The city of Fulshear has entered stage 1 of its drought contingency plan, city officials announced in an Aug. 28 news release.

The gist: As part of Fulshear’s three-stage drought contingency plan approved in 2024, the mayor has the power to enact stage 1 due to weather conditions, distribution, water supply system deficiencies and unforeseen circumstances to ensure entering stage 2 becomes unnecessary.

The plan was put in place to conserve public water when there is a drought, water supply shortage or emergency, while still having the required water amount to service Fulshear, per the city’s website.

The specifics: The release states stage 1 requests residents and businesses voluntarily limit outdoor watering to twice per week to reduce usage by 2% with protocols including:

• Odd-numbered addresses watering on Sunday and Thursday

• Even-numbered addresses watering on Wednesday and Saturday

• No scheduled watering on Monday, Tuesday and Friday

The city is also increasing leak detection, repair efforts as well as collaborating with major water users to support voluntary reductions.

Skin care franchise The Only Facial has opened its second location in Greater Houston, business representatives confirmed.

The options: Customers can choose from two facials: “the signature facial” or the “teen facial” for those 18 years old or younger, according to the company’s website.

Zooming out: The Only Facial’s other Greater Houston location opened The Woodlands in May, as previously reported by Community Impact.

• 23128 Westheimer Parkway, Ste. 100, Katy

Greater Houston-area officials are monitoring conditions as a tropical system could bring heavy rainfall and the potential for flash flooding to the area as early as the morning of Sept. 1, per the National Weather Service.

What’s happening: Per the NWS, Tropical Depression 5 is expected to become a tropical storm after press time Aug. 31 before making landfall along the upper Texas or southwest Louisiana coast Sept. 1.

Gov. Greg Abbott at an Aug. 31 press conference said the storm is anticipated to make landfall near Chambers and Jefferson counties in the afternoon of Sept. 1. The worst of the rain is expected to be concentrated in Harris County.

That forecast could include a storm surge of 2-4 feet in Chambers and Jefferson counties, as well as local rainfall getting as high as 10-15 inches, including in some areas getting 3-4 inches per hour, Abbott said.

While the rainfall is expected to affect the area’s rivers, it’s too early to tell if it will pose any imminent danger, Abbott said.

Spay and neuter costs have increased at least 50% at the county’s Pet Wellness Clinic.

At a glance: Harris County commissioners approved fee increases for the county Pet Wellness Clinic during its business court meeting Aug. 25. The increases will impact spay and neutering services, vaccinations, heartworm and flea prevention medicines and nail trimming, among others.

Spaying will increase 212% for dogs and 87% for cats, bringing starting costs to $125 and $75, respectively. Neutering will increase 150% for dogs and 50% for cats, bringing starting costs to $100 and $60, respectively.

Sorting out details: So far this year, the Pet Wellness Clinic has spayed and neutered 2,070 dogs and 2,301 cats, according to county data available from January to July. Last year, the clinic spayed and neutered 6,617 animals.

The cost increase comes as the clinic seeks to maintain quality and accessible care, HCPH said in a statement.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced over $6.3 million in grants for 27 organizations that serve veterans in the Southeast Texas region as part of the Texas Veterans Commission’s Grants Across Texas Tour initiative according to a news release. The TVC is Texas’ state department of veteran affairs. 

Quote of note: “Texans are forever indebted to our brave veterans who selflessly answered the call to serve in our nation’s military,” Abbott said. “These Fund for Veterans' Assistance grants will provide the men and women who served in our nation’s military access to crucial services to improve their quality of life in Southeast Texas and the Coastal Bend area. Our state will always honor our veterans, their families, and their service to our state and our nation.”

The Texas Department of Transportation manages over 200,000 miles of state highways. Roughly 72% of all vehicle travel in the state occurs on TxDOT-maintained highways, TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said.

As Texas’ population continues to grow, so does “demand on our transportation systems, from busy urban corridors to rural communities,” Williams told lawmakers during an Aug. 17 hearing held by the Texas House Transportation Committee.

What's happening: More than 11,000 TxDOT projects are currently in the works, according to the agency’s website.

To keep motorists informed about road construction, TxDOT collects public input during the project planning process, then conducts outreach on social media, on project websites and through email notifications before and during closures, according to Eric Lykins, TxDOT’s senior director of district operations. The agency also places electronic message signs on roadways ahead of closures or detours, he said.

Some state lawmakers are encouraging transportation officials to improve outreach to motorists when roads, lanes and exits are closed or adjusted.