Water Damage Restoration in Waco, TX

Vote centers across McLennan County will be prepared to handle a strong turnout Tuesday in a high-profile election that includes choosing a U.S. president and Texas senator.

“I expect that we will have lots and lots of people vote on Election Day, which is very exciting,” elections administrator Jared Goldsmith said Friday.

McLennan County voters will have their choice of 46 vote centers, 12 more than were available in the 2020 presidential election.

Goldsmith said his Election Day team of volunteers, employees and IT support would be prepared Tuesday, even if all registered voters who have not voted early were to show up.

As of Friday, 73,231 McLennan County residents had voted of 159,717 registered voters.

“Each election is unique, so it’s hard to gauge,” Goldsmith said.

McLennan County saw record early voting in November 2020, when the global pandemic still raised concerns about public gatherings.

Overall McLennan County voter turnout was 66.1%, as 98,997 out of 149,737 registered voters cast ballots. Only 17,813, or 18% of those who cast ballots, did so on Election Day, Goldsmith noted.

His team this year is prepared for around five times that number, as long as they don’t all show up at First Assembly of God or Hewitt City Hall at the same time. Those are consistently the busiest of the vote centers, accounting for about half of all votes.

“Even on Election Day, every one of our polling places will be a vote center, so matter where a voter lives, they can get the ballot with all their local races at any polling place in the county,” Goldsmith said.

It will be important for voters to bring one of seven forms of acceptable ID to the polling place.

“Most people show a Texas driver license or state ID card,” Goldsmith said. “For voters between 18 and 69 years of age, the ID can be four years expired. For voters 70 and older, the ID can be expired for any length of time.”

And it doesn’t matter if voters still live at the address on the driver license, Goldsmith said.

“The purpose of the ID is to verify that the person standing in front of the poll worker is who they say they are,” Goldsmith said.

Other than the driver license and Texas personal ID card, the following state or federal IDs are acceptable: a Texas Election ID Certificate, a Texas handgun license, a U.S. citizenship certificate with photo, a U.S. military ID card or a U.S. passport.

For those who don’t have one of the seven forms of ID, poll workers are prepared to help them with a “reasonable impediment declaration” as long as they bring along at least one of these kinds of documents: current utility bill, birth certificate, bank statement, paycheck, government check, voter registration card or any government document with the name and address.

Goldsmith said voters willing to venture beyond First Assembly and Hewitt City Hall may find shorter lines not far away.

Holy Spirit Episcopal Church 1624 Wooded Acres Drive, is near First Assembly, Goldsmith noted. For Hewitt-area voters, the Midway ISD information technology center at Panther Way and Hewitt Drive is an option.

Another popular polling place is the Waco Multi-purpose Community Center in East Waco at 1020 Elm Ave., Goldsmith said lines may be shorter at Carver Park Baptist Church, 1020 E. Herring Ave.

For those who like to vote at China Spring Independent School District administration building, Goldsmith suggested Journey Christian Community, 10424 China Spring Road.

Those who need an alternative to Lacy Lakeview Civic Center can visit the Student Recreation Center at Texas State Technical College, 2025 Campus Drive.

As Halloween approaches, we have curated a list of Halloween events for you and your family to enjoy around Central Texas.

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Want more fun fall activities? Check out our list of pumpkin patches events around Central Texas here!

The designation recognizes Waco's "commitment to further developing tourism as an economic growth strategy", boosting job creation and drawing visitors.

WACO, Texas — The City of Waco has been named Texas' first Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community by Travel Texas, the office has announced.

The City reportedly completed the multi-step certification process to earn the designation, becoming the first community in the state to be recognized in the inaugural year of the program.

According to Travel Texas, the designation "shows the City of Waco’s commitment to further developing tourism as an economic growth strategy, boosting local job creation and drawing more visitors to their community and to Texas from across the nation and around the world."

Many leaders from both the City of Waco and the State of Texas congratulated Waco for its accomplishment.

“Tourism is critical to both our local and state economies, supporting one in 11 jobs across Texas,” said Governor Abbott, congratulating the city on the designation. “Travelers to and within Texas generated more than $193.8 billion in economic impact and supported over 1.3 million jobs across the state in 2023. Every region of this great state offers endless opportunities to experience the natural beauty, rich history and true Texas hospitality that draws visitors to our communities large and small. I congratulate the City of Waco and the Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau on earning this designation. All Texas communities are encouraged to apply to become a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community to help further grow local tourism and jobs across our great state.”

“Waco’s commitment to hospitality and its thriving mix of attractions make it a standout destination,” said Travel Texas Director Tim Fennell. “As the city continues to grow as a tourism hub, we are proud to celebrate Waco’s role in making Texas a top travel destination."

“Congratulations to Judge Scott Felton, Mayor Jim Holmes and the entire Waco community on being designated as the first Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community,” said Senator Brian Birdwell. “The economic impact of tourism on local communities is important, and I am pleased Waco is being recognized by Travel Texas through the Office of the Governor. From museums, including the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame, to the Silos at Magnolia and the historic Suspension Bridge and beautiful Cameron Park, it is no wonder that Waco has achieved this honored designation. I am proud of Waco for their efforts in earning this recognition.”

“As one of Waco’s representatives in the Texas House, I am delighted by Governor Abbott’s thoughtful decision in choosing this great city as the first Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community,” said Representative Angelia Orr. “This achievement showcases the warm hospitality and enjoyable entertainment possibilities Waco has to offer. I commend the local officials, business and community leaders and hardworking families of this city who have contributed to this distinguished designation.”

“Travel and tourism provide significant cultural and economic benefits to the City of Waco,” said Mayor Jim Holmes. “Waco is home to the many tourism offerings of Baylor University, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, the Dr Pepper Museum, Cameron Park Zoo, the Doris Miller Memorial, the Downtown Waco Cultural District and the Magnolia Market at the Silos, along with multiple sporting events, festivals and outdoor activities that are part of the foundation that makes Waco a unique and memorable travel destination. Welcoming visitors from near and far has always been, and always will be, the enduring ethos of the City of Waco. It is an honor to be designated as the first Tourism Friendly Texas Community."

“Waco offers a unique blend of charm, history and modern attractions, making it a welcoming and dynamic place for residents and visitors alike,” said McLennan County Judge Scott Felton.

Travel Texas says the Tourism Friendly Texas Community program is open to local governments or non-profit organizations that "serve as the lead entity for tourism promotion and development efforts."

Benefits of the designation reportedly include "the opportunity to strengthen or establish relationships important for tourism development, educate local leaders on the importance of tourism to the state, identify and prioritize locally driven strategies and learn more about opportunities provided by Travel Texas and other state government programs available to support both communities and the travel and tourism industry."

More information on the program can be found at this link.

Travel Texas is a part of the Governor's Office of Economic Development & Tourism. It's mission is to "enhance and extend local economic development efforts by marketing Texas as a premier travel destination in out-of-state and international markets, generating non-Texan travel to Texas and creating revenue and jobs for local communities and the state."

More from 6 News:

You might not expect to find a time capsule of the Art Deco era in Waco, Texas, but Chip and Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper fame have made that possible with Hotel 1928. Though the interior provides a nice mix of modern amenities and historic touches, the famous couple—known for their modern farmhouse style and funny on-screen antics—were still able to capture in this space what fans love so much: Their ability to make anywhere feel like home.

Using cozy textures, beautiful colorways, and fully embracing Southern hospitality, the Gaineses created a design-forward getaway that would be perfect as a weekend retreat. That's how I got to stay in their Hotel 1928—I went for a long weekend last November before the grand opening, and I got to experience everything the beloved Magnolia Market and surrounding area had to offer. I saw firsthand how the dynamic duo's design style has evolved in recent years, moving from rustic chic to something more elevated. In partnership with AJ Capital Partners—a Nashville-based real estate company—the Gaineses wholly embraced the aesthetic of the 1920s, which is when the hotel was originally built. They combined that retro vibe with their own modern and Southern styles and the property's existing Moorish Revival aesthetic to create a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel in downtown Waco, roughly a 10-minute walk away from their famous Silos.

Though there are plenty of Magnolia sites you could visit in Waco, the hotel is a glamorous throwback with broad appeal to more than just Magnolia fans. I'd argue that you could—and should—spend an entire weekend in the small city without ever exiting the hotel's front double doors. In addition to the 33 rooms, the hotel has two restaurants, a cafe, a library, a sitting room, a grand ballroom, and a gift shop. And in all spaces, the historical details run deep, starting with the ceiling in the lobby. The beams are painted with beautiful, Middle-Eastern-influenced designs from when the hall was built in 1928 as the Grand Karem Shrine Temple, home to the local community organization. The Temple closed in 1995, and the building was empty until now, which may be why some of the original details remained so well preserved, such as the chicken wire windows and hardwood floors in the ballroom.

It's clear that Chip and Jo worked hard to make the new additions to the space feel glamorously aged, such as the three crystal chandeliers in the ballroom and the books lining the walls of the library. But they spent just as much time making it feel deeply Texan. The library books come from Texan author Larry McMurtry's own bookstore, which Chip bought near the end of 2022. Each novel was handpicked for the hotel to add vintage character to the space. With many a board game at your disposal and a little shrine to the late author in the spacious reading area, you could easily spend hours in the warm, pattern-mixed space that's nestled between two grand staircases.

Of course, when you're done with your novel and you're feeling a bit peckish, there are three food options available for you to choose from—one for all three meals of the day! The main restaurant to the left of the lobby, The Brasserie, is wonderful for a rich dish (I recommend the risotto) as you lounge in a plush bistro booth.

Bertie's on the Rooftop is sure to be a go-to cocktail joint for guests of the hotel as well as locals, with its elegant white-with-black-trim umbrella-covered tables on the terrace and luxe pink couches and chairs inside. The Cafe at Hotel 1928 is across from the luxe sitting area and offers espresso drinks and pastries that you can enjoy on the green leather couches or the cafe tables next to the front window of the hotel.

Though my entire stay was, honestly, extraordinary, I don't think I'll ever get over how impressed I was with the attention to detail as a whole. The staff operates like a well-oiled machine, showing up at my door with a pot of coffee, as requested, at 8:15 in the morning, and bringing a carafe of water and some trail mix during turndown service at night. But it's the design details that give the hotel its Gatsby vibe, from the gold, vintage-looking service bell at the front desk to the historically accurate light switches with dimmers.

While many of the rooms are already booked well into the New Year, you can make a reservation to stay at the hotel this spring. The prices for rooms at Hotel 1928 vary, ranging from $375 for one night in the Franklin, the smaller king-sized room, to $415 in the Columbus, the king suite. There is also a guest suite, the Washington, that can sleep up to 12 and has two bathrooms, but you'll have to contact the hotel to inquire about availability. Just be prepared that you won't want to leave the hotel—or the roaring '20s—once your stay is up. I know I didn't want to!

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