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September 22, 2026 in Neighborhood News

Monday’s Highlights

🌞 GOOD MORNING, OAK MEADOWS!

Today is Monday, September 21, and there is a lot happening around Houston and Harris County. Here are some of the stories making news:

🏡 HARRIS COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES

Harris County Commissioners Court approved its FY2027 budget and related tax measures. The County’s official budget documents are available for residents to review.

đŸ„Š HOUSTON’S JOSHUA VAN

Houston’s Joshua Van successfully defended his UFC flyweight championship against former champion Alexandre Pantoja. Van, who was born in Myanmar and moved to Houston at age 12, continues to make his hometown proud.

⚟ HOUSTON ASTROS

The Astros are entering the final stretch of the regular season with six games remaining. Their playoff position remains dependent on how they finish and on results elsewhere in the American League.

🏠 HOUSTON HOME REPAIR PROGRAM

Houston’s Home Repair Program has stopped accepting applications after available funding was exhausted. Additional federal funding is expected later in October.

🏈 HOUSTON TEXANS

The Texans are 0–2 following a 20–6 loss to Cincinnati. C.J. Stroud passed for 353 yards, but Houston was unable to score a touchdown.

⚖ TEXAS PRIMARY ELECTIONS

A federal judge has temporarily paused a lawsuit involving Texas’ current primary-election system while the Legislature considers possible changes.

đŸ€ HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Commissioners Court has given initial approval for $3 million in local funding for programs addressing behavioral-health crisis response, gun-violence intervention and domestic-violence services.

🎭 WHAT’S COMING UP

Houston has plenty happening, including “Come From Away” at The Gordy, Hispanic Heritage Month and Fiestas Patrias celebrations, and many other community events.

Want to know more?
Visit the Oak Meadows Civic Club website for more local and Houston-area news and information.

👉 Stay informed. Stay connected. Stay involved in your community!

— Oak Meadows Civic Club

September 22, 2026 in Neighborhood News

Area News Updates

Good morning. It’s Tuesday, September 22.

State politics leads the day, but there’s a big local bet worth marking first: Eli Lilly broke ground on a $6.5 billion Houston campus in Generation Park that will manufacture its pill-form weight-loss drug and add more than 600 permanent jobs.
 
 
Today’s Highlight
 
Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas to halt all new data-center permits, directing the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to issue none until grid operator ERCOT finishes an audit of the projects’ effects on electricity and water. No state agency will advance related approvals until regulators gather the information they need. The move escalates a summer of pressure on an industry Abbott says must “pay their own way,” after ERCOT reported more than 474 gigawatts of interconnection requests, roughly 90% tied to data centers. TCEQ must report on compliance by October 19.
 
 
Quick Hits
 
01 Eli Lilly broke ground on a 236-acre, $6.5 billion manufacturing campus in northeast Houston’s Generation Park, where it will produce the active ingredient for its synthetic oral GLP-1 drug. The site is expected to add more than 600 permanent jobs and about 4,000 construction jobs, with a workforce-training tie to San Jacinto College.
02 Texas is the only state the CDC classifies as having “very high” COVID-19 community activity, based on wastewater surveillance as of September 16. Statewide infections are actually declining, though 38 monitoring sites still detect elevated virus levels after a summer driven by the SW.2 and XFG.1.1 strains.
03 A federal judge refused to block a land swap giving SpaceX more than 700 acres of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, ruling opponents had not shown imminent harm. SpaceX would surrender 683 acres it owns for parcels nearer its launchpad, though environmental and tribal groups vowed to continue their lawsuit.
04 Catholic Charities broke ground on a Family Opportunity Center in Houston’s Eastex-Jensen neighborhood, a six-acre site anchored by a market-style food pantry. The center will consolidate rental assistance, job-search help, financial education and mental-health counseling so families no longer travel to multiple locations.
05 Houston Restaurant Weeks drew more diners in its 2026 run, which could push donations past the $1.65 million the campaign raised for the Houston Food Bank last year. The 38-day prix-fixe promotion has generated more than $23 million and 70 million meals since 2003.
 

What’s Coming Up
 
 
 The Houston Pumpkin Festival runs at Discovery Green through November 8, transforming Lindsey Waterside Landing with pumpkin displays, a new carousel and a Mary Poppins Experience. Admission is $18 on weekdays and $28 on weekends, with rides and boats included and children 3 and younger free.
 
 Southeast Texas stays hot and humid through midweek, with highs in the mid-90s and triple-digit heat indices before a weak front eases humidity Thursday. Forecasters also flagged today as an Ozone Action Day, so air quality may turn unhealthy for sensitive groups.
 
 

September 16, 2026 in Neighborhood News

NON Delivery of US MAIL

NOTICE TO AXILDA, LOPER & MAROBY RESIDENTS

I want to make everyone who lives on Axilda, Loper, and Maroby aware that this morning I filed my second official complaint regarding the continued non-delivery of mail service at the Park Place Post Office.

We are supposed to receive mail six days a week, yet that has not been happening consistently. Lately, many of us are receiving mail only two or three days a week.

Yesterday, for example, we had approximately an hour of rain showers, and my guess is that mail was not delivered because of the weather. However, this has become an ongoing issue, and weather cannot continue to be the explanation for inconsistent service.

Another problem is that when you try to contact the Park Place Post Office by telephone, no one answers. The phone simply rings and rings.

In the past,  have also spoken with the manager, Ms. Buckley, about the problem. Unfortunately, even after discussing the issue, the service improves for only a short time before we are once again receiving mail only two or three days a week.

I will continue to document these problems and will continue making complaints through the proper postal authorities until we receive the level of service that our community is supposed to receive.

If you live on Axilda, Loper, or Maroby and are experiencing the same problem, I encourage you to document your missed delivery days and file your own complaint. The more residents who report the problem, the stronger our case will be that this is an ongoing service issue affecting our neighborhood.

I will keep everyone informed as I receive additional information.

If you want to complain: 

How to Resolve Issues with USPS in Houston
  • Primary Contact: Call the main Houston Consumer Affairs number at 713-226-3442.
  • National Customer Care: Call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) for general tracking, delivery service questions, or initial complaints.
  • File Online: Submit a service request or complaint electronically through the official USPS Help Page.
  • Mail Theft or Fraud: Report issues to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455. 

Our informed delivery sends us emails of what we should receive, yet no delivery ever happens. 
REPORT                 REPORT               REPORT

September 16, 2026 in Neighborhood News

Civic Club

Good Morning Oak Meadows Residents!

It’s that time of year again! We would like to remind everyone that it is time to renew your Oak Meadows Civic Club membership dues.

The annual membership fee is $25 per husband and wife. Your membership helps support the work of the Civic Club and gives us a stronger voice when we work with our City officials, schools, law enforcement, and other organizations on behalf of Oak Meadows.

At our August meeting, Port Houston was our featured guest. They provided residents with a booklet highlighting the results of our meetings and discussions earlier this year. The booklet included many of the ideas and concerns that Oak Meadows residents brought forward. It was a great reminder that when residents participate, their voices are heard.

Just look at Oak Meadows Park and the improvements that have been made throughout the years. The park has become a wonderful place for our families to gather and enjoy community events. Our Easter event earlier this year was a great example, with many families coming out to enjoy the park. Even Council Member Flickinger was impressed when he saw how great the park looked and how many families were enjoying the event.

These improvements and community activities do not happen by themselves. They are made possible through the involvement of our Civic Club officers, volunteers, residents, sponsors, and City partners.

However, we also need to hear from you.

Earlier this month, we posted a Nextdoor poll asking whether residents were interested in participating in National Night Out on October 6th. Unfortunately, the response was very small. We understand that everyone is busy, and we also realize that the types of activities residents want may change over time.

So, what would YOU like to see?

We would love to hear your suggestions for future events at Oak Meadows Park. Whether it’s a family activity, movie night, children’s event, community gathering, or something completely different, please let us know what interests you.

The Civic Club is here to serve the Oak Meadows community, but we need your participation and ideas to make that happen.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support the Oak Meadows Civic Club and help make our neighborhood a great place to live!

Oak Meadows Civic Club

September 14, 2026 in Neighborhood News

TPC FLARING

Posted On – 9/14/2026 2:59:00 PM – Update 2
This is TPC Group Houston Operations, located at 8600 Park Place Boulevard. Today is Monday, September 9/14 at approximately 2:51:48 PM. This is a courtesy message to notify our neighbors that there is unusual flaring and black smoke at the facility due to a power outage at the plant. We do not expect any impact to our employees, industrial or community neighbors, as we work to resolve the issue safely and quickly. We apologize for any inconvenience this incident may have caused. Should you have any concerns or questions, please contact Sara Cronin at 713.502.0656.

Posted On – 9/14/2026 2:58:00 PM – Initial Report
This is TPC Group Houston Operations, located at 8600 Park Place Boulevard. Today is Monday, September 9/14 at approximately 2:51:48 PM. This is a courtesy message to notify our neighbors that there is unusual flaring and black smoke at the facility due to a power outage at the plant. We do not expect any impact to our employees, industrial or community neighbors, as we work to resolve the issue safely and quickly. We apologize for any inconvenience this incident may have caused. Should you have any concerns or questions, please contact Sara Cronin at 713.502.0656.

Publicado el: 14/09/2026 a las 2:59:00 p. m. – Actualización 2
Les habla TPC Group Houston Operations, ubicado en 8600 Park Place Boulevard. Hoy es lunes, 14 de septiembre, y son aproximadamente las 2:51:48 p. m. Este es un mensaje de cortesĂ­a para informar a nuestros vecinos que se estĂĄ produciendo una quema en antorcha inusual y emisiĂłn de humo negro en las instalaciones debido a un corte de energĂ­a en la planta. No prevemos ningĂșn impacto para nuestros empleados ni para los vecinos industriales o de la comunidad, mientras trabajamos para resolver el problema de manera segura y rĂĄpida. Pedimos disculpas por cualquier inconveniente que este incidente haya podido causar. Si tiene alguna inquietud o pregunta, por favor comunĂ­quese con Sara Cronin al 713.502.0656.
Publicado el: 14/09/2026 a las 2:58:00 p. m. – Informe inicial
Les habla TPC Group Houston Operations, ubicado en 8600 Park Place Boulevard. Hoy es lunes, 14 de septiembre, y son aproximadamente las 2:51:48 p. m. Este es un mensaje de cortesĂ­a para informar a nuestros vecinos que se estĂĄ produciendo una quema en antorcha inusual y emisiĂłn de humo negro en las instalaciones debido a un corte de energĂ­a en la planta. No prevemos ningĂșn impacto para nuestros empleados ni para los vecinos industriales o de la comunidad, mientras trabajamos para resolver el problema de manera segura y rĂĄpida. Pedimos disculpas por cualquier inconveniente que este incidente haya podido causar. Si tiene alguna inquietud o pregunta, por favor comunĂ­quese con Sara Cronin al 713.502.0656.

September 11, 2026 in Neighborhood News

Upcoming Townhall Meeting with CM Fred Flickinger

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                         September 11, 2026

Contact: Dustin Hodges (832) 393-3008      districte@houstontx.gov

Council Member Fred Flickinger to Host Town Hall Meetings in September & October

HOUSTON – Council Member Fred Flickinger would like to make District E residents aware that we will be hosting three town hall meetings across District E. The doors will open at 5:00 p.m., with informational booths from various City departments available to answer your questions. The main program will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. Please mark your calendars for the upcoming Town Hall Meetings:

Southeast

Tuesday, October 20

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

St. Augustine Catholic Church

5560 Laurel Creek Way

Houston, Texas 77017

 

Presentations will be presented by:

  • Houston Public Works
  • Houston Police Department
  • Houston Fire Department
  • Solid Waste Management Department
  • Houston Airport System
  • Department of Neighborhoods
  • TIRZ 10/Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority (Kingwood)
  • Coastal Water Authority (Kingwood)

Residents will have the opportunity to submit questions, which will be read aloud during the Town Hall. Your feedback is a vital part of the discussion and plays a key role in shaping the future of our community. Council Member Flickinger encourages all residents to actively participate. Your questions, concerns, and ideas are invaluable in guiding the decisions that impact our neighborhoods and quality of life.

September 10, 2026 in Neighborhood News

Police Activity

HPD Proactive Services in Oak Meadows and Meadowcreek

I am proud to share with Oak Meadows residents a report regarding the proactive police services being provided by the Houston Police Department (HPD) in and around Oak Meadows and Meadowcreek.

HPD Activity — July 2026 through September 9, 2026

From July 2026 through September 9, 2026, the 40’s and 50’s Beats, including the areas in and around Oak Meadows, have reported:

  • 800+ calls for service
  • 80+ charges filed
  • 20+ warrants filed
  • 80+ arrests made

These numbers have not yet been officially vetted or certified by HPD’s Data Governance Division. However, they provide an indication of the continuous work being performed by the men and women assigned to the 40’s and 50’s Beats.

What Residents Can Expect

In the near future, residents should expect to see more HPD visibility and activity throughout our community.

This may include officers and specialized HPD teams operating in both marked police units and undercover vehicles, depending on the nature of the assignment.

We appreciate the continued efforts of the men and women of HPD who are working to help keep Oak Meadows and Meadowcreek safe.

September 9, 2026 in Neighborhood News

Children’s Museum Houston Activities

OPEN DOORS AT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
FFN Series: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage on Thursday Sept. 17 At 630pm in Brown Auditorium

Join the Children’s Museum Houston for this special FREE Family Night event celebrating Hispanic Heritage.

This Family Free Night series recognizes the history, culture, and contributions of Americans whose ancestry can be traced to Latin American countries. Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the Children’s Museum Houston provides opportunities for families to learn about the achievements of Hispanic people while celebrating their culture through hands-on activities, performances, and more.

Featured Performance:
Ballet FolklĂłrico Herencia Mexicana de Houston

Enjoy a lively performance by this Houston-based dance group dedicated to preserving and promoting Indigenous culture and folklĂłrico art.

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION

Saturday, September 19 at 11:00 AM                   Kid’s Alcove

Join the Children’s Museum Houston as they kick off a celebration of Hispanic heritage!

Hispanic Heritage Month is in full swing, with performances, crafts, cultural activities, and much more.

Featured Performance:
Calmecac Indigenous Organization – Danza Azteca Splendor

Experience the world of Ancient Mexico through a multidisciplinary performance featuring traditional Aztec dancing.

Sponsored in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL

Saturday, September 26 | All Day      Chevron Maker Annex

Celebrate the season with a full day of festive family fun!

Enjoy:

  • Live entertainment                          Interactive games
  • Hands-on STEAM activities            Seasonal crafts
  • Story times                                       Autumn-themed activities
  • And much more!

Apple Bobbing Engineering Challenge:
Design and build your own apple-catching contraption, then put your engineering skills to the test to see if you can successfully “bob” for apples!

MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL

Sunday, September 27 | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Celebrate the beauty of the moon and the joys of the harvest at the Children’s Museum Houston’s Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival.

Each year, the Vietnamese Culture and Science Association partners with the Children’s Museum Houston to bring this wonderful celebration to Houston families.

Enjoy:

  • Cultural activities       Storytelling        Lion dances
  • And much more!

Sponsored in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance and presented in collaboration with VCSA.

COMING IN OCTOBER — BOO!SEUM

Remember, October brings the BOO!seum to the Children’s Museum Houston!

The Children’s Museum Houston hosts its month-long BOO!seum festival throughout October, featuring trick-or-treating, spooky activities, crafts, music, and plenty of Halloween fun for families.

October Activities & Events

🎃 Trick-or-Treating
Visit candy stations throughout the museum on Thursdays from 4:00–8:00 PM, Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, and all day on Halloween.

đŸŽ”Â DJ Sally & Jack Skellington
Dance and play along to seasonal music and Halloween entertainment.

🎹 Crafts & Fun
Enjoy activities such as scratch-art pumpkin designs, pumpkin-mask making, paper-strip pumpkins, and more.

🌙 Free Family Night
Admission is FREE every Thursday from 5:00–8:00 PM. Reservations are required in advance.

Visitor Information

Children’s Museum Houston      1500 Binz Street     Houston, TX 77004

Regular Hours:
Tuesday–Saturday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
The museum is closed on Mondays.
Hours may be extended for special Halloween activities.

OAK MEADOWS CIVIC CLUB CHILDREN’S MUSEUM TICKETS

Oak Meadows families — remember to contact the Oak Meadows Civic Club about our Children’s Museum tickets.

Each ticket allows up to six (6) family members to enter the museum.

We are pleased to be able to offer Oak Meadows families this opportunity, so please take advantage of it and enjoy a day of fun, learning, and family time at the Children’s Museum Houston!

 

September 8, 2026 in Neighborhood News

Heavy Trash Changes

Here is a flyer from City of Houston on my earlier post about the changes in Heavy Trash Collection Times
Although we still remain on first Monday of the even months for pick up.

September 8, 2026 in Neighborhood News

WHAT’S GOING ON IN TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

Good morning.                  It’s Tuesday, September 08. 
Civic budgets and water bills lead the day, but Houston has a crown to celebrate: hometown dancer Regan Hutsell was named the 99th Miss America, the first Texan to win in more than 50 years.
Today’s Highlight
Houston Public Works is renewing collections on overdue water accounts, but the department told reporters that no shutoffs begin today despite earlier statements from Mayor John Whitmire. 
The city is instead sending notices to about 15,000 delinquent customers who collectively owe roughly $30 million, warning them of possible future disconnection. 
This first group targets accounts at least 90 days past due, owing more than $500, and equipped with Sensus remote-reading meters the city trusts. Customers get a final notice with a specific date before any interruption, and those with an active payment plan or billing dispute are protected. The city paused shutoffs for two years while fixing faulty meters.
 Quick Hits
 01 Harris County Commissioners Court holds a public hearing today on a proposed combined property-tax rate of 67 cents per $100 of appraised 
value, the highest since at least 2006.              The 7.6% increase would raise 
the  median homeowner’s bill about 12% as the county works to bridge a projected shortfall exceeding $180 million, with a final vote set for Sept. 17.
02 The Texas Department of Public Safety will restrict outside access to its 
Flock license-plate camera database to agencies that have signed formal agreements with the department. The change follows a review that found roughly 615,000 searches of the state network in June, nearly half of them coming from agencies outside Texas.
03 The Texas Workforce Commission voted to cut about 14,000 child care scholarship seats statewide for 2027, including 1,081 in the Greater Houston region. Boards will pause new enrollments as families exit because a one-time $100 million state investment was absorbed by rising care costs while more than 100,000 children wait for help.
04 Texas barbecue restaurants are pushing brisket prices past what many diners will pay, which a new survey pegs at roughly $40 per pound. 
Wholesale costs keep climbing, so Houston joints like Truth Barbeque hold at $37 while Austin’s Franklin Barbecue now charges $42 and Dallas-area Leroy and Lewis reaches $46.
05 At least 596 data centers are now operating or planned across Texas, according to updated research that added 14 facilities since June. 
The count matters because ERCOT reports nearly 2,000 projects awaiting 
grid interconnection, about 90% of them data centers straining the state’s power and water.
                                       What’s Coming Up
 The TS Lone Star State, Texas A&M Maritime Academy’s new 524-foot training ship, docks in Galveston at 10 a.m. today, ending a 21-year wait for a dedicated vessel. The university invites the public to watch the arrival from Seawolf Park, Pier 21 and Big Reef Nature Park.
 
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston opens “Going Underground: The Jewels of Bernard Schobinger” on Thursday in the Kinder Building, the Swiss artist’s first U.S. show with 54 works. Schobinger himself appears at a contemporary-jewelry symposium Sept. 26.