Read the latest news from the Greater Houston area on Community Impact Newspaper’s website.

Houston metro

Texas agriculture commissioner joins voices calling for reopening of tasting rooms, taprooms

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said he has written a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott calling for lenience in a recent order shutting down bars, particularly for establishments he said are important to farming business in the state.

'Refinancing isn't free:' How to navigate refinancing a mortgage



When interest rates are low, homeowners may look to save money by refinancing, which means getting a new mortgage with a better term or interest rate to lower payments.

Walmart to bring drive-in movies to 160 stores nationwide in August, launch virtual summer camp

In communities across the nation, Walmart Supercenter parking lots will be transformed into contact-free, drive-in movie theaters beginning in August, and families can also enjoy a virtual summer camp experience Walmart is launching July 8, according to a July 1 release from the company.

The Woodlands
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The Woodlands Children's Museum dials back reopening in light of rising regional COVID-19 cases


Less than a month after it reopened for limited public hours, The Woodlands Children's Museum has returned to being closed for most in-person activities, museum officials announced July 4.

The Woodlands businesses react to reduced capacities, closures

Just weeks after being able to reopen, Gov. Greg Abbott announced bars would be closing and restaurant capacities reduced back to 50% instead of 75% on June 29 in an effort to contain coronavirus cases across the state.


The Woodlands Township closes Harper's Landing Pool due to staffing challenges

The Woodlands Township announced the closure of Harper's Landing Pool on July 1.

Tomball

Annual Tomball Night, Parade of Lights canceled due to health concerns


The Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce announced via Facebook July 6 that its annual Tomball Night and Parade of Lights would be canceled this year due to health and safety concerns.

Katy

Apara Autism Center opens in Katy area

The health care business has a location in Sugar Land and provides applied behavior analysis through one-on-one therapy for children on the autism spectrum.


CBD American Shaman opens in Katy area

CBD American Shaman at Park Row opened June 19.

Cy-Fair

Langham Creek YMCA completes renovation of outdoor pavilion, gym, child watch area


Officials with the Langham Creek Family YMCA in Cypress announced the completion of a number of renovations July 2, including renovations of the indoor gym, outdoor pavilion and child watch area.

Lake Houston-Humble-Kingwood

Q&A: Ashworth Design & Remodeling weighs in on pandemic's effect on business

Bruce Sommers has been remodeling homes since 1983. He opened Ashworth Design & Remodeling LLC in 2011.

Tomball-Magnolia

Dynamo Dash Youth soccer to be offered at Broussard Park this fall

Dynamo Dash Youth has expanded into Tomball, now offering a fall soccer program at Broussard Park, according to a June 28 news release.

Spring-Klein

Gov. Abbott’s second round of bar closures a ‘gut punch’ for Spring, Klein bar owners

After just five weeks of getting back to business following statewide closures due to the coronavirus pandemic, Texas bars like Two Mules Tavern and The Jailhouse Saloon in the Spring and Klein area were hit with an unexpected second shutdown June 26.South Houston

Sugar Land-Missouri City

Missouri City farmers market celebrates 1 year of serving the community


Farmers Market Partners-Missouri City celebrated its one-year anniversary June 27.

Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center plans July 7 reopening with minds-on, not hands-on, activities

The Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center, located at 198 Kempner St., Sugar Land, reopened July 7 after being temporarily closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Bay Area

Q&A: Christian Brothers Automotive CEO talks commercial real estate, essential business operations amid pandemic


Josh Barker, the CEO of Christian Brothers Automotive, spoke with Community Impact Newspaper about how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted business and provided insights on the potentially altered future of commercial real estate.

The Woodhouse Day Spa opens Baybrook Mall location

The Woodhouse Day Spa opened its newest location at Baybrook Mall on June 17.

Pearland-Friendswood

Yummy Pho & Bo Ne Pearland pushes back early July grand opening


The grand opening had originally been planned for July 6 but has been postponed due to COVID-19.

Goldfish Swim School of Sugar Land to begin lessons July 7 with coronavirus safety measures

The business offers indoor swim classes and programs to teach children ages 4 months through 12 years old how to be safe in and around the water.

Heights-River Oaks-Montrose

Houston ISD will restrict facility access, limit curbside meal program July 3-19

Citing public health guidance and the rapid increase in local COVID-19 cases, Houston ISD will begin restricting access to all district facilities July 3-19.

Vanessa Holt, Shawn Arrajj, Dylan Sherman, Jen Para, Claire Shoop, Kelly Schafler, Anna Lotz, Colleen Ferguson, Haley Morrison, Adriana Rezal, Andrew Christman, Matt Dulin, Nola Valente and Ben Thompson contributed to this report.