The city of Bellaire is holding a special election in May for City Council Position 4 after Cindy Cohen-Taylor vacated her seat early in December. City Council officially adopted an ordinance in January to call a special election to fill the vacant seat, and four candidates have filed to run for it. 

The specifics: The candidate who fills the vacant seat after the election will serve the remainder of the term through January 2028. 

Keep in mind: Candidates were asked to keep responses within 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.

A cookie shop known for its decadent and thick cookies is currently under construction in Meyerland.

According to the Houston Public Works Permitting Center, Pudgy’s Fine Cookies has been doing renovations at 4798 Beechnut St., Houston, in the Meyerland Court Shopping Center.

Craving cookies: The shop’s original Pudgy cookie offers a crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside chocolate chip cookie made with Callebaut chocolate. It also serves other flavors like the Bonanza Brulee, a caramelized banana cookie with a creme brulee center, and the Wild Campfire, which has toasted marshmallow, Hershey’s Chocolate and graham crackers.

The shop is run by Van Teamer, owner and creator of Pudgy’s, which previously operated as a pop-up shop at local markets in Houston.

• 4798 Beechnut St., Houston

Houston City Council approved $4 million for playground improvements at 11 parks around the city during the March 18 City Council meeting.

What this means: Three parks in District C will receive playground improvements by the end of 2026. Parks include Mangum Manor Park, Cleveland Park and Cherryhurst Park.

District C council member Abbie Kamin said these improvements, especially for Mangum Manor Park, are overdue.

“This is a park that is used daily by residents,” Kamin said. “Going back to 2023, the playground was condemned; it was deemed unsafe. The playground was, in effect, removed and what was left at Mangum Park was an empty field.”

Who it's for: Other parks that will receive part of the approved $4 million funding include:

• Beulah Maxie Park
• Crestmont Park
• Walter Jones Park

Houston city officials, joined by Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Andrew Hughes, toured 419 Emancipation, the site of the city’s upcoming “super hub” for individuals experiencing homelessness.

The need: Mayor John Whitmire; Mike Nichols, housing and community development director;  and Public Safety Director Larry Satterwhite showed Hughes how the facility will operate.

The facility will hold over 320 beds and provide daily meals for those in the facility. Each dorm-style room comes with a bathroom and lockers. Other parts of the facility will house the Houston Police Department's Homeless Outreach Team, medical professionals for on-site help and administration.

Measuring the impact: Whitmire added that the hub is also more cost-effective. Part of the funding comes from the $314 million received for 2024 federal disaster recovery funds. Yearly, officials said the hub is estimated to cost about $14 million to run.