From hand-shaped cowboy hats to an event honoring Texas’ first female engineer, explore 10 feature stories from Bastrop County in 2025.

January
Awaken Bastrop promotes wellness community through 3-business collective

From the outside, a small yellow house illuminates a cozy atmosphere in the heart of downtown Bastrop. Three businesses call the building home: Admiring You Wellness, True Massage and Wellness and Christopher Andrew Hair.

February
Over 100 attend Bastrop ceremony honoring Texas' first female engineer

Over 100 people from across the country gathered on Jan. 31 to honor Texas’ first female engineer with a historical marker at her childhood home in Bastrop.

March
'Salt, pepper and love': Bubby's BBQ brings backyard atmosphere with passionate meals

When moving to Smithville in 2022, Jay Johnson hadn’t planned to open a family restaurant, but after sharing a meal with new neighbors, he was encouraged to try a different path. Two years later, Johnson officially opened Bubby’s BBQ and serves entrees and sides made with love and passion.

Kristi Lee was named the new superintendent of Bastrop ISD at the board of trustees’ Dec. 16 meeting. She was named interim superintendent in July after former Superintendent Barry Edwards retired after 17 years, as previously reported by Community Impact.

How it started: Lee first joined BISD in 2016, serving as the district’s associate superintendent and executive director of communications and community relations. She began her career in business before becoming a teacher in Normangee ISD, where she later became principal at an elementary and high school.

How it's going: Lee is the first woman to lead the district as its superintendent. She holds a master’s and doctorate in educational leadership from Sam Houston State University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in English and political science from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Lee spoke with Community Impact in December about her goals for BISD. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

We Are Blood is encouraging Central Texas to kick off the new year by donating blood at a local hospital.

The overview: In honor of its 75th anniversary, the organization will host its Partners for Patients event from Jan. 2-9 at nearly 20 hospitals and emergency medical service agencies across Central Texas. The blood drive campaign, held during National Blood Donor Month, is intended to combat blood shortages experienced during and after the holidays, according to We Are Blood information.

How it works: Interested participants can sign up for a time slot to donate blood at several locations from Jan. 2-9.

Why it matters: “During the holidays, emergencies do not slow down,” said Davis Winget, Williamson County clinical practices captain, in a news release. “As first responders, we see firsthand how donated blood saves lives every day. Partnering with We Are Blood helps ensure patients have what they need when it matters most.”

Here are the top Community Impact stories in the Austin area from Dec. 29-Jan. 1:
1. Kohl’s will not open new store in Bastrop
2. Bastrop Sprouts seeks 82 new hires ahead of spring opening
3. Austin ISD names principals for schools affected by closures and turnaround plans
4. AI guardrails, tax rates after disasters: New Texas laws take effect Jan. 1
5. Bastrop concludes $3.5 million Agnes Street extension project
6. Austin Energy planning for 'tremendous strain,' possible billing impacts from new data centers

Virtual reality experience Horizon of Khufu opened in early December in North Austin.

The details: The 45-minute-long excursion takes users through the Giza Plateau and the Great Pyramid of Giza in ancient Egypt using VR headsets. Tickets for the experience range from $26-$32 and are open to anyone 8 years old or older and at least 4’6”.

Did you know?: Austin is the first Texas city to feature the exhibit, which has been brought to other major cities such as Chicago, Montreal, and London. 

• 11000 Middle Fiskville Road, Ste. A1, Austin