HTX-SKL: Impact 10/24/2025

Road repair and resurfacing in portions of Old Town Spring are estimated for completion by the end of the year, according to Harris County Precinct 3 officials.

The details: The Old Town Spring road project is part of what Precinct 3 officials call an asphalt package, which includes repairing, milling and resurfacing existing roads. Once county officials complete the road repairs, new roadway signage and pavement markings will be installed.

In their words: “Main Street and Gentry Street sections will be from West Hardy Road just slightly past Brandt Road,” Communications Manager Jeannie Peng said in an email. “The repairs and new surface will ensure that residents are able to drive safely on the roadways."

The cost: Approximately $4.2 million in Precinct 3 funding is allocated to the road project,  encompasses a total of 17 roads in Old Town Spring and surrounding areas. The additional three roads outside of Old Town Spring that are part of the full road project, Peng said, include Malcomson, Fenske, and Cypress Church Roads.

New laws restricting or banning panhandling and vendors along roadways may be coming to unincorporated Harris County in light of a state bill that went into effect Sept. 1.

The overview: In May, Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 2012, which allows counties to curb roadside and parking lot soliciting. The bill permits restrictions on people asking for money or selling food or merchandise, including animals, along roadways.

The details: During Harris County Commissioner Court's Oct. 16 meeting, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey asked the county attorney to work with court offices to draft an ordinance, which could include the following:

• Clear prohibitions on panhandling that affects traffic lanes, medians and other areas that pose safety risks
• Improves traffic flow and quality of life by creating designated safety zones away from busy traffic
• Minimizes disruption to daily commutes
• Enhances the overall community environment in unincorporated areas
• Fosters a more orderly public space without impeding individual rights

Two constitutional amendments on the Nov. 4 ballot would impact the operation and oversight of Texas’ judicial system if approved by voters.

The details: State Proposition 3 seeks to require judges to deny bail for certain felony offenses, keeping more defendants in jail as they await trial. Proponents of the measure, which passed the Legislature with bipartisan support, said in June that it would improve public safety by keeping violent offenders behind bars.

Proposition 12 would rework the 13-member State Commission on Judicial Conduct, allowing the governor to appoint a majority of the commissioners and requiring most sanctions for judges accused of misconduct to be issued publicly. The bipartisan proposition faced pushback from some House Democrats who expressed concerns that allowing the governor to appoint a majority of commissioners would politicize the nonpartisan judicial conduct commission and give Abbott more power to remove from office judges whom he does not agree with.

Zooming out: The measures are among 17 state propositions being considered by Texas voters in the Nov. 4 election.