Conroe ISD Advances Safety and Campus Upgrades

🔒 Friday is here, and we’ve got you covered with local stories, weekend ideas, and a few things worth knowing before you head out the door. For a simple win today, choose one thing you’ve been putting off, give it 20 focused minutes, and get it moving before the weekend distractions kick in.

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In today’s Conroe Echo: 

🏗️ Conroe ISD Advances Safety and Campus Upgrades
🪶 Texas renaissance festival sale fight continue
🛻 Houston Weekend Events: Greek Fest, Trucks and More
🌟 And more…

Today: 91F / 71F |🌤️| 4% Precipitation | SSE 11 MPH
Saturday: 89F / 75F |🌤️| 9% Precipitation | SE 12 MPH
Sunday: 90F / 77F |☁️| 24% Precipitation | SSE 16 MPH
Monday: 88F / 76F |⛈️| 52% Precipitation | SSE 15 MPH
Tuesday: 89F / 68F |⛈️| 60% Precipitation | SSE 12 MPH

Lake Level: 200.42 ft (Conservation pool level is 201 ft).
Air Temp: 69F
Water Temp: 76F
Wind: SE 2 MPH

Tell us what you need. If we know a solid local pro, we may connect you.

Examples: Handyman, plumber, roofer, cleaner, movers

FRIDAY, 5/15/2026

Max Stalling (Live Music) at The Table at Madeley
Austin Meade (Live Music) at Sawyer Park Icehouse
Mississippi Smile (Live Music) at The Red Brick Tavern
Family Movie Night: Luca at Township Recreation Center in The Woodlands
Conroe Conjuring: Evening of Magic at The Owen Theatre
Joe Blues Band (Live Music) at Lucy Blues

Saturday, 5/16/2026

Dustin de la Garza (Live Music) at The Table at Madeley
Sylvester Carter & John McKee at Lone Star Art Gallery
DJ Danesthetic at The Blue Lion Pub
Greatest Hits – Montgomery County Choral Society
The Riot Comedy Club at GuadalaHarry’s in Conroe
Monster Truck Wars at Lone Star Convention Center
Party in the Plaza at Monty’s Lighthouse

Sunday, 5/17/2026

Sarah Kelley Music School Showcase at Dosey Doe
Acoustic Brunch with JP Lee at The Blue Lion
Vinyl Sundays at Fass Brewing
JK and the Frets at Cork This Tap That
Bayou City Horn Band at Papa’s on the Lake
Petting Zoo & Pony Rides at 7 Acre Wood

🏫 Conroe ISD is moving more bond projects ahead after trustees approved several construction contracts at their May 12 meeting. The work includes renovations, safety upgrades, new gym additions, and improvements to campuses and district facilities.

The projects come from the 2019 and 2023 bonds. District leaders said the number of over-capacity campuses has dropped from 39 to six. Board President Misty Odenweller said the district is now focused on using taxpayer dollars wisely while continuing to improve schools. Construction on several projects is expected to wrap up by August 2028.

Watch the Conroe ISD Trustees Meeting From Tuesday.

⚖️ The Texas Renaissance Festival is still tied up in court, one year after a Grimes County judge ordered it to be sold. The estate of late founder George Coulam is appealing the ruling, while the group trying to buy the festival says it still wants the sale to move forward.

For festival fans, the big news is this: the 2026 season is still expected to open Oct. 10 and run on weekends through Nov. 29, plus the Friday after Thanksgiving. Tickets and camping reservations are already available online.

Rewind from 2025: This video will walk you through the order to sell.

🙂 The Houston area has a busy weekend ahead, with family fun, food, music and outdoor events from May 15-17. Houston Greek Fest runs May 14-16 at 1100 Eldridge Parkway with live music, dance, food, rides and a market.

Other picks include Mixers & Elixirs at HMNS Sugar Land on May 15, Bloom and Grow Market in Pearland on May 16, Monster Truck Wars in Conroe on May 16, Bikes and Bats in Houston on May 16, and a Crawfish & Cocktails pop-up in Houston on May 17.

🔍 HISD families had hard questions at Thursday’s board meeting about changes to the district’s special education program. Some parents said their children are being asked to leave their home schools, even when those schools are where they feel safe, supported and connected.

The meeting came after the Department of Education launched an investigation into HISD’s special education program. District leaders said there will be no standalone campuses and that students’ IEPs will not change. ABC13 reported that about 5,000 special education students could be affected.

Video: HISD special education overhaul.

⭐ A Second Round Glass has reached a big new milestone. The small, woman-led Montgomery, Texas business announced its glasses are now on shelves at Greater Houston Kroger locations.

The company thanked the people who helped it grow, from the first customers who bought glasses to the supporters who shared the business and brought in bottles. What began as a simple “what if” has turned into a proud next step for a Texas-made brand that says it is just getting started.

Watch This Video About A Second Round Glass!

⚾ Texas A&M baseball has three players in the running for one of the biggest honors in college baseball. Gavin Grahovac, Aiden Sims and Caden Sorrell were named semifinalists for the 2026 Dick Howser Trophy, given to the nation’s top college player.

Grahovac has led the Aggies in several hitting categories, Sims has been the team’s top starter at 8-1, and Sorrell is having a career year with 22 home runs. The winner will be announced June 12 in Omaha.

🎾 Texas A&M women’s tennis players Violeta Martinez and Lexington Reed earned spots on the CSC NCAA Division I Academic All-District Team. The honor recognizes student-athletes who perform well both in competition and in the classroom.

Martinez has a 23-11 singles record and a 3.80 GPA while majoring in race, gender and ethnicity. Reed holds an 18-7 singles record, is ranked No. 106 in ITA singles, and has a 3.88 GPA in sport management. Both are also finalists for Academic All-America.

🪄 That’s all for today. I hope you found something useful, fun, or worth sharing. Enjoy Friday and the weekend! See you Monday morning.

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