ATX-CPF: Impact 11/10/2025

A new Dave’s Ultimate Automotive location opened in Leander in July, offering preventative maintenance, repairs and parts replacement to community members.

More details: James Saunders and Brad Updegraff opened the location, which also specializes in diesel and truck repair for vehicles ranging from pickup trucks to fire trucks.

• Opened July 1
• 10935 E. Crystal Falls Pkwy., Ste. 200, Leander

Operation Liberty Hill, a local nonprofit, food pantry and thrift store, held a ceremony Nov. 5 to celebrate its 10th anniversary of serving the needy in Williamson County.

The history: The nonprofit has its roots as the Liberty Hill Community Food Bank, which started in 2008 out of a local church. The organization originally provided food and supplies to about 45 families in the area, but as the community grew, the food bank expanded. The organization eventually opened its current location in 2015.

Get involved: The nonprofit has since expanded to include a thrift store in addition to its food pantry. The organization continues to accept donations and volunteers to help fill out the supply.

• 1401 N. US 183, Leander

Check out the top trending Community Impact stories in the Austin metro from Nov. 3-7.

1. New high-rise height limit now in effect for downtown Austin

2. Austinites reject Proposition Q tax hike

3. New Indian grocery store in the works in Pflugerville

4. Lucky Claw Mania now open in Pflugerville

5. Austin ISD to hold off on 3 school closures, delay boundary changes

6. Pflugerville mayoral race heads to runoff; Coffman wins open council seat

More than 20 months after wildfires swept through the Texas Panhandle in early 2024, burning over 1.2 million acres of land, state lawmakers questioned if Texas has the tools needed to tackle another major fire.

The context: Texas is always a fire-prone state, according to the Western Fire Chiefs Association. The association’s website reports that annual wildfire risk is most severe from February-April, when dry grasses and high winds can cause fires to spread, and August-October, when high temperatures and droughts contribute to fires.

“Our purpose today is to figure out—what is our response going to look like next February and March?” Rep. Ken King, a Republican representing Canadian and other Panhandle communities, said during a Nov. 3 committee hearing. “Are we better prepared … or are we in the same position we were in 2024, when our response was lacking?”

The details: Officials said Texas owns just two firefighting aircraft, with others "essentially [subleased] through the federal government."

During peak wildfire season, this means Texas may have access to limited resources.