Humble’s police chief has been put on paid administrative leave pending an independent third party review, Humble city leaders confirmed Dec. 11.

Breaking news: Humble Police Chief Daniel Zientek was placed on leave during a closed executive session at Humble City Council’s regular Dec. 11 meeting, Humble City Manager Jason Stuebe confirmed via email Dec. 11. The investigation pertains to police department “management and operations,” Stuebe said. No further information was provided on why the decision was made.

Quote of note: "Because this is an ongoing investigation, the city has no further comment," Stuebe said in the email.

The timeline: The investigation will likely not be completed until after Jan. 1 due to the upcoming Christmas holiday season, he added.

The backstory: Zientek was first chosen as Humble’s police chief in May, as previously reported by Community Impact. He previously served as assistant chief and was promoted after former Chief Ken Theis retired.

Golden Chick has opened a new location inside an Humble-area Walmart Supercenter, restaurant officials announced in a Dec. 3 news release. 

The details: Per the release, the new location provides a full-menu dining option for Walmart shoppers and nearby residents, and is accessible across third-party delivery and mobile ordering platforms.

Owned and operated by Golden Chick franchisee Ashley Alam, the Humble location is Alam’s fourth Golden Chick location.

What else? Founded in 1967, Golden Chick is a quick-service restaurant franchise offering chicken tenders and sandwiches.

The new location will operate daily from 6 a.m.-11 p.m and serve breakfast from 6-10:30 a.m.

• Opened Dec. 3
• 6626 FM 1960 E., Humble

Officials from Montgomery and Harris counties are working with state officials in hopes of preserving a large tract of land poised for development near Benders Landing, per a Dec. 11 news release.

What's happening? Per the release, Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner Ritch Wheeler, Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey and state Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, are working with representatives from Gov. Greg Abbott's Office and General Land Office Commissioner Dawn Buckingham to explore options for preserving the land, which is located between Spring Creek and the West Fork of the San Jacinto River.

Some context: Previously owned by RYKO Development and slated for the construction of 7,000 new homes, the land was sold to Scarborough Group earlier this year. During a town hall in April, Wheeler said area residents expressed concerns about the development's potential impact on traffic, flooding and drainage.

Why it matters: Wheeler noted the green space preservation, if successful, could be beneficial to residents in both Montgomery and Harris counties. 

Houston City Council further delayed approval of a “high-risk” apartment inspection program after council members voted Dec. 10 to continue fine-tuning the program in a joint committee meeting.

About the program: The proposed Houston Multi-Family Habitability Code—authored by council member Letitia Plummer—would require rental properties with too many habitability violations to register as “high risk” and submit inspections with the city, according to documents detailing the ordinance.

Some context: While many council members expressed support for the initiative during the Dec. 10 meeting, several officials, including Mayor John Whitmire and Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum, said there hasn’t been enough opportunity for public feedback on the proposed ordinance.

What happened: The council voted to send the ordinance back to the administration—where it will be referred to the Economic Development and Housing and Affordability committees—with the expectation that the ordinance will be placed on the City Council agenda within 30 days of committee review. The joint committee meeting is expected to take place in early 2026, after Plummer's last day on City Council on Dec. 17. 

Despite the heat and humidity in Texas, Houstonians can go ice skating in the Greater Houston area this holiday season. This is not a comprehensive list.

Ice at Discovery Green
Green Mountain Energy presents Ice at Discovery Green, where park-goers can enjoy skating in the heart of Houston. There will be multiple theme nights, such as DJ Skate Night Saturdays, Skating with Santa and Inclusive Skaters Night.

• Open through Feb. 2; operating hours vary
• $20.99; includes skates
• 1500 McKinney St., Houston

• Open through Jan. 19; operating hours vary
• $7 (age 5 and under); $15 (ages 6 and older); includes skates
• 2005 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands