Community Briefing: Hot coals blamed in Round Rock garage fire – Austin American
Williamson County
Round Rock
Hot coals blamed in garage fire
A fire that engulfed a garage and destroyed two vehicles Sunday morning was caused by discarded fireplace coals, Round Rock officials said Monday.
The first Round Rock Fire Department units went to the house in the 2600 block of Estefania Lane at 11:27 a.m. Sunday, according to a city statement. When they arrived seven minutes later, they found the home’s garage burning, along with the two vehicles inside. Fifteen firefighters extinguished the fire, which was contained to the garage area, officials said.
The home suffered minor smoke damage. Damage was estimated at $80,000.
— American-Statesman staff
Christmas tree recycling
Austin
Landfill taking Christmas trees
The Waste Management Austin Community Landfill is providing free Christmas tree recycling through Jan. 7.
Christmas trees with all decorations removed are accepted during normal operating hours. The landfill, at 9900 Giles Road, is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. It will be closed New Year’s Eve.
— American-Statesman staff
Williamson County
Landfill accepting trees
The Waste Management Williamson County Landfill and Recycling Center is providing free Christmas tree recycling through Jan. 7.
Christmas trees are accepted during normal operating hours, but they must have all decorations removed. The landfill, at 600 Landfill Road (off FM 1660 between Hutto and Georgetown), is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday. It will be closed New Year’s Eve.
— American-Statesman staff
Round Rock
Trade a Christmas tree for a tree
The City of Round Rock will be giving away small trees to residents who drop off their Christmas trees at the city brush recycling center, 310 Deepwood Drive, on Saturday or Jan. 7. Volunteers will be available to help unload trees.
The center will accept trees during normal business hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Residents must remove all decorations. The trees will be shredded into mulch that is free for Round Rock residents to pick up at the center. Contractors and nonresidents can purchase mulch for $5 a cubic yard.
For more information, call forestry manager Emsud Horozovic at 218-5540.
— Benjamin Wermund, American-Statesman staff
San Marcos
Recycle your Christmas tree
The City of San Marcos Parks and Recreation Department is recycling Christmas trees through Jan. 16 in the parking lot at 401 E. Hopkins St.
Christmas trees can be dropped off in a designated area of the parking lot at any time of day. Decorations must be removed.
Trees are chipped into a mulch that can be used in flower beds, lawns and gardens. Mulch from the chipped trees is free to the public and must be loaded and picked up in the parking lot from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 512-393-8400.
— American-Statesman staff
Hill Country
Christmas tree recycling offered
Pedernales Electric Cooperative is accepting natural, undecorated Christmas trees through Jan. 6 during regular business hours at its offices in Bertram, Canyon Lake, Cedar Park, Junction, Kyle, Lake Travis, Liberty Hill, Manchaca, Marble Falls and Oak Hill. The trees will be turned into mulch to distribute to parks and playgrounds. For directions and office hours at various locations, go to www.pec.coop.
— Ciara O’Rourke, American-Statesman staff
Traffic report
State, U.S. highways
Interstate 35 (Hays County): Northbound entrance from FM 2001 closed.
U.S. 183 (Travis County): Southbound entrance ramp from Cameron Road closed.
U.S. 290 West: Reduced to one lane in each direction with a center turn lane between Fitz-hugh and Nutty Brown roads.
Texas 21: Reduced to one lane in each direction between Southwest Parkway and RM 2244. Various lane closures between Bob Wire Road and Creek Meadow Cove.
FM 734 (Parmer Lane): Reduced to one westbound lane between U.S. 290 and Yager Lane.
Ferguson Cutoff: Closed at U.S. 290 until further notice. Traffic will use Springdale and Old Manor roads as detours.
