Literacy Partners program now accepting volunteer applications as school year begins
Community members can spend 30 minutes a week helping children increase their reading literacy at a local elementary school with Education Connection’s Literacy Partners program.
Diving in deeper: Now accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year, the nonprofit organization partners with 18 school districts across Central Texas to serve in 121 schools. The program allows volunteers to read once a week with two students selected by classroom teachers for 15 minutes each.
Volunteers must pass a school district background check and sign a pledge to protect student confidentiality, according to the organization. Necessary training will be provided to volunteers by Education Connection.
The background : Education Connection created its literacy partnership program in 2009 with the goal of having every child reading by the end of third grade, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
Georgetown officials explore sale of water service territory outside city limits
The city of Georgetown is considering limiting the area it provides water to by selling portions of its water service territory located outside city limits and its extraterritorial jurisdiction.
As part of the initial steps of this process, Georgetown will offer these areas for neighboring cities to take on.
Explained: A certificate of convenience and necessity is the geographical area in which the city is required to provide water service.
Currently, 40% of the city’s CCN customers live outside the 174-square-mile area of the city and its ETJ, as Georgetown’s CCN spans a total of 400 square miles. The sale would include areas of the CCN outside the city limits at ETJ, affecting about 11,500 customers.
The why: By selling part of the CCN, the city will reduce the cost burden on Georgetown taxpayers, as well as better control the growing demand for water.
Looking ahead: City officials anticipate the CCN transfer to close by late 2027 to 2029.
White Blossom Pediatric Dentistry coming soon in Georgetown
White Blossom Pediatric Dentistry is opening its doors to the public this fall.
About the practice: White Blossom will provide dental care to infants, children and teens. The team has a focus on gentle techniques and patient education.
Meet the team: Dr. Michelle Zin is the Central Texas local behind White Blossom Pediatric Dentistry. She said she is excited to serve the families of Georgetown and the surrounding communities.
The new concept will be led by chefs Daniel Berg and Dylan Salisbury, of the Austin-based Berg & Sons Hospitality. The company opened its first restaurant, Bill’s Oyster, in 2023 and opened Teddy’s Restaurant & Bar in 2024.
The menu blends fine dining with casual fare, featuring Pat LaFrieda steaks—sourced from the renowned East Coast butcher—alongside burgers, cocktails and wines at a range of price points, according to a news release.
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Asian-barbecue fusion food truck Si Baby-Q relocated to Pink Flamingo Food Court in July. The menu features barbecue dishes with an Asian twist, such as brisket and ribs with an Indonesian pepper and spice rub.
Sides include smoked kimchi; queso noodles made with long peppers from India; street corn; roti, or an Indian bread; and a banana pudding dessert.
The food truck also sells smoked meats by the pound and features weekend specials such as smashburgers.
Communities in Texas’ Flash Flood Alley may soon have to install flood warning sirens
Some communities in Flash Flood Alley, which stretches through Central Texas and includes the Colorado and Guadalupe River basins, would be required to install flood warning sirens under a bill advanced by state House lawmakers Aug. 26.
The details: Under Senate Bill 3:
The Texas Water Development Board would identify areas impacted by the deadly July 4-5 floods that have “a history of consistent or severe flooding.”
Local governments in the identified areas would be required to install flood warning sirens if they are not already present.
The state would distribute up to $50,000 in grants to help cities and counties install warning systems.
Lawmakers have said they were concerned that some Hill Country residents and visitors missed or did not receive emergency alerts related to the July 4 floods, which began before sunrise.
Next steps: House lawmakers passed SB 3 unanimously Aug. 26, returning it to the Senate with a minor amendment. If senators sign off on the amendment, the warning siren bill will head to the governor’s desk.
