After the $160 million Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Project was delayed until at least summer 2028, Coastal Water Authority officials are looking to make repairs to the existing dam structure in preparation for the work.

The overview: The work, which will total roughly $10 million, will consist of filling voids beneath the dam structure, repairing areas where the concrete has degraded and adding additional drainage downstream of the dam.

CWA Board Director Dan Huberty said the repairs to the existing structure—which the agency has dubbed the Lake Houston Dam Void and Concrete Repair Project—were deemed “vital” after an inspection conducted in the second quarter of this year.

Quote of note: “Regular inspections and prompt repairs are vital for maintaining dam stability and longevity, which is why these repairs are being implemented immediately,” Huberty said.

Meanwhile, CWA Chief Engineer Greg Olinger said design work on the dam spillway improvement project is continuing and is expected to begin in summer 2028.

Officials with Keke's Breakfast Cafe are planning to open a new location in Kingwood in February, according to a sign posted on the restaurant's door. 

On the menu: As previously reported by Community Impact, Keke's offers breakfast and brunch with menu items including waffles, pancakes, stuffed French toast and omelets. Lunch items, such as paninis, sandwiches, wraps and salads, are also on the menu. 

Located in the Kingwood Commons shopping center, the 3,855-square-foot restaurant will also serve coffee, tea and cocktails. 

What else? Per the website, the Florida-based company has plans to open another Texas location in Webster. 

• Opening in February 
• 716 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood 

With vendors across Harris County starting consumer fireworks sales Dec. 21 ahead of the holiday and new year, Harris County Fire Marshal officials are reminding residents to follow safety protocols and proper disposal guidelines.

Quote of note: “Fireworks are allowed in unincorporated Harris County, but there are areas that fireworks are not allowed in unincorporated Harris County,” HCFMO Public Information Officer Brandi Dumas said. “Our message is always safety first.”

What residents should know: The fire marshal’s office recommended some of the following tips:

• Follow the law and be sure fireworks are legal in your community and with your homeowners association
• Make sure there is a bucket of water or water source nearby for emergencies
• Soak used fireworks prior to disposing of them in the trash

Catch up on Community Impact’s coverage this week with five trending Greater Houston-area stories from Dec. 19-26:

1. Coastal Texas Project moves forward with two new design contracts

2. $81M Greenhouse Road underpass set for 2026 construction

3. 8 businesses coming soon to Sugar Land-Missouri City

4. Vevor to open at former Big Lots location on Jones Road

5. Singas Famous Pizza coming to Sugar Land
 

Here are five of the most-read CI Texas stories from this year and the latest updates on these trending topics.

1. Texas Senate passes bill that would nearly double property tax exemption for seniors, people with disabilities: Elderly and disabled homeowners were set to receive a $200,000 property tax exemption this year.

2. Texas House bill would make it easier to remove students from the classroom: The law gives teachers more discretion to remove students from the classroom if they are repeatedly disruptive or threaten the safety of others.

3. What to know about the 17 state propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot: Nearly 3 million Texans voted in the November election, approving all 17 constitutional amendments.

4. Texas House bill would prohibit cellphone use in K-12 schools: Under House Bill 1481, cellphones and other personal communication devices are prohibited bell-to-bell in Texas public schools.

5. Texas families can now access 2022-23 A-F school accountability ratings after multiyear legal battle: The state later released ratings for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years in August.