A lost dog that escaped during a stop in Bastrop was reunited with its owner after city staff scanned the pet’s microchip.

What happened: Bastrop Animal Control Officer Robert McBain used one of the city’s newly acquired microchip scanners to identify the dog and contact the owner, Page, who said she thought she might never see the pet again.

Why it matters: The reunion spotlights a new Bastrop Police Department pilot program using six scanners donated by Save An Angel to help return lost pets faster, reduce shelter trips and save officer time.

More options: A public microchip scanning station is now available 24/7 in the Bastrop Police Department parking lot, 104 Grady Tuck Lane, across from Bastrop Bark Park.

Need a microchip? Save An Angel offers $22 community microchip events in partnership with the city, in addition to other low-cost wellness services.

After weather-related delays, Scooter’s Coffee is nearing its Bastrop debut at Sendero.

The gist: The drive-thru coffee chain will be located in Sendero—a mixed-use development in Bastrop just west of the Burleson Crossing shopping centers.

The menu: As previously reported by Community Impact, the drive-thru coffee chain will offer hot and iced coffee, teas, lemonades, energy drinks, smoothies and blenders.

What else? Food options will include omelet bites, burritos, breakfast sandwiches and baked goods.

Pup cups with whipped cream and a dog biscuit will also be available.

• Opening Aug. 24

• Sendero, 821 SH 71 W., Bastrop

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The Austin Community College District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a balanced budget for fiscal year 2026-27, keeping the district's tuition and mandatory fees unchanged for the 13th consecutive year and continuing to fund the college’s free tuition program.

The details: Under this budget, local students will continue to pay $67 per credit hour—or $85 including mandatory fees—while the out-of-district price is held at $201 per credit hour.

The budget also includes a 2% annual raise and a $1,700 one-time lump sum for full-time employees in addition to retaining the district's $23/hour minimum wage.

What they’re saying: The budget for FY 2026-27—which begins Sept. 1—is funded through state appropriations, property tax revenue, and tuition and fees, of which the first two are currently seeing shifts.

In Texas, 246 of the state’s 254 counties are designated by the federal government as “mental health professional shortage areas,” meaning local law enforcement are often tasked with responding to mental health crisis calls.

The situation: All Texas peace officers are required to complete crisis intervention and de-escalation training, according to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

What's happening: Across Community Impact’s coverage areas, some city and county law enforcement agencies are partnering with local mental health professionals to respond to crisis calls. However, law enforcement and criminal justice leaders from smaller communities told state legislators July 7 that they have “limited tools” to effectively respond to mental health calls and help people in crisis.

Quote of note: “We do not have any inpatient mental health facilities in my county—we've never had that, and we've needed them for decades,” Comal County Criminal District Attorney Jennifer Tharp said July 7. “We originally started out sending individuals to the San Antonio area, and right now we are transporting individuals for inpatient treatment to North Austin.”