Officials are making progress on the reconstruction of Poor Farm Ditch, Public Works director Michael Leech confirmed in a Sept. 28 update presentation to West University Place City Council.

Taking a step back: The Poor Farm Ditch project aims to replace depleted concrete lining along the human-made channel between University Boulevard and Bellaire Boulevard. Its reconstruction also targets widening and deepening the ditch to increase stormwater capacity and restore it to its original 1950s design.

City and county officials broke ground on the project in July following a series of historical studies on the stormwater conveyance channel, in addition to design work that went as far back as 2015, Community Impact previously reported.

The Poor Farm Ditch project is anticipated to take at least four years to complete under the direction of the Harris County Flood Control District.

Latest update: Per the meeting presentation, reconstruction related to the southern portion is ongoing.

Meanwhile, the northern portion has undergone partial reconstruction on both its west and east sides, though some areas have yet to be addressed.

Leemoo Health Bar, an establishment known for its colorful selection of smoothies and juices, opened its second location along Bissonnet Street in early July, according to an official social media post.

Some context: Leemoo’s story began as a local food truck in Houston serving superfood smoothies, fresh-pressed juices and other nutrition-based entrees made from premium ingredients, according to its website.

The business quickly expanded with the opening of its first location in the Montrose area.

The drink menu: Signature beverages from Leemoo’s menu include the Sweet Escape, an almond milk and orange juice-based smoothie featuring strawberry, peach, banana, pineapple and mango; and the Waves of Blue, a housemade oat milk-based smoothie featuring blueberry, banana, dates, cinnamon, almond butter and butterfly pea flower powder.

Leemoo also offers refreshers, coffees, matcha, wellness shots and various on-the-go food items like yogurts and smoothie bowls.

• 2720 Bissonnet St., Ste. B, Houston

Houstonians paying a $5 garbage fee may see a sales tax included in the fee.

What's new: At the Sept. 29 Budget & Fiscal Affairs meeting, council member Amy Peck said she noticed a sales tax included in the $5 fee.

“In all of the briefings and models presented to us, I don’t recall us ever talking about a sales tax as being part of it,” Peck said. “The models presented to us showed $24 million yearly going to the combined utility system.”

Peck added that with the 8.25% sales tax, the fee actually would put about $22.17 million in the CUS.

Some background: In June, Houston officials passed a $7.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-27, which notably included approval of a new $5 administrative fee that officials said will help close the city’s budget gap and address issues with the Solid Waste Department.

The Harris County Clerk’s Office is rolling out a new app, Harris Votes, to help voters access election information and track results. Although the app is already available for iPhone and Android users to download, it will officially launch Oct. 1 ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

Something to note: The app is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese. Using the app, voters will be able to:

• Find voting centers

• View a personalized sample ballot

• See election dates and receive reminders

• Check their voter registration status

• Follow live election results

• View frequently asked questions

Voters can also find the same information on the Harris Votes website.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced a one-year extension for Harris County disaster recovery and mitigation projects totaling more than $1.1 billion.

The details: The federal grants, administered through the Texas General Land Office, were at risk of missing the February 2027 and March 2028 spending deadlines due to project delays.

The extension, which is the final one approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will apply to existing infrastructure and mitigation project contracts. If the county submits a documented need, the new timeline could allow the Harris County Flood Control District more time to spend:

• $322 million allocated for 11 disaster recovery projects

• $546 million allocated for 17 flood mitigation projects

Buckingham notified county leaders of the extension while expressing concerns about the county failing to meet contract expenditure benchmarks.

One more thing: If the county fails to meet the new benchmarks, the GLO would reallocate the unused balance to other projects.