It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Mercer Street Historical Marker gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Dripping Springs, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“I work for this team and it's a wonderful team , great communication and support”
“I am a past client of this provider Ken and Bonnie were wonderful to work with.”
“Ken and Bonnie are wonderful people to help care for your loved ones. their staff”
“For those who are searching for qualified caregivers for their loved ones, contact Ken Thomas”
“Ken leads his Always Best Care Senior Services Agency with compassion for his clients and”
“Kenneth is kind, patient, experienced and knowledgeable. We are thankful to him for all his”
“Very professional and welcoming people so I would definitely recommend my friends and family to”
“The owner is so understanding and supportive of how I want my loved ones cared”
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“ALWAYS BEST CARE is certainly a warm & caring business owned & operated by Ken”
“I will be forever grateful for the love you showered upon us and my grandmother”
“My experience with these amazing home care professionals is as close to perfect as it gets! I have a dear friend that is in hospice and needed a little extra home care. Ken, the owner, was fast to respond to my call and started home care right away. I can't say enough good things about my experience with Always Best Care Senior Services' staff and owner.”
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“I work for this team and it's a wonderful team , great communication and support for our clients, their family members and our caring team of staff .”
“I am a past client of this provider Ken and Bonnie were wonderful to work with. They were able to provide my mother with care and a very short notice. Their staff was some of the most caring people that I've ever met. Not only were they wonderful to my mother but also to my family. I would highly recommend using them.”
“Ken and Bonnie are wonderful people to help care for your loved ones. their staff was so caring to my mother and so nice to my family I highly recommend them to take care of your loved ones. I think there ought to be more than just five stars to give them”
“For those who are searching for qualified caregivers for their loved ones, contact Ken Thomas at Always Best Care Senior Services. Mr. Thomas provides an authentic and professional guiding hand when discussing available services for your precious senior family members. When it is time for a beloved senior to receive assistance, Mr. Thomas understands the importance of providing trustworthy and quality support.”
“Ken leads his Always Best Care Senior Services Agency with compassion for his clients and their families. He is a local senior care expert and leader in his community. If you are need of assistance in navigating your local senior care options, then do not hesitate to give Ken a call!”
“Kenneth is kind, patient, experienced and knowledgeable. We are thankful to him for all his efforts and for going above and beyond.”
“Very professional and welcoming people so I would definitely recommend my friends and family to Always Best Care in Boerne.”
“The owner is so understanding and supportive of how I want my loved ones cared for. He and his staff actually listen to what I would like done for my parents. Very thoughtful, very professional and very caring. It’s such a relief to have help in caring for my loved ones”
“Kenneth is knowledgeable and trustworthy. I can’t recommend him enough. You’re in good hands with Kenneth.”
“ALWAYS BEST CARE is certainly a warm & caring business owned & operated by Ken Thomas. I certainly would recommend them for you or your loved ones excellent care.”
“I will be forever grateful for the love you showered upon us and my grandmother”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Veterans Memorial Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Epicure or visit Charro Ranch Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Dripping Springs, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Dripping Springs, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Dripping Springs, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
AUSTIN, Texas — Growing up in a family of athletes, it was only natural that Cooper Rummel would be drawn to sports and baseball became his sport.“I’ve grown up in a competitive atmosphere and it’s always been an intense desire of mine to be the best at whatever I do,” says Rummel. “Given that I play baseball I’ve always felt the need to put in the work to become the best.”It took a little while for baseball to catch on with Rummel. He didn’t love the sport when he first sta...
AUSTIN, Texas — Growing up in a family of athletes, it was only natural that Cooper Rummel would be drawn to sports and baseball became his sport.
“I’ve grown up in a competitive atmosphere and it’s always been an intense desire of mine to be the best at whatever I do,” says Rummel. “Given that I play baseball I’ve always felt the need to put in the work to become the best.”
It took a little while for baseball to catch on with Rummel. He didn’t love the sport when he first started playing. But he found a team he liked and things clicked. Some of those same guys he played with growing up are now his teammates on a Dripping Springs team that is one of the best in central Texas.
“It’s a really crazy experience to be all on varsity together,” says Rummel. “Playing for hopefully a state title, we’re aiming for state and want to win.”
Rummel has developed into a dominant pitcher for the Tigers. He’s earned dozens of accolades like district pitcher of the year and played for the Team USA 18-U team this summer. He throws in the mid 90s and has the mentality of being the best on the mound.
“I get really simple. I look at the mitt and just envision a tunnel, me and the mitt,” Rummel says. “It doesn’t matter if I got taken yard the last pitch. I’m still looking to throw a strike this next pitch.”
His success turned into plenty of recruiting attention, but for Rummel, the college decision was pretty easy. He picked Texas.
“I mean it’s Texas, Hook ‘Em,” Rummel says. “Great baseball history, great facilities, great academics, everything about it was appealing to me and it was close to home.”
While Rummel puts a lot of work into his baseball career and hopes to pitch in the pros one day, he says balance in life is important.
“I think the best thing any athlete can do is dabble in other fields, it makes you better at what you like,” says Rummel. “I like to draw, I write, I read, I cook, all these things have helped me understand myself more.”
Voters in Dripping Springs ISD can cast their ballots for two seats available on the board of trustees this May.The detailsTrustees are at-large representatives of the district and do not represent a specific place within the D...
Voters in Dripping Springs ISD can cast their ballots for two seats available on the board of trustees this May.
The details
Trustees are at-large representatives of the district and do not represent a specific place within the DSISD boundaries.
Candidates were asked to answer the questions provided in 50 words or fewer and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. Candidates are listed in ballot order.
Election day is May 3.
*indicates incumbent
Experience: current trustee, May 2022-present
Occupation: residential real estate sales and home building consultant
Candidate Website: https://oliviafordsisd.com/
Contact Information: 512-848-7266
Why are you running for the Dripping Springs ISD board of trustees?
I’m running for reelection to continue the progress we've made in academic development, financial responsibility and community engagement. We've lowered the tax M&O tax rate, improved district transparency and prioritized safety/security. My commitment remains to serve our students taxpayers and staff for the best possible educational outcome.
What is the biggest challenge facing the district and how would you address it?
Adapting to growth/financial constraints (state legislation). Even with slower growth we must accommodate…increased student population in our facilities, services and staffing, meanwhile state funding remains unchanged while taxpayers pay more. I aim to educate/engage/advocate for better local school funding while remaining committed to fiscal conservative leadership.
If elected, what goals would you aim to achieve as trustee?
Continue focus on improving educational outcomes particularly the ongoing impact of COVID closures. Additionally, I aim to strengthen the relationship between taxpayers and the district by increased engagement and inviting the community to be more involved with our facilities resources and programs firsthand.
What else do you want voters to know about you?
That my positions come from being a taxpayer, mother and servant in the district. I am a firm believer in the potential of every student and all education. My mission is simple: to provide the best in safety, security, education and experience for all students while serving our community with…
Experience: mother of five, current DSISD trustee, [School Healthy Advisory Council] liaison, [Parent Teacher Association] member
Occupation: business manager
Candidate Website: https://www.facebook.com/tricia4dsisdtrustee
Why are you running for the Dripping Springs ISD board of trustees?
To help give students a world-class education, to provide steady leadership that keeps our community affordable and family-friendly, and to chart a course toward a future where DSISD is the envy of Texas.
What is the biggest challenge facing the district and how would you address it?
Responsible growth. DSISD is bursting at the seams with new parents, new students and new demands. This is a phenomenal time in our district’s history, but it requires thoughtful leadership to understand where we are and where we need to go—without losing ourselves in the process.
If elected, what goals would you aim to achieve as trustee?
My number one priority is striving for academic excellence. We need the best teachers in every classroom so that students will excel. A close second relates to affordability. We should not only compensate our highest-performing staff well but do so while making every effort to keep taxes low.
What else do you want voters to know about you?
I need DSISD to succeed, not just because it’s a cornerstone of the community but also because I’m the proud mother of five kids: a graduate from public education, and four currently enrolled in public education. DSISD’s success is my family’s success!
Experience: Dripping Springs Education Foundation 2006-2010, DSISD Board 2014-2023
Occupation: Sales Executive – Salto Systems
Candidate Website: N/A
Contact Information: 512-507-9106
Why are you running for the Dripping Springs ISD board of trustees?
Offering the district a more positive public school advocacy while providing governance, oversight and common sense solutions in a fast growth, high-performing public school experience benefitting students, staff and community stakeholders.
What is the biggest challenge facing the district and how would you address it?
Growth and budget deficits. The growth should be considered in a more creative and innovative fashion. Those two major impacts will dictate the future of public education in Dripping Springs for years to come. I will work to ensure that consideration is given to a proper balance of academic progression…
If elected, what goals would you aim to achieve as trustee?
The primary reasons most people move to Dripping Springs is because of the public schools and the success which has been recognized long before we moved here in the late 1990’s. I will work to provide leadership and innovation to that objective.
What else do you want voters to know about you?
My sons had tremendous success and I would like to see that type of success and opportunity for all students. I’ve volunteered in education foundations and Friends of Texas Public Schools. Finally, I have always attempted to place our kids and community above politics.
Elisabeth joined Community Impact in October 2024 and covers all things Austin ISD, Dripping Springs and Hays County. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin May 2024 with a degree in journalism and certificates in creative writing and environment and sustainability. In her free time, she enjoys catching live music in Austin, watching movies and doing art projects. Send tips, feedback or questions to [email protected].
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Attend concerts, donate to a nonprofit, learn to garden and more with these upcoming events in South Austin and Dripping Springs. This list is not comprehensive. Events are subject to change.Amplify Austin DayOrganized by the nonprofit I Live Here, I Give Here, the 24-hour event invites residents to make donations through AmplifyATX.org where they can choose from 700 nonprofits to support by keyword, cause or location.SXSWThe annual South by Southwest Conference and Festival will ...
Attend concerts, donate to a nonprofit, learn to garden and more with these upcoming events in South Austin and Dripping Springs. This list is not comprehensive. Events are subject to change.
Amplify Austin Day
Organized by the nonprofit I Live Here, I Give Here, the 24-hour event invites residents to make donations through AmplifyATX.org where they can choose from 700 nonprofits to support by keyword, cause or location.
SXSW
The annual South by Southwest Conference and Festival will bring the latest in film, TV, technology, comedy, music, innovation and more to Downtown Austin and the surrounding area.
Sips & Sounds Music Festival
Headliners Halsey, Khalid, Benson Boone, AJR and more will perform at this year’s Sips & Sounds, presented by Coca-Cola at Auditorium Shores.
Get Your Garden Space Ready for Spring: Container Gardening
Travis County Master Gardeners will be at the Austin Public Library Menchaca Road Branch to teach attendees the 6D's of Container Gardening, providing advice on how to grow plants in containers. A plant swap will follow the presentation.
Austin Feel Good Makers Market
Austin Feel Good Makers Market will be at Dripping Springs Distilling to showcase local vintage and handmade small businesses. Guests can shop from plants, clothing, candy, baked goods, stationery, art, bath and body products, and more.
Plant Swap
Vista Brewing invites plant lovers to bring their houseplants, veggies, seeds, cuttings, flowers and more for a plant swap. Guests will be able to order from the brewery’s brunch menu.
Rodeo Austin
Taking place at the Travis County Expo Center, Rodeo Austin events include a fair, a barbecue competition, a livestock show and concerts featuring country music artists Ella Langley, Braxton Keith, Randy Rogers Band and more.
Wildflower Spring Market
Texas Market Guide will be at the Dripping Springs Ranch Park & Event Center for a spring market. Vendors will sell clothing, jewelry, home decor, garden gifts, accessories, art, candles and more. Attendees can bring a nonperishable food donation for Helping Hands Dripping Springs.
Sunset Valley Holi Celebration
The Sunset Valley Arts Commission will host this event at Sunset Valley City Hall to celebrate Holi, a Hindu holiday known as the Festival of Colors that celebrates the start of spring. Attendees are encouraged to wear white or light-colored clothing.
Skip the Small Talk at Moontower Saloon
The East Coast-founded organization Skip the Small Talk will host an event for people to get out of their comfort zone by opening up and connecting with strangers. Similar to a speed-dating event, attendees will be paired up and given psychology-backed question prompts.
‘Hamilton’
Texas Performing Arts will present “Hamilton” at Bass Concert Hall. The story follows the rise of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton set to a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway.
Time Travelers Vintage Expo
This market at the Palmer Events Center will have a variety of vendors selling retro items including vintage clothing, home goods, handmade items and more.
Features Reporter
Sarah is a features reporter for the San Marcos/Buda/Kyle and Southwest Austin editions of Community Impact. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in journalism in May 2023. She worked for the school's student-run newspaper, The University Star, for three years in roles such as life and arts reporter, life and arts editor, and managing editor. Before joining CI, Sarah was a health reporting intern for Texas Community Health News at Texas Public Radio in San Antonio. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading fiction books, listening to music and spending time with her family.
Thanks for reading!
Daily news about your community is free, and your support is invaluable.
Give $10 now towards CI's journalistic mission across Texas.
The ruling essentially clears the way for Dripping Springs to put the long-litigated wastewater issue to rest. Business leaders have said the previously limited wastewater treatment capacity caused them to consider projects elsewhere, making it more difficult to bring in new retail.Dripping Springs is nearing 90% of its capacity to treat wastewater, ...
The ruling essentially clears the way for Dripping Springs to put the long-litigated wastewater issue to rest. Business leaders have said the previously limited wastewater treatment capacity caused them to consider projects elsewhere, making it more difficult to bring in new retail.
Dripping Springs is nearing 90% of its capacity to treat wastewater, slowing development across Austin's fastest-growing suburb. But a new Texas Supreme Court ruling appears to clear the way for more growth in the city.
The April 11 decision backed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, which in 2019 approved a permit for Dripping Springs to expand wastewater treatment capacity to a level that officials have said would accommodate development for at least the next decade.
The court rejected a contention from environmental groups, led by the Save Our Springs Alliance, that the discharge of treated wastewater would violate the state's water quality standards for Onion Creek.
Dripping Springs Mayor Bill Foulds called it a "significant day," adding that the city has been working on wastewater expansion for 12 years.
"Our responsibility is to care for our residents and protect our natural resources, while planning for the growth that continues to come our way," Foulds said in a statement. "I am grateful the Court saw the wisdom in the science and engineering we have conducted throughout the process. We have worked with the best experts in the country including hydrologists and engineers, and I think that was evident today."
SOS Executive Director Bill Bunch couldn't immediately be reached for comment. TCEQ declined to comment, saying that the litigation is still pending because there remains an opportunity for the plaintiffs to request a rehearing.
Dripping Springs — located about 25 miles southwest of Austin — grew by more than 20% last year, to 8,700 residents. It's attractive to developers for many reasons, including its ranking among the metro's hottest ZIP codes for home sales, its high-quality schools, its high median household income and its location as a gateway to the Hill Country.
But the city has grappled with development pressures, even going so far as to enact a development moratorium several years ago that has since been lifted. Business leaders have said the limited wastewater treatment capacity has caused them to consider projects elsewhere, making it more difficult to bring in new retail.
Take H-E-B LP as an example. The San Antonio-based grocery chain secured approvals from the city earlier this year to knock down its store in Dripping Springs and replace it with one double the size. But the company subsequently put those plans on hold, citing the wastewater issue.
Now, however, the ruling by the state's Supreme Court essentially clears the way for the city to put the wastewater issue to rest. The permit that the TCEQ granted in 2019 would allow for a capacity of about 822,500 gallons a day — up from 300,000 gallons.
Prior to the ruling, the city tried to work with developers and be creative, primarily on the housing side, to squeeze out more treatment capacity. That has included obtaining temporary individual Texas land application permits to dispose of treated wastewater, as well as working with adjacent properties to use excess approvals. It has been harder on the commercial side because commercial sites generally lack the space for individual on-site systems, although the city reserved some capacity to serve downtown.
At issue to environmental groups was the permit type. The city currently has a land application permit, but TCEQ approved it for a discharge permit. The latter allows flexibility on wastewater reuse because the city uses treated effluent for irrigation. If the city were to stick with just the land application permit, it would need an amendment every time it wants to do that.
With the Supreme Court ruling in hand, the city said it's now able to move forward with expanding its South Regional Wastewater System. That also allows the city to continue using treated effluent to irrigate parks and open spaces, according to Dripping Springs.
The city said it has signed contracts with various developments in the area to accept treated effluent that will be produced by the wastewater facility. More developments will be able to use effluent for watering needs.
“If they had ruled against us, it would have had a crippling effect not only on our community, but cities and other entities around the country regarding their ability to proactively plan and protect the citizens they serve," Deputy City Administrator Ginger Faught said in a statement. "The precedent it would have set would have been incredibly dangerous for all organizations responsible for delivering these services."
She added that the city hasn't been idly standing by — it has design and construction plans ready to go.
"It’s long overdue for our community,” Faught said.
Lee esta historia en españolThe Texas Department of Public Safety and the Hays County Sheriff's Office said they apprehended dozens of people, including minors, who they believe are connected to the Venezuelan transnational gang T...
The Texas Department of Public Safety and the Hays County Sheriff's Office said they apprehended dozens of people, including minors, who they believe are connected to the Venezuelan transnational gang Tren de Aragua (TdA).
The sheriff's office said the arrests happened early Tuesday morning near Dripping Springs, off of Nutty Brown Road. DPS obtained a search warrant for a Hays County residence where the FBI learned of a potential gathering. DPS said it had been investigating the suspected gang for more than a year.
On April 1, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement joined federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in an operation in Hays County, Texas, resulting in the apprehension of 47 illegal aliens. They are currently in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings. pic.twitter.com/scz4M9hEUF
— ERO San Antonio (@EROSanAntonio) April 3, 2025
" This is something that they've been investigating for a while," Hays County Sheriff Anthony Hipolito said. " From everything I've been told, everything went smooth, and these were all pretty bad dudes."
A total of 47 people were apprehended in Hays County, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agency joined federal, state and local law enforcement in the operation. Of the 47, 25 were adult men, nine were single women, four were "heads of households" and nine were children, according to ICE.
An ICE spokesperson said the individuals were taken into custody pending immigration proceedings and transported to the Austin Resident Office for processing.
The Department of Public Safety said narcotics were seized as part of the arrests, but did not share if charges had been filed.
The Trump administration designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization on Inauguration Day and deported hundreds of people believed to be involved in the gang in March.
The American Civil Liberties Union challenged the Trump administration's use of a checklist to remove suspected Venezuelan gang members and transfer them to a maximum security prison in El Salvador.
The checklist is part of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which was last used during World War II and is best known for its role in Japanese internment camps in the western U.S. Advocates say the checklist is flawed, and family members and attorneys of those accused across the country deny their loved ones have any affiliation with the gang.
Raynell Martinez, director of the Austin Venezuelan Association, said she's concerned about how the situation is being handled nationally and hopes that each person arrested in Hays County will have their cases evaluated separately.
"People that have the same nationality will live next to each other and will help each other," she said in Spanish. "But we can't say that because they help one another that they all belong to a gang."
DPS worked alongside the Hays County Sheriff's Office, FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security to obtain the search warrant before the arrests took place.
"State and federal prosecutors will evaluate potential charges based on evidence obtained during the search warrant and subsequent investigation," a press release from DPS read. "This case is currently under investigation. More details will be released as they become available."
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