Q&A: New Montgomery ISD transportation director sets sights on strengthening staff, improving communication
With the school year underway and school buses rounding neighborhoods to get students to class, Community Impact interviewed Pierre Laurent, the new transportation director at Montgomery ISD, about the role he is stepping into.
Diving in deeper: Starkey spoke about what drew him to MISD, what his responsibilities will be and what he hopes to accomplish in his first year as transportation director.
Woodforest Charity Run, Willis Family Fun Day: 11 events to attend in the Conroe, Montgomery area through Sept. 20
There are several events happening in the Conroe and Montgomery area, including a charity run and wellness expo. This list is not comprehensive. Events are subject to change.
Pulling for Home Place Clay Shoot Join Home Place of Texas during its second annual clay shoot fundraiser to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Sept. 19, 8 a.m.
$200 (single shooter), $800 (team of four)
Blackwood Sporting Co., 11400 FM 2854, Conroe
Montgomery County Funky Junque Market Shop for fall and holiday items including garden decor, gourmet food items, handmade and fashion jewelry and fashion trucks while supporting local small business owners.
Sept. 20, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Free (admission)
Lone Star Convention Expo Center, 9055 Airport Road, Conroe
DATA: Housing affordability remains steady across Houston region
Home affordability in the Houston region decreased slightly according to the second-quarter housing affordability report from the Houston Association of Realtors.
At a glance: Out of the five major counties in the Houston region, Montgomery County had the highest rate of home affordability, with 46% of residents able to afford a median-priced home. The least affordable area was Harris County, where only 34% of residents are able to afford a median-priced home.
What else?: For those who rent homes, the average monthly payment across the region dropped from $2,190 to $2,100 a month. Galveston County saw the highest increase in monthly home rental prices, going from $2,100 to $2,175 per month.
Texas House approves youth camp safety, flood relief bills following Central Texas flooding
What's happening: House lawmakers approved six bills Aug. 21, all of which were drafted in response to the July 4-5 floods that killed at least 137 people in Central and West Texas.
Lawmakers said the bills were designed to mitigate the damage of future floods by requiring youth summer camps to implement approved disaster plans, establishing licensing requirements for local emergency managers and facilitating the development of a statewide emergency communications plan.
What they're saying: “We have a chance now to right these wrongs, to say ‘Never again,’” Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, said on the House floor.
At an Aug. 21 press conference in Kerrville, Gov. Greg Abbott said the nonprofit’s housing fund will help affected Texans receive new housing within months.
Ulta Beauty and Target announce plans to conclude partnership
An Aug. 14 Ulta Beauty news release announced Ulta Beauty and Target mutually agreed to not renew its partnership once its agreement concludes in August 2026. The Ulta Beauty at Target experience will continue in Target stores and on Target.com until then.
The details: Per the release, both Target and Ulta Beauty said they remain committed to delivering a seamless shopping experience through the end of the partnership and will continue to support their teams and partners during the transition.
Quote of note: “We’re proud of our shared success with Ulta Beauty and the experience we’ve delivered together,” said Rick Gomez, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Target. “The magic of shopping for beauty at Target is the combination of on-trend products that delight consumers with an inspiring and convenient shopping experience. We look forward to what’s ahead and remain committed to offering the beauty experience consumers have come to expect from Target.”
