D-BAT to host grand opening celebration in Valley Ranch
D-BAT Valley Ranch will host a grand opening celebration Sept. 12 from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., complete with giveaways, promos, raffles and more, officials announced in a Sept. 10 news release.
What they offer: The 15,000-square-foot indoor, climate-controlled baseball and softball facility opened to the public in August and offers batting cage rentals, private lessons with professional instructors, more than 50 camps and clinics per year and monthly memberships for players of all skill levels.
The facility also features automated pitching machines, pitching mounds, a team/party room and a fully stocked pro shop. Quote of note: "We are thrilled to open our doors and welcome the Valley Ranch community," said Dan Lazarou, general manager of D-BAT Valley Ranch in a statement. "This facility was designed to support athletes of all ages and skill levels while also providing a space for teams, families and the community to come together."
Porter retail project to receive 15-year tax rebate from East Montgomery County Improvement District
A 15-year retail tax rebate was approved by the East Montgomery County Improvement District’s board of directors for a planned retail project in Porter.
The specifics: Caldwell Communities, a real estate developer with offices in Cypress, Houston and College Station, is planning a retail development at the intersection of the Grand Parkway and FM 1314 in Porter. EMCID’s agreement with Caldwell, approved June 12, will provide a $0.005 tax rebate for retail in that development.
The design for Caldwell’s project has not yet been finalized, Mattlage said, so no information on what the company will specifically be bringing to the site was available as of press time Sept. 10.
Also of note: Caldwell also owns a master-planned community in Porter dubbed The Highlands, which opened in fall 2021 and has since welcomed over 800 families.
Montgomery County DA’s Office launches human trafficking enforcement partnership
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office has entered a multiyear partnership with the Human Trafficking Institute to expand local efforts to combat human trafficking, child exploitation and commercial sexual exploitation, according to a Sept. 9 news release.
Montgomery County is one of the first five counties in Texas to partner with Human Trafficking Institute, per the release.
What you need to know: The initiative will provide law enforcement, prosecutors and frontline agencies with training, investigative tools and subject-matter expertise aimed at improving victim identification, case outcomes and long-term enforcement strategies, according to the release.
Diving in deeper: The partnership began with a two-day training Sept. 8-9 at the Lone Star Convention Center in Conroe. Sessions covered Texas legal frameworks, proactive victim identification, advanced investigative techniques, digital evidence and cross-agency collaboration.
What’s next: The District Attorney’s Office and Human Trafficking Institute plan to continue hosting technical training sessions for law enforcement and prosecutors throughout the county. Officials said these efforts will build long-term capacity to better identify victims, investigate cases and hold traffickers accountable.
4 Houston-area events celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
There are several events taking place in the Greater Houston area to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from Sept. 15-Oct. 15. This list is not comprehensive.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration Houston Premium Outlets is hosting a performance and dance lessons from Mixteco Ballet Folklorico and a performance from Mariachi Estrella de Mi Tierra.
Annual survey finds there are more than 3,000 homeless people in the Houston region
The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County's annual point-in-time survey shows homelessness in the Houston area remains steady, but there has been a jump in chronic homelessness compared to last year.
Latest update: The coalition found that there were 3,325 homeless individuals in the region the night of Jan. 27, 2025, 45 more compared to last year, according to the report. Harris County was reported to have 3,000 homeless individuals, while Montgomery and Fort Bend counties were reported to have 247 and 78, respectively.
Compared to the national level, which has been climbing annually, Houston’s homeless population remains steady, due in part to a “consistent response system” to addressing homelessness, Kelly Young, the coalition’s president and CEO, told Community Impact in an interview.
Despite the stability, the region has seen a 16% increase in unsheltered homeless individuals. Young said the rise in unsheltered homelessness compared to last year is because of reduced shelter capacity in 2024.
FOODIE FRIDAY Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Houston area.
Local Spot has opened its doors next to Adventure Island Pool in Cross Creek Ranch.
The new venture from Eat Local Concepts, which owns several Local Table locations in the Greater Houston area, aims to provide casual fare, classic bar bites and craft cocktails as well as menu favorites from Local Table, Community Impact reported.
🌮 Tacos El Sabor Callejero now serving Mexican cuisine in Kingwood (Read more)
🆕 Missouri City gets a taste of Hong Kong with no tipping required (Read more)
😋 Margarita Jones looks to open by end of September (Read more)
🍕 Bite Pizza Co. brings South Asian fusion to Sugar Land (Read more)
Designed to remind customers of a Parisian evening or a Bordeaux tasting room, Chateau Bellecru serves a curated selection of wines from vineyards across France, according to the business’s website.
The chateau sits near the intersection of I-10 and Studemont Street, hosting wine tastings and private celebrations, among other experiences.
The menu posted online states that a selection of red and white wines is updated weekly. The wine bar also offers rosé wines and nonalcoholic options as well as a selection of appetizers, including pastries and charcuterie boards.
