The Tractor Supply Co. store in Porter is undergoing a remodel.

Two-minute impact: The project is scheduled to expand the store’s sales floor for more products and space between departments. The store will remain open during the renovation.

Zooming in: The company offers:

• Pet supplies and pharmacy services

• Car and truck parts and equipment

• Power and hand tools

• Yard care equipment, such as leaf blowers and power washers

• Clothing and shoes for men, women and children

Tractor Supply Co. has locations across the U.S.

• 23741 Hwy. 59, Porter

With the replacement New Caney Elementary School campus set to be completed by this summer, a celebration will be held May 15 to honor the original facility. 

Remember this? The new 110,000-square-foot NCES facility cost about $47 million to build and is slated to open before the 2026-27 school year, which begins Aug. 6, as previously reported by Community Impact. Construction on the school began in late 2024 and was funded by the district's $695 million bond package approved by voters in May 2023.

The May 15 event will be a come-and-go open house for the community to walk around the campus, learn about the school and look at old photos, according to an April 2 social media post verified by NCISD officials. Former staff, alumni and current families are encouraged to attend.

Learn more: The celebration will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. May 15 at the current New Caney Elementary campus, located at 20501 FM 1485, New Caney.

The American Heart Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to heart and brain health, in March announced two leadership appointments for the Greater Houston and Gulf Coast markets.

Key players: Kellie Armstrong was named senior executive director for the Greater Houston market, and Lisa Fenley was appointed executive director for the Gulf Coast, according to a news release.

More details: With more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Fenley will oversee initiatives to expand heart health education, CPR awareness, women’s health programming and community partnerships focused on improving cardiovascular outcomes, according to the release.

The luxury motor coach service Vonlane announced April 8 that its newest route will connect the Houston metro to Austin with a departure point in The Woodlands starting May 4. The route is the 12th for the company.

Vonlane launched a route between The Woodlands and Dallas last year. 

What to expect: Vonlane will offer services between The Woodlands and Austin seven days a week at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, 1601 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, and DoubleTree by Hilton Austin-University Area, 1617 N. I-35, Austin.

More details: The introductory rate through Aug. 31 will be $99. The motor coach provides amenities such as Starlink Wi-Fi, meals, snacks, beverages and no baggage or change fees, according to the news release.

Nearly eight months after a Democratic walkout over congressional redistricting, a GOP-led Texas House committee moved to charge 52 of their Democratic colleagues up to $8,354.25 each in fines.

What happened: After six hours behind closed doors, the House Administration Committee approved the fines in a brief public session April 10. The panel's six Republicans voted to impose the fines, while the five Democrats voted against them.

The background: Over 50 House Democrats left the state in early August to fight a plan to redraw Texas’ congressional boundaries. They remained out of Texas for two weeks, impeding the progress of legislation during two special legislative sessions, although the congressional map and more than a dozen other bills ultimately passed after the Democrats returned to Austin.

Something to note: The fines were reduced by $1,000 per person to reflect two days when the House was not in session, lawmakers said. Some Democrats were also charged lower amounts because they did not participate in the full two-week walkout or their absences were partially excused.