Ben Thompson - HoustonNewMedia.org

Texans will face higher bar to oppose housing development under new law

Ben Thompson — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:00:00 +0000

House Bill 24, effective later this year, will raise the bar for residents to challenge zoning cases near their properties.

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State Sen. Kelly Hancock takes helm at Texas Comptroller’s Office; Hegar to lead A&M

Ben Thompson — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 18:00:00 +0000

Hancock was sworn in as the office's chief clerk and will become acting comptroller in July. He also launched his 2026 campaign for the position, joining a three-person race.

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Texas House approves creation of new state cybersecurity command at UTSA

Ben Thompson — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:00:00 +0000

The Texas Senate will now consider legislation to establish a new state cyber defense program under The University of Texas system.

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To bolster Texas’ digital defenses, state leaders eye new ‘cyber command’ out of UTSA

Ben Thompson — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 17:00:00 +0000

The cybersecurity initiative is a priority of Gov. Greg Abbott and now under consideration in the legislature.

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The post To bolster Texas’ digital defenses, state leaders eye new ‘cyber command’ out of UTSA appeared first on HoustonNewMedia.org.

The Howard Hughes Corp. completes local move amid shifts in workforce in The Woodlands

Ben Thompson — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 22:04:00 +0000

In March, The Howard Hughes Corp., which steers both commercial and residential construction in The Woodlands, consolidated its regional offices within The Woodlands to the company-owned The Woodlands Towers at The Waterway.

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The post The Howard Hughes Corp. completes local move amid shifts in workforce in The Woodlands appeared first on HoustonNewMedia.org.

Woodlands Dive Center offers retail, training resources for divers of all levels

Ben Thompson — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 13:55:00 +0000

“I started doing this, and I said, ‘Holy mackerel, I like this. I like it a lot."—Gary Conner, owner, Woodlands Dive Center

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UPDATE: ERCOT call for energy conservation ends April 13 without need for power outages

Ben Thompson — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 22:25:00 +0000

An ERCOT official said "tight" supply and demand conditions arose on the state's electric grid April 13 due to forecasting issues amid planned, seasonal maintenance outages by some power generators.

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The post UPDATE: ERCOT call for energy conservation ends April 13 without need for power outages appeared first on HoustonNewMedia.org.

Eastbound, nontolled flyover road from I-45 to eastbound Hwy. 242 enters preconstruction phase

Ben Thompson — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 22:11:00 +0000

Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley said planning work on the new flyover road and a drainage project to the south has begun.

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The post Eastbound, nontolled flyover road from I-45 to eastbound Hwy. 242 enters preconstruction phase appeared first on HoustonNewMedia.org.

Montgomery County’s active COVID-19 case count remains above 2,000 at end of March

Ben Thompson — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 15:40:00 +0000

The number of active COVID-19 cases reported in Montgomery County was just above 2,000 as of March 31, and six new deaths had been reported since March 19.

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The post Montgomery County’s active COVID-19 case count remains above 2,000 at end of March appeared first on HoustonNewMedia.org.

Scooter’s Coffee drive-thru location now open at Creekside Park West

Ben Thompson — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 20:49:00 +0000

The coffee shop's menu features several hot or iced coffee and tea options.

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The post Scooter’s Coffee drive-thru location now open at Creekside Park West appeared first on HoustonNewMedia.org.

Montgomery County set to receive 12K vaccines week of March 29 as eligibility opens to all residents age 16 and older

Ben Thompson — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 16:20:00 +0000

One of the county's vaccination hub sites and nearly 20 private providers were allocated vaccine doses this week.

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The post Montgomery County set to receive 12K vaccines week of March 29 as eligibility opens to all residents age 16 and older appeared first on HoustonNewMedia.org.

CBD, skin care, cooking: 3 recent, upcoming business openings in The Woodlands area

Ben Thompson — Sun, 28 Mar 2021 11:45:00 +0000

Several business have opened in The Woodlands area this year.

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The post CBD, skin care, cooking: 3 recent, upcoming business openings in The Woodlands area appeared first on HoustonNewMedia.org.

Through 14 weeks, more than 95K COVID-19 vaccines administered to The Woodlands-area residents

Ben Thompson — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 18:59:00 +0000

Data from the Texas Department of State Health Services shows The Woodlands area makes up a large portion of Montgomery County's vaccinated population.

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The post Through 14 weeks, more than 95K COVID-19 vaccines administered to The Woodlands-area residents appeared first on HoustonNewMedia.org.

Conroe ISD board names virtual academy principal, supports district teacher incentive plan at March 23 meeting

Ben Thompson — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 19:26:00 +0000

Trustees unanimously approved William Kelly as the first principal of the district's virtual academy, which is expected to launch this fall.

The post Conroe ISD board names virtual academy principal, supports district teacher incentive plan at March 23 meeting first appeared on HoustonNewMedia.org.

The post Conroe ISD board names virtual academy principal, supports district teacher incentive plan at March 23 meeting appeared first on HoustonNewMedia.org.

Oak Ridge North moves forward on Woodson Road intersections project; council approves annual staff salary increases

Ben Thompson — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 14:57:00 +0000

A project aimed at increasing the turning area for Woodson Road's intersections with Blueberry Hill Drive and the I-45 frontage road will be advertised for construction this spring.

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The post Oak Ridge North moves forward on Woodson Road intersections project; council approves annual staff salary increases appeared first on HoustonNewMedia.org.

Nearly 20K more vaccines set for distribution in Montgomery County week of March 22

Ben Thompson — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 14:38:00 +0000

In addition to several health care providers, the county's two vaccination hub sites each continue to receive a steady stream of thousands of doses weekly.

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The post Nearly 20K more vaccines set for distribution in Montgomery County week of March 22 appeared first on HoustonNewMedia.org.

Montgomery County’s active COVID-19 case count remains near 2K through week of March 16-19

Ben Thompson — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 20:32:00 +0000

Active COVID-19 cases in the county dropped below 2,000 this week for the first time since last November.

The post Montgomery County’s active COVID-19 case count remains near 2K through week of March 16-19 first appeared on HoustonNewMedia.org.

The post Montgomery County’s active COVID-19 case count remains near 2K through week of March 16-19 appeared first on HoustonNewMedia.org.

The Woodlands’ Ironman Texas triathlon postponed due to Harris County COVID-19 threat status

Ben Thompson — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 16:55:00 +0000

Ironman organizers announced in mid-March they are postponing the April event and said they hope to reschedule the race to take place later this year.

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The post The Woodlands’ Ironman Texas triathlon postponed due to Harris County COVID-19 threat status appeared first on HoustonNewMedia.org.

Property taxes, disaster response, term limits: Dozens of bills filed by The Woodlands-area legislators this session

Ben Thompson — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 15:41:00 +0000

State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, and state Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, have authored or coauthored nearly 200 bills for consideration by the 87th Texas Legislature.

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The post Property taxes, disaster response, term limits: Dozens of bills filed by The Woodlands-area legislators this session appeared first on HoustonNewMedia.org.

Public forum on Tachus fiber internet drilling operations to be held in The Woodlands on March 23

Ben Thompson — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 17:15:00 +0000

The meeting was announced March 18 by Montgomery County Precinct 3. It will center on the fiber internet company's local construction practices.

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The post Public forum on Tachus fiber internet drilling operations to be held in The Woodlands on March 23 appeared first on HoustonNewMedia.org.