Owner Mitchell Manyk said he has plans to open Main Street Hub, a wine lounge in Downtown Humble by early next year, pending construction plans. The lounge will offer a casual ambiance with dining options and affordable wine, Manyk said.

What to expect: Located next to his partner's business—The Rowdy Chick owned by Darian Ortiz—Main Street Hub will offer a selection of Texas-based wines and social space for the community, Manyk said.

In addition to serving wine, beer and light bites such as charcuterie boards, Manyk said the main purpose of the business is to provide a space for local businesses and organizations to host community-oriented events.

• Opening in January
• 305 E. Main St., Humble

Check out what's happening in the Lake Houston area this weekend, Dec. 18-22.

Live Nativity Scene: Visit Good Shepherd Episcopal Church to view a free live Nativity scene. The event will feature fellowship, model trains, a performance by the church’s choir and snacks. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the program following at 7 p.m. Following the program, attendees can tour the church until 8 p.m.

• Dec. 18-19, 6:30-8 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 2929 Woodland Hills Drive, Kingwood

• Dec. 21, 1-4 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• Kings Harbor, 4501 Magnolia Cove Drive, Kingwood

With a unanimous vote on Dec. 11, Harris County commissioners reauthorized 100% property tax exemptions for qualified child care providers for 2026 onward in a move that is expected to save thousands of dollars for providers, county officials said.

The full story: Commissioners first approved the 100% property tax exemption for qualified child care centers in March 2024, with the stipulation that the exemption would expire every two years unless commissioners voted for an extension. With the December vote, commissioners also approved removing the expiration clause, which allows the exemption to continue without requiring the two year reapproval from Commissioners Court.

Latest update: Eligible child care providers can apply for the exemption Jan. 1 through March 1.

Quote of note: “Today’s unanimous vote shows that every single one of us on commissioners court, regardless of political party, understands the importance of protecting access to high-quality, early childhood education and supporting the providers who make those opportunities possible,” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a news release.  

Texans now have a new database to track the results of local bond propositions and tax rate elections, or TREs, in their communities and across the state.

The details: Texas’ Local Government Bond, Tax, and Project Transparency Database was unveiled after state lawmakers passed House Bill 103 this spring. The new law requires the comptroller to compile information about all bonds, tax rate elections and maintenance tax rate changes proposed by local governments in an election, including:

• Ballot language for all tax-related proposals
• How each tax measure would impact the local tax rate or debt service
• The difference between the adopted tax rate and voter-approval tax rate, if applicable
• The entity’s tax rate for the prior year and the tax rate following the election
• A list of projects funded by each tax measure
• The results of each election, including votes for and against a measure