Magnolia leaders are moving from campaign mode to planning mode after voters approved Proposition A, a sales tax measure expected to help Montgomery County Emergency Services District No. 10 add firefighters, improve stations and plan future coverage.

The measure, which passed May 2, allowed MCESD No. 10 to adopt an increased sales and use tax in areas with sales tax capacity available, according to prior Community Impact reporting.

Over the next few months, the district will work with an Insurance Services Office consultant to build a detailed capital improvement plan, department officials said. 

What this means: The department already has two new engines on order, with delivery expected in early 2027, Perry said.

MCESD No. 10 is also discussing a replacement for Station 186, which is currently located at 32707 FM 2978, Magnolia. The new station would be built on property the district previously purchased at 310 Honea Egypt, Magnolia.

Officials said future station decisions will lean on call volume and other response data.

Splendid Things Stained Glass officials said the shop has plans to relocate from 410 W. Main St., Tomball to 1599 Hicks St., Ste. A, Tomball, in July. The shop will continue offering classes at its original location in the meantime.

The details: Owned by Bonny Tunnell, officials said the new location features a larger space and allows the studio to add fusing kilns, electric-powered chambers that allow artists to combine, shape, and transform sheet glass into various forms.

Montgomery County commissioners on May 21 voted 5-0 to approve $79,900 to submit two grant applications for a fiscal year 2024 amended Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Mitigation Assistance grant opportunity.

The big picture: In April, FEMA announced that the FMA 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity would reopen, according to court documents. The Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management requested a proposal from Hagerty Consulting Inc. for the development and submission of up to two subapplications for the FMA 2024 amended funding.

The cost: Commissioners decided that the funding source for the $79,900 to be paid to Hagerty would be from contingency funds. That amount can be reimbursed upon award of the buyout projects, Millsaps said.

Bottom line: Millsaps said the FEMA deadline is 30 days after the state's deadline. The state’s deadline is June 23, so the county will need to work with the state now to meet the deadline.

Two candidates are facing off for the Republican nomination for U.S. House District 38 on May 26 after a crowded March primary.

The breakdown: Jon Bonck and Shelly Dezevallos received 47.73% and 18.62% of the total votes, respectively, during the March 3 primary election, sending the race, which had 10 candidates at the start, to a runoff election.

Early voting for the runoff election runs through May 22, and election day is May 26. Residents can view a sample ballot by entering information through the Harris County Clerk's Office.

What voters need to know: Community Impact reached out to candidates ahead of the primaries to provide a side-by-side, equitable resource for Texas voters to review candidates' perspectives as they prepare to head to the polls.

Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.

With hurricane season beginning June 1 and running through Nov. 30, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials are predicting the first below-average Atlantic hurricane season since 2015.

What you need to know: The latest NOAA forecasts are expecting residents along the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding areas to see a less active hurricane season than normal, with a 55% chance of a below-normal season, NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs said at a May 21 news conference.

According to predictions, the NOAA is forecasting a range of eight to 14 named storms in the Atlantic Ocean with winds of 39 mph or higher, including:

• Three to six hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or higher
• One to three major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher

Catch up on Community Impact’s coverage this week with five trending Greater Houston stories from May 18-22.

1. Fort Bend County greenlights TxDOT primacy for Grand Parkway expansion

2. 8 businesses now open in Sugar Land, Missouri City

3. League City Walmart hosts grand opening following renovations

4. Conroe council reopens public comment, rolls back street closure fees after community pushback

5. Crawfish Cookoff, Sip & Shop: Check out 10 Houston-area events this weekend, May 22-24