It should be noted that air medical services are often expensive and involve excess billing, and can be unaffordable for uninsured and vulnerable people. Smithville agrees to air medical contract.

Smithville In Bed with PHI Air Medical

The Smithville City Council has renewed its agreement with PHI Cares, a helicopter-based medical transport provider. The deal ensures Smithville and Bastrop County residents requiring PHI's services will face no out-of-pocket expenses. The agreement is effective through April 30, 2025, and covers residents without Medicaid, insurance, or a third party to cover transport costs. Smithville residents can also opt into coast-to-coast coverage for $30/year.

"The number one priority for the Smithville City Council is the safety of our citizens. PHI Cares provides a vital service, so renewing our agreement was a no-brainer," said City Manager Robert Tamble.

Pets & Pals Parade

The City of Bastrop will host a unique Independence Day celebration with a parade for pets and their owners on Saturday, June 29, from 8:30-11 a.m. The event will include registration, judging, and a parade down Main Street with various award categories. For more information, contact Debbie Denny: 512-844-3930 or ddenny001@gmail.com.

Bastrop's Big Bang

The City of Bastrop will host its annual Big Bang celebration on Saturday, June 29, from 6-9:30 p.m. at Fisherman's Park. The event will feature music, bounce houses, sprinklers, field games, concessions, and a 15-minute fireworks display set to music. Limited parking is available, with one-way traffic flow through the park.

Free Fitness Classes, July 1-6

The Bastrop Recreation Center will offer a week of free fitness classes (yoga, HIIT, dance, cycling) to celebrate its third anniversary from July 1-6. Visitors can also enjoy complimentary post-workout smoothies.

Bastrop's Trash Survey

The City of Bastrop invites residents to participate in a survey on the city's solid waste service. The survey will help inform the upcoming request for proposals for a new solid waste contract. Take the survey here: https://cityofbastrop.org/BastropSolidWaste

Free Summer Meals for Kids

The Bastrop school district is offering free breakfast and lunch to children and teens up to 18 years old (and enrolled students with disabilities up to 21) at several locations throughout the summer.

• Colony Oaks Elementary School: Through Aug. 9, Mon-Thu, breakfast 7-8 a.m., lunch 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Mina Elementary School: Through Aug. 9, Mon-Thu, breakfast 7-8 a.m., lunch 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Cedar Creek Middle School: Through Aug. 9, Mon-Thu, breakfast 7-8 a.m., lunch 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Cedar Creek High School: Through June 30, Mon-Thu, breakfast 7-8 a.m., lunch 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Colorado River Collegiate Academy: Through June 30, Mon-Thu, breakfast 7-8 a.m., lunch 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Families can find meal sites across Texas using these resources:

• Call 2-1-1
• Visit https://www.summerfood.org/
• Text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304

Corvette Invasion, July 19-20

Bastrop will host hundreds of Corvette owners for the 11th annual Corvette Invasion. A "Meet and Greet" will be held on July 19, and the car show will take place on July 20 in the Convention Center parking lot. The event is free for spectators. For vendor inquiries, contact Shawn Jones: shawn@corvetteinvasion.com.

Museum's 'Day of the Cowboy'

The Bastrop Museum & Visitor Center will celebrate the National Day of the Cowboy on July 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will showcase cowboy poetry, lasso roping, puppet shows, sing-alongs, and a documentary on Texas' first black cowboys. The public is invited to attend and encouraged to wear their best cowboy gear.