HTX-KTY: Impact 10/6/2025

Although it first started as a Christmas Tree farm, Dewberry Farm now hosts a Fall Festival offering a pumpkin patch, corn maze and more fall-themed activities in Brookshire.

“Families can enjoy a day of Texas-sized fun filled with pumpkins, great food, friendly farm animals and over 40 rides and attractions,” said Warren Lyng, vice president for Peerless Production Group. “It’s a great opportunity to [put] down cellphones and reconnect with a tilt of the hat to the old timey tradition of a day on the farm.”

What to expect: From Sept. 13 to Nov. 9, Lyng invites families to experience plenty of fall fun, including:

• A “Texas-sized” pumpkin patch and pumpkin painting
• Rides such as the Gold Rush Coaster, Apple Blaster Cannons and Barn Swinger
• A life-sized pumpkin house with photo-ops
• An 8-acre corn maze
• Several seasonal foods, such as turkey legs, brisket tacos, brick oven pizza and Halloween funnel cakes

A new 14-week program is set to help neurodivergent young adults build confidence and develop key social and professional skills through real-life practice in an evidence-based course.

The Arc of Katy, a nonprofit which has served individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 34 years, will host the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills, or PEERS, at its Jordan Ranch Road location.

The details: The new program, dubbed PEERS of Katy, will expand the nonprofit's inclusive offerings as it works to meet the rising demand for post-graduation resources for participants seeking community, building on existing programs such as its adult day camp serving over 85 participants.

Executive Director Cherie Duddridge said the course includes weekly 90-minute sessions in the evenings, including structured lessons, video modeling, role-play demonstrations and practice assignments.

Get involved: Enrollment for PEERS of Katy is currently open, with hopes to launch the program as early as October depending on filling a minimum cohort.

A San Antonio-based grocery chain with a stronghold across Texas is now facing a change in leadership.

In case you missed it: H-E-B President Craig Boyan announced his intention to step down from his role, effective in January 2026.

He’ll subsequently retire at the end of next year, according to a Sept. 30 news release from the company.

As a result, current H-E-B Chief Operating Officer Roxanne Orsak will take his place.

Zooming in: Orsak started her career at H-E-B in 1988 as a store manager, rising through the ranks to become the COO in 2022, according to the release.

“I am honored to continue to shape the future of this great company with integrity, heart and a relentless pursuit of excellence,” Orsak said.

The context: The leadership change comes in tandem with H-E-B’s continued expansion in Texas.

New storefronts in San Antonio, Georgetown, Prosper and more have opened within the last two months, as previously reported by Community Impact.

From Oct. 13-19, Texas residents will not have to pay to apply to in-state public colleges and universities.

The details: During Free College Application Week, application fees will be waived for all Texas residents applying to undergraduate programs at public colleges and universities located in Texas. First-time college students, transfer students and students returning to school are eligible, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

To qualify for the fee waiver, all applications must be submitted through ApplyTexas, the state’s college application portal.

What they're saying: “Texas prioritizes opportunities for students to pursue the best education they need to succeed in high demand, good-paying jobs after graduation,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in an Aug. 29 news release. “By supporting our students today, we are investing in a stronger Texas tomorrow.” 

Put in perspective: Most high school seniors apply to 5-10 colleges or universities and each application costs about $60-$75, state lawmakers estimated in June.

All Texas retailers are barred from selling consumable THC products to customers under 21 years old after the Texas Department of State Health Services adopted two emergency rules Oct. 3.

The details: The new rules, which took effect immediately, state that businesses may lose their hemp licenses for selling THC products to minors.

Ten days earlier, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission approved emergency rules prohibiting bars, liquor stores and other alcohol retailers from selling THC products to anyone under 21. A TABC spokesperson told Community Impact the two state agencies are working together to enforce a Sept. 10 executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott, who called for age restrictions on THC sales and tighter guardrails on the multibillion-dollar industry.

More context: Approximately 8,000 businesses are licensed by the DSHS to sell consumable hemp products in Texas, including some retailers that also sell alcohol.

The emergency rules from both agencies will be in effect for 120 days and could be extended for an additional 60 days while permanent regulations are drafted.