Tucked just north of the main square in downtown New Braunfels, Saludos Cocina has brought Mexican flavor to the city.

From tacos to sweet treats, the restaurant officially opened its doors to the public Feb. 2.

Saludos has taken over the historic Dittlinger building—located at 398 E. San Antonio St.—inviting patrons to savor recipes inspired by the vibrant culture of Mexico City, co-owner Israel Trevino said.

Staying local: Saludos aims to broaden the palette of the New Braunfels community and offer a taste of a culture nearby residents might not have otherwise, Trevino said. 

“There's such a diversity here in this small town, and I think it's an opportunity to celebrate that diversity and to bring a space that introduces new people to a new culture. I think that's such a beautiful opportunity,” he said.

A new self-storage facility is getting ready to open in New Braunfels.

The details: Tri-Star Self Storage, located at 2059 FM 1102, is expected to open March 3, company President Trae Berry said.

The facility, located behind parent company A-Lert Building Systems, will host on-site management, extended access hours and other security measures, Berry said.

Tri-Star Self Storage will have 307 climate-controlled and 61 non-climate-controlled units ranging from $49-$299.

Notable quote: Berry said Tri-Star Self Storage will be a showpiece for new operators around the state to see what A-Lert can do.

"[The business] will allow for growth in the manufacturing aspect of our business. This means added jobs, added resources and more at home purchasing of equipment and supplies," Berry said.

• 2059 FM 1102, New Braunfels

Comal County Judge Sherman Krause died in his home early Feb. 7, according to a news release.

What we know: No cause of death was specified, but county officials are mourning the death, calling Krause more than a leader, the release states.

“Our Comal County family is devastated by this loss. Judge Krause was more than a leader. He was a colleague, a mentor, and a friend to many,” County Public Information Officer Cary Zayas said in the release.

An interim judge will be appointed by county commissioners to fulfill the unexpired term until after the general election, according to county code Sec. 87.042. No timeline was determined, but code requires an appointment within 61 days of the vacancy.

This animal rescue organization has changed its name but continues to help those in need across the entire Hill Country.

Latest update: As of Jan. 1, the Hill Country SPCA changed its name to Hill Country Animal Rescue. The no-kill, private intake rescue is headquartered in Fredericksburg at 2981 S. Hwy. 16 and serves people and animals throughout the Hill Country.

Director Andrew Davis said the change was part of an effort to communicate more effectively who the group is to the public.

The framework: Hill Country Animal Rescue was chartered as a nonprofit in 1997 and established its permanent headquarters and sanctuary in 2006, according to its website.

“We are a private, local nonprofit with no affiliation to any national organization, and we are funded entirely through private donations and grants,” Davis said.

• 2981 S. Hwy. 16, Fredericksburg; serving the entire Hill Country

Central Texas voters in the March 3 primary election will decide who will be the Democratic candidate in the State Board of Education District 5 race in November.

What you need to know: Six candidates have filed to run in the Democratic primary. Mica Arellano is running unopposed in the Republican primary to be a candidate in the November election.

Democratic District 5 incumbent Rebecca Bell-Metereau is not seeking re-election.

The setup: Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.

Learn more: Visit Community Impact’s voter guide to view more election coverage.

Texas gained more new residents last year than any other U.S. state, recently released U.S. Census Bureau data shows. Yet the Lone Star State’s overall population growth slowed significantly amid a nationwide reduction in immigration from other countries.

The big picture: Texas grew by 391,243 residents in 2025, bringing the state’s total population to 31.7 million. This includes:

• Domestic migration: Over 67,000 people moved to Texas from other states.
• International migration: Over 167,000 people moved to Texas from other countries.
• Natural change: There were roughly 157,000 more births than deaths in Texas.