Several campuses within Clear Creek ISD will undergo extensive HVAC improvements after the board of trustees approved funding for the next phase of an ongoing series of projects.

The project: Clear Creek ISD’s board of trustees unanimously approved a $3 million contract with Houston-based Jamail & Smith Construction for the third phase of a project to upgrade HVAC systems across several district facilities at its Oct. 26 meeting.

The timeline: This project is slated to be completed by July 2027, according to city documents.

In other news: In September, district staff revealed the results of a year-long study of district facilities which showed CCISD could have to consider over $124 million in facility upgrades over the next five years, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.

Walking into The Junkyard Pearl, customers find colorful selections of jewelry, clothes and fashion accessories that come together to create one-of-a-kind finds.

“We're so eclectic,” owner Lauryn Abt said. “We have just such a wide variety of products … It's just a colorful atmosphere when people come in and they're like, ‘I love it here. This is my happy place.’”

How we got here: When Abt was growing up, her mother ran boutiques and her grandfather dealt in antiques, which drew her into vintage and antique selling.

After moving to the area, she saw an opportunity to bring shopping together with the restaurants and bars that were already drawing people in.

Respecting the craft: The shop offers an eclectic mix of clothing, jewelry, accessories, home decor, gifts and vintage, handmade pieces.

“I’m always looking for color, quality and weird and fun things that stop people and get compliments and they’ll ask questions on … and that kind of makes you feel confident with what you’re wearing too,” Abt said.

📍1001 Aspen Road, Ste. A, Clear Lake Shores

JETSET Pilates, a reformer studio specializing in group pilates classes, is coming to Friendswood in November, according to a social media post from the studio.

What you need to know: JETSET specializes in providing full-service studios for all levels and intensities of pilates workouts, including fundamental classes, full-body reformer, upper- and lower-body workouts, and core-focused workouts.

📍106 Whispering Pines Ave., Ste. 107, Friendswood

Voters have their last opportunity to cast a ballot in the Nov. 3 general election on Election Day.

What you need to know: More than 600 polling locations across Harris County will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and registered voters can cast a ballot at any of them. Voters must provide photo identification at the polls. Acceptable forms of ID include:

• Texas driver’s license

• Texas election identification certificate

• Texas personal identification card

• Texas handgun license

• U.S. military identification card containing the person’s photograph

• U.S. citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph

• U.S. passport

What’s on the ballot: Harris County races include county judge, county attorney, district clerk, county clerk, county treasurer and County Department of Education Places 5 and 7. Contested county commissioner seats include Precinct 2, where Adrian Garcia faces Richard Vega, and Precinct 4, where Lesley Briones faces Steve Radack.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County will offer complimentary rides to and from the polls on Election Day, Nov. 3.

How it works: To receive a free ride, riders must show their voter registration card to a METRO operator or fare inspector when boarding. Regular fares still apply during the early voting period, as the complimentary rides are only available on Election Day.

Available fare services for the offer include: METRORail, local bus routes, METROLift, curb2curb and community connector.

“Every voter deserves the opportunity to make their voice heard, and transportation should never stand in the way,” said METRO Board Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock via news release.

One more thing: METRO leaders encourage riders to plan their trips using the transit authority's Trip Planner and to confirm polling locations before traveling. Polls will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Looking to catch up with Community Impact's coverage? Check out these six trending stories from Oct. 23-30.

• Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector Carmen P. Turner indicted

• City of Fulshear hears $520M Fulshear Town Square project proposal

• Luxury takes root in Houston

• Alvin ISD reviews TIRZ expiration, financial impact

• Houston Museum of Natural Science to launch new Marvel exhibit in December

• Ace Hardware coming to League City Parkway