Real Estate Photographer in Lockhart, TX

Officials said the change will only impact one campus as it works toward a future district-wide policy.

LOCKHART, Texas — Changes to Lockhart ISD's backpack policy are coming after a student was arrested on one of its campuses.

The district said one of its students reported to a teacher that they saw a gun in another student's backpack on Friday at Lockhart Junior High School.

While no threats were made against a student or the school, authorities found the student during dismissal and immediately placed them in custody. Now students at Lockhart Junior High School will be required to use a clear backpack or no backpack at all.

Victoria Eastridge, a Lockhart Junior High parent and a firearms instructor, said she was worried after learning what happened at her son's school.

"How did that child access the firearm? That was my very first thought. As a parent or, I mean, anybody – that child was failed," Eastridge said. "That gun should have been safe ... It should have been put away. It should have been locked."

Eastridge is also worried about what could have happened, regardless of no threats being made. She said since a young age, her children have been around weapons in her home and that she taught them the importance of gun safety. She hopes others will do the same.

"They have always known how to keep them safe and not mess with them," Eastridge said. "They know they are dangerous."

For now, the backpack policy change will only affect students at the junior high school, beginning on March 3. However, the district said it will implement a future, district-wide policy for students to use clear backpacks.

According to the district, students should plan to carry their materials if they cannot comply with the clear backpack policy. The district also invited parents to fill out a form for any families that need help obtaining a backpack.

Officials also said the campus will work on a system for students who need to bring extra equipment and supplies for extracurricular activities.

In the meantime, parents who have questions or concerns are invited to partake in a forum on Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 6-7 p.m. to discuss the changes and hear community feedback.

Meanwhile, the district said it will seek "maximum disciplinary and legal consequences" allowed by the law and school policy against the student who brought the gun onto its campus.

Eastridge shared a warning for gun owners to store their firearms out of reach from their children and to always use a gunlock or keep them in a safe. To help better educate the community, she plans to hold a free gun safety class next month.

For more information on future classes, you can reach out to her email at instructor.tori@gmail.com.

Lockhart, TX (February 7, 2025) – Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene of a vehicle collision with injuries at the N US Hwy 183 southbound ramp to Camino Real in Caldwell County on Thursday afternoon.

The collision occurred at approximately 2:58 p.m., prompting a quick response from Lockhart Fire and Rescue along with paramedics. First responders, including paramedics, assessed and treated individuals hurt in the crash. The specific number of injured victims and the severity of their injuries have not yet been confirmed. Emergency crews temporarily closed portions of the southbound ramp to allow responders to safely administer aid and investigate the cause of the collision.

Authorities are working to determine the events that led to the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing. Additional details regarding the vehicles involved and the conditions at the time of the accident are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.

Our thoughts are with those affected by this accident, and we wish a speedy recovery to anyone injured.

Highway Collisions in Texas

Highway collisions, such as the one that occurred on N US Hwy 183 in Lockhart, are a frequent occurrence in Texas due to the high volume of traffic and increased speeds. Merging lanes, exit ramps, and interchanges, like the Camino Real ramp, can be particularly hazardous as drivers navigate complex traffic patterns. Factors like speeding, distracted driving, and failure to yield often contribute to these types of accidents.

In 2023, Texas reported over 250,000 crashes on highways and interstates, many of which resulted in serious injuries. Highway collisions tend to cause more severe injuries compared to accidents on city streets, due to the higher speeds involved. Victims often suffer from head injuries, fractures, and whiplash, which may require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

For those involved in highway collisions, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention, even if injuries seem minor at first. Reporting the accident to law enforcement and gathering evidence at the scene, such as photos and witness statements, can be vital for any future legal claims. Texas law allows injured parties to pursue compensation if another driver’s negligence contributed to the crash, helping to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a highway collision, contact Local Accident Reports for assistance.

The Brief

LOCKHART, Texas - Lockhart city officials have made a final decision on lowering the penalty for low-level marijuana possession.

The City Council voted 4-3 to reject the Lockhart Freedom Act on Tuesday night.

The backstory:

68 percent of voters in Lockhart approved Proposition A, a measure to de-prioritize arrests and prosecution of misdemeanor marijuana possession offenses.

The City of Lockhart Proposition A (Lockhart Freedom Act) had 3,675 votes for and 1,733 votes against.

The Lockhart Freedom Act aims to help keep people out of jail for possessing small amounts of marijuana. Decriminalization would apply to people caught with four ounces or fewer of marijuana.

Under Texas law, misdemeanor marijuana possession is for those with fewer than four ounces.

The Texas local government code says cities may not adopt policies that do not fully enforce applicable state and federal drug laws, including marijuana.

What they're saying:

"I went out last year and talked to hundreds of people about this issue in particular, in order to spread the word and get the word out there about what was on their ballot, and we saw an overwhelming turnout," said Lockhart resident Taylor Burge.

There were a few council members on board with the Lockhart Freedom Act as well, but were ultimately outnumbered by members that were against it.

"Sitting up on here on the dais I know for a fact 50% are going to be in favor, if it is decided and 50% are going to be against and basically that is the nature of the beast," said Mayor Pro-Tem Angie Gonzales-Sanchez.

"What was so frustrating is that the city council knew that this could happen. They had advice from their attorney and instead of listening to the voices of the people, they decided they are more fearful of the consequences," said Burge.

Big picture view:

Several council members were concerned about how the Act would be enforced and if there would be any legal action taken.

Last year, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued cities who passed similar measures, including Austin. A judge later dismissed the lawsuit.

"It is very clear that the city of Lockhart does not want to get sued by Ken Paxton and I totally understand that I can empathize with that. I mean it is devastating that we have to consider that an option. Unfortunately, it feels like Ken Paxton is just bullying cities," said Burge.

What's next:

According to the city council members, they will review the outcome of pending cases before revisiting marijuana decriminalization.

"If they don't speak to it now and do what the people want now, we can always push them to bring it back up again, and we will continue to do so," said Burge.

Most people know Lockhart as the barbecue capital of Texas, but the town located roughly 32 miles southeast of Austin has more going for it than smoked meats and macaroni and cheese.

I recently took the 40-minute drive to Lockhart from ATX for a City Council meeting. Thanks to a rave recommendation from my good-food-appreciating boss, I arrived in Lockhart with about 1.5 hours to spare and one place on my mind: Commerce Cafe.

More dining

I had heard about their pasta and pie selection. As a lover of all forms of pasta known to man, I was down to give this place a try. I wasn’t in the mood for barbecue, after all. Plus, having browsed the menu hours before embarking on my journalistic journey, there was no question: I’d be ordering the rigatoni alla vodka. But searching the depths of Instagram and Google Images did not prepare me for the unassuming yet sophisticated vibe of the place.

The cafe’s exterior features butcher block tables that blend in with downtown Lockhart. However, the small-town feel disappears once you enter. Commerce Cafe’s interior rivals that of a coffee shop in New York City — but with a homey feel. One wall features exposed brick, while the opposing wall is filled with art. A pie cooler located to the left of the front door allows guests to drool over the homemade selection.

Let’s just say, at Commerce Cafe, you’ll probably end up picking appetizers and entrees that pair perfectly with the flavor profile of the dessert you eyeballed on your way in. For me, it was the strawberry cream pie that caught my eye.

Well, to be honest, it was the cheesecake that first stole my attention. Knowing I’d be diving into a plate of homemade pasta after trying the gruyere and black pepper popovers — which I can only describe as a hollow croissant baked to perfection with a side of cheesy and black pepper goodness — it seemed strawberry was the better route.

With each bite, I began to understand why my boss raved about this place. The flavors are simple yet bold and the plating is impressive, making the reasonable prices even more appealing — especially compared to Austin restaurants.

All in all, I spent around $30 total on drip coffee, an appetizer, a pasta dish and one piece of pie.

Commerce Cafe in Lockhart aces Texas hospitality

Having delicious dishes that range from chicken fried steak to spaghetti Bolognese and potently rich coffee is one thing. But providing exceptional service with a dose of Texas hospitality is another.

I’m happy to report Commerce Cafe nails the Southern hospitality thing, with attentive and kind service that isn’t overbearing yet makes you feel cared for. You know, the kind of service that’s increasingly difficult to come by. This alone makes Commerce Cafe worthwhile.

The restaurant, which first opened in May 2020, is helmed by chefs and co-owners Nathan Lemley and Sarah Heard, who previously purchased Austin’s farm-to-table restaurant Foreign & Domestic in 2017.

Commerce Cafe is located at 118 S. Commerce St., Lockhart. The restaurant is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.

Brunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Taylor Kamnetz is a native Austinite who enjoys finding good food and stellar service at affordable prices. She believes how a restaurant’s staff treats its guests can make or break a dining experience.

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