Montgomery County is moving forward with trying to secure money to buy out around 50 flood-prone homes.

The specifics: Montgomery County commissioners at their Nov. 5 meeting approved hiring a consultant to help navigate the application process to obtain funding from a Federal Emergency Management Agency program for buying out and demolishing homes that have flooded multiple times.

“Predominantly, these are going to be located in Precincts 3 and 4, which is based on the historical nature of our flooding,” Millsaps said.

The impact: To date, the county has purchased 148 flood-prone properties, Millsaps said. After the county purchases the properties, the homes are demolished and the land remains green space.

“It’s a great program,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray said.

Two-minute Impact: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filings have confirmed that the boot and western wear retail store Cavender’s will open a new location in Tomball in 2028. The store will be located at 25573 Hwy. 249.

Details of the project include:

• Construction is scheduled to begin Jan. 4 and is projected to be completed Aug. 30, 2027.

• The total estimated cost for the project is $675,000.

• The new store will occupy a 15,000 sq. ft. space.

Cavender’s was founded in Texas in 1965 and operates more than 50 locations across the state. The retailer offers western wear, including boots, jeans, cowboy hats, belt buckles and pocket knives.

The background: The Interfaith Child Development Center (ICDC) celebrated 50 years in The Woodlands with a reception on Nov. 4. The center, which serves approximately 400 students, is a program of Interfaith of The Woodlands and was one of the first programs developed after Interfaith was formed in 1973. It provides care for children from 18 months through the fourth grade.

What they offer: The center offers programs for toddlers, pre-school, pre-kindergarten, transition to kindergarten, school age and enrichment. Extracurricular activities at the facility include:

• A science lab
• Outdoor Nature Classroom
• Spanish and movement education
• Music and dance

Registration for ICDC takes place in February of each year. At the anniversary event, the Parents Club presented a $10,000 donation, which will go toward a playground being built at the facility as part of the Discovery Garden.

At her first public event since winning the Nov. 3 election, Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa announced her initial plans for the transition between gubernatorial administrations, emphasizing her plans to work across the aisle in "building a government that is working for the people of Texas."

The overview: Hinojosa also announced the team leading her transition to the governor's office:

• Joe Madden, former chief of staff for Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo

• Former GOP state Rep. Ernest Bailes

• Ryan Pollock, executive director of the Texas State Building and Construction Trades Council

• Tamala Barksdale, a former Austin ISD trustee

Quote of note: "This is not about being a Democratic administration," she said. "I'm not going to be the governor for just Democrats—I'm going to be the governor for all the people of Texas."

One more thing: Hinojosa said Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, whom she unseated in the Nov. 3 election, had been "gracious" and expressed that his office would "fully cooperate with this transition and be helpful as they can."

Community Impact staff compiled a number of articles ranging from elections to new higher education opportunities and new developments in the area.

Here are the top five stories you may have missed from Oct. 31-Nov. 6 in the Tomball and Magnolia area.

1. See elections results for Tomball ISD board positions 1 and 3

2. Lone Star College System formalizes college credit transfer partnership

3. Tomball presents Rep. Wesley Hunt with key to the city

4. Stocking the shelves: food pantries in Montgomery and Harris counties prepare for holiday season

5. Harris County Precinct 3 opening a new Tomball community center in summer 2028