Lake Houston - Humble - Kingwood Edition | September 2024

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Lake Houston Humble

Kingwood Edition VOLUME 9, ISSUE 5 SEPT. 20OCT. 17, 2024

Food services projects prompt budget gaps

Humble ISD begins 202425 school year with $15M shortfall despite budget cuts

BY WESLEY GARDNER & EMILY LINCKE

Humble ISD ocials began the 2024-25 school year on Aug. 7 with an emphasis on food services spending, which ocials said helped lead to a $15 million shortfall in this year’s budget. HISD Chief Financial Ocer Billy Beattie noted around $36.2 million of the district’s $651 million budget for scal year 2024-25 is allocated toward various food services projects. Additionally, Beattie pointed to a number of other factors ocials had to consider while drafting the budget, including: • The loss of federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds • An approximate 3% reduction in attendance resulting in a roughly $12.5 million loss in state funding • A $5 million loss in state revenue based on the district losing its fast-growth status • A nearly $10.6 million increase in operational costs due to ination District leaders have stated they hope to see additional funding allocated to public school districts in the 89th Texas legislative session, which begins Jan. 14.

Humble ISD ocials pointed to $36.2 million allocated toward various food services projects as the main factor leading to the roughly $15 million shortfall included in the district’s scal year 202425 budget.

CONTINUED ON 12

COURTESY HUMBLE ISD

Also in this issue

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Government: Humble allocates $27.2M toward infrastructure projects in budget—learn how the city is spending those funds (Page 8)

Community: Get to know Partnership Lake Houston’s new president and CEO, Ray Hernandez (Page 19)

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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION

1485

1314

Impacts

99 TOLL

VALLEY RANCH PKWY.

494

4 Ostioneria Michoacan The seafood restaurant features a full bar and offers an extensive menu with dishes ranging from ceviche and shrimp to oysters and lobster. • Opened Aug. 21 • 24183 Hwy. 59, Porter • www.ostioneriamichoacan.net 5 Pop Drinks This franchise offers customizable soda options allowing customers to create unique beverages. • Opened Aug. 8 • 4902 Atascocita Road, Ste. 101, Humble • www.ilovepopdrinks.com 6 Daiso The Japanese retailer boasts an extensive range of products at affordable prices. • Opened Aug. 24 • 19639 Hwy. 59 S., Humble • www.daisous.com 7 Studio One Dental The general dentistry practice offers a variety of dental health care services ranging from preventive checkups, cleanings, extractions and root canals to cosmetic procedures such as veneers and implants. • Opened July 27 • 4920 Atascocita Road, Ste. 900, Humble • www.studioonedental.com 8 Bridges Point Office Park Developed by Edmonds & Company, the new office park features single-story office condominiums ranging in size from 1,225-6,125 square feet with prices starting in the $330,000s. • Opened Aug. 22 • 17904 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Atascocita • www.bridgespointofficepark.com

LAKE HOUSTON WILDERNESS PARK

FORD RD.

WOODLAND HILLS DR.

N O R T H P A R

SORTERS MCCLELLAN RD.

Kingwood

TOWNSEN BLVD.

FIELDTREE DR.

LAKE HOUSTON

UPPER LAKE DR.

1960

HOUSTON AVE.

FM 1960 BYPASS RD.

1960

W. LAKE HOUSTON PKWY.

TIMBER FOREST DR.

Humble

2 9

WILL CLAYTON PKWY.

Atascocita

GREENS RD.

MADERA RUN PKWY.

MAP NOT TO SCALE

pizzas and calzones as well as buffalo wings, salads, appetizers and desserts. • Opened Sept. 5 • 12235 Will Clayton Parkway, Ste. 8, Humble • www.pepperonis.net 3 Parry’s Pizzeria & Taphouse The restaurant offers New York-style pizza, wings, calzones, sandwiches, wraps, salads and pastas. • Opened Sept. 16 • 4331 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood • www.parryspizza.com/locations/kingwood

Now open

1 Mexichido Bar & Grill This eatery serves carnitas, fajitas and combo plates with items such as tacos, enchiladas and tamales. • Opened Aug. 23 • 1414 Northpark Drive, Kingwood • No website or phone number 2 Pepperoni’s The pizzeria offers signature and build-your-own

Coming soon

9 Burger Fresh This Conroe-based eatery was initially established

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14 Whataburger Construction on a new location of this fast-food eatery in Atascocita is scheduled to begin in September and wrap up in November, according to a TDLR filing. • 7530 FM 1960 Road E., Atascocita • www.whataburger.com 15 Humble Elementary School Humble ISD officials celebrated the opening of a new fiesta-themed playground at this campus on Aug. 29. Officials noted the playground is part of the district’s $775 million bond approved by voters in 2022, and is open to the public when school is not in session. • 20252 Fieldtree Drive, Humble • www.humbleisd.net/o/he 16 Wetzel’s Pretzels The kiosk located in Deerbrook Mall’s food court reopened Sept. 9 after undergoing renovations. The business serves soft pretzels in a variety of sweet and savory flavors, as well as pretzel dogs and dipping sauces. • 20131 Hwy. 59, Humble • www.wetzels.com

in 1997 and offers a variety of dishes, including hamburgers, Philly cheesesteaks, fish baskets and chicken dishes. • Opening in the fourth quarter of 2024 • 12235 Will Clayton Parkway, Ste. 1, Humble • www.burgerfreshconroe.com 10 The PickleBall Zone Previously anticipated to open this summer, this indoor- only pickleball sports complex is now expected to open this fall. The venue will feature 10 courts and offer both private and group lessons in addition to hosting tournaments. • Opening in October • 22056 W. Ford Road, Porter • www.thepbz.com

Now open

17 Cowboy Surfer With an original location at 827 Frostwood Drive, Houston, the cowboy- and surfer-themed venue regularly hosts live music and open mic nights. The business also features a full bar serving beer, wine and signature cocktails as well as a kitchen serving Texas-style entrees. • Opened Aug. 23

Relocations

11 Lil Moe’s Potatoes Previously located in Spring, this food truck serves potatoes topped with brisket, sausage, chicken or seafood; wings; barbecue sandwiches; fried catfish

bowls; and fruity lemonade. • Relocated in late August

• 23842 Hwy. 59 N., Kingwood • www.cowboysurferbar.com

• 15720 Woodland Hills Drive, Humble • www.facebook.com/lilmoespotatoes

Worth the trip

Lumos This 45,000-square-foot entertainment venue will provide activities for all ages in Valley Ranch Town Center. The venue will offer an array of activities, including bowling, laser tag, ax throwing, arcade games and virtual reality. • Opening in 2025 • 22296 Market Place Drive, Ste. 100, New Caney • www.lumossocial.com Amazon Following a three-year delay, Amazon will activate its facility in Porter in September, officials with the East Montgomery County Improvement District announced via Facebook Sept. 3. While no additional details have been released as of press time, the facility was expected to bring about 300 full-time jobs to the Porter community when the project was originally announced.

In the news

• Intersection of Hwy. 59 and Grand Parkway, Porter • www.amazon.com

12 Black Rock Coffee Bar Construction on a new Humble location of this coffee shop is slated to begin in November and wrap up by March, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing. • 3934 FM 1960 Bypass Road W., Humble • www.br.coffee 13 Baskin Robbins Construction on a new Humble location of this ice cream shop is expected to begin in January and wrap up in June, according to a TDLR filing. Founded in 1945, Baskin Robbins boasts 42 ice cream flavors. • 8790 FM 1960 Bypass Road W., Ste. B300, Humble • www.baskinrobbins.com

Marble Slab Creamery & Great American Cookies

The joint ice cream and cookie shop offers a variety of small-batch ice cream flavors with free mix-ins and

hand-rolled waffle cones. • Opened in early August • 22118 Market Place Drive, New Caney • www.marbleslab.com • www.greatamericancookies.com

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LAKE HOUSTON - HUMBLE - KINGWOOD EDITION

Government

BY JESSICA SHORTEN

Humble City Council budgets $27.2M in improvements

Council approves museum support

FY 2024-25 infrastructure projects

Wastewater projects $12.5M Road projects $7.4M Water projects $3.9M Drainage projects $3.4M

Humble City Council members authorized $80,000 to the Humble Museum on Aug. 22 for restoration and tourism initiatives. The backstory The Humble Museum had undergone multiple expansions and renovations before moving to the band hall at Charles Bender High School in November 2020. According to previous Community Impact reporting, the city provided over $520,000 for renovations to the museum and has allocated funding each year since. What’s next? The new set of funding will go toward expanding exhibits at the museum and promoting tourism opportunities for visitors to the city.

Humble City Council members moved through the city’s proposed fiscal year 2024-25 budget on Aug. 13 allocating $27.2 million toward infrastruc- ture projects over the next year. Following the completion of several projects— including the replacement of Humble Fire Station No. 2, a new senior activity center, the South Bender Avenue rehabilitation project and the reconfiguration of Main Street and South Houston Avenue—council members agreed to allocate funding across four project categories: wastewa- ter, road, water and drainage. A closer look The projects include smaller improvements to flow and drainage across the city as well as replacing aging lines. Budget documents show

$27.2M

SOURCE: CITY OF HUMBLE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

the most critical project is the replacement of the main sewer line connecting the northern part of the city to water and sewer treatment plants. “We are finally at a point where it is 100% engineered and designed,” City Manager Jason Stuebe said. The line replacement is expected to take 18 months to complete, but Stuebe said city officials are hoping to bid the project for con- struction in October.

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Education

BY HANNAH NORTON

Student outcomes under TEA pilot program Lubbock ISD began piloting the TEA’s elementary-level materials at four schools during the 2021-22 school year. All 28 elementary schools were using the materials by the 2023-24 school year. The percentage of LISD elementary students who met grade level standards on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness increased from 2019-2024 across all grade levels and demographics. Texas aims to support students, teachers with new textbooks The Texas State Board of Education is set to approve a new collection of language arts and math textbooks this fall that state leaders hope will help close student achievement gaps and reduce time teachers spend creating lesson plans.

Among the proposed materials are textbooks developed by the Texas Education Agency since 2020. The state-developed textbooks would be available for free online and include kindergarten through fifth grade reading and language arts; kindergarten through eighth grade math; and Algebra 1. If the SBOE approves the textbooks in Novem- ber, public school districts could begin implement- ing them—which is entirely optional—during the 2025-26 school year. The overview Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 1605 last year amid concerns about student performance and whether teachers are using instructional materials that meet state educational standards. For the first time, the law directs the state to create a list of high-quality textbooks and sets aside $324 million for districts to purchase the new materials. The state textbooks will ensure students are learning at their grade level and build on import- ant concepts each year, said Shannon Trejo, the TEA’s deputy commissioner of school programs. The TEA has piloted its textbooks in school districts around the state, such as Lubbock ISD, since 2021. Some districts recorded “tremendous” student growth with the materials, Trejo said. Put in perspective Some Texans have objected to frequent ref- erences to the Bible in the elementary school

2019 2024

30% 20% 10% 0% 40% 50% 60%

NOTE: STUDENTS DO NOT BEGIN TAKING THE STAAR TEST UNTIL THIRD GRADE.

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

community is that there is so much Christian con- tent that is presented as fact,” said Bee Moorhead, the executive director of Texas Impact, an inter- faith policy organization. “The point of faith is that it’s not the same thing as knowledge.” Lawmakers discussed the state-developed materials during an Aug. 12 Texas House hearing. Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, said public schools “should never be ashamed” of teaching students about Christianity. “The world’s major religions did not have an equal impact on the founding belief systems of our country,” Schaefer said. “They did not have an equal impact on the American and Texas legal system or Western civilization and our culture.”

curriculum and raised concerns that the materials do not depict other religions equally. For example, a proposed fifth grade reading passage about the Renaissance describes Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous painting, “The Last Supper,” and includes excerpts of the Book of Matthew, which focuses on the crucifixion of Jesus. Other religions are also included in the text- books. A proposed fourth grade poetry lesson, which is available on the SBOE website, includes a poem by Kshemendra, a 12th-century poet who “studied Buddhism and Hinduism, and ... wrote epic poems based on various stories and gods from those religions.” “A big part of the concern for the faith

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LAKE HOUSTON - HUMBLE - KINGWOOD EDITION

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494

Transportation

FORDRD.

BY HANNAH BROL

OLD SORTERS RD.

SORTERS MCCLELLAN RD. 3 West Lake Houston Parkway, Pine Cup Drive trac signal Project: The trac signal will be rebuilt at the intersection of West Lake Houston Parkway and Pine Cup Drive. Update: This project is in the design phase. • Timeline: Estimatedcompletion by the second quarter of 2025 • Cost: TBD • Funding source: Harris County Precinct 3 4 West Lake Houston Parkway, Upper Lake Drive trac signal Project: The trac signal will be rebuilt at the intersection of West Lake Houston Parkway and Upper Lake Drive. Update: This project is in the design phase. • Timeline: Estimated completion by the second quarter of 2025 • Cost: TBD • Funding source: Harris County Precinct 3 TOWNSEN BLVD. F I RSTST. 1960

Upcoming projects

Kingwood

1 West Lake Houston Parkway sidewalk from Lakewood Pines Boulevard to Fintry Hills Street Project: Sidewalks will be constructed on West Lake Houston Parkway from Lakewood Pines Boulevard to Fintry Hills Street. Update: This project is in the design phase. • Timeline: Estimatedcompletion by the fourth quarter of 2024 • Cost: TBD • Funding source: Harris County Precinct 3 2 West Lake Houston Parkway, Lonesome Woods Trail trac signal Project: The trac signal will be rebuilt at the intersection of West Lake Houston Parkway and Lonesome Woods Trail. Update: This project is in the design phase. • Timeline: Estimated completion by the second quarter of 2025 • Cost: TBD • Funding source: Harris County Precinct 3

WOODLAND HILLS DR.

LAKE HOUSTON PKWY.

UPPER LAKE DR.

PINE CUP DR.

Humble

1960

TIMBER FOREST DR.

LONESOME WOODS TRAIL

WILL CLAYTON PKWY.

Atascocita

LAKE HOUSTON

GREENSRD.

MADERA RUN PKWY.

FINTRY HILL ST. LAKE

HOUSTON PKWY.

ALDINE BENDER RD.

LAKEWOOD PINES BLVD.

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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION

Food services projects prompt budget gaps From the cover

What’s happening?

Projected fiscal year 2024-25 shortfall per student

Cy-Fair ISD

Conroe ISD

Humble ISD Klein ISD Spring ISD Tomball ISD

Of the 16 Greater Houston-area school districts covered by Community Impact , officials for 11 districts said they are expecting budget shortfalls in FY 2024-25. However, when comparing the shortfalls with the Texas Education Agency’s 2023-24 student enrollment numbers, HISD’s shortfall of $309 per student was the second-lowest per-student shortfall in the region. While HISD officials cited high rates of inflation and a lack of additional funding from the state as factors for the district’s budget shortfall, Beattie said the shortfall is also a result of plans to complete several previously planned food services initiatives that officials have been unable to take on over the last few years. Budget documents show the district is planning to spend roughly $36.2 million on various food services projects in FY 2024-25. Jonathan Frey, HISD assistant director of public communications, said the bulk of the projects consist of replacing and upgrading serving lines at multiple campuses as well as enhancing equipment to introduce new scratch-prepared menu options. Frey said the additional funding will extend some food service employees’ workdays and will include the cost of new uniforms. Smaller initiatives will include replacing ice machines, dishwashers and cafeteria tables, he said.

$0 -$200 -$400 -$600 -$800

-$245

-$309

-$409

-$678

-$737

-$1,200 -$1,000

-$1,170

NOTE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY ENROLLMENTS FROM THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR WERE USED TO CALCULATE THE SHORTFALL PER STUDENT. THE PER-STUDENT SHORTFALL TOTALS WERE CALCULATED USING SHORTFALLS THE DISTRICTS FACED BEFORE BUDGET CUTS WERE ANNOUNCED.

Historical Humble ISD budget shortfalls

Humble ISD Actual budget

Projected budget

-$10M

-$20M

-$30M

-$40M

FY 2015-16

FY 2018-19

FY 2021-22

FY 2024-25

NOTE: FROM MARCH 2020 UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2024, FEDERAL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO USE TO OFFSET BUDGET DEFICITS. SOURCES: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The breakdown

The impact

Despite the shortfall, trustees approved a budget containing a roughly $3.7 million compensation package including 1% on-average raises and a one- time stipend worth 1% of salaries for all employees. Beattie noted the compensation package would effectively raise a starting teacher’s salary in the district from $63,700 in FY 2023-24 to $64,987 in FY 2024-25. Several adjustments were also made to the district’s compensation plan, including raising the pay for: • Bus aides, child nutrition specialists and custodi- ans to $12.63 per hour • Special education paraprofessionals to $15 per hour • Bus drivers to $20 per hour Beattie also noted there would be no increases to health insurance premiums offered through the district’s self-funded insurance program.

While HISD officials said a budget shortfall could have been avoided if district officials had decided to hold off on planned improve- ments to food services initiatives, Beattie said future shortfalls could be a possibility without additional state funding. Beattie said there was also an estimated $20 million increase in state-mandated spending associated with House Bill 3, which—among several new security measures—requires school districts to have an armed security guard at each of their campuses. Beattie said officials pulled about $6.7 million from the district’s fund balance to help pay for several one-time expendi- tures. However, he noted the district still has around $68 million left in the fund balance to cover the cost of unexpected capital, emergency and safety expenditures.

According to HISD’s website, major cuts and expenditures in the FY 2024-25 budget include:

A nearly $40,000 cut to curriculum and instructional staff development $140,000 cut to data processing services

A roughly $50,000 cut to administrative spending

Roughly $3.7M spending increase on staff compensation

Around $36.2M spending increase on food services projects

SOURCE: HUMBLE ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY WESLEY GARDNER & EMILY LINCKE CONTRIBUTIONS BY DANICA LLOYD & HANNAH NORTON

Also of note

Stay tuned

measures aimed at increasing daily student atten- dance, Trustee Martina Lemond Dixon called on state lawmakers to consider transitioning to a funding system based on student enrollment as opposed to average daily attendance. Beattie also noted the district will no longer receive $5 million in recurring state funding because HISD is no longer considered a fast-growth district.

Beattie noted the district lost around $12.5 million in state revenue in the FY 2024-25 budget due to a roughly 3% decrease in student attendance. Texas public schools are financed based on attendance rates, with districts receiving $6,160 per student who meets the average daily attendance threshold, according to the TEA. While Beattie said the district is enacting

State Rep. Charles Cunningham, R-Houston, said he believes education will be at the forefront of the state’s upcoming legislative session. “The Legislature did not address school funding in the 88th session, so it will be a top priority,” Cunningham said. Cunningham noted the state’s Committee on Public Education would release a list of recommendations to address funding and educational opportunities in October. Bob Popinski—senior director of policy at Raise Your Hand Texas, a nonprofit education advocacy group—said he hopes education funding will be a focus in the upcoming 89th session. “School funding is … one of the priorities that the Legislature is going to have to take care of,” he said.

Humble ISD student population projections High-growth Actual enrollment

Moderate-growth

Low-growth

55K

50,221

48,758

50K

48,112

48,565

45K

45,210

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

2030

2031

2032 2033

NOTE: YEARS LISTED REFLECT THE BEGINNING OF SCHOOL YEAR

SOURCE: POPULATION AND SURVEY ANALYSTS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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LAKE HOUSTON - HUMBLE - KINGWOOD EDITION

Events

BY JOVANNA AGUILAR

Fall Events Guide

Hocus Pocus Gala Bloom Community Services is holding a “Hocus Pocus”- themed gala featuring a costume contest, dancing, a meal, a bar and silent auction. • Oct. 25, 7 p.m. • $125 (admission) • Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Parkway, Humble • www.bloomcommunityservicestx.org BOOFEST Kingwood Attendees can do seasonal shopping and enjoy both sweet and savory treats, all from local businesses offering handcrafted items. Kids can pick their own mini pumpkin, trick or treat, and ride a trackless train.

2024

Good Shepherd Fall Festival The Good Shepherd Episcopal Church is holding an event featuring games, bounce houses, face painting, vendors, craft booths and food. • Oct. 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • Free (admission) • 2929 Woodland Hills Drive, Kingwood • www.goodshepherdkingwood.org Annual Fall Car Show Hosted by Best Automotive, this event will showcase over 100 vehicles, and include judged competitions and auto-themed crafts and merchandise. • Oct. 13, noon-5 p.m. • Free (admission), $25 (vehicle entry) • 8 N. Main St., Kingwood • www.towncenterevents.com/fallcarshow.html OktoberFest This seventh annual event will return to Holy Comforter Lutheran Church, featuring German-inspired fare, brews from DECA Beer Company and live polka music.

• Oct. 19, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. • $3-$8 (admission) • 1901 Woodland Hills Drive, Kingwood • www.kwoktoberfest.org

October

Oktoberfest Back Pew Brewery is holding a Halloween-themed event with food vendors, Oktoberfest-only beer

Fall Sip N Shop Hosted by Kulture Rich Events, attendees of this event can sip wine while shopping. The first 100 glasses of wine are free for early attendees. • Oct. 19, 6-10 p.m. • Free (admission) • Bien Venue Events, 9630 N. Sam Houston Parkway E., Humble • Facebook: Kulture Rich Events Party Lake Houston Admission to this Partnership Lake Houston event includes appetizers, one drink, access to racing simulators and entry into a corn hole tournament. • Oct. 22, 5-9 p.m. • $70 (until Sept. 30), $80 (after Sept. 30) • Porky’s Backyard, 5131 Atascocita Road, Humble • www.lakehouston.org

releases and games. • Oct. 5, noon-7 p.m. • Free (admission) • 26452 Sorters McClellan Road, Porter • www.backpewbrewing.com

• Oct. 26, 4-9 p.m. • Free (admission) • 8 N. Main St., Kingwood • www.linktr.ee/thelivableforest

Old MacDonald’s Farm Pumpkin Patch Visit Old MacDonald’s Farm this fall to enjoy activities such as train rides, pony rides and a petting zoo. Young guests can receive a free pumpkin with the price of admission. • Sept. 17-Oct. 30, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. • $18.65 (admission), free (under 18 months old) • 3203 FM 1960 E., Humble • www.oldmacdonaldsfarmtexas.com/pumpkin- patch

EMCID’s Tricks & Treats Fall Fair The East Montgomery County Improvement District will host their Tricks & Treats Fall Fair, which features a fall market of local vendors, the EMCID Haunt and a maze. • Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • Free (admission) • 21310 Valley Ranch Bend Drive, New Caney • www.emctx.com/fall-fair2024

The Good Shepherd Pumpkin Patch The Good Shepherd Episcopal Church is holding a pumpkin patch and is recruiting volunteers to help set up the patch. Volunteering efforts begin Oct. 5, and the pumpkin patch will be held through the end of October. • Oct. 11-31, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. • Free (admission) • 2929 Woodland Hills Drive, Kingwood • www.goodshepherdkingwood.org

Trunk or Treat The Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and Kingwood Church of Christ are holding this joint event featuring decorated trunks, games, a cake walk and free candy. • Oct. 26, 4:30-6:30 p.m. • Free (admission) • 2929 Woodland Hills Drive, Kingwood • www.goodshepherdkingwood.org

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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Real estate

Across a majority of the ZIP codes that make up Community Impact’s Lake Houston coverage area, fewer homes sold in August 2024 than in August 2023. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

August 2023

August 2024

-1.85%

-29.55%

-44.68%

-44.74%

-25%

+15%

77044

77338

77339

77345

77346

77396

99 TOLL

77339

77345

77346

Median home sales price

77338

LAKE HOUSTON

August

2023

2024

77386

$297,500 $257,498 $300,000 $415,000 $334,000 $295,000

$337,500 $235,000 $300,000 $365,000 $336,000 $307,000

77044

77338

77339

Homes sold by price point

77345

August 2024

77346

77396

$800,000+

$600,000-$799,999

Average days on market +161.11% -37.74%

$400,000-$599,999

-24.24%

+19.05%

+25.71%

+14.81%

196

$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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Reach out today and we’ll create a care team for you that includes nurses, clinicians, and your primary care doctor — all in one place. Our team will get to understand all the factors that affect your health so they can give you the very best care for your conditions. You get their time, you get their attention, you get the help you need.

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Three convenient locations to serve you:

Village Medical - Humble 18652 McKay Blvd. Humble, TX 77338 M - F: 8am - 5pm

Village Medical - Kingwood 1210 Kingwood Dr., Ste. A Kingwood, TX 77339 M - F: 7am - 5pm

Village Medical - Humble East 3707 Atascocita Rd. Humble, TX 77396 M - F: 7am - 5pm

VM0454-0524

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Community

YOUR LOCAL GEICO AGENT MAKES BUNDLING SIMPLE.

BY WESLEY GARDNER

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Partnership Lake Houston names Ray Hernandez as new president, CEO of chamber, economic development firm

Ray Hernandez was named president and CEO of Partnership Lake Houston in July following the depar- ture of Kyle Sheldon in March. The Partnership—which serves as a chamber of commerce and economic development firm for the Humble, Kingwood and Atascocita areas—was initially established in April 1923. Hernandez is coming to The Partnership after having previously served in executive leadership roles at the San Marcos Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce, the Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Huntsville Walker County Chamber of Commerce. In an interview with Community Impact , Hernandez shared some insights on how he transitioned to his new role with Partnership Lake Houston and what the nonprofit offers to local businesses and businesses seeking to relocate to the area. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. What are some of your biggest accomplishments thus far? The thing I’m most passionate about is making posi- tive, generational change in a community—not change just to change, but impacting a community in a positive way generationally. ... In 2009, the Buda Chamber [of Commerce] and the Kyle [Area Chamber of Commerce] came together to help facilitate bringing Austin Commu- nity College to northern Hays County. ... When I was in Huntsville, some folks came to us and told us the school district was in pretty bad shape. Facility wise, there was a middle school where the auditorium hadn’t been used in six years. ... We got a good collection of people from every part of the community together [to help put together a bond package]. ... It had been 23 years since the district’s last bond election, and we passed two propositions in the same election. How has your prior experience helped lead you to where you are today? I think it’s just really the culmination of all of my experiences—San Marcos, Kyle, Lewisville, Huntsville— they’re all very different communities. To me, it’s about perspective. ... If you want to find a solution, you have to bring in people with diverse perspectives, whether you agree with those perspectives or not. The solution is going to be there somewhere. More than anything, I know I’m humble enough to know that I don’t have the answer, but I also know the answer exists here already. There are people in this community who can help us, who can lend a hand with their time and talent, to help us continue to move this community forward.

COURTESY PARTNERSHIP LAKE HOUSTON

What are some of the Lake Houston area’s biggest needs right now in terms of economic development? One of the challenges that we have—and it’s not unique to us—is that we have to continue to educate our elected officials and our partners in the area for economic development about the tools that are avail- able to solicit and retain good projects. There might be a project in Pennsylvania or Indiana that’s looking [to relocate], and many times we’re looking at different tools and incentives [to recruit them]. They could go just about anywhere, so we’re looking for partnerships with the city, the county, the state of Texas and the federal government. We have those opportunities, so it’s incumbent on us to continue to educate elected officials and partners about the use of tools that can better serve our community. How will you help make the Lake Houston area more attractive to prospective businesses? It’s already attractive to businesses, and it’s incum- bent on us to continue to do good marketing. ... We’re perfectly positioned in the northeastern quadrant of Harris County. Our service area abuts the International Airport. We have I-69. We have I-45. We have Lake Houston’s amenities... Sometimes, we lose sight of the fantastic environment we have, because we see it every day. ... Those are huge elements that really make this community attractive.

START YOUR QUOTE!

Dave Nelson 281-925-6733 ¡Hablamos Español!

LOCAL OFFICE Dave Nelson 281-925-6733 ¡Hablamos Español!

LAKE HOUSTON - HUMBLE - KINGWOOD EDITION

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Business

BY JOVANNA AGUILAR

Porky’s Backyard features a full bar serving beer, wine, hard seltzers and specialty cocktails.

JOVANNA AGUILARCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Barbecue is among the many types of cuisine oered by food trucks stationed at Porky’s Backyard.

COURTESY PORKY’S BACKYARD

Porky’s Backyard food truck park oers fun for all

favorites include: • The Blue Long Island, a fruity take on the standard Long Island Iced Tea • The Green Lambo, made with pineapple and melon liqueur A closer look The park showcases art created by local artists. Additionally, Porky’s Backyard has 12 Formula 1 racing simulators with full platform motion and screens located in its 2,000-square-foot mezza- nine. The food truck park also frequently holds events including car shows, live music, karaoke nights, rotating DJ nights and Throwback Thurs- day nights featuring ‘90s and ‘80s hits.

Porky’s Backyard, a 10,000-square-foot car- themed food truck park that opened in Humble in early January, was designed from the ground up by owner Austin Wolf. Zooming in Porky’s Backyard has 16 consistent food trucks with minimal rotating food trucks, Wolf said. The eateries oer several cuisine options includ- ing Mexican, Hawaiian barbecue, Columbian, Asian, Jamaican and seafood as well as dessert food trucks oering treats typically found at carni- vals. Wolf said the business oers the community a space to enjoy food and drinks with its full bar. The bar oers 40 tap beers, wine, hard seltzers and specialty cocktails. Wolf said some customer

The venue frequently holds events such as car shows.

COURTESY PORKY’S BACKYARD

WILL CLAYTON PKW

5131 Atascocita Road, Humble www.porkysbackyard.com

LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION

Nonpro t

BY LIZZY SPANGLER

Kids’ Meals helps feed children across Harris, Montgomery counties Kids’ Meals, a nonprot delivering food to preschool-aged children in Harris and Montgomery counties, is on a mission to wipe out childhood hunger in Houston, Chief Operations and Program Ocer John Day said. “That’s our No. 1 goal, and that’s something that I strive for every day,” Day said. The big picture The nonprot, which started in 2006, has a 56-ZIP code service area, Day said. During the school year, Kids’ Meals generally serves children ages 0-5, and when school is out or during the summer break, all children ages 0-18 are fed. To qualify for meal delivery, families must have a child between 0-5 years old and also meet the requirements for the National School Lunch Program. Day said the nonprot can typically get a family on a route within two days of an application being lled out. Each meal, which has an all-in cost of $2, includes a sandwich, a snack, a fruit and a drink, Day said. Kids’ Meals serves around 15,000 kids a day. Looking ahead This past June, the nonprot broke ground on a new 50,000-square-foot building in Harris County that will provide additional warehouse and volunteer space. The building is anticipated to be completed in the summer of 2025, Day said. “We’ve got to be there to support [these kids] and ensure that we are taking care—every single day—of our future,” Day said. “That’s what we’re doing.”

Across Harris and Montgomery counties, Kids’ Meals made 1.47 million meals and served 9,334 children in the rst and second quarters of 2024.

COURTESY KIDS’ MEALS

Kids' Meals impact, rst and second quarter of 2024

W. CROSSTIMBERS ST.

Harris County Montgomery County

GARDEN OAKS BLVD.

Meals made and delivered

81,365

1,391,662

Preschool- aged children served

602

8,732

1488

Families supported Value of in-kind donations Volunteer shifts Volunteer hours

477

5,402

GREENFIELD FOREST DR.

$17,420

$1,086,297

1,459

12,174

1 330 Garden Oaks Blvd., Houston 2 5517 FM 1488, Ste. E, Magnolia www.kidsmealsinc.org

36,522

4,377

SOURCE: KIDS' MEALSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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$ 10 off Friday or Saturday only with coupon. Wash packages $23.99 & Up. Not valid with any other offer. Vans, SUVs, trucks & large cars extra. Expires 10/31/24 Complete silver or gold detail package at reg. Price. MUST PRESENT COUPON BEFORE YOU PAY MUST PRESENT COUPON BEFORE YOU PAY 627

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MUST PRESENT COUPON BEFORE YOU PAY New Customer Monthly Program (6 mo. min.) Full Service Includes: Vacuum, Windows Cleaned Inside & Out, Dust Inside, Spray Wax & Tire Dress Not valid with any other offer. No refunds will be given for partial periods. Credit Card only. With Coupon. Vans, SUVs, trucks & large cars extra. Expires 10/31/24

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