Harris County officials announced Jan. 20 the start of a $25 million restoration project along channels connecting to the Addicks Reservoir in the Cypress-Fairbanks area.

In a nutshell: The latest construction marks the third repair package of the Addicks Channel Restoration Project through the Harris County Flood Control District, a shared effort between Harris County Precincts 3 and 4.

HCFCD Executive Director Tina Petersen said the restoration will tackle sediment buildup and erosion along the channels caused by the Tax Day Flood in 2016 and Hurricane Harvey in 2017. She said the project aims to address a “backlog” of maintenance at an estimated 24 different channel sites.

More details: HCFCD will spend approximately $5 million annually over the next five years using funding from a voter-approved tax increase, Petersen said. 

Quote of note: “These channels play a critical role in carrying storm water to the reservoirs, and it strengthens this system and provides critical flood risk reduction for thousands of homes and businesses across northwest Harris County,” Petersen said. 

According to the National Weather Service, Winter Storm Fern is expected to move through the region starting Jan. 24 and bring freezing temperatures through Jan. 27. Officials with the NWS also noted wind chills will likely range from 5-15 degrees, which poses hypothermia and frostbite risks with prolonged exposure.

The update: Harris County and city of Houston officials announced 13 warming centers that will open Jan. 24, including:

• Acres Homes Multi-Service Center: 6719 W. Montgomery Road, Houston
• Bayland Community Center: 6400 Bissonnet St., Houston
• Denver Harbor MSC: 6402 Market St., Houston
• Fifth Ward MSC: 4014 Market St., Houston
• Fonde Community Center: 110 Sabine St., Houston
• Kashmere MSC: 4802 Lockwood Drive, Houston
• Magnolia MSC: 7037 Capitol St., Houston
• Metropolitan MSC: 1475 W. Gray St., Houston
• Moody Community Center: 3725 Fulton St., Houston
• Northeast MSC: 9720 Spaulding St., Houston
• Southwest MSC: 6400 High Star Drive, Houston

Three Democratic candidates are vying for the position of Harris County judge in the March primaries.

The big picture: Harris County voters will be able to cast their ballots in the Democratic primary in March for former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, former Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer or local entrepreneur Matt Salazar.

Zooming out: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo formally announced in September she will not seek re-election for a third term as judge of Texas’ largest county. Hidalgo has served as county judge since 2019 and was re-elected after winning the county seat during the November 2022 general election. Her current four-year term ends Dec. 31, 2026.

What residents should know: Early voting runs from Feb. 17-27. Election day is March 3.

Candidates responded to six questions including:

• Why are you running for Harris County judge?
• What are your top three priorities for constituents in Harris County, and why?
• What is your approach to collaborating with other commissioners to reach consensus on policy and budget decisions?

A far-reaching winter storm is expected to bring below-freezing temperatures, wintry precipitation and “dangerous ice” to Texas beginning Jan. 23, according to the National Weather Service. As residents brace for days of potentially hazardous conditions, state leaders said Jan. 22 that the Texas power grid “has never been stronger” and will withstand the storm.

What's happening: Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 134 of Texas’ 254 counties, telling reporters that the northern two-thirds of the state—from San Antonio to the Panhandle—will be impacted by the storm.

Officials said they do not expect a repeat of the widespread power outages that occurred during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, emphasizing that changes have been made in recent years to harden the grid against extreme weather. The governor said some Texans could see “local, isolated” outages due to fallen tree branches or ice on power lines.

"The severity of it is not quite as great... as Winter Storm Uri," Abbott said. "That said, people would be making a mistake if they don't take it serious."