Through the end of 2025, Kendall County has been under a burn ban as conditions made the county a risk for the spread of fires. During the Jan. 27 commissioners court meeting, the ban was lifted, although Fire Marshal Brady Constantine encourages the community to be careful while burning.

What you need to know: Constantine said recent precipitation has led to conditions allowing outdoor burning. While the conditions allow burning, Constantine said the future outlook is uncertain, and the ban removal may be temporary.

For residents planning to burn, Constantine said to contact the Dispatch Communication Center at 830-249-8645 and advise the dispatcher of the following information:

• Name
• Address of the burn
• Phone number where you can be contacted while burning

Kendall County is preparing for a renovation of the Burdick Community Center, which is planned to house county offices. On Jan. 27, county commissioners received an update on the project, highlighting utility transfers from the previous owner and the project's progress.

The details: Mike Schultz, realtor with Hill Country Home and Land, said the cost of utility updates to the building was originally estimated at around $166,000. As of the Jan. 27 meeting, that number was reduced to around $112,000. 

The cost is split between Roy Maas Youth Alternatives and Kendall County, with the county expected to pay around $32,000 for the utilities. County commissioners are expected to consider the acceptance of the cost during an upcoming meeting. 

Check out this list of transportation projects in the San Antonio area. This list is not comprehensive. Details are subject to change.

Upcoming projects
Boerne Stage Road Phase 3

• Project: Stretching from the Scenic Loop and Toutant Beauregard Road intersection to 1,200-feet west of River Ranch, the project will reconstruct and widen Boerne Stage Road. Work includes roadway grading and adding signage and pavement markings.
• Update: The project design is currently 95% complete, with construction estimated to begin summer 2026.
• Timeline: summer 2026-28
• Cost: $9 million
• Funding source: Bexar County Capital Improvements Program

On Jan. 16, New Braunfels-based developer Southstar acquired the Lone Star Brewery site in South San Antonio.

The details: According to a news release, Southstar will transform the site into a mixed-use development that will preserve the former brewery’s unique history.

Thad Rutherford, president and CEO of Southstar, said the development will provide San Antonians with new spaces to congregate and that the project will add to the city's large list of major development projects, including the forthcoming Sports and Entertainment District and VIA Metropolitan Transit’s transit-oriented development.

Southstar was founded 26 years ago and is headquartered in New Braunfels. According to the release, Southstar has established multiple award-winning master planned communities, including VIDA, a 600-acre mixed-use development consisting of single-family homes, townhomes, duplexes and apartments.

• 600 Lone Star Blvd., San Antonio

Two Democratic candidates are running to lead the Texas General Land Office in the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The big picture: Benjamin Flores and Jose Loya are vying for the Democratic nomination for Texas land commissioner. The winning Democratic candidate will face Republican incumbent Dawn Buckingham in November, and the winner of that election will begin serving as land commissioner in January 2027.

Buckingham, who is seeking a second four-year term as land commissioner, is running uncontested in the Republican primary. Community Impact runs candidate Q&As for contested races only.

The context: The General Land Office manages 13 million acres of state lands, with duties such as allocating disaster recovery funds, leasing state lands to generate revenue for the state's Permanent School Fund, preserving state landmarks such as the Alamo and overseeing several veterans programs. It is Texas’ oldest state agency, according to its website.