Kick off the new year with these eight fun events in the Katy and Fulshear areas. This list is not comprehensive, and events are subject to change.
 

Chips for Chargers: The Fulshear Athletic Booster Club is hosting a casino-themed event featuring a designer handbag raffle, silent auctions and music.

• Jan. 31, 7-11 p.m.
• Free (entry)
• Jones Creek Ranch, 7714 FM 359, Richmond

Galentine’s Fundraising Gala: Enjoy fun activities, inspiring stories and light refreshments at the event supporting South Project, a nonprofit that empowers young mothers.

• Feb. 7, 3-7 p.m.
• $30 (per person)
• Jones Hall, 7714 FM 359, Richmond

Katy Half Marathon: Presented by Houston Methodist, participants can choose between a 1K, 5K or half-marathon and receive doughnuts at the finish line. 

• Feb. 8, 7-10 a.m.
• $24.99-$99.99 (per person)
• Typhoon Texas Waterpark, 555 Katy Fort Bend Road, Katy

Cinco Ranch Branch Library will close for temporarily renovations beginning Jan. 12, library officials announced in a Facebook post.

The details: The library will be closed to replace carpet throughout the entire building, which will require moving all books and shelving, said Sandy Johnson, marketing communications manager for Fort Bend County Libraries. The current carpet is the same one the building opened with over 20 years ago.

What's next: The carpet replacement is expected to be complete in mid-February and the library still plans to hold AARP tax services upon reopening, Johnson said.

Harris County commissioners unanimously approved Jonathan Fombonne as the new county attorney on Jan. 8, a position effective immediately. Fombonne thanked his county attorney staff and his family after commissioners invited him to speak at the Downtown Houston court meeting. 

“Thank you again for your confidence and for this opportunity,” Fombonne said. “I’m honored to serve, and I look forward to working with each one of you.”

The big picture: Fombonne served as deputy county attorney in the county attorney’s office and now replaces a vacant county position after former County Attorney Christian Menefee resigned March 17, after the announcement of his campaign run for U.S. Congress District 18. Menefee leaves the county attorney position after serving five years in office.

Quote of note: Fombonne said it has been an honor serving people with humility and earning their trust with hard work over the past five years with Menefee.

“I learned a lot from working with him, and I’m thankful for his leadership and for the team he built,” Fombonne said. 

A new U.S. Postal Service rule could impact when time-sensitive mail, such as tax forms and mail-in ballots, is considered officially sent.

The overview: Effective Dec. 24, mailed items are postmarked when the USPS processes them, rather than the date items are dropped in a mailbox. A postmark refers to the date and location stamped or printed on most mailed items, indicating when and where the USPS “accepted custody” of a mailpiece, per the federal agency.

Zooming in: According to the Texas comptroller’s office, the updated USPS guidance means items could be postmarked “several days” after they are dropped in a mailbox. This includes date-sensitive items sent by Texas residents and businesses, such as property tax payments, federal tax returns, mail-in ballots and required business reports.

To ensure that mail is postmarked on the day it is sent, customers can take mail into their local post office and request that the item be hand-stamped for free, according to the USPS. Texans can also pay property taxes and submit ballots in-person at county offices.