Corina Zepeda was sworn in as the Hutto City Council Place 4 member at a May 21 meeting.

More details: Out of 1,001 ballots cast in the May 2 election, Zepeda received 54.8% of the votes, while Brandon DeLeon received 45.1%. She is replacing Peter Gordon, who was term-limited after serving three terms as allowed by the city charter.

Zepeda has served and rooted her family in Hutto since 2015 and has a career in workforce development and higher education.

In a Q&A with Community Impact, Zepeda said her top priorities on council include responsible infrastructure planning, water affordability, and strengthening Hutto’s economic base as well as clear communication, transparency, and collaboration.

The race for Place 1 will head to a runoff election between Jerrel W. Reynolds and Brandy McCool with no candidate receiving majority vote.

Lone Star Nutrition officially opened its doors on Pecan Street in Pflugerville.

The gist: The new spot for protein-focused snacks and energy drinks held its grand opening in May. The spot offers protein waffles, donuts, açai bowls, shakes and zero-sugar energy drinks, offering a mix of healthy grab-and-go options.

• Opened May 23

Over the past decade, neonatal intensive care unit expansions across Central Texas have widened access to specialized care for families in Northwest Austin and Williamson County. As the region continues to grow, hospitals and nonprofits are expanding services for parents navigating a NICU stay.

By the numbers: NICU admissions have risen nationwide, and Texas is no exception. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9.7% of infants in Texas were admitted to a NICU in 2023, part of a larger upward trend between 2016 to 2023.

Of the state’s 24 Level IV NICUs—the highest level of neonatal care—Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas and St. David’s Medical Center are the only two such facilities located in the Austin area.

While local birth rates have surged, nonprofits supporting NICU families have noticed the growth as well. According to Kristin Coulter, CEO of the Ronald McDonald House Central Texas, the organization has had a waitlist for over six years.

Peter Sandford, owner of Smarter Homes, brings decades of experience in Austin to the home technology industry. The West Lake Hills business was established in 2006, offering expertise on home automation systems to locals. 

In a nutshell: Sandford specializes in designing systems for lighting, motorized shades, security and more, with a focus on reliability, longevity and easy-usage, he said.

Zooming in: One of his areas of interest is smart irrigation systems, which use connected controllers, sensors and live data to automate watering schedules. The system takes into account environmental factors, including weather, soil moisture and temperature to adjust watering needs. 

“When integrated into a smart home, irrigation becomes dynamic, improving efficiency and reducing water waste,” Sandford said.

Sandford connected with Community Impact to talk about the home automation process and further details for implementing smart irrigation systems. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

Check out some of the most-read stories from the Austin area May 18-21. 

1. The Pulao Company set to open this summer in Leander

2. City moving toward 2.6K-acre annexation to support decades of mixed-use development in East Austin

3. $250M Amazon warehouse, distribution center near CR 172 in Round Rock now operational

4. H-E-B plus! expansion, new fitness gym and more Kyle business news this spring

5. Berry Creek Drive in Georgetown closed due to storm damage

6. Pflugerville ISD teachers, nurses, psychologists to see pay bump in 2026-27