As a result of flooding in Kerr County over the summer, Pearland first responders provided resources and were part of a 50-member team that helped rescue people.

What happened: In what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration called a "whiplash event," 135 people died and two remain missing following the floods in Kerr County on Fourth of July weekend, which saw some rivers in the area rise by nearly 30 feet in just a few hours.

Pearland, as a result, was one of several entities around the state, country and world that joined the three-week deployment to save people. Officials are now reviewing and reflecting on how the efforts went—and what lessons were learned.

The overview: Captain Rusty Ryan from Pearland Fire Department led water rescue operations, working alongside a 50-member team, which included first responders from League City Fire and later joined Nebraska Task Force One for 14 days.

Alvin ISD’s board of trustees approved at its Oct. 21 meeting a $32.5 million construction contract for elementary school No. 23.

The elementary school is a part of the district’s 2024 bond that passed in November 2024, Community Impact previously reported. The bond will allocate $380.1 million to address the district’s enrollment growth.

The overview: The district received five proposals from contractors for the new elementary school in September, and recommended Houston-based Drymalla Construction Company to the board as it offered “the best value to the district,” AISD board agenda documents note.

The details: Elementary school No. 23 will be located at Canterra Creek, a master-planned community located in northern Iowa Colony along Hwy. 288 on CR 57.
 

New laws restricting or banning panhandling and vendors along roadways may be coming to unincorporated Harris County in light of a state bill that went into effect Sept. 1.

The overview: In May, Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 2012, which allows counties to curb roadside and parking lot soliciting. The bill permits restrictions on people asking for money or selling food or merchandise, including animals, along roadways.

The details: During Harris County Commissioner Court's Oct. 16 meeting, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey asked the county attorney to work with court offices to draft an ordinance, which could include the following:

• Clear prohibitions on panhandling that affects traffic lanes, medians and other areas that pose safety risks
• Improves traffic flow and quality of life by creating designated safety zones away from busy traffic
• Minimizes disruption to daily commutes
• Enhances the overall community environment in unincorporated areas
• Fosters a more orderly public space without impeding individual rights

Two constitutional amendments on the Nov. 4 ballot would impact the operation and oversight of Texas’ judicial system if approved by voters.

The details: State Proposition 3 seeks to require judges to deny bail for certain felony offenses, keeping more defendants in jail as they await trial. Proponents of the measure, which passed the Legislature with bipartisan support, said in June that it would improve public safety by keeping violent offenders behind bars.

Proposition 12 would rework the 13-member State Commission on Judicial Conduct, allowing the governor to appoint a majority of the commissioners and requiring most sanctions for judges accused of misconduct to be issued publicly. The bipartisan proposition faced pushback from some House Democrats who expressed concerns that allowing the governor to appoint a majority of commissioners would politicize the nonpartisan judicial conduct commission and give Abbott more power to remove from office judges whom he does not agree with.

Zooming out: The measures are among 17 state propositions being considered by Texas voters in the Nov. 4 election.