'Newsbreak'

— Founded 16 years ago, the Dripping Springs Women’s Club (DSWC) seeks to “embody the spirit of community volunteerism and women’s empowerment” and “stands as a testament to the spirit and dedication of the women who have strived to make Dripping Springs a better place,” a news release on July 11 stated.

DRIPPING SPRINGS — The city of Dripping Springs will have a rare experience with two eclipses over the next nine months: an annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14 of this year and a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. To help residents, businesses and visitors prepare, the city has launched a new eclipse website.

— Dripping Springs High School graduates Priya Chandrani and Connor Johnson were two of 12,000 attendees at the HOSA International Leadership Conference June 21-24 in Dallas.

Hays County and TxDOT invited the community to participate in a ribbon-cutting celebration for the RM 967/Robert S. Light Boulevard project at 10:30 a.m. on July 13. After the ribbon was cut by Hays County Commissioner Walt Smith, he, Rep. Erin Zwiener, TxDOT Austin District Engineer Tucker Ferguson, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra and Buda council member Evan Ture spoke to the small crowd shying away from the sun as traffic whizzed by.

— The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is seeking public input on amendments to the 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The comment period is open until July 31, 2023.

— Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) is brightening the Texas Hill Country with grants to support local nonprofits in the co-op’s service area. Funded by the Power of Change program, PEC awarded more than $33,000 to seven nonprofits in June. These grants will be used toward projects that support nonprofits in their missions to serve the community.

— Jaquell Desean Ray, 18, of Buda waived his arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty on Thursday, July 13 to charges of murder and delivery of a controlled substance to a minor.

— Buda Oaks Assisted Living and Memory Care completed its month-long fan drive — a donation project where fans will be gifted to older adults in need — on July 1.

— Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. is in need of a blood transfusion, according to the American Red Cross.

Staff Report

— The Pie in the Sky Hot Air Balloon Festival will return to Lake Kyle Park for a two-day festival this Labor Day weekend.