Construction on a new Wendy’s restaurant in Humble is set to begin in February, according to a Dec. 17 filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The details: With locations in more than 30 countries, the fast-food chain offers a variety of dining options, including hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, breakfast items and desserts. While the filing states construction is expected to wrap up in May, a projected opening date has not yet been announced.

• 6603 Will Clayton Parkway, Ste. 100, Humble

With the opening of a Family Place Library at the Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library on Dec. 15, the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation has completed a $1 million multiyear initiative to expand literacy access across the Greater Houston area, nonprofit officials announced in a Dec. 18 news release.

Read all about it: Per the release, the BBHLF's Family Place Libraries initiative launched in 2017 following the death of former first lady Barbara Bush to honor and advance her lifelong commitment to family literacy and early childhood education.

Quote of note: "Mrs. Bush believed deeply that parents are a child's first and most important teachers, and that libraries play a vital role in supporting families. Family Place Libraries bring her vision to live every single day," BBHLF President and CEO Julie Finck said in a statement.

Through partnerships with the Houston Public Library and Harris County Public Library, the BBHLF was able to open 40 Family Place Libraries across the Greater Houston area by the end of 2025—the year Bush would've turned 100 years old.

Truckloads of food, toys, beds, blankets and other essential items were delivered to Harris County’s animal shelter Dec. 15 as part of ‘"Santa Paws," a collaborative holiday project with Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s office. 

Quote of note: “What makes Santa Paws so special is seeing the generosity of our community and their commitment to helping animals,” Ramsey said in a news release. 

The setup: More than 1,000 items were collected at various Precinct 3 locations, and Ramsey said community members from the following organizations were part of the initiative:

• Harris County Pets
• Friends of Harris Pets
• Mystic Mutts Groomers
• Sheffield Liquidators of Crosby
• Local rescue groups, fosters and volunteers

Central Texas counties could begin receiving up to $1.25 million each in state funding for flood warning sirens in the coming weeks and months, officials announced Dec. 16.

The overview: The funding comes less than six months after historic flooding hit parts of Central and West Texas over the July 4 weekend, killing at least 137 residents and visitors. During special legislative sessions this summer, state lawmakers approved requirements that 30 counties included in a July disaster declaration install flood warning systems with the help of $50 million in state grants.

Zooming in: Each county is expected to receive up to $1.25 million from the Texas Water Development Board. Counties seeking more money will need their requests approved by the three-member board.

Counties are required to submit detailed project plans to the TWDB and can use the grants to install physical infrastructure such as sirens, rain gauges, flood gauges and solar panels to power the warning systems. The money can also be used for local flood education, outreach and training programs, TWDB staff said.