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What began as a plan for more warehouse space has transformed into a 30,000-square-foot hub of sport, social life and community in Porter.

What's special about it: The Pickleball Zone was founded in November 2024 by a group of likeminded guys who met at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Kingwood.

Co-owner Tony Bender said when he and his partners Tim Vogel and John Engelhardt purchased the land where The Pickleball Zone resides today, they intended to open a warehouse facility. However, after discussing their plans with friends, they realized the community lacked a space for pickleball.

According to The USA Pickleball court location database, 2024 saw increased focus and growth on facility services with 4,000 new locations added nationwide.

What they offer: The facility offers golf simulators, pickleball classes and holds events such as birthday parties and community events. On Fridays, the facility alternates between karaoke and live music performed by local artists, and offers food provided by local restaurant Jesse’s Burgers.

Montgomery County Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray's Office launched a new app in collaboration with Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable Rowdy Hayden's Office and Montgomery County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Jason Dunn's Office on Feb. 1.

Per a Feb. 2 Facebook post, the free app serves as another resource to help residents of Precinct 4 stay connected.

How it works: Through the Commissioner's Office portion of the app, users can:

• Stay up to date on upcoming events
• Receive notifications on road closures and emergencies
• Submit service requests

• Submit tips
• Access crash reports 
• Request a vacation watch
• Join or organize a neighborhood watch group

• Pay tickets
• Access civil and class C forms

The Coastal Texas Project, also known as the Ike Dike, received $5 million in federal funding, the largest single federal investment in the project since Congress authorized the project in 2022. 

The overview: The $34 billion project aims to protect Houston’s critical energy and shipping corridors from storm damage by building a system of gates and dune systems designed to mitigate storm surge, according to previous reporting by Community Impact. 

The background: The 87th Texas Legislature established the GCPD in 2021, and it serves as the state sponsor for the project, according to the release.

Although the project was authorized in 2022, funding has been slow to come in, and the $5 million marks the largest single federal investment to date, according to the release.

Quote of note: “Texas is home to the largest concentration of oil and gas infrastructure in the United States, and safeguarding our coast from catastrophic storms protects every American,” Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said in the news release.

The Woodlands Arts Council has launched its new Senior Art Program, offering creative workshops, visual arts opportunities and other arts experiences for seniors in Montgomery County, according to a Jan. 29 news release

TWAC is partnering with Interfaith of The Woodlands to help deliver workshops and art kits to seniors with limited access to visual arts opportunities, according to the release.

How it works: Dandridge Reed, a local artist and educator acting as instructor for the program, has guided participants through hands-on visual arts activities and creative learning experiences, according to the release. Since the initial program launch in September, TWAC reports a strong community response.

The Senior Art Program will continue throughout the year, adding more workshops and engagement opportunities, with the next activity planned in February.

In the upcoming March 3 primary elections, Texas voters will have the opportunity to nominate their chosen candidates for the November midterm election. From top state officials to county commissioners, primary elections shape who is ultimately elected to dozens of seats, driving the future direction of the Lone Star State.

Yet less than one-fifth of registered Texas voters participated in recent primary elections, data from the secretary of state’s office shows.

The big picture: March Matters, a group that works to get more Texans to the primary polls, found that 146 of Texas’ 150 state House races were effectively decided during the 2022 primaries, with just four competitive seats during that year’s midterm election.

Data also shows that primary voters tend to be older and represent the more extreme wings of their political parties.

What they're saying: "When primary voter turnout is so small, when only a fraction of voters are voting, your vote counts more,” said Mark Strama, who leads the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life at the University of Texas.

Community Impact is now covering BCS, from growth and schools to business and city happenings.

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