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Shifting health care norms: Katy area patients turn to alternative health care options

With the rise in health care costs and insurance, health care officials in the Katy area said people are starting to venture out of the traditional primary care model.

Those models include membership-based care, mobile clinics and community health centers, which have risen as alternatives for people living in Katy and Fulshear.

The details: Membership-based care is designed for people who want convenient access to medical treatment at a flat monthly or annual cost instead of using traditional health care insurance.

Another option for patients are mobile clinics, which can take on many forms, including vehicles or mobile stations. 

Individuals can also visit community health centers such as Spring Branch Community Health Center and AccessHealth.

 
County Coverage
Fort Bend County declares public health emergency amid high mosquito populations

Interim Fort Bend County Judge Daniel Wong has issued a Declaration of Local Public Health Emergency as areas across the county have seen large mosquito populations following weeks of rainfall and standing water.

What's happening: Fort Bend County Health & Human Services officials are reporting mosquito activity is "well above normal seasonal levels" with 1,505 mosquito-related complaints between May 1 and June 2, which is more than twice the number received following Hurricane Beryl, according to a June 16 news release.

Additionally, mosquito surveillance efforts have also documented mosquito trap counts reaching as high as 5,000 mosquitoes in a single collection period.

Zooming in: The declaration will help the county's effort to conduct aerial mosquito control operations in areas with high mosquito population levels by assisting with coordination and authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration to operate in a restricted or controlled airspace.

Looking ahead: Officials are planning for aerial spraying operations to occur early the week of June 22—weather permitting—with treatment schedules subject to adjustment based on rainfall and wind conditions.

 
Now Open
Kuwama Xpress Braiding now offering services in Katy

Hair and beauty salon Kuwama Xpress Braiding has opened its doors in Katy, manager Ruth Nkolomoni confirmed.

What they offer: The business offers braiding, loc services, haircuts, washes, lash extensions, in addition to makeup services beginning in August, Nkolomoni said. The salon also sells its own line of cosmetic products such as moisturizer, cleanser and toner.

  • 1535 S. Mason Road, Katy

 
Can't-Miss Coverage
Greater Houston region under flood watch amid heavy rains, tropical storm threat

Harris County officials are urging caution as the National Weather Service has forecasted multiple days of heavy rainfall across the Greater Houston area.

What you need to know: Officials with the National Weather Service are maintaining a flood watch over a large swath of southeast Texas through June 18. The watch stems from a semi-stationary front moving across the region alongside a disturbance in the Gulf with a 60% chance of developing into a tropical storm before bringing additional rainfall to the region, NWS officials said. 

What’s being done? Gov. Greg Abbott signed a disaster declaration for 101 counties in southeast Texas, including Brazoria, Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend and Galveston counties June 15. Harris County and the city of Houston have also activated emergency response initiatives, such as lowering Lake Houston levels ahead of additional rainfall.

Before you go: State and county officials are asking residents to remain aware of weather changes through the end of the week due to forecasted heavy rain and flash flooding.

 
Across The Region
Annual report shows homeless population around the Greater Houston area remains stable

The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County released the results of the 2026 Point-in-Time Count & Survey, which involves volunteers counting the number of individuals experiencing homelessness over three days across Fort Bend, Harris, and Montgomery counties.

This year's count took place in mid-February, with the results being released June 12.

The results are in: The report found that a total of 3,321 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in February, with 2,051 being sheltered individuals and 1,270 being unsheltered individuals.

The majority of homeless individuals were accounted for in Harris County, with 53.9% of sheltered individuals and 35.8% of unsheltered individuals coming from the most populous county in Texas.

The numbers are consistent with the figures from the 2025 report, which showed that approximately 3,325 individuals were homeless across the three counties.

More information: Officials with the coalition also pointed out that this year's report expands beyond the PIT Count to include additional indicators such as year-round interactions with the homeless response system, housing stability outcomes and inflow.

 
Mark Your Calendar
9 ways to celebrate Juneteenth across the Greater Houston area

From Juneteenth concerts to a fish fry, there are several events to celebrate Juneteenth across the Greater Houston area. 

Juneteenth Celebration: This fourth annual event celebrates Juneteenth and features live music, entertainment, a variety of food trucks, local vendors, face painting and interactive attractions.

  • June 19, 4-9 p.m.
  • Free (admission)
  • Redemption Square, 250 Assay St., Houston

Juneteenth Fish Fry: A fish fry will be held along with a viewing of a historic photo collage, "The Ground on Which I Stand." The event will also include free books for kids as well as games and vendor booths.
  • June 19, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • $25 (fish fry)
  • Sleepy Hollow Multipurpose Building, 9847 Sleepy Hollow Road, Conroe

Juneteenth Culture Fest: A celebration honoring Black history, culture and art will be held for Juneteenth at Miller Outdoor Theater. Chanté Moore and MAZE will be performing a live concert at the end of the night.
  • June 19, 5 p.m. (celebration starts), 8:15 p.m. (musical performances start)
  • Free (admission)
  • 6000 Hermann Park Drive, Houston

 

Your local team

Aubrey Howell
Editor

Amy Martinez
General Manager

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