Texas Litter Control is a low-cost spay-and-neuter clinic with locations across Harris County and Montgomery County.

The backstory: TLC’s first location was in an 800-foot FEMA trailer located in Spring.

What happened: Deana Love, the executive director for TLC, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that focuses on providing animal spay and neuter services across four locations in Montgomery and Harris counties, said she became involved when she saw the burden that animal rescues were faced with, and she wanted to make a change.

What happened: After hearing about the struggles with Houston-based animal clinic The Greater Good, Love said TLC stepped in to help. The Greater Good Veterinarian Dr. Dallas Kuehl was the first veterinarian Love used when she started in animal rescue work.

To keep Greater Good operating and continue supporting TLC, she wants the community to know that they can help by spreading the word they are open six days a week through social media to remind everyone that it’s there to serve. 

Magnolia residents will have a hand in shaping a new ethics policy for the city.

City Council voted July 14 to create a citizen committee that will review a proposed ethics policy and recommend rules governing council members, appointed officials and city employees. Council member Geoff Beyer cast the only opposing vote.

What happened: The city plans to advertise the committee openings and post an application on its website. Council members will then review the applicants and select residents to serve.
A specific number of committee members was not set during the meeting.

The residents selected will receive a model ethics policy drafted for the city and will be able to recommend changes, additions or requirements. Council member Raymond K. Gaskin III said the goal is to bring impartial residents into the process rather than have council members write the rules governing themselves.

The June Housing Market Update from the Houston Association of Realtors reports a rise in home sales and pending activity with steady overall pricing.

By the numbers: The number of single-family homes sold increased by 3.5%, with 8,820 homes sold in June compared to last June with 8,525 sold. The average home price rose 1.2% to $455,159, while the median home price slightly decreased by just 0.3%.

Total property sales across the Houston area rose by 2.6% with 10,181 properties sold, and the number of active property listings increased 2.2%, equaling 59,970.

Also of note: The luxury market remained strong with home sales over the price of $1 million rising 17.1% year over year.

However, the townhome and condominium market showed a 9.3% fall year over year with 439 in June compared to 484 last June, data shows.

In their own words: HAR Chair Theresa Hill said the Greater Houston area is seeing a “little more breathing room” on both sides of the transaction.