ATX-BAS: Impact 10/31/2025

Bastrop County plans to hire San Antonio-based DRG Architects for its jail expansion project. 

The details: Contract negotiations were ongoing as of Oct. 27. 

“DRG Architects is the firm that was hired by Bastrop County in 2006 to complete the jail expansion design, and the two architects that worked on this 2006 design are still employed at DRG Architects,” Leon Scaife, a purchasing agent with Bastrop County, said in a staff report. 

Both architects that worked on the 2006 design would be involved in the 2026 redesign, according to county documents.

When Bastrop residents Lauren and Chris Rios opened their coffee shop in town two months ago, they weren’t just serving lattes—they were brewing a new gathering spot for locals craving caffeine and connection.

The menu: In addition to drip and craft coffees, Horizons Coffee Bar serves teas, smoothies, hot chocolate and more.

The details: Lauren Rios emphasized the warm welcome the Bastrop community has given to date. 

“People absolutely love it,” she said. “We're all familiar with the coffee shops that have been around for a while—the Starbucks and all that. Those are great places. But a lot of people like having another option that is local.”

The outlook: The Rioses have a goal to expand their business in the near future.

“We want to do either multiple trailers or even a brick-and-mortar,” Lauren Rios said. “We're looking at different options over the next 18 to 24 months. But right now, we are here, and if this keeps going the way it has been, we may just keep this trailer here.”

• 146 Hwy. 21, Bastrop

Approximately 460,000 Texans have Alzheimer's disease, a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Advocates are encouraging Texas voters to approve State Proposition 14, a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state to spend $3 billion to launch the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.

The overview: Proposition 14 would allocate $3 billion in state dollars to fund the institute for the next 10 years. The institute would work with researchers and doctors to study the prevention and treatment of various neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

All funding for the institute would come from existing state revenue, donations and potential federal grants, meaning no new state taxes or fees would be created.

What they're saying: "If Proposition 14 passes, it really will establish Texas as an incredible leader in our country," neurological researcher Joshua Shulman said. 

At the polls: Early voting runs through Oct. 31, and Election Day is Nov. 4. For more information about the propositions and candidates on your local ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

The overview: As Community Impact enters its third decade, it’s returning to its roots of growth and deeper reader connections. The “Patron” program, which began in 2020 by reader demand, has relaunched as the InCIder.

“This relaunch represents our renewed commitment to readers who support our local news,” CEO John Garrett said. “Beyond funding great journalism, we also want to reward our InCIders and build deeper connections with them, creating a true sense of community around the work we do.”

Event details: As part of the relaunch, Community Impact will host its first-ever InCIder Hour, a new event aimed at celebrating and engaging the company’s supporters.

The event, open to InCIders only, will take place Nov. 12 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Community Impact Headquarters, 16225 Impact Way, Pflugerville.

Guests will have the opportunity to network with fellow InCIders, meet Community Impact staff and attend a featured conversation with legislative reporter Hannah Norton, moderated by Garrett.

“Our first event needed to start where all the hard work is put together,” Garrett said. “People are blown away when they see our operation. To be able to sit and chat with the best legislative reporter in Texas, Hannah Norton, makes it an event our InCIder friends deserve and hopefully will enjoy.”