HTX-BMW: Impact 9/10/2025

Bellaire City Council is continuing its progress toward connecting its wastewater to Houston with the approval of two work orders that will help address its aging wastewater treatment plant.

The details: One of the work orders will perform a site evaluation to find the best location to relocate the city’s lift station, City Engineer Beth Jones said during the Sept. 8 City Council meeting. The work order will cost the city $62,000 from the enterprise fund balance, according to the agenda item.

According to previous Community Impact reporting, Bellaire’s lift station, a facility built in 1947 to move sewage or wastewater from a lower to a higher elevation, is dangerous for staff to access because it’s located in a median on Bellaire Boulevard. 

The second approved work order, which costs $83,700 from the enterprise fund balance, will work on figuring out the best path to connect the city’s wastewater to Houston’s wastewater treatment plant.

A new halal smash burger and hot dog eatery concept is coming to the Galleria area.

The event: A grand opening event is scheduled for the Sept. 13 weekend with free food, giveaways and celebrity guest appearances, according to communication representatives.

The details: Smash City is a Houston-based restaurant concept that opened its first food truck location in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Galleria-area location will be the eatery’s first brick-and-mortar storefront in Texas. 

📍6377 Westheimer Road, Houston

Houston Mayor John Whitmire proclaimed Sept. 9 as Local Foods Group Day during Tuesday's public comment session, acknowledging the hospitality group's 30-year legacy in Houston.

About the company: Local Foods Group was founded by Houston native Benjy Levit in 1995 and consists of of four distinct restaurants and two markets across Houston, with one location in Austin's 2nd District.

The group focuses on using fresh, hyper-seasonal ingredients, with an emphasis on healthy dishes such as soups, sandwiches, salads and sides.

The local impact: According to a Sept. 8 news release, Council member Abbie Kamin, District C, recommended the group for recognition as the company has also contributed more than $1 million to charities across Houston.

Check it out: To celebrate the company's 30-year anniversary and the new proclamation, Local Foods Group is offering guests prizes and experiences with the purchase of gift cards until Sept. 12. 

Officials with the Bayou City Art Festival announced Sept. 8 the six local nonprofit partners that will benefit from the fall 2025 event.

About the event: The Bayou City Art Festival is a three-day festival produced by the Art Colony Association that showcases the works of 300 artists across 19 different categories. Visitors can meet exhibiting artists and purchase one-of-a-kind art such as world-class paintings, prints, jewelry, sculptures and functional art.

Giving back: Every year, a portion of the event's proceeds goes to a range of local nonprofits in the art sector. According to the news release, the six nonprofits that will benefit from the Bayou Art Festival Memorial Park 2025 include organizations such as ArtReach, Brave Little Company and The Health Museum.

Before you go: The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 10-12 at Memorial Park. Early bird tickets are available on the Bayou City Art Festival website.

Harris Health and the office of Harris County Commissioner Precinct 3 Tom Ramsey will host a town hall meeting Sept. 10 to share updates and resources with the community. 

The gist: The event will feature updates from Ramsey’s office as well as Harris Health, which will provide information on the $2.5 billion bond projects aimed at expanding access to quality health care in Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods. The Sheila Jackson Lee Center for Accelerating Health Outcomes will also present on current initiatives to address health disparities and access to health resources.

A panel discussion and Q&A session focused on nutrition security and heart health will round out the evening.

The meeting is free and open to the public. It will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at Trini Mendenhall Community Center on 1414 Wirt Road, Houston.

When Texas students returned to school in August, some substantial changes awaited them.

The overview:

• House Bill 2 increases state funding for public schools by $8.4 billion.
• House Bill 1481 prohibits students from using cellphones and other personal communication devices throughout the school day.
• Senate Bill 12 requires parental consent for students to receive "medical, psychiatric and psychological treatment" on campus.
• Senate Bill 13 gives parents and school boards more oversight of library materials.
• House Bill 6 gives teachers more discretion to remove repeatedly disruptive or violent students from class.
• Senate Bill 10 requires most schools to display donated posters of the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
• Senate Bill 11 allows districts to set aside time for students and staff to pray or read religious texts at school.
• Senate Bill 965 codifies school employees' rights to "engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty."