The Harris County Emergency Services District No. 9 board voted unanimously Nov. 20 to censure Commissioner Rob Paiva for ongoing misconduct allegations.

What’s happening: Censure refers to a formal reprimand of a board member’s behavior, but it does not strip Paiva of his position as an ESD 9 commissioner, board President Naressa MacKinnon said in a statement at the Nov. 20 meeting.

The censure comes one month after the board voted Oct. 20 to file a complaint against Paiva with the Harris County district attorney’s office to investigate allegations of unauthorized expenditures, collusion and Texas Open Meetings Act violations, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

What they're saying: “I want this to be clear, this is not a personal action,” MacKinnon said in the statement. “This is procedural. It is about restoring order, reaffirming expectations and ensuring this board can do its job without obstruction, hostility or disruption.”

Paiva left the meeting before the vote took place. He did not respond to a request for comment as of press time Nov. 21. 

Kelsey-Seybold Clinic has added a second building to its Northwest Campus, located at the intersection of Hwy. 290 and FM 1960, with space for up to 40 providers in a variety of medical specialties, according to a Nov. 18 news release.

Two-minute impact: The new five-story building at 19926 Hwy. 290 is expected to house an ambulatory surgery center for procedures that do not require overnight stay, per the release. 

Additionally, patients will have expanded access to care in several specialties—cardiology, endocrinology, orthopedics and gastroenterology, among others—with space for new providers. The 120,000-square-foot expansion also included the addition of an on-site pharmacy, laboratory and diagnostic X-ray, according to the release.

Quote of note: "By bringing more coordinated, value-based services and specialists together under one roof, we're making it easier for patients to get high-quality care that's convenient and close to home," Kelsey-Seybold Chairman and CEO Azam Kundi said in a Nov. 18 statement.   

Several places are kicking off the holiday season with holiday light displays this weekend. 

Sugar Land Holiday Lights
Attendees can enjoy millions of dazzling light displays, a new 9-hole mini golf course, a carnival, a synthetic ice rink and vendors. Santa Claus will also be visiting the lights in Sugar Land through Dec. 23.

• Through Jan. 1
• $18.24 (admission)
• 1 Stadium Drive, Sugar Land

• Through Dec. 31, noon- 10 p.m.
• $24.47- $47.10 (admission)
• Marriott Marquis Houston, 1777 Walker St., Houston

• Through Jan. 4
• Free
• 2101 Riva Row, The Woodlands

Missed any Community Impact articles from this week? Check out the top trending stories from Community Impact's coverage areas in Houston from Nov. 17-21.

League City residents raise concerns about Marina del Sol
Several residents raised public safety concerns about the waterfront Marina del Sol development at the Nov. 18 League City City Council meeting, prompting city officials to commit to seeking solutions at a future December meeting.
Uncover the full story by Reporter Rachel Leland.

Conroe City Council approves contract for traffic signal reconstruction at I-45, South Loop 336
Conroe City Council voted Nov. 13 to award a contract for the reconstruction of a damaged traffic signal at the intersection of I-45’s southbound frontage road and South Loop 336, according to city documents.
Expand your knowledge with Reporter Nichaela Shaheen.

Sugar Land’s Walmart Neighborhood Market to remain open during renovations
The Walmart Neighborhood Market stor is set to undergo after-hours renovations to streamline the shopping experience while remaining fully open to customers, store officials said.
See more from Reporter Valeria Escobar.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is moving forward with a set of permanent rules designed to prohibit the sale of consumable THC products to anyone under 21 years old.

The overview: The proposal is similar to emergency rules adopted Sept. 23, which are currently in effect and prohibit Texas alcohol retailers from selling intoxicating THC products to minors. The state health department adopted similar emergency rules in October.

The context: The existing and proposed THC rules are the result of a September executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott, who called for age restrictions on THC sales and tighter guardrails on the multibillion-dollar industry.

Earlier this month, federal lawmakers approved a ban on most consumable THC products, which is set to take effect in November 2026. The ban is part of a federal funding package that became law Nov. 12, ending a 43-day federal government shutdown.

Next steps: Texans can weigh in on the TABC's proposed permanent rules during a Dec. 11 virtual public hearing or submit written public comments through Jan. 4.