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CI NEWS

Follow the latest hyperlocal coronavirus coverage

Vote
In a July 30 letter, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said "local officials cannot postpone local elections that were scheduled to be held on May 2, 2020 beyond November 3, 2020." (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
5:29 PM Jul 30, 2020 CDT

Attorney General Ken Paxton threatens action if Round Rock refuses to hold local election in November

In a July 30 letter, Paxton said that "local officials cannot postpone local elections that were scheduled to be held on May 2, 2020 beyond November 3, 2020."

Government
Pflugerville City Council is currently considering a potential decrease in the city's property tax rate, from the current $0.4976 per $100 valuation to $0.497 per $100 valuation. If approved, the property tax rate would continue council's trend of maintaining or decreasing its rate throughout the past decade. (Courtesy city of Pflugerville)
3:34 PM Jul 31, 2020 CDT

Decreased tax rate, 2 new hires: What's proposed in Pflugerville's FY 2020-21 budget

Pflugerville's proposed fiscal year 2020-21 budget correlates to a 14% increase over the city's current fiscal year budget, as outlined in the preliminary budget proposal. Features of the proposed budget is a decreased tax rate and two new positions.

Coronavirus
The Texas State Teachers Association has asked the state to prohibit in-person teaching until at least Sept. 8. (Design by Shelby Savage/Community Impact Newspaper)

Texas State Teachers Association demands TEA prohibit in-person classes until Sept. 8

The statement was released after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton earlier this week said that local districts have the sole authority to close schools due to the ongoing pandemic.

Coronavirus
Overall in Travis County, there have been 21,214 coronavirus cases since mid-March as of Aug. 2. (Community Impact staff)

Travis County adds 247 new COVID-19 cases Aug. 2, continuing recent trend

Overall in Travis County, there have been 21,214 coronavirus cases since mid-March.

Government
The city of Leander issued a Stage 3 water notice July 30. (Brian Perdue/Community Impact Newspaper)

Barton Creek Greenbelt requiring reservations, Leander issues Stage 3 water restrictions: News from Central Texas

Read recent business and community news from Central Texas.

Dining
(Brian Perdue/Community Impact Newspaper)

Leander's Cherry Creek Catfish closes, Golden Rule restaurant opens in Georgetown: Most popular news from Central Texas

Read the most popular Austin-area news from the past week.

Closings
The gym, located at 3203 S. I-35, Round Rock, is part of a chain that offers parent-child classes for children ages 4 months to 3 years as well as noncompetitive gym classes, birthday parties, camps and more. (Courtesy The Little Gym)

The Little Gym of Round Rock to close permanently

Owners Rochelle and Ryan Perk announced July 31 that the Little Gym of Round Rock will close permanently Aug. 1.

Austin
As of July 31, 69 patients are hospitalized, 39 are in intensive care and 21 are on a ventilator. (Community Impact staff)

Williamson County confirms 99 new COVID-19 cases July 31; Round Rock total surpasses 2,000

The WCCHD also reported 23% of hospital beds, 19% of ICU beds and 74% of ventilators are available.

Education
Participants will gather at 1501 Pecan St. and from there drive to the PfISD Central Office Building at 1401 Pecan St. (Iain Oldman/Community Impact Newspaper)

Aug. 5 demonstration to call for safe reopening of Pflugerville ISD schools

The car parade will take place from noon-1 p.m.

Coronavirus
Dr. Mark Escott, interim Austin-Travis County health authority, spoke at a news conference July 31. (Courtesy Austin Public Health)

Despite downward trend in COVID-19 cases, health officials say Travis County has 'long way to go'

Maintaining Stage 4 health restrictions may help the county prepare for the coming school year.

Austin
An orange graphic virus

Travis County adds 278 new coronavirus cases July 30

Austin Public Health also confirmed 46 new COVID-19 hospitalizations in the Austin area.

Business
Wag Heaven is located in the Monument Cafe warehouse at 205 W. Sixth St., Ste. 115, Georgetown. The wall dimensions are 18 feet high and 70 feet wide, and the mural will cover the entire wall. The wall material is stucco, with a small area of metal above the windows that will be incorporated into the proposed design. (Courtesy city of Georgetown)

Georgetown seeking mural artists, more on Kalahari opening in Round Rock: News from Central Texas

Read the latest business and community news from Central Texas.

Austin
TASA leaders said in the letter that changing guidelines coming from the state are overly complicated and have only created confusion. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

Texas Association of School Administrators asks state for more local control, clear guidelines in 2020-21

TASA leaders said in the letter that changing guidelines coming from the state are overly complicated and have only created confusion.

Austin
Teachers, students, parents and administrators can access classes, assignments and grades through the system whether learning from the classroom or elsewhere. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

Texas Education Agency to fund online program supporting schools, parents in 2020-21

Teachers, students, parents and administrators can access classes, assignments and grades through the system whether learning from the classroom or elsewhere.

Coronavirus
For those experiencing allergies, Dr. Sumit Bose of Baylor Scott & White Health said symptoms are typically cyclical and can be predicted based on the time of year. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

Allergies or COVID-19: How to decipher underlying causes of symptoms

Suffering from a cough or chest pressure? Here is how to tell the difference between allergies, asthma and COVID-19.

Education
International Leadership of Texas is launching a completely virtual education option this fall. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

Charter school plans to launch complete virtual program for all Texas students in August

All classes will be conducted live, giving students the opportunity to engage with teachers and fellow classmates.

Education
Supplies needed include backpacks, pens, pencils, spiral paper, loose leaf paper, subject folders with three clasps, markers, crayons, safety scissors, rulers with metric measurements, used computers that can connect to the internet and gift cards. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

Back-to-school drive seeks supplies for Williamson County students in need

Donations will be accepted through August.

Development
The 350-acre resort complex includes a 223,000 square-foot water park, five restaurants, a hotel and a convention center space. (Rendering courtesy Kalahari Resorts & Conventions)

How Kalahari will open U.S.'s largest indoor water park during a pandemic

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is expected to open in Round Rock on Nov. 12.

Arts & Entertainment
Regal movie theaters plan to reopen Aug. 21. (Dylan Skye Aycock/Community Impact Newspaper)

Here’s what the moviegoing experience will look like when Regal theaters reopen this summer

Face masks will be required of guests in lobbies, hallways, restrooms and in auditoriums when not eating or drinking.

Coronavirus
Currently, 69 patients are hospitalized, 36 are in intensive care and 36 are on a ventilator. (Courtesy Williamson County and Cities Health District)

Williamson County sees highest number of new daily coronavirus cases in past 11 days July 29

The WCCHD also reported 22% of hospital beds, 11% of ICU beds and 68% of ventilators are available.

Coronavirus
"Since the virus crosses boundaries and jurisdictions just as people do, a collaborative, coordinated effort by all of the Williamson County’s ISDs and schools is the best approach to halt the virus’ spread across the county and region," health district officials said. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

Williamson County and Cities Health District issues statement on school reopenings

Health District officials said remote or virtual learning carries the least risk for the spread of COVID-19 due to reduced social contact.

Coronavirus
A teal graphic representation of a virus

Travis County exceeds 20,000 total coronavirus cases

Austin Public Health reports that the local coronavirus case total has reached 20,187.

Business
Dutch fashion house Scotch & Soda on June 19 opened its first Texas store at Domain Northside in North Austin. (Courtesy Scotch & Soda)

New shopping options at Domain Northside, French restaurant to open in Dripping Springs: Updates from Central Texas

Read the latest business and community news from Central Texas.

Austin
Austin Public Health confirmed a probable human case of West Nile virus in Travis County on July 29. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

First probable case of West Nile Virus in two years confirmed in Travis County

This is the first time a resident in Travis County has tested positive for the West Nile Virus since 2018. Williamson County has not had a human case since 2017.

Health Care
The Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers is requesting changes to state rules that would help freestanding emergency centers relieve overcrowding at hospitals and reduce the cost of coronavirus testing at their facilities. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

Texas' freestanding emergency centers ask state for flexibility during coronavirus pandemic

The requested changes would help freestanding emergency centers relieve overcrowding at hospitals and reduce the cost of coronavirus testing at their facilities, according to the Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers.