Former Magnolia Human Resources Director Kristy Powell is suing the city and Mayor Matthew “Doc” Dantzer, alleging she was retaliated against after reporting what the lawsuit describes as an October 2025 incident involving the city secretary during a Texas Municipal League conference in Fort Worth. 

The federal lawsuit, filed March 17 in the Southern District of Texas, names the city of Magnolia and Dantzer as defendants.

What you need to know: In her original complaint, Powell said she was hired by the city in July 2024 and promoted to HR director in October 2024. Powell alleges that after she investigated and terminated two city employees in 2025, both of whom she said were close friends of Dantzer, she began facing retaliation, exclusion from meetings and other hostile behavior.

The lawsuit centers on an incident Powell said was reported to her by the Magnolia city secretary after an Oct. 29, 2025, dinner during the Texas Municipal League conference.

Dick’s Sporting Goods is planning to open a 60,496-square-foot location in Tomball, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. All information, including costs and timelines, is subject to change.

The gist: The store is slated to be located along Hwy. 249 and estimated to cost $6.6 million, per the filing.

• 25569 Hwy. 249, Tomball

There are several events to attend in the Tomball and Magnolia area this weekend. Check them out below. This is not a comprehensive list, and events are subject to change.

Music Festival
The Music Festival to Benefit ACC Texas MS 150 festival will support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s mission to cure MS while empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives.

• April 10, 5-11 p.m.

• $22-$516.25 (admission)

• 403 E. Main St., Tomball

Precinct 3 Movie Night: ‘The Wild Robot’
Harris County Precinct 3 is hosting a family movie night this Friday at Samuel Mathews Park. The evening's movie is the Oscar-nominated film “The Wild Robot.” Along with the film, there will be multiple family-friendly events and games.

• April 10, 7 p.m.

• Free (admission)

• 1728 E. Hufsmith Road, Tomball

Tidy Up Tomball
Tidy Up Tomball is a bi-annual trash clean-up event designed to bring the community together to beautify the city of Tomball.

• April 11, 8 a.m.

• Free (admission)

• 401 Houston St., Tomball

Tomball City Council took the first step April 6 toward approving a broad update to its ethics code and council procedures, including new rules tied to attendance, public comment, disclosures, complaints and censure.

The ordinance, approved on first reading, would repeal and replace portions of Chapter 2 of the city’s code of ordinances related to general administration, City Council procedures and the city’s code of ethics.

What happened: City staff said the proposed changes are meant to modernize the city’s rules, add clarity to council operations and formalize procedures that are not clearly outlined in the current code.

Slides presented during the meeting showed some of the updates would:

• Add attendance requirements for council members, including notice to the city secretary at least two hours before a meeting
• Define excused and unexcused absences
• Create orientation requirements for new council members
• Expand the city’s ethics code with added transparency and disclosure expectations
• Establish a formal complaint and investigation process

The American Heart Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to heart and brain health, in March announced two leadership appointments for the Greater Houston and Gulf Coast markets.

Key players: Kellie Armstrong was named senior executive director for the Greater Houston market, and Lisa Fenley was appointed executive director for the Gulf Coast, according to a news release.

More details: With more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Fenley will oversee initiatives to expand heart health education, CPR awareness, women’s health programming and community partnerships focused on improving cardiovascular outcomes, according to the release.