Conroe is moving ahead with a study that could require new developments to help cover the cost of future water, wastewater and roadway infrastructure.

City Council heard an update from infrastructure and engineering consultants Freese and Nichols on Aug. 27 before giving staff the go-ahead to resume the study, which had been paused since May to brief the newly seated council. No formal vote was taken, and council did not adopt or set any fees.

What you need to know: Impact fees would be one-time charges on new development for a portion of growth-related projects identified in the city’s capital improvement plans. The fees would typically be assessed at the final plat stage and collected when a building permit is issued.

“With impact fees, it’s a way for new development to pay for their fair share of that growth,” Freese and Nichols consultant Eddie Haas said.

The revenue could pay for construction, surveying, engineering, land acquisition and debt service tied to eligible water, wastewater and roadway projects.

A former feed store serving ranchers in the Montgomery area since the 1940’s is continuing its lifeline as a neighborhood bar and eatery.

Founded by husband and wife Curtis Barker and Angel Wiener in December 2025, 333 Bar & Grill serves as a gathering space for the Montgomery community.

The history: Serving as public housing in the early 2000s, the building was converted into an eatery in 2021. Years later, once the building became available, Wiener said she and her husband fell in love with the history and decided to revamp the space and open their own bar.

Quote of note: “We're making some structural changes too. I like to call it a facelift, because the old girl has been around so long that in order to preserve her dignity, I don't want to change much. I just want to make sure that she's around for another 40 to 60 years,” Wiener said.

The Houston Audubon Society, founded in 1969, has renamed itself Birds Houston as part of a broader effort to clarify its mission and modernize its identity, according to a release from the organization. The organization also unveiled a new logo featuring the Yellow-throated Warbler, a longtime symbol tied to its conservation history.

What you need to know: The name change is intended to make the organization’s work more immediately clear, including protecting birds and their habitats, conserving critical land, providing education and nature experiences and advocating for conservation policies, the release states.

Also of note: The new name comes ahead of the eighth annual Houston Bird Week, scheduled for Sept. 19-26, with registration opening Sept. 1 for events across the Greater Houston area.

Democrat Gina Hinojosa, an Austin state representative, and Libertarian Pat Dixon, a professional engineer, are challenging Republican incumbent Greg Abbott in the Nov. 3 election. Abbott is seeking a fourth term in the governor's mansion.

The big picture: As Texas’ top elected official, the governor signs and vetoes legislation, serves as commander-in-chief of the state military and appoints members of state agencies or advisory boards. Community Impact asked the three gubernatorial candidates for their perspectives on data centers, education, the cost of living and other topics.

The background: Abbott beat 10 Republican challengers in the March primary election, while Hinojosa beat eight other Democratic candidates to advance to the November election. Dixon was selected as the Texas Libertarian Party's candidate during an April nominating convention.

Looking ahead: Early voting runs from Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.