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Author: Rita Snow

September 4, 2026 in Neighborhood News

NON Delivery of US MAIL

NON DELIVERY OF US MAIL

OAK MEADOWS RESIDENTS,

Some of us in Oak Meadows have been experiencing serious problems with mail delivery from the U.S. Post Office on Old Galveston Road.

This past Wednesday, I personally went to the Post Office to speak with the manager, Ms. Buckley, and make my concerns known.

Are you aware that this problem has been going on since January of this year?

If we receive our mail two days a week, we are lucky. If we receive it three times in one week, I feel like I should be jumping up and down!

What concerns me most is that, so far, I appear to be the only one actively complaining, even though I have posted the Post Office’s telephone number several times and encouraged residents to report their own problems.

Today, I am preparing an official complaint because we have access to Informed Delivery, which shows us what pieces of mail are scheduled to be delivered. Yet, in some cases, we are still waiting eight days later for mail that we were notified was coming.

If Informed Delivery shows that our mail was processed and is on its way, but it has not been delivered for more than a week, then we have to ask:

WHERE IS OUR MAIL?

At this point, I have four Oak Meadows neighbors who are willing to sign onto my official complaint letter.

After speaking with Manager Ms. Buckley today, she kindly asked that we give the Post Office two weeks to correct the problem. I am willing to give them that opportunity.

In the meantime, I will have my complaint letter prepared and ready to go. If the situation has not been corrected, I will deliver the complaint personally to the Post Office manager and also send it to our U.S. Senator, our U.S. Congressman, and the appropriate U.S. Postal Service officials.

This is not about being difficult. It is about receiving the mail that belongs to us.

I encourage any Oak Meadows resident who has been experiencing missed, delayed, or inconsistent mail delivery to please speak up and report it. The more residents who document the problem, the stronger our case will be.

Oak Meadows deserves reliable mail delivery.

August 31, 2026 in Neighborhood News

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

Good morning. It’s Monday, August 31. 
A soggy stretch leads today’s briefing as a Gulf system takes aim at Southeast Texas midweek.                     Before the clouds roll in,   note that the Houston Zoo offers a free admission day tomorrow, one of only four left this year.
 
 
Today’s Highlight
 
A Gulf disturbance designated Invest 97L threatens Houston with heavy rain and flash flooding Tuesday and Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said. Forecasters put the chance of the system organizing into a short-lived depression or storm before Tuesday landfall at 50%, with the coast from the Upper Texas Coast to southwestern Louisiana in play. The threat holds regardless of whether it earns a name, because tropical moisture will drive rounds of downpours. Local forecasters project 2 to 4 inches east of Interstate 45, with higher totals possible. Rain arrives Monday evening and peaks Tuesday.
 
Quick Hits
 
Harris County commissioners face a projected $181 million general-fund deficit for the fiscal year starting October 1, and may adopt a rate that raises the average homeowner’s general-fund bill about 12%. Even the maximum rate available without a referendum would not close the gap, which grew more than 40% since July as health and law-enforcement costs climbed.
House Bill 24 strips neighborhood protest petitions of the power to force a city-council supermajority on contested housing projects, meaning developments can now clear a simple majority. In Austin, a 64-unit income-restricted project advanced under the new rule after 29 nearby owners petitioned against it.
More than 300,000 Houston-area voters sit on Texas’ suspense list, part of 1.2 million statewide whose addresses the state cannot verify. Being listed does not bar voting, though affected residents may need to update registration by October 5 or complete extra forms to cast a November 3 ballot.
Several new Texas laws take effect tomorrow, including a measure requiring solar sellers to register with the state and carry insurance. A right-to-repair law will force some electronics makers to give consumers and independent shops access to parts, tools and manuals.
More than 100 HISD campuses ran below 60% capacity this past school year, district data show, even after the district closed or consolidated 12 schools. Officials have not confirmed another closure round, though enrollment losses could cost the district $50 million to $60 million a year in state funding.
Check out your neighborhood website:  
Oak Meadows Civic Club

August 27, 2026 in Neighborhood News

Mail Delivery

📬 EXCITING NEWS FOR OUR RESIDENTS! 📬
Residents who live on Maroby, Loper, and Axilda Streets — we now have an assigned mail carrier to make our mail deliveries!
Please welcome our new mail carrier, Mr. Brooks, to the neighborhood. We are happy to have someone regularly serving our community!
🐕 Please remember to keep all dogs secured in your yards to help ensure Mr. Brooks can safely make his deliveries.
đŸ„” With temperatures reaching 110° during his delivery hours, let’s show Mr. Brooks a little Oak Meadows kindness. If you are home, consider leaving a cold bottle of water or some ice water on your porch for him. 💧
Let’s give our new mail carrier a warm Oak Meadows welcome and help make his job a little easier during these extremely hot days!
Welcome Mr. Brooks to Oak Meadows.  👋📬
Thank you,
Oak Meadows Civic Club

August 24, 2026 in Neighborhood News

Heavy Trash Pick Up for September

Oak Meadows Residents — September Tree Waste Pickup

Did you know that September’s Heavy Trash pickup is for TREE WASTE?

According to Councilmember Flickinger’s office, which contacted the City of Houston Solid Waste Department, Oak Meadows’ Tree Waste will be collected on Tuesday, September 8th, since the first Monday of the month falls on Labor Day.

🌳 Please make sure your tree waste is ready for pickup!

However, we have already noticed several homes placing their tree waste out in the street and into the traffic lane.

đŸš« PLEASE DO NOT PLACE TREE WASTE IN THE MOVING LANE OF TRAFFIC.

This creates a safety hazard for drivers and can block the normal flow of traffic. Tree waste should be placed properly at the curb without obstructing the roadway.

We already have many homes with tree waste out, so please take a moment to make sure your pile is safely and properly placed before pickup day.

Thank you, Oak Meadows, for helping keep our neighborhood safe and our streets clear!

August 19, 2026 in Neighborhood News

What’s Coming UP

What’s Coming Up
 
 
 A partial lunar eclipse peaks over Houston late on August 27, with the Moon reaching 94% eclipsed. The full moon crests around 11:18 p.m. local time, so skywatchers can step outside before bed without staying up late.

GOING TO A TEXANS FOOTBALL GAME
 
 NRG Stadium concessions debut 80 new food and drink items for the 2026 Texans season, from protein-packed burger bowls to peri peri nachos and club-level menus from Hugo’s. Texans president Mike Tomon says prices on staples like nachos and beer stay flat.   

Quick Hits
 
For those that remember the 3 man group, ZZ TOP

Frank Beard, the drummer who anchored Houston-rooted ZZ Top for more than five decades, died at 77 on his birthday while in hospice at his Richmond ranch. Billy Gibbons, now the trio’s sole surviving classic member, said the band will keep touring as Beard wished

More Water Meter Problems

An $18 million water-meter investment is under consideration at City Hall as residents keep flagging inaccurate bills, after the city already replaced faulty devices on more than 125,000 meters. Mayor John Whitmire has acknowledged years of exasperating and inconsistent charges that fueled a long-running billing scandal.

Are you with State Farm Insurance?

State Farm began distributing a one-time $5 billion cash-back dividend to qualifying auto customers, averaging about $100 per vehicle across more than 49 million insured cars. The mutual insurer credited stronger 2025 underwriting as collision frequency and repair costs fell.

August 18, 2026 in Neighborhood News

Higher Year End Taxes

Harris County’s proposed $3.1B general fund budget could mean higher property taxes 
The county’s budget office said spending would increase 12%, with healthcare and law enforcement costs driving the rise. 
 Harris County commissioners weighed a $3.1 billion general-fund budget that would raise the county property tax rate to its no-referendum maximum, a move one commissioner called the second-largest increase in county history.

Under one scenario, taxes on an average $400,000 homestead would rise about $226, though commissioners took no vote and a tax-rate decision is expected early next month.

https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/harris-county-budget-tax-rate-increase/285-d3d5da9d-e3d6-43aa-952e-ea36106a1e69

August 14, 2026 in Neighborhood News

Events Coming and Future Jobs

What’s Coming Up 

The tall ship Elissa sails home to Galveston on Saturday after a three-month Sail250 voyage tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary. 
A free public welcome runs 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pier 21, with the 1877 barbeque expected in port around noon; organizers invite visitors to bring homemade signs. 
An Elissa evening reception follows Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Pier 22, a ticketed event honoring the volunteers behind the voyage. Tickets cost $25 and include pier admission, on-deck tours of the ship and access to the Ship to Shore exhibit.

Today’s Highlight 

 Apple opened its new Advanced Manufacturing Center in north Houston on Thursday, with CEO Tim Cook and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick attending as Mayor John Whitmire welcomed them. 
The 20,000-square-foot facility offers hands-on training in advanced manufacturing for students, supplier employees and businesses. 
It anchors an expansion that will double Apple’s local footprint to 500,000 square feet, add U.S. Mac mini production, and grow existing AI-server work. The company frames the site within its $600 billion, four-year U.S. investment, and city leaders expect it to open new paths into technical careers for Houston workers.

August 13, 2026 in Neighborhood News

OAK MEADOWS WE NEED YOUR VOICE

Oak Meadows — We Need Your Voice
This week, a meeting was held with the various plant managers of facilities around us at the Valero facility inside the Manchester area. 
It was an opportunity for residents to ask questions directly and hear from the plant managers themselves.
Unfortunately, the facilitator provided prepared questions to those in attendance, and when a question went beyond what had been prepared, it was difficult to get an answer.
My question was about FLARING, which is a very important issue for Oak Meadows. During March,2026  INVISTA was flaring 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout the entire month. The flaring continued into April as well.
Many Oak Meadows residents experienced strong chemical odors/smells, which entered their homes. Residents reported headaches and other concerns as a result.
We made sure Oak Meadows residents were notified about this meeting, including the date and the topics that would be discussed. Sadly, only one Oak Meadows resident, other than Civic Club officers, attended.
Meanwhile, many residents from the Manchester area were there.
Come on, Oak Meadows! These meetings are being held for YOUR benefit. If we want our concerns heard—especially when it comes to air quality, odors, flaring, and the plants surrounding our community—we have to show up.
The Civic Club can help bring these issues forward, but we need residents to participate.
Your presence matters. Your questions matter. Your voice matters.
Let’s not wait until the next problem occurs before we decide to get involved.

August 10, 2026 in Neighborhood News

Crime Reports

CRIME REPORTS WITHIN OAK MEADOWS 

FOR August, 2026 

Assault at 1300 BLOCK OF GOBER on 08/09/2026 12:00 AM 
Type: Assault Date: 08/09/2026 12:00 AM Description: Simple assault. Premise: Residence, Home Incident #: 100578326. 

SHARE WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS

August 5, 2026 in Neighborhood News

TINY STEPS TO HEALTH

Tiny Steps To Health 
Wed, Aug 5 at 11:44 AM

Hi there!

Thank you for your interest in our Tiny Steps to Health Study! It was wonderful meeting you at our booth. We’re currently enrolling parents with toddlers (18–36 months), and we would love to see if you’re eligible.
All you have to do is complete our quick eligibility screener below — it only takes a few minutes:
By participating, you’ll:
  • Join a program that supports healthy habits for parents and toddlers
  • Contribute to research that benefits families in our Houston community
  • Receive up to $300 in compensation for completing study activities
  • Get access to fun classes, events, and more for you and your little one!
Your participation makes a real impact. Every family helps us better understand how to support healthy growth in early childhood — and we truly appreciate your help.
If you have any questions, feel free to reply to this email — we’re happy to help!
   University of Houston logo
Tiny Steps to Health 
Health and Human Performance Department
University of Houston

Respectively,

Rita Snow