This month we pause and bring you a bit different monthly format—our 2019 Annual Community Guide—previewing the biggest stories to keep in mind this year as well as local events and must-visit destinations to pair with your New Year’s resolutions.

With transportation projects, education highlights and new communities topping the list, undoubtedly our communities will look a little different by the end of this year. The populations of the Tomball and Magnolia areas have grown 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively, from 2013-17, U.S. Census Bureau data shows. Homes will be built where trees once stood; pavement will be poured where once no cars traveled.

Construction is slated to begin in 2019 for hundreds of new homes. To keep up with this growth, Tomball ISD officials plan to break ground on new elementary and junior high schools in southern TISD this year.

Finally, Tomball Regional Medical Center and other health care entities are planning to unveil new or expanded services in 2019.