Voters in the city of Kyle approved a bond for eight transportation projects totaling 10.3 miles of new roadways, street reconstructions and widenings in November 2022. The projects have seen substantial progress and will hit crucial milestones throughout 2026.

The gist: All eight of the projects included in the 2022 Kyle Road Bond are in the design, bid or construction phase or have been completed, according to agenda documents. The Marketplace Avenue project was completed in July 2025 and is open to traffic.

In the third quarter of 2026, the Bebee Road East additions are expected to reach their final design. The Bunton Creek Road project, Old Stagecoach Road North improvements and Kyle Parkway/Lehman Road extension will go to bid, and construction will begin on the Old Stagecoach Road project, according to agenda documents.

In the fourth quarter of 2026, the Center Street expansion will reach its final design, and construction will begin on the Bunton Creek Road project, Old Stagecoach Road North improvements and Kyle Parkway/Lehman Road extension.

Prairie Fire Hair, a San Marcos wig company providing support, education and confidence for women experiencing hair loss, opened its doors in mid-July

The two-minute impact: The business is owned and operated by Kelly Engram, a Texas State University professor who experienced her own struggle with hair loss related to alopecia, according to previous Community Impact reporting. Prairie Fire Hair provides personalized wigs to women experiencing a similar battle to help them build confidence.

Engram was tired of wigs that didn’t resemble her natural hair and attempting to disguise or hide the hair loss, she said. She took the initiative to learn more about other women’s experiences with hair loss and wigs.

The company offers curated human hair and synthetic wigs, educational resources and free one-on-one consultations. Customers additionally have access to personalized wig customization services, including color refinement, fit adjustments and styling recommendations.

• 2108 Hunter Road, Ste. 106, San Marcos

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Canyon Lake-based Pier Sushi is planning to open another area location in New Braunfels.

The sushi restaurant, owned by locals Eric and Jessica Hyatt and their son, Mason Hyatt, will be opening within the New Braunfels MarketPlace shopping center at 675 N. Business I-35, Ste. 201. The trio is hoping to open in August, Jessica Hyatt said in an email to Community Impact.

Some background: Pier Sushi’s Canyon Lake location was damaged by a fire in October 2025. Jessica Hyatt said they have been operating a “mini” version of their food trailer in the area since then.

“Out of hard times we are beyond excited to bring an elevated version of Pier Sushi to New Braunfels. We have been so blessed by our loyal Canyon Lake and New Braunfels customers who have continued to support us,” Jessica Hyatt said in the email.

• 675 N. Business I-35, Ste. 201, New Braunfels

In Texas, 246 of the state’s 254 counties are designated by the federal government as “mental health professional shortage areas,” meaning local law enforcement are often tasked with responding to mental health crisis calls.

The situation: All Texas peace officers are required to complete crisis intervention and deescalation trainings, according to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

What's happening: Across Community Impact’s coverage areas, some city and county law enforcement agencies are partnering with local mental health professionals to respond to crisis calls. However, law enforcement and criminal justice leaders from smaller communities told state legislators July 7 that they have “limited tools” to effectively respond to mental health calls and help people in crisis.

“We do not have any inpatient mental health facilities in my county—we've never had that, and we've needed them for decades,” Comal County Criminal District Attorney Jennifer Tharp said July 7. “We originally started out sending individuals to the San Antonio area, and right now we are transporting individuals for inpatient treatment to North Austin.”