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Since 2024, the East Montgomery County Senior Center has evolved with new programming and will continue to do so in the coming year, said Kim Brode, a community outreach staffer and scheduler for Montgomery County Precinct 4.

What’s new: In the coming months, Brode said the EMC Senior Center will add a monthly mental health class as well as a sourdough making class and chair volleyball. The center also plans to host special speakers on senior pedestrian and driver safety. 

Additionally, the center will continue to hold programming introduced over the past two years, including line dancing, which is held twice per week, and a walking club, which meets three times per week.

The impact: According to a Dec. 4 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physical activity for adults age 65 and older has been proven to improve sleep quality, reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure. Physical activity can also improve balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls; improve bone health; and help people live independently longer, per the report.

From a local business now serving coffee and cookies to a national fried chicken chain that is opening soon, several businesses have updates to share in the New Caney and Porter areas. 

Now open
One Kitchen is now open in Porter. The restaurant serves a variety of cuisine, including burgers, tacos, Greek food, sandwiches, fried chicken and desserts.

• Opened in mid-January
• 23598 Loop 494, Porter

• Opened Jan. 28
• Order pickups in New Caney

• 21467 FM 1314, Porter

Major lane closures will remain in place on I-10 East near Normandy Road as repairs continue, according to a Feb. 5 news release from the Texas Department of Transportation.

What you need to know: TxDOT said crews have worked overnight after a utility waterline rupture late Feb. 5 triggered a pavement failure near Normandy Road, forcing TxDOT to shut down all eastbound lanes and close the inside lane and shoulder westbound.

Motorists should expect delays and are strongly encouraged to take alternate routes, per the release, including:

• US 90
• US 90A/BU 90 (McCarty Road)
• Hwy. 225

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from last week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from Feb. 2-6.

In case you missed it: Main Street Market held its last market in downtown Conroe Feb. 7 after nearly five years. The organizers announced the closure via Facebook on Jan. 29.

"This has always been more than a market," market developer Farralyn Withrow said in the social media post. "It’s been a tight-knit community and the starting place for 100+ new businesses. It’s been a major part of the ecosystem that is downtown Conroe." 

Also of note: Magnolia City Council moved Jan. 28 to terminate City Administrator Chris Whittaker, approving a resolution declaring a “lack of confidence” and removing him from office effective immediately.

The motion to terminate Whittaker's employment passed 4-0, with council member Geoff Beyers absent.

One more thing: Statewide enrollment for a new Katy ISD online program called Legacy Virtual High School opened Feb. 2, according to a Jan. 30 news conference from district officials. 

Texas gained more new residents last year than any other U.S. state, recently released U.S. Census Bureau data shows. Yet the Lone Star State’s overall population growth slowed significantly amid a nationwide reduction in immigration from other countries.

The big picture: Texas grew by 391,243 residents in 2025, bringing the state’s total population to 31.7 million. This includes:

• Domestic migration: Over 67,000 people moved to Texas from other states.
• International migration: Over 167,000 people moved to Texas from other countries.
• Natural change: There were roughly 157,000 more births than deaths in Texas.

Community Impact is now covering BCS, from growth and schools to business and city happenings.

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