Montgomery County Commissioners Court on Oct. 8 approved selling $35 million in bonds that will pay for roadway projects through next summer.

The background: Voters in May 2025 authorized a $480 million road bond expected to fund 76 transportation projects. It was the first road bond in a decade to handle the population growth the county has seen and will continue to see.

Some context: County finance officials said this round of bond sales is the smallest the county will make since interest rates have climbed higher than were projected.

John Robuck, who consults the county on investments, said this round is expected to give the county enough money for road projects through June with the hope that interest rates will settle down by then. The county currently has $57 million in the bank for road bond projects.

“National debt, the Iran conflict and inflationary fears have pushed interest rates up a lot higher than we projected,” Robuck said.

Bar Bludorn The Woodlands opened Oct. 2 at The Woodlands Waterway, located at 25 Waterway Ave. in The Woodlands. The new restaurant is the fifth helmed by Bludorn Hospitality Group and represents its first expansion outside of Houston. Described by the group as an upscale tavern, the venue features a private dining room and outdoor patio seating. It is inspired by its sister location in Memorial, which opened in 2024, but sports a different menu.

What's on the menu: Bar Bludorn features a drink menu with craft cocktails and a robust wine and spirits selection. The food menu includes:

• Starters such as oysters, prepared fried, grilled, raw or dressed, and steak tartare with potato rosti

• Entrees including branzino with salsa verde and black garlic za'atar

• Bavette steak frites

• Duck breast served on riso venere

The gist: PBG Cards & Collectibles, a card shop that buys, sells and trades sports and Pokémon trading cards, opened in late August. Located near the corner of Rayford Road and I-45 North, the shop specializes in sports cards and trading card games like Pokémon.

According to the store's Instagram, the shop is open seven days a week from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

The details for the new business include:

• Address: 25170 I-45 N., Unit 9, Spring

Thirty-two Houston-area restaurants have been named to the 2026 Michelin Guide, according to an Oct. 8 press release.

The history: The guide, which originated in 1889, uses anonymous inspectors to evaluate dining establishments based on food quality, consistency, flavor harmony, technical mastery and the chef's personality.

Latest update: Six Houston-area restaurants retained their one-star ratings for 2026:

• BCN Taste & Tradition

• CorkScrew BBQ

• Le Jardinier Houston

• March

• Musaafer

• Tatemó

Additionally, 26 area restaurants earned the Bib Gourmand recognition for good quality and value. This includes five new locations: Bar Buena, Khói Barbecue, Kitchen Rumors, Murray's Pizza & Wine and Xolo. Xolo owner Angel Bautista also received the Michelin Exceptional Cocktails Award.

Community Impact reported on several developments across the North Houston area from Oct. 2-9:

Arms manufacturer Watchtower Defense opens facility in Tomball

Property owners in Cypress, Cy-Fair, Jersey Village to see tax rate increases

$8M Plum Grove Road expansion project wraps up in New Caney

The Container Store closes Spring-Klein area location

PREVIEW: Montgomery County commissioners to consider support for legislation granting ordinance powers

The White Canvas Event Venue now hosting events in Cypress

Whataburger opening new location in Conroe

Dutch Bros Coffee to open Kingwood location in late 2026

Bari Ristorante now open in The Woodlands