Veterans, their families and community members can hit the trails at Bastrop State Park on Saturday for a free ruck hike focused on connection and veterans’ mental health.

What's happening: Participants can hike with or without a weighted pack and can choose between 0.8-, 1-, 1.5- and 3.3-mile routes.

Something to note: TPWD event coordinator Madalyn Miller said hikers can weigh down their packs with canned or bagged dog or cat food or treats, which will be donated to the Bastrop County Animal Shelter.

• Sept. 26, 9:30 a.m.-noon

• Free (admission)

• Bastrop State Park, 100 Park Road 1A, Bastrop

Austin Community College trustees unanimously approved a tax rate of $0.103643 per $100 of valuation, up from $0.1034 last year. Because property values fell, the average bill will drop about 2.2%, and the average homestead bill will drop about 1%. The owner of an average home will pay about $557, down from $562 last year.

The details: The new rate is below the college's no-new-revenue rate, meaning it will collect less from existing property. District officials said the slight rate increase is tied to debt on a $770 million bond voters approved in 2022. Property taxes fund about 67% of the college's $583 million budget.

What's next: Tax bills typically go out in the fall. They are due Feb. 1, 2027, because Jan. 31 falls on a Sunday.