An estimated 18-21% of adults in Kendall County experience some form of mental health issue, according to data from Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Centers.

With nearly 10,000 residents who may experience behavioral or mental health disorders, local nonprofits, municipal organizations, school districts and other community partners are working together to meet community needs by expanding mental health services and adding first responders focused on mental health cases.

What's happening? While organizations come together to create a countywide mental health network, the county continues to be empty of long-term mental health care, leading residents to receive services in Bexar County or other locations outside of Kendall County. Anthony Winn, senior director of mental health at Hill Country MHDD, said providing resources to more rural counties can be a challenge.

“While it can certainly be logistically challenging, I think the challenge is a worthwhile one, and it is one that we are happy to meet the opportunity of,” he said.

A Texas-based banking institution continues to expand across the Hill Country with the official opening of a new branch in Boerne.

Latest update: Texas Regional Bank officially opened to the public on the morning of Feb. 9, according to a news release from the institution. It’s located at 19 Herff Road in Boerne.

Additionally, an existing location in nearby Bulverde has relocated to Spring Branch and is set to open by early March. This bank is now located at 20419 W. Hwy 46.

“Boerne and Bulverde are distinct communities, but they share a strong culture of local ownership and connection,” Keri Sandvig, the area market president for Boerne and Bulverde, said in the release.

The framework: Texas Regional Bank has 35 locations across Texas, and opened its first branch in the Hill Country back in 2017 in Bulverde, according to previous reporting from Community Impact.

• 19 Herff Road, Boerne

Walk Your Plans, a design facility that transforms blueprints into life-size walkable experiences, has opened its doors in Northwest San Antonio.

The details: The business uses seven state-of-the-art projectors in its 7,500-square-foot showroom to cast floor plans and wall drawings at a one-to-one scale, allowing architects, builders and homeowners the ability to explore life-size renderings before construction begins, according to a news release.

Clients can explore 2,600-square-foot projection areas, with technology that transitions to different portions of the blueprint to accommodate plans of any size, the news release states. The facility also allows clients to project appliances, furniture and vehicles to assist in visualizing the space.

Owned by Boerne-based entrepreneurs Johnathan and Reanna Ellis, the couple brings years of experience with facilities management and project coordination. 

“Experiencing your blueprints at scale empowers you to identify potential challenges and explore alternatives to ensure every detail is perfect during the pre-construction phase, so you can build with intention and precision,” Johnathan Ellis said in the news release.

A new physical rehabilitation hospital, Everest Physical Rehabilitation Hospital, will soon be constructed at 12910 Toepperwein Road.

What we know: The 40,000-square-foot physical rehabilitation hospital will have 40 private patient suites and dedicated inpatient therapy spaces, along with on-site dining services—all of which are designed to support patient recovery, according to an email from Donna Lowder, manager of Live Oak's economic development corporation.

The Live Oak Everest Physical Rehabilitation Hospital is expected to be two stories and will serve patients recovering from stroke, brain injury, trauma, speech impediments and more, as previously reported by Community Impact.

Notable quote: Lowder said projects like Everest Physical Rehabilitation Hospital reflect the type of thoughtful development that strengthens the local economy while meeting community needs.

"We look forward to welcoming this new medical facility to Live Oak and watching it become a valuable resource for residents and families," Lowder said in the email.

One more thing: There is no construction timeline as of press time.

• 12910 Toepperwein Road, Live Oak

In the upcoming March 3 primary elections, Texas voters will have the opportunity to nominate their chosen candidates for the November midterm election. From top state officials to county commissioners, primary elections shape who is ultimately elected to dozens of seats, driving the future direction of the Lone Star State.

Yet less than one-fifth of registered Texas voters participated in recent primary elections, data from the secretary of state’s office shows.

The big picture: March Matters, a group that works to get more Texans to the primary polls, found that 146 of Texas’ 150 state House races were effectively decided during the 2022 primaries, with just four competitive seats during that year’s midterm election.

Data also shows that primary voters tend to be older and represent the more extreme wings of their political parties.

What they're saying: "When primary voter turnout is so small, when only a fraction of voters are voting, your vote counts more,” said Mark Strama, who leads the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life at the University of Texas.