Running from April 9-19, and with a new event this year, the Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo’s main focus is to create “pathways and opportunities for local youth to succeed,” Montgomery County Fair Executive Director Tobin Redwine said. The rodeo has changed since its original founding, but the goal of supporting the local Montgomery community has remained the same.

The big picture: Originally founded in the '60s, the rodeo started off as a “field day” where locals would spend the day on a rancher's land. As the years went by, new events and games were slowly introduced, and fast forward over 65 years later, the rodeo has now become a staple for the local Montgomery community, according to its website.

Quote of note: “Montgomery County is at a unique intersection of innovation and growth and also connection to history and heritage that shows up in such a tangible way at the fair," Redwine said. "So it's a fantastic way to spend some time and it's also a way to connect with that unique intersection."

Alpha Gym, a warehouse-style fitness facility in Willis, opened Feb. 1, a representative confirmed. 

The gist: The gym offers a range of equipment, including machines, free weights and powerlifting equipment.

“Whether members are beginners or experienced athletes, our space is built to support hard work, determination and real results,” owners Cory and Lindsey Malak said via email, per prior reporting.

• 120 Corporate Drive, Willis

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from March 23-27.

• 25-year old Seabrook Mexican restaurant reopened just six days after closing from strong community support

• A ‘face-lift’ for downtown: Montgomery commencing with downtown upgrades, new plans

• League City to consider rezoning land along League City Parkway from residential to commercial

• Houston to return historic Freedmen’s Town bricks to the neighborhood after restoration

• Conroe City Council ends executive contracts, approves nearly $1.85M in payouts

Beginning April 1, Texans can no longer use food stamps to purchase sweetened beverages and candy.

How we got here: During the 2025 legislative session, Texas lawmakers passed Senate Bill 379, which prohibits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from being used to purchase candy and sweetened drinks. In August, the federal government approved a waiver allowing Texas to implement the prohibition beginning April 1.

Texas will be the ninth state to prohibit SNAP benefits from being used on sugary items, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

How it works: Under SB 379, Texans will not be allowed to use their SNAP benefits to buy sweetened drinks containing any artificial sweeteners or at least 5 grams of added sugar, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. SB 379 also bans the purchase of candy with Lone Star Cards.

It is up to Texas businesses to determine which items are no longer SNAP-eligible, update their store purchase systems and train staff to recognize the newly restricted items, according to the HHSC.