Conroe - Montgomery Edition | December 2024

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Conroe Montgomery Edition VOLUME 10, ISSUE 9 DEC. 20, 2024JAN. 28, 2025

A growing community

Home Depot opened its Montgomery location along Eva Street on Oct. 24. The home improvement store is one of several businesses that opened in and around Montgomery over the last year.

NICHAELA SHAHEENCOMMUNITY IMPACT

City of Montgomery works to balance small-town charm with increased development

stay the same, and then you’ve got new Montgom- ery moving in, saying, ‘I’m coming to the country, but I still want the conveniences of the big city I just left,’” Countryman said.

2017-2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Mayor Sara Countryman said the city is balancing the growth with residents’ desire for the city to keep its small-town charm. “You’ve got old Montgomery that wants things to

BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN

Several businesses have opened in and around the city of Montgomery over the last year, including retailer Home Depot and restaurant Lupe Tortilla. Meanwhile, the city has also seen population growth, rising from 997 residents to 1,620 between

CONTINUED ON 22

Also in this issue

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Government: Former assistant city manager sues Montgomery, alleging retaliation for reporting alleged fraudulent behavior by police chief (Page 10)

Community: Learn about 23 senior living communities in and around the Conroe, Montgomery area (Page 26)

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About Community Impact

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Jovanna Aguilar Asia Armour Angela Bonilla Melissa Enaje Wesley Gardner Rachel Leland Emily Lincke Ryan Reynolds Nichaela Shaheen Jessica Shorten Haley Velasco Aubrey Vogel Kevin Vu Carson Weaver Graphic Designers Richard Galvan Ellen Jackson Matt Mills

Chrissy Leggett General Manager cleggett@ communityimpact.com

Martha Risinger Jesus Verastegui Taylor White Ronald Winters Senior Managing Editor Matt Stephens Senior Art Production Manager Kaitlin Schmidt Quality Desk Editor Sierra Rozen

Lizzy Spangler Editor lspangler@ communityimpact.com

Jason Culpepper Publisher jculpepper@ communityimpact.com

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Impacts

3 Tailgators Pub & Grill The location is only bar service at the moment as the kitchen will open in January. • Opened Sept. 3

DANVILLE ST.

Willis

Montgomery

• 8540 Hwy. 242, Conroe • www.tailgatorspub.com

1097

1 13

LONE STAR PKWY.

LAKE CONROE

4 16 Handles The business offers frozen yogurt flavor creations like french fry, squid ink, butterbeer and chocolate brownie. • Opened Nov. 23 • 765 Fish Creek Thoroughfare, Montgomery • www.16handles.com 5 Active Life Fitness and Pilates The business offers pilates reformer classes, alongside private training. • Opened in October • 20873C Eva St., Montgomery • www.activelife.fitness 6 Eggs Up Grill The restaurant specializes in breakfast and brunch foods, including shrimp and grits. • Opened Nov. 4 7 Positively Unfiltered The business offers a variety of treatment options, such as body contouring and sculpting. • Opened Nov. 10 • 1915 N. Frazier St., Stes. 103 & 104, Conroe • www.positively-unfiltered.com 8 Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids The salon offers a fun and engaging atmosphere with • 2816 I-45 N., Conroe • www.eggsupgrill.com

830

2432

1484

105

149

2854

Conroe

KEENAN CUT OFF RD.

336

3083

FISH CREEK THOROUGHFARE

CONROE MEDICAL DR.

1314

149

WEST FORK SAN JACINTO RIVER

1488

242

MAP NOT TO SCALE

2 Memorial Hermann Woodforest Surgery Center The center provides a service-oriented environment for patients’ surgical procedures. • Opened Aug. 13 • 750 Fish Creek Thoroughfare, Ste. 200, Montgomery • www.mhsc-woodforest.com

Now open

various activities. • Opened Dec. 6 • 2105 W. Davis St., Ste. K, Conroe • www.sharkeyscutsforkidsconroe.com

1 Weight Loss Now-Willis The business offers a full-circle approach to weight loss. • Opened Oct. 1

9 Half Baked Goodness The shop offers hand-crafted cookies including

• 810 W. Montgomery St., Willis • www.weightlossnowusa.com

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and chocolate peanut butter cookies. • Opened Dec. 16

Now open

• 3759 FM 1488, Ste. 225, Conroe • www.halfbakedgoodness.com

10 On The Rocks Liquors The business offers beers, wines and spirits alongside other bar accessories and food items. • Opened July 24 • 14650 FM 2854, Ste. C, Montgomery • www.ontherocksliquors.com Doggy Poo Patrol Doggy Poo Patrol comes and picks up dog waste in yards, and offers weekly, biweekly and monthly services. • Opened Oct. 23

12 Mr. Chicke-N The Peruvian restaurant—which started as a food truck before the storefront opened—features items including 1/4, 1/2 and whole chickens, Peruvian beans, fried plantains, fried rice and empanadas. Owner Karla Cuba said the chicken is marinated for 24 hours prior to daily charcoal cooking. • Opened Nov. 12 • 4150 FM 1488, Ste. 132, Conroe • Facebook: Mr. Chicken

15 Space City Gourmet Popcorn The veteran-owned business specializes in locally crafted gourmet popcorn in a variety of buttered, savory and candied flavors. As of Dec. 2, some of the shop’s current flavors include cotton candy, lemon pound cake, cheddar jalapeno and gingerbread cookie, according to its website. • Opened Nov. 22 • 15320 Hwy. 105, Ste. 121, Montgomery • www.spacecitypopcorn.com

• Serves Montgomery County • www.doggypoopatrol.com

LoopDeco The company provides furniture removal services. • Launched in August • Serves the Greater Houston area • www.loopdeco.com

Coming soon

• 10069 FM 830, Willis • www.twhcommunitychurch.org

Relocations

11 Highland Pine Coffee Company Chad and Taryn Fiebiger are opening a coffee shop connected to their home goods store. • Coming spring 2025 • 21123 Eva St., Ste. 110, Montgomery • www.thehighlandpine.com Phoenix Rising The new online car club combines a passion for high- end vehicles with a mission to give back to Houston’s veteran community. • Launching in January • www.phoenixrisingmythics.com

13 Clayton Claire Boutique Formerly known as Grace Good’s Boutique, the boutique relocated. • Relocated Nov. 1 • 810 W. Montgomery St., Willis • www.claytonclaire.com

In the news

16 Willis Supermarket The business celebrated its 15th anniversary in October. • 504 S. Danville St., Willis • www.willissupermarket.com 17 Lone Star Family Health Center The center has received two grants totaling $1.6 million to expand its services. • 605 S. Conroe Medical Drive, Conroe • www.lonestarfamily.org

Expansions

14 The Woodlands Hills Community Church The church will begin construction on a new location. • Construction to begin mid-2025

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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

Government

Cajun Catfish Festival to no longer be downtown Friends of Conroe’s Conroe Cajun Catfish Festi- val will have to look for a new venue after Conroe City Council decided Nov. 14 the festival will no longer take place in downtown. How we got here Friends of Conroe has hosted the Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival in downtown Conroe for 35 years, per a Nov. 22 news release posted via Facebook. In a presentation during the council’s Nov. 13 meeting, Assistant City Administrator Nancy Mikeska said fire and security concerns are the main reasons the festival should not be hosted downtown anymore. One more thing Friends of Conroe are actively looking for a new site to host the festival, per the news release.

Westside Recreation Center closing Dec. 31 During its Nov. 14 meeting, Conroe City Council agreed to close the Westside Rec- reation Center on or before Dec. 31, citing building concerns and the center’s location within a floodway. Assistant City Administrator Nancy Mikeska said while the city hopes to keep the recreation center in operation until Dec. 31, if equipment continues to malfunction, the facility will close before that date. Diving in deeper The city is working on conducting a study to decide the future use of the property; coun- cil member Howard Wood and Mikeska said listing the property for sale is not on the table. Options for using the land could include a disc golf course, an archery course and birding and nature trails, Mikeska said.

“My concern is the brick and mortar restaurants and businesses downtown are losing money. My second major concern is, this is historic downtown Conroe,

and if we can’t get a re truck in, that’s a major safety concern for me.”

MARSHA PORTER, COUNCIL MEMBER

“What I have heard personally from many of our vendors is that their revenue was severely impeded this

time. So that’s a concern that came to me just right after the festival.” DUKE COON, CONROE MAYOR

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BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN

City OKs allocating $337K in ARPA funds During its Nov. 12 meeting, Montgomery City Council approved allocating the remain- ing American Rescue Plan Act funds for College Street drainage improvements and Water Plant No. 3’s booster pump addition. The gist Council approved allotting $250,000 and $125,000 to College Street drainage improve- ments and Water Plant No. 3’s booster pump addition, respectively. In doing so, the council committed all remaining funds before the Dec. 31 deadline. Montgomery received a total of $337,654 from the March 2021 ARPA, which autho- rized $1.9 trillion in federal pandemic relief funds, according to the Nov. 12 agenda. All funds remaining must be under contract or committed by Dec. 31.

Conroe lists former elementary for $4.3M During its Nov. 14 meeting, Conroe City Council approved listing Sam Houston Elementary for $4.3 million. The motion to list the property passed 3-2 with council members Howard Wood and Mayor Pro Tem Harry Hardman voting against. The details The motion approved listing the property with agent Ryan Kutter until October, according to the listing agreement. Assistant City Administrator Nancy Mikeska said the listing agent was chosen by staff since Kutter originally listed the property in 2023. Mikeska said any sale or final agreement would need City Council’s final approval. The background The city first purchased the property from Conroe ISD in 2021, per prior reporting. Originally, the city

W. LEWIS ST.

W. PHILLIPS ST.

W. DAVIS ST.

discussed transforming the property to house a performing arts center. In 2022, the proposed cost to build the performing arts center was estimated to be $190 million for a 2,000-seat center and $70 million for a 1,600-seat center, Community Impact previously reported. Last December, City Council approved selling the property for $4.3 million to Overland Property Group. In early February, Conroe local arts officials expressed surprise at the sale in an interview with Community Impact , and in late February, Overland Property Group pulled out of the sale.

CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

Government

BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN & LIZZY SPANGLER

Former Assistant City Manager Dave McCorquodale sues city claimed his “contract didn’t give [him] the legal protection he needed to touch issues like this.” McCorquodale claims he reported the fraud to the DA’s Public Integrity Section and told Palmer and the city’s attorney that he did so June 6. The background Timeline of events 2022

Dave McCorquodale, Montgomery’s former assistant city manager, filed a lawsuit against the city Nov. 25, according to a petition filed in Mont- gomery County’s 284th Judicial District Court. In his petition, McCorquodale alleges the city’s termination of him was retaliation for reporting allegations of fraudulent behavior by Montgomery Police Chief Anthony Solomon. Solomon was hired by the city in 2019, per prior reporting. What’s happening? In his petition, McCorquodale alleges he discovered Solomon trying to pass a fraudulent employment agreement as legitimate to receive more benefits and a higher salary. After discovering the alleged fraudulent behavior, McCorquodale claims he reported it to his boss, former City Administrator Gary Palmer, who recommended he report it to the Montgomery County district attorney’s Public Integrity Section. Per the petition, McCorquodale alleges that Palmer

May 24: Montgomery City Council votes to terminate contract with City Administrator Richard Tramm May 31: Council appoints McCorquodale as interim city administrator Dec. 13: Gary Palmer is named city administrator

In two separate 3-1 votes Nov. 18, Montgomery City Council voted to terminate the contract with Palmer and terminate McCorquodale effective immediately. All four council members were pres- ent and Casey Olson, Place 2 City Council member and mayor pro tem, voted against both items. Solomon was appointed as the interim city administrator in a 4-0 City Council vote Nov. 18. A closer look McCorquodale is requesting monetary relief of over $200,000 but no more than $1 million ; the recovery of his attorneys’ fees; and a jury trial, per the petition.

2024

June 6: McCorquodale informs Palmer and the city's attorney that he reported Solomon to the Montgomery County DA's Public Integrity Section Nov. 18: Council votes to terminate contract with Palmer, terminate McCorquodale; also votes to name Solomon interim city administrator Nov. 25: McCorquodale files lawsuit against the city Dec. 6: City is served with McCorquodale’s lawsuit SOURCES: CITY OF MONTGOMERY, MONTGOMERY COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Education

BY ANGELA BONILLA

Conroe ISD trustees shared an update regarding the proposed rezoning process for two of the district’s new elementary schools at the board’s Nov. 19 meeting. The schools are funded by CISD’s 2023 $1.9 billion bond package. Meeting highlights Assistant Superintendent of Operations Chris McCord discussed the process of rezoning and how overcrowding from some of the elementary schools is affecting operational needs. Eissler Elementary is scheduled to open in August at 14000 Old Conroe Road, Conroe. It will provide overcrowding relief for schools such as Bush, Deretchin and Buckalew elementary campuses within The Woodlands High School feeder zone, he said. Mittie J. Campbell Elementary is scheduled to open in August at 15895 Stonecrest Drive, Conroe. It will provide overcrowding relief in the region to Suchma, Oak Ridge and San Jacinto elementary schools in the Oak Ridge and Caney Creek high school feeder zones. What’s next The committee will review zoning scenarios before presenting its proposals to the board likely in January. The board is responsible for the final decision on the attendance boundaries. Conroe ISD to decide rezoning in early 2025

Proposed Eissler Elementary School boundaries Bush Elementary School Deretchin Buckalew Elementary School

Eissler Elementary School

Elementary School

Current elementary zoning

Proposed boundaries*

Eissler Elementary School

CARRIAGE HILLS BLVD.

1488

Proposed Campbell Elementary School boundaries

Campbell Elementary School

Oak Ridge Elementary School

San Jacinto Elementary School

Suchma Elementary School

Current elementary zoning

Proposed boundaries

Campbell Elementary School

1314

1488

242

*ONE OF TWO PROPOSED SCENARIOS SHOWS PART OF THE BOUNDARY GOING TO DERETCHIN

SOURCE: CONROE ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Education

MISD resource center helps students, families in need By partnering with the Montgomery County Food Bank and the American Heart Association, Mont- gomery ISD has opened a resource center to supply students and families with necessities, according to a Nov. 19 blog post from the school district. Giving back

4 new trustees sworn in for CISD board The Conroe ISD board of trustees saw four new members sworn in at a special meeting Nov. 18. Meet the players Filling board positions 4, 5, 6 and 7, respectively, are Nicole May, Lindsay Daw- son, Melissa Semmler and Marianne Horton.

The MISD Resource Center—which is set up like a small store—will be initially open by appoint- ment to community members in need, according to the blog post. School counselors can also access resources on behalf of families and students. The resource center is funded through a grant from the Montgomery County Food Bank and other donors. Key players On Nov. 19, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held, according to the post. Members of the MISD community celebrated with leaders from the American Heart Association’s Gulf Coast Region and the Montgomery County Food Bank.

On Nov. 19, a ribbon-cutting was held for the new Montgomery ISD Resource Center.

New board positions

The resource center oers:

Misty Odenweller, president Tiany Nelson, first vice president Melissa Dungan, second vice president Lindsay Dawson, secretary Marianne Horton, assistant secretary New board member

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SOURCE: CONROE ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Conroe ISD board reinstates bylaws

Mobile STEM labs headed to Texas schools in 2025

Bylaws restored The 2024-25 School Health Advisory Council will: Consist of 47 members Include previously appointed members as well as new applicants Consist of a majority of parent members

Conroe ISD trustees unanimously approved reinstating the 2023 bylaws of the district’s School Health Advisory Council as well as restoring previ- ously appointed members at the Nov. 19 meeting, overturning the previous board’s decision in May. The setup The SHAC was created to assist CISD in ensuring that local community values and health issues are reflected in the district’s health and physical education instruction, per the district website. The board approved increasing SHAC member- ship from 21 to 47 as well as accepting all of those who applied to the 2024-25 council according to the procedures in place since May. The previous board of trustees approved adoption of a new set of bylaws and reduced the number of members serving on the SHAC to 21 in a 4-3 vote during the May 14 board meeting.

Kindergarten through eighth-grade stu- dents in Texas may soon have more oppor- tunities to learn about science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM. Learning Undefeated, a national education nonprofit, recently announced it will build eight new mobile STEM laboratories in Texas after receiving the first installment of a $7 mil- lion grant from the Texas Education Agency. The overview Texas schools will have access to nine regionally based mobile STEM labs begin- ning next year, two of which are expected to launch at the beginning of 2025 with the remainder opening for the 2025-26 school year.

Convene again in January Have 3-year term lengths

SOURCE: CONROE ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Among the bylaws changed was one which eliminated public comment at SHAC meetings, a change that will be rescinded with the restoration of the June 2023 bylaws. The four trustees who voted for the changes in May were replaced by new trustees in the Nov. 5 election, and the four new members were sworn in Nov. 18. What’s next When the SHAC meets in January, all members are to attend, and the meeting will follow the restored 2023 bylaws, Odenweller said.

CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

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With 300 acres of lush green spaces, beautiful homes and amenities designed to enhance your well-being. A prime location close to The Woodlands and Tomball ensures you’ll always have access to vibrant activities, dining, shopping and more. Plus, families will find exceptional educational opportunities at Magnolia ISD, making it an ideal environment for children to flourish. Branch out from the ordinary at Woodhavyn and start living extraordinary. Discover a haven of natural beauty and peaceful living in Woodhavyn.

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Models are not an indication of racial preference. Floor plans, maps and renderings are artist’s conception based on preliminary information, not to scale and subject to change. This is not an offer of real estate for sale, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, to residents of any state or province in which registration and other legal requirements have not been fulfilled. Pricing does not include options, elevation, or lot premiums, effective date of publication and subject to change without notice. All square footages and measurements are approximate and subject to change without notice. Trademarks are property of their respective owners. School enrollment and boundaries subject to change. Equal Housing Opportunity. 11/24. CM

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Transportation

Willis

BY LIZZY SPANGLER

Montgomery

1097

Willis

Montgomery

LONE STAR PKWY.

149 3 I-45 ramp reversal Project: Between FM 830 and FM 1097 in Willis, I-45 is undergoing a northbound ramp reversal. Update: This project is 50% complete, according to a Nov. 1 media update from TxDOT. • Timeline: February 2024-second quarter 2025 • Cost: $3.17 million • Funding source: state funds 4 Hwy. 105 reconstruction 105 2854 LAKE CONROE KEENAN CUT OFF RD. Project: Between South Loop 336 to FM 1484, Hwy. 105 is being widened and reconstructed from two to four lanes. Update: According to a Nov. 1 media update from TxDOT, this project is 79% complete. • Timeline: February 2023-third quarter 2026 • Cost: $89.71 million LONE STAR PKWY. 149

1097

Upcoming projects

830

2432

1097

1 Eastbound flyover construction on Hwy. 242 Project: Montgomery County commissioners and the Texas Department of Transportation are funding the construction of a flyover from northbound I-45 to eastbound Hwy. 242. Update: According to the TxDOT project tracker, the project was given notice to proceed on Oct. 2 and an estimated completion date was given for Sept. 15, 2026. A date to begin work was not specified. • Timeline: late 2024-September 2026 • Cost: $19.1 million • Funding sources: Montgomery County, federal funds

LAKE CONROE

830

1484

LONGMIRE RD.

105

N. 10TH ST.

105

2854

Conroe

KEENAN CUT OFF RD.

336

3083

Ongoing projects

• Funding source: state funds 5 Hwy. 242 widening

FISH CREEK THOROUGHFARE

2 Hwy. 105 widening Project: Hwy. 105 is being reconstructed and widened from two to four lanes from 10th Street to South Loop 336. Update: According to a Nov. 1 media update from TxDOT, this project is 34% completed. • Timeline: March 2023-third quarter 2027 • Cost: $52.35 million • Funding source: state funds

1314

149

149 Project: TxDOT is using an existing right of way on Hwy. 242 between FM 1488 and I-45 to widen lanes and restripe the intersections. Update: This project is 37% complete, according to a Nov. 1 media update from TxDOT. • Timeline: October 2023-first quarter 2026 • Cost: $29.11 million • Funding sources: federal, state funds

FISH CREEK THOROUGHFARE

WEST FORK SAN JACINTO RIVER

1488

242

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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

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Real estate

Home sales decreased in four of the eight ZIP codes in Conroe and Montgomery, with total home sales decreasing 9% year over year in November. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

November 2023

November 2024

-43.9%

-17.28%

+41.67%

-30.43%

+81.82%

+11.39%

+26.92%

-12.77%

77301

77302

77303

77304

77306

77316

77318

77356

77318

77356

77303

77301

105

Median home sales price

149

77316

November

2023

2024

77306

$254,554 $365,000 $256,945 $349,945 $170,901 $400,000 $278,995 $375,000

$259,995 $315,000 $259,420 $338,985 $207,450 $345,000 $335,000 $350,000

77301 77302 77303 77304 77306 77316 77318 77356

77302

77304

Homes sold by price point

November 2024

$1 million+

$750,00-$999,999

Average days on the market

$500,000-$749,999

+161.1%

-19.59%

+137.93%

+12.05%

+39.34%

+2.65%

+48.39%

-15.69%

223

$250,000-$499,999

110

<$249,999

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Health care

BY ATIRIKTA KUMAR

Texas sees fewer drug overdoses, lags behind U.S. progress

An increase in the distribution of fentanyl-laced substances is among the deadliest drug threats for Texans right now, said Wendell Campbell, a drug intelligence officer with Houston High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, a federal agency focused on reducing drug trafficking. “About 7 out of 10 pills that we seize off the streets and send to the [Drug Enforcement Administra- tion] lab ... are all fake pills,” Campbell said. Over the last year, the U.S. has seen a 15% decline in the number of all drug overdose deaths report- ed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website. Texas, while improving, only saw a 1.67% decline. Just nine states nation- wide saw an increase in the number of overdose deaths in that time. Dr. Allen Dennis, the medical director of Round Rock Surgery Center and a member of the Texas Medical Association, said states such as Florida and Kentucky have seen higher levels of opioid use in the last few decades, which could explain why other states have seen larger declines. Dennis also said manufactured fentanyl is coming into the U.S. from across the Mexico border, so Texas being the largest border state in the nation is an additional factor to consider, he said.

Change in drug overdose deaths, June 2022-May 2023 vs. June 2023-May 2024 Health care experts report the majority of all drug overdose deaths involve the use of opioids.

Less than -20%

-20% to -10%

-9% to 0%

0% to 10%

More than 10%

U.S. overdose deaths

111,422 94,758

2022-23: 2023-24:

-15%

70%+ of all drug overdose deaths involve opioids

5 Texans die every day from fentanyl poisoning

Overdose deaths per 100,000 residents

Texas overdose deaths

5,643 5,549

27.34 18.19

2022-23: 2023-24:

U.S.

-1.67%

Texas

SOURCES: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The background

The approach

This year, Texas is expected to see the lowest number of drug overdose deaths since 2020, when there were 4,172 deaths, according to the CDC. Overdose deaths decreased in Texas from 5,643 between June 2022-May 2023 to 5,549 between June 2023-May 2024—a 1.67% decrease. About 18 in 100,000 people die annually from an overdose in Texas compared to the national average of about 27 per 100,000 people, according to a report from the CDC. The majority of drug overdose deaths can be attributed to illegally manufactured fentanyl being added to other pills, according to the National

Institute on Drug Abuse. The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 79 fentanyl-related overdose deaths in 2014 and 2,306 in 2023. “There’s a huge increase in counterfeit pills. What that means is, if you get a pill off the street, it’s likely to ... have fentanyl as part of the drug,” said Marcia Ory, a professor at Texas A&M University School of Public Health and the co-lead of the TAMU opioid task force. “So, before, [what] people talked about was prescription drugs; ... what’s killing people [now] are counterfeit drugs that are laced with fentanyl.”

In 2023, Gov. Greg Abbott launched a $10 million multimedia awareness campaign as a part of his “One Pill Kills” initiative to combat the fentanyl crisis. The initiative through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission educates Texans on how to prevent, recognize and reverse fentanyl poisonings. The campaign also distributed naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug also known as Narcan, to all 254 Texas counties through the Texas Division of Emergency Management. For the upcoming 89th Texas Legislature, Dennis said the Texas Medical Association is asking the state to pass bills that would: • Legalize fentanyl test strips • Mandate the tracking of opioids from manufacturers to patients “There are things we can do to mitigate the issue, but it’s going to take a collaborative effort with everyone concerned,” Ory said.

5,093

Fentanyl poisoning deaths in Texas All drug poisoning deaths Fentanyl-related deaths

0 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000

2,306

2,111

SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES/COMMUNITY IMPACT

CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

Development

BY LIZZY SPANGLER & CARSON WEAVER

BY CARSON WEAVER

Compassion United breaks ground on Miracle City day center

The Signorelli Company announces amenities for Cielo community The Signorelli Company, a Houston-based developer, announced plans for amenity areas at master-planned community Cielo at Conroe, according to a Sept. 23 news release. Cielo is set to bring over 800 homes to the 256- acre development, according to the release. Amenities coming to Cielo include an activity lawn, a playground, a dog park, a covered pavilion, pickleball courts and 10 miles of walking paths. The details Featuring homes from builders like Brightland Homes, Castlerock Communities and Rausch Cole- man Homes, home sales in the community have begun with prices starting in the mid-$200,000s, according to the release.

55-plus community set for Willis The development company Toll Brothers is set to bring a new active-adult commu- nity, Regency at Chambers Creek, to Willis, per an Oct. 3 news release. In a nutshell The 55-plus community will feature two- to three-bedroom home designs priced from the upper $300,000s, according to the news release. Amenities set to be included are a community garden, a nine-hole golf course, an 18-hole putting golf course, a resort-style pool and trails. “Regency at Chambers Creek will oer residents the perfect combination of luxury living and an active lifestyle in one of the most desirable locations in Texas,” Brian Murray, division president of Toll Brothers in Houston, said via news release.

Luke Redus and his wife Karla started giving back to those experiencing homelessness in the Conroe area in 2006 by handing out breakfast tacos in downtown Conroe. Now, Luke is the CEO and Karla is the director of empowerment services of Compassion United, a nonprot helping homeless people in the Mont- gomery County area, which just broke ground on the second building of its campus, Miracle City, a ve-acre transitional community for homeless people. Diving in deeper The day center is set to include a commercial kitchen, a computer room and a medical clinic. The kitchen will provide more people experienc- ing homelessness with food, and the computer room will help them apply for jobs and navigate life on the internet, Luke Redus said. Compassion United will partner with Interfaith Community Clinic to provide the on-site medical

clinic, he said. Miracle City opened in August 2022 with its rst building, which oers church services every morning Monday through Friday, Luke Redus said. What else? The new day center will increase the number of people the organization is able to impact, he said. Luke Redus said over the course of the past 14 years, the nonprot has helped over 300 people who have come through its transitional program. When Compassion United completes its next phase of more transitional homes, he said it will triple Miracle City’s residential capacity. The backstory The organization started in 2009, Luke Redus said. In February 2019, Conroe City Council voted to convey ve acres of land to Compassion United for its Miracle City campus, according to its website.

Compassion United’s impact 12 active sta 1,200+ volunteers registered In the past 12 months, the nonprot has:

The Signorelli Company announced plans for amenities at its 256-acre master-planned community in Conroe.

served over 19,000 plates of food

given out over 4,800 bus passes

done over 2,000 loads of laundry

SOURCE: COMPASSION UNITEDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Also of note The Signorelli Company has ve other mas- ter-planned communities underway in Mont- gomery County, including the three Conroe-area communities of Caney Mills, Chapel Run and Granger Pines.

New day center location

CONROE 1304 W Davis (936) 539-8787 NORTH CONROE 18434 Hwy 105 W (936) 582-5410

MONTGOMERY PLAZA 1420 N Loop 336 W (936) 441-7161

WILLIS 9618 FM 1097 (936) 228-0385

A growing community From the cover

The current situation

New and incoming Montgomery businesses

Opened within the last year

Coming soon

Neighboring cities such as Conroe and Magnolia have paused new development via moratoriums due to water capacity, but Countryman said Montgomery has the infrastructure to support the growth. However, she said City Council is working to be intentional about development. “We’ve got a lot of open, empty canvas for growth,” Countryman said. “We want to keep our small Texas charming, historical town with the growth that’s coming and get our arms around that growth to ensure that it’s the right growth and best for the city. … It is a tightrope, and we’re trying to do the best that we can.” Within the last year, 14 businesses ranging from craft stores to a meat market have opened their doors in and around Montgomery, and at least two more shops are set to open before the end of the year, according to prior reporting by Community Impact. Countryman said Montgomery is also updating the language within city ordinances to reect a “modern-day” verbiage using the help of Kendig Keast Collaborative, KKC, a rm that specializes in zoning ordinances development and administration. Council held a special meeting Dec. 9 with KKC and discussed the potential changes to ordinances.

1 Pickleball Hideout 2 Krawfish Kai 3 Walden Coffee House 4 The Painted Potter Studio 5 Hibachi Express 6 PJ’s Coffee 7 rOcktopus Art & Jewelry 8 Amazing Grace Quilt Store

9 Spin In The Wind 10 Dental Boutique Montgomery

15 Crepes of Brittany Opening in late 2024 16 Mister Softee Montgomery Opening in late 2024 17 Highland Pine Coffee Company Opening in the spring of 2025 18 H-E-B Opening in late 2025

11 The Joint Chiropractic 12 Mariel’s Meat Market 13 Home Depot 14 Active Life Fitness and Pilates

149

10 11

LAKE CONROE

105

2854

149

FLAGSHIP BLVD.

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

NOTE: THIS LIST IS NONCOMPREHENSIVE.

SOURCES: CITY OF MONTGOMERY, LOCAL BUSINESSESCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Local population growth

How we got here

What they’re saying

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77356

City of Montgomery

Countryman said she believes people are relocating to Montgomery for its location and amenities. “We’ve got a lot of amenities that are very attractive to those that live in the hustle and bustle,” Countryman said. “When you have those [great] schools, and then those amenities, and then you have an open canvas for large lots, you’re going to be attractive.” Shannon Reid, director of community relations at the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce, said she believes those who move to Montgomery are a part of the “pioneering spirit” that makes it a special place. “It’s not surprising to me that they come here and want to build their dream out of nothingness right here in Montgomery, and I would hope that we would always cherish those folks,” Reid said. “It’s so precious to watch someone do that and have that dream and the sparkle in their eye.” Between 2017-2022, Montgomery’s population grew 62.4%, per the U.S. Census Bureau’s Ameri- can Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.

Chad and Taryn Fiebiger, who own The Highland Pine Company, moved to Mont- gomery from Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2022. They said the decision to open their shop in the city in 2023 came after their ini- tial visit to Montgomery and falling in love with the community’s welcoming nature. “I feel so very blessed that we live here and that our business is here; and that we found this little gem of a place,” Taryn Fiebiger said. She said she understands that growth is good for their business, however, she hopes the city can stay true to its roots while continuing to grow. “I hope Montgomery doesn’t lose their hospitality and their friendliness and their welcoming of people. It’s just, it’s like nothing I’ve really ever experienced,” Taryn Fiebiger said. “We just hope that Montgom- ery can stay true to itself and continue to be the quaint small town that made us more in love with it in the first place.”

149

1375

105

249

21,272

2017 2022 2017 2022 2017 2022

+43.7%

30,577

25,888

+14%

29,515

997

+62.4%

1,620

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU’S AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY 5-YEAR ESTIMATES/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN

Stay tuned

A closer look

With more businesses coming into the city, Montgomery’s sales tax revenue is rising. Between 2019-2023, sales tax revenue jumped 58%, increas- ing from $3.1 million to $4.9 million, per the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Through Novem- ber of this year, the city has collected $5.54 million in sales tax revenue. City officials also said there are plans for several projects to accommodate the growth. After voters’ Nov. 5 approval of the city’s crime control and prevention district—which will help fund the police department through sales tax revenue— funds can be alleviated from the city’s budget to be reinvested into infrastructure projects. In terms of transportation, Reid said she believes the exposure of FM 149 and Hwy. 105 is essential for businesses, and the plan to extend FM 149 to Hwy. 249 is needed given the traffic. Montgomery County commissioners awarded $8.4 million for design and engineering contracts in August for the project, per prior reporting.

The Fiebigers will be opening a coffee shop, their second business in Montgomery, in the spring of 2025, Taryn Fiebiger said. Meanwhile, Countryman said H-E-B—which owns land at the intersection of Hwy. 105 and FM 2854—is hoping to open its doors by the end of 2025. Additionally, Countryman said future city improvements will also include: • Updating sewer lines • Changing McAllen Street to a walking and gathering promenade street • Revitalizing downtown • Replacing trash cans “I really do believe we are setting the stage for success and [for] the upcoming 20, 30, to 50 years in our water planning and in our infrastructure planning and in our growth— residentially and commercially,” Countryman said.

Montgomery sales tax revenue

$6M

$5.54M

$5M

$4M

$1.74M

$3M

$2M

$1M

SOURCE: TEXAS COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS/COMMUNITY IMPACT *THROUGH NOVEMBER

HEALTHCARE COMPREHENSIVE, CONVENIENT

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