Harris County officials announced Jan. 20 the start of a $25 million restoration project along channels connecting to the Addicks Reservoir in the Cypress-Fairbanks area.

In a nutshell: The latest construction marks the third repair package of the Addicks Channel Restoration Project through the Harris County Flood Control District, a shared effort between Harris County Precincts 3 and 4.

HCFCD Executive Director Tina Petersen said the restoration will tackle sediment buildup and erosion along the channels caused by the Tax Day Flood in 2016 and Hurricane Harvey in 2017. She said the project aims to address a “backlog” of maintenance at an estimated 24 different channel sites.

More details: HCFCD will spend approximately $5 million annually over the next five years using funding from a voter-approved tax increase, Petersen said. 

Quote of note: “These channels play a critical role in carrying storm water to the reservoirs, and it strengthens this system and provides critical flood risk reduction for thousands of homes and businesses across northwest Harris County,” Petersen said. 

Early voting begins Jan. 21 for a special runoff election being held Jan. 31 for the vacant Congressional District 18 seat.

Some context: A special election was held Nov. 4 to fill the vacant congressional seat following the death of incumbent Sylvester Turner in March.

The special election, which had 16 candidates, resulted in a runoff election between the top two vote-getters: Democratic candidates Christian Dashaun Menefee and Amanda Edwards. The winner of the special runoff election will serve Congressional District 18 for the remainder of Turner's unexpired term, which ends in January 2027.

What voters should know: For the special runoff election, polls will be open for early voting in accordance with following schedule:

• Jan. 21-24: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Jan. 25: noon-7 p.m.
• Jan. 26-27: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County announced in a Jan. 14 news release the expansion of an initiative which aims to increase the amount of law enforcement officers across the system's facilities.

The details: Per the release, METRO is partnering with the following law enforcement agencies for additional uniformed officers on trains, buses, platforms and transit centers:

• Houston Police Department
• Harris County Sheriff’s Office
• Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office
• Harris County Precinct 6 Constable’s Office
• Harris County Precinct 7 Constable’s Office