Two candidates are vying for Congressional District 2 in the upcoming Nov. 3 general election.

Meet the candidates: Republican Steve Toth will face Democrat Shaun Finnie in the race for U.S. House District 2, which covers portions of the communities of New Caney, Porter, Conroe, The Woodlands, Spring, Cy-Fair and the Lake Houston area.

Toth is currently a state representative for District 15, and won the Republican primary in March against three candidates, including incumbent Dan Crenshaw. Finnie is an oil and gas investment banker in The Woodlands.

Something to note: Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, visit communityimpact.com/election.

Italian eatery Passerella Ristorante & Wine Bar closed its doors at The Boardwalk at Towne Lake, according to a social media announcement.

The details: The business confirmed in a social media comment that its last day of operation was Aug. 23. Per the menu, Passerella offered a variety of soups, salads, pasta and pizzas accompanied with a selection of wines.

Per previous Community Impact reporting, Paul and Doris Miller opened Passerella in summer 2022.

• 9945 Barker Cypress Road, Ste. 122, Cypress

Greater Houston-area officials are monitoring conditions as a tropical system could bring heavy rainfall and the potential for flash flooding to the area as early as the morning of Sept. 1, per the National Weather Service.

What’s happening: Per the NWS, Tropical Depression 5 is expected to become a tropical storm after press time Aug. 31 before making landfall along the upper Texas or southwest Louisiana coast Sept. 1.

Gov. Greg Abbott at an Aug. 31 press conference said the storm is anticipated to make landfall near Chambers and Jefferson counties in the afternoon of Sept. 1. The worst of the rain is expected to be concentrated in Harris County.

That forecast could include a storm surge of 2-4 feet in Chambers and Jefferson counties, as well as local rainfall getting as high as 10-15 inches, including in some areas getting 3-4 inches per hour, Abbott said.

While the rainfall is expected to affect the area’s rivers, it’s too early to tell if it will pose any imminent danger, Abbott said.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced over $6.3 million in grants for 27 organizations that serve veterans in the Southeast Texas region as part of the Texas Veterans Commission’s Grants Across Texas Tour initiative according to a news release. The TVC is Texas’ state department of veteran affairs. 

Quote of note: “Texans are forever indebted to our brave veterans who selflessly answered the call to serve in our nation’s military,” Abbott said. “These Fund for Veterans' Assistance grants will provide the men and women who served in our nation’s military access to crucial services to improve their quality of life in Southeast Texas and the Coastal Bend area. Our state will always honor our veterans, their families, and their service to our state and our nation.”

Spay and neuter costs have increased at least 50% at the county’s Pet Wellness Clinic.

At a glance: Harris County commissioners approved fee increases for the county Pet Wellness Clinic during its business court meeting Aug. 25. The increases will impact spay and neutering services, vaccinations, heartworm and flea prevention medicines and nail trimming, among others.

Spaying will increase 212% for dogs and 87% for cats, bringing starting costs to $125 and $75, respectively. Neutering will increase 150% for dogs and 50% for cats, bringing starting costs to $100 and $60, respectively.

Sorting out details: So far this year, the Pet Wellness Clinic has spayed and neutered 2,070 dogs and 2,301 cats, according to county data available from January to July. Last year, the clinic spayed and neutered 6,617 animals.

The cost increase comes as the clinic seeks to maintain quality and accessible care, HCPH said in a statement.