ATX-LLH: Impact 10/15/2025

Agape BBQ is marking a milestone in the Liberty Hill community.

The details: The restaurant celebrated its fifth anniversary Oct. 11. The company serves authentic Texas barbecue favorites such as brisket, ribs and pulled pork, in addition to sides such as cole slaw, hatch mac and cheese, corn casserole and more.

Agape serves its barbecue in an open backyard shaded by live oaks and has a stage for live music and other events. Co-owner Jeremy Archer said the company recently rebuilt the stage with new professional lighting, and is hoping to highlight local bands every Friday and Saturday night.

The business is also available to host parties and can provide catering services.

Bevelo Apartments in Leander held its official grand opening event on Oct. 9, said property manager Katelyn Smith. 

More details: The complex has been open for tours since July and offers one, two and three bedroom layouts for rent. 

Dig deeper: Units feature stainless steel appliances, electronic keyless entry and soft close drawers and cabinets. Community amenities include a clubhouse fit with a communal cafe and bar area, pool table, outdoor fire pits, a resort-style pool and gas grills. 

• Opened Oct. 9
• 125 Larkspur Park Blvd., Leander

Emergency cleanup crews will finish the ongoing debris removal operations in Williamson County in mid-December, County Emergency Management Director Bruce Clements said at an Oct. 14 meeting.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency funded the cleanup following the July 4 weekend floods, which damaged many Central Texas cities, including Leander, Georgetown and Liberty Hill.

What’s being done: Grapple trucks filled with materials like tree branches, vegetation, soil and rocks have been transporting the debris to a cleanup site in Williamson County daily. Austin Wood Recycling in Hutto is turning the natural material into mulch, amounting to an area of mulch the size of a football field and over 60 feet deep.

The update: Debris removal must be completed within six months of the disaster, in accordance with FEMA rules, and the county has targeted a completion date for before Christmas, Clements said.

Opening a small business like a cafe or coffee truck within Austin neighborhoods could soon be made easier under reforms requested by City Council this fall.

The details: A measure from council member Ryan Alter approved Oct. 10 calls to "minimize barriers to and encourage accessibility of" launching community-oriented coffee shops in residential areas. Alter cited the lack of such walkable places around Austin today as a reason he hopes to promote more businesses closer to residents' homes.

Officials' October vote is just the first step in the process and kicks off a review by city planners that could last up to a year. Alter's approved resolution calls for any regulatory changes or other updates to be made by early December 2026.

Quote of note: "I’ve visited a number of cities where you just walk out and have the ability to, let’s say, go to a little cafe or something. And that’s a positive experience," he said.