HTX-COM: Impact 8/28/2025

With the school year underway, Community Impact interviewed Kristy Starkey, the new career and technical education director at Montgomery ISD, about the role she is stepping into. Starkey became the director in April, before the new CTE facility opened July 30.

The gist: Starkey spoke about what led her to the role and what the future looks like for The DEN, which refers to MISD’s CTE and agricultural science centers. 

During its Aug. 26 meeting, Montgomery City Council approved calling for a public hearing set for Sept. 9 on a request from H-E-B for a special use permit tied to the grocery chain’s planned store in the city.

The permit seeks approval for a drive-thru lane for a restaurant that will be part of the development. City Engineer Chris Roznovsky said the lane would be located on the east side of the building.

How we got here: The H-E-B will sit on a 32.42-acre tract of land at the southeast corner of Hwy. 105 and FM 2854, with 16.75 acres used for the grocery chain and an anticipated opening in late 2026, as reported.

The store is also slated to include a gas station and car wash. According to a May 2024 feasibility study, the development is expected to generate $45,600 in annual tax revenue and will cost $140,000 in public infrastructure.

Plans call for a detention pond with an added “Texan feel,” Montgomery Mayor Sara Countryman told Community Impact in April. 

There are several events taking place in Conroe and Montgomery this weekend. Check them out below. This list is not comprehensive and events are subject to change.

‘Fiddler on the Roof’
The Players Theatre Company is presenting “Fiddler on the Roof,” a play about Tevye, a poor milkman and his five daughters.

• Aug. 29, 30, 7:30 p.m., Aug. 31, 2 p.m.
• $21-$30 (admission)
• The Owen Theatre, 225 Metcalf St., Conroe

• Aug. 30-31, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Free (limited availability), $10.34 (one-day ticket), $12.41 (two-day ticket)
• Lone Star Convention & Expo Center, 4005 Airport Road, Conroe

Kelsey-Seybold has filed plans for work at a new site in Conroe, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The details: Construction began in August and is set to wrap up in November, according to the filing. The project has an estimated cost of $24 million. No further details are available at this time, a company spokesperson said Aug. 22. Details are subject to change.

• 11150 I-45, Conroe

Some communities in Flash Flood Alley, which stretches through Central Texas and includes the Colorado and Guadalupe River basins, would be required to install flood warning sirens under a bill advanced by state House lawmakers Aug. 26.

The details: Under Senate Bill 3:

• The Texas Water Development Board would identify areas impacted by the deadly July 4-5 floods that have “a history of consistent or severe flooding.”
• Local governments in the identified areas would be required to install flood warning sirens if they are not already present.
• The state would distribute up to $50,000 in grants to help cities and counties install warning systems.