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The city of Cedar Park made progress on several projects to improve and expand public parks in 2025. In 2022, Cedar Park voters approved $42 million in bonds for parks and recreation projects. Some notable updates from 2025 include:

Brushy Creek North Fork Trail

• Cedar Park leaders cut the ribbon on the Brushy Creek North Fork Trail in January 2025.
• The 3-mile trail starts near the intersection of West Parmer Lane and East Whitestone Boulevard.

• The connection of the trail at Bell Park to Timber Trail was completed in March, according to the city’s website.
• Bell Park opened in late 2024 along Cluck Creek and includes a playground in addition to approximately 4,000 feet of new trail.

• New lighting control systems have been installed at all city tennis courts.
• The city says the new systems enable staff to be more efficient by eliminating the need to visit each site to adjust lighting timers and by remotely alerting them to potential light or power failures.

Planet Fitness opened a new location in northwest Austin in December.

The details: The gym chain offers cardio and strength training equipment, free fitness classes and community amenities such as locker rooms, showers and free Wi-Fi. Black Card memberships provide access to massage chairs, tanning beds and free guest passes.

• 13729 N Hwy. 183, Ste. 1200, Austin

The Williamson County Republican Party will require voters to use a polling location in their specified precinct on election day for March primaries, a county official said.

This change will also require the Democratic Party to move to precinct-based voting in response, according to Williamson County Elections Administrator Bridgette Escobedo.

What you need to know: Historically, Williamson County voters have been able to cast their ballot at any county-run polling location. This will still be the case during early voting, which runs from Feb. 17-27, the official said.

However, on election day, March 3, voters must use a polling location in their specified precinct. An up-to-date voting precinct map can be found here. Residents can also check their voter registration card to determine which precinct they reside in.

Specific polling locations haven’t been released yet.

In related news: Voters in Williamson County will use hand-marked ballots, rather than a machine, following a commissioner court vote in June to switch to a ballot-on-demand system.

With the new year beginning and resolutions underway, individuals may look into body contouring procedures to feel more confident in their bodies, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sanjay K. Sharma said. 

Affiliated with Ascension Medical Group, the University of Texas Dell Medical School and the University of Texas Medical Branch, Sharma said these procedures are common in the Austin area due to the community’s culture of being outdoors and trying to stay healthy. He spoke with Community Impact about how body contouring works, ideal candidates and tips for community members to know when looking for a provider. 

What is body contouring?
Body contouring is a broad-based category in plastic surgery. Any part of the body can be contoured. It can be from areas that are sort of stubborn fat deposits. Patients sometimes want to know how they can get rid of isolated pockets around the abdomen, legs, thighs or arms.

Check out the top six trending stories in the Austin area for Jan. 12-15. 

1. Round Rock council gives initial go-ahead for speed limit reduction on Greenlawn Boulevard

2. LongHorn Steakhouse saddles up for Bastrop opening

3. Tunnels complete for Lake Travis deep-water intake project

4. Updates on 8 current and future transportation projects in Georgetown

5. Check out 13 of Leander’s latest launches, leavings and local leaps

6. From Thai food to beer: Check out 6 business updates in Dripping Springs

Some Texas film industry leaders say the state is on its way to becoming the third “media coast,” joining Los Angeles and New York as film production hubs. A recent increase in state funding is helping buoy that growth, said Chase Musslewhite, co-founder of Media for Texas, an Austin-based nonprofit that advocates for the advancement of the state’s film industry.

The details: Through 2035, $1.5 billion in state incentives will be available for movies, television shows, documentaries and related projects created in Texas.

To be eligible for the program funding under Senate Bill 22, at least 35% of a production’s cast and crew must live in Texas and at least 60% of the work must be done in-state, according to the Texas Film Commission. Grant reimbursements start at 5% and go up to 31%, depending on how much a production spends and other aspects of the project.

The local impact: After SB 22 became law Sept. 1, some local governments across Texas—including Austin, San Antonio and Houston—expanded or launched their own film incentive programs.