Throughout 2025, Community Impact spoke with directors and volunteers of five local nonprofits to be featured in our monthly editions. Here’s a look back at the Sugar Land and Missouri City organizations we featured.

Gun-toting nonprofit Lady Clay Shooters aims to create community in Houston: The nonprofit group is dedicated to teaching its members, who began as majority women, about gun safety and the sport of clay shooting.

Imperial Soccer Club's president comes full circle at Sugar Land park: The club's programs include a recreational and a competitive league for boys and girls as well as strength and conditioning. It also has an academy program to act as a bridge for young soccer players between 5 to 9 years old to cross over from recreational to competitive.

Fort Bend Care Center provides asset-based approach to meet community needs: With help of more than 700 volunteers, the faith-based nonprofit provides the Fort Bend County community with literacy, health care, education, spiritual and wellness programs.

In August, Fort Bend ISD officials appointed Chief of Police Anthony Sanders, who brings decades of experience, a commitment to community-focused policing and a vision for strengthening safety across the district.

In a Q&A with Community Impact, he shared what drew him to the district and discusses school safety and building trust as he shapes a new chapter of the district’s law enforcement overseeing 76 sworn officers.

What led you to apply to the police chief position for FBISD?

I reached a point in my career where I felt ready to take on new challenges and contribute even more to the profession. The police chief position at FBISD stood out as an opportunity that aligned well with my experience, values and leadership approach.

What are some of your goals this year in your role?

We are ensuring that we have proper protocols in place, as well as continuing to seek advancements in technology that can give us a force multiplier.
 

As the holidays come to an end, there are several entities offering Christmas tree recycling and disposal drop-offs around the Greater Houston area. This list is not comprehensive.

The details
City of Bellaire: Bellaire will accept Christmas tree drop-offs Dec. 26-Jan. 12 at 4401 Edith St.

City of Houston: Houston residents can recycle trees at one of the city's 20 drop-off locations Dec. 26-Jan. 23.

City of Pearland: Residents in Pearland can drop their live Christmas trees off between Dec. 26 and Jan. 17 at the Stella Roberts Recycling Center.

San Jacinto River Authority: The San Jacinto River Authority will collect undecorated, live Christmas trees through Jan. 31.

City of West University Place: In West University Place, live trees will be collected Dec. 26-Jan. 9.

The Woodlands Township: Green Christmas trees will be collected curbside on regular service days.

City of Sugar Land: Live Christmas trees without ornaments and lights can be set out curbside for green waste pickup in Sugar Land.

Here are five of the most-read CI Texas stories from this year and the latest updates on these trending topics.

1. Texas Senate passes bill that would nearly double property tax exemption for seniors, people with disabilities: Elderly and disabled homeowners were set to receive a $200,000 property tax exemption this year.

2. Texas House bill would make it easier to remove students from the classroom: The law gives teachers more discretion to remove students from the classroom if they are repeatedly disruptive or threaten the safety of others.

3. What to know about the 17 state propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot: Nearly 3 million Texans voted in the November election, approving all 17 constitutional amendments.

4. Texas House bill would prohibit cellphone use in K-12 schools: Under House Bill 1481, cellphones and other personal communication devices are prohibited bell-to-bell in Texas public schools.

5. Texas families can now access 2022-23 A-F school accountability ratings after multiyear legal battle: The state later released ratings for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years in August.