In a 5-1 vote on Feb. 3, Schertz City Council authorized its city manager to provide a letter of support for a Texas Department of Transportation transportation project.

Council member Allison Heyward was the lone dissenting vote.

The context: Heyward said she was not in support of the project because residents had voiced concerns to her about the potential traffic impacts the project would have on Schertz Parkway.

The project is for the construction of a grade-separated crossing at FM 3009 over FM 78 and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. This would create a direct connection between FM 3009 and FM 78, without the delay caused by rail traffic, agenda documents state.

What it means: The letter of support will be included in TxDOT’s application for a railroad grant that will help fund the project.

A Dunkin' is coming to Universal City.

What we know: The coffee shop will be opening inside the Walmart Supercenter at 510 Kitty Hawk Road, said Michael Cassata, Universal City's development services and economic development corporation director, in an email to Community Impact. 

"We're excited to have a staple in the coffee and donuts convenience market establish a shop in Universal City," Cassata said in the email.

Dunkin' is anticipated to open in late summer or early fall.

What they offer: Dunkin' sells a wide variety of doughnuts and coffee drinks. The business also sells breakfast sandwiches, bagels, muffins and more. 

• 510 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City

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

Texas families can soon apply to receive state funds for private education or homeschooling under the state’s new education savings account program, known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts.

What's happening: The application opened at 9 a.m. Feb. 4 and is designed to be completed in about 15 minutes, according to the state comptroller’s office. Families can apply through 11:59 p.m. March 17.

Parents must submit information about their family's residency, household income, their children's educational history and each child's special education status, if applicable.

The details: To be eligible for the program, students must:

• Reside in Texas
• Be U.S. citizens or lawful residents
• Be eligible to attend a Texas public school, open-enrollment charter school or pre-K program