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Joel Valley
Joel Valley
Joel Valley is a government reporter covering Bastrop County. Before he joined Community Impact in June 2025, he was a senior reporter at the Temple Daily Telegram in Bell County. He graduated from the University of Maryland in 2018 with a degree in journalism. For business updates and story ideas, email Joel at: jvalley@communityimpact.com
Latest from Joel Valley
a man points a poster board showing a house
Bastrop residents to discuss development plans for Pecan Street fourplexes
dog wearing a camouflage vest
Expansion planned for Bastrop County Animal Services shelter
Bastrop residents provide input on proposed amendments to the B3 Code during a public meeting. (Courtesy city of Bastrop)
B3 Code amendments continue in Bastrop
Emily Rafferty, an Austin Water staff member, discusses Austin’s planned Aquifer Storage and Recovery project with a Bastrop-area resident during an open house at the Community Center in Mayfest Park on Sept. 3. (Joel Valley/Community Impact)
Check out 3 of the latest government stories impacting Bastrop County
a bus driver pushes a man in a wheelchair
CARTS launches all-in-one app for Central Texas riders
Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino discusses her excitement for the Old Iron Bridge project to kick into gear. (Joel Valley/Community Impact)
3 Bastrop-area stories: Rodeo Arena, Old Iron Bridge improvements and more
HTeaO offers 24 tea flavors with sweet, unsweetened and caffeine-free options. (Courtesy HTeaO)
Pizza, popcorn and Southern Italian food: Check out 12 Bastrop-area business updates
The Bastrop County Community Center near Mayfest Park will have an emergency generator installed. (Community Impact staff)
Bastrop County Community Center to install emergency generator
Artists are invited to submit designs for a veterans memorial that will be installed in the city of Bastrop. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Bastrop seeks artist designs for veterans memorial
Construction will soon begin on the Old Iron Bridge project that will see the local landmark brought back to life. The city of Bastrop has closed one lane of Loop 150 to accommodate space for crews. (Joel Valley/Community Impact)
3 Bastrop transportation updates to check out
Jason Alfaro, the new parks and recreation director for the city of Bastrop, plants a tree during his first week on the job. (Courtesy city of Bastrop)
Jason Alfaro returns to Bastrop as new Parks and Recreation Director
Local officials, business owners and residents celebrate Bastrop’s latest art installation. (Courtesy city of Bastrop)
City of Bastrop unveils barred owl sculpture
Victory Tickets will relocate to 907 College St. in early October. (Courtesy Victory Tickets)
Bastrop's Victory Tickets heading to College Street
Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino shared her goals for the community during the second annual State of the City on Sept. 8. (Joel Valley/Community Impact)
Bastrop Chamber hosts State of the City event Sept. 8
The SpaceX Project Echo building is located at 858 FM 1209, Bastrop. (Courtesy Jay Jones)
SpaceX poised for $8 million in upgrades in Bastrop
Austin Water staff members discuss Austin’s planned Aquifer Storage and Recovery project with Bastrop-area residents during an open house at the Community Center in Mayfest Park on Sept. 3. (Joel Valley/Community Impact)
Bastrop commissioners to discuss Aquifer Storage and Recovery opposition
A close-up of popcorn is shown from Popcorn Love
Popcorn Love brings big flavors to Elgin
Bastrop City Council will begin holding meetings on the first and third Tuesday of every month at Bastrop City Hall in October. (Amanda Cutshall/Community Impact)
Bastrop City Council adjusts calendar
Emily Rafferty, an Austin Water staff member, discusses Austin’s planned Aquifer Storage and Recovery project with a Bastrop-area resident during an open house at the Community Center in Mayfest Park on Sept. 3. (Joel Valley/Community Impact)
Residents ask ASR officials 'Why Bastrop County?' at town hall
Bastrop County Commissioners Court will hold its next meeting Sept. 8. (Community Impact staff)
Bastrop historical marker to honor former slave Jeremiah J. Hamilton