📢 Law Enforcement Honors Deputy Serrato

🕊️ Good morning, Conroe. Today begins with a solemn farewell for Deputy Erika Serrato, then moves into a Conroe City Council preview, an HPD arrest update, housing demand across Houston, business news and a couple of sports notes. Let’s get started.

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In today’s Conroe Echo: 

Wednesday: 96F / 75F |☀️| 25% | SSW 7 MPH
Thursday: 95F / 76F |☀️| 25% | S 7 MPH
Friday: 91F / 77F |🌩️| 55% | SSE 8 MPH
Saturday: 93F / 77F |🌤️| 55% | SSE 6 MPH
Sunday: 95F / 76F |🌧️| 77% | SE 5 MPH

Lake Level: 200.67 ft (Conservation pool level is 201 ft)
Air Temp: 75F
Water Temp: 87F
Wind: SE 2 MPH

🕊️ Sheriff Wesley Doolittle and dozens of law enforcement personnel honored Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy Erika Serrato during her funeral Tuesday at Woodlands Church. Serrato, 24, was a six-year veteran who was directing traffic at a suspected DWI crash investigation near the Woodlands Parkway exit when she was struck by a truck pulling a trailer.

About 1,000 people watched the service by livestream. The service included remarks from Doolittle, honors from law enforcement, a helicopter flyover and a gun salute.

Our condolences to the family of Deputy Serrato.

Thank you to our law enforcement for keeping us safe.

Watch KHOU’s Short Video On Remembering Deputy Serrato.

🏛️ Conroe City Council could take action July 9 on several items, including a holiday event contract renewal, a disannexation ordinance and rules tied to council member attendance during executive sessions. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Conroe City Hall.

One item would renew the city’s agreement with Southern Lighting for the Candy Cane Park Drive-Through Christmas Celebration. The agenda also includes a water well status update and the May 2026 monthly financial summary report.

Check Out the Conroe City Council Web Page!

Wednesday, 7/8/2026

Thursday, 7/9/2026

Friday, 7/10/2026

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 police have arrested Michael Stuart Driver, 46, in connection with the fatal shooting of Jesse Reyes, 48, at 1628 Vassar Street. HPD said Driver is charged with murder in the 232nd Criminal District Court.

Police said officers responded to a shooting call and were flagged down by a man who identified himself as the shooter. He told police there had been a physical fight before he fired a gun. Driver was booked into the Harris County Jail. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

Watch KHOU’s Video On This Shooting!

🏠 Housing Alliance HTX has closed its public housing waitlist application period after about 56,000 applicants selected up to three waitlists for available units. The application period ended at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.

The waitlists cover eight public housing properties, including Kelly Village, Lincoln Park, Long Drive, Oxford Place, Bellerive, Lyerly, Independence Heights and Irvinton Village. Officials said a random lottery will determine who is placed on the lists, with about 10,000 applicants expected to make it on.

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🍽️ A three-restaurant concept called Yard 99 is expected to break ground in Valley Ranch in the next two to three years. The project is still being designed, but plans call for restaurants with open outdoor spaces spilling out toward the waterfront.

Yard 99 will be part of Valley Ranch’s Entertainment District in New Caney. That district also includes Hope Media Group’s headquarters, the East Montgomery County Improvement District convention center, Lumos and a Cinemark movie theater. Specific restaurants have not been announced yet.

🏡 Houston-area home prices have declined by about 1.7%, marking the first average price drop in roughly 15 years, according to real estate experts cited by KPRC. For families trying to buy before school starts, that could create a little more room to shop.

The report named Baytown, Aldine and Alief as three of the more affordable areas, based on current average home prices. Experts said summer also brings more inventory, which can give buyers more options than the winter months.

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🏈 Texans safety Jaylen Reed is heading into year two with more comfort and a bigger goal. The team’s site says his rookie season was interrupted by injuries, but he had a breakout game against Buffalo with 12 tackles and a fumble recovery.

Reed said having a year in the system helps. He also talked about learning from the safety room, including veteran Reed Blankenship, and preparing for a larger role this season.

⚾ Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez was named American League Player of the Week after another big stretch at the plate. MLB said Alvarez hit .435 with a .957 slugging percentage across 26 plate appearances.

He hit four home runs and led American League players with 11 RBIs during the week. One of those home runs was a grand slam against the Twins, and another was a walk-off shot against the Rays. It was his third Player of the Week honor this season.

🌅 Thanks for reading The Conroe Echo this morning. Take care of each other, drive safe and I’ll see you back here Friday!

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