📢 Lake Operations Study Moves Forward

🌊 Good morning, MoCo! Today’s edition covers a new lake operations study, a possible county justice center bond, Houston’s tribute to a barbecue founder, a major Gulf Freeway detour and the end of the Astros’ winning streak. Let’s get started!

Follow the Conroe Echo Facebook Page!

In today’s Conroe Echo: 

Monday: 96F / 76F | ☀️ | 2% | SW 7 MPH
Tuesday: 96F / 76F | ☀️ | 2% | SSW 7 MPH
Wednesday: 96F / 78F | 🌤️ | 5% | SW 6 MPH
Thursday: 98F / 79F | ☀️ | 9% | SW 6 MPH
Friday: 98F / 78F | ☀️ | 9% | SW 7 MPH

Click Here To Learn More About The Weather.

Lake Conroe and Lake Houston operators are studying how to coordinate water releases once 11 new spillway gates are added to the Lake Houston Dam. The $1 million project is a partnership between Houston, Humble and the San Jacinto River Authority.

Officials want updated prerelease rules, a forecasting system and better communication before major storms. The study will examine flood risks both upstream and downstream. Public meetings will continue, with more Lake Conroe data expected later this year. Completion is estimated for December 2027.

Montgomery County commissioners are weighing a possible $300 million to $400 million bond for a new justice center as an Aug. 6 decision deadline approaches. The current courthouse was built in 1936, and judges have raised concerns about space and structural problems.

Officials are comparing tax impacts and whether to place the measure before voters in November 2026 or May 2027. Commissioners disagree about how quickly to move and whether courthouse and jail needs should be combined. A separate jail proposal could cost from $750 million to $1 billion, according to the sheriff.

Monday, 7/27/2026

Tuesday, 7/28/2026

Wednesday, 7/29/2026

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.

Houston celebrated J-Bar-M Barbecue founder John J. Toomey on his 98th birthday with a city proclamation naming July 26, 2026, John J. Toomey Day. Family, staff and community leaders surprised him Friday at the EaDo restaurant he opened at age 93.

Toomey still visits the restaurant regularly to greet customers, check the food and talk with employees. The lifelong Houstonian also spent more than seven decades in business and law. His grandson said the family atmosphere helps set J-Bar-M apart, while Toomey shared a simple message: do what you love.

Drivers heading toward Galveston will face new Gulf Freeway reroutes and closures near the Texas City Wye for about two years as TxDOT continues its I-45 expansion. The changes begin after 9 p.m. July 31.

Southbound traffic will move onto frontage lanes south of Highway 6, and the westbound Highway 146 connector to southbound I-45 will close permanently. Drivers using that route will follow a detour through the northbound frontage road and FM 519. The larger project will widen I-45 to four lanes in each direction from the Galveston causeway to 61st Street.

If you own a service business (e.g. Cleaning company, Plumbing, HVAC, Restoration, Roofing, etc.) and need bookkeeping, check out Clearjournals at Clearjournals.com.

Magnolia-area professionals can meet new contacts Tuesday, July 28, during the Southwest Montgomery County Chamber’s Magnolia Mingle. The free event runs from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at The Angry Elephant, 7030 FM 1488, Suite 100, in Magnolia.

Chamber membership is not required, and guests do not need to register. Organizers encourage attendees to invite friends, coworkers and colleagues and bring business cards. Businesses can also bring a door prize for added visibility, and anyone contributing one will receive a social media shoutout from the chamber.

Hill House Home is preparing to open its first standalone Houston store in Rice Village. The New York-based fashion and lifestyle brand plans a 2,146-square-foot shop at 2414 University Blvd., Suite 136, in a space formerly occupied by Lily Rain Retail.

A state filing shows an estimated $89,000 renovation could run from mid-August through mid-September, though plans may change. The company already has a Texas store in Dallas. Founded as a bedding business in 2016, Hill House Home later expanded into clothing and is best known for its Nap Dress.

Houston’s five-game winning streak ended Sunday as the White Sox beat the Astros 12-3 in Chicago. Jeremy Peña hit two solo home runs, and Taylor Trammell added another, but those were Houston’s only runs.

Ronel Blanco allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings during his second start back from elbow surgery. Chicago hit five home runs, including two by Munetaka Murakami, who drove in six runs. The Astros still won two of three in the series and finished the week 5-1.

Texas A&M’s defense was strong against the pass last season, but one number stood out for the wrong reason. The Aggies intercepted only 0.82% of opponents’ pass attempts, ranking 132nd among 136 teams, according to the analysis.

The secondary also played behind a pass rush that ranked first nationally in sack percentage, yet the takeaways did not follow. With new players expected along the defensive line, the article argues that the secondary must create more interceptions in 2026. Better turnover production could be a key part of helping the Aggies build on last season’s success.

🌊 That’s it for today, MoCo. Have a great Monday!