From finishing up spring cleaning to celebrating "Star Wars" day, there are a number of local events in Georgetown to close out spring and kick start summer. 

May the Fourth Be With You
The city of Georgetown pop up event in San Gabriel Park will allow attendees to test their abilities on a Jedi training course, battle with light sabers and destroy the Death Star.

• Free (admission)

• May 4, 5:30-7 p.m.

• 445 E. Morrow St., Georgetown

Battery Blitz and household hazardous waste disposal
The city of Georgetown will host two upcoming disposal events at the Georgetown Municipal Complex: a no-registration-needed drive-thru battery disposal event and a household hazardous waste collection event.

• Free (admission)

• May 14 (battery disposal), May 16 (household hazardous waste)

• 300-1 Industrial Ave., Georgetown

Sip & Shop fundraiser
The Opportunities for Williamson & Burnet Counties fundraiser will feature a fashion show, pop-up local boutique shopping, and wine and beer tastings.

• $50 (individual ticket), $450 (table of 8)

• May 16, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

• 305 Buena Vista Drive, Marble Falls

Construction will begin next month on Georgetown's second Discount Tire location, according to a permit filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Learn more: The 8,000-square-foot store will undergo construction starting in May, with a projected finish date of May 1, 2028. It will cost about $2 million, according to the project filing.

Discount Tire is a retail shop for wheels and tires, and provides additional services like tire rotations and air checks. There is currently one Georgetown location on Rivery Boulevard.

• 2309 I-35, Georgetown

Check out the latest Austin metro transportation updates. 

Upcoming projects
Roundabout at Sam Bass Road, Hairy Man Road Intersection
Project: A roundabout will be added to the intersection of Sam Bass and Hairy Man Roads in Round Rock to improve traffic flow and safety.
Update: Project design is 60% complete, per Round Rock city officials.

• Timeline: TBD
• Cost: TBD
• Funding source: TBD

• Timeline: total project completion expected in 2026
• Cost: $500,000 for design
• Funding source: Hutto Economic Development Corporation funding

• Timeline: summer 2024-spring 2026
• Cost: $6.9 million
• Funding source: Austin 2016 Mobility Bond

Texas residents are increasingly facing damaging storms that drive up home insurance rates and other housing costs. Ahead of the state's 2027 legislative session, consumer advocates and insurance industry representatives are urging lawmakers to consider affordability solutions.

What's happening: The average Texas home insurance premium—the amount paid to an insurance company—was $3,291 in 2024, according to the latest Texas Department of Insurance data. In total, premiums rose about 50% between 2022-24.

Texas’ high propensity for natural disasters has been “the No. 1 driver” behind recent rate increases, said Rich Johnson, a spokesperson for the Insurance Council of Texas.

Stay tuned: While Texas can't legislate itself out of weather risks, lawmakers have considered some policy changes to increase disaster resiliency and boost regulatory oversight of the insurance industry. Proposals range from creating grants to help residents weather-proof their homes to placing limits on future rate hikes.