To minimize inconvenience for residents during the upcoming Poor Farm Ditch flood repair project, the work will be executed in smaller, segmented parts.

What residents should know: Construction will occur at one 500-foot section at a time, with each section being completed before contractors can move to the next one. In total, the entire project is about 3,100 feet, which breaks down into six segments.

Scott Elmer, chief partnerships and programs officer with the Harris County Flood Control District, said this approach would help minimize disruptive traffic issues and limit the impact on residents.

What's next: While officials have not specified a specific start date for construction, the project is expected to start construction in late spring or early summer and should be completed by 2030. 

Elmer said that the specific timeline could shift, potentially reducing the impact on residents or allowing for a quicker project completion.

Merit Coffee, a San Antonio-based coffee shop, is getting ready to launch its first of two new Houston locations this summer.

The details: Merit Coffee operates more than a dozen cafes in San Antonio, Austin and Dallas. In late 2025, officials announced that the coffee shops would expand to Houston in mid- 2026.

A representative with the company confirmed that the Buffalo Speedway location, which is intended to serve West University Place and River Oaks, is scheduled to open in June. However, officials noted that the date could get pushed back depending on construction and permits.

What they offer: The coffee shop serves a variety of caffeine-based beverages, including cold brew, espresso, lattes and slow pours.

The shop's coffee beans are sourced in Central and South America and roasted at the company's 9,000-square-foot facility in San Antonio, according to the Merit Coffee website.

• 5115 Buffalo Speedway, Houston

Celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse for Lunar New Year at one of multiple celebrations being held across the Greater Houston area.

Lunar New Year at Children's Museum Houston
Enjoy two days of Lunar New Year festivities at the Children's Museum Houston. On Feb. 14, entertainment will begin at 11 a.m. and include a traditional lion dance; a Diabolo, Chinese yo-yo, performance; and a contemporary Chinese dance show. On Feb. 15, at noon, a traditional Chinese dance will take place.

• Feb. 14-15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• $19.95 (entry for adults and children ages 1 or older), $17.95 (seniors)
• 1500 Binz St., Houston

• Feb. 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• $9 (admission for adults and children 1 year old and older)
• The Woodlands Children's Museum, 4775 West Panther Creek Drive Ste. 280, The Woodlands

Here are several Black-owned businesses located across the Houston metro to commemorate Black History Month, as recently reported by Community Impact.

Good Eatz
Veteran and Good Eatz owner LaTroy Johnson opened his restaurant in July 2022. Johnson said he chose the location due to its friendly community.

• 8805 Jones Road, Ste. A-101, Jersey Village

• 29110 Hwy. 290, Ste. 220, Cypress

• 5802 FM 1488, Ste. F, Magnolia

Commissioners will consider and potentially take action on over 300 agenda items Feb. 12, including approving an interlocal agreement for a mental health mapping project in Precinct 4 and a progress update on a countywide flood mapping system.

The big picture: Harris County Flood Control District officials will provide an update to commissioners on the progress and next steps of the MAAPNext project. The project is a collaborative effort with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is also funding the project, and HCFCD to create up-to-date hydrology and flood maps to gauge current and future flooding risks across the county.

Also of note: Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones will seek to approve an interlocal agreement with the University of Houston to conduct an extension of a mental health resource mapping project to "provide actionable data to guide policies, budget priorities, and community engagement strategies aimed at enhancing access to care."

Harris County Commissioners Court meetings are held at 9 a.m. in the administration building at 1001 Preston St., Houston.

In the upcoming March 3 primary elections, Texas voters will have the opportunity to nominate their chosen candidates for the November midterm election. From top state officials to county commissioners, primary elections shape who is ultimately elected to dozens of seats, driving the future direction of the Lone Star State.

Yet less than one-fifth of registered Texas voters participated in recent primary elections, data from the secretary of state’s office shows.

The big picture: March Matters, a group that works to get more Texans to the primary polls, found that 146 of Texas’ 150 state House races were effectively decided during the 2022 primaries, with just four competitive seats during that year’s midterm election.

Data also shows that primary voters tend to be older and represent the more extreme wings of their political parties.

What they're saying: "When primary voter turnout is so small, when only a fraction of voters are voting, your vote counts more,” said Mark Strama, who leads the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life at the University of Texas.

Community Impact is now covering BCS, from growth and schools to business and city happenings. 

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