GOVERNMENT
Costco Business Centers, of which there are only about 15 in the country, carry different products and provide a different shopping experience to members than do traditional Costco Wholesale stores. (Courtesy Costco Wholesale)
Costco Business Center being built in Stafford; see live music in The Woodlands and more top Houston-area news
The program, which began this week in San Marcos, gives Amazon and Whole Foods employees and contractors direct access to COVID-19 vaccinations. (Courtesy Amazon)
Amazon begins rollout of statewide vaccination clinics for employees
Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District, which regulates groundwater usage in Montgomery County, is part of Groundwater Management Area 14. (Community Impact Newspaper staff)
GMA 14 approves proposed desired future conditions; LSGCD objects to subsidence factor
Shenandoah City Council met to discuss the upcoming capital improvement plan April 14. (Hannah Zedaker/Community Impact Newspaper)
Shenandoah City Council discusses priorities of 2022 capital improvement plan
Federal funding is set aside for public schools to address effects of the pandemic. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Why Texas has not yet distributed $18 billion in federal funds intended for public schools
Spearheaded by state Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, the new court, if established, would expand the capacity of the county's criminal court system in hopes of reducing its backlog, which stood at 70,951 total cases pending before criminal district courts in Harris County as of April 8. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Harris County supports creation of new criminal district court to tackle case backlog
Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough speaks during a budget presentation April 13. (Screenshot via Montgomery County livestream)
Montgomery County commissioners begin FY 2021-22 budget talks
Less than 25% of American office workers have returned to in-person office settings since the start of the pandemic. (Courtesy Pixabay)
DATA: Texas metros lead the nation in return to in-person work since start of pandemic
Harris County Precinct 4 will offer Federal Emergency Management Agency application assistance for those affected by Winter Storm Uri this week. (Jack Flagler/Community Impact Newspaper)
Harris County Precinct 4 offering FEMA application assistance for those affected by Winter Storm Uri
Harris County Emergency Services District No. 11 and Cypress Creek EMS agreed to final budget of about $10.8 million at an April 1 special meeting. (Courtesy Fotolia)
Harris County Emergency Services District and Cypress Creek EMS agree to final budget
The Woodlands Township board of trustees discussed issues including a financial report and possible future incorporation planning at a March 31 meeting. (Screenshot via The Woodlands Township)
The Woodlands officials see hopeful signs in retail, hotel revenue; incorporation planning meetings may resume
Precinct 2 Commissioner James Noack said officials had spoken with ExxonMobil regarding the employment requirements, and the company was aware they were out of compliance. (Screenshot via Montgomery County Commissioners Court livestream)
ExxonMobil facing $4M payout to Montgomery County after failing to comply with tax abatement
With violent crime on the rise over the past year, Harris County commissioners unanimously voted to invest $3 million into overtime pay for law enforcement officials March 30 that is meant to help investigators target violent criminals in several key areas. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Harris County puts $3M toward law enforcement overtime pay in fight against rising violent crime
Precinct 1 Commissioner Robert Walker speaks during a March 30 special session. (Screenshot via Montgomery County livestream)
Lake Conroe Park admission prices to see first increase since inception
The Texas Senate passed a bill March 29 aimed at overhauling the state's energy market. (Jack Flagler/Community Impact Newspaper)
Texas Senate passes bill mandating changes to state energy market in wake of winter storm
The new tool will give Texans one place to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine through multiple health departments, including the eight DSHS public health regions—which provides public health services to nearly 200 Texas counties—as well as more than a dozen local health entities statewide. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Department of State Health Services launches Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler
Five county judges in the Greater Houston area joined TAG-Houston for a virtual panel discussion on March 26. (Screenshot via TAG-Houston)
Greater Houston area county judges talk about I-45, regional transportation funding at TAG-Houston panel
The Woodlands area's state senator and representative have filed around 180 bills this year combined. (Ali Linan/Community Impact Newspaper)
Property taxes, disaster response, term limits: Dozens of bills filed by The Woodlands-area legislators this session
From left: Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis speak on equitable practices in vaccine distribution at a March 25 press conference. (Screenshot courtesy Harris County judge's office)
‘No one gets left behind’: Harris County prioritizes COVID-19 vaccine access for vulnerable residents