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Entergy projects aim to strengthen energy reliability, lower costs

Entergy Texas is increasing electric reliability in Montgomery County with the addition of several major projects in Southeast Texas, including a recently completed substation that will help distribute additional power across the New Caney and Porter areas.

How it works: A subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, Entergy Texas generates, transmits and distributes electricity to more than 524,000 customers across 27 counties in Southeast Texas, said Brian Garcia, Entergy’s regional manager of customer service.

Unlike retail electric providers such as Reliant Energy and TXU Energy, which offer a variety of plans and home services, Garcia said Entergy acts primarily as a regulated utility company responsible for delivering power, maintaining infrastructure and providing service in specific regulated areas.

The impact: Garcia said the Millbend Substation—a roughly $63 million project consisting of several electrical towers and around 6 miles of transmission lines—began operating in January, and was built to help support areas of Montgomery County experiencing growth.

Additionally, Entergy has three new power plants in the region that will further strengthen reliability and energy production throughout the state.

 
Mark Your Calendar
Pickleball tournament, art display reception: 5 events to attend in New Caney, Porter this weekend, March 6-10

Check out what's happening in New Caney and Porter this weekend, March 6-10. 

Tournament: Spring Break Showdown: The Pickleball Zone is holding a pickleball tournament for players rated 2.5 through 4.999 across nearly every category. Events are split by skill levels.

  • March 6-8, 7 a.m.
  • $35-$45
  • 22056 W. Ford Road, Porter

Montgomery County Market Days Spring Market: This spring, the community is invited to shop local at a market featuring Easter gifts, home decor and seasonal favorites.
  • March 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Free (admission)
  • A.V. ‘Bull’ Sallas Park, 21675 McCleskey Road, New Caney

Spring Fling Market & Car Meet: Patrons can enjoy beer while shopping from local vendors at this market and car meet event hosted by Final Gravity Brewpub.
  • March 7, noon-4 p.m.
  • Free (admission)
  • Final Gravity Brewpub, 23435 FM 1314 B-6, Porter

 
Metro News
SHSU expands Bearkat Promise program, increasing free tuition threshold to $100K

Families making up to $100,000 are now eligible for Sam Houston State University’s Bearkat Promise program, after the university announced Feb. 24 that it was raising the family income eligibility threshold from $40,000.

In a nutshell: The Bearkat Promise program provides eligible students with the mandatory tuition and fees they need for up to 15 credit hours per semester, according to its website. The increased income threshold starts in fall 2026.

More details: According to the news release, to qualify for the program, students must:

  • Be an entering freshman or transfer student
  • Be a Texas resident with demonstrated financial need
  • Be eligible for a federal Pell Grant
  • Submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid by the priority deadline of March 1
  • Enroll in at least 12 credit hours per semester

Quote of note: “College affordability affects far more families than many realize,” Jason L. Meriwether, vice president for enrollment management, said via news release. “Expanding the Bearkat Promise ensures more Texas students can focus on earning their degree rather than worrying about tuition.”

 

FOODIE FRIDAY
Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Houston area.

Fish & Chicks officials celebrate January opening of Humble location

Fish & Chicks is now open at 9723 N. Sam Houston Parkway E., Humble, serving crispy fried fish, seasoned wings, shrimp, po’boys and classic Southern sides, owner Nicholas Carter said.

He noted the restaurant focuses on quality ingredients, bold flavors and generous portions.

Read more.

 

🍕 New family-friendly pizza, wine shop opens in the Heights
(Read more)

🥖 Artisan Bread Gallery opens second location in Cy-Fair
(Read more)

🦐 Texas Crawfish Co. to open brick-and-mortar in Conroe
(Read more)

🍧 Falooda Fiesta to serve a fusion of Mexican, Indian bites in Cypress
(Read more)

 

New weekend coffee and croffle shop opens in The Heights

Di Di Coffee opened Feb. 21 at 1221 W. 11th St., Houston. The coffee shop serves croffles, a croissant-waffle hybrid that they describe as “crisp on the outside and fluffy and flaky on the inside.”

Flavors include banana brulee, pistachio matcha, strawberry, and ube cookies and cream. The coffee shop will also serve Vietnamese-style coffee, which is served with strong coffee and sweetened condensed milk.

Read here.

Statewide News
4.5M Texans voted in March 3 primary, shattering past turnout records

Over 2.3 million Democrats and nearly 2.2 million Republicans voted in the March 3 election, according to unofficial election results from the secretary of state. Totaling nearly 4.5 million voters, this is “the highest voter turnout for a primary in Texas history,” the secretary of state’s office said.

By the numbers: Nearly one-fourth of Texas’ 18.7 million registered voters participated in the primaries, shattering turnout rates from recent years. Less than one-fifth of registered voters cast ballots in the 2024 presidential and 2022 midterm primaries, state election records show.

Texas’ previous primary turnout record was set in 2008, when 4.2 million voters cast ballots in high-profile presidential primaries.

Zooming in: Election data shows the most people cast votes in the high-profile U.S. Senate races that topped the ticket, with the total numbers of votes steadily decreasing down the ballot in both primaries.

There is “some certainty” that voter enthusiasm will extend to the November midterm election, Republican data analyst Ross Hunt told Community Impact during early voting.

 

Your local team

Hannah Brol
Senior Editor

Kim Sommers
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

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