During the Oct. 5 session, Bellaire City Council approved the purchase of 43 TASER 10 energy weapons and all associated equipment for the BPD in a not-to-exceed amount of $225,490, according to agenda documents.

Major takeaways: The attached ordinance indicates that the BPD will enter a five-year contract with manufacturing company Axon Enterprise, Inc., for the provision of the upgraded tasers.

The roughly $225.4K total contract value will be paid over five annual installments of $45,098. This year’s payment is already included in the fiscal year 2026-27 adopted budget.

Dig deeper: Bellaire officials also approved the purchase of two patrol vehicles for up to $194,630, agenda documents show.

This decision comes after the Bellaire Fleet Vehicle Team identified two marked patrol vehicles at the department that were reaching the end of their lifespan and needed to be replaced during FY 2026-27.

Funds for the replacements will be sourced from the city’s Vehicle, Equipment and Technology Fund within the FY 2026-27 adopted budget.

The popular indoor simulator franchise called Back Nine Golf has been rapidly expanding across the Greater Houston area in the last two years, with locations in New Caney, Shenandoah and Kingwood opening in 2026.

Now, franchise owners are planning to open a second location inside Loop 610, following the debut of the Heights concept late last year.

Two-minute impact: Back Nine Golf operates as an indoor 24/7 golf simulator facility that allows golfers of all ages and experience levels to play at their own pace.

The simulator bays track metrics such as ball speed, launch angle and club path, according to the business's website. Guests can select famous real-world courses to play on, practice on a virtual driving range or play mini-games.

Sorting out details: A project listing by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shows that a $350,000 renovation project will occur to transform an existing space inside the Southwest Freeway Retail Center into the new concept. Construction is anticipated to start in November.

• 3800 Southwest Freeway, Ste. 136, Houston

Autumn is in full swing and there’s lots to do from Oct. 10-Nov. 2 across the Bellaire, Meyerland and West University Place areas. Celebrate the season using this events guide by Community Impact.

Friends of the Bellaire Library Fall Book Sale: At the Bellaire Fire Station, patrons can drop by the semi-annual book sale and browse used books for adults and children, puzzles and more.

• Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-2 p.m

Arts of Korea Gallery Celebration: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and Han Narea will showcase traditional Korean dance performances by Seoul-based group Yeonhui Connect IEUL, in addition to live music.

• Oct. 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Ezra Charles Jazz Trio at Ovations: A live, conversational show featuring jazz trio Ezra Charles, Earnest Potts on tenor sax and Jake Helpinstill on percussion.

• Oct. 17, 7 p.m. (doors open); 7:30 p.m. (concert begins)

All events are subject to change, and this list is not comprehensive.

The Texas Renaissance Festival will return to Todd Mission for its 52nd season in 2026, running from Oct. 10 through Nov. 29.

Read all about it: Spanning 70 acres, the nation's largest Renaissance-themed event features 21 stages, more than 400 artisanal shops and over 200 acres of camping facilities.

The festival will showcase eight themed weekends from Oktoberfest on Oct. 10-11 to Celtic Christmas on Nov. 27-29. Additional themes include Pirate Adventure, Barbarian Invasion and All Hallows Eve.

What's new: This year the festival will bring back fan-favorite attractions alongside new acts, including Paladin, the Errant Fool; Sons of Olympus; and Lester Jesterson.

Tickets range from $16 to $40. Admission is free for kids 5 and under on Saturdays, and kids 13 and under get in free on Sundays.

Ahead of Texas' 2027 legislative session, the state comptroller's office has asked lawmakers to double funding for its $1 billion education savings account program.

The overview: The program gives participating families taxpayer dollars for private education and homeschooling, and officials said at least $2 billion are needed to maintain current participation in the program.

Meanwhile, some Texas families are raising concerns about their local school districts losing money as students leave public schools to participate in the program, known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts.

What they're saying: "149 students have accepted vouchers that were otherwise enrolled in Pflugerville ISD, [resulting in] an estimated loss of $1.2 million in attendance funding," said Stacy Harrell, a PfISD parent. "That lost funding will add to budget cuts that are already affecting Pflugerville ISD families. Four elementary schools [are closing], with the possibility of more."