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After several delays, Jersey Mike’s Subs is on track to open its first Bastrop spot within the month.

The details: Originally set to open in mid-2025, and again in May, officials are now hiring for the sandwich shop—known for using the same recipes since opening its first location in New Jersey in 1956.

Positions include crew members and shift leaders, with hourly pay ranging from $16 to $20 per hour.  

The menu: Jersey Mike’s Bastrop will offer dozens of hot and cold sandwiches featuring freshly baked bread stuffed with vegetables, meats, and cheeses, drizzled with a mix of red wine vinegar and olive oil.

• Opening in mid-June
• Sendero, 853 SH 71 W., Ste. 104, Bastrop

As more people put down roots in Bastrop, growth is changing what it means to buy and own a home in the city. Here’s what to know about the local housing market.

A closer look: Bastrop offers historic hometown charm while growth continues to be influenced by its proximity to Austin, housing costs and natural amenities such as the Colorado River and state parks, according to Explore Bastrop County.

Data provided by Unlock MLS shows median home prices in Bastrop ZIP codes 78602 and 78612 increased more than 40% since 2016.

Housing market snapshot: About 11,156 people across about 4,917 households called Bastrop home in 2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.

Additional census data shows:

• Average commute time: 30 minutes
• Median household income: $81,551
• Median home value: $339,600
• Median gross rent: $1,443

Peter Sandford, owner of Smarter Homes, brings decades of experience in Austin to the home technology industry. The West Lake Hills business was established in 2006, offering expertise on home automation systems to locals. 

In a nutshell: Sandford specializes in designing systems for lighting, motorized shades, security and more, with a focus on reliability, longevity and easy-usage, he said.

Zooming in: One of his areas of interest is smart irrigation systems, which use connected controllers, sensors and live data to automate watering schedules. The system takes into account environmental factors, including weather, soil moisture and temperature to adjust watering needs. 

“When integrated into a smart home, irrigation becomes dynamic, improving efficiency and reducing water waste,” Sandford said.

Sandford connected with Community Impact to talk about the home automation process and further details for implementing smart irrigation systems. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

Check out the latest transportation updates across the Austin metro.

Upcoming projects
CR 175 widening
Project: The project will widen south of Creek Meadow Cove to RM 2243 in Leander, and is expected to improve capacity and regional connectivity.
Update: Phase 2 preliminary design is complete, and design completion is expected later this year.

• Timeline: 2027-28
• Cost: $42.8 million
• Funding source: 2023 road bond

• Timeline: completed mid-May
• Cost: not available as of press time
• Funding source: TxDOT

Texas’ primary election season came to a close May 26 as candidates declared victory in dozens of federal, state and local runoff races.

The latest: The winner of each runoff will advance to the Nov. 3 general election, joining candidates who won their primaries outright in March.

Voters will see 18 statewide contests on the November ballot, alongside all congressional seats, most state legislative seats, eight State Board of Education seats and a variety of local positions.

On the ballot: 

• U.S. Senate: Attorney General Ken Paxton and state Rep. James Talarico
• Governor: Greg Abbott (incumbent) and state Rep. Gina Hinojosa
• Lieutenant governor: State Rep. Vikki Goodwin and Dan Patrick (incumbent)
• Attorney general: State Sens. Nathan Johnson and Mayes Middleton
• Comptroller: State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt and businessman Don Huffines
• Land commissioner: Dawn Buckingham (incumbent) and Bay City council member Benjamin Flores
• Agriculture commissioner: Businessman Nate Sheets and rancher Clayton Tucker
• Railroad commissioner: Former Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French and state Rep. Jon Rosenthal