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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10 FEB. 23 MARCH 24, 2022
ONLINE AT
Trap and release
INCREASING ABANDONMENT The Houston Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care said pet abandonment cases were up 300% year over year from 2020 to 2021, continuing a rising trend seen throughout the city since 2018. Number of animal abandonment cases in Houston area
IMPACTS
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655 570
2018
2019
1,520
2020
4,733
2021
LAKE HOUSTON DAM PROJECT SCALED BACK
SOURCE: HOUSTON BUREAU OF ANIMAL REGULATION AND CARECOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
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The city of Humble’s recently piloted community cat program, an initiative that has gained steam at other local animal shelters, aims to address the city’s feral cat population. (Wesley Gardner/Community Impact Newspaper) Local animal shelter programming aimed at reducing feral animal populations
Humble ISD calls $775Mbond election
BY WESLEY GARDNER
The rapidly declining euthanasia rate can be attributed, in part, to several programs and initiatives taken on by Harris County Pets through a partnership with Best Friends Ani- mal Society, a national nonprot that assists local animal
The number of animals euthanized annually at Harris County Pets has fallen by more than 2,500% over the last ve years, dropping from 3,558 cats and dogs in 2017 to 133 in 2021, county data shows.
EDUCATION
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CONTINUED ON 24
PRIMARY ELECTION GUIDE 2022
Stakeholders use data to address Harris County’s criminal justice systemchallenges BY DANICA LLOYD
“PEOPLE GET LOST IN THE SYSTEM, AND IF WE’RE ABLE TO LOOK AT THOSE TRENDS AND IDENTIFY WHERE THOSE GAPS ARE AND ADDRESS THEM, I THINK WE WOULD BE MUCH
“We’re looking at addressing the necessary systemic changes that need to happen [based on] data [and] best practices so that violence can be stopped, the trauma from that violence can be addressed, [and] the reduction of racial and economic disparities can also be addressed all while attempting to minimize criminal justice exposure as much as possible,” JAD interim Director Ana Yáñez Correa said. CONTINUED ON 26
CANDIDATE INFO SAMPLE BALLOT
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Local agencies are working together to improve Harris County’s criminal justice system—a system experts said is overwhelmed with a backlog of cases and discriminates against low-income residents and people of color. Harris County Commissioners Court created the Justice Admin- istration Department in 2019 to identify solutions and facilitate meaningful changes to the system.
BETTER OFF.” STEPHANIE TRUONG, PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF BEACON LAW
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
THIS ISSUE
ABOUT US
Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched the rst edition of Community Impact Newspaper in 2005 with three full-time employees covering Round Rock and Pugerville, Texas. We have expanded our operations to include hundreds of employees, our own printing operation and over 30 hyperlocal editions across three states. Our circulation is over 2 million residential mailboxes, and it grows each month with new residents and developments.
HIGHLIGHTS FROMTHISMONTH
FROMKIM: Last month, I celebrated my ve-year anniversary here at Community Impact Newspaper . In that time, I have had the opportunity to meet some incredible people across our community while working for a company that is true to its mission. We are always looking for talented people to join our team. If you are looking for a new journey, check out the opportunities available by visiting communityimpact.com/corporate-careers. Kim Giannetti, GENERALMANAGER
Community Impact Newspaper teams include general managers, editors, reporters, graphic designers, sales account executives and sales support, all immersed and invested in the communities they serve. Our mission is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our core values are Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.
FROMHANNAH: Thirteen years ago, my family adopted a 6-month-old puppy named Zoey from a local animal shelter. Today, she remains one of my greatest companions. Like many animals, Zoey was just one of thousands of stray dogs and feral cats that end up in animal shelters across the Greater Houston area each year. To learn more about what local animal shelters and nonpro t organizations are doing in the Lake Houston area to help keep shelter populations at bay and euthanasia numbers low, see our front-page story, which continues on Pages 24-25. Hannah Zedaker, EDITOR
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$20 average donation choose to give monthly 35% edition newsletter called The InCIder and occasionally reach out with other opportunities to directly engage. hyperlocal, unbiased journalism and help build informed communities. As a thank you, we’ll include you in a special Saturday
CORRECTION: Volume 6, Issue 9 The city of Humble’s home rule charter was rst adopted in 1970 and subsequently amended by voters in 1978, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1996 and 2000, according to city documents.
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
location, including Cuban sandwiches, pastries, empanadas, tamales, breakfast dishes, sodas and coee. 832-792-4767. www.havanasfoodtruck.com 3 Charleys Philly Steaks celebrated the grand opening of its new Porter loca- tion Jan. 31. Located within the Porter Walmart at 23561 Hwy. 59, the restau- rant specializes in freshly made Philly cheesesteaks, loaded gourmet fries and all-natural lemonades. The company has more than 600 locations in the U.S. 346-786-2646. www.charleys.com 4 DNA Studios celebrated the grand opening of its new facility in Humble on Feb 1. Located at 90 Isaacks Road, the media company provides production support with mobile broadcasting, video streaming, LED screens and access to its digital studio. Ocials with DNA Studios said the new facility gives them the ability to produce 12 live events simultaneously. The studio also features 3,000 square feet of oce space that will be available for rent. DNA Studios has provided broadcast services in the area for more than 25 years with clients including CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS and National Geographic. 281-657-7292. www.dnastudios.tv 5 Hand & Stone opened a new fran- chise location Feb. 5 at 12712 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Ste. E, Houston, according to a Feb. 10 news release. The business is owned by Kingwood resident Allison Berry, who also owns two other Greater Houston-area Hand & Stone locations. Hand & Stone has more than 500 spas across the U.S. and in Canada, and it specializes in massages, including decompression therapy, percussive and several types of facials as well as CBD oil enhancements. 713-955-3988. www.handandstone.com 6 R3 Wound Care and Hyperbarics celebrated the grand opening of its new clinic location in Kingwood on Oct. 11. Located at 215 Kingwood Executive Drive, Ste. 150, the San Antonio-based company is the largest independent outpatient hyperbaric oxygen therapy provider in Texas and specializes in wound healing, post-surgical wound care, diabetic ulcer treatment, infection healing options and radiation injury treatment. 346-988-2344. www.r3healing.com
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7 CBD shop Green Eye Dispensary opened Jan. 29 at 8011 E. N. Belt, Ste. 8031, Humble, on Jan. 29. The shop is locally owned by Kingwood resident Kimberly Raye and sells CBD products, including vape cartridges, tinctures, edibles and pet treats. 346-616-5931. www.facebook.com/green-eye- dispensary-104809828706062 8 Epic Clouds opened Nov. 1 at 1964 Northpark Drive, Unit B., Kingwood. The vape shop is locally owned by Casey Aitken and sells products such as vape pens, vape accessories and an in-house CBD brand called Eclipse CBD. 281-677-4759. www.epiccloudstx.com COMING SOON 9 Jordan and Kristy Armendinger are planning to open a new Kolache Shoppe location at 4521 Kingwood Drive, Ste. 240, Kingwood, in July. This will be the third location for the Houston-based business, which features a menu of savory, sweet and breakfast-style kolaches that are baked fresh daily as well as small-batch coee and specialty espresso-based beverages. The business will occupy a 1,260-square-foot space in the Main Street Kingwood shopping center. 832-248-2321. www.kolacheshoppe.com 10 Construction began on a new Goody Goody Liquor location in Valley Ranch Town Center, developer Signorelli Co. announced in a Feb. 3 news release. The location is set to open later this year and will be located at 11985 N. Grand Parkway, New Caney. Goody Goody oers
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MAP NOT TO SCALE N TM; © 2022 COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
NOWOPEN 1 Yummy Tummy Atascocita celebrated its grand opening Jan. 11 at 5332 FM 1960 E., Ste. B, Atascocita. The bakery special- izes in custom cakes, cupcakes, cookies and macarons, and has two additional locations in Humble and New Caney. 832-995-5834. www.yummytummypastries.com N . L A K E H O U S T
2 The 1960 Food Truck Park—located at 3225 FM 1960, Humble—welcomed Havana’s Food Truck to its permanent family of mobile restaurants Jan. 23. Havana’s owner Rey Perez is a Cuban American who originally lived in Miami and moved to Houston four years ago. Perez owns the truck with his wife, Herlis Valdivia. The couple serves authentic Cuban and Hispanic dishes from their
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
COMPILED BY WESLEY GARDNER, EMILY LINCKE & HANNAH ZEDAKER
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Parkwood Baptist Church is planning to break ground this summer on its new campus, which will be located at 1842 Northpark Drive, Kingwood.
RENDERING COURTESY PARKWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH
FEATURED IMPACT RELOCATION Parkwood Baptist Church is planning to break ground this summer on its new campus, which will be located at 1842 Northpark Drive, Kingwood. Previously located on Aldine Bender Road, the traditional Baptist church’s congregation is meeting at Kings Manor Elementary School—21111 Royal Crossing Drive, Kingwood—and will continue to do so until Phase 1 of the new campus is completed. According to pastor Wesley Bare eld, church ocials are hoping to move into the new campus before summer 2023. “We are a traditional Baptist church made up of believers of Christ who share the greatest need in life, which
DNA Studios
Bocca Italian Kitchen
COURTESY DNA STUDIOS
COURTESY BOCCA ITALIAN KITCHEN
is to know Christ as savior and Lord,” Bare eld said. Parkwood Baptist Church hosts Sunday worship services at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Sunday school at 10 a.m. and Wednesday night Bible study at 7 p.m.—all of which are held at Kings Manor Elementary School. 281-442-5359. www.parkwoodbaptist.org
a variety of beer, wine, liquor, mixers, glassware and party snacks. Once open, the Valley Ranch location will mark the Dallas-based company’s third store in the Greater Houston area and the 23rd store in Texas, according to Signorelli. www.goodygoody.com 11 In early January, construction began on a new 30,000-square-foot oce building at the East Montgomery County Improvement District’s Industrial Park , located near the intersection of FM 1485 West and Gene Campbell Road in New Caney. EMCID leaders did not have an estimate for when construction will be completed as of Jan. 19. One tenant in the new oce building will be Spring Show Supply. Other businesses can lease space in the building, which is located on
the industrial park’s 500 acres of land. 281-354-4419. www.emctx.com/eco-dev/industrial-park ANNIVERSARIES 12 Bocca Italian Kitchen celebrated its one-year anniversary Jan. 15 at Generation Park, a master-planned community in the Lake Houston area. Located at Generation Park’s Redemption Square at 250 Assay St., Ste. 100, Houston, the eatery serves seasonal, Italian-inspired dishes such as polenta and various pastas using fresh, locally procured ingredients. The restaurant also oers an array of Italian wine. 281-741-0203. www.boccahtx.com
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
TO DO LIST
February & March events
COMPILED BY WESLEY GARDNER
04 THROUGH06 AND 11 THROUGH 13 SUPPORT LOCAL FINE ARTS
Humble. 281-782-1576. www.oldhumbledistilling.com 12 THROUGH 13 GEAR UP AT THE GUN SHOW Peruse more than 250 tables from vendors showcasing guns, ammo, knives and shooting supplies at the Humble Gun Show. Attendees will have the opportunity to buy, sell and trade products at the two-day event. Children under the age of 11 and uniformed police o§cers can attend at no cost. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (March 12), 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (March 13). $10. Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Parkway, Humble. 817-732-1194. www.premiergunshows.com 18 THROUGH 20 WIELD FAKEWEAPONS Enter the magical realm of the Dwarven Dodrigian Empire at Estel Uqua LARP, a live action role-playing event in which participants dress up and don their best fake weapons to partake in a grand adventure. Unaccompanied minors age 16 and older must bring a signed consent form; attendees under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 5 p.m. (March 18)-11 a.m. (March 20). $5. Lake Houston Wilderness Park, 25840 FM 1485, New Caney. 832-395-7690. https://esteluqua.wixsite.com/larp/ events-rsvp
FEB. 26
SHOP FROMLOCAL VENDORS REDEMPTION SQUARE
Visit the Charles Bender Performing Arts Center to see the Texas Repertory Theatre’s 2022 debut production of “Educating Rita,” which tells a story that emphasizes the positive changes that friendship and learning can have on a person’s life. 8 p.m. (March 4-5, 11-12); 3 p.m. (March 6 and 13). $30. Charles Bender Performing Arts Center, 611 Higgins St., Humble. 281-583-7575. www.texasreptheatre.com 05 EXPLORE LOCAL NATURE Enjoy a day discovering the beauty of Humble’s Jones Park during its 18th annual NatureFest, which will include guided tours of the park, presentations from sta£ and more than 30 educational exhibits showcasing the park’s diverse natural environment. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive, Humble. 281-446-8588. www.hcp4.net 05 LISTEN TO LIVEMUSIC Visit the Old Humble Food, Music and Whiskey Festival to enjoy more than 15 live musical performances as well as shopping, food trucks, games and $5 drinks. Noon-9 p.m. $10. Old Humble Distilling Co., 19103 Continental Parkway,
MARCH 02 ENJOYMUSIC INNATURE Bring out the children to learn about rhythm and music principles at Mercer Botanic Garden’s Music in the Gardens event. Recommended for children ages 2-5, the event will feature a mixture of song, instrument and movement exercises to inspire creativity and music appreciation. The event will be held outdoors, so participants should dress for the weather. Online registration is required to attend. 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westeld Road, Humble. 713-274-4160. www.hcp4.net Visit Redemption Square in the master- planned community Generation Park to enjoy live music and shop from a selection of artisan vendors o ering food, art, candles, jewelry and other locally made items. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Redemption Square, 250 Assay St., Houston. 713-860-3000. www.redemptionsquare.com (Courtesy McCord Development)
FEBRUARY 26 BOOGIE AT THEMARDI GRAS FESTIVAL Get out a pair of dancing shoes for Kingwood Town Center’s annual Mardi Gras Festival and Parade. The festival will feature live musical performances from several artists, including Leroy Thomas and the Zydeco Roadrunners, and a parade at 2 p.m. with prizes awarded to the best entries. The event will also feature a variety of vendors selling food, crafts, jewelry and accessories. 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Free. Town Center Park, 8 N. Main
St., Kingwood. 346-600-2366. www.towncenterevents.com
Find more or submit Lake Houston-area events at communityimpact.com/event-calendar. Event organizers can submit local events online to be considered for the print edition. Submitting details for consideration does not guarantee publication.
Cameron H. Hayes, AAMS ® , CRPC ® , CRPS ® FINANCIAL ADVISOR 19701 Kingwood Dr., Bldg 1 • Suite A Kingwood, TX 77339 832-644-2117 cameron.hayes@edwardjones.com edwardjones.com
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022
TRANSPORTATIONUPDATES TomRamsey talks redistricting, priorities for Harris County’s newPrecinct 3
ONGOING PROJECTS
BY HANNAH ZEDAKER
FERNE DR.
INCREASING OPERATIONS
Maintaining county roadways and parks are among Harris County Pre- cinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s top priorities for his new jurisdiction, which will span from Cypress to Humble, beginning March 31. Following the results of the 2020 decennial census, Harris County commissioners selected a new boundary map for the county’s four commissioner precincts, which drastically ips Precincts 3 and 4. “Despite the numerous challenges ahead, we will work together closely to make this transition as smooth as possible for all our constituents,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle wrote in a Jan. 27 email. To prepare for the transition, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said precincts 3 and 4 stas have been meeting on a daily basis to ensure no projects fall through the cracks. Ramsey said his sta is in the process of moving into three new road camps throughout the new Precinct 3, which will include the
Harris County’s new commissioner Precinct 3 has 60% more lane miles and ve more parks to maintain than the old Precinct 3.
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Population: 1.18M
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ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF FEB. 17. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT LHKNEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. feedback, visit www.txdot.gov. Timeline: fall 2022-spring 2024 Cost: $3.6 million Funding sources: state and federal FM 1314 safety improvements The Texas Department of Transportation will be collecting community input until Feb. 28 on a proposed project that would replace the existing center turn lane on FM 1314 with a raised median between Ferne Drive and South Loop 494. The project is expected to go out for bids this summer and will take an estimated 1.5 years to complete once construction begins. To submit
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relocation of about 100 sta members and 40 dump trucks. “[Our] commitment ... is that we don’t disrupt transportation proj- ects; we maintain those that have already begun so we can complete construction,” Ramsey said. “There’s a really good [chance] that anything I proposed in [old Precinct] 3, Cagle’s going to do and anything Cagle
proposed in [old Precinct] 4, I’m going to do.” Ramsey said his new precinct includes 6,000 lane miles and 68 parks—up from 3,750 lane miles and 63 parks in his former precinct. “We’re ready for the challenge,” he said. “Are we going to have to get more equipment ... [and] hire more people? Absolutely. That’s underway.”
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10
COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
ENVIRONMENT Scope of LakeHouston dam improvement project scaled back
Seizing SEDIMENT
The $222 million dredging project has removed 2.7 million cubic yards of sediment from the San Jacinto River since September 2018, and ocials estimate the project will remove at least 1 million more cubic yards of sediment.
East Fork of the San Jacinto River
Completed projects Planned projects
BY WESLEY GARDNER
at a rate of 10,000 cubic feet per second. Martin said the initial plan to add roughly 1,000 feet of modern oodgates to the existing structure would have quadrupled the amount of water Lake Houston could release. Stephen Costello, chief recovery ocer for the city of Houston, said the newly proposed design would instead add 500 feet of gates to the spillway, although he noted the nal design of the project will not be submitted until September. Costello said ocials anticipate the Federal Emergency Management Agency will approve the project by Jan. 1, 2023, with construction beginning in either late spring or early summer and taking 18 months to complete. The dam spillway improvement project is being funded through a FEMA hazard mitigation grant, the city of Houston and the Harris County Flood Control District,
West Fork of the San Jacinto River
The Lake Houston dam spillway improvement project will be scaled back in scope after ocials deter- mined the estimated cost of the project exceeded its approximately $48 million budget, city of Houston ocials said Jan. 20. The city has been working to add gates to the Lake Houston dam since Hurricane Harvey hit in August 2017. According to Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin, the shortcomings of the Lake Houston dam were highlighted during Harvey as it was overwhelmed with water being discharged at a rate of 425,000 cubic feet per second. “It’s a structure that was never really meant to do what we want it to do, so with that comes some chal- lenges,” Martin said. Built in 1953, the dam consists of a spillway structure with four small gates, which can release water
Mouth bar
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though ocials did not specify the cost of the new proposal. Additionally, Martin provided updates on roughly $222 million worth of dredging projects aimed at clearing out sediment and debris in the San Jacinto River and Lake Hous- ton. The projects are being funded through FEMA, grant dollars from the Texas Water Development Board, the
city of Houston and Harris County. Since 2018, 2.7 million cubic yards of debris have been removed from the West Fork of the San Jacinto River as well as the mouth bar—a gathering of sediment at the conuence of the West Fork and Lake Houston. Martin said the next project would focus on the river’s East Fork followed by Roger’s Gulley and Lake Houston.
Construction Is Our Business
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022
NEWS BRIEFS
News from the Lake Houston area
Partnership LakeHouston names newpresident, CEO
BY WESLEY GARDNER
president of economic development in September, although he did not ocially begin his employment until Nov. 1. He had served as the organization’s interim CEO since December before accepting the position. LaCour will continue to serve as the partnership’s chief economic development ocer in his expanded role. According to board Chair Erica Johnston, the organiza- tion is actively seeking to hire an executive vice presi- dent to manage the partnership’s chamber of commerce operations as well as community and public relations. LaCour came to Partnership Lake Houston after serv- ing as the president and CEO of the Katy Area Economic Development Council for more than 16 years. With a master’s degree in economic development from the University of Southern Mississippi, LaCour boasts more than 30 years of economic development experience.
Partnership Lake Houston ocials selected Lance LaCour to take on the role of president and CEO of the chamber of commerce and economic development organization, ocials said in a Jan. 21 news release. LaCour will be taking on the position following the departure of former CEO Jenna Armstrong in November.
Lance LaCour
“I want to thank the board of directors of Partnership Lake Houston for this opportunity to lead the orga- nization,” LaCour said in an emailed statement. “The Partnership Lake Houston team looks forward to an exciting 2022.” LaCour was originally hired as the partnership’s
Humble City Council selects architectural rm to design city’s upcoming senior activity center
BY HANNAH ZEDAKER
center for the city of Mont Belvieu, Holliday said. “I’m glad you’re all excited; we’re excited to be working with you,” Holliday said. “I know it’s something you’ve been wanting for a long time, so we’ll identify all the wishes and needs, and then we’ll put some dollar amounts to that and see where that will go. It’s your facility, so we want to incorporate your ideas, [but] we’ve also got to meet some budgets, so we’ve got some work to do.” Until the new center is com- pleted, Humble seniors will continue to use space at the Hum- ble Civic Center and the Phillip Cezeaux Recreation Building as they have since programming was reinstated in spring 2021.
Humble City Council unani- mously approved a professional services agreement with Brown Reynolds Watford Architects Inc. to provide architectural and engineering design services for the city’s new senior activity center Jan. 27. As previously reported by Community Impact Newspaper , Humble City Council included $2 million in the city’s scal year 2021-22 budget to build a new 10,000-square-foot senior activity center with hopes of completing construction by the rst or second quarter of 2023. The new facility will be built on land already owned by the city, located o South Houston Avenue between the Octavia Fields Branch Library and the city’s former senior activity center, which is being demolished to make room for the city’s new Fire Station No. 2. According to Ray Holliday, a principal architect with BRW Architects Inc. who spoke during the Jan. 27 meeting, the company will be working with city ocials as well as local seniors to collect input to be incorporated into the center’s design. Most recently, the architectural and planning rm completed a senior activity
The new ambulance will be similar to those ordered by the entities in fall 2020.
COURTESY ATASCOCITA FIRE DEPARTMENT
Atascocita Fire Department receives grant for ambulance
BY HANNAH ZEDAKER
Harris County Emergency Services District No. 46 and the Atascocita Fire Department will be purchasing a new ambulance following the receipt of a grant to fund the expenditure from the Northeast Hospital Authority, ocials announced in a Jan. 17 news release. The new ambulance will be similar to those ordered by the entities in fall 2020 and is expected to be delivered in June, the release stated. The Atascocita Fire Department— an all-hazards emergency service provider in unincorporated northeast Harris County—operates four mobile intensive care unit-level ambulances, three re engines and one ladder truck from three stations throughout the Atascocita community. According to the release, the department responded to over 6,500 emergency medical services calls in 2021.
1960
59
Octavia Fields Branch Library
Humble Civic Center
N
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Humble & New Caney ISDs
Humble ISD trustees call $775Mbond election forMay 7
BY WESLEY GARDNER
Support Services oces. Proposed bond projects also
TRACKING TAX RATES Humble ISD ocials said the 2022 bond referendum would not result in a tax rate increase. 2017: $1.52 2018: $1.52* 2019: $1.41835 2020: $1.38405 2021: $1.3389
HUMBLE ISD Trustees voted unanimously Feb. 15 to call for a $775 million bond election to be held May 7 for Humble ISD. Voters will have the opportunity to consider two bond propositions: Proposition A, which totals $730 mil- lion and relates to proposed facilities improvements, and Proposition B, which totals $45 million and relates to technology expenditures. Among the projects featured in the bond are a new Mosaic Program building, which would serve stu- dents with disabilities ages 18-22; replacement campuses for Sterling Middle School and Foster Elementary School; the construction of Middle School No. 11; and new Educational
include phases 2 and 3 of Humble High School’s planned additions and renovations; a Summer Creek High School classroom addition; ne arts additions and renovations at high schools and middle schools; and career and technical education classroom and lab renovations at high schools and middle schools. The bond also proposes turf at high school baseball and softball elds; a Summerwood Elementary School classroom addition; and practice gyms at Atascocita, Creekwood, Humble, Riverwood and Timberwood middle schools. Additional projects include dance classrooms at all middle schools; new
Humble ISD board of trustees will meet at 7 p.m. March 8 at 20200 Eastway Village Drive, Humble. 281-641-1000. www.humbleisd.net MEETINGSWE COVER New Caney ISD board of trustees will meet at 6 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 21 at 21360 Valley Ranch Parkway, New Caney. 281-577-8600. www.newcaneyisd.org Lone Star College System board of trustees will meet at 5 p.m. March 3 at 5000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands. 832-813-6500. www.lonestar.edu SCHOOL NOTES HUMBLE ISD The Texas Association of School Administrators and the Texas Association of School Boards recently named Humble ISD as one of three recipients of the Caudill Award—the highest honor presented at the organization’s annual Exhibit of School Architecture—ocials said in a Jan. 25 news release. According to the release, HISD’s Centennial Elementary School—designed by Joiner Architects Inc.—was selected as a recipient for the Caudill Award for its focus on telling the 100-year story of the district, which includes themed pods for each grade level that showcase the area’s history, such as an origin-of-oil theme for third-graders and a forest theme for kindergarteners. The district was ocially honored at the TASA and TASB’s Midwinter 2022 conference, which was held Jan. 30-Feb. 2. COURTESY HUMBLE ISD Humble ISD’s Centennial Elementary School features themed learning pods.
SOURCE: HUMBLE ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER *BOND ELECTION YEAR
outdoor play and tness equipment districtwide; the addition of daylight- ing through windows or skylights at elementary and middle schools; and a child nutrition work area renovation. For more information about the bond, visit www.humbleisd.net/cbac.
NewCaneyHigh School gets bumped up toUIL Conference 6A
MOVING UP New Caney High School will compete in Conference 6A for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.
Number of students
BY WESLEY GARDNER
Schools
Conference
NEWCANEY ISD Football, basketball and volleyball teams at New Caney High School have been bumped up from Conference 5A to Conference 6A competition for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years, according to a Feb. 3 announcement from the University Interscholastic League. Porter High School—New Caney ISD’s other high school eligible for UIL competition—will remain in Conference 5A, while West Fork High School, which will open in August, is not yet eligible for UIL competition. UIL classies schools into conferences based on enroll- ment. Conference 6A includes high schools with more than 2,225 students enrolled, while Conference 5A is restricted to campuses with 1,300-2,224 students. New Caney High School football, basketball and volley- ball teams will compete in the Conference 6A District 13, which includes Cleveland ISD’s Cleveland High School;
New Caney High School Porter High School West Fork High School*
6A 5A Not yet eligible for UIL competition 2,225 or more 1,300-2,224
SOURCES: UNIVERSITY INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE, NEW CANEY ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER *OPENING IN AUGUST
Conroe ISD’s Conroe, Caney Creek, Grand Oaks, Oak Ridge, The Woodlands and The Woodlands College Park high schools; and Willis ISD’s Willis High School. Scott Powers, executive director of public relations for NCISD, said some sports at West Fork High School may compete at the varsity level beginning in the 2023-24 school year, though he noted the school’s football program will not eld a varsity team until at least 2024-25.
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022
COMPILED BY HANNAH ZEDAKER 2022 P R I M A R Y E L E C T I O N G U I D E GUIDE Candidates and information for the March primaries
D A T E S T O K N O W Feb. 14 First day of early voting
W H E R E T O V O T E
Harris County residents can vote at any polling location during early voting and on election day. Montgomery County residents can vote at any polling location during early voting but must vote at their assigned precinct on election day. For more information, visit www.harrisvotes.com and https://elections.mctx.org. SOURCES: TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE, HARRIS COUNTY ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE¡COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
March 1 Primary election day March 1 Last day to receive ballot by mail (or March 3 if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at location of election)
Feb. 18 Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) Feb. 25 Last day of early voting
S A M P L E B A L L O T
R Republican
D Democrat
*Incumbent
Voters can vote in the Republican or Democratic primary, but not both. Only candidates in contested primary elections are listed below.
Harris County judge R H.Q. Bolanos R George Harry Zoes R Alexandra del Moral Mealer R Vidal Martinez R Robert Dorris R Randy Kubosh R Martina Lemond Dixon R Oscar Gonzales R Warren A. Howell D Georgia D. Provost D Erica Davis D Maria Garcia D Ahmad R. “Robbeto” Hassan D Lina Hidalgo* D Kevin Howard Montgomery County judge R Sara Countryman R Mark Keough* R Billy Gra Montgomery County Precinct 4 commissioner
R Eva Guzman D S. “Tbone” Raynor
D Susan Hays D Ed Ireson Railroad commissioner
R Jaimy Blanco R Julio Garza Texas Senate, District 15 D Molly Cook D John Whitmire* Texas House of Representatives, District 127 R Charles Cunningham R Deanna Robertson Texas House of Representatives, District 142 D Candis Houston D Harold V. Dutton Jr.* Texas House of Representatives, District 15 R Steve Toth* R Maris Blair Texas House of Representatives, District 18 R Ernest Bailes* R Janis Holt R Stephen A. Missick R Ronnie Tullos Texas House of Representatives, District 3 R Kelly McDonald R Cecil Bell Jr.*
STATEWIDE
D Lee Merritt D Mike Fields D Joe Jaworski D Rochelle Mercedes Garza Comptroller of public accounts R Mark V. Goloby R Glenn Hegar* D Janet T. Dudding D Tim Mahoney D Angel Luis Vega Commissioner of the General Land Oce R Rufus Lopez R Victor Avila R Tim Westley R Don W. Minton R Ben Armenta R Weston Martinez R Jon Spiers R Dawn Buckingham D Jinny Suh D Michael Lange D Sandragrace Martinez D Jay Kleberg Commissioner of agriculture R Sid Miller* R James White R Carey A. Counsil
Governor R Paul Belew R Danny Harrison R Rick Perry** R Allen B. West R Greg Abbott* R Don Hunes R Kandy Kaye Horn R Chad Prather
R Dawayne Tipton R Tom Slocum Jr. R Wayne Christian* R Marvin “Sarge” Summers † R Sarah Stogner Supreme Court justice, Place 9 R David J. Schenck R Evan Young* Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 5 R Scott Walker* R Clint Morgan LOCAL U.S. House of Representatives, District 2 R Jameson Ellis R Milam Langella R Dan Crenshaw* R Martin Etwop U.S. House of Representatives, District 29 R Robert Schafranek R Lulite Ejigu
D Rich Wakeland D Beto O’Rourke D Joy Diaz D Inocencio (Inno) Barrientez D Michael Cooper Lieutenant governor R Todd M. Bullis
R Dan Patrick* R Daniel Miller R Zach Vance
R Aaron Sorrells R Trayce Bradford D Michelle Beckley D Carla Brailey D Mike Collier Attorney general R Ken Paxton* R Louie Gohmert R George P. Bush
R Matthew Gray R James Metts*
** CANDIDATE IS NOT FORMER GOV. RICK PERRY
† MARVIN “SARGE” SUMMERS DIED FEB. 8; HOWEVER, HIS NAME WILL STILL APPEAR ON THE BALLOT.
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
CANDIDATE INFO
Get to know the candidates running in the election
2 0 2 2 P R I M A R Y E L E C T I O N G U I D E
Incumbent
COMPILED BY COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER STAFF
U.S. House of Representatives, District 2, Republican primary
JAMESON ELLIS
MILAM LANGELLA
DAN CRENSHAW
MARTIN ETWOP
Occupation: law student (nal semester), Chris- tian missionary
Occupation: U.S. con- gressman Relevant experience: retired Lt. commander
Candidate did not submit responses by press time www.milam4congress.com
Candidate did not submit responses by press time www.jamesonellis.com
Relevant experience: church planter, mission team lead, father of three, event coordinator, automotive manufacturing, after-school program director www.martinetwop.com
with the U.S. Navy SEALs; earned two Bronze Stars (one with valor), the Purple Heart, and the Navy Commendation medal with valor www.crenshawforcongress.com
U.S. House of Representatives, District 29, Republican primary
ROBERT SCHAFRANEK
LULITE EJIGU
JAIMY BLANCO
JULIO GARZA
Occupation: real estate investor Relevant experience: Candidate did not submit response www.jaimyblancofor congress.com
Occupation: insurance agent Relevant experience: bachelor’s degree in political science, minor
Candidate did not submit responses by press time www.lulitefortexas.com
Candidate did not submit responses by press time
in international relations, masters degree in public administration www.juliogarzatexas29forcongress.com
Texas Senate, District 15, Democratic primary
Texas House of Representatives, District 3, Republican primary
MOLLY COOK
KELLY MCDONALD
Occupation: Realtor Relevant experience: former school board trustee, housing authority commissioner, president of Magnolia Rotary www.kellyfortexas.com
Occupation: emergency room nurse Relevant experience: community organizer with Stop TxDOT I-45, lifelong Houston-area resident, masters degree in public health with a focus in health policy www.mollyfortexas.com
JOHN WHITMIRE
CECIL BELL JR.
Occupation: general contractor and rancher Relevant experience: self-employed contractor/rancher, Lt. colo- nel in Texas State Guard, conservative member of the Texas House www.cecilbelljr.com
Occupation: state senator Relevant experience: 10 years in the Texas House, 38 years in the Texas Senate www.johnwhitmire.com
Texas House of Representatives, District 18, Republican primary
ERNEST BAILES
JANIS HOLT
STEPHEN A. MISSICK
RONNIE TULLOS
Occupation: business owner Relevant experience: nearly 20 years of grassroots activism through the GOP
Occupation: pastor, edu- cator, military chaplain Relevant experience: military veteran with two combat tours to Iraq, three years serving on
Occupation: rancher, self-employed Relevant experience: served three terms as the state representative for District 18, small- business owner
Candidate did not submit responses by press time
the border with the mili- tary, author, lmmaker www.facebook.com/drstephenamissick
www.holtfortexas.com
www.bailesfortexas.com
Answers may have been edited for length and style. Read full Q&A’s at communityimpact.com .
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022
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