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In June, Lone Star College hired Shantha Stokes as its new chief mental health officer. In an interview with Community Impact, Stokes reflected on the challenges and successes she's faced during her first year, as well as the new initiatives planned for next semester. 

More details: Some of the questions asked by Community Impact include: 

• What are your responsibilities as Lone Star College’s chief mental health officer?
• What initiatives does Lone Star College have currently to prioritize faculty and student mental health?
• What challenges have you faced, if any, and what do you hope to accomplish next semester?

HTeaO, a Texas-based beverage business, will host a grand opening celebration for its new location in Atascocita on Feb. 14 

On the menu: The business offers more than 20 flavors of iced tea, including sweet and unsweet options; hot and iced coffee made with Free Rein Coffee Company coffee beans; thirst quenchers such as the Desert Pear Refresher and the Dirty Cherry Poppi; and lemonade. 

What to expect: As previously reported by Community Impact, the 2,206-square-foot Atascocita location will feature a drive thru. 

Check it out: During the grand opening celebration Feb. 14, customers can enjoy free tea from 10 a.m.-noon and the first 250 customers in line will receive a free T-shirt, according to a Feb. 3 email from HTeaO's Franchise Marketing Department. 

• Opening Feb. 14 
• 17622 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Atascocita 

Check out what's happening in the Lake Houston area this weekend, Feb. 6-8.

Humble Rodeo: For over 75 years, the Humble Rodeo has been a local tradition featuring competitions, live entertainment, food and shopping. This year, Corey Kent will perform Feb. 6, followed by Casey Donahew on Feb. 7.

• Feb. 6-7, 5 p.m. (gates open), 7 p.m. (rodeo), 9:30 p.m. (concert)
• $25 (advance tickets online), $30 (at the gate), free (age 5 and under)
• Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Parkway, Humble

• Feb. 7, noon-2 p.m.
• $25 (admission)
• Light of the World Christian Fellowship, 16161 Old Humble Road, Humble

The Coastal Texas Project, also known as the Ike Dike, received $5 million in federal funding, the largest single federal investment in the project since Congress authorized the project in 2022. 

The overview: The $34 billion project aims to protect Houston’s critical energy and shipping corridors from storm damage by building a system of gates and dune systems designed to mitigate storm surge, according to previous reporting by Community Impact. 

The background: The 87th Texas Legislature established the GCPD in 2021, and it serves as the state sponsor for the project, according to the release.

Although the project was authorized in 2022, funding has been slow to come in, and the $5 million marks the largest single federal investment to date, according to the release.

Quote of note: “Texas is home to the largest concentration of oil and gas infrastructure in the United States, and safeguarding our coast from catastrophic storms protects every American,” Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said in the news release.

Looking for plans to gear up for the big football game? Super Bowl LX takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco, when the Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots for a chance at the championship.

Scheduled performers include Charlie Puth to sing the national anthem and a halftime performance with international recording artist Bad Bunny, according to the National Football League’s website.

The event: Here are several events taking place around the Greater Houston area this weekend, from Feb.6-Feb. 8, for Super Bowl LX. This list is not comprehensive, and details are subject to change.

• Super Bowl spreads at Lankford’s The Woodlands
• Heights Bier Garten watch party
• Live DJ and watch party in Spring
• Potluck, tailgating and more in Pearland
• Super Bowl squares and sliders in Sugar Land
• Game day buffet and pickleball play at PKL Social
• Game day food boards, watch party and custom cakes at Bayou Heights
• Seahawks Big Game Giveaway at Little Woodrow’s

Two Republican candidates are running to lead the Texas Department of Agriculture in the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The overview: Nate Sheets is challenging incumbent Sid Miller, who is seeking a fourth term as Texas agriculture commissioner. The winning Republican candidate will face Democrat Clayton Tucker in November, and the winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.

Tucker is running uncontested in the Democratic primary. Community Impact runs candidate Q&As for contested races only.

About the agency: The Texas Department of Agriculture's duties include administering federal nutrition programs and grants; facilitating trade of agricultural products; protecting crops from pests and diseases; providing financial assistance to farmers and rural communities; and conducting consumer protection programs, according to the agency's website.

Community Impact is now covering BCS, from growth and schools to business and city happenings.

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