On Nov. 1 2024, Harris County officials approved a policy that halved the amount of time—from 30 to 15 days—a pet can stay in the animal shelter before being considered for euthanasia.

The big picture: Euthanasia is the last resort for animals within its custody, according to HCP officials. However, it is an essential component of its operation to ensure the health and safety of other pets in the shelter and residents in the community.

Corey Steele, director of veterinary public health at Harris County Public Health, said euthanizations increased by 1,355 from November 2024 to October 2025. Steele said HCP sent out a survey to over 1,000 animal networks and animal welfare organizations to get their input on the issue.

The impact: Sarah Mills, senior director of operations at nonprofit animal advocacy group PetSet, said when it comes to animals in shelters, there are limited options.

“There are very difficult decisions that have to be made, but the reality is not every dog is adoptable,” Mills said.  

Vegas Texas Casino held its soft opening Feb. 17, owner Duke Thomas told Community Impact. The Casino-style entertainment center will be open from 4 p.m.-midnight Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 6 p.m.-2 a.m.Thursday-Saturday. Thomas said that while Vegas Texas Casino will be closed on Sunday and Monday, it will open on Sunday and Monday in the future, as business dictates.

In case you missed it: Vegas Texas Casino is a practice-style casino where guests can enjoy classic casino-style entertainment. Games offered include blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps and a variety of skill-based and sweepstakes slot machines.

Designed for friendly competition, the venue features a full-service restaurant, a full bar and 20 live game tables, officials said.

• 12810 Telge Road, Cypress

A total of 137,395 in-person and mail-in ballots have been cast in Harris County, more than halfway through the 10-day early voting period ahead of the March 3 primary election.

In a nutshell: Early in-person voting runs from Feb. 17-27, and election day is March 3. 

In Harris County, voters can cast their ballot at any polling location during early voting and on election day. The county has 60 early voting locations.

In Texas, to vote in either a Democratic or Republican primary election, voters do not have to be registered to vote in that party, but must choose one party's election.

Quote of note: “Primary elections are the first step to November,” Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth said via the release. “As we enter the midterm election season, I urge voters to educate themselves on the issues and candidates, and to make their voices heard early in the process.”

Some context: During the March 2024 primary election, 211,223 voters cast ballots during the entire early voting period, as previously reported by Community Impact.

After years of responding to emergencies as an EMT, Kimberly Smith found a different way to take care of people in 2006. Smith now serves the community through a consignment store she took over 20 years ago with used brand named clothing in Cypress. Beyond resale, the shop extends its mission by donating clothing to a local women's shelter, turning gently worn pieces into a source of identity and fresh starts for women in need.

What they offer: The boutique features brands ranging from Free People to Michael Kors and with prices starting at $9.99. Organized by category, including children's uniforms, shoes, handbags, women's clothing and formal attire, Retail Therapy provides a curated shopping experience.

Quote of note: “I tell my staff, ‘You may be the only nice person that that person talks to all day long,'” Smith said. “There are half a dozen resale shops or thrift stores within a 5-mile radius. I want to be memorable for how we treat people.”