News

Third Annual Hill Country Shop, Stay and Play Promotion

        The Ranch Radio Group announces the Third Annual Hill Country Shop, Stay & Play promotion highlighting the Hill Country’s Unique Shopping and Holiday Activities.  Listeners stretching from Johnson City and Fredericksburg to Bandera and Medina, from Boerne and Comfort, to Kerrville and Ingram, from Bulverde to Spring Branch will be encouraged to Shop, Stay and Play at home in the Hill Country during the 2019 Holiday Season.          The Radio announcements highlight various activities, venues and

County office closures in December

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, DECEMBER 6, 2019:  NEW BRAUNFELS  — The following county offices will be closed in the coming weeks for year-end staff meetings and holiday observances:  All county offices will be closed 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11 for the county’s annual employee Christmas luncheon.The Office of Public Health will close at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, for a staff meeting.The District Clerk’s Office will close at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, for a year-end staff meeting.The County Clerk’s Office

BURN BAN Reinstated for Friday Morning

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, DECEMBER 5, 2019:  NEW BRAUNFELS  — An unusually dry fall has led Commissioners Court to reinstate Comal County’s ban on outdoor burning, effective 6 a.m. Friday.   The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) as of Wednesday stood at 498, just shy of the 500-point threshold at which the court typically considers implementing a burn ban. Every 100 points of the KBDI is roughly equivalent to an inch of dry soil depth.   Under the restrictions, no open flames are allowed outdoors –

The GVTC Foundation's Thanksgiving Giveback Project Delivers 314 Meals this Year

The GVTC Foundation’s Thanksgiving Giveback Project Delivers 314 Meals this YearOver the span of 7 years, this project has helped benefit 1,213 familiesPhoto caption: GVTC employee volunteers, their families and local businesses on Thanksgiving meal delivery day Smithson Valley OfficePhoto caption: GVTC employee volunteers, their families and local businesses on Thanksgiving meal delivery day Boerne Office. Recognizing need in our own backyard Once again, the holidays have snuck up on us faster than

Popcorn Friday's Toys for Tots Drive

Receive a FREE Snack Size of any flavor when you bring a new, unwrapped toy to Popcorn Friday's Toys for Tots drive; today through December 11th.  

Congratulations to Dr. Matthew Bayless - Diplomat of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine

Congratulations to Dr. Matthew Bayless on becoming a Diplomat of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM). Dr. Bayless is the ONLY Diplomat in Comal, Blanco, Hays, or Guadalupe counties! The ABDSM is the leading national organization for dentists who treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with oral appliance therapy and works closely with the medical fields’s leading sleep apnea organization, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Earning Diplomate status from the ABDSM is a

Three Comal ISD cross country teams competed in 2019 6A UIL State Meet

Cross country athletes from Canyon High School and Smithson Valley High School competed in the 2019 6A UIL Cross Country State Meet Saturday, Nov. 9, at Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock. The SVHS girls team finished in seventh place; the CHS girls team finished 14; and the CHS boys team finished 15.Individually, SVHS Junior Sara Scott finished fourth place at the state meet after missing three meets during the regular season. Fellow SVHS teammates who ran the 5k race on Saturday include Amalie Mills, a

Comal ISD rolls out student-preparedness platform

Comal ISD rolls out student-preparedness platform     Part of the Comal Independent School District’s strategic plan is to ensure every student is prepared for success beyond high school graduation. In order to help facilitate that goal, the district has unveiled Comal Compass, a student-preparedness platform, which will offer a variety of tools for students to use when planning their futures including academic courses, career options and college choices.       “We are excited to finally unveil Comal

Students, families and community members commemorated Veterans Day 2019 at Comal ISD campuses

Every elementary, middle and high school campus within the Comal Independent School District commemorated Veterans Day 2019 with some type of program on Monday, Nov. 11.Students, families and community members proudly wore red, white and blue in honor of veterans who have served in the United States military.Veterans who were on hand for these special celebrations were honored for their dedication, courage and sacrifice. Students groups including choirs, bands, JROTC, student councils, dance and cheer teams

GVTC Introduces Market Leading Premium WiFi Service in North San Antonio and South Central Texas

Texas Hill Country Homes Say Goodbye to Buffering and Dead Spots Thanks to GVTC Premium WiFi Powered by WiFi 6 San Antonio, TX - 28 October 2019- Award-winning South Central Texas communications company, GVTC (https://gvtc.com/), is proud to introduce its Premium WiFi powered by WiFi 6, available on GVTC’s world-class Fiber-to-the-Home Network starting October 28, 2019. As the new standard for connecting communities in the Texas Hill Country, GVTC Premium WiFi introduces state-of-the-art technology to

The Branch Neighborhood Grill on ''GoodTaste with Tanji''

A Hill Country Getaway at Branch Neighborhood Grill Facebook278TwitterPinterestEmailSMSShare   Grab a spot on the expansive patio at the family-friendly Branch Neighborhood Grill. Simply called “The Branch” by those in the know, this American-style grill turns out crispy fried onion chips, the cheesy griddled burgers and Gulf shrimp every which way. Catch live music on the oak tree-shaded patio while the kids tire themselves out on the playground – this spot is the perfect Texas Hill Country

Mr. Electric Serving the Community for over 10 years

         The Bulverde Spring Branch Chamber of Commerce recently presented Mr. Electric with the Honor Award which recognizes the 10 year membership in the Chamber.           The Chamber took this opportunity to visit with Matt & Lara Bruhn who purchased Mr. Electric of San Antonio, Bulverde, Boerne, and New Braunfels in February of 2019.  They are excited to serve this area and look forward to meeting members of the community!   Mr. Electric's expertise: panel upgradesindoor and outdoor lightingcode

New Tech Network chooses Comal ISD to launch new initiative aimed at improving college access

The Comal Independent School District is one of three Texas school districts chosen by New Tech Network to launch a new initiative to improve college access. The multi-year initiative is supported by a Networks for School Improvement (NSI) grant. School teams from Comal ISD, Ector County Independent School District and El Paso Independent School District will work together to identify and address common problems that impact students in pursuing and succeeding in college. In this first year, 11 campuses

Breacher found a home with the help of Patriot Dog Training

Patriot Dog Training is continuing to grow in the Bulverde area. Since expanding to the 681 Bulverde Rd location, so many owners get help with their pups. It is such a joy to watch these families build great bonds with their canine family members through training, boarding, and doggy daycare.    One special family has been a particular recent highlight. At the beginning of 2019, Patriot Dog Training was selected as a trainer for a spectacular pup. The breeder, Taos Ford, has an incredible breed of Belgian

Smithson Valley High students continue tradition with LLS Student of the Year

For the last three years, a Smithson Valley High School student has represented the Comal Independent School District as a Student of the Year candidate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), and the tradition continues with the launch of the 2020 campaign by a SVHS sophomore. The 2020 SVHS Student of the Year candidate is Avery Walker, who will represent the district in the fourth year of this leadership development and philanthropy program in which high school students are nominated and selected to

Fifteen Comal ISD students participated in Education in Action’s 2019 Lone Star Leadership Academy C

Fifteen students in the fourth through the eighth grade represented the Comal Independent School District this summer in the 2019 Lone Star Leadership Academy camps. Nominated by their teachers, these young leaders were chosen to participate based on their leadership ability, academic success and involvement in school/community activities. The students representing communities across Texas traveled to Dallas/Ft. Worth, Austin/San Antonio and Houston/Galveston to take part in the camps.Avery Hime, a

CLEANGIE is BBB Accredited

CLEANGIE is excited to announce that we are BBB Accredited!  CLEANGIE has always been committed  to our customers, and now we’re committing to the Better Business Bureau’s Accreditation Standards, Standards for Trust to: Build Trust: Advertise Honestly: Tell the Truth: Be Transparent: Honor Promises: Be Responsive: Safeguard Privacy: and Embody Integrity. We are honored to qualify for such a designation that is not granted to all businesses who are invited to qualify.

Comal ISD Earns “A” on State Accountability with 60 Distinctions

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released its 2019 Accountability Ratings today, and the Comal Independent School District earned a grade of “A” with a score of 92 in the state’s A-F accountability system. All 30 of Comal ISD’s campuses received passing grades with more than half earning an “A.” This score places Comal ISD among the top school districts in the state with only 257 districts out of a total of 1,022 earning an “A.” This overall rating is based on performance in three areas: Student

Comal ISD Receives Inaugural TAEA District of Distinction Award

The Comal Independent School District received a District of Distinction award by the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) on July 29. With only the top 2 percent of districts in the state receiving this inaugural distinction, Comal ISD is leading the way in providing a well-rounded education that advocates and integrates visual arts curriculum, inspires creativity and reaches all different learners.“Comal ISD has set the standard for visual arts advocacy, integrated visual arts curriculum and

Ranch Radio Group is 7th time Bonner Mclane Award Winner

The Texas Association of Broadcasters honored partners in service at the 2019 Annual Convention in Austin, Texas.  The prestigious Bonner McLane Award was presented to The Hill Country’s own Ranch Radio Group for outstanding public service to local communities.  Accepting the award on behalf of Ranch Radio Group’s four-station cluster were owners Mark and Susan Grubbs.“This award means a lot to our team,” Mr. Grubbs said, “as it recognizes the many, many hours, including weekends and after-hours that our

Eric Anderson Named One of the Top 50 Education Experts

Mid-Year Report 2019 Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center

Growing up, the year 2020 felt so distant and it is a surreal feeling to know that we have passed the halfway point for 2019 and only have 5.5 months before the next year is upon us. These past six months went by quicker than a Ferrari on Autobahn and I’m excited to share what we’ve been up to at the center (and, if you haven’t had a chance to visit, what you’ve been missing)!  I would like to thank all of our past and current volunteers, sponsors and donors for allowing us to continue our mission and to

Pilates By Design, LLC to Host Power PIlates Education Programs

Pilates By Design, LLC TO HOST POWER PILATES EDUCATION PROGRAMSPilates By Design, LLC Confirmed to Offer Power Pilates Certifications Starting September 6-8, 2019 Spring Branch, TX: Pilates By Design, LLC is pleased to announce their new hosting affiliation with Power Pilates, the leading educator of Classical Pilates. Pilates By Design, LLC will hold their first Power Pilates training, Core Mat I, on September 6-8, 2019. The Core Mat I program is the foundation of the Power Pilates method. Each subsequent

Acclaimed San Antonio athlete raising funds, awareness of sex trafficking.

In Texas, it is estimated that there are 79,000 victims of sex trafficking each year. The average age a girl is first trafficked is 12-14. Eighty percent of Bexar County’s sex trafficking cases involve minors. San Antonio acclaimed athlete and volleyball coach April Fricke is cycling 1,103 miles along IH-10 corridor from Beaumont to El Paso, Texas May 6 through May 20 to raise awareness of human trafficking in Texas. Fricke will be half way through. Thank you to Texas MedClinic for being a Corporate

Comal ISD Named Semi-Finalist in 2019 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards

The Comal Independent School District was notified in early April that it was selected as a semi-finalist for 2019 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards. This is the first year that Comal ISD has entered the prestigious awards, which recognizes teachers, principals, school districts, early childhood providers and school boards from across the state of Texas. “This honor is a testament to the hard work and dedication that every teacher, staff member, administrator and parent gives every day to our

Belle of the Ball 2019

The 4th Annual 2019 Bulverde Belle of the Ball Prom Dress Project was a smashing success!  Our Boutique weekend started with a bang with girls waiting to get in when we opened the doors at 9:00!  On Saturday morning, we had seven fitting rooms filled with giggling girls and a line through the Boutique awaiting their turns. Our community made sure that the girls had plenty of dresses to try on…we had approximately 700 dresses in stock.  Sixty five girls purchased at least one dress and as a result,

The Sport of Fencing Gains Momentum in Comal ISD

While fencing was one of the first sports to by played in the Olympics, only a handful of Texas high schools have teams. High school students in the Comal Independent School District, however, are trying to change that, paving the way for the future of the sport in public schools.While fencing is not a UIL sponsored sport, it has become an important part of Comal ISD's intramural sports and now boasts teams at Memorial Early College High School (MECHS) and Canyon Lake High School (CLHS).In fact, these teams

Business Incubator Class Expands Next Year

The Comal Independent School District launched a pilot business program at Smithson Valley High School this past fall. The Business INCubator class was designed for students with an entrepreneurial spirit and a dream to own their own business one day. With a successful year almost completed, the district has announced that the program will be offered next year at Canyon High School and Canyon Lake High School as well as SVHS. The class gives students an opportunity to create and fully develop their own

Control the Bleed Empowers Young Teens to Say Something, Do Something

Instead of running, dancing or exercising during physical education, athletics and dance class recently, every middle school student in the Comal Independent School District, that’s 5,642 total, learned hands-only CPR, tourniquet application and how to use the emergency 911 system. As part of the national Stop the Bleed initiative, Comal ISD partners with the Healthcare, Innovations, and Sciences (H.I.S.) Centre in Bulverde to teach students to “see something and do something.” “Control the Bleed is

Close Your Local Land Transaction With Your Local Lawyer

The Law Office of Jason M. Rammel, P.C. now offers title insurance and closing services as an approved attorney for Texas Lone Star Title. Services include reviewing the title commitment, document preparation, resolution of title and closing issues, and conducting closings for residential, commercial, and farm and ranch transactions in Comal County and statewide.  Closings can be conducted remotely or at our offices located in Faithville Park, 17080 Highway 45 W, Suite 108-B, Spring Branch, Texas.  Jason

Tree Lighting is a work of Art

Tree Lighting is a work of Art  Want to enjoy your property and trees at night?   Often when you think of outdoor lighting, you think of highlighting the features of your home. Trees are often a lower priority but tree lighting can make such a dramatic difference. Just one light can make your tree a piece of art!   There are two main types of tree lighting; up lighting and down lighting. Up lighting involves placing lighting fixtures at ground level where the light shines up into the tree. The light is

Kiwanis Diaper Drive Delivery for St Jude's Children's Ranch

2019 totals this year for Kiwanis Diaper Drive for St Jude’s Children’s Ranch exceeded the drive last year thanks to the generous people of our communities with the donations of 11,976 Diapers and 16,474 wipes!This year we had two schools engaged in collection of diapers and wipes. Canyon Lake High School Student Council advisor Tina Platt contacted us after they read the article in the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung to be included in the drive. They collected 739 diapers and 536 wipes. Bracken Christen

Canyon Lake Water Service Company Announces Results of its Customer Survey

Canyon Lake, TX – SJWTX, Inc., doing business as Canyon Lake Water Service Company (CLWSC), today announced the results of its inaugural customer survey. The survey found that overall 81% of customers indicated they are either satisfied or very satisfied with CLWSC service.  Customers also gave CLWSC particularly high marks for the services it provides:90% of survey respondents say CLWSC provides excellent or good professional and friendly customer service89% of survey respondents they feel the

Smithson Valley Family Dentistry Celebrates One Year Anniversary

On January 26, 2019, Smithson Valley Family Dentistry celebrated their ONE YEAR in business!!! They have welcomed 1013 patients into their doors this past year, which is virtually unheard of for a brand new dental practice!! Dr. Jared Wright and his team are so thankful for a community that has embraced them, shared their experiences online, and been a part of this journey with them! They look forward to celebrating many more years!Smithson Valley Family Dentistry 18646 Forty-Six Parkway, Spring Branch,

Firefighter/Paramedic Legacy Continues to Give to Others

Firefighter/Paramedic Legacy Continues to Give to OthersJennifer Achay Awarded Scholarship  Spring Branch, TX, December 21, 2018 — The Brennan L. Livaudais Memorial Scholarship Committee selected Jennifer Achay as their 2018 award recipient. The Livaudais Scholarship was purposefully designed to assist those working toward a career in firefighting and paramedicine.    Mr. Steve Stevenson, Chairman of the Board, said, “Jennifer is precisely the type of hard working, selfless individual we need in this

SpyderwareTech.com, one of the top 19 Best computer repair services for 2018

Expertise LLC, a research company from Seattle, WA has named SpyderwareTech.com, one of the top 19 “Best computer repair services for 2018”. Over two hundred and ninety-eight computer repair businesses throughout San Antonio and the Hill Country were validated and researched and SpyderwareTech.com made the list! Expertise LLC identifies the top service professionals in over 100 business categories across 1000 cities, covering 85% of the United States. To date, they have explored over 10 million business

Meet Dr. Charlie Majdalani, DDS

Dr. Charlie C. Majdalani, DDS Special Care General Dentist Dr. Charlie C. Majdalani is a native Texan. He was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. and attended Antonian High School. He moved to Austin, TX to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Biomedical Engineering degree. He then earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2016. Dr. Majdalani’s training involved variety of experiences where he ultimately learned to

S.T.A.G.E., Inc. 2018 Awards

The 39th Annual Awards were held on Sunday, August 12, 2018.  It was an evening of delicious food and great entertainment.  The St. Genesius Award, the highest award given by the Board of Directors, was awarded to Mona Klein of Bulverde.  Mona has been the Corporate Manager at S.T.A.G.E. for the last 4 years.  She has been instrumental in the remodeling of the theater, bringing online ticketing and credit card use to the patrons, and modernizing office programs and procedures.  In addition, Mona worked to