HTX-BMW: Impact 10/3/2025

The city of Bellaire launched a new alarm tracking system Oct. 1 to improve emergency response. 

What you need to know: The goal of the new system is to encourage responsible alarm use while ensuring that the police and fire departments are available for true emergencies.

“False alarms place a significant burden on public safety resources,” said Bellaire Police Chief Onesimo Lopez. “This system allows us to better manage those calls, improve response times and promote accountability among alarm users.”

As part of the system, a tiered fee schedule will apply after a set number of false alarms within 12 months. Fees are due within 30 days from the invoice date.

According to the news release, all residential and commercial alarm users must register their systems through the PM/AM portal. The city also implemented an annual system permit requirement Oct. 1. Anyone who has purchased an alarm permit within the past year must contact PM/AM at 1-866-552-9032 to inform them and avoid being charged an additional permit fee.

The Tex-Mex franchise plans to open a third location in late 2025 to early 2026, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing.  

The details: According to the filing, the new space will be roughly 3,300 square feet and located between Westpark Drive and Southwest Freeway. The project is expected to cost $150,000, with construction lasting from September to December. Details are subject to change.

On the menu: Known for its burritos and bowls, the franchise offers customers a variety of choices, including four types of tortillas, three types of beans and two types of rice. 

📍3879 Southwest Freeway, Houston

Check out these six events happening in the Bellaire, Meyerland and West U areas in October and early November. This list is not comprehensive, and details are subject to change.

10th HUM Awards
Hosted at NRG Arena, the HUM Network is celebrating 10 years of Pakistani television, film, and music. The night will be filled with cultural fashion, speeches and live performances.

• Oct. 11, 8 p.m.
• $64-$200+ per ticket
• 1 NRG Parkway, Houston

A Night at Studio 54 
Bellaire’s ultimate disco gala will feature dinner, dancing, drinks and an auction to fundraise for continued enhancements and improvements to Evelyn’s Park.  

• Oct. 18, 6:30-11 p.m.
• $250 per ticket
• 4400 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire

Monster Jam
Monster Jam is returning to NRG Park this October and will feature stunts and the world’s most popular monster trucks, such as Grave Digger, El Toro Loco and Megalodon.

• Oct. 18, 7 p.m.
• $30+ per ticket
• 1 Fannin St., Houston

The University of Houston has been awarded a $1 million grant from the non-profit Houston Endowment to analyze how school districts are implementing various teacher certification pathways—including teacher residency programs and grow-your-own models—with the goal of improving student achievement and bolstering teacher recruitment and retention.

The two-year project is intended to generate data, research, and policy recommendations that could help reduce the number of uncertified teachers in classrooms across Texas.

Why it matters: Amid a growing percentage of uncertified teachers, a UTeach Institute study showed uncertified teachers are more likely to leave early, and their students can lose up to six months of learning.

Zooming out: To curb the teacher shortage during the 2024-25 school year, Community Impact reported that Fort Bend, Georgetown and Leander ISDs had waived teacher certification requirements for certain subjects and opted to require their staff to enroll in alternative certification programs, or nontraditional programs that can often be completed online.