Early voting began Monday, Oct. 19. Montgomery County has several countywide offices, state representative and city council positions up for election.

What residents should know: All registered Montgomery County voters can cast a ballot at any of the county’s 10 polling locations for early voting, which lasts through Oct. 30.

Early voting polling places are open during the following dates and times:

• Monday, Oct. 19 through Friday, Oct. 23: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Saturday, Oct. 24: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

• Sunday, Oct. 25: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Monday, Oct. 26 through Friday, Oct. 30: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

For those who qualify to vote by mail, the county must receive an application by Oct. 23 for the November election. The application form can be found online and can be mailed or delivered in person to the county elections administrator. 

The Conroe ISD board of trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting at 5 p.m. on Oct. 20 at 19043 David Memorial Drive in Shenandoah. During the meeting, the board will review and address several agenda items regarding the school district's schedule and improvement plans.

What to expect: The board is scheduled to:

• Receive and review information to develop the 2027-28 school year calendar

• Potentially begin board action on a school day schedule change

• Consider and vote on the 2026-27 district improvement plan

• Hear an update from the school safety and security committee

The vote on the district improvement plan follows STAAR scores that showed student performance improvements compared to statewide testing but decreases in certain math and reading scores within the district. Past district improvement plans focused on state 'A-F' rating and STAAR performance scores.

Creative Blinds, a Houston-area staple for window treatments and coverings, celebrated its 50th anniversary Oct. 6 with a commemorative gathering, officials confirmed.

Looking back: The design business was founded in 1976 by owner Steve Palmer and his family, which includes his wife, Donna Palmer; his daughter and second-generation owner, Erika Palmer Mandel; and his son, Dustin Palmer.

Dig deeper: Creative Blinds is an authorized Hunter Douglas Service Center with three design showrooms. Clients can visit these showrooms to view various window options, including drapery, shutters, blinds, custom-built shades and verticals, according to its website.

Each of its options possesses distinctive features for a range of home needs. Whether it's shutters that balance light control or fabric drapery that helps homeowners become more energy efficient, Creative Blinds specialists act as guides during the in-home and showroom design consultation process, per its website.
One more thing: Creative Blinds also offers professional measuring services prior to installation, as well as warranty repairs and motorization-related assistance.

• 4130 FM 1488, Ste. 112, Conroe

The Bayou Land Conservancy named Dr. Anna Weiss as its new executive director on Aug. 24. Weiss succeeded Jill Boullion, who retired earlier this year after 10 years in the role. The organization, which preserves land along streams for flood control, clean water and wildlife, will celebrate 30 years at its Nov. 14 gala at Highland Pines Golf Club.

Weiss previously worked in Galveston at a collective impact community development organization called Fishing Galveston. In her new role, Weiss is focusing on several opportunities and goals:

• Looking at land along the Spring Creek Nature Trail to potentially create a longer trail system
• Learning about a proposed Scarborough development of about 7,000 homes on 5,500 acres of flood plain and floodway
• Utilizing volunteers for trail building, field work days and invasive plant removal
• Using the organization's equitable community engagement committee to bring in people of all backgrounds and demographics

Looking to catch up with Community Impact's coverage? Check out these eight stories from Oct. 9-16.

• Preview: Magnolia City Council to discuss how to fill council vacancy

• Howard Hughes Communities announces leadership changes

• Locally owned Saigon District brings a piece of Vietnam to Cypress

• The Peach Cobbler Factory Cy-Fair announces opening date

• Motorcycle-themed coffee shop Cold Start Coffee now open in Spring

• Montgomery County OKs selling next round of road bond funds

• American Express to expand, upgrade Centurion Lounge at IAH

• New early learning reading space to open at R.B. Tullis Library in New Caney