Joe V’s Smart Shop has plans to expand with a new location in Humble, per a July 13 news release. With work already underway—as previously reported by Community Impact—the 57,000-square-foot store is expected to open by early next year.

What they offer: Per the release, Joe V’s Smart Shop is known for its quality and affordable grocery items, including produce; in-store cut meats; and in-store made breads, tortillas and sushi.

As part of the H-E-B family of brands, Joe V’s Smart Shop uses innovative ways to reduce costs throughout its operations and passes those savings on to its customers, per the release.

• Opening in early 2027
• 19611 Hwy. 59, Humble

Partnership Lake Houston officials named Paula Moorhaj as the organization's new president and CEO, via a July 16 news release.

Some context: Moorhaj is replacing outgoing PLH President and CEO Ray Hernandez, who was set to transition out of his role by mid-July, as previously reported by Community Impact. Hernandez's departure was first announced in early June.

Established in April 1923, PLH serves as the chamber of commerce and economic development firm for the Humble, Kingwood and Atascocita area.

Quote of note: Per the release, Moorhaj's background includes being a business owner, a chamber executive and community leader. Most recently, she served as president and CEO of the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce, according to the organization's website.

Additionally, Moorhaj previously served as a board member and ambassador for the Humble Area Chamber of Commerce, per the release.

"I am excited to reconnect with familiar faces, build new relationships and work together to support the continued success of our region," Moorhaj said. 

Harris County Commissioners Adrian Garcia, Tom Ramsey and Lesley Briones will each host a community town hall to discuss county budget initiatives and get feedback on how residents would like to see public funds utilized.

What residents need to know: The upcoming meetings include:

Harris County Precinct 2
July 21, 6-7:30 p.m.
10918 Bentley Road, Houston

Harris County Precinct 3
July 20, 6-8 p.m.
6827 Cypresswood Drive, Spring

Harris County Precinct 4
July 28, 5:30-7 p.m.
3599 Westcenter Drive, Houston

Stay tuned: Commissioners received budget requests from county departments July 13-16 ahead of the July 30 and Aug. 6 Commissioners Court meetings, where commissioners will discuss the county tax rate and proposed budget.

Produced by The Cleverley Stone Foundation, Houston Restaurant Weeks is a multiweek event from August through September that helps raise funds for the Houston Food Bank through specially priced, prix fixe menus at participating restaurants.

HRW is now entering its 23rd year, and menus for the 2026 event officially went live July 15.

How it works: Houston Restaurant Weeks will return Aug. 1 through Sept. 7, offering 38 days of prix fixe brunch, lunch and dinner menus. According to a July 15 news release, more than 350 restaurants are expected to participate across the Greater Houston area from the Inner Loop, downtown and the Galleria to Sugar Land, The Woodlands and Galveston.

Customers can expect to find special menus throughout the month that range from $25 to $55, depending on the menu. Brunch and lunch are $25, with dinner options priced at $39 or $55.

Why it matters: For every dollar donated, approximately three meals are generated by the Houston Food Bank. In 2025, the event garnered over $1.6 million, per prior reporting.

At least one person has died due to flooding in the Texas Hill Country, Gov. Greg Abbott said July 16.

The details: The fatality occurred along the Guadalupe River between Kerrville and Comfort—downstream from Hunt, where many summer camps are located and the majority of the flooding took place in July 2025. Flooding this year has been more intense downstream than upstream, Abbott said.

Zooming in: More than 70 people have been rescued from floodwaters, and evacuation orders have been issued in multiple parts of South-Central Texas, the governor said.

"We have massive flooding in ... the Greater Kerrville area, but we also are looking at what's been taking place in Uvalde—there are massive challenges in Uvalde as well," Abbott told reporters. "In fact, people need to expect very meaningful flooding in the Rio Grande [Valley]."

The big picture: Parts of South-Central Texas were expected to see more than 30 inches of rain during this week's storms, and 59 counties were under a state disaster declaration.