Austin American-Statesman - 06/10/2021 Page : B02 STATESMAN.COM | THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2021 | 3B COMMUNITYNEWS COMMUNITY NEWS IN BRIEF Eateries happy mask mandate lifted AUSTIN Rebeccah Macias owner at Down South Austin American-Statesman CaJJun Eats, said he Program helps kids’ USA TODAY NETWORK thinks this is a step in the access to YMCA right direction. Restaurants and busi- “From all the restric- The YMCA of Austin nesses in Pflugerville have tions – close downs, to-go and Capital Metro are been updating their face only and curbside pickup teaming up to launch mask rules following the – and all the things we’ve the Free Ride to the Y, CDC’s latest guidelines for tried to roll with, I think campaign, coupling a those fully vaccinated for this has been something new YMCA student COVID-19. we’ve all been waiting for,” membership for ages The Centers for Dis- Dumes said. “I believe 12-18 with CapMetro’s ease Control and Preven- people will adapt to the Kids Ride Free program tion announced last news and lifting the re- on its buses and trains month it is easing the strictions. Although it will for all K-12 students. mask-wearing guidance probably take some time, The Y’s student for fully vaccinated peo- I’m excited.” membership features a ple, allowing them to stop Dumes said the restau- reduced monthly rate wearing masks indoors, in rant has dropped its mask of $25 and no joining Restaurants in Pflugerville have been updating their face mask rules following crowds and in most in- requirement for custom- fee. Financial assis- the CDC’s announcement of easing the mask-wearing guidance for fully door settings. ers, but will allow them to tance is available. vaccinated people. BRONTE WITTPENN/AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN Jermaine Dumes, co- wear one if they choose. With a Y member- “Since we’re an out- ship, young people have door venue, moving for- access to eight area ward we’ll probably stop YMCA of Austin facili- wearing masks, but we’re ties plus more than not there yet,” Dumes 2,500 Ys nationwide. said. “We are all so used to Central Texas K-12 it now that I think it will be students, with valid ID, a big change for us.” and MetroAccess cus- Pflugerville resident tomers younger than 18, Nyja Anderson said she are able to use all Cap- wears her mask when Metro service free of picking up her food at res- charge. Students with- taurants like Down South out a valid ID, can visit CaJJun Eats. CapMetro’s transit “I think it really just is store to obtain identifi- up to the person, so I’m cation. comfortable wearing it For more informa- even though I’m fully vac- tion: austinymca.org/ cinated,” Anderson said. student-membership. “I think I’m doing it more Courtesy of YMCA of for employees behind the Austin counter just to make sure everyone else is safe.” AUSTIN At the wine and craft beer bar Three Legged State funds to Goat, co-owner Jim Mc- address road safety Donald decided to lift mask requirements for More than $5.5 mil- Distracted driving both guests and staff. lion of Austin-area “Once we stopped safety-related projects WRECKS LIVES, wearing our masks, peo- were awarded by the ple would come in and see Texas Department of don’t let it wreck yours. me, my wife or my son Transportation’s 2020 without our masks and Highway Safety Im- they would take their provement Program mask off, but people this week to signifi- would still be coming in cantly reduce traffic fa- with a mask on,” McDon- talities and serious in- ald said. “Now that most juries. everyone who wants to be Safety lighting will vaccinated has been and take place on Slaughter we’re on the other side, we Lane from South First felt like we should make it Street to Brandt Road, (wearing a mask) volun- on Howard Lane from tary. No one should feel Interstate 35 to Dessau weird about it, nobody is Road and on Cameron shunning you. It’s been Road from I-35 to over a year and we feel like Rundberg Lane. we’re trained to wear Signal improve- masks so when we heard ments will include con- the new guidelines from verting a pedestrian hy- the CDC, it was exciting brid beacon to a full sig- and a surprise.” nal at South Congress McDonald said he Avenue and Alpine plans to leave it optional Road and new signals at for employees to choose to South Congress and This safe driving message brought toyou by: wear their mask or not. Ramble Lane, at Burle- “Being a small family- son Road and Metropo- owned business, some lis Drive and at Quick- employees include my- silver Boulevard and self, my wife and my son Bluff Springs Road. as well as others, but my For more informa- family is all vaccinated tion: austintexas.gov/ TJHLAW.COM 512-829-8777 and my son will still transportation. choose to wear a mask From news reports AUSTIN • CORPUS CHRISTI • SAN ANTONIO anyway,” McDonald said. “We want our business to SMITHVILLE be a space where you have the right to choose what Pre-Juneteenth you’re most comfortable event Sunday CAPITOL COMPLEX MILESTONES with.” Denise Stokes, co- A Pre-Juneteenth owner of Pflugerville Nu- Celebration will take trition, said it also will no place from 1 to 3 p.m. longer enforce customers Sunday at the Smith- wearing masks inside the ville Recreation Center, business. 106 Royston St. “The staff at this time The event will in- will continue to wear clude speakers on top- masks for the safety of our ics such as impacts and customers and family actions on the CO- members that have not VID-19 pandemic, what been vaccinated,” Stokes affect the pandemic has said. “We will continue to had on children’s social monitor the situation.” development and mak- However, not all busi- ing high speed internet nesses are ready to lift a priority. The event is their mask requirements. free for the first 100 Blanca Rodriguez of guests to RSVP by call- Stylin’ Salon and Spa said ing 832-921-9756. Do- Jason Beiter, right, vice president at JE Dunn Austin, speaks as leaders from the Texas it is keeping a masking re- nations should be made quirement for now. payable to Joshua Facilities Commission celebrate the completion of three construction milestones at Austin’s “Because so many peo- Equal Urban Develop- new Capitol Complex: the completion of the site excavation, the relocation of over 27 utilities, ple still have not been vac- ment Services, P.O. Box cinated, we’re just keep- 1531; Bastrop, TX 78602. and the completion of a new Central Utility Plant. The state is implementing Phase I of the ing the masks, as of this Courtesy Smithville Capitol Complex master plan that aims to save Texans millions in tax dollars by centralizing time, until things play out Area Chamber of Com- a little bit,” Rodriguez merce state agencies on one campus. BRET BROOKSHIRE said. June 11, 2021 1:43 pm (GMT -5:00) Powered by TECNAVIA.