Golden Root Academy & Respite Center will host a free Fall Fest & Costume Carnival on Oct. 22 ahead of its planned opening on Oct. 26.

What they offer: Located at 18003 Lago Forest Drive in Humble, the locally owned, women-owned child care center will serve children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. The center will offer full- and part-time preschool alongside before- and after-school care options.

The celebration: The fall festival will allow attendees to tour the new center and meet with staff. The event will feature:

• A bubble party

• Pumpkin decorating and crafts

• A costume parade

• Fall carnival games

• Treats and snacks

Officials from HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood, a 451-bed acute care hospital serving the Lake Houston area, named Chase Christianson as the hospital’s CEO, according to an Oct. 15 news release.

The details: Christianson was most recently employed at HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital as the hospital’s CEO, a position he had held since November 2022, per the news release. He previously served as CEO of Parham Doctors’ Hospital in Virginia and as chief operating officer of HCA Florida Capital Hospital.

Some context: During his tenure at HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital, Christianson oversaw a period of growth and service line development leading to ongoing capital enhancements, according to the news release.

During his tenure at Parham Doctors’ Hospital, the hospital experienced growth in orthopedics, bariatric surgery, colorectal surgery and emergency services, per the news release.

Early voting for the November general election in Harris County begins Oct. 19 and runs through Oct. 30.

The details: Registered voters can cast ballots at any of the county's 75 early voting locations. Voting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., except on Oct. 25, when polls are open from noon to 7 p.m. The general election will take place Nov. 3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Contested races in Harris County include:

• County judge: Letitia Plummer and Orlando Sanchez

• County attorney: Abbie Kamin and Jacqueline Lucci Smith

• District clerk: Chris Daniel and Darrell Jordan, Jr.

• County clerk: Teneshia Hudspeth and Mike Wolfe

• County treasurer: Marc Cowart and Carla L. Wyatt

• County Department of Education, Place 5: Sartaj Bal and Erica Davis

• County Department of Education, Place 7: Denise Dick and Silky Joshi Malik

• County Commissioner Precinct 2: Adrian Garcia and Richard Vega

• County Commissioner Precinct 4: Lesley Briones and Steve Radack

Marcus Stuckett was appointed executive director of the Harris County Flood Control District in June. Stuckett, a Hurricane Harvey survivor, previously worked for the district for seven years, including serving as engineering division director.

His appointment comes as the district faces pressure to meet spending deadlines for 28 federally-funded disaster recovery and flood mitigation projects. The deadlines and funding details include:

• A deadline of February 2027 for 11 disaster recovery projects, which are currently under construction.

• A deadline of March 2028 for the 17 flood mitigation projects.

If the money is not spent on time, the federal agency will reclaim it. Stuckett said the district intends to complete every project regardless of the funding source. His priorities include delivering the projects, increasing responsiveness to resident requests and being transparent about progress and challenges.

Looking to catch up with Community Impact's coverage? Check out these eight stories from Oct. 9-16.

• Preview: Magnolia City Council to discuss how to fill council vacancy

• Howard Hughes Communities announces leadership changes

• Locally owned Saigon District brings a piece of Vietnam to Cypress

• The Peach Cobbler Factory Cy-Fair announces opening date

• Motorcycle-themed coffee shop Cold Start Coffee now open in Spring

• Montgomery County OKs selling next round of road bond funds

• American Express to expand, upgrade Centurion Lounge at IAH

• New early learning reading space to open at R.B. Tullis Library in New Caney