Residents are urged to adopt, foster or donate to Bastrop County Animal Services as the shelter reaches capacity and officials face difficult decisions.

What you should know: Between April 24-27, shelter staff issued statements on social media asking that those considering adopting or fostering a pet take it strongly into consideration now more than ever.

“We always do everything we can for these sweet souls, but at this time, we are overwhelmed and need help from the community,” a statement reads.

Lend a hand: Foster parents care for orphaned puppies and kittens who need to be bottle-fed or are not yet fully vaccinated, or fully grown pets who just need a place to stay until a rescue is available.

“We are full, and every adoption or foster opens up a kennel for another dog in need,” officials said in a statement, adding that kittens will be available soon.

Other ways to help include volunteering or ordering items from the shelter's Amazon Wish List.

• 589 Cool Water Drive, Bastrop

Austin leaders advanced a city incentive deal for a $985 million resort project at Circuit of the Americas this spring that's expected to add hundreds of jobs and generate billions of dollars in the local economy.

The details: RIDA Development is planning a 1,000-room hotel with a golf course and 170,000-square-foot conference center on the western portion of the COTA project in Del Valle. A 30-year economic development agreement between Austin and RIDA proposed this spring would see the city reimburse a portion of the hotel occupancy tax, or HOT, generated by the resort once it's operating.

The project's construction is expected to create nearly 4,000 temporary jobs, while the resort will support about 900 permanent jobs and indirectly create hundreds more. The city deal would also see RIDA contribute public parkland and soccer fields, pay into Austin's affordable housing fund and offer resort discounts for local residents. It was widely supported before City Council advanced negotiations over the proposal April 23.

Check out the latest Austin metro transportation updates. 

Upcoming projects
Roundabout at Sam Bass Road, Hairy Man Road Intersection
Project: A roundabout will be added to the intersection of Sam Bass and Hairy Man Roads in Round Rock to improve traffic flow and safety.
Update: Project design is 60% complete, per Round Rock city officials.

• Timeline: TBD
• Cost: TBD
• Funding source: TBD

• Timeline: total project completion expected in 2026
• Cost: $500,000 for design
• Funding source: Hutto Economic Development Corporation funding

• Timeline: summer 2024-spring 2026
• Cost: $6.9 million
• Funding source: Austin 2016 Mobility Bond