Bastrop residents could see expanded First National Bank services if its parent company finalizes a planned acquisition of a Columbus-based bank later this year. The financial institution released a statement April 28 regarding the plan.

In a nutshell: Bastrop Bancshares Inc., the parent company of First National Bank of Bastrop, announced that it entered into an agreement to acquire Columbus Bancorp Inc., the parent company of The First State Bank in Columbus.

The all-cash transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026. If finalized, the combined institution would have about $1.25 billion in assets, $750 million in loans and $1.1 billion in deposits.

What it means: According to the news release, the merger is expected to expand loan and deposit products, locations and services for commercial, agricultural and consumer customers across Central Texas.

A national dental practice is now serving Bastrop patients at Burleson Crossing East following an early May ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Bastrop Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Stay in the know: Aspen Dental marks the fifth business to open in the Burleson Crossing East shopping center—a retail development on 20 acres of land formerly known by locals as the goat field.

Other businesses now open include:

• LongHorn Steakhouse: opened Feb. 16

• Sprouts Farmers Market: opened March 6

• First Watch: opened March 16

• PetSmart: opened April 18

Community Impact also confirmed a bubble tea spot called Kung Fu Tea will join the development. The business is expected to be completed in late June.

Before you go: Click here to learn more about Burleson Crossing East and other major developments underway in Bastrop.

• Opened May 5

• Burleson Crossing East, 661 SH 71 W., Ste. 119, Bastrop

Check out some of the most read stories from the Austin area May 4-7. 

1. Road to relief: Drivers navigate construction along SH 71 as TxDOT continues $293M updates

2. Cedar Park unveils plan for major expansion of Lakeline Park

3. Thomas Ranch near Spicewood continues to progress on construction

4. Second HTeaO location opens in Georgetown

5. New playground, tennis, pickleball courts now open in Round Rock

6. Royal Blue Grocery moves closer to Mueller opening

Following pressure from summer camp operators, lawmakers and legislative leaders, Texas is suspending a requirement that all camps install “end-to-end” fiber-optic internet infrastructure before opening this summer.

The background: After catastrophic flooding in Central Texas killed more than 130 people—including 28 deaths at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian camp—last July, state lawmakers passed a pair of laws designed to strengthen safety and emergency preparedness requirements for all Texas summer camps. One provision of the laws requires that camps install two types of broadband internet, including a fiber-optic system.

Nineteen camp operators sued the state over the fiber-optic rule in April, citing million-dollar installation fees and limited access to fiber-optic services in rural parts of Texas.

What's happening: The Department of State Health Services, which licenses youth camps, said it reached an agreement with the camp operators May 7. Under the agreement, Texas camps that maintain “redundant” broadband internet services—such as cellular, microwave or satellite technology—will not have their license revoked or denied as long as they meet all other safety requirements.