1. Landa Building construction decreases parking availability
Renovations of the Landa Building courthouse annex are underway, causing the closure of all adjacent parking lots—containing more than 100 spaces—for more than a year. County-owned lots on Bridge Street and North Seguin Avenue will still be available.
“After more than a year of planning, design and demolition, we’re excited to begin the active construction phase of this project,” County Judge Sherman Krause said in a news release. “At the end, we’ll have more courtrooms and a more efficient space to better serve the public.”
The $32 million project will add two district courtrooms and one county court-at-law courtroom, bringing the total number of courtrooms to seven. It will comprise a complete renovation of the Landa Building and the Comal County Annex, 150 N. Seguin Ave., as well as build a holding facility for inmates appearing in court.
Project completion is scheduled for early 2021, with the Landa Building phase scheduled for completion by early 2020.
2. Comal County rolling out e-citation system
In coming weeks, deputies and constables from precincts 1 and 2 will be the first to use a new electronic citation system that is expected to save time and money for law enforcement, the court system and drivers. It allows deputies to enter information from traffic stops into a mobile device and upload it to county servers.
Deputies will also use the mobile device to scan or swipe a driver’s license to check for warrants, scan vehicle registration stickers, take photos, enter relevant information from stops, and print out a warning or citation with a wireless printer.
The initial rollout will consist of 20 devices. Assuming a smooth transition, additional devices will be phased in for all patrol officers.
3. Road department's daily plan moves online
Comal County’s daily road-maintenance plan is now available in map form online to help residents better plan for potential disruptions or distractions on their commute. It details the road-maintenance projects county crews are scheduled to work on each day.
“This is a great way for our road department to let the public know what our crews are doing, and helpful for drivers and other residents who may want to know about work taking place in their neighborhoods or along their route to work," County Engineer Tom Hornseth said.
Hornseth cautioned the daily plan is subject to change depending on weather, urgent repairs or other unforeseen circumstances.
4. DIY Saturday events continue
The Comal County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, located at 325 Resource Drive, New Braunfels, continues its 2019 DIY Saturday series with the next event taking place March 9. The schedule is as follows:
- March 9: herb gardens
- April 13: rainwater harvesting
- May 11: extension office open house
- June 8: backyard chickens/eggs 101
- July 13: pickling
- Aug. 10: lunch ideas
- Sept. 14: backyard gardening
- Oct. 12: kids day in the garden
- Nov. 9: sausage making
This year’s theme, “Path to the Plate,” highlights the connection between food and health, focusing on growing, making and preparing nutritious food. The cost of DIY Saturday classes is typically $15 per person. Attendees can register for the classes and get more information by calling 830-620-3440.
