A lifelong love of books and crafting came full circle for local entrepreneur Keely Mahaffey with her new shop, Get Fictional, founded in Downtown Conroe on June 13, 2025.

Staying local: Inspired by Mahaffey's passion for reading, writing and creating, the business grew from an Etsy shop founded over 10 years ago into a community-focused bookstore and shop designed to celebrate literary discovery and handmade craftsmanship.

Quote of note: “I've always been a reader. I always wanted to be a writer, as well. I write short stories and poetry, so, just working with indie authors and things like that was just.. I just love that community and being supportive of them,” Mahaffey said.

What’s special about it: Bringing spooky feels and fantasy to life all year round, Mahaffey said at Get Fictional, the community can expect a small 3,000-square-foot space with every corner filled with books and candles.

HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe named Dr. Renee Hebbeler-Clark its new chief medical officer July 17.

The details: Hebbeler-Clark has more than 15 years of clinical experience, with a background in patient safety, quality improvement and hospital operations, according to a July 17 news release. In her new role, she will work alongside physicians and clinical teams to support the hospital’s quality and safety initiatives.

Most recently, Hebbeler-Clark served as associate chief medical officer at Banner University Medical Center–Phoenix, where she oversaw critical care operations and helped reduce hospital-acquired infections and mortality, according to the release.

Diving in deeper: She previously served as chief safety officer at UC Health in Cincinnati, leading patient safety efforts across the health system.

Founded by Carol Gooch in 2005, the Montgomery County Association of Business Women is celebrating 20 years in August. The nonprofit supports local women entrepreneurs and offers scholarships annually.

How it started: After graduating from Leadership Montgomery County in 2003, Gooch was notified of the need for a professional business networking group in Montgomery County, according to the website. After a year of planning, Gooch founded the MCABW along with 52 other women.

Formed to give like-minded businesswomen a place to learn and connect, guest speakers and members provide educational presentations. Today, Gooch continues as the executive director of the MCABW.

What else? To support the nonprofit, MCABW often holds fundraisers. Gooch said the MCABW is holding its annual bowling fundraiser Aug. 16 from noon-4 p.m.

According to officials with the National Weather Service, a tropical depression is working on gaining strength and organization in the Gulf, and Houston area officials are monitoring the storm for potential local impacts. 

What we know: Officials with the Houston-Galveston office of the NWS released advisories for Tropical Depression Two, a weather disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico that has the potential to turn into a tropical storm by July 21. Based on current models from the NWS, the storm could bring tropical storm-level winds and rain to the Greater Houston area over the weekend.

Stay tuned: Officials are urging residents to check all hurricane preparations regardless of additional storm development in the coming days. If the storm continues to gain strength, it will become Tropical Storm Bertha, per the NWS.