Lake Houston - Humble - Kingwood Edition | February 2024

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Lake Houston Humble Kingwood Edition VOLUME 8, ISSUE 10 FEB. 23MARCH 21, 2024

2024 Voter Guide

The future of water

Upon completion in 2025, the Northeast Water Purication Plant in Humble will be able to treat 400 million gallons of water per day.

COURTESY HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS

Phase 1 of $1.97B water purication plant expansion project in Humble nears completion

BY SHAWN ARRAJJ & HANNAH BROL

will be met in a sustainable manner for generations to come.” Phase 1 is expected to wrap up in March, and Phase 2 is slated for completion in 2025. However, water authority ocials said the project will also have an impact on water rates for those receiving water from the treatment plant.

of Houston joined forces with four regional water authorities to invest in the project, which former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner called “the largest public works water construction project in the nation and probably even in the world.” “This plant, and what it will provide for years to come, is a gift to future generations,” Turner said during the ceremony. “Our drinking-water needs

The Greater Houston area is one step closer to meeting both future state-mandated groundwater regulations and the growing water needs of area residents, following the Dec. 11 ribbon-cutting on a $1.97 billion expansion project at the Northeast Water Purication Plant in Humble. The milestone comes eight years after the city

CONTINUED ON 19

Also in this issue

Impacts: The Focaccia Bakery now open in Kingwood (Page 6)

Education: Humble ISD approves 202425 calendar (Page 9)

Election: Lake Houston-area sample ballot (Page 10)

Business: Hella Bubble boasts Taiwanese bubble tea (Page 22)

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LAKE HOUSTON - HUMBLE - KINGWOOD EDITION

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LAKE HOUSTON - HUMBLE - KINGWOOD EDITION

Impacts

Now open

VALLEY RANCH PKWY.

1485

VALLEY RANCH BLVD.

1 The Focaccia Bakery Owned by siblings Mariana Godilo and Mario Morales— and their spouses, Stefan Mikhailovich Godilo and Zhanna Morales, respectively—this bakery offers European bread and Mexican pastries. • Opened Jan. 18 • 110 Sorters McClellan Road, Kingwood • www.thefocacciabakery.com 2 Porky’s Backyard The family- and pet-friendly food truck park features Formula 1 racing simulators and a 40-tap beer wall. • Opened Jan. 13 • 5131 Atascocita Road, Humble • www.porkysbackyard.com 3 The Brass Tap The Bumstead family recently opened this craft beer bar and restaurant, boasting more than 60 beers on tap. • Opened Jan. 22 • 4635 Kingwood Drive, Ste. 800, Kingwood • www.brasstapbeerbar.com/kingwood 4 El Tiempo Cantina This Houston-based restaurant is now serving Tex- Mex cuisine in George Bush Intercontinental Airport’s Terminal A North. • Opened in early December • 2800 N. Terminal Road, Houston • www.eltiempocantina.com 5 Dermani Medspa The business offers cosmetic injectables, laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation treatment, facials and microneedling. • Opened Dec. 13 • 21383 Valley Ranch Blvd., Ste. 150, New Caney • www.dermanimedspa.com/valley-ranch-new-caney-tx 6 Starbucks Pickup IAH Terminal E has welcomed three new locations designed for travelers to pick up Starbucks items

242

1485

MARKET PLACE DR.

99 TOLL

LAKE HOUSTON WILDERNESS PARK

VALLEY RANCH PKWY.

COMMUNITY DR.

Porter

1314

FORDRD.

OLD SORTERS RD.

494

N O R T H P A R

SORTERS MCCLELLAN RD.

WOODLAND HILLS DR.

W. LAKE HOUSTON PKWY.

TOWNSEN BLVD.

Kingwood

UPPER LAKE DR.

ATASCOCITA SHORES DR.

1960

HOUSTON AVE.

F I RSTST.

LAKE HOUSTON

1960

Humble

4 6

WILL CLAYTON PKWY.

N. TERMINAL ROAD

Atascocita

TIMBER FOREST DR.

GREENSRD.

MADERA RUN PKWY.

ALDINE BENDER RD.

MAP NOT TO SCALE

LOCKWOOD RD.

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12 McCoy’s Building Supply This retail store will offer a full-service lumberyard and a variety of other supplies geared toward construction, farming and ranching. • Opening date TBA • Hwy. 242 and Big Rivers Road, New Caney • www.mccoys.com

ordered via the mobile app. • Opened Sept. 29 and Nov. 17 • 2800 N. Terminal Road, Houston • www.starbucks.com

Now open

7 Bahama Mama This Kingwood smoke shop sells smoke, vape and CBD products, such as water pipes and gummies. • Opened Nov. 25 • 2500 Green Oak Drive, Ste. C, Kingwood • www.bahama-mama.com 8 BestBox Storage Two locations of this self-storage business are now open in the Lake Houston area. • A 26210 FM 1485, New Caney; opened in December • B 22041 FM 1314, Porter; opened in January • www.bestboxstorage.com 9 Popshelf This store sells a variety of items at discounted prices, including home decor, beauty items, gifts and toys. • Opened Feb. 19 • 21336 Market Place Drive, Ste. 7, New Caney • www.popshelf.com

In the news

13 The Rusty Buckle BBQ Co. Following a fire at its brick-and-mortar location, this barbecue joint opened a food trailer on Jan. 31. The eatery serves barbecued meats, sides and desserts. • 22664 Community Drive, New Caney • www.rustybucklebbq.com 14 Family Deaf Assembly of God This church has changed its weekly service starting Jan. 14 from Saturdays at 6 p.m. to Sundays at 2:30 p.m. The total communication church for deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing families, offers services in voice and ASL.

18 Clutch City Cluckers With a new brick-and-mortar location now open in Humble, this Houston-based eatery offers a menu of Nashville-inspired hot chicken sandwiches, hot chicken tenders, loaded fries and milkshakes. • Soft opened Jan. 12; grand opening in early March • 7064 Will Clayton Parkway, Humble • www.clutchcitycluckers.com

• Dayspring Church, 24277 FM 1314, Porter • https://familydeafag.churchcenter.com

15 Sunglass Hut This Deerbrook Mall sunglasses store reopened Dec. 3 following a full remodel. • 20131 Hwy. 59, Ste. 2192, Humble • www.sunglasshut.com 16 Lake Houston Apartments Construction on this apartment complex is expected to begin in March and wrap up by April 2025, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing. The project will consist of two four-story apartment buildings and a leasing office.

Coming soon

10 Rogers Premier Salon Suites This salon will offer beauty services, such as hair care, massages, skin treatments and nail care. • Opening March 1

• 1590 FM 1960 Bypass Road E., Humble • www.fplh.org

19 Mercer Botanic Gardens Harris County Precinct 3 officials celebrated the 50th anniversary of this 180-acre botanical garden on Jan. 8. • 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble • www.pct3.com/mbg 20 Crumbl Cookies New franchise owners Norman and Angela Sterling hosted a grand reopening celebration Jan. 27 for their newly acquired Crumbl Cookies location in Humble.

• 22186 Market Place Drive, New Caney • www.rogerspremiersalonsuites.com

11 Center for Biotechnology Officials with San Jacinto College gathered Jan. 26 to celebrate the groundbreaking of its new Center for Biotechnology. Located at SJC’s Generation Park campus, the center will offer an associate of applied science degree in biomanufacturing technology.

• 20001 Atascocita Shores Drive, Humble • No website or phone number is available.

17 Family Promise of Lake Houston Officials with the Humble-based nonprofit named Tiffany Venekamp as the organization’s new executive director in a Jan. 3 news release.

• Opening in first quarter 2025 • 13455 Lockwood Road, Houston • www.sanjac.edu

• 7072 FM 1960 E., Ste. 3, Humble • www.crumblcookies.com/txhumble

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LAKE HOUSTON - HUMBLE - KINGWOOD EDITION

Government

BY MELISSA ENAJE

Harris County expands citizenship programs Harris County commissioners announced Jan. 23 the launch of a three-year, $5.8 million program that aims to assist the county’s legal permanent residents in becoming naturalized U.S. citizens. Funding was allocated with a $4 million grant from the nonprofit Houston Endowment and an additional $1.8 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The details Under a coordinated effort overseen by the Harris County Community Services Department, a network of public partners and the Harris County Public Library, the organizations will provide assistance such as civic education classes, natural- ization interview preparation, legal services and funds to cover application fees. HCPL will supplement its volunteer tutor team with 10 full-time instructors, library officials said.

Art projects coming to high-crime areas Officials with Harris County’s crime pre- vention and neighborhood safety program are launching a $3 million public art-based initiative in 11 communities that aims to shape the physical space, spur economic development and promote social change. Explained The 11 neighborhoods include Alief, Bar- rett, Cloverleaf, Cypress Station, East Aldine, Gulfton, Highlands, Northshore, Sharpstown, South Houston and Sunnyside. They were prioritized based on violent crime rates and lack of infrastructure, according to county administration officials. Precinct officials can request proposals for projects such as murals, sculptures, artistic crosswalks and park installations through the third quarter of 2024.

In the Gulf Coast region, 94.9% of the population that hold lawful permanent residency and are eligible to become U.S. citizens reside in three counties. The path to citizenship

Harris County 195,530 Fort Bend County 33,400 Montgomery County 10,580 Brazoria County 7,500 Galveston County 5,500

U.S. citizenship eligibility by county*

*DOES NOT INCLUDE PEOPLE BORN IN THE U.S.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in the region:

More than 123,600 of those eligible for citizenship came from a pool of people who were immediate relatives of U.S. citizens More than 29,800 lawful permanent residents spend at least 10 years until they meet the requirements for citizenship eligibility

SOURCE: 2022 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DATA FROM HARRIS, FORT BEND, MONTGOMERY, GALVESTON AND BRAZORIA COUNTIES/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Education

BY WESLEY GARDNER

Humble ISD opts against single-member districts Humble ISD trustees voted 4-3 against an effort to hold a public hearing on the possibility of transi- tioning the district’s board of trustees to include single-member districts. The overview During the board’s Jan. 9 meeting, Trustee

Humble ISD approves academic calendar Humble ISD trustees approved the 2024-25 school year calendar on Jan. 9. The overview The approved calendar runs Aug. 7, 2024- May 29, 2025 and includes the following: • October break: Oct. 7-11 • Thanksgiving break: Nov. 25-29 • Winter break: Dec. 23-Jan. 3 • February break: Feb. 10-14 • Spring break: March 10-14 Student holidays include Labor Day, Sept. 2; staff development days on Nov. 5 and Jan. 6; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Jan. 20; Good Friday, April 18; and Memorial Day, May 26. Elementary students also have holidays on Sept. 16, Nov. 1, Feb. 17 and March 17.

Martina Lemond Dixon said she proposed the transition to address the district’s growth. Trustee Robert Sitton said he supported the idea of holding a public hearing on the matter, but he noted he was concerned a transition to single-member districts could detract from an individual board member’s ability to serve the district as a whole. What’s next While the measure was ultimately voted down, trustees could request the item be taken up for reconsideration at a future board meeting.

Single-member districts While Humble ISD trustees voted down an effort to discuss transitioning its board to single- member districts, many of the larger school districts throughout the state use the format.

Current

Proposed

Board members: 7 at-large trustees Electorate: Humble ISD residents can vote for any trustee

5 single-member districts and 2 at-large trustees

Humble ISD residents can vote for their specific district's trustee and any at-large trustee

SOURCE: HUMBLE ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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LAKE HOUSTON - HUMBLE - KINGWOOD EDITION

Election

Voter Guide

2024

To view the full list of all contested state and national candidates, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide. Only candidates in contested elections are included. Visit county election websites for information on uncontested races.

KEY

R Republican

D Democrat

*Incumbent

Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 7 R Gina Parker R Barbara Parker Hervey* Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 8 R Michelle Slaughter* R Lee Finley Texas Senate, District 15 D Michelle Anderson Bonton D Jarvis D. Johnson D Alberto “Beto” Cardenas D Karthik Soora D Todd Litton D Molly Cook Texas House of Representatives, District 142 D Clint Dan Horn D Harold V. Dutton Jr.* D Danyahel (Danny) Norris D Joyce Marie Chatman

D Thierry Tchenko D Heli Rodriguez Prilliman D Steven J. Keough U.S. House of Representatives, District 2 R Jameson Ellis R Dan Crenshaw* U.S. House of Representatives, District 18 R Lana Centonze R Aaron Ray Hermes D Robert Slater D Sheila Jackson Lee* D Amanda Edwards U.S. House of Representatives, District 29 R Christian V. Garcia R Angel Fierro R Alan Garza R Jose Angel Casares

Dates to know

Feb. 5: Last day to register to vote Feb. 20: First day of early voting March 1: Last day of early voting March 5: Election day

Where to vote

Any voter can cast a ballot in the Republican or Democratic primary, but not both. Harris County residents can vote at any polling location during early voting or on election day. Visit www.harrisvotes.com for polling locations.

Sample ballot

Federal elections U.S. president R Ryan L. Binkley R Vivek Ramaswamy R Asa Hutchinson R Nikki Haley R Chris Christie R David Stuckenberg R Donald J. Trump R Ron DeSantis D Joseph R. Biden, Jr.* D Cenk Uygur D Marianne Williamson D Gabriel A. Cornejo D Dean Phillips D Armando “Mando” Perez-Serrato D Frankie Lozada D Star Locke U.S. senator R Ted Cruz* R Holland “Redd” Gibson R R E (Rufus) Lopez D Mark Gonzalez D Carl Oscar Sherman D Meri Gomez D Roland Gutierrez D Colin Allred D A. “Robert” Hassan

State elections Railroad commissioner

Local elections Harris County district attorney

R Christie Clark R Corey Howell R Petra Reyes R Christie Clark R Christi Craddick* R James "Jim" Matlock D Katherine Culbert D Bill Burch Texas Supreme Court justice, Place 2 D Randy Sarosdy D DaSean Jones Texas Supreme Court justice, Place 4 R John Devine* R Brian Walker Texas Supreme Court justice, Place 6 D Joe Pool D Bonnie Lee Goldstein Presiding judge, Court of Criminal Appeals R David J. Schenck R Sharon Keller*

D Kim Ogg* D Sean Teare

Harris County attorney D Umeka “UA” Lewis D Christian D. Menefee* Harris County sheriff R Mike Knox R Joe Danna R Paul Day R Glenn Cowan D Vergil Rochelle Ratliff

D Joe Inocencio D Dana M. Wolfe D Ed Gonzalez*

SOURCES: TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE, HARRIS COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY HANNAH BROL

Texas Senate, District 15, Democratic Primary

What is the biggest issue the district is currently facing and how will you address it? The stability of the electrical grid is most critical. Lives were lost during Uri, and the system barely held up during the most recent freeze. Current regulations need to be clarified, the system winterized, a specific plan to address population growth and a system failure must be put in place.

What is your top priority if elected?

Mitigating voter suppression. The vote is the only way that citizens can make their voices heard. Laws that make it more difficult to vote—i.e., restricting the number of polling places in certain communities, or making it illegal to pass out food or water—are detrimental to the democratic process.

Michelle Anderson Bonton Occupation: social entrepreneur, business woman, retired educator Relevant experience: 15 years as a founder/leader of a 180-employee, $14 million budget organization www.votemichellebonton.com

Our rights are under attack from Republican leadership—from voting rights, attacks on public education, reproductive rights, local control and LGBTQ+ rights, to name a few. SD 15 needs a proven leader and someone who has fought against Republicans to stand up for them in the Texas Senate.

Attacks on public education—we must protect public education from voucher schemes and work to ensure all children receive an excellent education regardless of their ZIP code.

Jarvis D. Johnson Occupation: business owner Relevant experience: state

representative for District 139 since 2016; Houston City Councilman for

District B, three terms www.jarvisfortexas.com

Women’s rights. I want to enshrine women’s control over their bodies in the Texas Constitution. Voters have a right not only decide this issue but to stand up for women and stand up to the special interests that politically blackmail the “conservative” Legislature into endangering Texas women. Ridiculous.

My top priority, women’s rights and individual freedom, is the biggest issue facing Texas. I will go toe-to-toe with Republicans on this by amending our constitution. If Republicans are so confident about their policies, they should allow Texans to vote on the issue. Texans will stand up for women.

Todd Litton Occupation: attorney-mediator Relevant experience: father and husband, attorney-mediator, former candidate for U.S. House District 2, education nonprofit leader www.toddlitton.com Molly Cook Occupation: ER nurse Relevant experience: ER nurse, public health expert, policy advocate and community organizer www.mollyfortexas.com Karthik Soora Occupation: former HISD teacher and renewable energy developer Relevant experience: Rice University graduate, Momentum Education co- founder, political reform advocate www.karthikfortexas.com Alberto “Beto” Cardenas Occupation: attorney Relevant experience: cleaning up the Housing Authority, millions raised for charity and local infrastructure improvements www.texansforbeto.com

In every conversation, political reform is the top priority. I will introduce legislation to legalize citizen- led ballot initiatives, so Texans can put reproductive freedom, universal gun background checks, Medicaid expansion, campaign finance limits, ranked choice voting, connecting ERCOT to other states, and more on the ballot like folks in other states.

The district’s primary issue is gun violence. I propose stringent gun safety measures: universal background checks, extreme risk laws, ensuring safe storage, bolstering funding for mental health support, education, job funding, improving murder clearance rates, and enhancing firearm tracking through interagency collaboration.

I’m running to stand up to Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick and fight against their politics of fear and hate. We must put an end to their extremist agenda and move Texas forward by expanding access to abortion, making health care more affordable and protecting our public schools and local control.

The extreme agenda of Abbott and Patrick to take away personal liberties like access to abortion and gender-affirming care, push school vouchers, takeover Harris County and [Houston] ISD, and stroke fear and hate in their base. I am an experienced leader who will stand up and fight their hate-filled agenda.

Increasing voter turnout. After two years of talking to voters, high-priority issues include: fully funding public schools, reducing gun violence, abortion access, secure housing, environmental justice, public safety, and rejecting extremism. I will co-govern with the constituency to develop a long-term strategy to achieve these goals.

Low voter turnout. Without building capacity, we will not make the change we want to see in our district. In 2022, my race increased voter turnout, and I will continue to build on that foundation through year-round canvassing, community organizing, and constant, regular communication with the district.

Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

LAKE HOUSTON - HUMBLE - KINGWOOD EDITION

Election

*INCUMBENT

Harris County sheri, Democratic Primary

How will you handle county jails and tax dollars regarding inmate conditions and ocer safety?

What would be your top priorities, if elected?

1. Mitigate deaths in the jail. 2. Safety of detainees and Harris County employees. 3. Arrest violent oenders.

Stang is one issue that must be resolved. More workers will provide more safety for the employees and the detainees inside the jail. Best practice protocols must be in place to ensure compliance with jail standards. I will be a strong advocate for those resources needed to ensure safer conditions ...

Vergil Rochelle Ratli Occupation: law enforcement Relevant experience: retired Houston ocer; currently captain with state police; 15 years in law enforcement management www.ratliforsheri.com

1. Get the jail under compliance and change the violent culture and practices. 2. Through consensus/ buy-in with the eight constables, change the way Harris County conducts everyday law enforcement business regarding your public safety. 3. Create a robust recruiting program for Harris County law enforcement for hiring the best recruits.

We must reintroduce certied deputies back into the jail. The experiment having civilians with four weeks of training stang the jail has failed miserably. The idea to save taxpayers’ dollars has ironically cost millions more due to lawsuits, overtime and outsourcing. The “culture of violence” is perpetrated by untrained civilians.

Joe Inocencio Occupation: retired

Relevant experience: Harris County Sheri’s Oce, 1980-82; Houston Police Department, 1982-2014; District Attorney’s Oce, 2017-20 www.inocencioforsheri.com

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire.

Dana M. Wolfe Candidate did not respond to questionnaire.

Keeping Harris County safe. Improving management and conditions in the jail. Requiring body cameras for all jail detention ocers. Improving how we interact with and help those with mental health challenges. Proactively preparing and responding to disasters, including training more deputies in swift water rescues. Continuing to address reckless driving.

We’re working hard every day to ensure the health and safety of our inmates, ocers and sta. We recently partnered with our hospital district to provide health care and mental health care to people in jail, securing nearly $100 million in resources. Our jail is the largest mental health hospital in Texas.

Ed Gonzalez* Occupation: Harris County sheri Relevant experience: Houston police ocer, 18 years; Houston City Council member, three terms; Harris County sheri, two terms www.edgonzalez.com

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY MELISSA ENAJE

Harris County sheri, Republican Primary

How will you handle county jails and tax dollars regarding inmate conditions and ocer safety?

What would be your top priorities, if elected?

My top priority will be to make the Harris County Jail safe for inmates and employees and regain state-certied status. Overworked and understaed jailers and deputies creates many internal moral issues which causes unusually high turnover. We will get relief from Commissioners Court during my administration.

There will be no unsupervised movement within the jail. Protocols will be followed to ensure inmates receive their required medication. Jailers will not be placed in situations where they are overwhelmed. Taxpayer dollars—I intend to audit the entire department and expect to nd 10% or more in savings.

Mike Knox Occupation: retired consultant Relevant experience: retired Texas peace ocer; former small-business owner; former Houston City Council member; author/expert

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire.

Joe Danna Candidate did not respond to questionnaire.

Strengthening community policing, enhancing transparency and implementing innovative crime prevention strategies.

Ensure humane inmate treatment, optimal jail conditions, ocer safety and scal responsibility.

Paul Day Occupation: retired

Glenn Cowan Occupation: police supervisor Relevant experience: 15-year Houston Police Department veteran; police supervisor; former jail supervisor; hostage negotiator www.glenncowanforsheri.com Relevant experience: Niagara Falls Police Department, three years; HPD, 32 years; Harris County patrol deputy, 11 years www.pauldayforsheri2024.com

Defeat violent crime with modern eective policing. Additionally, the jail is in crisis. As a former jail supervisor, I can get the job done. We also have to get more correction ocers and deputies on the streets, and I’ll skyrocket morale to attract applicants.

The reason we have a jail crisis is judges who refuse to work their dockets, which increases the jail population. In addition to ling ethics complaints against incompetent judges, I’ll work with the state to garner additional funding as well as any federal monies that may be available.

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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION

Election

Transportation

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

BY JOVANNA AGUILAR

Harris County Precinct 3 launches new road de-icing method

*INCUMBENT

U.S. House of Representatives, District 2, Republican Primary

What experiences and qualications do you believe make you well-suited for this role? My background as a small-business owner, Constitution Coach and grassroots organizer equips me with practical economic insight, a deep respect for our founding principles and a commitment to community engagement. These experiences make me a strong advocate for America First policies and a defender of liberty.

What issue is most critical for your constituents and how do you plan to address it? Government overreach is critical, notably in failing to secure our border. I plan to champion enforcing existing laws, resisting new overreaching legislation and promoting measures that limit government, protect our liberties and end reckless spending.

To combat potentially dangerous roadways this winter season, Harris County Precinct 3 has plans to lay out brine solution that chemically breaks up the ice on the roadways, ocials announced in a Dec. 20 YouTube video. Crews used this new road de-icing method in mid-January amid freezing temperatures, Com- munications Manager Jeannie Peng said, and this is how Precinct 3 roads will be treated in future winter weather events. The details Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said rather than laying out chat rock as they have done in the past winter seasons, Precinct 3 plans to lay out brine solution. The brine solution was provided by the Texas Department of Transportation through the County Assistance Program at no charge, Peng said. “During the last freeze season, we realized that with the size of our new precinct, we needed to

adapt to be able to cover over 300 bridges and 6,700 lane miles of roadway to keep them open and safe during winter conditions,” Road and Bridge Director Jennifer Almonte said. According to Precinct 3 ocials, while chat rocks provide traction control, brine chemically breaks ice as vehicle weight travels the wheel path on roadways and can be used as pretreatment to prevent ice from forming in the rst place. Did you know? Almonte said brine is cheaper, is applied more quickly, is more environmentally friendly and can be used to pretreat the roadways. During pretreatment rounds, workers spray brine solution around 20 mph while de-icing is sprayed at 5-10 mph to spray a greater volume of brine, Peng said. When de-icing is needed, crews run routes until temperatures rise above freezing. “Typically this means that each bridge will be sprayed every 12-24 hours,” she said.

Jameson Ellis Occupation: self-employed

Relevant experience: America First policy supporter, small-business owner, Constitution Coach, grassroots organizer www.jamesonellis.com

A former Navy SEAL, and as your Congressman for [District 2], I’ve been fortunate to have a real impact on nearly every major policy issue—ghting back against COVID[-19] lockdowns, the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, our ght against the cartels, and standing up to [President Joe] Biden’s disastrous border policies and regulatory agenda.

We are facing a crisis of record numbers of illegal immigrants crossing our border. Border security, and lack thereof, under the Biden administration, impacts every community. That is why I am pushing for reforms that will stem the ow of illegal immigration and poisonous drugs from entering our country.

Dan Crenshaw* Occupation: U.S. Congressman representing the 2nd District of Texas Relevant experience: U.S. Representative for the 2nd District of Texas; U.S. Navy SEAL; author www.crenshawforcongress.com

Precinct 3 crews lay brine solution ahead of freezing temperatures to de-ice roads.

COURTESY HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 3

PORTER 23611 Hwy 59 (281) 354-0733 HUMBLE 19322 US-59 (281) 540-7202

KINGWOOD 1420 Kingwood Dr (281) 359-7115 ATASCOCITA 7034 FM 1960 E (281) 812-3100

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Real estate

Across the six ZIP codes that make up Community Impact’s Lake Houston-Humble-Kingwood coverage area, the median price of homes sold in January increased across most ZIP codes from January 2023, with the majority of homes sold in the $200,000-$399,999 price range. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

January 2023

January 2024

+33.33%

-7.41%

-9.38%

+15.87%

-8.33%

77044

77338

77339

77345

77346

77396

99 TOLL

77339

77345

Median home sales price

77346

77338

LAKE HOUSTON

January

2023

2024

77386

$349,000 $220,000 $272,000 $345,000 $370,000 $259,450

$301,000 $263,500 $290,000 $352,000 $315,000 $282,000

77044

77338

77339

Homes sold by price point

77345

January 2024

77346

77396

$800,000+

$600,000-$799,999

Average days on market -8.33% +8.33%

$400,000-$599,999

-38.71%

-3.33%

-35.19%

-3.23%

145

$200,000-$399,999

<$199,999

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY DEBORAH ROSE MILLER • BROKER/AGENT WITH ROSE REALTY 281-380-0332 • DEBORAHROSEREALTOR@GMAIL.COM 2022-24 CHAIR OF HUMBLE ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION 2023 FIVE STAR PROFESSIONAL

77044

77338

77339

77345

77346

77396

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From the cover

The future of water

BY SHAWN ARRAJJ & HANNAH BROL

Dive in deeper

The timeline

Surface water

Groundwater

Houston Public Works Department officials said the project is tied to state mandates for water providers to transfer a portion of their water supply sources from groundwater to sur- face water. The requirements—enforced by the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District—were put in place to reduce subsidence, the phenomenon of land sinking as groundwater is pumped out from underground aquifers. Currently, surface water makes up around 30% of total water use. “The NEWPP expansion project is crucial to making sure the Greater Houston area’s water demand is not only met for today’s needs but also to sustainably supply future water needs,” HGSD General Manager Mike Turco said. “We are excited about Houston’s growth. However, with this increased water demand, we must ensure that water is being supplied from a sustainable

Upon completion, the plant will treat 400 million gallons of water per day before sending it on to water users, including: the North, Central and West regional water authorities in Harris County; and the North Fort Bend Water Authority. Since 2005 when the plant was first put in service, it has had the capacity to treat 80 million gallons of water per day. Jun Chang, general manager for the North Harris County Regional Water Authority— which includes portions of the Lake Houston area—said the plant expansion is critical to meet the needs of Harris County’s growing population. “As the population of Harris County increases through commercial and residential development in the unincorporated areas of the county, the need for additional surface water will continue to increase,” Chang said. Houston Public Works Department officials said the completion of Phase 1 will increase the plant’s capacity by 80 million gallons of water per day, while Phase 2 will expand the plant’s capacity by another 240 million gallons of water per day.

Current water use

30%

70%

2025 water-use regulations

40%

60%

2035 water-use regulations

20%

80%

SOURCE: HARRIS-GALVESTON SUBSIDENCE DISTRICT/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

alternative water source that does not contribute to subsidence, like treated surface water.” Turco said because Houston is a coastal city, any lowering of land can cause significant issues like flooding; storm surges; damage to infrastruc- ture like roads, bridges, pipelines, homes and buildings; and faulting.

Local water plant recipients

Who it’s for

1 Northeast Water Purification Plant

The soon-to-be-expanded water plant is part of a broader system that takes rainfall from East Texas and brings it to water users in Harris and Fort Bend counties. Located primarily throughout Atascocita, nearly 25 municipal utility districts in the Lake Houston area receive water through the treatment plant, according to a map on the project’s website: www.greaterhoustonwater.com

Plant capacity per day

LAKE HOUSTON

Current capacity: 80M gallons

LAKE HOUSTON PKWY.

Total capacity: 400M gallons

Phase 2: 240M gallons Phase 1: 80M gallons

SOURCE: HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: HOUSTON WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING GROUP/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Funding the project

Project funding

effect Oct. 1. However, according to the NHCRWA website, the cost of not converting to surface water would have been far greater. If municipal utility districts in HGSD Regulatory Area 3 had not converted to surface water, water users in those districts would have had to pay the HGSD’s disincentive fee of $10.78 per 1,000 gallons instead of NHCRWA’s $3.60 groundwater pumpage fee.

Houston and the four authorities have partnered on the project’s funding with help from the Texas Water Development Board. Chang said the cost of the plant expansion increased the authority’s water rate by $1.75 per 1,000 gallons used monthly. The rate increase is already reflected in the authority’s current rate of $3.60 per 1,000 gallons of groundwater and $4.05 per 1,000 gallons of surface water, which went into

Total cost: $1.97B

West Harris County Regional Water Authority: $507.3M

North Harris County Regional Water Authority: $695.6M North Fort Bend Water Authority: $421.9M

City of Houston: $315.2M

Central Harris County Regional Water Authority: $30.1M

NOTE: NUMBERS MAY NOT ADD UP TO $1.97B DUE TO ROUNDING. SOURCE: NORTH HARRIS COUNTY REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

LAKE HOUSTON - HUMBLE - KINGWOOD EDITION

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Events

BY JOVANNA AGUILAR

February

March

‘Sown/Woven/One’ The Charles Bender Performing Arts Center will present “Sown/Woven/One,” a dynamic contemporary ballet performance directed by Kelly Ann Vitacca. • Feb. 24, 2 and 7 p.m. • $30 (admission) Family Story Time The Kingwood Branch Library will host a family story and craft time. • Feb. 26, 10:30-11 a.m. • Free (admission) • 4400 Bens View Lane, Kingwood • www.hcpl.net • 611 Higgins St., Humble • www.humblepac.com Microsoft Excel Basics The Kingwood Branch Library will host a Microsoft Excel basic course where participants can learn the basics of Microsoft Excel 2019. Registration is required.

Tax Help The Octavia Fields Branch Library will provide assistance with tax return preparation and Individual Taxpayer Identification Number applications and renewals. • March 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • Free (admission) • 1503 S. Houston Ave., Humble • www.hcpl.net A Salute to Women Opera Leggera’s Three Texan Tenors will present a special concert in honor of International Women’s Day. • March 8, 7:30 p.m.; March 9, 7 p.m. • $22 (general admission), $27 (table seat) • The Nathaniel Center, 804 Russell Palmer Road, Kingwood • www.operaleggera.com EMCID’S Eggcellent Event and Mini-Market This annual egg hunt at Don Ford Stadium will feature local vendors showcasing their springtime products. • March 23, 9 a.m.-noon • Free (admission) • 22784 Hwy. 59, Porter • www.emctx.com

Vibe Mini Market Vibe Artisan Markets will host a market featuring over 50 vendors, live music and craft beer. • March 10, noon-5 p.m. • Free (admission) • Megaton Brewery, 808 Russell Palmer Road, Kingwood • www.vibeartisanmarkets.com

• Feb. 26, 6-8 p.m. • Free (admission) • 4400 Bens View Lane, Kingwood • www.hcpl.net

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