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The city of Leander held a soft opening for the new Senior Activity Center Jan. 13. The center is now open for residents on weekdays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. with programming beginning Jan. 26, according to a city news release.

The background: The senior center was part of Leander’s 2016 bond package. The city broke ground on the project in May 2024, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

The Features: The space is designed for residents ages 55 and older, according to the city’s website, offering individuals the opportunity to attend creative workshops, classes, group programs, social gatherings and participate in fitness activities.

The activity center also includes amenities like cardio equipment, a covered patio, a game room, open court yard, trails, strength equipment, internet and more.

• 709 Municipal Drive, Leander

Williamson County voters participating in the March 3 primary election will use precinct-specific voting locations on Election Day, even though countywide polling locations will remain available through early voting.

Explained: Although the Williamson County Elections Department manages early voting, the Republican and Democratic parties are responsible for Election Day procedures, County Elections Administrator Bridgette Escobedo said.

For the first time since 2013, the Williamson County Republican Party opted for precinct-specific polling locations, which in turn requires the local Democratic Party to follow suit.

Digging deeper: Republicans plan to operate 79 polling locations, combining some of the 177 voting precincts. The Democratic Party plans to operate 46 polling locations. These numbers have not been finalized and are subject to change, according to officials from the Republican Party.

Voters can check county voter precinct maps to identify their updated precinct, which went into effect on Jan. 1.

Specific polling locations, for both early voting and Election Day, have not been released yet. Early voting locations should become available next week, Escobedo said.

A burn ban for unincorporated areas of Travis County has been lifted as of Jan. 26.

The details: The ban was able to be lifted due to recent rainfall, according to a Travis County news release. Immediate wildfire risk has been reduced. Outdoor burning is now allowed and must comply with state regulations, according to the release. County officials recommend keeping water or a fire extinguisher nearby while burning.

What they're saying: “While conditions have improved, I encourage everyone to be careful when burning outdoors,” Travis County Judge Andy Brown said in the news release. “Additionally, I urge everyone to use extreme caution when heating your homes when we experience cold temperature. Never leave a space heater or fireplace unattended.”

The background: The recent burn ban for the unincorporated areas of Travis County—areas outside of any specific city—was put into effect Dec. 29 and extended to remain in effect until Feb. 10, as previously reported by Community Impact. However, recent conditions made it possible to lift the ban early.

The March 3 primary election is coming up, and so is the deadline to register to vote. Eligible Texans must register by Feb. 2 to cast votes in dozens of races, including 18 statewide officials, 38 members of Congress, 166 state legislators and various local seats, such as county judges and commissioners.

How to register: Texans must submit a paper voter registration application by Feb. 2. Applications can be mailed to their county elections office or delivered in-person.

To avoid delivery delays under new federal postmark rules, prospective voters may requests that mailed applications be hand-stamped at a local post office.

The big picture: Texas holds primaries for partisan elected positions at the federal, state, regional and local levels. Republican and Democratic primary voters will have a say in which candidates will represent their chosen political party on the November ballot, shaping who is ultimately elected to each seat.

In recent years, no more than one-fourth of registered Texas voters have cast ballots in primary elections, state data shows.