COVID-19 Update
Yesterday Governor Abbott announced certain businesses will be able to further expand their opening throughout a majority of Texas. On Monday, retailers, restaurants, museums, libraries, manufacturers, office spaces and gyms will be able to open from a 50% to a 75% capacity. On September 24, nursing homes, and similar facilities will be able to open to visitors with certain restrictions. Hospitals will also now be able to return to normal elective surgeries. Bars will remain closed. Click here for the updated State protocols, including updated protocols for businesses serving food.

The Governor indicated that hospitalizations are the main factor now for the State determining how to progress with re-opening. If the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals compared to other patients is above 15% for a seven-day consecutive period, that will be the threshold in determining whether further restrictions are needed. In our five-county hospital region, that number is 3.7% currently. Hospitalizations have continued to drop in the area. There are 87 individuals hospitalized in our region with COVID-19, down from 117 last week. Click here for more details on hospitalizations.

Additionally this week, it was announced that households in Travis County facing financial hardships due to COVID-19 can now apply for emergency assistance through the Relief in a State of Emergency 2.0 (RISE 2.0) program. The deadline to apply is Monday, September 21. Funds will be distributed in $2,000 increments per household based on a randomized selection process. Click here for more details, including the application and eligibility requirements. You can also call (512) 714-6950 for more information.

There have now been a total of 28,212 cumulative COVID-19 cases reported in Travis County. That number is up by 788 compared to this same time last week, 698 the week before that, and 487 the week before that one. It's estimated there are around 711 active COVID-19 positive cases in the county according to the state dashboard, which is up slightly from 646 reported last week. For the three zip codes associated with Lakeway (78734, 78738, 78669), there have been 550 cases identified to date, which is up by 18 compared to the same time last week, and up by 20 comparing with the week before that. Click here for more details and to view the tracking tool, which includes an interactive map to see cases by your zip code.

Travis County continues with Stage 3 guidelines, including keeping gatherings to no more than 10 individuals and wearing a face covering in public. Also, please continue to social/physical distance between individuals not in your household, and wash your hand regularly. Thank you for continuing to follow these guidelines during this difficult and unusual time.




Stay Prepared For An Emergency
September is National Preparedness Month, so it's an important time to make sure you and your family have an emergency plan in place. In Central Texas, there is the threat of flooding, tornadoes or other natural and man-made disasters that can pop up with little to no warning. Ready.gov is a great resource for putting together your family emergency plan, which includes being financially prepared with money in savings and the proper insurance, along with having an evacuation plan like getting familiar with alternate travel routes, knowing local shelters you can easily access near your home, and keeping your vehicles properly fueled and maintained. For Seniors, it's important to make sure you create a support network like other family and neighbors, and share your disaster plans with them. And don't forget your pets. Don't leave your animals chained outdoors. Create a buddy system, like a trusted neighbor, who would be able to check on your animal if you're not able to get home. Have your pet microchipped, and make sure you keep your address and phone number up-to-date. Click here for many more details on putting your emergency plan together.
Blood Drive This Saturday
The Lakeway Community Blood Drive will hold its next event this Saturday, September 19 starting at 8 a.m. at the Lakeway Activity Center. Registrations are required at this event. Walk-ins will not be accepted. The last few blood drives held during the pandemic gave way to above average blood donations. There is still a strong need for life-saving blood, and the setup allows for a safe opportunity to give this important gift. Staff working the event make sure to adhere to the appropriate health and safety protocols. If you're not feeling well, please do not attend. Instead, make sure to call and cancel so that way another reservation can free up and we can add others from the wait list. If you're interested in signing up or being placed on the short wait list, email the organizers at lakewaycommunityblooddrive@gmail.com or visit weareblood.org/donor and search for Group Code A197. Thank you as always for your support!
NEW: In Person City Council Meeting

City Council will meet in regular session and in person for the tax rate and budget public hearing this coming Monday evening. The meeting will take place at City Hall at 1102 Lohman's Crossing Road starting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, September 21. Those wishing to attend and speak at the public hearing will be required to follow social/physical distancing guidelines and wear an appropriate face covering, per state and county regulations. For those who can't or choose not to attend the meeting, there will be information on how to submit your comments to City Council in the agenda posted later this afternoon in our agenda center. The meeting will also be live streamed on our website, and can be accessed by clicking here.
NEW: November Election Information

The final day to register to vote for the November elections is October 5. The first day of early voting will be on Tuesday, October 13 and will run until Friday, October 30. There is one location for early voting in Lakeway identified by Travis County, which is the Lakeway Activity Center at 105 Cross Creek. Click here to view the current early voting location list, which is subject to approval. The City of Lakeway will hold a special election on November 3 to put forth amendments to the City Charter. Voters may vote for or against the propositions. The Ordinance calling the election was passed and approved on July 20, 2020. Click here for more information, including details on the charter amendment propositions available in both English and Spanish.
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY (Sept. 13 - 19)

  • 1501: Michelangelo begins work on his statue of David
  • 1609: Henry Hudson reaches river that would later be named Hudson River
  • 1620: Pilgrims set sail from England on the Mayflower
  • 1630: The city of Boston, Massachusetts is founded
  • 1787: The U.S. Constitution is signed in Philadelphia
  • 1788: New York City becomes a temporary U.S. capital
  • 1788: Date is set for first presidential election in the U.S.
  • 1793: First cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol is laid by George Washington
  • 1849: American abolitionist Harriet Tubman escapes from slavery
  • 1870: Old Faithful Geyser observed and named by Henry D. Washburn
  • 1881: Chester A. Arthur becomes president after death of James A. Garfield
  • 1901: Theodore Roosevelt becomes president after death of William McKinley
  • 1908: Orville Wright's flight passenger dies in crash; first airplane fatality
  • 1916: Tanks are used for the first time in battle during World War I
  • 1920: NFL organized as the American Professional Football Association in Ohio
  • 1927: The Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) goes on the air
  • 1947: The National Security Council and CIA are established
  • 1956: First commercial computer to use disk storage is introduced
  • 1959: First successful photocopier introduced in demo on live television
  • 1960: The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is founded
  • 1976: Space Shuttle Enterprise unveiled by NASA
  • 1977: Voyager 1 takes first distant photograph of the Earth and Moon together
  • 1983: Vanessa Williams becomes first black Miss America
  • 2010: The leaking oil well in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is sealed
  • 2015: The first observation of gravitational waves is made

For the latest updates, please visit our website: LAKEWAY-TX.GOV
Questions or comments? Don't hesitate to email us: INFO@LAKEWAY-TX.GOV