HTX-WDL: Impact 10/28/2025

Inspired by childhood shopping trips with her grandfather, Kristin Durski fulfilled a lifelong dream and opened her own boutique along with her husband, Dan Durski, in September 2024. The boutique, Monkee's, is part of a franchise established in 1955 nationwide; however, each location offers a unique selection and style of clothing, Kristin Durks said.

What’s special about it: With a blend of contemporary and modern clothing ranging from $80-$450, Monkee’s of The Woodlands offers something for everyone, Kristin Durski said. Although Monkee’s vision lies in color and pattern, Durksi said she quickly realized people in The Woodlands had a taste for more high-end contemporary clothing. She describes the aesthetic of the boutique as traditional and elegant.

What they offer: This season, Kristin Durski said Western chocolate brown is amongst the top trends seen emerging in the fashion industry. Other trends include plaid, blazers, loafers, wide-leg pants and Western boots as well as taller boots. Popular brands carried include Allison New York, Paige Denim, Kerisma and Cleo Bella.

 

The Conroe ISD board of trustees has approved 11 new district policies that involve recent laws such as Senate Bill 12, which state lawmakers passed earlier this year. The slate of new education laws includes new legal requirements that aim to expand parental authority on students' moral, religious, educational and medical decisions.

The setup: CISD Superintendent David Vinson led the discussion with the board on how the policy process is conducted, stating there are two types of policy: legal policy to comply with Texas laws and local policy adopted by trustees that can be clarified or expanded.

What to know: The adopted policies include:

Board Policy EA: The policy covers where the district will post class syllabuses.
Board Policy BED: The policy requires that parents of enrolled students can speak first during public comment.
Board Policy FM: The policy pertains to student participation in student activity groups, establishing certain prohibitions and guidelines.

Mi Rancho Mexican Grill & Bar officials confirmed the eatery is now serving Tex-Mex in Spring. Per previous Community Impact reporting, the new location is the restaurant's fourth location.

On the menu: Owned by Juan Lozano, Mi Rancho Mexican Grill & Bar offers dishes from sizzling fajitas to the Don Juan Special made with beef and chicken fajitas, chicken diablo, shrimp brocheta, grilled shrimp and queso and served with guacamole, pico de gallo, charro beans rice and tortillas.

A total of 79,647 in-person and mail ballot votes have been cast in Harris County halfway through the 12-day early voting period ahead of the Nov. 4 general and special elections, according to the county clerk’s office.

By the numbers: That’s nearly 607,000 less votes compared to the 2024 general election early voting numbers, where Harris County voters cast more than 686,500 ballot votes. The county’s voter registration department found that more than 2.5 million people are registered voters in the county.

At the polls: Early in-person voting runs from Oct. 20-31, and Election Day is Nov. 4. For more information about what’s on the ballot and what to bring to the polls, visit www.communityimpact.com/election.

Quote of note: Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth said in an October news release the county will have 70 early voting locations and 600 voting locations on Election Day.

“This election provides Harris County voters an opportunity to shape the future of their communities and impact leadership at both the local and state levels,” Hudspeth said.

Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough lifted the county’s burn ban Oct. 26 following recent rainfall, he announced via Facebook. 

The gist: Keough said that the county’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index average is 530, which is "well below levels of concern." The KBDI is an index that is used to measure wildfire potential from 0 to 800, with 800 representing absolutely dry conditions, according to its website. The decision to lift the burn ban was made in coordination with the county fire marshal and the county's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Keough said. 

Before you go: The burning of outdoor trash and commercial waste is still illegal countywide, Keough said.

During the first week of early voting Oct. 20-25 almost 3% of registered voters in Montgomery County cast their ballots, with 12,239 votes cast–or 2.63% of registered voters. As of Oct. 26 there were 464,644 registered voters within the county, according to Montgomery County Election Central. 

Going forward: The last day of early voting is Friday, Oct. 31 and election day is Nov. 4. There are nine early voting locations across Montgomery County. 

Texas is home to about 3.5 million small businesses, according to the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Estimates show that the average Texas small-business owner could save about $2,500 per year if voters approve an expanded business tax exemption on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The details: State Proposition 9 would exempt up to $125,000 of a business’s personal property, such as equipment, furniture and vehicles, from taxation. Texas business owners currently receive a tax exemption on property worth $2,500 or less.

“At $2,500, virtually everyone's paying this tax,” NFIB Texas Director Jeff Burdett said in an Oct. 24 interview. “If you have a desk, a computer and a chair, you're probably over $2,500 [in inventory]. … It makes no difference for almost any business.”

At the polls: Early voting in the Nov. 4 election began Oct. 20 and runs through Oct. 31. For more information about the propositions and candidates on your local ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.