In 2025, Community Impact reporters covered a wide range of in-depth stories, including these 12 topics that landed on the front cover for the Heights, River Oaks and Montrose editions.

Take a look back at development, transportation, government and education news that we covered last year.

January: Houston has gained 162 miles of bike lanes, trails since 2017
February: Talking Tourism: Houston leaders create plans for future upgrades to sports, convention centers
March: Houston's $70M plan to end street homelessness by 2026
April: Houston police seek salary hike to help stagnant staffing
May: Transforming local history: Iconic buildings in Heights, Montrose to be redeveloped into mixed-use spaces
June: Outpatient centers growing in Houston
July: Houston apartments surging: Over 5,000 multifamily units proposed, underway in the Heights, River Oaks and Montrose
August: A tale of two districts: Houston ISD state takeover still divisive despite student gains
September: Reconstructing roads: Montrose TIRZ sets sights on West Alabama Street as latest transportation project
October: New congressional map could impact Inner Loop elections  

A brand new establishment called Hey Darlin' Saloon is preparing to be added to the Houston Heights late-night bar and cocktail scene in the spring.

What we know: James Cone and Derek Dobbins will be the owners and operators of the establishment. Dobbins told Community Impact that between the two of them, they bring over 20 years of experience in the bar industry.

"We saw an opportunity to create something that's been missing—an authentic Southern-style bar offering cold beer, great food and friendly, attentive service with a smile," he said. "Also, because we're located in a neighborhood, it's important for us to be pet and family friendly during the daytime and a welcoming gathering place for the community."

Something to note: Hey Darlin' Saloon will take over the former space occupied by Space Cadet. a bar and grill that sold Cajun, Tex-Mex and barbecue dishes that opened and closed in 2024. The saloon is anticipated to open in March.

• 4002 N. Main St., Houston

The founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes announced the immediate and permanent closure of all Sprinkles locations across the country in a recent social media post. 

The context: Candace Nelson founded the cupcake business in 2005 and popularized the idea of the Cupcake ATM. In a video posted on Instagram, Nelson said she sold the company to private equity in 2012 and has no current ownership or operational involvement. 

Latest update: As of Jan. 2, the Sprinkles website is still live, but all bakery locations have been removed, and several pages state “page not found.”   

Missed any Community Impact articles from this week? Check out the top trending stories from Community Impact's coverage areas in Houston from Dec. 29-Jan. 2.

Lone Star College’s Academy for Lifelong Learning opens spring registration for adults 50-plus
Area residents ages 50 and older can explore everything from history and creative writing to hands-on hobbies through Lone Star College System’s Academy for Lifelong Learning, a low-cost program offering classes, activities and social connections across the system’s campuses, as stated in a Lone Star College Dec. 19 news release.

Read the story here.

333 Bar and Grill now open in Montgomery
The restaurant offers drinks and food to customers as well as live shows. The bar was the previous location of The Feed Store Grill and Bar, as previously reported by Community Impact.

Read the story here.