The number of homes sold in the 78130 ZIP code decreased by 3.7%. The number of homes sold in the 78132 ZIP code decreased by 11.2%, according to the most recent data compiled by the Four Rivers Association of Realtors.

Some details: The average price of homes listed for sale in the two New Braunfels ZIP codes over the past six months was in the $331,000-$594,000 range.

The number of homes under contract increased year over year in both New Braunfels ZIP codes. Homes under contract in the 78130 ZIP code increased by almost 60% year over year.

The number of homes listed for sale in the 78130 ZIP code increased year over year, while those in the 78132 ZIP code decreased.

A new Terry Black's location opened in New Braunfels on Sept. 15, Terry Black representatives told Community Impact.

The details: The Austin-based restaurant wanted to expand near the Austin area and thought that New Braunfels would be a good location to open between Austin and San Antonio, said Darien Kapture, senior vice president of food and beverage operations for Black Family Hospitality.

Kapture said the restaurant has "been breathing and sleeping in the German heritage" when creating the space and planning events for the restaurant. Featured around the space are steins, German antiques from local shops and a biergarten, or beer garden, outside on the two-story patio.

"It's a timeless atmosphere," Kapture said. "That's one of our core values. We want you to feel that you don't have to worry about anything, but to enjoy some barbecue."

• 1310 E. Common St., New Braunfels

Trevor Airola opened Rocky Mountain Crepes when he was just 18 years old.

The inspiration: After graduating from Canyon High School, he moved to Colorado, where he learned the art of crepe making. Not too long after, he moved back to New Braunfels and with the help of other local business owners, began his food truck venture.

Airola and his family used recycled materials from a pre-Civil War home and an old Tennessee railroad company to construct the exterior of the Rocky Mountain Crepes food truck, making it a permanent installation on the corner of New Braunfels Street and Hunter Road. He said his and his wife's families played a significant role in the business's development.

“I’m not sure it would be possible without the support of them,” Airola said.

• 1641 Hunter Road, New Braunfels

Texas does not have a single system to connect first responders in emergencies, meaning local and state agencies often operate on a network of radio systems that are not always compatible with one another.

The big picture: State leaders said there are more than 50 different radio systems used by first responder agencies across Texas.

"We have situations where counties and cities are on separate ones, and they never know it until they have to [communicate with] each other," state Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian, said during a Sept. 14 legislative hearing.

Looking ahead: King has vowed to pass a bill to integrate first responder communications under a statewide system during the 2027 legislative session, with some emergency management experts calling interagency communications "the No. 1 issue" in the aftermath of disasters.

"[This] is not simply a communication issue—it's a responder safety issue and an operational effectiveness issue," said Kyle Mills, head of planning and preparedness for the Texas A&M Forest Service.