📢 Conroe Detainees Key to ICE Probe

🕵️ Good morning, MoCo! We’ve got some interesting stories for you this morning starting off with witnesses in the recent ICE shooting. Let’s dig in!

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In today’s Conroe Echo: 

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Three witnesses tied to Tuesday’s fatal ICE shooting remain detained at the Montgomery County Processing Center in Conroe, according to U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia. Garcia said she is concerned they could be deported before local investigators can interview them. She also said an ICE official told her the man who was killed was not the intended target of the operation.

Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare said his office is investigating and wants witnesses and video. Claims made by attorneys and elected officials have not been independently verified. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

Watch The Video About These Witnesses!

Montgomery County commissioners hired an architect to begin designing a proposed justice center in downtown Conroe. The project could cost about $250 million and may include courtrooms and a county tax office. Commissioners are considering whether to ask voters to approve bonds for the center in November.

Officials want early plans and cost estimates before deciding on ballot language. The proposal is expected to return for discussion July 23, and the deadline to approve November ballot wording is August 15. The suggested site includes land west of the Sadler Administration Building.

Monday, 7/13/2026

Tuesday, 7/14/2026

Wednesday, 7/15/2026

Disclaimer: Please double check the dates and times on any events you go to. Sometimes events change their date or time, and sometimes we get things wrong.

Harris County deputies chased a U-Haul after investigators said three people stole more than $1,200 in merchandise from a Walmart on Fry Road in Katy. The low-speed chase continued along the Katy Freeway before the vehicle was abandoned at another Walmart near South Kirkwood and Westheimer.

Deputies said two people were taken into custody, while a third person ran away and remained wanted when the report was published. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office provided the initial account of the incident. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo awarded more than $10.8 million in scholarships to 541 incoming college students. Each student received $20,000 to help pay for higher education. The awards are part of the rodeo’s larger education commitment, which includes $15 million in scholarships and about $30 million in total educational support this year.

Nearly one-third of the recipients are the first in their families to finish high school, and more than half will be first-generation college students. The group includes students attending 49 colleges and universities across Texas and beyond.

Watch This Video Of A Historical Breakdown Of The Houston Rodeo!

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Elizabeth Smart will deliver the keynote address at the ATHENA Leadership Awards Luncheon on July 24 at the Hyatt Regency Conroe. The Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce said the program will honor local women for leadership, service and efforts to help others succeed.

The chamber expects more than 500 people at the event. Nominees and finalists will be recognized before the ATHENA recipient is announced. The luncheon is also designed to raise money for a nonprofit serving women and girls. This is the chamber’s ninth year partnering with ATHENA International.

Watch This Video Talking About Elizabeth Smart’s Netflix Documentary About Her Abduction!

Don José Mexican Restaurant will close after serving northwest Houston for 52 years. Its final day is Monday, July 13. The owners said rising business costs, including commercial rent, made it impossible to continue. E.J. Clark opened the restaurant in 1974 at 5305 Antoine Drive.

Clark sold the restaurant in 2003 to Luis Hermosillo, who had started there as a busboy in 1974. After Hermosillo and co-owner Carlos Garcia died in 2020, Garcia’s son Bernardo and family members Fernando and Jorge Anaya took over and reopened the restaurant.

The Astros used their first two selections in the 2026 MLB Draft on college players. Houston chose Texas Tech outfielder Logan Hughes with the 17th overall pick, then selected Notre Dame right-handed pitcher Jack Radel at No. 28.

Hughes hit .375 with 18 home runs, 71 RBIs and more walks than strikeouts during his college season. Radel went 8-4 with a 3.29 ERA and struck out 116 batters in 87 2/3 innings. The right-hander has reached 98 mph with his fastball. Houston made five picks on the draft’s opening day.

Five Texas A&M baseball players heard their names called during the first day of the 2026 MLB Draft. Infielder Chris Hacopian went 11th overall to Washington, making him the highest-drafted Aggie in program history. Incoming high school prospect Trey Abel followed at No. 25 to Milwaukee.

The Cubs selected Caden Sorrell at No. 62, the Angels took Gavin Grahovac at No. 81 and the Mets chose pitcher Shane Sdao at No. 120. Sdao returned from Tommy John surgery and finished the season 4-4 with 83 strikeouts and 20 walks.

🏛️ That’s it for today, MoCo. Stay dry and have a good Monday!