Two candidates are running for Cedar Park City Council Place 6 in the May 2 election.

Community Impact conducted Q&As with both candidates, Shweta Padmanabha and Randy Strader.

The background: Place 6 incumbent Petri Darby was appointed by City Council in November to serve the rest of the current term after council member Heather Jefts resigned to run for Williamson County judge. Because he was appointed rather than elected, Darby is ineligible to run in this election.

What their saying: Candidates were asked to keep responses within 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.

As the weather warms, summer break seems just around the corner. Parents seeking camps for their children have several options in the Cedar Park area.

All-Star Sports Camp

• Type: sports
• Ages: 5-12
• Dates: May 22-Aug. 17
• Costs: $420 per week (full day), $270 per week (half day)
• 920 Old Mill Road, Cedar Park

• Type: sports, arts, academics, day
• Ages: 4-9, fully potty trained
• Dates: June 1-Aug. 14
• Cost: $300 per week
• 3219 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park

• Type: multiactivity
• Ages: 4-10
• Dates: July 6-31
• Costs: $245-$350 per week; half-day and full-day options available
• 12101 W. Parmer Lane, Cedar Park

Check out six upcoming, ongoing or completed transportation projects across the Austin metro.

Upcoming projects

Old Fitzhugh Road
Project: The city of Dripping Springs is aiming to beautify Old Fitzhugh Road while improving traffic flow, pedestrian access and connectivity. 
Update: Per city officials, Old Fitzhugh Road will be restricted to one-way operations throughout construction. Driveway closures and reconstruction of private driveways will be coordinated with property owners before construction.

• Timeline: spring 2026-spring 2028
• Cost: $4.7 million
• Funding source: city of Dripping Springs, Hays County Parks and Open Space Grant, TxDOT

The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch awarded the Williamson County Emergency Communications Center the designation of Emergency Medical Dispatch Accredited Center of Excellence, officials announced at a March 3 commissioners court meeting.

This award makes the department the first Tri-ACE, or three-time Accredited Center of Excellence, emergency communications center in Texas.

What it means: Williamson County Emergency Communications manages 911 and nonemergency calls, and dispatches critical care and specialized operations for law enforcement, fire and medical agencies. The department serves a growing population of 750,000 people and dispatches for about 28 agencies, officials said at the March 3 meeting.

The award adds to two others that the emergency communications center has received—for emergency police dispatch and emergency fire dispatch. These three designations make the center the first in Texas and 32nd in the world to achieve a Tri-ACE distinction.

How it works: As an accredited center of excellence in emergency medical dispatch, Williamson County Emergency Communications meets the academy’s highest level of standards, according to a county news release.

Texas held its primary elections on March 3, with Republican and Democratic voters selecting their parties’ nominees for scores of federal, state and local seats. Yet for some candidates, a major hurdle still remains before the November election.

The overview: Dozens of primary races are headed to May runoffs after no candidate picked up more than half of the vote, triggering an overtime round between the two highest-performing candidates.

The details:  Texas’ runoff election is set for May 26, the day after Memorial Day. Early voting runs from May 18-22, per the secretary of state.

State law requires primary candidates to receive more than 50% of the vote to advance to a general election, meaning a candidate must earn a majority of the vote—not just the highest number of votes—to win their primary outright. This rule means crowded races in Texas primaries and special elections frequently result in runoffs.

In those races, the top two vote-getters advance to a runoff.   Keep reading to learn about voting in the runoffs and who's on the ballot.