Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out these trending stories across the southern portion of the Greater Houston area from Aug. 31-Sept. 4.
1. Texas’ first hand roll-centered sushi bar to expand presence to Bellaire Boulevard
With three existing locations in the Heights, Montrose and Spring Branch areas, Japanese sushi restaurant Handies Douzo is expanding once again with a new space located at 3908 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, officials confirmed via email.
Coined as Texas’ first hand roll-focused sushi bar, Handies Douzo specializes in made-to-order hand rolls sourced from premium ingredients.
Dive deeper with Reporter Emily Lara.
2. Houston agrees to $50M deal with The Woodlands to prevent future annexation
Houston City Council approved a deal on Sept. 2 that will provide the city a total of $50 million over the next four years from The Woodlands Township in exchange for agreeing to not annex the township.
Houston City Council voted to amend a Regional Participation Agreement between the city and The Woodlands that requires the township to pay one-sixteenth of 1% of its sales tax to a Regional Participation Fund each year. The agreement, which began in 2007, also provided protection from annexation by Houston until 2057.
Learn more from Senior Reporter Kara Willis.
3. Sugar Land officials propose increased fees in 2027
Sugar Land residents could see increases to several city fees including solid waste and water services in 2027.
At a Sept. 1 meeting, Sugar Land City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to raise fees for city services. Most city service or utility fees will increase by 3.77%, although water, solid waste and stormwater fees will vary slightly, Director of Budget ShaLae Steadman said.
Read the full story by Reporter Pili Saravia.
4. New coffee spot now open in Pearland
Luce Avenue Coffee Roasters opened a Pearland location in early September, Owner Hyeong Ki Kim confirmed.
The café offers a variety of drinks, including coffee, lattes, tea, cold brew and matcha. Specialty drinks include the Spanish latte, island latte and caramel macchiato. Customers can also grab breakfast tacos from Liberty Taco, along with a variety of empanadas and pastries.
Read the full story by Reporter Catherine White.
5. City of Fulshear enters stage 1 of drought contingency plan
The city of Fulshear has entered stage 1 of its drought contingency plan, city officials announced in an Aug. 28 news release.
The release states stage 1 requests residents and businesses voluntarily limit outdoor watering to twice per week to reduce usage by 2% with protocols including:
- Odd-numbered addresses watering on Sunday and Thursday
- Even-numbered addresses watering on Wednesday and Saturday
- No scheduled watering on Monday, Tuesday and Friday
Read the full story by Reporter Bradley Dountz.
6. El Tiempo Cantina in Webster closes, possibly reopening
Nearly a decade after opening, El Tiempo Cantina in Webster has closed, a spokesperson with the corporate office said.
However, the representative said that the franchise owner of the Webster location conveyed that the location may open in the future at an undisclosed time.
