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Top Story
Little Free Library now lending books in Roman Forest City Park

Roman Forest officials celebrated a July 22 opening of the city's Little Free Library at Roman Forest City Park, according to a post on the city’s Facebook page.

The details: Officials noted the library was created through a partnership between the city, the Rotary Club of East Montgomery County and a boy scout from local Troop 1013 who is working toward his Eagle Scout rank.

Residents are encouraged to visit the library and take a book to read. After reading the book, residents are encouraged to return it or replace it with another book, per the post.

  • Opened July 22

  • 1739 Roman Forest Blvd., Roman Forest
 
Local Eats
5 breakfast, coffee businesses to start the day with in New Caney, Porter

From a new local coffee spot to an upcoming doughnut shop, multiple breakfast and coffee businesses have recent updates to share in the New Caney and Porter areas.

Now open 
Rise & Grind Coffee Co. opened in mid-July at The Food Zone in Porter. Beverages range from $4.50-$6.50, with menu items including flavored iced lattes as well as lemonade and hot chocolate. Pastries such as muffins and cookies are also available.

  • Opened July 17
  • 23242 FM 1314, Porter

Coming soon
Pat’s Donuts’ newest location in New Caney is expected to be completed by December, a spokesperson for the business confirmed via message July 22. The business sells doughnuts, pastries and breakfast foods—such as tacos, kolaches and croissant sandwiches. Iced and hot coffee, cappuccinos and other drinks are also available.
  • Opening date TBD
  • 23487 Hwy. 242, New Caney

Renovations
The IHOP in Porter is set to become a dual-brand IHOP/Applebee's restaurant, per an Aug. 4 filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. 
  • 23681 Church St., Porter
 
County Coverage
Montgomery County budget discussion includes tax rate, pay parity projections

Montgomery County budget workshop discussions for fiscal year 2026-27 began Aug. 11 at the Alan B. Sadler Commissioners Court Building in Conroe. The conversation started with commissioners' review of tax rate options as well as the FY 2026-27 certified taxable value of about $109.27 billion, a 3.23% increase over the FY 2025-26 adjusted taxable value. Budget Officer Amanda Carter also presented where the county stands on its pay parity goals and employee promotions.

At a glance: The 3.23% rate increase over the FY 2025-26 current adjusted taxable value is less of an annual increase than the county has seen within past years, Tax Assessor Tammy McRae said. 

Quote of note: “We [the county] didn't see a large increase in the '26 values … this year, as we have in [the past] five years, and the data showed that we had more of a stabilized market this year, and so for that reason, very few areas of our county saw an increase in their market value,” McRae said.

 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Music & Motors

Aloha Beach Day

Aug. 14, 6-9 p.m.
Humble

Aug. 14, 7-11 p.m.
New Caney

More info.

More info.

 

'Rent'

White Linen Party

Aug. 14, 7:30 p.m.
Houston

Aug. 15, noon-10 p.m.
Pearland

More info.

More info.

 
To submit your own event, click here.

Statewide News
Texas senators consider how to better prepare communities for wildfires

From 2020-25, more than 45,000 wildfires burned over 2.7 million acres of Texas land, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

Ahead of the 2027 state legislative session, lawmakers are looking into ways to better prevent wildfires from happening and prepare communities to respond when fires do start.

The background: In 2025, state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 34, which required the Texas A&M Forest Service to create a statewide database of firefighting equipment; established a council to improve emergency communications between local, state and federal agencies; and increased funding to help rural volunteer fire departments purchase equipment from $30 million to $40 million.

Quote of note: Sen. Kevin Sparks, a Midland Republican who authored the law, said more work needs to be done to increase wildfire preparedness across the state.

"As we move forward, our focus should be on a more proactive approach that prioritizes prevention and mitigation alongside response preparedness," Sparks said during an Aug. 11 hearing of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, which he chairs.
 

 

Your local team

Hannah Brol
Senior Editor

Kim Sommers
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

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