With the common mission to foster an understanding of different religions in the community, Spring Interfaith was informally founded by North West Assistance Ministry members during the early 2000’s and evolved into a nonprofit association in March 2024.

Quote of note: “I've been here five years, and I'm just grateful to break down barriers, break down walls, and even within my own faith, look inward,” Spring Interfaith Vice Chair Diane Hunt said. “It has strengthened my faith as I've celebrated other faiths.”

Whats special about it? Key programs Spring Interfaith is a part of include its annual Thanksgiving service, recurring dialogue dinners and International Peace Day. During its annual Thanksgiving service, Spring Interfaith Chair Nancy Agafitei said the community is invited to unite in expressing their gratitude. Financial donations received at the service benefit a different organization every year such as Moving Waters Houston, a nonprofit that provides mobile shower services to those in need.

A New Quest release announced Taco Palenque has ground leased a retail pad site in Spring Town Center.

The details: According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Taco Palenque began construction plans on Dec. 1 and has a Feb. 1 completion date.

On the menu: Taco Palenque offers authentic Mexican food and has 43 locations, per the website. Menu items offered include burritos, enchiladas, grilled meats and tacos.

Lone Star College System will offer a new bachelor’s degree in early childhood education with an expected launch date of fall 2026 after the help of a $200,000 grant from Houston Endowment, according to an Aug. 13 news release.

The gist: The four-year degree will end in a teacher certification in elementary education, said Rebecca Saiz, LSCS executive director for the educator preparation program.

How we got here: There has been a significant rise in the number of uncertified teachers in Texas for the past five years, according to the Texas Education Agency. Saiz said LCSC hopes to help tackle the rising numbers in uncertified teachers with the new bachelor’s program.

Looking forward: The initial cohort will launch with 150 teacher candidates, pending approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as well as the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, per the release.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County was awarded more than $100 million in federal funding for several low-emission initiatives aimed at significantly improving air quality across METRO’s service area.

“This funding represents a major step in our effort to transition METRO’s fleet to cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles,” interim President Tom Jasien said in a Nov. 24 news release. “These improvements will strengthen our commitment to sustainability while ensuring we continue to deliver reliable service for the Houston region.”

Zooming in: METRO officials said the $100 million grant will allow for the following projects to be completed:

• Replacing at least 100 aging diesel buses with new compressed natural gas buses
• Building a new CNG fueling station
• Upgrading maintenance facilities to support expanded CNG operations