Treasure Trove Hobby Store recently took over the space previously occupied by EveOfDay Creations in Hutto.

The overview: The store, located within The Shoppes at Affordable Storage, specializes in trading cards, toys and collectibles, and also hosts gaming nights. For instance, the shop will host community nights to play Pokemon, Lorcana, Elestrals, Dungeons & Dragons, Yu-Gi-Oh! and other games.

“We’re trying to make Treasure Trove somewhere where families can come and hang out and have something to do as a family,” said manager Yvette Dayal. “So we do also have free board games that they can check out and play in store at no additional cost. So it’s just something for families to do for free.”

• 3333 CR 119, Ste. 134, Hutto

Apolonia Smiles opened its doors to Pflugerville residents, celebrating the official launch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 4.

What you need to know: The practice offers a wide range of services, from routine care to transformative treatments, and serves as an in-network preferred provider partner with several major insurance companies.

Led by Dr. Hussam Asker, a University of Michigan School of Dentistry graduate, Apolonia Smiles emphasizes preventive and restorative dentistry focused on patient comfort and long-term oral wellness.

• 1500 S. Heatherwilde Blvd., Ste. 300, Pflugerville

In December, Round Rock will break ground on a $25 million expansion to its Public Safety Training Center for firefighters and police officers, seven years after it originally opened.

Funded by a 2023 voter-approved bond package, the project will increase the Round Rock Public Safety Training Center’s classroom space, outdoor skills training space and include a driving track. These enhancements will keep officers and firefighters in town for training and reduce local competition for training space, avoiding the expense of travel and lodging.

The big picture: Since the completed construction of the Public Safety Training Center in 2018, the Round Rock Police Department and Round Rock Fire Department have each grown by over 50 personnel to serve a city of over 140,000.

However, the center has remained the same size.

“It truly is a fight to sometimes find free space because the classrooms are full,” Fire Department Chief Shane Glaiser said.

The Texas comptroller’s office has released a set of rules to govern the state’s $1 billion education savings account program, or ESAs. Accepted families will receive thousands of dollars in state funds to send their children to a private school or homeschool them.

The overview: Accredited private schools and education vendors can begin applying to join the program as soon as Dec. 9, and applications will open for interested families Feb. 4.

Most families accepted into the program will receive about $10,300 per student, which can be spent on tuition at accredited private prekindergarten or K-12 schools and related expenses. Homeschooled students will receive up to $2,000 per year, while students with disabilities will be eligible for up to $30,000 annually.

Zooming in: Depending on a family’s income, students with disabilities may receive priority acceptance into the ESA program. Families can submit documentation from a physician or the U.S. Social Security Administration to be prioritized, although a detailed evaluation and individualized education plan are required to receive the additional special education funding.