New Braunfels to launch ‘Ride the Rio!’ microtransit service to enhance public transportation
A new way to travel within the New Braunfels city limits is en route.
New Braunfels City Council received an update on its Ride the Rio! microtransit service Sept. 22. The service is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to enhance public transportation and meet the growing mobility needs of residents, as previously reported by Community Impact.
Two-minute impact: A microtransit service is on-demand public transportation that uses technology to create dynamically routed mobility, according to the presentation. “It’s like many other transit modes in that it’s a shared ride. And so, for example, if I was going from the library to my home, the system would try to find other folks that are generally traveling in the same direction to match me up with,” Via Territory Lead Sarish Kasat said.
Via Partnership Principal Thomas De Ridder said the service will cover a 47-square-mile area.
Gruene Coffee Haus to expand with new roasting facility
A local New Braunfels coffee joint is planning a large expansion project at its current location.
What’s happening: Gruene Coffee Haus is in the early stages of developing a brand-new coffee roasting facility, the management team told Community Impact.
The building will be approximately 3600 square feet, situated behind the cafe’s current brick-and-mortar at 1720 Hunter Road in the Gruene Historic District.
The new roasting area is expected to open sometime in 2026, Manager Jordan Bates said.
She said the new facility will provide staff a much bigger space to work on brewing and roasting coffee.
Thousands of Texas businesses barred from selling THC to customers under 21
Many Texas retailers can no longer sell consumable THC products to customers under 21 years old after the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission approved two emergency rules Sept. 23.
The overview: The new rules, which were drafted after Gov. Greg Abbott issued a Sept. 10 executive order requesting tighter THC regulations, apply only to retailers that sell alcohol. The rules state that businesses may not sell, serve or deliver consumable hemp products to minors and must check all customers' IDs before selling them THC products.
Zooming in: About 60,000 Texas businesses hold TABC licenses and will be prohibited from selling THC products to minors. Those businesses include bars, restaurants, liquor stores, grocery stores and some convenience stores.
However, the rule does not apply to THC retailers that do not sell alcohol or have a TABC license, such as smoke shops, gas stations or online sellers. The TABC and the Texas Department of State Health Services are working to determine how to best enforce age restrictions for THC retailers that do not sell alcohol, agency spokespeople said.
FOODIE FRIDAY Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the San Antonio area.
A local crêperie and coffee shop has opened its second restaurant in Northeast San Antonio.
Crepeccino opened on Sept. 13 at 857 Cibolo Valley Drive, Ste. 208. This is the coffee shop's second location in the region, with another located at 5500 Babcock Road, Ste. 104 in San Antonio proper.
Owner Bara Ekhlayel said their goal from the beginning was to expand.
"When searching for a new brick-and-mortar, we fell in love with the community of Cibolo,” Ekhlayel said in an email to Community Impact.
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After leaving Manchester, England, for a work trip to Texas, Robb Kelly said he never looked back.
That was almost two decades ago—now, he’s a local practicing recovery specialist and owner of The Olde English Tea Shoppe & Cafe, an authentic British cafe and restaurant in North San Antonio.
Classic British dishes are served at every meal, from the full English breakfast ($19.95) in the morning to entrees like Bangers and Mash ($18.95) in the afternoon, according to the menu.
The most popular item, Kelly said, is the traditional Fish and Chips, hand-breaded and complete with fries and mashed peas.
Texas to overhaul STAAR, launch 3 new exams in 2027
The Texas Education Agency will begin transitioning to a new standardized testing system after Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law Sept. 17 to replace the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness with three shorter exams.
The overview: Through the 2026-27 school year, Texas public school students in third through 12th grade will continue taking the STAAR each spring. Beginning in fall 2027, students will take three tests at the beginning, middle and end of the year under House Bill 8, the new law.
Students’ results will be released within 48 hours after each new test is administered. STAAR scores are currently released about six weeks after a test ends, according to the TEA.
The debate: Bill author Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, said the new system will reduce test-related anxiety; give students and teachers feedback throughout the school year; and increase legislative oversight of Texas’ assessment and accountability systems. Critics of the plan said it would increase the amount of time students spend taking exams and essentially create “another STAAR test” developed by the TEA.
