Residents of Shenandoah shared their concerns regarding ongoing traffic issues during a March 25 public hearing held as part of the city’s ongoing traffic study.

Current situation: Mayor John Escoto addressed residents' concerns about Grogans Mill Road, noting it is a county road, so the city can not take action.

Quote of note: “We work with them, we suggested, and it got us a four-way stop at the intersection of Wellman [Road] and Grogans. We have also suggested they get those flashing stop signs to get more attention and to put signs on the curbs,” Escoto said at the meeting. 

Public input: “Some things we thought about were flashing lights for pedestrians as well as a Flock camera. A Flock camera will not only prevent crime but it will also slow down drivers. We’re looking at this in how we can look at traffic safety, pedestrian protection and overall neighborhood safety,” resident Marie Wise said. 

FM 1488 Animal Medical Center will celebrate its 20-year anniversary in April, owner Jess Jeffrey confirmed.

The impact: The veterinary hospital opened in 2006 with one doctor and five staff members and has since grown into a four-doctor practice with more than 20 employees, Jeffrey said. In 2018, the practice expanded its facility to add another reception area, two exam rooms, a surgical suite, a dental suite and a secondary treatment area.

The locally owned facility offers veterinary care for cats and dogs, including wellness care, dentistry, rehabilitation, and medical and surgical services.

The practice has also supported local law enforcement K9 units and student training programs, and received community recognition from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in 2020 and the Conroe Police Department in 2023, Jeffrey said.

• 7002 FM 1488, Magnolia

Montgomery County commissioners voted 4-1 to advertise for architect services for a new justice center and courthouse facility during the March 26 meeting of Commissioners Court. Commissioners also discussed potential future financing options for the project that could include a bond election.

What happened: Two district court judges, 457th District Judge Vince Santini and 284th District Judge Kristin Bays were both called to the podium during the meeting to discuss available options for the new development. 

The cost: Bays said architectural plans will be completed at no expense to taxpayers through a court facilities fund both earmarked for judicial purposes.

Montgomery County Treasurer Melanie Bush said she’s been working with Commissioner Riley on cost estimates for a variety of potential funding options. She said if the county was to hold a bond election, the cost could range from $250 million for a single courthouse building to a “worst-case” scenario of $700 million for a courthouse and jail.

Shenandoah Mayor John Escoto is up for re-election on May 2, and current council member Ron Raymaker is running against him. The term for the mayor is two years.

What you need to know: Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
 

Over the last five years, more than half of public school districts across the Greater Houston area lost students, with one district seeing a more than 15% decline in enrollment, according to Texas Education Agency data released March 6.

The overview: Community Impact analyzed data from the TEA to learn how many students were enrolled at public school districts for the 2025-26 school year compared to the 2021-22 school year. 

Zooming in: The districts with the highest percentage of students gained over the last five years—from 2021-26—are:

• Splendora ISD with 34.6% enrollment growth
• Lamar CISD with 23.3% enrollment growth
• Tomball ISD and New Caney ISD with 14.9% enrollment growth each

• Aldine ISD with 15.4% enrollment decline
• Houston ISD with 13.3% enrollment decline
• Pasadena ISD with 10.5% enrollment decline
• Alief ISD with 10.4% enrollment decline

 The Houston Independent Bookstore Crawl is back in 2026 with 31 independent bookstores participating from April 1-30.

The setup: For those interested, participants will need to pick up a bookstore crawl card from one of the participating bookstores and get a stamp. For each store visited, the participant will get a stamp or a signature from the bookseller.

What else: As part of the crawl, a raffle will be held in which participants enter for a chance to win special gifts when they visit 15 bookstores. After the 15th visit, an additional entry will be added to the drawing.

Cards must be dropped off at one of the participating bookstores by April 30 by the time the store closes.