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Porter High School athletics, extracurricular facilities to undergo $3.2M remodel

Porter High School’s athletics and extracurricular facilities will be renovated under a $3.2 million project slated to kick off this month.

The project: New Caney ISD’s board of trustees unanimously approved a guaranteed maximum price of $3.209 million with Gamma Construction for the Porter High School work during the regular April 20 board meeting.

In an April 22 email, Scott Powers, NCISD’s executive director of public relations, said the project will include:

  • Football/soccer field work
  • Replacing the band tower

What else? Construction is expected to wrap up by August, Powers said. The project will be funded by the district's $695 million bond package, which was approved by voters in May 2023, as previously reported by Community Impact.

 
Mark Your Calendar
Grand Prix, Big Summer Blastoff: 12 events to attend in New Caney, Porter throughout May

Check out what's happening in the New Caney and Porter area throughout May.

GEMCC’s Annual Grand Prix 2026: Spend the day with the Greater East Montgomery County Chamber and network while racing go karts at Speedsportz Racing Park. The event includes lunch and awards for top finishers.

  • May 8, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
  • $800 (team of five)
  • 23050 Speed St., New Caney

Shred it EMC 2026: The East Montgomery County Improvement District will host this free document shredding event at The Atrium Center parking lot. Acceptable items to shred include office paper, file folders and thin cardboard. Attendees do not need to remove staples, paper clips, rubber bands or small binders.
  • May 9, 8 a.m.-noon
  • Ree (admission)
  • 21575 Hwy. 59, New Caney

Big Summer Blastoff: Kick off the summer at Big Rivers Waterpark & Adventures. The waterpark will be open all day and into the evening for the first Park After Dark of the year, and the night will end with fireworks.
  • May 23, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
  • $44.99
  • 23101 Hwy. 242, New Caney

 
County Coverage
Montgomery County, Conroe approve David Memorial Drive agreement for final stretch to Hwy. 242

At their respective meetings April 23, Conroe City Council and Montgomery County Commissioners Court approved an interlocal agreement with each other tied to the next stretch of the David Memorial Drive extension.

The agreement clears the way for the county to take the lead on building the final roughly 1,500 feet of roadway from the Conroe city limits to Hwy. 242.

The details: The agreement states the project is intended to improve mobility, help traffic move more smoothly and ease congestion in the area.

What they’re saying: During the Conroe City Council meeting, City Administrator Gary Scott said the arrangement was a way to move the long-discussed project forward while reducing the city’s financial responsibility.

How we got here: The David Memorial Drive extension has been in the works for years. Community Impact previously reported that the project began in September 2023 under an interlocal agreement between Shenandoah and Montgomery County, with the first phase later reaching the Conroe city limits.

 

FOODIE FRIDAY
Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Houston area.

Coffee Fellows debuts Houston's first all-electric mobile cafe

A mobile coffee van debuted in Houston in early April.

The van, according to an April 13 news release, will serve Coffee Fellows' signature espresso beverages made from blends developed in Germany and roasted locally each day.

“The Coffee Fellows team is proud to bring the first all-electric mobile café to Houston,” said Daniel Ogbonna, CEO of Coffee Fellows North America. “We did not want to just put coffee on wheels—we wanted to do it right. Zero emissions, zero generator noise and no compromise on quality."


Read more.

 

🍜 Saigon Hustle to blend heritage, hustle in new Cinco Ranch location
(Read more)

🍣 Takumi Hibachi Sushi & Seafood Buffet celebrates April opening in Humble
(Read more)

🍔 Casa Umami Taste The Fix now open in Conroe
(Read more)

🌮 Tacodeli to open 3rd Greater Houston location in Katy
(Read more)

 

Panicafe serves an assortment of treats and tea in Montgomery

Panicafe is an international cafe chain with locations throughout Spain and Argentina. Over the last five years, the company has brought the classic European-style cafe and tearoom to Texas, with locations found in Spring, Montgomery and The Woodlands, manager Florence Rossini said.

“Our signature item is a Medialuna. Medialuna is a croissant that we made in-house. It’s originally from South America and Chile, but in here it's a little bit on the bigger side because in Texas, all things are bigger, so of course we got to do it bigger in here,” Rossini said.


Read here.

Statewide News
Texans can purchase emergency supplies tax-free April 25-27

Texans are expected to save millions in sales taxes on emergency supplies—everything from tarps to generators—during an annual tax holiday April 25-27.

How it works: The sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. April 24 and lasts until midnight April 27.

Texans are expected to save about $2.4 million in state and local taxes, according to the comptroller’s office. Last year, Texans saved about $2.3 million, agency spokesperson Kevin Lyons said.

According to the comptroller’s office, items qualify for the tax exemption if they are priced at:

  • Less than $75 for items including household batteries, fuel containers, flashlights, smoke detectors, tarps and first aid kits

  • Less than $300 for hurricane shutters and emergency ladders

  • Less than $3,000 for portable generators

 

Your local team

Hannah Brol
Senior Editor

Kim Sommers
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

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