The Katy area will see the return of a drivers license office after 15-plus years.

What to expect: The 32-counter Texas Department of Public Safety office will offer standard driver license services as well as commercial skills testing, said Grace Brasher, deputy press secretary for the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The original Katy DPS office—which opened in the early 1980s—was located at 6202 George Bush Drive before its closure in January 2010, Brasher said. The closure came when the lease agreement ended to allow for the expansion of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post.

The funding: In 2023, the Texas Legislature allocated $1.19 million for construction through House Bill 1, followed by $7 million in supplemental appropriations under House Bill 500 in 2025, Brasher said.

Also of note: The most recent DPS office opening was in League City in May, Community Impact previously reported.

• 23626 Kingsland Blvd., Katy

All Inspired ART Studio & Boutique is slated to open its doors in Katy, owner Emily Albright confirmed.

What to expect: The studio space will host drawing and painting classes, maker workshops, meet the maker events, homeschool art classes and open studio as well as kids and adult craft nights, Albright said.

Local vendors will also showcase their own artwork in the boutique section of the business.

On the horizon: The business is slated to soft open in mid-August before the grand opening scheduled for September 19-20, Albright said.

• 1644A S. Mason Road, Katy

The Harris County Flood Control District is holding two open houses for the general public to hear updates on the Harris County Flood Resilience Plan, an initiative aimed at ensuring private and public resources are in place and available during flooding events.

The background: As previously reported by Community Impact, the flood resilience plan is being developed by multiple county departments to implement actionable initiatives that consider the well-being of communities facing the physical, social and economic hardships of flooding. The flood control district is holding two additional town halls for residents to weigh in on the plan:

Riley Chambers Community Center
July 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
808 1/2 Magnolia Ave., Crosby

Tom Bass Community Center
July 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
15108 Cullen Blvd., Houston

Stay tuned: Following the open houses, the flood resilience plan will then be further refined and prepared for final release to residents, business owners and local governments. Individuals can also take an online survey, which will collect feedback and concerns on the plan. 

Check out several back-to-school events happening around Houston. 

Cy-Fair Helping Hands Back to School Bash
During the Cy-Fair Helping Hands Back to School Bash, students will receive free school supplies, family resources and books. The event will also feature family activities, first responders and equipment.

• July 25, 9 a.m.
• Free
• Calvary Community Church, 7550 Cherry Park Drive, Houston

• July 25, 11 a.m.
• Free
• 11714 Boudreaux Road, Tomball

• July 30, 6-8 p.m.
• Free
• 6110 N. Fry Road, Katy

Sandy Creek resident Georgia Bishop was out of town when 22 inches of rain fell on parts of northwest Travis County over the July 4, 2025, weekend. When Bishop returned home days later, her community was significantly changed.

What happened: Residents of the hard-hit Sandy Creek neighborhood described a “wall of water” that tore through their community last July, washing away homes, cars and roads. Nine people died in the flooding, including Bishop’s best friend, 16-year-old Felicity Jarmon.

The context: One year later, residents of the unincorporated Travis County community are still working to rebuild from last July’s catastrophic flooding. Central Texas has seen two straight years of intense, deadly flooding in July, leaving some residents on edge as they recover from last year’s disaster and mourn lost loved ones.

Community Impact spoke with Bishop and Kylie Nidever, whose neighborhood in Hunt flooded last year, on July 13, days before heavy rainfall hit large swaths of the state once again. Officials confirmed two deaths due to this year's floods, while 137 people died last July.