Pearland City Council debated whether to appoint Mayor Quentin Wiltz as the city's primary representative for the Houston-Galveston Area Council, or H-GAC, before unanimously approving appointments to the regional body's boards at its Oct. 26 meeting.

What happened: When former Mayor Kevin Cole's term ended in May, his primary seats on three H-GAC boards became vacant. In June, council postponed the appointments until October to align with H-GAC’s operating year.

The discussion: Wiltz defended his qualifications for the positions, citing two decades of professional experience and his attendance at H-GAC and Transportation Policy Council meetings.

Council member Tommy Echols questioned whether Wiltz could take on the additional responsibilities while fulfilling his duties as mayor. Echols cited missed events, while council member Mona Chavarria noted she had delivered 10 proclamations on the mayor’s behalf.

Rita’s Italian Ice is opening a new location in Pearland, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

What you need to know: The Pennsylvania-based business offers a variety of frozen treats, including Italian ice, frozen custard and gelati, a combination of the two, according to its website.

📍3569 Business Center Drive, Ste. 140, Pearland

Houston-based Kirby Ice House is celebrating its grand opening in mid-November, owner Russ Morgan said.

What they offer: The concept is a social gathering hub, with no venue fees or minimums. Outside food is also allowed at the location.

📍530 Bay Area Blvd., Houston

Unofficial county data shows that 415,730 voters cast their ballots in Harris County during the first week of early voting. According to the Harris County Clerk’s Office, about 15% of the county’s more than 2.7 million registered voters have turned out for the midterm election as of Oct. 22.

Stay tuned: Key details from the election turnout and schedule include:

• Early voting and mail-in ballot totals set a record for first-day midterm turnout Oct. 19, with more than 104,000 in-person votes counted.

• Early voting continues through Oct. 30 at any of the county’s 75 early voting locations.

• Polls are open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. most days, except Oct. 25, when they are open noon-7 p.m.

• Voters can cast ballots in local races for county attorney, county judge and district clerk.

• In-person voting is also available on Election Day, Nov. 3.

A guide to haunted houses and ghost tours throughout the Greater Houston area offers several spooky activities ahead of Halloween. The non-comprehensive list features eight haunted houses and four ghost tours:

• Creepy Hollow Haunted House in Rosharon, featuring multiple themed scary attractions and a Lights Out with Krampus scare.

• Haunted Drive in Cleveland, a drive-thru haunted house with optional hay rides and a haunted maze.

• Houston Terror Dome Haunted House in Channelview, offering themed haunted houses, paintball, escape rooms, a pumpkin patch and axe throwing.

• Purgatory Scream Park in Kingwood, featuring four attractions including Hysteria and Deadwood.

• Redrum Fear Park in Richmond, which offers a twisted circus, a haunted movie theater, a defunct asylum and laser tag.

• The Thirteenth Floor in Houston, geared for guests 13 and older.

• Voodoo Bayou Haunted Trail in New Caney, featuring PG-13 entertainment.

• Woods of Kaos in Cleveland, a 30,000-square-foot haunted house.

• Houston Ghost Tour, The Last Stop Ghost Tour, Lizzy Borden Ghost Tours and Old Town Spring/Tomball Ghost Walk, which all offer guided walking tours.