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Kingwood Pines Hospital, which offers mental health services for patients of varying ages, works to provide innovative programs and combat negative health stigma to better help patients, said Monica Garcia-Guinessey, the director of business development at Kingwood Pines Hospital. 

The gist: The facility, which has been open for about 40 years, also offers services and programs such as:

• Substance abuse care
• An adult women’s program
• Outpatient programs
• Ki Charter School, which helps children transition back to their school

In celebration of its opening in Humble, Portillo’s officials will host a ribbon cutting ceremony with Partnership Lake Houston on Feb. 24, according to information on PLH's website. 

On the menu: Known for its Chicago street food, the fast-casual restaurant offers a menu of Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches and char-grilled burgers, according to the company's website.

What to expect: The Humble location will feature Portillo’s “Restaurant of the Future” design that includes seating for 166 guests, double drive-thru lanes, and specific accommodations for on-the-go guests who prefer carryout, as previously reported by Community Impact. 

• Opening Feb. 24
• 111 FM 1960 Bypass Road E., Humble

Houston is on track to exceed its budgeted overtime spending by more than $54 million by the end of the fiscal year, a Feb. 3 presentation from the city controller’s office shows.

What's happening: City departments are spending more on overtime pay each month than allocated for in the FY 2025-26 budget, adding to Houston’s growing shortfall for the fiscal year, according to a presentation to the Budget and Fiscal Affairs and Government Operations committees in a joint Feb. 3 meeting.

Deputy Controller Will Jones said the spending is expected based on historical overtime trends, suggesting continued underbudgeting that does not align with department needs.

More details: According to general fund projections from the controller’s office, 

• The fire department is expected to exceed budgeted overtime spending by $38 million
• The police department is expected to exceed budgeted overtime spending by $13.2 million
• The solid waste management department expected to exceed budgeted overtime spending by $2.1 million

After a decade of service to land preservation and environmental activism, Bayou Land Conservancy announced the retirement of Executive Director Jill Boullion in August, according to a Jan. 26 news release.

The details: Boullion is set to officially retire as BLC executive director Aug. 14, according to the news release. Boullion originally joined the organization in 2016 and is considered a “driving force" behind the organization's regional impact. She has overseen multiple successful projects during her tenure, including but not limited to:

• Helped preserve more than 4,000 acres and strategic corridors
• Helped acquire BLC’s 117-acre Arrowwood Preserve
• Oversaw completion of the 15-mile Spring Creek Nature Trail 

Harris County’s hospital district has raised $99 million, just $1 million shy of Harris Health’s fundraising goal to support the $2.9 billion capital building initiative approved by voters with the 2023 bond election.

The bottom line: Harris Health President and CEO Esmaeil Porsa shared the update on the hospital district’s philanthropic efforts at the Jan. 29 Commissioners Court meeting, days after hospital officials finished the newly named John M. O’Quinn Hospital in northeast Houston, also part of the 2023 bond.

The details: The fundraising announcement comes after Harris Health officials named the new Level I trauma-capable hospital after the late attorney and philanthropist, John M. O’Quinn. The naming ceremony took place Jan. 23 at the Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital campus, which is projected for completion in 2028 and opening in January 2029, according to a Jan. 23 news release.

Texas families can soon apply to receive state funds for private education or homeschooling under the state’s new education savings account program, known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts.

What's happening: The application opens at 9 a.m. Feb. 4 and is designed to be completed in about 15 minutes, according to the state comptroller’s office. Families can apply through 11:59 p.m. March 17.

Parents must submit information about their family's residency, household income, their children's educational history and each child's special education status, if applicable.

The details: To be eligible for the program, students must:

• Reside in Texas
• Be U.S. citizens or lawful residents
• Be eligible to attend a Texas public school, open-enrollment charter school or pre-K program

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