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Brrr....Winter's Still Here!

Brrr....Winter's Still Here!

From Baylor’s first day of class to a $3.2M grant for Waco—here’s what you need to know presented by Hewitt Kids Dental

Sam Harper
January 21, 2025

Good morning, Waco! This is the Waco Buzz, and I sure do love our city, but nothing has me scrolling tropical vacation rentals quite like this morning’s 15° wind chill.

In today’s Waco Buzz:

Waco scores $3.2M EPA Grant 🌲🌲
Restaurant Spotlight: Italia Express 🍕🍕
Which Winter Wacoan Are You Poll ⛄
Live Music and Events Lineup for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 🎶

Let’s get to it!

Buzzworthy News

Winter’s Here, Stay Bundled Up! ❄️🧣
Happy first day of classes to all our readers that are Baylor students—and welcome back to Waco! If you’ve ventured out this morning, you know winter’s here, and it’s got a firm grip on us. Freezing temps will be hanging around through Wednesday, with wind chills between 5° and 15°. No major disruptions are expected, but whether you're walking across campus or cruising down Valley Mills, make sure to layer up and stay cozy. And don’t forget the four P’s—people, pets, plants, and pipes—so everyone (and everything!) stays safe through this winter blast. Stay warm, keep an eye on the weather, and be ready for anything! ❄️

Waco Gets $3.2 Million to Boost Sustainability and Community Health 🌱
Waco is receiving a $3.2 million slice of a $17.9 million EPA grant to support transformative projects aimed at food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture. Over the next three years, the city will collaborate with local organizations like Mission Waco and Baylor University to enhance community health, repair lead hazards in homes, and establish resilience hubs. From community gardens to solar energy upgrades, this funding will strengthen Waco’s efforts to create healthier, safer, and more prosperous neighborhoods, proving that change, even on a large scale, can start right here at home. More info here.

Reader’s Recommendation

At the Waco Buzz, we love spotlighting our readers’ favorite local spots. This week, Kim Vana shares her glowing experience with Green Eye Associates:

“All I can say is WOW! Green Eye Associates went above and beyond from the moment I walked in the door! Every associate was absolutely amazing! The environment was so calming and peaceful, I didn’t feel rushed AT ALL and left with such a smile on my face! And the best part is, I can finally SEE again! I will forever use, and recommend, Green Eye Associates! (I guess I did have more to say than wow haha!)”

Serving Waco for over a decade, Green Eye Associates has earned their stellar 4.9-star Google rating through exceptional care and service. From individuals to families, they’re helping our community see the world more clearly every day.

Thanks for the great recommendation, Kim!

P.S. Have a recommendation of your own to share? Click here to let us know!

^{_{Nothing in this section is sponsored. They’re just the things to know. I’ll always let you know when something is sponsored.}}

Civil News

⚖️ Waco City Council Meeting
While we are all dreaming of warmer days, the City Council is getting down to business. Here is what’s on the agenda for Tuesday’s City Council meeting:

Fire Department services update and 2025 priorities
Tourism rebranding project plans
New park design for Floyd Casey development
Full agenda here

The meeting has two sessions - 3 PM and 6 PM at the Waco Convention Center Bosque Theater. The public is welcome to attend in person or watch live on MyWacoTV.com. To speak on any agenda item, register at waco-texas.com/council-speaker.asp, email [email protected], or call 254-750-5750. 100 Washington Avenue, Waco, TX 76701

What type of Wacoan in winter are you most like?

Flick and Ralphie from A Christmas Story

As kids, we dreamt of snow days in Waco—building forts in the yard, sledding down the hill, and sipping hot cocoa by the fire. Just like those magical moments, Hewitt Kids Dental makes every visit fun and stress-free! Dr. Alex Piedra and his team specialize in top-notch pediatric care, ensuring a welcoming, comfortable environment for your little ones. Whether it's a routine checkup or something more, they make dental visits a breeze. Schedule an appointment today and let your kids smile with confidence!

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Thursday
-Beyond Blue Reception 4:45 PM | Art Center Waco
- Ten Healthy Tips Class 5:30 PM | East Waco Library
- Create Better Health Class 5:30 PM | Holy Spirit Episcopal Church
- KRIS with a K Music Bingo 7:00 PM | Waco Ale Co.
- Bingo Night 7:00 PM | The Will House
- Slap Stix Music Bingo 7:30 PM | Freight Bar

Sports🐻🐻

Baylor Men’s Basketball:
Tough loss for the Bears at home, falling 74–71 to TCU in a nail-biter.
But don’t count them out just yet—catch them hosting Kansas State and former Baylor coach turned Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang on Wednesday at 8 PM.

Baylor Women’s Basketball:
The 25th-ranked Lady Bears faced off against the top-ranked UCLA Bruins yesterday afternoon at Foster Pavilion, ultimately falling 72-57 in a hard-fought contest.

Track & Field:
Baylor continues to impress, with two record-breaking performances in Lubbock!

Tiriah Kelley shattered the women's 200M dash record with a time of 22.73.
JL Van Rensburg set a new shot put record at 62-3. Keep an eye on these stars—they’ll be big names to watch on NBC as we get closer to LA 2028!

Upcoming Baylor Games
🏀 Men’s Basketball: Wednesday, Jan. 22 vs Kansas State | 8 PM
🏀 Women’s Basketball: Sunday, Jan. 26 @ TCU | 2 PM

Upcoming MCC Games:
🏀 Men’s Basketball: Wednesday, Jan. 22 vs Grayson College | 7 PM
🏀 Women’s Basketball: Wednesday, Jan. 22 vs Grayson College | 5 PM to remain UNDEFEATED AT 15-0

Restaurant Spotlight

Italia Express: A Slice of Waco’s Heart

Italia Express, tucked away in the Richland Mall, isn’t just another pizza joint—it’s a passion project built on a lifelong friendship. Childhood best friends Adrian Cisneros and Senad Dervisevic took over the Waco location four years ago, bringing with them a love for authentic New York-style pizza and a deep commitment to the community. This dynamic duo pours their heart into every slice, serving up classics like pepperoni, meat lovers, chicken Alfredo bacon, stromboli, and more.

From 2 slices and a drink for $9.99 to pasta dishes and fresh-baked bread, there’s something for everyone here. And it’s not just about the food—it’s about the people. Since taking over, Adrian and Senad have been embraced by the Waco community, and they’ve planted roots with a sense of belonging. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or feeding the family, Italia Express is all about great pizza, great service, and making memories together.

📸@italiaexpress_waco | 📍Richland Mall
P.S. Tag @Waco.Buzz to get your photos in the Buzz!

Jobs

Director, Production - Dairy Plant at Walmart in Robinson, TX. Lead production teams, manage operations, and drive business goals in a food manufacturing environment. $105K+/yr, benefits, and performance bonuses. More info.

Associate Dentist – Heart of Texas Smiles
Waco’s preferred dental office is looking for a full-time Associate General Dentist in Woodway, TX. Enjoy competitive benefits, clinical autonomy, and advanced technology like CEREC and CBCT. New grads welcome. More Info.

Waco Job Fair - Tuesday, January 28 3-6 PM | Waco Convention Center

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Waco Buzz today. If you found something useful, please share it with the friend you celebrated (or commiserated) with over last nights’ college football championship game.

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