HTX-WDL: Impact 10/6/2025

Oak Ridge North officials held a groundbreaking event Oct. 1 for the ORN Plaza District along with design architect Identity Architects, a Houston-based company.

What to know: The groundbreaking marked the beginning of Phase 1 of the 60,000-square-foot, $6 million Plaza District, which will feature restaurants with patios overlooking the green space. The Plaza District commercial zone was established in 2013 for Town Center development, as previously reported by Community Impact.

Quote ot note: “When I first started, I thought we’d be standing here with a shovel in hand in about two years ... but the thing is that I would have to say that patience makes the payoff sweeter,” Keenon Raynor, co-founder of Identity Architects, said.

The Woodlands Mall officials confirmed Black Clover opened a new location at The Woodlands Mall in July.

The details: Black Clover offers hats designed for style and performance as well as apparel such T-shirts, polos, jackets and sweatshirts, per the website.

• Opened in July
• 1201 Lake Woodlands Drive, Ste. 700, The Woodlands

It's officially October, which means it's time to sport the color pink. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month runs Oct. 1-31 to honor those affected by breast cancer and raise awareness about the disease, and community members across Greater Houston have planned an abundance of events in support. 

Pink Pumpkin Painting
Kid Scholars Academy, a child care center and preschool in Sugar Land, will host a pumpkin painting event for children and parents in support of breast cancer awareness.

• Oct. 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 2229 Cypress Lane, Sugar Land

• Oct. 4, 6:15 a.m. check in and on-site registration; 8 a.m start
• $55 (timed registration) or $45 (untimed registration)
• 1000 Bagby St., Houston

From Oct. 13-19, Texas residents will not have to pay to apply to in-state public colleges and universities.

The details: During Free College Application Week, application fees will be waived for all Texas residents applying to undergraduate programs at public colleges and universities located in Texas. First-time college students, transfer students and students returning to school are eligible, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

To qualify for the fee waiver, all applications must be submitted through ApplyTexas, the state’s college application portal.

What they're saying: “Texas prioritizes opportunities for students to pursue the best education they need to succeed in high demand, good-paying jobs after graduation,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in an Aug. 29 news release. “By supporting our students today, we are investing in a stronger Texas tomorrow.” 

Put in perspective: Most high school seniors apply to 5-10 colleges or universities and each application costs about $60-$75, state lawmakers estimated in June.