The National Weather Service-Austin/San Antonio’s forecast shows that a dry and strong cold front will move through the Central Texas area tonight and into early Saturday morning. Aside from bringing cooler temperatures, it also brings wind gusts that could get as high as 50 mph, putting the region in high fire danger—which includes the Lockhart-Caldwell County area.

Outdoor burning is prohibited within Lockhart City Limits. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly due to low humidity and high wind speeds. Other safety recommendations include:

• Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
• Secure loose gutters and shutters.
• Secure outdoor, lightweight furniture.
• Re-evaluate travel plans if driving in a high-profile vehicle.

Starting Tuesday, January 18, it will be illegal for Texas dog owners to restrain dogs using chains or heavy weighted restraints. S.B. 5, also known as the “Safe Outdoor Dogs Act,” also prohibits leaving dogs unattended outside without access to adequate shelter and requires dog restraints to be no shorter than ten feet, or five times the dog’s length. Restraining dogs using a running line, or pulley/trolley system is still permissible under the new law, as long as the restraint is longer than ten feet. Most of these changes are already reflected in the Lockhart City Ordinance.

  The Lockhart Police Department’s Animal Control officers will investigate all calls in violation of the new law. Violators will be charged with a Class C misdemeanor--in which one could be fined up to $500--in addition to any other applicable law, i.e., Cruelty to Non-Livestock, etc.

For more information or to report any animal-related violations, contact Animal Services at (512) 398-4401, ext. 2.

Lockhart, Tx—To protect the Lockhart community from the spread of COVID-19, the Downtown Revitalization Project’s second public open house has been postponed until further notice.

This decision was not taken lightly. Our county is seeing an increased number of cases of COVID-19. While public meetings are hallmarks of our community, they are also opportunities for the virus to spread quickly among meeting participants and staff members.  

Even with the short delay, the impact on the Downtown Revitalization Project’s progress is minimal. The project’s second public open house’s format, much like the first open house, is intended to be informal, interactive and allows the project team to meet and answer questions from attendees. The Downtown Revitalization Project focuses on proposed upgrades in utilities, drainage, streetscape, parking, hardscape, pedestrian access, and landscaping in the nine-block area around the Caldwell County Courthouse.

Please stay tuned for any updates on the Downtown Revitalization Project’s second public open house through the City’s website and our social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Nextdoor.

From the Caldwell County Office of Emergency Management:

***COVID19 Test Site Update*** Beginning Thursday, January 13th, all COVID test site users will be required to register for a rapid test at https://register.txrapidtest.org/. Upon completion, the test result will be emailed and texted to the contact information provided by the user. Test site Scott Annex Back Parking Lot 1403 Blackjack Street Lockhart, Texas 78644 8 AM to 4 PM / 7 Days a Week *Mask wear required to protect medical professionals.

***** Attention Caldwell County****** ******** Please Read all the Information Below****** The Caldwell County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and The Texas Military Forces will be hosting a COVID-19 Test and Vaccine Site Staring Monday January 10, 2022 till February 10, 2022. The site will be closed for military Training on January 12 and January 17 in Observance of MLK Day. Location and times are as follows: ************************************************************************** Where: Scott Annex Back Parking Lot 1403 Blackjack Street Lockhart, Texas 78644 Times: 8 AM to 4 PM / 7 Days a Week Type of Testing: Drive Thru / Rapid BinaxNow Test kit will be used. **** Due to Increasing COVID-19 numbers the wearing of mask is mandatory through the testing site to protect our Military Force, Medical personnel and other personnel helping with this event. ************************************************************************* Vaccine Site Information: Type of Vaccine that will be administered is: 1st dose Moderna, 2nd dose Moderna, and Moderna Boosters. Ages that are eligible to receive the vaccines are 12 Year of age and older Please bring some sort of ID for registration and If you have a COVID-19 Vaccine Card please bring it, but not required. Children under the age of 18 must bring a parent or legal guardian to be tested. Expect long traffic lines, long wait times, and Be Courteous Please. The Test and Vaccine Sites are Free of Charge

For more information you can call the Caldwell County office of Emergency Management COVID-19 HOTLINE at 512-359-4637

Recognition of Lockhart High School’s Cross-Country team, the energy assistance program agreement, board and commission process changes, public sidewalks and covered parking ordinances were discussed in last night’s City Council Meeting.

Lockhart High School Cross Country Team: Mayor White recognized Lockhart High School’s Cross-Country team for placing in the UIL Cross Country meet.

Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program Agreement: City Council authorized the City Manager to continue the City’s partnership with Community Action, Inc.’s Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP).  The program assists Lockhart residents with the electric portion of their bills prioritizing low-income families with children under five years old, and/or elderly, disabled, or veteran family members. The CEAP does not apply to water/wastewater, solid waste, and recycling fees.

Public Sidewalk Ordinance: City Council directed City Staff to prepare an ordinance revision addressing public sidewalk maintenance and ownership, defective sidewalks, funding sources, and cost-sharing with residential property owners.

Zoning Amendment for Covered Parking: City Council directed Staff to begin the process to amend the zoning ordinance to require covered parking (garages/carports) for detached single-family homes. The Planning and Zoning Commission will consider this item in its January 26^th meeting. With the commission’s recommendation, a public hearing for the adoption of the ordinance will be held in the February 1^st City Council meeting, at the earliest.

Citizen Board and Commission Process Changes: City Council directed Staff to prepare a resolution requiring Councilmembers’ nominations to be submitted to the City Secretary at least seven days prior to the scheduled City Council meeting, at which the nomination will be considered.