Bastop ISD hopes shot at brand-new car will keep students in school

Sames Bastrop Ford and Bastrop ISD held a pep rally of sorts Monday night, to get students fired up about the prospect of winning a brand-new SUV.

Austin man added to Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders list

William Eugene Bird, 54, has been wanted since October 2021, when the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office issued a warrant for probation violation.

Bastrop County wildfire: Pine Pond Fire 50% contained

Fire operations continue to contain the fire which has burned more than 700 acres. Those that were evacuated have been allowed to return home.

List of Central Texas school districts' first day of school

Back to school is just around the corner, and Del Valle is the first district in the area to kick off classes, on Tuesday, August 9.

Bastrop to hold 31st annual Patriotic Festival

The celebration kicks off at 8 a.m. July 2 with the Run, White & Blue 5K through the streets of Bastrop, with the festival following at noon in Fisherman's Park.

Lack of communication between child welfare and juvenile justice systems hurts foster kids, court monitors say

The court-appointed watchdogs expressed concern after learning that a caretaker accused of exploiting children at a state-licensed facility in Bastrop had been previously fired from a state juvenile justice facility for misconduct.

Texas death row inmate to get Supreme Court review

Rodney Reed was sentenced to death for the 1996 killing of 19-year-old Stacey Stites. Prosecutors say Reed raped and strangled Stites as she made her way to work at a supermarket in Bastrop.

Bastrop shelter caretaker accused of exploiting girls was fired from previous job for misconduct

State records show Iesha Greene was fired in 2020 from a state juvenile facility for having inappropriate relationships with children. The Refuge said it was aware of her previous work there, but it never requested her publicly available personnel records.

Over 100 children have died in Texas’ child welfare system since 2020, report says

Most of the deaths were attributed to “preexisting medical conditions” or abuse suffered before the children entered the system, according to the DFPS report.

Texas DPS responds after judge questions integrity of investigation into The Refuge for DMST

A federal judge blasted the Texas Rangers for its investigation into allegations of sex trafficking of foster children at a facility near Austin. The judge asked for a federal criminal investigation.

Federal judge blasts Texas Rangers' investigation into sex trafficking at foster care facility

The Rangers investigated complaints about the facility and concluded that an employee accused of taking nude photos of girls in exchange for drugs did not commit sex trafficking. A federal judge questioned whether the Texas Rangers understand the definition of sex trafficking.

Foster girls, victims of sex trafficking, abused at Texas shelter

Foster girls who’d been victims of sex trafficking endured fresh abuse at a state shelter in Bastrop, according to a report from a current employee.

Bastrop County Animal Shelter holding special puppy adoption event

Looking for a puppy? Bastrop County Animal Shelter is holding a special event in Austin to help some puppies find their forever homes on March 4 and 5.

Winter weather Texas school cancellations, delays on Feb. 24

Most of the Austin metro area is under a Winter Weather Advisory as weather conditions have caused issues on roads and prompted districts to delay or cancel classes.

Boil water notice issued for customers in the Vista Ranch Water System

If you live in this area, you are part of this boil water notice. The water should be brought to a vigorous boil and then boiled for two minutes.

List of Texas school closings: Here are the school districts, universities closing Feb. 3-4

Local school districts, colleges and universities are closing Thursday, Feb. 3 due to winter weather coming to Texas. You can see if your student's school district in this article.