To address slowing response times and a rising call volume, the Georgetown Fire Department plans to construct Fire Station No. 8, remodel existing facilities and strategically deploy ambulances.

What’s happening: The city is currently designing Fire Station No. 8, with plans to open the station in 2028, Fire Chief John Sullivan said. Its location on Westinghouse Road and FM 1460 will bring service to a “dense area with high need,” Sullivan said.

In the meantime, the city is working to remodel Fire Station No. 1 and construct a Logistics Facility to provide support for fire response operations.

To improve response times along the Hwy. 29 corridor, plans include adding peak load ambulances that specifically operate during high-volume periods, Sullivan said.

The cause: The department had 1,129 more responses in 2025 than 2024, which averaged out to about 80 responses per day last year. Total annual responses have risen from 22,883 in 2021 to 29,398 in 2025.

Georgetown water customers can purchase 50-gallon rain barrels at a discounted rate through March 15.

The details: Georgetown Water Utility partnered with Rain Water Solutions, a company focused on water quality and conservation, to offer customers rain barrels for almost $100 off.

Valued at $170, those interested can purchase the 50-gallon rain barrel for $78 while supplies last. Georgetown reserved 495 rain barrels through the partnership, and all purchased rain barrels must be picked up on March 28.

The impact: Rain barrels allow residents to collect water from their roof or gutters and store it to use for watering their lawns, gardens or plants, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

This method can increase the overall water supply, save money on utility bills and help irrigate landscaping, according to a city news release. Water collected through the rain barrel should not be ingested.

Samsung Austin Semiconductor celebrated its 30th anniversary Feb. 2, an official with the company confirmed.

Samsung came to Austin and began planning for its semiconductor manufacturing facility off Parmer Lane in 1996.

The history: Over the last 30 years, Samsung Austin Semiconductor has opened two fabrication units at its Austin campus. Construction on the first was finished in July 1997, followed by the second in 2007, according to a timeline on the company’s website.

The site has evolved throughout the years to produce more advanced semiconductor technology, the timeline shows.

In 2024, Samsung Austin Semiconductor contributed $19.8 billion in economic impact to the greater Central Texas area, according to data from the company. This includes operations of the Austin fabrication units and construction of the Taylor manufacturing facility.

What else?: Samsung Austin Semiconductor moved employees into the office building at its new Taylor campus in November.

The fabrication facility in Taylor will be operational by the end of 2026, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

• 12100 Samsung Blvd., Austin; 1530 FM 973, Taylor

Two Democratic candidates are running to lead the Texas General Land Office in the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The big picture: Benjamin Flores and Jose Loya are vying for the Democratic nomination for Texas land commissioner. The winning Democratic candidate will face Republican incumbent Dawn Buckingham in November, and the winner of that election will begin serving as land commissioner in January 2027.

Buckingham, who is seeking a second four-year term as land commissioner, is running uncontested in the Republican primary. Community Impact runs candidate Q&As for contested races only.

The context: The General Land Office manages 13 million acres of state lands, with duties such as allocating disaster recovery funds, leasing state lands to generate revenue for the state's Permanent School Fund, preserving state landmarks such as the Alamo and overseeing several veterans programs. It is Texas’ oldest state agency, according to its website.