The New Braunfels Economic Development Corp., or NBEDC, will be investing $405,000 for citywide pedestrian improvement projects following City Council approval during a regular meeting June 22.

Sorting out details: The NBEDC is funding the final design of Phase 2 of the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, or AAMPO, Citywide Pedestrian Improvements Project, which looks to improve sidewalks and shared-use paths along:

• North Grape Avenue
• North Plum Avenue
• North Peach Avenue
• Avery Parkway
• Hanz Drive

Neighborhood wine bar Wine Folks has officially opened in the Town Creek neighborhood of New Braunfels.

The details: Owners Danielle and Jason Grantham opened Wine Folks on July 2. Danielle Grantham said they had an amazing soft opening and that people have been welcoming and friendly.

"It feels really good to be here and open and a part of the community," Danielle Grantham said.

What they offer: The shop sells white and red wines from Texas, Spain, Mexico, Italy, South Africa, Georgia, France, Germany and Austria. Wine Folks also sells beer along with non-alcoholic beer and wine.

Wine Folks also sells automatic wine bottle openers, jams, crackers and more. 

• 967 N. Academy Ave., Ste. 1101, New Braunfels

Blind and low vision travelers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport now have access to Aira Explorer, a free app that provides on-demand visual interpreting assistance throughout the travel process at AUS. 

How it works: The app connects travelers with a professionally trained visual interpreter and utilizes the traveler's smartphone camera and microphone to provide real-time assistance for a variety of travel-related tasks. Interpreters can: 

• Describe surroundings
• Read signs and information displays
• Help with navigation throughout the airport, including curbside drop-off locations, airline check-in counters, security checkpoints, and gates
• Locate amenities such as dining options, shops, bathrooms and pet relief areas

Former state Sen. Don Huffines was appointed as the Texas comptroller of public accounts, Gov. Greg Abbott announced July 2.

Huffines, a Dallas-area native with a bachelor's degree in business administration in finance from The University of Texas at Austin, will take over as the state's finance and budgeting officer from acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock. Huffines will officially begin his service Aug. 1.

Huffines defeated Hancock, who became acting comptroller one year ago, in the March Republican primary. He'll now face former state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt in the November general election for a four-year term.