Austin has officially ended the local emergency operations that ramped up in response to the past week’s severe winter weather, while overnight cold weather shelters will continue to operate through Feb. 1.

The details: The Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center deactivated at noon Jan. 28. The center was first activated Jan. 24 in response to the recent weather event that included local disaster declarations by Austin and Travis County officials.

The city and county have now transitioned to “ongoing recovery and monitoring operations,” a news release states, with most Austin facilities returning to normal operations after public buildings were closed or had delayed openings to start the week.

While temperatures have risen and storm warnings expired, caution is still advised. The city urged residents to be take care overnight and in early morning hours when refreezing in shaded roadways and walkways is possible.

More emergency information is available at www.austintexas.gov/alerts, while disaster recovery tips and resources are also available online.

After five years, Juniper Tree Market closed in downtown Dripping Springs.

The details: The locally owned market sold jewelry, apparel and decor.

Also of note: Owners Bruce and Vicky Lewis also originally founded Mazama Coffee Co., which they sold in 2022 to local Lori Green, as previously reported by Community Impact.

• 301 W. Mercer St., Ste. A, Dripping Springs

Dripping Springs officials discussed new developments, transportation and utility projects at a State of the City presentation on Jan. 28. Learn about what to expect this year in Dripping Springs.

Growth and Development: Several neighborhoods and subdivisions are making progress in the Dripping Springs area, including ranch at Caliterra and Village Grove. In addition to new housing developments, several businesses are putting down roots in the city.

Wastewater update: The city is in the process of expanding wastewater facilities, following a ruling by the Texas Supreme Court in April. The permit was originally approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in 2019, but was challenged by an advocacy group. 

Transportation: Planning Director Tory Carpenter said that the key issue facing Dripping Springs is the bottleneck at Hwy. 290 and Ranch Road 12. Village Grove Parkway opened in late 2025 to help alleviate this issue.

Learn more: The full presentation will be available on the city of Dripping Springs' website.