Shenandoah City Council approved Sam Masiel as the new city administrator in a 5-0 vote at a special meeting March 4.

What to know: The decision comes following the resignation of former City Administrator Kathie Reyer for health-related reasons. Director of Public Works Joseph Peart was named interim city administrator at the Oct. 8 meeting, as previously reported by Community Impact.

Quote of note: “[I am] super excited for this opportunity," Maisel said. "I look forward to working with the staff here, working with you [and] serving the community of Shenandoah,” Masiel said to the council.

According to a March 2 Woodland Lane Ceramics news release, the ceramic studio is celebrating its fifth anniversary in March. Along with its anniversary, Woodland Lane Ceramics announced a new Special Project Workshops program and expanded classes.

Quote of note: “Our studio has grown a lot with both new projects and new students,” owner Kinsey Lane said. “People are drawn to us for the chance to create one-of-a-kind pieces. They end up staying because we have so much fun together, and we’ve established a strong artistic community.”

The details: Per the release, as part of its Special Projects Workshop first session, during a March 28 workshop students are invited to sculpt their own bunnies from clay. Classes are open to all ages and skill levels.

A different Special Projects Workshop will be offered each month, including sessions of sculptures, mugs and planters among other workshops. In addition, Woodland Lane Ceramics is also adding a weekly Monday night class starting April 13.

• 33218 Sweetgum Lane, Magnolia

A new baseball and softball training facility is coming to the Spring area, owner Holly Perry confirmed. 

The gist: Diamond Impact Training Center will offer batting cage rentals, indoor training and lessons, Perry said. The facility will have pitching and batting lanes, and there are plans to host summer camps and clinics.

Perry said there is potential to offer birthday parties at the facility in the future. She also said the business will have a variety of merchandise for sale, including baseball and softball equipment. 

• 23629 Gosling Road, Spring

Texas attracts dozens of company headquarters to the state annually, with at least 314 businesses moving their main office to Texas from other states between 2015-2024, data from the governor’s office shows.

Zooming in: At least 24 companies moved their headquarters to Texas in 2024, with more than half landing in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Two companies relocated from other countries, with data center developer Hive Digital Technologies bringing its home base from Canada to San Antonio and pharmaceutical company IntraBio Inc. moving its headquarters from the United Kingdom to Austin.

How we got here: State officials and experts said Texas’ economic incentives and light regulatory environment are key reasons why companies brought their operations to the state in recent years.

“Texas wants companies to move here, and [company leaders] know that,” Megan Mauro, interim president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business, told Community Impact. “Our legislative policy is really impacted by the voices of employers here.”