The Montrose Redevelopment Authority will conduct an audit of streetlights throughout the neighborhood starting in August.

What this means: During its monthly Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone meeting, Montrose leaders heard from David Greaney with HR Green, the civil engineering firm that works on projects throughout the area, about conducting a study for the entire neighborhood that would identify gaps in where streetlights aren’t present or are too far apart.

Greaney said the Projects, Planning and Parking (PPP) Committee designated the gaps as a safety concern.

“Lighting at nighttime brings very important, very much needed safety measures for a safe roadway, for both on and off the street,” Greaney said.

Greaney added that they are in coordination with CenterPoint Energy to provide the TIRZ with all locations of their existing streetlights. This would allow the TIRZ to get a view of all the lighting locations so HR Green can assess the spacing of the streetlights, noting where they are needed. The total for the audit would be $16,444.

Atlas, a cocktail bar known for its global-themed drinks and speakeasy vibe, has opened its third location in Texas, in the Heights.

What is it: Atlas has two other locations, including Fort Worth and the Bishop Arts District in Dallas. The cocktail bar recently opened and is designed for evening drinks or date nights, according to the website.

“Whether you're joining us for after-work drinks, date night, dinner with friends, or a nightcap that turns into one more round, your next destination starts here,” the website says.

Reservations are not required, but they do recommend arriving early.

What’s on the menu: Atlas’ drink menu includes travel and destination-themed cocktails. Some of its noteworthy drinks include:

• Aviation (New York City) - gin, Maraschino liqueur, Rothman & Winter Creme de Violette and fresh lemon juice

• Aperol Spritz (Italy) - Aperol, sparkling Pama Brut and soda

• Carajillo (Spain) - Licor 43 and Ampersand Espresso with a cinnamon-sugar dust

• Paper Plane (Chicago) - Wild Turkey 101, Amaro Nonino, Aperol and fresh lemon juice

The University of Houston has launched a new program—dubbed UH Health—combining a variety of fields for medical research and education, officials announced in a July 15 news release.

Breaking it down: UH Health will offer research opportunities and clinical training combining several areas of study, including:

• Nursing
• Optometry
• Pharmacy
• Psychology
• Social work
• Population health
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Biomedical engineering

Houston Parks Board announced Ali Flanders Dodson as its new chief advancement officer.

Explaining the role: Dodson will oversee fundraising, communications and community engagement efforts for HPB. She will also work with public and private partners, the communities that HPB serves and its board of directors to help achieve their goals, according to the news release.

Flanders Dodson is a “seasoned nonprofit fundraiser and donor strategist”, according to HPB. Before this role, she was with Kids’ Meals, a Houston-based nonprofit that focuses on ending child hunger, where she served as chief advancement officer.

Quote of note: “I am both honored and thrilled to join Houston Parks Board and contribute to an organization whose impact can be seen and experienced throughout our city,” Flanders Dodson said. “I look forward to partnering with HPB leadership, our donors and stakeholders to build on HPB’s momentum executing expansive public-private partnerships that have increased the region’s trail and greenspace network.”

Flanders Dodson’s role began immediately with HPB.

Sandy Creek resident Georgia Bishop was out of town when 22 inches of rain fell on parts of northwest Travis County over the July 4, 2025, weekend. When Bishop returned home days later, her community was significantly changed.

What happened: Residents of the hard-hit Sandy Creek neighborhood described a “wall of water” that tore through their community last July, washing away homes, cars and roads. Nine people died in the flooding, including Bishop’s best friend, 16-year-old Felicity Jarmon.

The context: One year later, residents of the unincorporated Travis County community are still working to rebuild from last July’s catastrophic flooding. Central Texas has seen two straight years of intense, deadly flooding in July, leaving some residents on edge as they recover from last year’s disaster and mourn lost loved ones.

Community Impact spoke with Bishop and Kylie Nidever, whose neighborhood in Hunt flooded last year, on July 13, days before heavy rainfall hit large swaths of the state once again. Officials confirmed two deaths due to this year's floods, while 137 people died last July.