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The Comal County Senior Citizens Foundation, or CCSCF, is aiming to tackle new funding challenges and senior loneliness one year after its new executive director took over.

Two-minute impact: Executive Director Chris Smith took the reins of the foundation in August 2024, after a storied career in education. Smith’s priorities when taking the position were to support the New Braunfels senior population further and continue to provide resources to the age group, previously reported by Community Impact.

Since taking over, new challenges have come up, including a loss of funding, even before the monthlong government shutdown. The tightening of the foundation’s belt led CCSCF to shrink its footprint, one affected program being Meals on Wheels. Where the foundation once served mobile meals to other cities outside of Comal County, the focus has now been narrowed to strengthening support for seniors in New Braunfels, Smith said.

The city of New Braunfels is inviting community members to share thoughts on how to update the city’s long-term growth strategy, Envision New Braunfels, at an open house, according to a news release.

The details: The open house will be from 4-7 p.m. Dec. 11 in the Garden Room at the New Braunfels Public Library Westside Branch, according to the release.

Envision New Braunfels serves as a guiding document that informs decisions on development, transportation, housing, public facilities and other quality-of-life considerations. This marks the first major update to the plan since its adoption in 2018.

During the come-and-go event, attendees can visit project stations, speak with planning staff and offer feedback on what they’d like to see in the city’s future. Christopher Looney, director of neighborhood and community planning, said the open house acts as a way to give community members a voice in their city's development. 

The Comal ISD board of trustees approved the submission of a low-attendance waiver for Canyon Middle and High schools to preserve funding at a regular board meeting Nov. 20.

The waiver was recommended by district staff after a threat to the campuses caused attendance to dip below daily averages Oct. 10, agenda documents state. The threat was posted to social media but was later investigated by authorities and determined to be unfounded, according to the district.

Two-minute impact: Low-attendance waivers can be submitted by school districts for days with lower-than-average attendance due to inclement weather or a health and safety issue. If approved, the day would not be used in calculations for Foundation School Program funding, according to the Texas Education Agency.

The measured attendance for the day to be submitted must fall below 10 percentage points of the daily averages. For the 2024-25 school year, both schools saw 94.3% and 92.8% average daily attendance, respectively, according to agenda documents.

A new Japanese restaurant has opened in New Braunfels, bringing residents all-you-can-eat sushi.

In case you missed it: Yasaka Sushi & Ramen opened Dec. 1 at 1348 I-35 N., New Braunfels, next to Olive Garden.

The building previously housed a Denny’s restaurant, which closed in 2024, according to previous reporting from Community Impact.

On the menu: Offering mainly Japanese cuisine, Yasaka Sushi & Ramen serves all-you-can-eat plates of specialty sushi rolls, bowls of flavored ramen. The restaurant also offers and appetizers like egg rolls and a wide selection of hibachi and tempura options.

• 1348 I-35 N., New Braunfels

The Texas comptroller’s office has released a set of rules to govern the state’s $1 billion education savings account program, or ESAs. Accepted families will receive thousands of dollars in state funds to send their children to a private school or homeschool them.

The overview: Accredited private schools and education vendors can begin applying to join the program as soon as Dec. 9, and applications will open for interested families Feb. 4.

Most families accepted into the program will receive about $10,300 per student, which can be spent on tuition at accredited private prekindergarten or K-12 schools and related expenses. Homeschooled students will receive up to $2,000 per year, while students with disabilities will be eligible for up to $30,000 annually.

Zooming in: Depending on a family’s income, students with disabilities may receive priority acceptance into the ESA program. Families can submit documentation from a physician or the U.S. Social Security Administration to be prioritized, although a detailed evaluation and individualized education plan are required to receive the additional special education funding.