Thinking about an e-bike? Austin Energy customers can get up to $600 back through the utility's E-Ride rebate program—and income-qualified customers enrolled in the Customer Assistance Program can receive up to $1,300.

Learn more about the rebate tiers, application requirements and what riders should know about battery safety after a fire suspended CapMetro's Bikeshare service.

Blush Bridal Lounge recently relocated to a larger location along a familiar street. The bridal shop is now selling wedding gowns and accessories at its new North Lamar spot effective July 7, according to a social media post. 

About the business: Erica Janke opened the business in 2009 with more than 20 years of experience in the bridal industry. 

What they offer: The boutique sells gowns and accessories from leading designers, indie labels and international brands, according to its website. Brides can find modern, rustic, timeless and highly embellished styles. The racks are stocked with designers like Lillian West and Calla Blanche and dresses ranging from $1,800-$7,000. 

One more thing: The bridal boutique is hosting a grand opening trunk show July 8-18. The event will showcase collections from Enzoani and Élysée.

• 7801 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. B176, Austin

After 16 years in downtown Austin, Turf N Surf Po’ Boy is now closed, owner Ralph Gilmore said. 

Learn more: Gilmore announced the closure on Facebook earlier this month, citing reasons like high food costs and a lack of sales. Gilmore also noted less foot traffic at the restaurant due to the convention center’s temporary closure and more people working from home. 

The backstory: Turf N Surf Po' Boy opened in 2010 serving po’ boys, tacos, salads and sides. 

What’s next: After closing Turf N Surf Po’ Boy, Gilmore announced his new business venture in Aransas Pass, Texas. Hook House Kitchen will serve up familiar surf and turf options, including steaks, snapper and mahi; it’s expected to open in September, Gilmore said. 

The restaurant will also cook any fish that a patron caught themselves, serving it grilled, fried or blackened. For drinks, customers can expect to sip on beer and cocktails. 

• 407 Lavaca St., Austin

Austin officials are reviewing the potential impacts of decades of proposed development in the Dog's Head before their upcoming vote on a tax-backed financing plan to support its build-out. City leaders also revealed an Amazon robotics manufacturing project is lined up as the Dog's Head's anchor industrial tenant.

The details: Through the summer, Austin and Travis County leaders have considered the creation of a Dog's Head tax increment reinvestment zone, or TIRZ, to reimburse a share of significant infrastructure needed for the area. County commissioners declined to join the TIRZ plan in mid-July, citing the need for more details and assurances from Endeavor, while City Council members are scheduled to consider the financing plan July 23.

What else: City staff have framed the TIRZ as a major benefit that'd raise new public revenue, attract major development and employers, create new jobs, and address local food and healthcare access issues. They also announced Amazon as the first major tenant in the Dog's Head, where a 300-acre robotics facility is planned.

A new subdivision in Leander, off-campus student housing in Austin, and a pair of oil change spots are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. 900 West 23rd: This project involves the new construction of off-campus student housing.

2. Glory Hill Subdivision ($3.5 million): Glory Hill Subdivision is a new construction project in Leander for 43 single-family lots on 15.45 acres.

3. Brushy Creek MUD Sewer Capacity Project ($1.9 million): This project involves the installation of 3,000 linear feet of 12" sewer line, crossing through an existing accessible parking space located at Brushy Creek North Park.

4. Jiffy Lube ($1.8 million): This project includes the construction of a commercial building for use as a 2,226 square-foot Jiffy Lube.

5. Valvoline ($1.4 million): A 3,447 square-foot Valvoline Instant Oil Change is planned for Austin.

Sandy Creek resident Georgia Bishop was out of town when 22 inches of rain fell on parts of northwest Travis County over the July 4, 2025, weekend. When Bishop returned home days later, her community was significantly changed.

What happened: Residents of the hard-hit Sandy Creek neighborhood described a “wall of water” that tore through their community last July, washing away homes, cars and roads. Nine people died in the flooding, including Bishop’s best friend, 16-year-old Felicity Jarmon.

The context: One year later, residents of the unincorporated Travis County community are still working to rebuild from last July’s catastrophic flooding. Central Texas has seen two straight years of intense, deadly flooding in July, leaving some residents on edge as they recover from last year’s disaster and mourn lost loved ones.

Community Impact spoke with Bishop and Kylie Nidever, whose neighborhood in Hunt flooded last year, on July 13, days before heavy rainfall hit large swaths of the state once again. Officials confirmed two deaths due to this year's floods, while 137 people died last July.