The IHOP in Porter is set to become a dual-brand IHOP/Applebee's restaurant, per an Aug. 4 TDLR filing.

The details: The $150,000 renovation project will add 836 square feet of building additions to the existing 4,102-square-foot IHOP restaurant to accommodate an expanded dining area. Construction is expected to begin Aug. 17 and wrap up by Sept. 17, per the filing.

On the menu: IHOP is known for its all-day breakfast offerings, including buttermilk pancakes, omelettes, waffles, French toast and crepes. Applebee's offers American fare for lunch and dinner ranging from burgers and salads to pasta and steaks. Both brands are owned by parent company Dine Brands Global. 

What to expect: An IHOP spokesperson confirmed the Porter restaurant would be temporarily closed during construction, though specific dates had not been determined as of press time. 

• 23681 Church St., Porter

Check out what's happening in New Caney and Porter from Aug. 7-11.

Horses & Heroes: The MCF Motorcycle Club Lonestar Chapter will host this inaugural event featuring live music, food trucks, and live and silent auctions. Proceeds will benefit Soleana Stables’ Horses for Heroes Program, which provides equine therapy for veterans and individuals with disabilities.

• Aug. 8, noon-5 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• Back Pew Brewery, 26452 Sorters Road, Porter

• Aug. 8, noon-6 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• Final Gravity Brewpub, 23435 FM 1314 B-6, Porter

• Aug. 11, 6-10 p.m.
• $50
• 23550 Loop 494, Porter

Montgomery County commissioners stopped short of calling a November bond election for a proposed justice center Aug. 6, with members of the court saying too many questions remain about the building’s size, cost and long-term capacity.

The court had been scheduled to consider an order calling a Nov. 3 bond election and to discuss potential funding scenarios. After more than 45 minutes of discussion, a motion tied to the bond was rescinded and commissioners took no action on either item.

Instead, commissioners discussed holding additional workshops on the justice center after the county finishes its upcoming budget process, tentatively planning a workshop after Sept. 1. The deadline for counties to order a measure for the Nov. 3 election is Aug. 17, according to the Texas Secretary of State.

What happened: Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects presented several options for the proposed downtown Conroe justice center, including a 10-floor concept with a basement. One option shown to commissioners totaled about 316,000 square feet and included a 777-space parking garage.

Within the next year, Texans will likely see changes to when they can vote early in elections, including expanded weekend voting hours.

The overview: Last year, state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 2753, which shifts Texas’ early voting window closer to election day, cutting out a three-day gap between the two voting periods and adding more Saturday and Sunday voting.

While the changes did not take effect immediately and were designed to help boost voter turnout, local election administrators said the law will also significantly raise costs for municipalities and delay the release of election results.

Election officials said the current three-day break allows staff to set up polling places for election day and prepare submitted ballots so results from early and mail-in voting can be released quickly after the polls close on election night.

The impact: Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth estimated that the shift would raise the cost of administering a large election by 30% and increase costs for smaller elections by 9%, due to personnel, equipment and voter education needs.