Efforts to build a gas station east of Dakota Avenue and west of State Hwy. 3 could soon jump a final hurdle of city approval.

The details: League City City Council will vote on the second reading of a special use permit request to build a gas station on 1.75 acres in a general commercial zone, according to city documents.

Also on the agenda: City Council will also consider entering into a funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for non-standard items to improve League City Parkway near Egret Bay Boulevard and Columbia Memorial Parkway, according to city documents.

San Jacinto College’s board of trustees approved a property tax rate of $0.154615 per $100 valuation of a home at its Sept. 14 meeting.

What residents need to know: The rate is identical to last year’s, as previously reported by Community Impact. Taxes on an average home with a taxable value of over $181,000 will be over $280.

Diving in deeper: Taxes on an average home with a taxable value of over $181,000 will be over $280. This is a 4% decrease compared to 2025, when homes with a taxable value of nearly $188,000 owed over $290 in taxes, according to tax documents.

As costs for training, equipment and facilities climb, the city of Friendswood is strategizing to preserve and grow its volunteer firefighter force and improve its response times.

The details: Friendswood City Council voted unanimously at its Sept. 14 meeting to enter a three-year $1 million contract with the Friendswood Volunteer Fire Department, which outlines standards for personnel, response times, mutual aid and equipment.

The big picture: Since 1951, volunteer firefighters in Friendswood have provided tens of thousands of hours each year for emergency response and training, saving the city $5 million that it would otherwise have to spend to finance a fully paid fire department, according to city documents.

The takeaway: Council member Robert Griffon said he would like to see more certified volunteer firefighters, which he believed could help lower response times.

Candidates Letitia Plummer and Orlando Sanchez are running to lead Harris County government.

What you need to know: Plummer, a Democrat and Orlando, a Republican, will face off in November’s general election to become Harris County’s next judge. The judge oversees the Harris County Commissioners Court, which governs the county. The court and county judge are responsible for the about five million residents who live in Harris County.

Before you go: Early voting begins Oct. 19 and runs through Oct. 30, according to the Texas Secretary of State's website. Election day is Nov. 3 and polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Registered voters can cast their ballot at any polling location during early voting and election day.

According to the August monthly housing update from the Houston Association of Realtors, the number of single-family home sales has decreased by 11.5% across the Greater Houston region.

The breakdown: With the decrease in single-family home sales, affordability rates for home owners saw year over year growth for 22 of the last 25 months, HAR data shows. The nationwide growth rate stood at 15 out of the last 25 months.

When compared to single-family home sales in 2019, the 2026 market has seen a 20.1% decrease overall.

In their words: “Buyers have more options and more time to make decisions, while sellers continue to benefit from relatively stable prices," HAR Chair Theresa Hill with Compass RE Texas, LLC - Houston said. "That's a healthier environment for consumers and a positive sign for the long-term strength of our market.”