NewQuest has broken ground on the multitenant component of the 165-acre Texas Heritage Marketplace in Waller County, officials announced in an April 6 news release.

The $400 million development, located at the southeast corner of Texas Heritage Parkway and I-10, is anticipated to have more than 1 million square feet of retail, restaurants, medical office space and self-storage, officials previously said.

The details: The multitenant phase will bring 5-acres of park-like green space, dubbed Heritage Grove, which will be surrounded by 35,000 square feet of businesses as well as four junior anchors, per the release.

Junior anchors include:

• Academy + Sports
• Burlington
• Spec's Fine Wines & Spirits
• Ulta Beauty

The Bonterra Veterans Club, a group of around 70 veterans and associate members, is set to build a new memorial area to honor veterans who have lived in the Bonterra community.

The approach: The project, which is planned to be constructed on the grounds of the Bonterra at Cross Creek Ranch Clubhouse, is expected to cost around $7,000 and will be entirely paid for by the veterans club’s budget.

Bonterra Veterans Club Commander Ken Oettle said the memorial area will include:

• A 20-foot flagpole flanked by six concrete pedestals with plaques from the six U.S. services
• Low-voltage accent lights installed in accordance with outdoor lighting rules
• Vegetation in adjacent beds with plants from the community’s approved list

Next steps: Oettle said the community’s homeowners association unanimously approved the memorial’s design April 2, and he expects to begin construction April 13. The goal is to have the project finished by July 4, Oettle said.

Three candidates are running for the open Position 5 seat on the Katy ISD board of trustees in the upcoming May 2 election.

The details: The position is currently held by Mary Ellen Cuzela, who is not seeking reelection.

Here's what we asked them:

• Why did you choose to run for the Katy ISD board of trustees?
• What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Katy ISD?
• What do you think is the most pressing issue for Katy ISD, and what will you do to address it?
• How should the district prepare for and manage its growing student population?
• With the expansion of alternatives to public schools, what offerings should KISD prioritize for its students?

Over the last five years, more than half of public school districts across the Greater Houston area lost students, with one district seeing a more than 15% decline in enrollment, according to Texas Education Agency data released March 6.

The overview: Community Impact analyzed data from the TEA to learn how many students were enrolled at public school districts for the 2025-26 school year compared to the 2021-22 school year. 

Zooming in: The districts with the highest percentage of students gained over the last five years—from 2021-26—are:

• Splendora ISD with 34.6% enrollment growth
• Lamar CISD with 23.3% enrollment growth
• Tomball ISD and New Caney ISD with 14.9% enrollment growth each

• Aldine ISD with 15.4% enrollment decline
• Houston ISD with 13.3% enrollment decline
• Pasadena ISD with 10.5% enrollment decline
• Alief ISD with 10.4% enrollment decline

Three medical cannabis businesses have been conditionally approved to participate in the Texas Compassionate Use Program, state officials announced April 1.

The big picture: The companies received conditional licenses from the Texas Department of Public Safety in an effort to expand access to medical cannabis products. Under the compassionate use program, physicians can prescribe medical-grade, low-THC products to eligible patients in partnership with licensed dispensaries.

Zooming in: Two of the three businesses given conditional licenses April 1 are affiliated with existing medical cannabis dispensaries that work in several other states. The new licensees are:

• GTI Texas, LLC (doing business as RISE Dispensaries) in West Texas

• Cresco Labs Texas, LLC in East Texas

• Texas Medica Collective, LLC in Northeast Texas

Conditional licensees must pass additional state evaluations before they can begin operating, according to the DPS.

More context: As Texas expands its medical cannabis program, the state is also tightening restrictions on the multibillion-dollar consumable hemp industry, Community Impact reported.