SATX-BNE: Impact 10/31/2025

A family-owned and locally operated gym has finished an extensive renovation project in Boerne.

What you need to know: MURFIT Fitness Club, located at 645 S. School St., Ste. 301, recently wrapped up a large expansion project that doubled the size of the gym and added new amenities for members to enjoy, Owner Blake Murdoch told Community Impact.

An additional approximately 4,500 square feet of space was added to the fitness club.

As a result, the suite adjacent to the business at the strip on School St. was taken over by the gym.

Diving in deeper: New amenities at MURFIT include a cold plunge, sauna and an expanded training space with more weightlifting equipment, Murdoch said.

In the future, the gym will have completed locker rooms and more.

Not only do gym staff provide members 24-hour gym access, but they also hold classes ranging from small groups to full studio experiences, according to their website.

They also have on-staff coaches, personal trainers and massage therapists to serve member needs.

• 645 S. School St., Boerne

A local Hill Country stylist for a nationwide jeweler is recognizing the company’s big milestone this year.

In case you missed it: Park Lane Jewelry is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year across the United States.

Vernie Murray, the stylist for the Boerne branch of the business, observed the occasion with a ribbon cutting on Oct. 14.

Founded in 1955, Park Lane provides pop-up jewelry shops, parties and more through its direct franchising and entrepreneurial opportunities, according to their website.

Zooming in: Murray said she provides a sense of community and involvement through her work across the Boerne area.

“It’s really fun, and people are enjoying it,” Murray said. “Great for those looking for a hobby.”

Aside from franchising, Park Lane offers a wide selection of men’s and women’s jewelry, from necklaces and bracelets to rings and earrings.

• Serving Boerne, surrounding areas

Since Nov. 7, 2000, at least one person has died on Texas roads every day, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. As the Lone Star State nears 25 years of daily traffic deaths, officials at all levels of government are investing in new roadway safety projects and encouraging Texas drivers to do their part to curb deadly crashes.

The big picture: In the past 25 years, over 91,000 people have died on Texas roads. That is enough people to fill Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, according to TxDOT.

On average, 11 people died daily on Texas roads last year. In 2025, an average of 10 people had died per day as of Sept. 24.

Zooming in: State and local leaders found that the top factors in severe crashes include:

• Impaired driving
• High speeds
• Distracted driving
• Pedestrian and cyclist safety
• Lack of seatbelt use
• Roadway or lane departures
• Wrong-way driving

Approximately 460,000 Texans have Alzheimer's disease, a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Advocates are encouraging Texas voters to approve State Proposition 14, a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state to spend $3 billion to launch the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.

The overview: Proposition 14 would allocate $3 billion in state dollars to fund the institute for the next 10 years. The institute would work with researchers and doctors to study the prevention and treatment of various neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

All funding for the institute would come from existing state revenue, donations and potential federal grants, meaning no new state taxes or fees would be created.

What they're saying: "If Proposition 14 passes, it really will establish Texas as an incredible leader in our country," neurological researcher Joshua Shulman said. 

At the polls: Early voting runs through Oct. 31, and Election Day is Nov. 4. For more information about the propositions and candidates on your local ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.