Sugar Land residents now have additional regulations for tree and vegetation removal.

In a nutshell: At a June 16 meeting, Sugar Land City Council approved the second reading of an ordinance to update the city’s code regarding trees and vegetation following its initial approval at a June 2 meeting.

The ordinance—which came about during a November City Council workshop—aims to improve nighttime visibility, safety and maintenance access as well as ensure effective use of electricity bills paid by the city, said ​​Nicole Guevara, assistant director of neighborhood services.

The details: The updated ordinance adds tree trimming regulations around street lights within 3 feet of the outermost portion of the light fixture, or if it impedes access to the streetlight for maintenance purposes. The amendment also adds that trees and vegetation must be trimmed when obstructing license plate recognition cameras.

Stay tuned: City staff will issue courtesy notices to notify residents of trimming violations through the rest of the year during education efforts, Guevara said. Enforcement will begin in January 2027.

Former Texans safety Eric Murray is bringing three The Camp Transformation Center locations to the Greater Houston area with the first set to open in Missouri City, officials announced in a June 17 news release.

Diving deeper: The center will offer strength training, nutritional guidance and coaching, per the release

“Other fitness spots don’t have a community aspect to it, and that’s not very fun,” Murray said. “You can expect a high-energy environment with coaches that care.”

Stay tuned: Murray is also set to open locations in Bellaire and Sugar Land.

• 9830 Hwy. 6, Missouri City

As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, local officials are encouraging residents to know how to safely use and dispose of fireworks after the festivities end.

What residents need to know: However, residents are allowed to use fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. As part of the Fourth of July holiday, first responders are encouraging the safe use of any fireworks by following several safety tips, including:

• Only light one firework at a time
• Have ready access to a water source
• Never relight fireworks after use

• Sound of fireworks
• Firework restriction information
• Abandoned firework debris

Former state Sen. Don Huffines was appointed as the Texas comptroller of public accounts, Gov. Greg Abbott announced July 2.

Huffines, a Dallas-area native with a bachelor's degree in business administration in finance from The University of Texas at Austin, will take over as the state's finance and budgeting officer from acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock. Huffines will officially begin his service Aug. 1.

Huffines defeated Hancock, who became acting comptroller one year ago, in the March Republican primary. He'll now face former state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt in the November general election for a four-year term.