HTX-LHK: Impact 9/25/2025

There are several events taking place this fall in the Lake Houston area, including pumpkin patches, fall festivals and markets.

Tricks & Treats Among the Trees: Visit a nature trail featuring fall activities, including a pumpkin patch, creepy critters and entertainment.

• Oct. 25, 3-6 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive, Humble

• Oct. 25, 4-9 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• Town Center Park, 8 N. Main St., Kingwood

Owner Letty Martinez said she has plans to open The Taco Shop in Humble this fall. 

What to expect: Martinez said The Taco Shop will offer authentic Mexican breakfast options and will be located two doors away from her other restaurant, Letty’s Authentic Mexican Cocina.

“Letty’s usually opens at 11 a.m. so I wanted to open a restaurant to offer breakfast,” Martinez said.

Some context: In addition to Letty’s Authentic Mexican Cocina, Martinez also owns Yummy Tummy—a bakery offering ready-to-go cakes, pastries, cupcakes, cookies and custom orders—with locations in Humble and New Caney.

• Opening in November
• 1007 First St. E., Humble

The Harris Health board of trustees unanimously approved a resolution Sept. 23 calling for the acquisition of a portion of Hermann Park to support the expansion of Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital, according to a news release.

Current situation: The board authorized the Harris Health legal team to take all necessary actions to purchase three parcels of land in Hermann Park—totaling about 8.9 acres, or 2% of the park—by eminent domain. The land currently belongs to the city of Houston, which oversees the park’s operations. 

How we got here: Harris County voters approved a $2.5 billion Harris Health hospital bond in 2023, which included plans for the Ben Taub expansion, according to past Community Impact reporting. The $410 million project would add approximately 100 patient rooms to the hospital, which has been consistently operating at and beyond its 402-bed capacity, according to the release. 

Fifteen candidates are running for at-large Position 4 on the Houston City Council in the upcoming November election.

Something to note: Letitia Plummer previously held the seat but resigned her position in July to run for the Harris County judge position. She served in the position for five years.

Council members are limited to serving two terms of four years each, according to the city of Houston website, with terms typically beginning Jan. 2.

Early voting begins Oct. 20 and Election Day is Nov. 4.

The Texas Education Agency will begin transitioning to a new standardized testing system after Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law Sept. 17 to replace the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness with three shorter exams.

The overview: Through the 2026-27 school year, Texas public school students in third through 12th grade will continue taking the STAAR each spring. Beginning in fall 2027, students will take three tests at the beginning, middle and end of the year under House Bill 8, the new law.

Students’ results will be released within 48 hours after each new test is administered. STAAR scores are currently released about six weeks after a test ends, according to the TEA. 

The debate: Bill author Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, said the new system will reduce test-related anxiety; give students and teachers feedback throughout the school year; and increase legislative oversight of Texas’ assessment and accountability systems. Critics of the plan said it would increase the amount of time students spend taking exams and essentially create “another STAAR test” developed by the TEA.