Humble City Council members voted April 23 to extend the city’s contract with debris removal and disaster emergency services firm DRC Emergency Services.

The details: The city first partnered with the firm in 2024, according to agenda documents. City Manager Jason Stuebe said the new contract will add three years to the agreement and will expire on June 30, 2029.

A closer look: DRC Emergency Services offers an array of services, including disaster debris removal and emergency management services, according to the company's website.

Humble Fire Marshall James Nykaza recommended the city accept the extended contract, highlighting the work the firm has done for the city over the last two years.

The rates charged to the city for any products, equipment or services rendered will not exceed the amount determined to be reimbursable by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to the contract.

Here's the latest on three transportation projects either underway or planned in the Lake Houston area.

West Lake Houston Parkway traffic lights

• Project: Traffic lights will be rebuilt at five intersections along West Lake Houston Parkway, including at Firesign Drive, Kings River Drive/Kings Lake Estates Boulevard, Lonesome Woods Trail, Pine Cup Drive and Upper Lake Drive.
• Update: The design phase has been completed for this project and construction is pending funding.

• Project: A new traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of Timber Forest Drive and Greens Road. The project aims to increase driver safety.
• Update: This project is in the design phase. 

• Project: Drainage improvements are being made along portions of several roadways in Sand Creek Village, including Crystal Falls Drive, Woodland Ridge Drive, Eagle Creek Drive, Deer Hollow Drive and Highland Laurels Drive.
• Update: Phase 1 is complete, while Phase 2 is 19% complete, Houston City Council member Fred Flickinger said in a March 2 newsletter.

Budget season is around the corner for Houston, and the city is hosting workshops for each department.

What is it?: Budget workshops are when departments present their proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget and answer questions from council members and the public.

The meetings will take place May 12-19 at City Hall and are open to the public.

“We know most Houstonians interested in the budget process can’t make it downtown during the workday to attend the workshops,” At-Large council member Sallie Alcorn said. “These meetings are also shown live on HTV and may be found after the fact, linked on the HTV website.”

The city is also offering a budget survey, where residents can give feedback on what they believe should be prioritized in the budget.

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from April 20-24.

• New DPS building coming soon to League City
• Lake Conroe Dam celebrates new state historical marker
• Neighborhood Fishin' program bringing catfish, rainbow trout to local lakes
• Picos sets official closing date as owner Arnaldo Richards continues to search for new location
• Registration opens for West U summer classes

Some Texas families began learning April 22 if they were accepted to the state’s education savings account program for the 2026-27 school year, officials said.

The big picture: Over 42,600 students will receive funding notices through April 24, the state comptroller’s office announced April 22. The first awardees include low- and middle-income students with disabilities and their eligible siblings.

Families accepted to the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program will receive state funds to send their children to private school or homeschool them.

The details: The first round of awardees is set to receive about $400 million of the $1 billion allocated for the program. Up to 100,000 students are expected to qualify for the program's first year.

The comptroller's office will run a lottery the week of April 27 to determine which low-income students will be accepted based on a prioritization system.

Stay tuned: Families that do not qualify for funding will also be notified through April 24. Additional students will receive funding awards in the coming weeks, a program spokesperson said.