Montgomery County commissioners heard requests from several departmental heads on Aug. 12, while County Judge Mark Keough began the meeting calling for an economic development director to help bring tax relief to the county.

“The county is in desperate need of some tax relief,” Keough said. “Twenty percent of our tax revenue comes in from commercial; the rest is from residential households.”

Keough said he would like to see the county have someone in place to bring together the cities and The Woodlands in a regional discussion about economic development.

What was discussed: Department heads from emergency management, roads and bridges, courts, the sheriff and other offices presented their needs to the commissioners on Aug. 12, but commissioners said no decisions would be made that day.
The sheriff’s department will see an increase in needs, Sheriff Wesley Doolittle said. He presented information showing departmental needs and what was provided in the preliminary budget.

There are several events taking place this weekend around the Tomball and Magnolia area. Check them out below. This list is not comprehensive, and events are subject to change.

Tomball Second Hand Market
The Tomball Second Hand Market offers a wide range of products and thrifted items. Also on site is an art market for vendors to sell painted and crafted goods

• Aug. 15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Free (admission)

• 405 Commerce St., Tomball

• Facebook: Tomball Second Hand Market

Friday Night with The Crew
The Line Dance Crew at Stetsons Nightlife will be hosting line dance lessons this weekend. No partners are needed and classes are open to all skill levels; new dances and routines are taught weekly. 

• Aug. 14, 7:30-8:45 p.m.

• Free (admission)

• 19304 Hwy. 59 N., Humble

• Facebook: TLC The Line Dance Crew

Weekly Family-Friendly Karaoke
A family-friendly event, Drifters dive bar will be hosting a karaoke-filled afternoon this Saturday.

• Aug. 15, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.

• Free (admission)

• 401 Commerce St., Tomball

• Facebook: Drifters Dive Bar

From 2020-25, more than 45,000 wildfires burned over 2.7 million acres of Texas land, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

Ahead of the 2027 state legislative session, lawmakers are looking into ways to better prevent wildfires from happening and prepare communities to respond when fires do start.

The background: In 2025, state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 34, which required the Texas A&M Forest Service to create a statewide database of firefighting equipment; established a council to improve emergency communications between local, state and federal agencies; and increased funding to help rural volunteer fire departments purchase equipment from $30 million to $40 million.

Quote of note: Sen. Kevin Sparks, a Midland Republican who authored the law, said more work needs to be done to increase wildfire preparedness across the state.

"As we move forward, our focus should be on a more proactive approach that prioritizes prevention and mitigation alongside response preparedness," Sparks said during an Aug. 11 hearing of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, which he chairs.