Honorees preview Kevin Brady Library and Community Center before official opening
Honorees gathered Aug. 20 at the recently completed Kevin Brady Library and Community Center, which will open to the public Sept. 2, to visit the rooms named for them.
The background: Two years in planning, the 48,000-square-foot center includes both a community center with rentable spaces and room for community and senior activities, as well as a library with rooms for children and young adults.
More details: Within the community center portion of the facility, individual rooms were named after local leaders and residents.
The Woodlands Township considers police, fire requests in $175M budget for 2026
The Woodlands Township board of directors Aug. 20, accepted a preliminary budget with a projected $175 million in operating revenue for the 2026 fiscal year. The board also discussed fire department response times, budgeting for law enforcement needs and a budget initiative for Town Center elevator modernization. Budget workshops concluded Aug. 21 with a decision to propose a tax rate of $0.1714 per $100 assessment for the 2026 fiscal year.
The details: Among the budget requests discussed this week were a $2 million, or 6% increase, from The Woodlands Fire Department for items including a new fleet technician and 3.5% salary increases. Requests from the sheriff’s office included $864,303 for items including four additional sergeants, 30 Flock cameras and a Polaris Ranger.
Learn more: The proposed tax rate is the same as the rate adopted in 2024 for the FY 2025 budget, which was also $0.1714 per $100 assessment. A public hearing will take place on Sept. 4, when the board will also vote to adopt the budget for fiscal year 2026.
Conroe City Council approves agreements with CISD for infrastructure improvements
During its Aug. 14 meeting, Conroe City Council approved agreements with Conroe ISD to coordinate on school facility improvements and city infrastructure upgrade projects.
The details: Purchasing Contract Administrator Brandy Taylor told council the agreements involve properties outside city limits that could be annexed in the future.
Taylor said CISD has agreed to comply with city ordinances after hearing concerns from Barton Creek subdivision residents. The agreements include keeping a private road for stacking and access, while the city will maintain water and sewer service.
The city’s portion of the costs will be about $346,650, funded from savings on another water and sewer project, according to the agenda item.
Council also approved an agreement among the city, CISD, Montgomery County MUD 207 and Bradbury Development Limited for planned infrastructure improvements. Taylor said the project, previously supported by U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw’s, R-Houston, office, will not cost the city anything.
FOODIE FRIDAY Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Houston area.
After a divine vision and a lifetime of inspiration from her entrepreneurial parents, Gloria Taylor traded real estate for the restaurant kitchen to openApple-licious Bakery Bistro, a soul food spot built on faith, family and second chances.
At Apple-licious Bakery Bistro customers can find honey crisp and granny smith flavored pastries from cheesecakes to pies and 20 different gourmet candy apples as well as breakfast tacos, apple wood smoked pulled pork, quiches, sandwiches, soups and salads.
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ShanShan Su opened Mimi Garden TX in December to offer a comforting taste of home and to share the authentic art of Chinese dumpling making in The Woodlands. Rooted in his heritage, the restaurant embraces culinary creativity with handcrafted dumpling and bao dishes, he said.
“In Chinese, ‘mimi’ means secret. Our restaurant is nestled in the woods, like a hidden garden waiting to be found; a peaceful retreat where comfort, flavor, and quiet joy come together; a secret worth sharing,” Su said.