Registration is open for the Bastrop Area Cruisers’ 20th annual Heroes & Hot Rods car show, which will bring hot rods and classic cars to downtown Bastrop Nov. 13-14.

Event details: Honoring veterans and first responders, the two-day event will feature about 400 hot rods and other classic cars, and a tribute to veterans.

What to expect: Participants can register online for $35 through Bastrop Area Cruisers, with the show capped at 400 pre-registered vehicles. Event officials said no day-of registration will be available.

Why it matters: Registration fees will go to local veterans organizations and automotive technician scholarships.

• Nov. 13 (cruise-in), 5-9 p.m.; Nov. 14, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (car show); 11 a.m. (veterans tribute)

• Free (spectators); $35 (car show registration)

• Downtown Bastrop

Miniature golf is returning to a familiar Bastrop hangout as a new concept prepares to open in the former Back 9 Bar space, which closed Jan. 20.

What we know: Fore Fun Saloon will open under the direction of Alexander Valdez, according to a Sept. 23 filing with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

Membership to the private club will be free, and members will have access to miniature golf, live music and cold beer, according to the business’ Facebook page.

What else? Valdez is hiring ahead of the opening for a full-time bar manager and bar lead, plus full- and part-time bartenders.

• Opening TBD

• 834 SH 71 W., Bastrop

Check out the latest transportation project updates across the Austin metro.

Upcoming projects

Centerpoint Road Crossing Overpass

Project: Crews will construct an overpass over the Union Pacific Railroad crossing on Centerpoint Road in San Marcos. The project will feature a widened roadway with a median and shoulders and shared-use paths on both sides.

Update: The project secured a $39.23 million federal award through the Federal Railroad Administration.

• Timeline: 2026-30

• Cost: $52.9 million

• Funding source: Hays County, FRA, UPR

Completed projects

I-35 Capital Express Central: MLK Jr. Boulevard Bridge Segment

Project: The project included reconstruction and widening of the MLK Jr. Boulevard bridge over I-35 in East Austin, adding sidewalks, shade structures, a safety barrier, and rebuilding I-35 entrance and exit ramps in both directions.

Update: The bridge is now fully operational, as two lanes reopened in each direction in early August. Crews are finishing shared-use paths and wider sidewalks this month.

• Timeline: 2024–26

• Cost: $34.4 million

• Funding source: TxDOT and Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

The Texas comptroller's office is reviewing the finances and spending decisions of four public school districts: Austin, El Paso, Prosper and Barbers Hill ISDs.

The overview: The review was requested by Gov. Greg Abbott in August and will identify whether schools are directing taxpayer dollars toward students, teachers and classrooms over administrative costs, according to information from the two state agencies.

Zooming in: For the 2024-25 school year, the Texas Education Agency gave the selected districts the following financial ratings:

• Austin ISD: B rating; score of 88 (about 69,000 students)

• El Paso ISD: A rating; score of 92 (about 46,000 students)

• Prosper ISD: A rating; score of 94 (about 33,000 students)

• Barbers Hill ISD: A rating; score of 100 (about 8,000 students)

More details: Austin and Prosper ISDs are in Community Impact's coverage areas. According to previous reporting, Austin ISD passed an $887 million general fund budget for fiscal year 2026-27 after making $205 million in gross cuts this summer. Prosper ISD adopted a budget with an expected $42.2 million shortfall.