Following a soft opening in mid-August, Sweet Space Shop officials will host a grand opening celebration at 3 p.m. Sept. 13. 

What to expect: Per the Sweet Space Shop's social media, the business offers a variety of treats, including ice cream, shakes, popsicles and natural juices. The business also has a mobile truck for events and festivals. 

During the grand opening celebration, a slate of other local vendors will be onsite offering food, desserts, unique products and fun activities.

Some context: The new ice cream shop is located in the space formerly occupied by Junie B's Snowcones, which closed in April, as previously reported by Community Impact. 

• Soft opened in mid-August, grand opening Sept. 13 
• 21120 Loop 494, New Caney

A new livestock show category, an expanded kid’s zone and new fair food options are just a few of the highlights of this year’s upcoming East Montgomery County Fair & Rodeo.

What’s new: Hosted by the East Montgomery County Fair Association, the nearly 10-day event will take place from Sept. 11-20 at Bull Sallas Park, featuring rodeo competitions, livestock shows, barbecue cook-offs and live music.

Lynch said this year’s event will include a turkey show for the first time in several years, as well as new offerings in the kid’s zone, such as bounce houses. A new title sponsor, Cook Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, will also make its debut.

Quote of note: “We’re constantly looking for sponsors,” Lynch said. “We always have something that we can put a name on and promote the local businesses because at the end of the day, it’s about putting money in kids’ pockets and helping kids go to either a career tech school or college of their choice.”

Two candidates, Kristen Plaisance and Nicole King, will face off during the Nov. 3 election for the seat representing Texas House District 3 for the next two years.

District 3 covers portions of Montgomery County. The seat is currently held by Rep. Cecil Bell Jr., R-Magnolia, who began serving in the position in 2013.

Preparing for the polls: Early voting runs from Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.

Texas senators indicated Sept. 1 that they intend to tighten regulations on data centers during next year’s legislative session, which begins in January.

What they're saying: “I think every member's district has had an impact from a data center conversation, so there will be plenty of bills trying to put things in place that are reasonable, responsible regulatory frameworks for data centers,” state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, said.

The big picture: With some Texas residents and conservation groups sounding the alarm about water-intensive technologies used by some data centers, state agencies have warned that limited information is available on how much water the industry actually uses. Officials said they have also had trouble determining exactly how many data centers are operating in the state today, as there is no “comprehensive statewide list” of existing and planned facilities.

Estimates from state agencies and the University of Texas at Austin suggest that roughly 370 data centers are currently operating in Texas, with about 100 facilities under construction and another 180 being proposed.