Fort Bend County will discuss the future of the county judge position following the felony conviction of sitting County Judge KP George.

What’s happening: George was convicted March 20 on two third-degree felony money laundering charges—totalling $46,500—tied to campaign funds, said Wesley Wittig, Fort Bend County second assistant district attorney.

What it means: Wittig said George would not be removed from office immediately. He said removal language would be included in the judgment once sentencing is complete. However, if George appeals, that could pause the removal and allow the court to consider suspending him from office while the appeal is pending.

The background: George was indicted last March for money laundering, where prosecutors claim he tampered with campaign finance reports for personal financial use between January and April of 2019, according to court records.

Looking ahead: Fort Bend County officials are scheduled to meet March 26 to discuss the steps for the future leadership of the county

Improvements are slated to begin on Sugar Land's Williams Trace Boulevard in 2027.

The big picture: At a March 17 meeting, Sugar Land City Council approved a $1.22 million design contract with Edminster, Hinshaw, Russ, and Associates (EHRA) Inc. for the reconstruction of Williams Trace Boulevard from Oyster Creek to Hwy. 6.

The details: In addition to the reconstruction of the four-lane divided road, the project will also:

• Widen the existing sidewalk to a 10-foot shared-use path
• Improve traffic signals at intersections
• Add a triple left-turn lane at Hwy. 6
• Remove the northbound left-turn lane at Quarry Hill Road
• Improve drainage and inlets as well as manhole replacement

In honor of Women's History Month, which runs March 1-31, here are a few women-owned businesses located in the Greater Houston area.

​​Retail Therapy
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-name 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.

• 10782 Grant Road, Houston

• 2757 Rayford Road, Spring

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from March 16-20.

• Fleet Week Houston ship lineup announced
• Photos: Houston officials give HUD Deputy Director tour of new hub for individuals experiencing homelessness
• Houston Methodist announces $104M expansion in Cypress
• Greater Heights Strategic Connections Plan to see final round of resident engagement in March
• See when these 9 Greater Houston-area water parks will open for the 2026 season

On March 31, Texas’ roughly 9,000 licensed consumable hemp retailers will face sweeping regulations, including a more than 3,000% increase in annual licensing fees and a ban on most smokable cannabis products.

The overview: The new rules, which also include age verification requirements, stricter packaging guidelines and more rounds of product testing, were originally proposed in December. The Texas Department of State Health Services, which regulates the state’s hemp industry, adopted the rules March 2.

The debate: Supporters of the increased regulations previously said they hoped the changes would result in more comprehensive oversight of Texas’ hemp industry and improve consumer safety. 

Some experts said they were concerned the new rules were taking effect too quickly and could lead some hemp businesses to close their doors.

"It is really tragic that these entrepreneurs are being faced with this, especially in a state like Texas that touts being pro-business ... and here we are shutting down businesses and relegating consumers to an illicit market," said Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center.