Efforts to widen sidewalks on Sugar Land’s Burney Road have begun ahead of expected traffic growth.

What residents need to know: At a Jan. 6 meeting, Sugar Land City Council voted 6-0 to approve a $285,095 design contract with Pearland-based engineering, planning and consulting firm Freese and Nichols for the widening of Burney Road from Stadium Drive to Seventh Street.

The details: In anticipation of future development-driven traffic growth, city officials said the project will include:

• Widening the existing sidewalk to a 10-foot shared-use path
• Addressing safety and connectivity gaps
• Enhancing accessibility

KidStrong is now offering kids' training programs in Missouri City, officials confirmed.

The details: The business offers training classes for children walking to age 11 with a curriculum built on character, physical and cognitive skills, according to its website. Memberships include one 45-minute class weekly with children of similar ages.

Zooming out: The franchise, which has over 160 locations across the United States and Canada, was founded in 2015 by Matt and Megan Sharp with the goal of making their daughter Ella more strong and confident, per its website.

• 8790 Hwy. 6, Ste. 160, Missouri City

Officials with the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County announced Jan. 5 its transition to a new fare system, RideMETRO, which replaces and discontinues the METRO Q Fare Card.

The gist: METRO riders can purchase the RideMETRO $2 fare card, according to METRO’s website, and load money at any of the following locations:

• METRO RideStore locations
• METRO Online RideStore
• RideMETRO app
• Participating retail locations
• Ticket vending machines

Riders can check their balance on the RideMETRO app. After 10 paid trips, riders get one free trip, according to METRO’s announcement.

The cost: No fare increases are taking place as part of the new fare system, according to the METRO website.

A new U.S. Postal Service rule could impact when time-sensitive mail, such as tax forms and mail-in ballots, is considered officially sent.

The overview: Effective Dec. 24, mailed items are postmarked when the USPS processes them, rather than the date items are dropped in a mailbox. A postmark refers to the date and location stamped or printed on most mailed items, indicating when and where the USPS “accepted custody” of a mailpiece, per the federal agency.

Zooming in: According to the Texas comptroller’s office, the updated USPS guidance means items could be postmarked “several days” after they are dropped in a mailbox. This includes date-sensitive items sent by Texas residents and businesses, such as property tax payments, federal tax returns, mail-in ballots and required business reports.

To ensure that mail is postmarked on the day it is sent, customers can take mail into their local post office and request that the item be hand-stamped for free, according to the USPS. Texans can also pay property taxes and submit ballots in-person at county offices.