CesiumAstro, an aerospace engineering company headquartered in Bee Cave, announced plans for Synchronicity, a satellite constellation following the successful launch of CesiumAstro’s first satellite, Element-1.

The overview: The Synchronicity project is a satellite constellation, which is a network of satellites working together to provide communications coverage across large areas of the planet.

Through Synchronicity, CesiumAstro plans to expand beyond manufacturing satellite technology to building and operating its own satellite communications network, per a press release from the company.

How we got here: CesiumAstro launched its first satellite, Element-1, in October.

The satellite allowed the company to test its communications technology and onboard computing capabilities in orbit, in order to demonstrate systems that could eventually support the larger network.

The local impact: In March, the company announced a $500 million capital investment over the next five years to expand its headquarters in Bee Cave, including the purchase of 270,000 square-feet of manufacturing space.

CesiumAstro also has plans to add 550 jobs and grow its workforce by over 1,000 employees by 2030, according to the release.

Reload Drink Bar, a nutrition bar serving up drinks and snacks, is opening in Lakeway in December.

On the menu: Reload Drink Bar offers a variety of drinks including protein shakes, protein coffees, teas and aloe shots.

Although the storefront is not open yet, customers can message the company through Facebook or Instagram to access the menu and order items for delivery.

• Opening in December

A record number of Travis County voters cast ballots during early voting for the Nov. 3 midterm election, according to unofficial results from the Travis County Clerk’s Office. Voters cast 449,556 early ballots in person and by mail, or 47.39% of the county’s 948,567 registered voters.

The details: Including Election Day, 552,560 ballots were cast, putting unofficial turnout at 58.25%. That topped the 51.99% recorded in 2022 but trailed 2018’s 63%, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s Office.

What’s next: Totals are unofficial until the canvass, which must be completed by Nov. 17. Runoffs for local races will be held Dec. 12, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

Chief Fire Marshal Gary Howell lifted the burn ban for unincorporated Travis County Nov. 3, citing rainfall. The ban had been in place since Aug. 11.

What residents should know: The change only applies to unincorporated areas of the county, where state rules allow residents to burn certain items during daylight hours with someone attending at all times. Inside city limits, local rules still apply: Open burning is banned in Austin year-round, and Bee Cave, Lakeway and Pflugerville require permits.

Sorting out details: In unincorporated areas, residents may burn brush, leaves and other plant growth from their own property. They may burn household trash only at homes without trash collection service.

Tires, furniture, carpet, appliances and non-wood construction debris cannot be burned. Residents should contact their local fire department first and obtain any required permits.