Construction of Bastrop County’s upcoming Waterloo Solar farm is steadily progressing—a project that spans two sites nearly 10 miles from one another. 

The details: Kellie Woods, the senior manager of external communications for RWE Energy confirmed with Community Impact that crews are actively working from locations on opposite sides of Hwy. 71, including:

• Waterloo Solar-North, 294 Berdoll Lane, Cedar Creek
• Waterloo Solar-South, FM 535, Del Valle

Starbucks reopened Jan. 24 in Bastrop following a temporary closure.

What we know: A Starbucks spokesperson told Community Impact the temporary closure, which lasted approximately three weeks, was necessary to complete standard maintenance, including interior renovations.

The menu: During business hours—5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday—customers can purchase a variety of espresso drinks, blended coffees and baked goods.

• 501 Hwy. 71 W., Ste. B, Bastrop

From residential to retail, check out some of the most expensive permits filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

Donley Mixed Use: Construction of a mixed-use retail and residential development is slated to break ground in North Austin. A seven-story parking structure will be attached to the building.

• Location: 2101-2201 Donley Drive, Austin
• Estimated timeline: March 1-June 1
• Estimated cost: $70 million

• Location: 2300 E Second St., Austin
• Estimated timeline: April 1-Dec. 31, 2027
• Estimated cost: $16.3 million

Eight Republican candidates are running to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate during the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The big picture: Republican incumbent John Cornyn is seeking a fifth term as Texas' senior senator. Each state has two U.S. senators—Cornyn currently serves alongside Republican Ted Cruz.

Seven Republican candidates are challenging Cornyn for the Republican nomination: John O. Adefope, Anna Bender, Virgil John Bierschwale, Sara Canady, Wesley Hunt, Gulrez “Gus” Khan and Ken Paxton.

If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes in the Republican primary, a runoff election will be held between the two top vote-getters on May 26.

Looking ahead: The winning Republican candidate will face the winner of the Democratic nomination in November; the winner of that election will be sworn in to the U.S. Senate in January 2027.

Three Democratic candidates are running to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate during the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The overview: Jasmine Crockett, Ahmad R. Hassan and James Talarico are competing for the Democratic nomination for a six-year term in the U.S. Senate.

The details: Each state has two U.S. senators, with Ted Cruz and John Cornyn currently representing Texas. Cornyn, whose seat is up for election, is running for reelection in an eight-way Republican primary.

The winning Democratic candidate will face the winner of the Republican nomination in November; the winner of that election will be sworn in to the U.S. Senate in January 2027.