As part of the 2022-27 bond projects, San Antonio City Council approved a $6.17 million contract with EZ Bel Construction for the Babcock Road from West Hausman Road to UTSA Boulevard project.

The details: According to city documents, the project will reconstruct and widen Babcock Road and add drainage improvements, including swales, or gently sloped channels, to direct the flow of stormwater into designated channels and away from the park. San Antonio Water System improvements include a valve, a water meter, and fire hydrant adjustments. CPS Energy improvements include the installation of an estimated 2,500 linear feet 8-inch gas main.

Babcock Road has already been widened up to the West Hausman intersection. The segment of Babcock Road stretching from West Hausman Road to UTSA Boulevard is the second phase of the project.

Construction is estimated to begin in winter 2026 and be completed by winter 2027. According to city documents, two-way traffic will remain open throughout the project.

Mark Vallier said he has been the go-to guy for golf club repairs in the Alamo City dating back to the 1970s and 80s.

“I started doing club work out of my garage when I was 19,” Vallier said.

As technology and the golf game have evolved over the years, Vallier said his passion for golf grew into the creation of his local business, MK Golf Technologies, in 2005. He took the lead in the venture with his business partner, Kirk James.

What’s special about it? MK Golf Tech offers extensive club outfitting services, club repairs and custom club ordering, according to Becker.

“They have made all golf clubs super customizable,” Becker said. “Any and every club can be tailored to fit anyone exactly like a shoe.”

Every club has an adjustable shaft length, club face style and lie and loft angles which determine the direction and distance a ball can travel, according to Becker.

• 10412 Gulfdale St., San Antonio

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, or TWPC, has approved $21.2 million to help create and improve outdoor recreational areas in over 40 communities across Texas.

The big picture: The grants are awarded through the agency’s local park grants program. The program requires a 50% local match from participating governments and mandates that funded sites remain public parkland in perpetuity, according to a news release Jan. 30.

Once completed, the projects are expected to add or enhance amenities at approximately 50 community parks statewide. Planned improvements include nature trails, native landscaping, playgrounds, splash pads, sports fields, kayak launches, piers and other outdoor recreation features, according to the release.

The grants are designed to expand access to outdoor recreation while helping local governments develop and maintain high-quality park spaces. All funded parks must be properly maintained and remain open to the public, according to the TWPC website.

TPWC administers grants based on community size and project scope, according to the release.

From a new pizza spot in New Braunfels to a cat cafe coming soon to San Antonio, check out these top stories for the week of Feb. 2-6.

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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.