Houston City Council approved an interlocal agreement with the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority in early January to get the ball rolling on an improvement project for Waugh Drive and Heights Boulevard.

About the project: The project consists of intersection safety improvements at Waugh Drive and Feagan Street, as well as South Heights Boulevard and the intersection of Feagan Street/Willa Street. Improvements will consist of the installation of traffic signals, crosswalks, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps and improvements to the pavement markings and signage for the existing lane merge south of the intersections.

Sherry Weesner, president of the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority, said on Jan. 21 that the project is currently being advertised for bids, and while there is no specific construction start date, the authority anticipates that the project will start by the third quarter of 2026. The third quarter encompasses anywhere between July 1 and Sept. 30.

Kazzan Ramen and Bar’s last day of business will be Jan. 24, according to a restaurant representative. 

At a glance: The Kazzan Heights location is the restaurant’s second location in the U.S. and the first in Texas. After opening off Heights Boulevard and Yale Street in July 2024, the ramen bar recently announced its upcoming closure in a Jan. 19 news release.

Restaurant representatives did not provide a reason for closure.

One more thing: Before closing, the restaurant will offer special discounts, including 50% off all alcoholic beverages. Guests can also choose from a variety of ramen options, including shio, shoyu, karamiso and sukiyaki, as well as toppings such as braised pork and marinated egg. 

• 191 Heights Blvd., Houston

According to the National Weather Service, Winter Storm Fern is expected to move through the region starting Jan. 24 and bring freezing temperatures through Jan. 27. Officials with the NWS also noted wind chills will likely range from 5-15 degrees, which poses hypothermia and frostbite risks with prolonged exposure.

The update: Harris County and city of Houston officials announced 13 warming centers that will open Jan. 24, including:

• Acres Homes Multi-Service Center: 6719 W. Montgomery Road, Houston
• Bayland Community Center: 6400 Bissonnet St., Houston
• Denver Harbor MSC: 6402 Market St., Houston
• Fifth Ward MSC: 4014 Market St., Houston
• Fonde Community Center: 110 Sabine St., Houston
• Kashmere MSC: 4802 Lockwood Drive, Houston
• Magnolia MSC: 7037 Capitol St., Houston
• Metropolitan MSC: 1475 W. Gray St., Houston
• Moody Community Center: 3725 Fulton St., Houston
• Northeast MSC: 9720 Spaulding St., Houston
• Southwest MSC: 6400 High Star Drive, Houston

A far-reaching winter storm is expected to bring below-freezing temperatures, wintry precipitation and “dangerous ice” to Texas beginning Jan. 23, according to the National Weather Service. As residents brace for days of potentially hazardous conditions, state leaders said Jan. 22 that the Texas power grid “has never been stronger” and will withstand the storm.

What's happening: Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 134 of Texas’ 254 counties, telling reporters that the northern two-thirds of the state—from San Antonio to the Panhandle—will be impacted by the storm.

Officials said they do not expect a repeat of the widespread power outages that occurred during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, emphasizing that changes have been made in recent years to harden the grid against extreme weather. The governor said some Texans could see “local, isolated” outages due to fallen tree branches or ice on power lines.

"The severity of it is not quite as great... as Winter Storm Uri," Abbott said. "That said, people would be making a mistake if they don't take it serious."