ATX-BAS: Impact 8/13/2026

Good Morning, Bastrop & Cedar Creek!

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Support Bastrop County history during Day of Giving on Aug. 15

Residents can support local history while getting a behind-the-scenes look at the Bastrop Visitor Center & Museum on Aug. 15 during the museum's second annual Day of Giving.

In a nutshell: Donations of $10 or more will give visitors a chance to explore the museum’s archives, preview upcoming permanent exhibits—including one dedicated to the Tonkawa tribe—and see its latest exhibit, “Soul Circuit: Juneteenth Rodeo.”

Funds raised will support educational programming, exhibits and community events.

One more thing: The one-day fundraising campaign coincides with a special time in Bastrop County's history.

"The event is held in August to commemorate Stephen F. Austin's journey through the area, during which he famously wrote that this would be an ideal place for settlement," officials said.

Aug. 15, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Bastrop Visitor Center & Museum, 904 Main St., Bastrop

Find out more.

Now Open

Crust Pizza Co. now tossing Chicago-style pies in Bastrop

Crust Pizza Co. franchisee Josh Ellis and his team are serving handcrafted pizzas in Bastrop’s Sendero shopping center.

The details: As previously reported, the family-friendly restaurant specializes in Chicago-style pies, pastas, salads and more.

Learn more: Click here to see what other restaurants have recently opened at Sendero.

Opened Aug. 12
Sendero, 853 SH 71 W., Ste. 158, Bastrop

Dig in.

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Ice Age Night

Vintage Market Days

Aug. 14, 6:30-8 p.m.
Austin

Aug. 14-15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Round Rock

More info

Austin Steam Train Wild West Rider

Woodsminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Aug. 15, 9 a.m.
Cedar Park

Aug. 15, 7 p.m.
Austin

More info

To submit your own event, click here.

CI Texas

Texas senators consider how to better prepare communities for wildfires

From 2020-25, more than 45,000 wildfires burned over 2.7 million acres of Texas land, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

Ahead of the 2027 state legislative session, lawmakers are looking into ways to better prevent wildfires from happening and prepare communities to respond when fires do start.

The background: In 2025, state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 34, which required the Texas A&M Forest Service to create a statewide database of firefighting equipment; established a council to improve emergency communications between local, state and federal agencies; and increased funding to help rural volunteer fire departments purchase equipment from $30 million to $40 million.

Quote of note: Sen. Kevin Sparks, a Midland Republican who authored the law, said more work needs to be done to increase wildfire preparedness across the state.

"As we move forward, our focus should be on a more proactive approach that prioritizes prevention and mitigation alongside response preparedness," Sparks said during an Aug. 11 hearing of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, which he chairs.

See more details.

Your local team

Amanda Cutshall
Editor

Leslie Bradshaw
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

Good Morning, Bastrop & Cedar Creek!

Your local team

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