Impact News: Tomball & Magnolia - Community Impact Newspaper

Monarch Utilities reaches agreement with customers on water and sewer rates

Monarch Utilities has reached an agreement with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and a number of its subscribers on its water and sewer rate increase request originally filed in May 2011.

May 18, 2012 by Emily Roberts in Tomball | Magnolia

Photo Shawn Arrajj

Magnolia residents direct comprehensive plan at listening sessions

Common themes across the sessions included a strong focus on mobility and infrastructure, as well as preserving Magnolia's charm during times of growth.

May 11, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia

Cork & Canvas brings wine and art to the Magnolia Stroll

Local art, music, food and wine will all be on display at Magnolia's annual Cork & Canvas on the Stroll May 12.

May 11, 2012 by Emily Roberts in Tomball | Magnolia

Photo by Jackie Brunk

Groups work to promote environmental initiatives

Beautification and cleanup initiatives have Tomball and Magnolia seeking ways to promote recycling and reduce litter.

May 4, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia

Candidates for Texas House District 3 discuss issues facing the state

Three republicans are running for a seat with the Texas House representing District 3.

May 9, 2012 in Tomball | Magnolia

Revenue and job growth point to healthy Tomball economy

With sales tax revenue increasing and many of the city’s top employers hiring and adding new jobs, Tomball’s economy is the strongest it has been since the recession hit in 2008.

May 4, 2012 by Emily Roberts in Tomball | Magnolia

Legislators plan to propose bills regulating investor-owned utilities

To better regulate rate increases by investor-owned utilities, legislators plan to propose several bills in the 2013 legislative session.

May 4, 2012 by Emily Roberts in Tomball | Magnolia

Brown Road extension project to be completed by city this summer

Phase II of the Brown Road Extension project in Tomball is expected to be completed some time this summer, said Lori Lakatos, Tomball’s city engineer.

May 4, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia

County offices innovate to save money

Various Harris County offices were left reeling after the 10 percent cut in the 2011 fiscal year.

Apr 20, 2012 by Kevin Koloian in Northwest Houston

Rails & Tails Mudbug Festival offers free family entertainment

Tomball is entering into the crawfish festival market with its first Rails & Tails Mudbug Festival May 5 and 6.

May 3, 2012 by Emily Roberts, Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia (1 Comments)

Photo by Andrew Richardson

Hwy. 249 projects approved in Transportation Improvement Program

The Houston-Galveston Area Council approved its 2013–2016 Transportation Improvement Program April 27. It includes three projects related to the extension of Hwy. 249.

May 2, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia

Harris County Precinct 4 Constable candidates discuss their plans if elected

Five republicans are running for constable in Precinct 4 of Harris County. Ron Hickman is the incumbent. Primary election day is May 29.

May 1, 2012 in Vote Houston Metro

Courtesy Lisa Bodway.

Magnolia Youth Livestock Show gives students another chance

For Magnolia students who were unable to sell their livestock at the Montgomery County Fair April 13–22, there is still hope to be compensated for all the hard work put in on the farm.

Apr 26, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia

Harris County commissioner candidates in Precinct 4 discuss top issues as the county grows

Three republicans and two democrats are vying for the position of Harris County commissioner, Precinct 4.

Apr 24, 2012 in Vote Houston Metro

Montgomery County Precinct 5 constable candidates discuss role of office, priorities

Three republicans are running for Montgomery County Constable in Precinct 5.

Apr 16, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Vote Houston Metro (1 Comments)

Photo Shawn Arrajj

Tax rates, growth and spending big topics at Tomball candidate forum

Growth was the theme of the April 12 “Meet the candidates” forum for this year's Tomball City Council races.

Apr 13, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Vote Houston Metro (1 Comments)

Magnolia appoints steering committee, plans listening sessions for comprehensive plan

A 13-person steering committee was appointed to work directly with Kendig Keast Collaborative at the April 10 Magnolia City Council meeting.

Apr 11, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia

Business park to capitalize on ExxonMobil campus relocation

n order to capitalize on the relocation of companies like Noble Energy and ExxonMobil, the Tomball Economic Development Corporation is beginning traffic and environmental studies for a 96.5-acre business and technology park.

Apr 6, 2012 by Emily Roberts in Tomball | Magnolia

Magnolia begins comprehensive plan process

The City of Magnolia has entered the initial phase of a process to create a new comprehensive plan for the next 15–20 years.

Apr 6, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia (1 Comments)

Tomball and Magnolia begin to remove and replant trees

Photo by Shawn Arrajj

Drought conditions improving in Harris and Montgomery counties, but future dryness still likely

The ongoing drought that has plagued Texas over the past year appears to be improving thanks to some continuous rainfall in recent months.

Apr 3, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia

Summer Camp Guide 2012

Local academic, art and sports camps are available for children.

Apr 6, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia

Photo Shawn Arrajj

Panel discusses mobility as Research Forest project funds secured

As home sales in Montgomery County continue to increase, developers are stressing the importance of area transportation projects for keeping residents connected.

Mar 30, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia

Wildfire preparedness meeting scheduled in Magnolia

For Montgomery County residents looking to prepare for the next wildfire season, the Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department and Texas Forest Service are holding a town hall meeting April 5 at 7 p.m.

Mar 28, 2012 by Emily Roberts in Tomball | Magnolia

Photo Jackie Brunk

Tomball Honky Tonk Festival a success for city

The Tomball Honky Tonk Music Festival—the first of four new events the City plans to debut this spring—drew nearly 1,500 attendees on March 24.

Mar 26, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia

Home sales are on the rise in buyer’s market

As with the Greater Houston area, home sales in Tomball and Magnolia increased in 2011 compared with 2010, and Realtors have high hopes for 2012.

Mar 9, 2012 by Emily Roberts in Tomball | Magnolia

New section of Kuykendahl opens to traffic

The bifurcated roadway passes through proposed Creekside Park Village Center

Mar 23, 2012 in The Woodlands

Photo Shawn Arrajj

Magnolia dentist announces state House candidacy

Voters will have another choice on election day for state representative of House District 3.

Mar 16, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Vote Houston Metro

Photo by Andrew Richardson

Bidding process begins on Hwy. 249 project

Harris County Commissioners Court approved the bidding process to begin March 13 that will turn Hwy. 249 into a six-lane toll road between Spring Cypress and FM 1774 in Precinct 4 and Montgomery County.

Mar 14, 2012 by Kevin Koloian in Northwest Houston (3 Comments)

As annexation moves forward in Magnolia, some business owners still concerned

The City of Magnolia's initiative to annex seven tracts of land into its city limits has been met with some opposition from business owners in the targeted areas.

Mar 12, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia

Tomball and Magnolia plan new events for 2012

Photo by Michael Baxter

Tomball and Magnolia plan new annual events for 2012

Leaders in Tomball and Magnolia are looking to increase tourism efforts through new annual events and festivals.

Mar 9, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia

FM 1488 overpass design process nears completion

The design portion of the planned overpass along FM 1488 in Magnolia—which would extend over FM 149 and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad—is roughly 85 percent complete.

Mar 9, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia

Tomball and Magnolia ISDs prepare for change in standardized testing

In March and April, Tomball and Magnolia students will begin taking the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness tests.

Mar 8, 2012 by Emily Roberts in Tomball | Magnolia

2012 Election Coverage

A guide to candidates running in the May primary

Mar 8, 2012 by Brian Walzel, Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia

Photo by Michael Baxter

City of Tomball hires director of community development

In February, the City of Tomball hired a director of community development—a newly created position filled by Narciso Lira.

Mar 8, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia

Photo by Shawn Arrajj

City hires consultant, moves forward with master plan

The City of Magnolia has hired Bret Keast—president of the community planning consulting firm Kendig Keast—to help identify and analyze key issues as it works to update its master plan.

Mar 8, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia

Photo Shawn Arrajj

Magnolia residents provide input for Houston-Galveston Regional Plan

Representatives from the Houston-Galveston Area Council and AECOM—a global consulting firm—met with city officials and residents at Magnolia City Hall March 7 to gather input for a Houston-Galveston Regional Plan.

Mar 8, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia (1 Comments)

No races contested for Magnolia City Council, ISD

With filings for local elections closed as of March 5, none of the seats up for election on Magnolia City Council or the Magnolia ISD school board are contested.

Mar 7, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Vote Houston Metro

Photo Shawn Arrajj

Tree planting ceremony held at Juergens Park

To replace a portion of the 66 trees lost to the ongoing drought, 28 trees were put into the ground at Juergens Park in Tomball Feb. 29.

Mar 1, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia

May 29 confirmed for Texas primary

The San Antonio federal court issued an order March 1 setting the Texas primary elections for May 29 and the runoff election date for July 31.

Mar 1, 2012 by Mitzie Stelte in Central Austin

Photo by Andrew Richardson

249 Partnership interim board identifies objectives, stakeholders

The 249 Partnership took another step toward establishing tangible objectives and a list of stakeholders in a meeting Feb. 22.

Feb 29, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Tomball | Magnolia

Photo Shawn Arrajj

Magnolia Chamber hosts candidate forums

The economy, crime and the growth of the community were among the issues discussed at two candidate forums Feb. 23 sponsored by the Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce.

Feb 24, 2012 by Shawn Arrajj in Vote Houston Metro

New park and recreation facilities to open in the area

Plans are moving forward for the first public recreation center in Magnolia. In Tomball, a number of small park projects are planned for the spring, while progress on a proposed BMX park has stalled.

Feb 10, 2012 by Emily Roberts in Tomball | Magnolia