The Woodlands Township announced several service updates in advance of predicted winter weather Jan. 24-26.

What you need to know: Several township services will be affected by the weather, and additional announcements will be made as the weekend advances.

• Park restrooms will be closed from Saturday morning through Monday or later depending on when they can be safely opened, according to information from the township. Water will be shut off to the restrooms and the water lines will be cleared to prevent pipe damage.  
• The Riva Row Boat House, Lakes Edge Boat House and Swans at the Mall Boat House will be closed from 3 p.m. Saturday through at least Sunday.
• Texas TreeVentures will be closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Harper’s Preserve Storage, a 102,684-square-foot storage facility, was slated to begin construction Dec. 1, 2025, and complete Jan. 31, 2027, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing. The project cost is estimated at $6 million, according to the filing.

The details: The storage facility will be a three-story building with interior accessible units and roll-up doors.

• 10300 Hwy. 242, Conroe

Jay Mac Sanders will face Brittany Gable Hale in the Republican primary for Montgomey County justice of the peace, Precinct 3 on March 3. No candidates filed for the Democratic primary.

What you need to know: Early voting begins Feb. 17 for March 3 primary races in Texas, including several county and state contests.

The details: Community Impact sent each candidate a Q&A with a deadline for response to ensure equal opportunity. Answers were limited to 50 words each, and answers that came in over 50 words were cut from the end to fit.

The Tomball Education Foundation is awarding a historic $159,812 in educator grants to Tomball ISD teachers and staff, according to a Jan. 16 news release.

About the project: The grant total is the largest single-year grant distribution in TEF history, according to Tomball ISD. The money will fund 45 grants which will support 90 different staff members across 19 campuses. The money will fund a variety of projects and education initiatives from kindergarten through high school campuses.

Some of these initiatives include but are not limited to:

• Developing vocational skills through a student cafe
• Using virtual reality  programs to enhance social skills and problem solving 
• Robotics and coding training for early learners
• 3D printing programs for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, learning
• Headphones with real-time language translation for educators
• Peer-to-peer mental health support and suicide prevention programs

As the state prepares for a wave of winter weather, Greater Houston area officials are also urging caution and preparedness ahead of potential weather impacts.

The details: According to the National Weather Service, the Greater Houston area will be under a winter storm watch Jan. 24-25. However, an extreme cold watch will run from Jan. 24-26, and the NWS said residents can expect the following conditions over the weekend:

• Potential freezing rain
• A tenth of an inch of ice or greater
• Localized power outages
• Wind chills ranging from 5-15 degrees

Four Republican candidates are running for Texas comptroller in the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The big picture: Michael Berlanga, Christi Craddick, Kelly Hancock and Don Huffines are seeking the Republican nomination to be Texas' next chief financial officer. The Republican nominee will face the winner of the Democratic primary in November; the winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.

The background: The comptroller's office is open after former state comptroller Glenn Hegar stepped down in July to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. Former state Sen. Kelly Hancock currently serves as acting state comptroller and is running in the Republican primary, although he is not considered the incumbent in the race.

The comptroller is tasked with overseeing government spending, projecting Texas' biennial budget for state legislators, reporting on statewide economic issues, and managing the state treasury and unclaimed property programs. Hancock's office also recently launched the state’s new education savings account program, as mandated by the Texas Legislature.

Three Democrats are running to be Texas' next chief financial officer in the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The overview: Sarah Eckhardt, Michael Lange and Savant Moore are seeking the Democratic nomination for Texas comptroller. The winning Democratic candidate will face the Republican nominee in November; the winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.

The context: The comptroller's office is open after former state comptroller Glenn Hegar stepped down in July to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. Former state Sen. Kelly Hancock currently serves as acting state comptroller and is running in the Republican primary, although he is not considered the incumbent in the race.

The comptroller is tasked with overseeing government spending, projecting Texas' biennial budget for state legislators, reporting on statewide economic issues, and managing the state treasury and unclaimed property programs. Hancock's office also recently launched the state’s new education savings account program, as mandated by the Texas Legislature.