ATX-BAS: Impact 9/30/2025

Visit Bastrop will no longer be a contractor for the city as of Sept. 30, according to officials.

The destination marketing organization has promoted economic growth in Bastrop by attracting visitors for leisure, conventions and other events since 2018.

The details: When asked, city officials had not provided Community Impact with a statement as of press time regarding why there was a shift away from Visit Bastrop.

The city will soon roll out Discover Bastrop in its place.

What they're saying: “What does that mean to you? That means the ability to be efficient,” Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino said during her State of the City address in early September. “We’re going to be able to do all those things that the [hotel occupancy tax] fund was intended to do.”

A burn ban is in effect for Bastrop County through Oct. 14. 

This latest emergency order prohibiting outdoor burning took effect Sept. 25.  

Quote of note: “The purpose of this order is the mitigation of the public safety hazard posed by wildfires during the current dry weather conditions by curtailing the practice of outdoor burning,” the emergency order, signed by Bastrop County Judge Gregory Klaus, states. 

The details: Bastrop County outlined the following enforcement measures if there is an outdoor fire: 

• Fire departments responding to a scene to contain and extinguish the fire
• A peace officer being sent to the scene to investigate the nature of the fire 
• A fine up to $500 if an individual knowingly violates the emergency order

Sixth Street, long known as Austin’s nightlife hub, is in the middle of big changes.

What's happened? For years, the stretch was closed to cars on busy weekends, letting crowds spill into the roadway. But since late 2024, the city has been testing a safety pilot that reopened the street to vehicles while moving pedestrians to wider sidewalks. Temporary fencing gave way to sturdier concrete barriers this summer, marking the start of a more permanent initiative.

The update: Now, city leaders are asking residents to help shape Sixth Street’s future. As part of the city’s Great Streets program, officials are considering three design alternatives for the nine-block stretch west of I-35. Each option would keep traffic one-way westbound while expanding pedestrian space, adding trees and upgrading sidewalks. The main differences involve whether bike and scooter lanes are included and how curb access is managed for drop-offs, deliveries and parking.

A public survey is open, with final design work expected to begin in 2026 and construction as early as 2027.

This Miss Austin Scholarship Competition will make its return to the city on Nov. 8 under new leadership by former state titleholders, Melody Pierce, Miss Arizona 2022, and Jennifer Schmidt Navratil, Miss Wisconsin 2021.

The specifics: Hosted by the nonprofit the Miss Austin Organization, and as the official preliminary to Miss Texas and Miss America, the competition features a scholarship program providing mentorship, leadership development and higher education, according to a news release.

The competition is looking for participants for its teen and young women categories. Participants must live, work or study in Texas. Specific age requirements are as follows:

• Miss Delegates: ages 18-28 as of Sept. 30, 2026
• Teen Delegates: ages 14-18 as of Sept. 1, 2026