SATX-NBF: Impact 10/31/2025

With the snip of the ribbon, John Newcombe Country Club—located at 625 Mission Valley Road—officially opened its adult padel programs Oct. 29, expanding on its tennis ranch and fitness facilities, according to the club’s website.

The details: The country club opened two brand-new padel ball courts and invited the public to watch as professionals broke in the new facilities.

At the opening event, organizers hosted bump-and-split match play and professionally led open-play matches and padel clinics.

Owner and Australian tennis legend, John Newcombe, noted that when he bought a ‘run-down dude ranch’ back in 1968, he had wanted to leave behind a legacy.

“When I leave this earth, I wanted to be sure that I leave something that I’d be proud of,” Newcombe said.

• 625 Mission Valley Road, New Braunfels

A local home improvement and woodworking company has expanded into New Braunfels, offering individualized projects to residents.

The details: Royal Custom Finishes launched its services in New Braunfels in late September, owners Brianna Guerra and John Torres said.

Specializing mainly in woodworking projects, the local contractor has a focus on interior and exterior finishes, painting and staining.

Guerra said the company first started in San Antonio and has made its way up the I-35 corridor.

A closer look: Specific services include the following, according to the company's Facebook page:

• Interior and exterior painting projects
• Cabinet finishes
• Accent walls, including wood paneling

• Serving the New Braunfels area

Since Nov. 7, 2000, at least one person has died on Texas roads every day, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. As the Lone Star State nears 25 years of daily traffic deaths, officials at all levels of government are investing in new roadway safety projects and encouraging Texas drivers to do their part to curb deadly crashes.

The big picture: In the past 25 years, over 91,000 people have died on Texas roads. That is enough people to fill Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, according to TxDOT.

On average, 11 people died daily on Texas roads last year. In 2025, an average of 10 people had died per day as of Sept. 24.

Zooming in: State and local leaders found that the top factors in severe crashes include:

• Impaired driving
• High speeds
• Distracted driving
• Pedestrian and cyclist safety
• Lack of seatbelt use
• Roadway or lane departures
• Wrong-way driving

Approximately 460,000 Texans have Alzheimer's disease, a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Advocates are encouraging Texas voters to approve State Proposition 14, a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state to spend $3 billion to launch the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.

The overview: Proposition 14 would allocate $3 billion in state dollars to fund the institute for the next 10 years. The institute would work with researchers and doctors to study the prevention and treatment of various neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

All funding for the institute would come from existing state revenue, donations and potential federal grants, meaning no new state taxes or fees would be created.

What they're saying: "If Proposition 14 passes, it really will establish Texas as an incredible leader in our country," neurological researcher Joshua Shulman said. 

At the polls: Early voting runs through Oct. 31, and Election Day is Nov. 4. For more information about the propositions and candidates on your local ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.