The total number of homes sold in six Katy-Fulshear area ZIP codes increased in October year over year.

What you need to know: There were 616 homes sold in six local ZIP codes in October versus 544 homes for the same month in 2024. Four of the six local ZIP codes saw the number of homes sold grow year over year, with ZIP code 77493 seeing the largest increase at 30.8%. Home sales in ZIP code 77094 were the lowest, with six homes sold.

The details: The median home sales price decreased in four of six ZIP codes year over year. ZIP code 77493 saw the largest year-over-year decrease at a 13.06% decline. Alternatively, ZIP code 77094 saw the largest year-over-year increase at 19.42% and saw the largest median home sale price at $584,250.

What else: Homes sold quickest in ZIP code 77094, with an average of 41 days on the market for the six homes sold. Homes spent the longest on the market in ZIP code 77441 for an average of 83 days.

Etienna’s Eatery is now offering Southern cuisine with a twist of modern comfort food in Brookshire.

On the menu: There are several entree options including oxtails, smothered pork chops, meatloaf, catfish and salmon, according to the restaurant’s menu. Customers can also choose from a number of sides such as collard greens, yams, corn ribs and sauteed spinach.

Additionally, guests can indulge in several desserts including banana cookie butter, peach cobbler dump as well as strawberry jubilee cake, per the menu.

• 403 N. Turnberry Lane, Brookshire

Free flu vaccines for children and adults are being offered throughout Harris County Precinct 4 community centers from Nov. 25 through December.

The details: Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones is partnering with Harris County Public Health and Harris Health to offer the flu vaccines.
“With a new flu variant circulating and the holiday travel season approaching, it is especially important that residents get vaccinated,” a Nov. 19 announcement reads.

What residents should know: No insurance is required to receive the vaccine, according to the county event listing website, only vaccination records. Walk-ins are welcome, and residents are encouraged to call 832-927-7350.

Bayland Community Center
6400 Bissonnet St., Houston

• Nov. 25; Dec. 23,10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Dec. 9, 1-3 p.m.

Steve Radack Community Center
18650 Clay Road, Houston

• Nov. 25, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Dec. 16, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Burnett Bayland Community Center
6026 Chimney Rock Road, Houston

• Nov. 26; Dec. 11, 10 a.m.-noon
• Dec. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Tracey Gee Community Center
3599 Westcenter Drive, Houston

• Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, see what grocery stores in the Houston area will be open and closed Nov. 27. This list is not comprehensive.

Aldi

• Nov. 27: closed

• Nov. 27: 6 a.m.-noon (stores); 7 a.m.-11 a.m. (curbside); 7 a.m.-10 a.m. (home delivery); closed (pharmacy)

• Nov. 27: Closing at 4 p.m. (stores); closed (pharmacy)

• Nov. 27: closed

• Nov. 27: closed

There are several turkey trots taking place on Thanksgiving day across the Greater Houston area.

Addi's Faith Turkey Day 5K & Kids Wishbone 1K: This Thanksgiving morning event will include a 5K for all ages and a 1K option for ages 3-12. Proceeds will benefit Addi's Faith Foundation in their mission to fund pediatric cancer research and assist families as they care for their child with cancer.

• Nov. 27, 8-11 a.m.
• $25-$50
• Town Center Park, 8 N. Main St., Kingwood

• Nov. 27, 8 a.m.
• Free
• 6501 Memorial Drive, Houston

• Nov. 27, 8 a.m. (run), 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (feast)
• $40 (run), free (feast)
• 12100 Champion Forest Drive, Houston

This year, voters in communities across Texas were skeptical of local property tax hikes and supportive of larger tax breaks for homeowners and businesses, results from the Nov. 4 election show.

The overview: Voters in Community Impact’s coverage areas approved just over half of the local bond propositions and tax rate elections on the November ballot, according to previous Community Impact reporting. Statewide, 40% of tax rate elections and 45.9% of bond propositions passed, according to Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a Houston Republican and property tax policy writer.

Zooming in: Cities, counties, school districts and other local government entities use funding from tax hikes to build new schools and facilities; hire educators and first responders; and maintain local infrastructure. However, amid high inflation nationwide, more Texas residents are tightening their belts and asking local officials to do the same, fiscal policy experts told Community Impact.

Local governments whose tax hikes were shot down are now grappling with how to make cuts while maintaining essential services, Community Impact reporting shows.