Read the past week's most popular stories from the Houston area.

Houston residents can apply for $1,200 in direct cash assistance

Houston residents can apply to receive a $1,200 check from a new allocation of the city’s federal coronavirus relief funding.

Sugar Land 24 Hour Fitness closes permanently

The 24 Hour Fitness at 14111 Hwy. 59, Sugar Land, permanently closed this summer because the gym could not reach "favorable lease renewal terms" with its landlord, according to a statement posted to the gym's Facebook page.

The Woodlands area welcomes 3 new dining locations in November with 4th coming soon

The Woodlands area welcomed three new places to dine and drink through the month of November, with a fourth anticipated to open in early December.

Judge rules Harris County Emergency Services District No. 11 can no longer withhold payments from Cypress Creek EMS

A judge ruled that Harris County Emergency Services District No. 11 can no longer withhold payments from Cypress Creek EMS, according to a Nov. 30 CCEMS news release.

Kingwood's 'old H-E-B center' to undergo redevelopment, gain new tenants with a

The Kings Crossing shopping center—often referred to as the old H-E-B center—will undergo a facelift next year that will bring new restaurants and tenants to Kingwood.

Emma Whalen, Claire Shoop, Andrew Christman, Andy Li and Kelly Schafler contributed to this report.