The month of May brought a variety of news stories to the Cy-Fair area on topics ranging from health care to development to education. Here are the five stories that made the biggest splash on www.communityimpact.com this month.

HCA to purchase Houston Northwest Medical Center, Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital

Our top story in May was related to a major hospital transaction that saw the 171-bed Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital change ownership from Tenet Health Care Corporation to HCA Holdings, Inc. The deal, announced May 1, also included the 423-bed Houston Northwest Medical Center and the 444-bed Park Plaza Hospital and was estimated to cost $725 million. HCA President and CEO Sam Hazen said the deal provides an opportunity to add to the services currently offered at each hospital. Original story: https://communityimpact.com/houston/cy-fair/healthcare/2017/05/01/breaking-hca-to-purchase-houston-northwest-medical-center-cypress-fairbanks-medical-center-hospital/

5 restaurants opening this summer in Cy-Fair

Several restaurateurs are planning to open new eateries in Cy-Fair this summer, including at the Lakeland Village Center in Bridgeland and the Fairfield Town Center in Fairfield. New restaurants that have garnered some attention from eager residents cover all different types of cuisines, including Cajun, Mexican and American. Original story: https://communityimpact.com/houston/cy-fair/dining/2017/05/19/5-restaurants-opening-summer-cy-fair/

Cy-Fair ISD students could soon earn an associate degree by the time they graduate high school

The Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees approved a pilot program in May at Cypress Lakes High School that could see students graduating with associate degrees along with their high school diplomas by May 2021. The program will be offered to Cy Lakes ninth graders in the 2017-18 school year. Plans call for expanding it to three more high schools in the following year and to all CFISD high schools by the 2019-20 school year. Participating students can receive an associate degree in science from Lone Star College-CyFair, but CFISD officials hope to add other associate degree options over time. Original story: https://communityimpact.com/houston/cy-fair/education/2017/05/15/cy-fair-isd-students-soon-earn-associate-degree-time-graduate-high-school/

Daikin celebrates grand opening at new technology park

Daikin Industries—which manufactures heating, ventilation and air conditioning products—celebrated the grand opening of the $417 million Daikin Texas Technology Park in Harris County on May 24. The facility spans more than 4 million square feet under one roof, making it the largest tilt-wall facility and second-largest manufacturing facility in North America. It is expected to employ nearly 5,000 people when built out and is estimated by the Greater Houston Partnership to generate around $3.9 billion in economic impact per year. Original story: https://communityimpact.com/houston/cy-fair/development-construction/2017/05/24/daikin-celebrates-grand-opening-at-new-technology-park/

Huffmeister, Spring Cypress and Mason: Construction updates on key Hwy. 290 ramps

The Texas Department of Transportation closed two ramps in May at FM 1960 and Huffmeister Road as a part of the ongoing process to widen Hwy. 290. The westbound entrance ramp from FM 1960 and the westbound exit ramp to Huffmeister Road were closed until further notice as crews work on widening mainlanes in the area and building new ramps. TxDOT officials also provided updates on other ramp projects where progress is being made, including a new westbound entrance ramp from Spring Cypress Road and eastbound exit ramp to Mason Road. Original story: https://communityimpact.com/houston/cy-fair/news/2017/05/09/heres-how-you-should-detour-while-hwy-290s-huffmeister-exit-ramp-is-closed/