The New Caney Municipal Utility District will host a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 28 for the district's new administration building, General Manager Rick McDonald confirmed Jan. 27.

About the project: According to McDonald, New Caney MUD has been at its current location—23696 Roberts Road, New Caney—for 36 years and has since outgrown the space.

He added the project will also include the construction of a 1.5 million gallon elevated water storage tank.

The details: The nearly $11 million project is being funded by a combination of two bonds, McDonald said. Construction is expected to take one year.

The groundbreaking ceremony will take place Jan. 28 at 9 a.m. at 21194 Loop 494, New Caney.

• Construction expected to wrap up in early 2027
• 21194 Loop 494, New Caney

Tiny Tundra Snowcones is set to open this spring along FM 1314.

Meet the owners: Owned by Bryan Arguello, Ada Roldan and Kevin Valdez, the locally owned snow cone and lemonade stand offers finely shaved ice topped with classic and specialty syrups.

"Plus premium creations loaded with fun toppings and flavor combos you won't find anywhere else," Arguello said.

The stand also offers signature and seasonal fresh lemonades that are made in-house.

Quote of note: "Everything is made to be refreshing, playful and perfect for cooling off Texas days," Arguello said. "Whether you're stopping by for a quick treat or making us part of your weekend plans, Tiny Tundra is all about good vibes, cold treats and chilling y'all."

Arguello noted Tiny Tundra customers are affectionally called "Tundranites."

• Opening in March
• 18978 FM 1314, Conroe

The University of Houston is set to open applications in February for a new online graduate certificate aimed at preparing students for jobs in Houston’s rapidly growing film and television industry, according to a Jan. 22 news release.

What you need to know: Housed in the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts, the Graduate Certificate in Film and Media Production and Leadership will offer evening synchronous online classes and is designed to build a local workforce pipeline for producers and project leaders, said Fleurette S. Fernando, associate dean and director of the Arts Leadership Program.

Quote of note: “We really wanted to ride that wave and create a program that can help to strengthen workforce development in film and television in Houston,” Fernando said.

More details: UH officials tied the launch to growing production momentum statewide following Texas Senate Bill 22, which allocates $300 million every two years to film and TV incentives.

Family Promise of Montgomery County is celebrating 25 years with a gala on Feb. 13, according to a Jan. 12 news release.

More details: The nonprofit assists families experiencing homelessness and helps them work toward housing stability, according to the news release. Proceeds from the Feb. 13 gala—co-chaired by former Mrs. Texas Brittney Moss and Montgomery County Realtor Kristin Carter—will go towards Family Promise of Montgomery County’s programs.

Quote of note: “This event is a chance to reflect on what our community has made possible over the past 25 years,” Executive Director Marilyn Kasmiersky said via a news release. “It is also about coming together to ensure families continue to have support and opportunity for the next 25 years and beyond.”
 

In the upcoming March 3 primary, voters will select the Republican candidate in the race for Texas governor. Eleven Republicans are seeking the nomination.

The overview: Republican incumbent Greg Abbott is seeking a fourth term in the governor's office. He is challenged by ten Republican candidates: R.F. "Bob" Achgill, Evelyn Brooks, Pete “Doc” Chambers, Charles Andrew Crouch, Arturo Espinosa, Mark V. Goloby, Kenneth Hyde, Stephen Samuelson, Ronnie Tullos and Nathaniel Welch.

Stay tuned: If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes in the Republican primary, a runoff election will be held between the two top vote-getters May 26.

The winning Republican candidate will face the winner of the Democratic nomination in November; the winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.

In the upcoming March 3 primary, voters will select the Democratic candidate in the race for Texas governor. Nine Democrats are seeking the nomination.

The big picture: Patricia Abrego, Chris Bell, Bobby Cole, Carlton Hart, Gina Hinojosa, Jose Navarro Balbuena, Faizan Syed, Zach Vance and Angela “Tia Angie” Villescaz will appear on the Democratic primary ballot for Texas governor.

Stay tuned: If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes in the Democratic primary, a runoff election will be held between the two top vote-getters May 26.

The winning Democratic candidate will face the Republican nominee in November, and the winner of that race will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.