There are several transportation updates around the Conroe and Montgomery area. Check them out below. This list is not comprehensive.

Hwy. 105 widening
Project: Between 10th Street and South Loop 336, Hwy. 105 is being widened from two to four lanes.
Update: This project is 60% complete, according to the Texas Department of Transportation’s March 10 media update.

• Timeline: March 2023-second quarter 2028
• Cost: $52.65 million
• Funding source: state funds

• Timeline: November 2024-third quarter 2027
• Cost: $20.57 million
• Funding source: state funds

Blended and Blessed Protein Bar is now open along Hwy. 105 in Montgomery, owner Melissa Robertson confirmed.

Quote of note: “We recently moved to the area and honestly every time we came over to Montgomery, everyone was so nice and welcoming,” Robertson said. “So we found a spot to make our dream of owning a small business come true.”

The gist: The business offers a variety of protein and fruit smoothies, alongside iced protein coffee. Blended and Blessed Protein Bar also offers pastries such as cake pops, protein pies and protein donuts.

• 18417 Hwy. 105, Ste. 5, Montgomery

St. Luke’s Health has awarded $1.01 million in philanthropic grants to 19 nonprofits in the Greater Houston area, according to an April 6 news release. The grants are intended to address health disparities and enhance the well-being of underserved populations, according to the news release.

What we know: The grants are a part of the CommonSpirit Health Community Health Improvement Grants program.
According to a news release, the program will:

• Improve community health

• Advance health equity

• Enhance local services through charitable contributions

The impact: Participating nonprofits applied to receive grant funding to cover issues found within St. Luke’s community health needs assessments.
Needs include:

• Improving access to care

• Behavioral health

• Chronic disease

• Food security

• Preventative practices

• Social determinants of health

What they're saying: The local initiative by St. Luke’s is a part of a larger effort by CommonSpirit Health, which has awarded $15 million to 329 organizations nationwide, according to the release.

The luxury motor coach service Vonlane announced April 8 that its newest route will connect the Houston metro to Austin with a departure point in The Woodlands starting May 4. The route is the 12th for the company.

Vonlane launched a route between The Woodlands and Dallas last year. 

What to expect: Vonlane will offer services between The Woodlands and Austin seven days a week at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, 1601 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, and DoubleTree by Hilton Austin-University Area, 1617 N. I-35, Austin.

More details: The introductory rate through Aug. 31 will be $99. The motor coach provides amenities such as Starlink Wi-Fi, meals, snacks, beverages and no baggage or change fees, according to the news release.

Nearly eight months after a Democratic walkout over congressional redistricting, a GOP-led Texas House committee moved to charge 52 of their Democratic colleagues up to $8,354.25 each in fines.

What happened: After six hours behind closed doors, the House Administration Committee approved the fines in a brief public session April 10. The panel's six Republicans voted to impose the fines, while the five Democrats voted against them.

The background: Over 50 House Democrats left the state in early August to fight a plan to redraw Texas’ congressional boundaries. They remained out of Texas for two weeks, impeding the progress of legislation during two special legislative sessions, although the congressional map and more than a dozen other bills ultimately passed after the Democrats returned to Austin.

Something to note: The fines were reduced by $1,000 per person to reflect two days when the House was not in session, lawmakers said. Some Democrats were also charged lower amounts because they did not participate in the full two-week walkout or their absences were partially excused.