ATX-GEO: Impact 10/7/2025

Georgetown ISD elementary students are encouraged to walk or ride their bikes to school Oct. 8.

The district will celebrate its annual Walk and Roll to School event in partnership with the city of Georgetown.

The gist: GISD elementary students may walk, bike or ride their scooters to school alongside children across the United States for the international Walk and Roll to School Day on Oct. 8. In Georgetown, district employees and Georgetown police and fire department staff will greet families and promote safety in GISD school zones.

The event is intended to increase physical activity for students, improve the environment and reduce traffic congestion, according to GISD information.

In their own words: "Walk and Roll to School Day is about more than the journey, it’s about building healthy habits, connecting with our community, and starting the day on a positive note," GISD Superintendent Devin Padavil said in a news release. "It also highlights our focus on safety, and we're grateful for city staff and emergency responders joining us for this event."

Glacier Bancorp acquired Guaranty Bank & Trust on Oct. 1, effecting both locations in Georgetown. Guaranty is the first bank in Texas to join the Glacier family, which now includes 18 banks.

What it means: Guaranty Bank will retain its name and management team as it transitions into the acquisition.

"This partnership gives Guaranty added strength, with the support of a larger balance sheet and the resources to invest in the latest technologies and products to serve our existing and future customers,” Guaranty CEO Ty Abston said in a statement.

Customers do not need to take immediate action, but Guaranty will transition all accounts to its new systems in the first quarter of next year, according to its website. Bank users should check their mail and the Guaranty website for updates on the transition.

• 624 S. Austin Ave., Ste. 100, Georgetown; 2415 Williams Drive, Georgetown

The I-35 southbound lanes at Hwy. 29 will be closed nightly from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Oct. 6 until Oct. 9 to repair damaged beams from a crash in early September.

What you need to know: While the lanes are closed, traffic will be detoured to the southbound I-35 frontage road at Exit 261 until Leander Road. The Hwy. 29 bridge is open to traffic on its eastbound lanes only. The bridge will fully reopen within three weeks, according to a Texas Department of Transportation news release.

The remaining repair work will take approximately one to two weeks to complete, according to TxDOT.

The cause: On Sept. 2, an 18-wheeler struck the Hwy. 29 overpass, causing a crash involving five other vehicles, according to a city of Georgetown news release. The driver of the 18-wheeler was hauling an excavator that exceeded the height limits for the bridge, as well as the height restrictions of their TxDOT commercial permit.

Austin and neighboring cities are hosting various fall events featuring pumpkins, mazes, bounce houses and haunted houses. 

Round Rock Pumpkin Festival
The fourth annual pumpkin festival will bring all things fall to Round Rock including farm animals and feeding, a barrel train, pumpkin painting, a bouncy house and funnel cake. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Austin Pets Alive and the Old Settlers Association.

• Oct. 3-Nov. 1
• Free (admission for teachers, military and first responders), $10 (ages 3 and up)
• Old Settlers Park, 3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock

• Sept. 27-Oct. 25
• $40-$50
• Old West Market, 14219 Littig Road, Manor

All Texas retailers are barred from selling consumable THC products to customers under 21 years old after the Texas Department of State Health Services adopted two emergency rules Oct. 3.

The details: The new rules, which took effect immediately, state that businesses may lose their hemp licenses for selling THC products to minors.

Ten days earlier, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission approved emergency rules prohibiting bars, liquor stores and other alcohol retailers from selling THC products to anyone under 21. A TABC spokesperson told Community Impact the two state agencies are working together to enforce a Sept. 10 executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott, who called for age restrictions on THC sales and tighter guardrails on the multibillion-dollar industry.

More context: Approximately 8,000 businesses are licensed by the DSHS to sell consumable hemp products in Texas, including some retailers that also sell alcohol.

The emergency rules from both agencies will be in effect for 120 days and could be extended for an additional 60 days while permanent regulations are drafted.