Drivers along part of MP Clark Road will soon need to slow down during school hours after Conroe City Council approved a new school zone July 9 for Willis ISD Elementary School No. 7, Ruth Castleschouldt Elementary School.

What we know: The school zone will cover the northbound and southbound lanes of MP Clark Road between Noble Pine Lane and John Burge Park Street. The speed limit will drop from 45 mph to 25 mph when the school zone is active, according to agenda documents.

City staff said the new elementary campus is expected to open Aug. 12.

Council approved the ordinance without opposition or additional discussion.

Also of note: The school is being built east of MP Clark Road, about 1 mile south of FM 830 and 2 miles west of I-45. It is expected to initially serve about 900 students and is designed to eventually accommodate up to 1,000 students, per documents.

On June 20, Christian Youth Theater Houston celebrated its 20th season with a red carpet event, Community Engagement Director Mary Ramsower confirmed. The fine arts company’s first summer camps were held in 2006, and it has since provided the Greater Houston area with musical theater education for two decades.

The background: CYT is a national after-school theater arts training program dedicated to helping kids and teens grow in their singing, dancing, acting, improvisation and technical skills.

Offered in two-hour classes throughout the school year, students can receive individualized training from instructors in the discipline of their choosing, according to the company’s website.

Another detail: With branches nationwide, CYT allows enrolled students ages 8-18 to audition for productions.

Looking ahead: Tickets for CYT Houston’s Aug. 7-16 production of “The Wizard of Oz” at The Crighton Theatre went on sale early June. Patrons can visit the website to secure their seats, as well as find out more information regarding showtimes, pricing and the venue’s address.

Montgomery County commissioners did not approve the Montgomery Central Appraisal District’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget July 9 after a motion to support the spending plan failed to receive a second.

Commissioners asked MCAD officials to revisit their budget and present an amended version to court at a later date for approval. 

Montgomery County would contribute an estimated $3.72 million toward MCAD’s proposed FY 2026-27 budget, an increase of roughly $194,000 from the county’s $3.52 million contribution in FY 2025-26.

The details: The proposed $20 million budget represents a 5.51% increase from FY 2025-26 and would add 18 employees, including 14 appraisal positions. It also includes a 3.5% merit increase for existing employees.

Chief Appraiser Sherry Hunter said the additional positions are intended to help MCAD keep pace with Montgomery County’s continued growth and maintain a more accurate record of properties across the county. 

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from last week? Check out five trending stories from the North Houston area from July 6-10.

1. Wing drone delivery service expands to 8 additional Greater Houston-area Walmarts

2. Texas Litter Control provides affordable veterinary services in The Woodlands area since 2012

3. Bombers Volleyball now offering volleyball training in Cypress

4. United Airlines launches new nonstop service between IAH, Cartagena

5. Montgomery County Food Bank announces 5 new additions to board of directors

In Texas, 246 of the state’s 254 counties are designated by the federal government as “mental health professional shortage areas,” meaning local law enforcement are often tasked with responding to mental health crisis calls.

The situation: All Texas peace officers are required to complete crisis intervention and deescalation trainings, according to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

What's happening: Across Community Impact’s coverage areas, some city and county law enforcement agencies are partnering with local mental health professionals to respond to crisis calls. However, law enforcement and criminal justice leaders from smaller communities told state legislators July 7 that they have “limited tools” to effectively respond to mental health calls and help people in crisis.

“We do not have any inpatient mental health facilities in my county—we've never had that, and we've needed them for decades,” Comal County Criminal District Attorney Jennifer Tharp said July 7. “We originally started out sending individuals to the San Antonio area, and right now we are transporting individuals for inpatient treatment to North Austin.”