CITY & COUNTY
Several parents of New Caney ISD students spoke at the district's Sept. 20 board meetings about recent allegations that a student brought a firearm to Porter High School's Sept. 18 homecoming dance. NCISD Superintendent Matt Calvert stressed that no gunshots were fired at the event, and that the district is investigating the allegations. (Wesley Gardner/Community Impact Newspaper)
CI Nation roundup: Round Rock ISD trustees considered for censuring; New Caney ISD addresses allegations of student with gun at campus event and more top stories
Houston resident Marissa Hanson spoke on keeping tax rates low during the Harris County Commissioners Court public hearing on Sept. 21. (Emily Lincke/Community Impact Newspaper)
Harris County Commissioners propose tax cuts at cost of Harris Health System funding
Rick Moffatt was sworn in during the Oak Ridge North regular city council meeting on Sept. 20. (Ally Bolender/Community Impact Newspaper)
Rick Moffatt sworn in during Oak Ridge North Sept. 20 meeting to replace Council Member Tom Coale after resignation
The pandemic and other challenges have strained the available resources at the Montgomery County Animal Shelter. (Jishnu Nair/Community Impact Newspaper)
Montgomery County Animal Services resources stretched thin by pandemic
At the Sept. 14 Harris County Commissioners Court meeting, County Administrator David Berry, top left, presents proposed tax rates to commissioners Jack Cagle and Tom Ramsey, Judge Lina Hidalgo, and commissioners Adrian Garcia and Rodney Ellis. (Emily Lincke/Community Impact Newspaper)
Harris County commissioners propose lower tax rates with split vote
About 62% of Harris County residents ages 12 and older have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Harris County commissioners terminate $11 million Elevate Strategies vaccine outreach contract
All Harris County residents should be sheltering indoors by 6 p.m., Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo urged during a press conference Sept. 13, as Tropical Storm Nicholas approaches the Texas Gulf Coast. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Hidalgo urges Harris County residents to stay indoors after 6 p.m. Sept. 13 as Tropical Storm Nicholas approaches
Harris County's population grew 15.6% from 2010-20. (Courtesy Visit Houston)
Harris County begins preliminary redistricting discussions, seeks public input
The new division will take on the services that HCPH has provided during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic such as COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and vaccination. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Harris County Commissioners Court creates 69-position COVID-19 response division
On May 11, the Harris County Commissioners Court approved $3.5 million to fund the Harris County District Attorney's Office initiative to reduce backlogged court cases, and the plan is working so far, District Attorney Kim Ogg told commissioners Aug 24. (Courtesy Brian Jackson/Adobe Stock)
Harris County court case backlog reduction plan is working, district attorney says
In 1921, the first Harris County Public Library opened at the Harrisburg School in Harrisburg, where students could access free books. (Courtesy Harris County Public Library)
Harris County Public Library system honored on 100-year anniversary
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo met with county commissioners on Aug. 24, passing an initiative to bring needed nurses to Houston-area hospitals. (Emily Lincke/Community Impact Newspaper)
Harris County Commissioners Court approves $30 million nurse procurement initiative
More than 2 million Harris County residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the county. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Harris County vaccinations up 529% after $100 incentive announcement
Oak Ridge North residents currently pay $15.85 in monthly trash fees. Beginning Oct. 1, each household will pay $16.85.  (Ben Thompson/Community Impact Newspaper)
Oak Ridge North monthly trash fees to increase $1, effective Oct.1
The Harris County Flood Control District continues to make progress on flood mitigation projects in the Cypress Creek watershed that were funded through the district's 2018 voter-approved bond program. (Hannah Zedaker/Community Impact Newspaper)
Harris County Flood Control District receives nearly $250M for sediment removal
Montgomery County commissioners are funding two new animal cruelty investigators. The county previously did not have a unit for animal cruelty crimes, according to Precinct 2's Captain Greg Thomason. (Courtesy Montgomery County Animal Shelter)
Montgomery County Commissioners Court funds new animal cruelty unit investigator positions
The Pearland Entertainment and Beverage Coalition, the organization in charge of circulating the petition, needed to garner 15,050 signatures in 60 days. It got roughly 18,000. (Coutesy Adobe Stock)
Pearland petition to change alcohol laws achieves signatures requirement and more recent Greater Houston-area news
In a late-night amendment addition, Harris County Commissioners Court denied an original resolution aiming to increase restrictions on nonmonetary pretrial release bonds in a split vote after hearing over two hours of public testimony July 20 for and against the resolution. The amended resolution, which was approved in a second split vote, favors focusing on criminal court backlogs and funding alternative public safety solutions. (Courtesy Pexels)
After hours of debate, Harris County commissioners oppose resolution restricting felony nonmonetary pretrial release bonds
While the flood control district and Harris County Commissioners Court have chipped away at the funding gap over the last several months through a variety of tactics, $951 million in unmet needs remain as of late June. (Courtesy Harris County Flood Control District)
Harris County establishes flood resilience trust, appoints Alan Black interim executive director of flood control district