Austin and Travis County residents should prepare to receive multiple emergency alerts on Thursday, April 2, as local government agencies participate in a statewide test of public warning systems.

What residents need to know: The Texas Division of Emergency Management announced the first-of-its-kind statewide testing of local alerting systems earlier this month. Locally, both Austin and Travis County have been preparing for the drills for weeks. Most residents will likely receive location-based Integrated Public Alert & Warning System, or IPAWS, wireless alerts, while those who are subscribed to Warn Central Texas will also receive alerts through that system.

School districts, colleges and universities, river authorities, and other law enforcement or emergency management agencies may test their systems as well.

Officials urged residents to both subscribe to emergency alerts through WarnCentralTexas.org, and ensure their cellphone settings allow other alerts to come through.

Looking for things to do in April? Check out this noncomprehensive list of events taking place in the Southwest Austin and Dripping Springs area. All events are subject to change.

Sunset Valley Artfest
The 18th annual festival hosted by the City of Sunset Valley Arts Commission offers over 120 artisans showcasing their handmade work. In addition, the event features live music, local food trucks and an area for children’s interactive activities.

• April 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• Toney Burger Center, 3200 Jones Road, Austin

• April 11-12
• $15+ (tickets)
• St. Edward’s University, 3001 S. Congress Ave., Austin

Dell Children’s Medical Center in Central Austin has become the first pediatric hospital to provide bone marrow transplants, also known as stem cell transplants, in Central Texas.

The impact: The procedure increases the cure rate for pediatric cancer patients, Dell Children’s doctors told Community Impact. The new stem cell transplant program means Austin-area families no longer have to leave Central Texas to receive lifesaving cancer care, said Dr. Amir Mian, the program’s medical director and division chief for pediatric oncology and hematology.

“Previously, everybody had to travel out of town, and what it meant was leaving home for more than a month, sometimes even longer,” Mian said. “Now they don’t have to ... nobody has to leave town just to get lifesaving treatment.”

How it works: The transplant involves removing a patient's bone marrow and replacing older stem cells by administering new stem cells to pediatric cancer patients through an IV, Mian said. The stem cells travel to the patient’s bone marrow and begin producing healthy blood cells that may restore their immune system.

“The living room of South Congress Avenue” will close its doors to guests in early May for a comprehensive renovation, according to Daryl Gomersall, South Congress Hotel’s general manager.

The details: The hotel’s closure will begin on May 31, with renovations expected to conclude in early 2027.

Visitors can expect to see a full redesign of all guestrooms, updates to the lobby and rooftop and a refresh of food and beverage outlets. Mañana, the hotel’s in-house coffee shop, will remain open during the renovation serving coffee, tea, pastries and grab-and-go items.

Dig deeper: The boutique hotel features 83 rooms, three restaurants, a coffee shop, rooftop pool, bar and two retail shops. Restaurants include Otoko, Café No Sé and Maie Day, a twice-recognized MICHELIN Guide Recommended Restaurant serving steak, seafood and cocktails. 

One more thing: To inquire about upcoming reservations, visitors can call 888-848-9496, if located in the Americas, or 1-402-952-1131 for all other inquiries.
1603 South Congress, Austin

From a new commercial building at The Domain shopping center to private school improvements and more, here are five of the most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Baer Manufacturing Crosspoint Tenant Improvement in Georgetown ($15.7 million): A 605,873-square-foot office, manufacturing and warehouse space will be built.

2. Domain 9.5 in Austin ($7 million): Austin-based Cousins Properties will construct a two-story, four-tenant commercial building with a parking garage at The Domain shopping center, totaling 31,410 square feet.

3. Veritas Academy in Austin ($7 million): The private school campus will add a gym, field house and community hall.

4. Gerber Collision and Glass in Liberty Hill ($2 million): The Illinois-based automotive repair company will build its fourth location in Williamson County. 

5. Driftwood Business Center in Austin ($600,000): The Driftwood Business Center will add a 6,648-square-foot warehouse with space for multiple tenants.