Four Republican candidates are running for Bastrop County district clerk in the upcoming March primaries.

The overview: Holly Cox, Sarah Loucks, Tamara "Tammy" Batot and Ward Northcutt will compete for the Republican nomination. The winning Republican candidate will not have a challenger in November, as no Democratic candidate filed, according to the Texas Secretary of State website.

What you need to know: Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.

The city of Bastrop is slated to launch a new program called Fridays, Art, Market and Entertainment, or F.A.M.E., days in February. 

The details: Michelle Limas, the cultural arts coordinator for Discover Bastrop, told Community Impact the free monthly event will feature a different theme each month. 

The first F.A.M.E. Days event on Feb. 6 will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Pine Street in downtown Bastrop, which will be closed to traffic from Main Street to Water Street, according to the city of Bastrop. 

The theme, Limas highlighted, is centered around Black History Month with an emphasis on the following: 

• Legacy and love
• Creativity
• Community pride

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

Upcoming projects
Hwy. 290 extension project
Project: project seeks to reduce congestion along 15 miles of Hwy. 290 between Hwy. 130 and Hwy. 95 South in Bastrop County
Update: public survey concluded Oct. 10

• Timeline: expected to complete first draft of schematic design mid-2026
• Cost: TBD
• Funding source: TBD

• Timeline: total project completion expected in 2026
• Cost: $612 million
• Funding source: federal funding, sale of roll revenue bonds, Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act funds

With the new year beginning and resolutions underway, individuals may look into body contouring procedures to feel more confident in their bodies, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sanjay K. Sharma said. 

What's happening
Affiliated with Ascension Medical Group, the University of Texas Dell Medical School and the University of Texas Medical Branch, Sharma said these procedures are common in the Austin area due to the community’s culture of being outdoors and trying to stay healthy. He spoke with Community Impact about how body contouring works, ideal candidates and tips for community members to know when looking for a provider. 

What is body contouring?
Body contouring is a broad-based category in plastic surgery. Any part of the body can be contoured. It can be from areas that are sort of stubborn fat deposits. Patients sometimes want to know how they can get rid of isolated pockets around the abdomen, legs, thighs or arms.

Meet the Republican candidates running to represent District 5 in the Texas Senate. The primary election will be on March 3.

A closer look: During the primary election, voters choose their party’s nominee in Democratic or Republican races. Members of the Texas Senate are elected to four-year terms with no term limits. Senate District 5 covers parts of Williamson and Bastrop Counties.

Candidates running for the seat were asked to complete a questionnaire from Community Impact. Candidates were asked to email responses to the following questions, keep responses within 50 words and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.