Plans are underway to build a district dedicated to Black history in Bastrop County
A local nonprofit is one step closer to seeing its dream come to fruition to help build a district dedicated to paying homage to Black history in Bastrop County in the Kerr Park area.
Two-minute impact
The Bastrop County African American Cultural Center & Freedom Colonies Museum team is working to build a complex to house the Bastrop County African American History and Cultural Center.
BCAACC officials signed a letter of intent with the city of Bastrop to lease a section of property in Kerr Park at Bastrop City Hall on Aug. 12 at 2:30 p.m.
Some context
The BCAACC team operates the current museum inside the 525-square-foot historic Kerr-Wilson house at 1303 Pine St., within the vicinity of Kerr Park.
BCAACC board President Doris Williams said the move will bring the space to over 24,000 square feet. Williams said having a larger complex in the area is important to the Black community as the Kerr Community Center has historically been a safe space to gather—especially during the era of racial segregation.
Read the full story by Reporter Amanda Cutshall.
Officials call for Bastrop-area veterans to reach out
With accreditation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, locals Jayson Swetnam and Daniel DuBose of the Bastrop County Veteran Services Office work daily to connect U.S. military veterans with federal, state and local benefits—and they are ready to help more.
The details
Based on data from the BCVSO, less than 37% of the county’s veterans used the office's free services over the past five years.
“We’re equipped to handle plenty more veterans,” Swetnam said. “And once you’re in the system, there’s a whole wealth of stuff available to you.”
Check out the full story about veteran services.
City council approves marijuana decriminalization proposition to be placed on Bastrop ballots
City of Bastrop voters will vote on potential changes to misdemeanor marijuana possession charges Nov. 5.
In a nutshell
Called the Bastrop Freedom Act, the proposed amendment to the Bastrop Home Rule Charter states that it would direct police to deprioritize arrests and citations for misdemeanor marijuana possession offenses, except in cases involving violent crime and major drug investigations.
Notable quote
“In our Bastrop Home Rule Charter, we provide a provision that allows citizens to submit a petition calling an election to amend the charter itself,” City Attorney Alan Bojorquez said during a council meeting July 23. “Because [the petition was certified], we have no choice but to order an election in November.”
Read the full story by Reporter Amanda Cutshall.
