

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3 Mutt’s Last Stand Nicole and Dave Stanley opened the icehouse as a new space for area residents to cheer on their favorite sports team, enjoy live music and more. • Opened Aug. 2 111

feature a variety of hot sandwiches and sides. • Opening by early December • Burleson Crossing, 707 Hwy. 71 W., Ste. 118, Bastrop • www.firehousesubs.com 6 Scooter’s Coffee The 668-square-foot franchise offers coffees, build- your-own smoothies and more. • Opening 2026 • Sendero, 821 Hwy. 71 W., Bastrop • www.scooterscoffee.com 7 Smokey Mo’s BBQ Smokey Mo’s BBQ is weeks away from serving house- smoked brisket and more in the Burleson Crossing shopping center. The location—which will offer dine-in, takeout, delivery and catering—will mark the 22nd in Texas. • Opening by November • Burleson Crossing, 707 Hwy. 71 W., Ste. 124, Bastrop • www.smokeymosbbq.com

Now open

1 Cedar’s Coppice In addition to beverages such as coffee, wine and lemonade, the eatery offers charcuterie, wraps, sandwiches, breakfast options and desserts. • Opened in early September • 709 Chestnut St., Bastrop • https://cedarsmill.wixsite.com/my-site-1 2 Shipley Do-Nuts Owner Sam Chen opened his first Bastrop donut shop after spending five years searching for “the perfect spot.” The shop offers donuts, kolaches and more. • Opened Sept. 24 • 460 Hwy. 71, Ste. D, Bastrop • www.shipleydonuts.com

• 205 N. Third St., Smithville • www.muttslaststand.com 111

4 Horizons Coffee Shop In addition to drip and craft coffees, owners Lauren and Chris Rios offer teas, smoothies, Pup Cups and more. • Opened in early August • 146 Hwy. 21, Bastrop • www.horizonscoffeebar.com

Coming soon

5 Firehouse Subs The 1,500-square-foot construction project is estimated to cost $300,000 and began mid-August. The menu will

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Capping & Plugging Reimbursement Program and the Agricultural Flow Meter Program. • 317 E. Hempstead St., Giddings • www.lostpineswater.org 11 Capital Area Rural Transportation System Riders can now access CARTSNow, Interurban Coach, Metro Connector and Country Bus services via the Transit App. • 5300 Tucker Hill Lane, Cedar Creek • www.ridecarts.com

What's next

PERMITS FILED WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION

Now open

8 Bastrop Automotive Steve and Marissa Classen are scheduled to finish construction of the auto body shop June 1. The 11,980-square-foot facility and parking area, which will be adjacent to Caliber Collision, is estimated to cost $485,000. • Opening TBD • 119 FM 969, Bastrop

In the news

Worth the trip

9 Radiant Juice + Smoothie Bar New owners Char Rebell and Stephanie Berry have nearly 50 years of experience in the natural health industry, and are planning to transform the business into a wellness cafe after purchasing Radiant Juice + Smoothie Bar from DeLacey Martin in early September. • 702 Main St., Ste. 103, Bastrop • www.radiantjuicebar.com

Indie Bol The Mexican-Indian fusion food truck in Northwest Austin serves Mexican dishes with an Indian twist, such as the samosa bowl with spiced potatoes and peas, black beans, cheese, pico and chutney. • Opened July 30 • 13752 Research Blvd., Austin • Instagram: indie.bol

12 Sunny Hill Juice and Provisions Owner Dominique Barnett serves cold-pressed juices, hydrogen water, locally sourced provisions and drip coffees at the new spot. Barnett said she is working to source some of her vegetables from Eden East and is building a fall menu. • Opened Sept. 2

• 2801 Loop 150, Bastrop • www.sunnyhilljuice.com

10 Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District

The board of directors recently approved the launch of the Rainwater Harvesting Rebate Program, the Well

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BASTROP - CEDAR CREEK EDITION

Events

BY AMANDA CUTSHALL

Bastrop Art Fest Centered around arts and crafts, the family- friendly festival will oer local vendors, demonstrations, activities and musical theater performances. • Nov. 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • Free (admission) • Lost Pines Art Center, 1204 Chestnut St., Bastrop • www.lostpinesartcenter.org/bastrop-art-fest

Bastrop Christmas Tree Lighting and River of Lights

half-mile River of Lights display. • Nov. 28-Jan. 5, dusk-10 p.m. • Free (admission)

Attendees can enjoy live music and sweet treats while Santa Claus and Bastrop city ocials light the Christmas tree at Fisherman’s Park—kickstarting the

• Fisherman’s Park, 1200 Willow St., Bastrop • www.visitbastrop.com/lost-pines-christmas

Bastrop County Local Food Fair The family-friendly event will feature booths from local food producers and related vendors, food tastings, panel discussions, kids’ activities and more. • Nov. 16, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Free (admission) • Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center, 1408 Chestnut St., Bastrop • www.bastropcares.org Bastrop County Senior Expo Attendees will receive goodie bags and can win door prizes while learning about local organizations and services geared toward senior citizens. Capital Area Rural Transportation will provide free shuttle rides to and from the event.

• Nov. 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Free (admission) • Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center, 1408 Chestnut St., Bastrop • www.ccaction.com

November

Elgin Empty Bowl Souper Bowl Attendees can try soups from local vendors and vote for their favorite while listening to live music, participating in raes and bidding in the silent auction. Attendees will receive a commemorative bowl. Those who wish to do so can donate one ahead of time to a local veteran through the Bastrop County Food Pantry website. • Nov. 8, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. • $25 (admission and commemorative bowl), $5 (admission for ages 6-12, no commemorative bowl) • Elgin High School, 14000 County Line Road, Elgin • www.bastropfoodpantry.org/events

Lost Pines Wassail Fest & Small Business Saturday

Attendees can browse dozens of local shops while sampling wassail in a souvenir cup. Shoppers are encouraged to wear comfortable Christmas clothes. • Nov. 29, 4-8 p.m. • $5 (admission) • Downtown Bastrop • Facebook: Downtown Bastrop

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Government

BY AMANDA CUTSHALL & JOEL VALLEY

Bastrop adopts new marketing team

Zooming in

Discover Bastrop will also allow the city to have “a united marketing front”—an eort that will be led by Main Street Manager Michaela Joyce. “This transition will maintain support for arts and culture in Bastrop while improving eciency, coordination, and accountability across related programs,” Joyce said. Bastrop City Council approved the dissolution of the Bastrop Cultural Arts Commission and transitioned its functions to the Bastrop Cultural Arts Committee, which will be housed within Discover Bastrop. “We’ve got a cadre of new sta that’ll help make [Discover Bastrop] come to fruition this year,” Carrillo-Trevino said.

Visit Bastrop is no longer a contractor for the city as of Sept. 30, Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino said. The destination marketing organization has promoted Bastrop since 2018. Now, city ocials will roll out a new entity: Discover Bastrop. As of press time, city ocials had not provided Community Impact with a statement. “What does that mean to you? That means the ability to be ecient,” Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino said during her State of the City address in early September. “We’re going to be able to do all those things that the [hotel occupancy tax] fund was intended to do.” Carrillo-Trevino discussed how HOT funds will be applied toward a variety of projects, including improvements to the Convention and Exhibition Center—a facility that has needed a new roof for “a signicant amount of time.”

“The long-term plan is that [the Convention and Exhibit Center] building becomes a recreation center. I want to make sure that it is in good condition. The last thing I want to turn over is a building that is in disrepair that we’ve not managed

to upkeep well.” SYLVIA CARRILLO TREVINO, BASTROP CITY MANAGER

Ocials said the goal is to transition the convention center into a community recreation center.

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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION

Government

BY JOEL VALLEY

Plans in the works to rebuild German Casino Bastrop is planning to rebuild the historic Ger- man Casino on the Convention and Exhibit Center grounds, according to city ocials. The details The one-story building on Farm Street—which was constructed by the German-American Social Club in the 1860s to be a casino hall—collapsed in November 2023 and was secured with tape and barricades to prevent public entry until it was fully demolished with oversight from the Historic Landmark Commission. “The German Casino, right now, sits as a pile of bricks at the Public Works oce,” City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino said in early September. “The plan is to create a gathering space as it was before—a place where bridal showers, baby showers and community gatherings can happen.”

City designates 2 acres as parkland

The city of Bastrop has established approximately 2.2 acres along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, near Emile Elementary School, as designated parkland. The details Bastrop purchased the site at 610 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in June 2024 for $147,000 through its Land Acquisition Fund, according to city documents. Why it matters With much of the land in the oodway and the 100-year oodplain, ocials estab- lished the property as parkland to prevent development from occurring. “The property is located in the Gills Branch tributary,” Bastrop Police Chief Vicky Steanic said in a sta report.

The German Casino building in Bastrop collapsed on November 12, 2023.

COURTESY JOHN KIRKLAND

The outlook During the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of the City event in early September, Carrillo-Trevino told area residents how the city plans to fund the endeavor. “If it’s on the grounds of the Convention and Exhibit Center, we can use [hotel occupancy tax] funds, which means no eect on the general fund, and again, no eect on taxes,” Carrillo-Trevino said. A timeline for the project was not available as of press time.

Bastrop to hire wastewater engineer for plant design

Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 4 will: Reuse the euent created at the plant Generate a new revenue source for the euent and solids created Allow for a quicker build time since many parts are prebuilt o-site Have a smaller footprint Require a lower overall maintenance cost

this year, already needs retrotting to meet discharge requirements. An additional ltration system will be installed at the new plant to prevent future retrotting. Looking ahead Carrillo-Trevino emphasized the new plant will need to come online within the next 18-24 months in order to keep up with growth.

The city of Bastrop is seeking a professional engineer who will act as the “engineer of record” for Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 4—a role that will help oversee the design of the facility. What we know During her State of the City address, City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino said Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 3, which came online earlier

SOURCE: CITY OF BASTROPCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Education

BY BROOKE SJOBERG

Teacher certication fair slated for Nov. 3 Bastrop ISD will hold an event to connect with people who are interested in teaching for the district, but who might not hold a teacher certication. What you need to know BISD oers a variety of pathways to the classroom, including clinical and residency student teaching, a fellowship program, a cultural exchange program and a transi- tional program to assist future educators in obtaining credentials via a state-approved alternative program. The details The event will be held Nov. 3 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Jerry Fay Wilhelm Performing Arts Center at 1401 Cedar St., Bastrop.

Bastrop ISD raties tax rate for FY 202526 Bastrop ISD ocials ratied a $1.0679 per $100 of valuation tax rate for scal year 2025-26 in September. This is the same rate as the previous nancial year, though it represents an eective 8.8% increase in collected revenue due to new legislation around school funding. BISD’s Chief Financial Ocer Mike White said the usual balance between local and state fund- ing did not apply this year because House Bill 2 increased state-directed funding without requiring a corresponding change in the local tax rate. What they’re saying If the district had a tax rate that raised the same amount of funding as the previous year, it would have had to cut its rate signicantly, White said. He said this would likely have a “catastrophic” impact on the school district.

“There’s a popular analogy of lling up a bucket or a glass. Your glass is dened by how many kids there are. Taxpayers make up a certain portion, the state lls up the rest of the glass. So those two

things kind of move hand in hand. One goes up, the other goes down ... In this case, this year, it doesn’t apply.” MIKE WHITE, BISD CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

The details The district’s tax rate is made up of two pieces, the maintenance and operations rate and interest and sinking rate. The M&O partially funds district operations with local property tax revenue, while the I&S rate services the district’s debt payments, such as bonds. The same total tax rate was approved for FY 2024-25—$1.0679 per $100 of valuation, made up of a $0.6669 M&O rate as well as a $0.4010 I&S rate.

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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION

Transportation

BY JOEL VALLEY

Hwy. 290 extension aims to reduce traffic congestion in Bastrop County

Upcoming projects

Zooming in

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1 Hwy. 71 and Tucker Hill Lane Intersection Improvement

CTRMA officials identified several potential solutions, including: • Adding lanes alongside existing lanes • Enhancing cross street intersections • Including pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure Officials emphasized the lane improvements would be tolled. “This approach aims to provide drivers with choices and improve safety and mobility,” officials said. The first draft of the schematic design for the Hwy. 290 Extension Project—which will be developed after feedback from area residents is analyzed—is expected to be completed and made available to the public for feedback in mid-2026. No other timeline was available as of press time, according to CTRMA officials.

Project: The Texas Department of Transportation will create a signalized intersection at Tucker Hill Lane into a grade-separated overpass and construct new one-way frontage roads. The project also includes expanded accommodations for bicycles and pedestrians. Update: Jordan Foster Construction will complete the project. • Timeline: Construction scheduled to begin in November • Cost: $58.5 million • Funding sources: Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, TxDOT 2 Blakey Lane Extension Project: Blakey Lane in Bastrop will be extended from Edward Burleson Lane to a proposed street called Reed Way, which will connect to Old Austin Highway. Update: Austin-based The Goodman Corp. is creating potential designs for an intersection at Old Austin Highway, which will include options for a roundabout. • Timeline: planning phase expected to be complete Dec. 26 • Cost: $7 million-$8 million • Funding sources: transportation impact fees, roadway maintenance fees, and water and wastewater fees

EDWARD BURLESON LN.

The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is planning for a Hwy. 290 Extension Project— improvements that would reduce congestion between SH 130 and Hwy. 95 South. CTRMA is working with the Texas Department of Transportation on a schematic design and an environmental study with other partners, including: • Bastrop County • Travis County • City of Manor • City of Elgin • Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization The approximately 15-mile stretch of Hwy. 290 under evaluation is among the top-100 most congested road segments in

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Texas, according to TxDOT. “Current congestion levels along [Hwy. 290], just east of Austin, can add up to 17 minutes to an average trip for commuters,” CTRMA officials said in a statement. “As the population in the fast-growing Austin metro area continues to increase, those delays will only get worse.”

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

Update: The city plans to announce a date soon for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. • Timeline: construction expected to finish Dec. 15 • Cost: $5.27 million • Funding source: Texas General Land Office Community Development Block Grant Mitigation funds awarded to the city in May 2021

Ongoing projects

3 Agnes Street Extension Project: Agnes Street in Bastrop is being extended to connect developments south of Hwy. 71.

BASTROP 739 State Hwy 71 (512) 308-0250

ELGIN 1100 US-290 (512) 285-2741

GIDDINGS 1920 E Austin St (979) 212-4031

Development

BY JOEL VALLEY

Officials to weigh feasibility of Bastrop West mixed-use development

Zooming in

Although a $96,000 professional services agreement with Place Designers was listed on the agenda for Sept. 23, council members opted to strike the item. There was no discussion as to why. Carrillo-Trevino highlighted that Bastrop West could include: • A medical mall with a hospital and clinics • A hotel and convention center • Area for outdoor entertainment, such as concerts • Fields for youth sports The next Bastrop City Council meeting was scheduled for Oct. 21, after press time.

Bastrop City Council is planning for the launch of a feasibility study on Bastrop West—a project featuring a hotel and convention center, hospital, and more—that would be located at the intersection of Hwy. 20 and Hwy. 71. The future agenda item is intended to assess both the practicality and the potential financial benefits of the proposed projects, as the developers are expected to seek incentives, according to a Sept. 23 report. Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino said the mixed-use development would be on about 400 acres. “This is super exciting as we continue to grow and the line between Travis County and Bastrop County is really blurred,” she said during her State of the City address in early September.

ADELTO N B

Bastrop Mayor Ishmael Harris added how the city has a “simple” mission moving forward. “We do what’s right for the people, protect our heritage, build opportunities, create spaces for family and neighbors to thrive together, and above all, keep Bastrop strong—strong in history, strong in unity and strong in vision,” he said.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Development

BY JOEL VALLEY

Bastrop creates South End District

Zooming in

The Bastrop County African American Cultural Center & Freedom Colonies Museum as well as the Kerr Community Center are located within the South End District boundaries. “Both of these organizations have been instrumental in preserving the history of the county and the immediate area,” Carrillo-Trevino said. Place 1 council member Perry Lowe, who lead the South End District eort, shared several key goals for it, including: • Preservation • Cultural recognition • Education • Economic opportunity • Community healing • Pride City ocials said $5,000 or less is expected to be spent on upgraded street signs. There may be additional minimal costs to meet matching grant requirements as well.

The Bastrop City Council established a “South End District” in September, featuring new signage designed to preserve the area’s history. The area, which will be bounded by Chestnut Street, Water Street, Hwy. 95 and Jasper Street, aims to honor local Black heritage, according to city ocials. “Historically, the South End was a place of community, as most Black churches were situated in this area,” City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino said in a sta report. She listed several initiatives the city and a collective of volunteers plan to accomplish following the creation of a South End District. These include creating murals for the underpasses of College Street and Water Street, adding monument signs and street signs at the entrance of the district, commissioning art pieces in the newly created park space, and assisting residents with home repairs.

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"The South End’s story deserves to be seen, heard and celebrated." PERRY LOWE, PLACE 1 COUNCIL MEMBER

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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION

Circuit of the Americas to oer amusement at top speed From the cover

The details

More than a track COTALAND is the latest addition to the Circuit of the Americas site.

The amusement park, dubbed COTALAND, will span approximately 30 acres with 33 attractions by opening day, including: • Two high-thrill roller coasters • Two family-friendly roller coasters • One roller coaster for children ages 3-6 “Most parks would spread this many rides out over a wider space, but what we’ve tried to do with this park is actually condense it a little bit so that we have more shade,” Epstein said. “I think when most of the other amusement parks were built in Texas, 30-50 years ago, shade wasn’t as big of a factor.” These attractions will be located between turns 19 and 20 of the COTA racetrack, where, for an additional cost, guests can take a "Hot Lap" around the track into the amusement park. “It should be the world’s greatest ride,” Epstein said.

Key:

Circuit of the Americas COTALAND Racetrack Germania Insurance Amphitheater

812

The Circuit Breaker features a tilting track that rotates 90 degrees before connecting and releasing riders into various loops and spins.

SOURCE: COTACOMMUNITY IMPACT

COURTESY MATTHEW BROOKSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY JOEL VALLEY

Zooming in

Epstein highlighted how there is a similar roller coaster called Siren’s Curse at Cedar Point in Ohio where thrill seekers often wait up to three hours for a single ride. “It’s a spectacular feature,” he said. “People are excited, and we think it’s a roller coaster that people will travel from all over to experience.” Epstein said Circuit Breaker is expected to draw crowds from the Central Texas community to COTALAND, which COTA ocials hope will one day sell two million tickets annually. “That won’t necessarily be the case in year one, but most amusement parks grow over time,” he said. “So we plan to grow into success.”

The Circuit Breaker—a ride that features a 90-degree drop and reaches speeds of up to 60 miles per hour—was the second roller coaster constructed as part of COTALAND, Epstein said. Construction on the attraction concluded in late September, and attendees to the Formula 1 race Oct. 17-19 got to test ride the coaster. The ride itself was selected with the help of a roller coaster specialist with about 20 years of experience with amusement park Six Flags. “It has a tilting platform,” Epstein said. “You go up and then the track comes to an end. You’re suspended in the air and then it tilts down and connects to the rest of the track and sends you on your way.”

Year-round oerings at COTA

COTA Driving Experience

Karting

RV Park

Mini Golf

SOURCE: COTACOMMUNITY IMPACT

The COTA campus—which hosts concerts and festivals in addition to motorsports—currently averages 1.3 million visitors each year, according to COTA ocials.

What ocials are saying

The outlook

Dori Kelley, business attraction, retention and expansion manager for the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation, told Community Impact the city views every COTA event as an economic opportunity for the city and county. She expects the region to further benet, as COTA explores the use of the Smithville airport for executive travel and increases its partnership with Hyatt Lost Pines. Ocials from the city and county recently had the opportunity to tour the facilities at COTA. “By doing so, it helped us realize that we need to increase and enhance this partnership, so we can make sure that people are aware that the east

Epstein said he is optimistic that COTALAND could open next summer, and added a water park could be the next step. “I think that’s two or three years down the line—one year to prove that people want to experience things like what we’re building with the amusement park, and then a year or so to build the water park," he said. Epstein said he hopes when families plan their future weekends and vacations they stay close to home and think about heading out to COTA.

“I think that we’re very thankful that COTA is right on our border, so that we can benet from such a huge expansion. The economic impact to our community is something that we’re very grateful for.” DORI KELLEY, BASTROP EDC BUSINESS ATTRACTION, RETENTION AND EXPANSION MANAGER

and northeast side of COTA is also a great place to visit,” Kelley said.

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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION

State

BY HANNAH NORTON

What to know about Texas’ new congressional districts

Gov. Greg Abbott signed Texas’ new congres- sional map into law Aug. 29, declaring in a video posted to social media that “Texas is now more red in the United States Congress.” Under Texas’ current congressional boundaries, Republicans hold 25 of the state’s 38 congressional seats. State lawmakers have said the new map will help Republicans gain up to ve more seats during the 2026 midterm elections. Texas Democrats have called the mid-decade redistricting eort unconstitutional and “racially discriminatory,” while Republicans have asserted that it “complies with the law.” The details State lawmakers began redistricting this summer, after President Donald Trump asked Texas and other GOP-led states to redraw their congressional maps to help Republicans maintain a narrow majority in the U.S. House. Texas’ new map redraws 37 of the state’s 38 con- gressional districts. Rep. Todd Hunter, a Corpus Christi Republican who led the redistricting plan, said the “primary changes” were focused on ve districts: TX-09, TX-28, TX-32, TX-34 and TX-35. “Each of these newly drawn districts now trend Republican,” Hunter told state House lawmakers Aug. 20. “While there’s no guarantee of electoral success, Republicans will now have an opportu- nity to potentially win these ... new districts.” The debate After Republicans unveiled the map in late July, House Democrats held a two-week walkout that stalled, but did not stop, the map’s passage. Democratic lawmakers have said the new congressional map will “dilute” minorities’ voting

Current Austin district map

New district map

Williamson 31

Williamson

Travis 10

Travis

21 Hays

Bastrop

Bastrop 27

Hays

NOTE: NUMBERS INDICATE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS

SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCILCOMMUNITY IMPACT

discussed in court two months earlier. After state senators approved the map Aug. 23, the League of United Latin American Citizens and a group of Texas residents led a lawsuit asking that the map be blocked from becoming law. Three federal judges, who are also considering legal challenges to Texas’ current congressio- nal map, held an Oct. 1-10 hearing on the suit in El Paso. A court decision had not been released before press time. “We have high condence that the courts will actually nd these maps to be illegal,” Rep. Gene Wu, DHouston, told reporters Aug. 18. “The question is more about the timing of it and whether or not there’s enough time left.”

power by dividing historically Black and Hispanic communities into multiple congressional districts. “Texans and Americans all across the country are watching,” Rep. Chris Turner, DGrand Prairie, said on the House oor Aug. 20. “They know this map before us is a calculated maneuver to diminish the voices of the very communities that power Texas.” Republicans have maintained that the map was drafted to benet GOP congressional candidates and that race was not considered when the new lines were drawn. What’s next Texas’ new congressional map is set to take eect in early December, although it was

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Events

BY AMANDA CUTSHALL & JOEL VALLEY

Veterans will be honored during the banquet on Nov. 8 at 6 p.m.

COURTESY RICHARD HUTCHINS

Free banquet tickets available

Limited free tickets are available for veterans, spouses and surviving spouses to attend the banquet.

Tickets can be requested or donated by phone at 512-581-4006.

The Bastrop Area Cruisers will host a Veterans Day march down Main Street on Nov. 8 at 11 a.m.

COURTESY LISA ANDERSON

Bastrop County veterans to be honored Nov. 8 Veterans and their families will be joined by Bastrop County residents in a salute to service Nov. 8 at the Bastrop Area Cruisers Heroes & Hot Rods car show and march, followed by the Red, White and Blue Veterans Appreciation Banquet. Heroes & Hot Rods car show and veterans march The Bastrop Area Cruisers will host a free car show, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in downtown Bastrop, and a veterans ceremony at 11 a.m. outside the Bastrop County Courthouse. Veterans will meet outside the United States Postal Oce, 1106 Main St., at 10:30 a.m. and

in the Marine Corps Reserve, will be featured as the keynote speaker. “I think the most important thing with the banquet is that we’re able to recognize veterans for their sacrice and for their period of service,” he said. “We’ll have veterans from the Korean War, Vietnam War and Cold War in attendance.” Hutchins said the group also found World War II veterans and extended invitations. Tickets are $30 for veterans and spouses and $40 for nonveterans, and can be purchased online. • 1408 Chestnut St., Bastrop • www.rwbveterans.com/tickets

march to the Bastrop County Courthouse, as the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing from San Marcos ies over.

• Downtown Bastrop, Main Street • www.bastropareacruisers.com Red, White and Blue Veterans Appreciation Banquet

The banquet will begin at 6 p.m. at the Bas- trop County Convention and Exhibit Center at 1408 Chestnut St. in Bastrop—a venue that the Red, White and Blue Veterans of Bastrop County transitioned to after outgrowing facilities from previous years. Richard Hutchins, who serves as the chair of the nonprot organization, told Community Impact that more than 500 guests are expected to be in attendance, and Col. Dawn Ellis, who serves

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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION

Real estate

As the median price of homes declined in both Bastrop and Cedar Creek in September, year-over- year home sales increased, according to data provided by Unlock MLS. Residential market data

September 2024

September 2025

Number of homes sold by zip code

Average days on market

+23.08%

-53.68%

+9.8%

+136.36%

78602

78612

78602

78612

Homes sold by price point in September 2025

78602

78612

2 2 6

$900,000+

304

78612

$700,000-$899,999

$500,000-$699,999

$300,000-$499,999

Bastrop-Cedar Creek

<$299,999

September

2024

2025

106 126

New listings

59 80

Closed sales

Median home sales price

Homes under contract

46 68

September

2024

2025

$379,450

$350,000

78602

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS AND UNLOCK MLS 5124547636 WWW.ABOR.COM

$445,000

$419,999

78612

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