Hutto ISD raised substitute teacher pay on Oct. 22 amid low fill-rates for classroom vacancies.

Gaye Rosser, the district's executive director for talent management and personnel support, said the fill rate dropped to 59% in September, meaning more than 40% of teacher absences went unfilled despite a sufficient pipeline of substitute teachers.

The details: The approved updates to the district’s compensation for substitute teachers are as follows: 

• Uncertified substitutes: increased from $105 to $125 per day

• Certified substitute teachers: increased from $115 to $130 per day

Additionally, the district added premiums to days and positions that are typically difficult to find coverage for.

And, long-term substitute teachers can receive bonuses for longer stints in the classroom.

What’s next? Trustees approved the pay increases with the goal of bringing fill rates up to at least 75% by January.

Rosser said the district will also work to increase its substitute pool from 156 to 200 people.

Myrna Rose Salon will hold its grand reopening in Hutto on Nov. 7, following some renovations.

The details: The salon has been serving customers for about a year and a half out of a 118-year-old house. To improve its appearance, the house has been painted pink and the parking lot was redone. 

“We're really excited to be a part of the downtown Hutto community and just bring a service to this space that we felt like it needed,” owner Kristen Files said. “We could not have picked a more perfect home and location.”

Myrna Rose Salon offers hair, beauty and wellness services including hair color, cuts, extensions, nails, skincare, facials and massages. 

• 203 N. FM 1660, Hutto

In the first eight days of early voting in Williamson County, over 160,000 people have cast their ballots by mail or at the polls, based on reports from the county.

With one week until Election Day, 33.96% of registered voters in the county have voted.

By the numbers: There are 471,602 registered voters in Williamson County, according to county records. As of Oct. 26, 152,751 people have cast their ballots in person during early voting, with more sending mail-in votes, as well as casting limited and provisional ballots.

Williamson County Jester Annex ranks as the most popular early voting site, with more than 15,000 residents choosing to cast their ballot in the Georgetown facility.

What's next: Voters can utilize early voting at 25 sites in the county through Oct. 30. Polls are open until 7 p.m., and anyone in line before polls close will be able to cast a ballot.

Election Day is Nov. 3. Residents can check this county website for polling locations and wait times before heading to the ballot box.

New apartments in Austin, a Brazilian steakhouse in Cedar Park and a Burlington in Bastrop are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Rio Grande Apartments ($97.3 million): This building will house 300 student housing apartment units. The building will be 30 stories tall with a lobby, study spaces, pool deck and leasing, amenity and fitness areas.

2. Grace Learning Center ($25 million): This project involves constructing a four-story, 48,000-square-foot worship assembly building for Grace Covenant Church.

3. Fogo de Chao ($4.5 million): A Fogo de Chao location is coming to Cedar Park. The Brazilian steakhouse has a location in downtown Austin.

4. Burlington ($3.3 million): A Burlington is coming to Bastrop as part of the Burleson Crossing East development.

5. P. Terry’s ($950,000): A new P. Terry’s Burger Stand location is coming to Liberty Hill, with construction set to begin early next year.

Early voting in Texas began on Oct. 19 and will continue until Oct. 30, before election day on Nov. 3. Austin-area voters can now head to the polls, trading their “I Voted” sticker for freebies and discounts at businesses across the city.

Taco Flats: Voters can present their voting sticker at any Taco Flats location for a free TF Original taco.

• 5520 Burnet Road, Ste. 101, Austin; 1110 W. Lynn St., Austin; 2500 E. 6th St., Austin; 12221 Riata Trace Parkway, Ste. 100, Austin; 900 Ranch Road 620 S, Ste. c104, Lakeway

Nunya Neighborhood Bar: After going to the polls, voters can visit the east Austin bar for a free beer or hot dog.

• 1806 E. 12th St., Austin

Hyperreal Film Club: The local movie theatre is offering free popcorn to voters who show their “I Voted” sticker.

• 301 Chicon St., Ste. A, Austin