The Brazos River Authority implemented Stage 1 drought watch for nine reservoirs in its supply system, including Lake Georgetown, according to a March 30 news release.

What it means: The Stage 1 designation is intended to bring awareness to developing drought and achieve a voluntary 5% reduction in water use, the release states.

The BRA determined the status through measuring the Palmer Hydrologic Drought Index, which is an indicator of the level of wet or dry conditions in a specific area.

The monthly PHDI dropped because of drier-than-normal conditions, the release states.

What’s next: The BRA asked those who receive water supply from the affected reservoirs to activate an individual drought contingency plan, educate the public on reducing water use and notify customers of any action taken.

If conditions change within the reservoirs, the BRA will notify its customers and the public.

Aspire Allergy & Sinus opened a location in Georgetown in early April, giving families easier access to allergy care without driving into Austin, according to a news release.

The new clinic marks the organization’s eighth location in the Greater Austin area. The Austin-based practice has more than 60 locations across multiple states, offering allergy testing and treatment, food allergy testing and treatment, sinus evaluation and treatment, allergy shots, and allergy drops.

What they’re saying: “This new location allows us to better serve the growing communities north of Austin,” Bartschmid said in a release. “We’re focused on making high-quality, convenient allergy care more accessible to patients closer to home.”

• 3316 Williams Drive, Ste. 120, Georgetown

Check out the latest upcoming, ongoing or completed transportation projects around the Austin metro.

Ongoing projects
Oak Knoll Flood Risk Reduction
Project: The project will improve the storm drain system in part of the Oak Knoll neighborhood to reduce the risk of flooding. 
Update: According to Austin Capital Delivery Services, crews will next install storm drains along Woodcrest Drive and Columbia Oaks Court, during which time a 24-hour flagger station on Columbia Oaks Drive and J. Gregg Cove will be set up to control traffic.

• Timeline: 2025-27

• Cost: $9 million

• Funding source: city of Austin 2018 bond

Completed projects 
CARTS boosts metro-bound Bastrop County routes to cut traffic, emissions
Bastrop County commuters gained new transit options March 2 with the launch of two regional bus routes culminating in downtown Austin: one connecting Bastrop and Smithville, and the other connecting Georgetown and Round Rock. Riders can park at CARTS Park & Ride locations and take coach buses into Austin, offering an alternative to driving and downtown parking.

Nearly eight months after a Democratic walkout over congressional redistricting, a GOP-led Texas House committee moved to charge 52 of their Democratic colleagues up to $8,354.25 each in fines.

What happened: After six hours behind closed doors, the House Administration Committee approved the fines in a brief public session April 10. The panel's six Republicans voted to impose the fines, while the five Democrats voted against them.

The background: Over 50 House Democrats left the state in early August to fight a plan to redraw Texas’ congressional boundaries. They remained out of Texas for two weeks, impeding the progress of legislation during two special legislative sessions, although the congressional map and more than a dozen other bills ultimately passed after the Democrats returned to Austin.

Something to note: The fines were reduced by $1,000 per person to reflect two days when the House was not in session, lawmakers said. Some Democrats were also charged lower amounts because they did not participate in the full two-week walkout or their absences were partially excused.