FROM THE EDITOR
🚔 Good morning, MoCo! A 50-year sentence in a fifth DWI case leads today’s Echo, along with a major Conroe leadership appointment, dangerous Houston heat, public housing reforms and plenty more from across the area.
In today’s Conroe Echo:
Fifth DWI Leads to 50-Year Sentence
Conroe Names Permanent City Administrator
Houston Crews Face Brutal Heat
Housing Agency Details Audit Fixes
And More…
CONROE AREA WEATHER
Wednesday: 97°F / 77°F | ☀️ | 2% | SSW 7 MPH
Thursday: 97°F / 77°F | ☀️ | 11% | SSW 6 MPH
Friday: 101°F / 78°F | ☀️ | 9% | SSW 6 MPH
Saturday: 100°F / 77°F | ☀️ | 17% | SW 9 MPH
Sunday: 100°F / 78°F | 🌩️ | 55% | WNW 5 MPH
CONROE AREA NEWS
Fifth DWI Leads to 50-Year Sentence
A Montgomery County jury sentenced Eugenio Les Zavala, 34, to 50 years in prison after finding him guilty of driving while intoxicated for a third time or more. The district attorney’s office said the case followed a sheriff’s office traffic stop that led to Zavala’s fifth DWI charge.
Deputies said Zavala refused field sobriety tests. A blood test obtained through a search warrant showed his alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit. Jurors considered his prior DWI cases during sentencing.
Conroe Names Permanent City Administrator
Conroe City Council unanimously appointed David Willard as the city’s permanent administrator, moving him from an interim role into the top administrative position. Willard will officially become a city employee Aug. 10 and receive an annual salary of $325,000.
His compensation includes standard phone and vehicle allowances, retirement contributions, and regular city leave benefits. Willard will serve as an at-will employee without a contract or severance agreement. The city will also pay Strategic Government Resources a $10,000 finder’s fee for placing him in the permanent role.
⭐ Attention: Advertising Opportunity for Local Businesses!
You may have noticed that we have been testing advertising. I’ve been using my bookkeeping business as the guinea pig and visits to its website have significantly increased.
We will be selecting a few local small business advertisers to receive a considerable amount of free advertising in multiple issues of one to four of our local newsletters (Conroe, Houston, Pearland, Sugar Land).
The free advertising will be a combination of story-style ads with a photo and internet links, and digital banner-type ads with a couple supporting sentences about your business and internet links. If you have a local small business, let’s have a conversation. You can email us at [email protected].
We are specifically looking for the following types of local small businesses:
Personal Injury Attorney
Insurance Agent / Agency
Junk Removal
HVAC
Landscaping
Real Estate Agency
Dental Group
Primary Care Group
If you are a local business owner and you are interested, email us today!
CONROE AND MOCO UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, 7/29/2026
Christmas in July Showcase at Woody’s Hideaway, Conroe.
Mini Sculptor’s Workshop at Ardest Gallery, The Woodlands.
Open Jam Wednesday Hosted by JP Lee at The Blue Lion Brunchery and Pub, The Woodlands.
Pure Paradise at Sunset at Painting with a Twist, The Woodlands.
Tomball Museum Center at Tomball Museum Center
Bryan Adams with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo at Toyota Center, Houston.
Comedy Allstars at Punch Line Houston
Thursday, 7/30/2026
Rock the Row at Hughes Landing, The Woodlands
David Adam Byrnes at Dosey Doe, Big Barn, The Woodlands
Ronnie and The Redwoods at The Table at Madeley, Conroe
Tavin Dillard at The Riot Conroe
Dueling Pianos at Two Tones Dueling Piano Bar, The Woodlands
Ribbon Cutting at 1623 Events, Conroe
Karaoke at Lucy Blues, Conroe
Friday, 7/31/2026
Clay Hollis at The Table at Madeley, Conroe
Mike Vecchione at The Riot Conroe
Strait Country at Dosey Doe Big Barn, The Woodlands
The Pussycat Dolls at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands
Dueling Pianos at Two Tones Dueling Piano Bar, The Woodlands
Side Hustle Rawks at The Blue Lion Pub, The Woodlands
Fins Up Fridays at Margaritaville Lake Resort, Montgomery
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.
AROUND THE METRO
Houston Crews Face Brutal Heat
Houston outdoor crews are working through a stretch of near-100-degree temperatures while taking extra steps to avoid heat illness. A utility crew installing poles along Hillcroft Avenue keeps ice, water, and electrolytes nearby and rotates workers for breaks about every 10 minutes.
A landscaper also described relying on several drinks to stay hydrated. Medical officials recommend drinking fluids before work, wearing light clothing, and watching others for warning signs. One foreman said a worker who stops sweating may be overheating and needs quick cooling and water.
Houston’s Public Housing Agency Details Audit Fixes
Houston’s public housing agency has outlined steps to fix problems found during six straight years of independent audits. Housing Alliance HTX told federal officials it has assembled an accounting team, will review 3% of tenant files each quarter, and will inspect properties every three months.
The agency is also improving software access to reduce missing documents and moving households to a caseload system with one assigned staff member. The changes address problems with financial reporting and records used to confirm whether tenants qualify for housing subsidies.
The Conroe Echo is Presented By Clearjournals Bookkeeping
If you own a service business (e.g. Cleaning company, Plumbing, HVAC, Restoration, Roofing, etc.) and need bookkeeping, check out Clearjournals at Clearjournals.com.
BUSINESS UPDATE
Chamber Team Plans Community Service
The Woodlands Area Chamber’s C.A.R.E.S. Committee will meet Aug. 5 to continue planning service projects for local nonprofit organizations. The committee meets monthly and gives Chamber members a way to support community groups through hands-on volunteer work.
The meeting runs from 3 to 4 p.m. at The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, 9320 Lakeside Boulevard, Suite 200. Registration is required. The committee’s work focuses on connecting business members with practical service opportunities that benefit nonprofit organizations across the area.
Benny & Hash Brings Brunch to Montgomery
Montgomery’s new Benny and Hash restaurant has opened with a menu built around breakfast, brunch, and lunch. The restaurant held a soft opening July 14 and serves items including omelets, pancakes, breakfast tacos, chilaquiles, soups, salads, pot roast, and shrimp and grits.
The menu also includes the Big Foot breakfast plate. Benny & Hash is located at 15260 Texas 105, Suite 160, in Montgomery. The opening gives local diners another option for a full breakfast or a midday meal in the Highway 105 area.
THE SPORTS REPORT
Astros Steal Win On Monday With Four-Run Ninth
The Astros scored four ninth-inning runs to beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-4 on Monday night. Houston entered the final inning down two runs and completed the comeback despite collecting only one hit during the rally.
The Angels made two errors, hit two batters, and issued two walks in the inning. Isaac Paredes was hit by a pitch to tie the game, and LaMonte Wade Jr. drew the go-ahead walk. Cristian Javier earlier pitched five scoreless innings with seven strikeouts. The victory was Houston’s sixth win in seven games.
Aggies Receive 2027 SEC Basketball Slate
Texas A&M men’s basketball received its 18-game Southeastern Conference schedule for the 2026-27 season. The Aggies will open league play Jan. 2 against Auburn at Reed Arena and finish the regular season March 6 at home against Texas.
Texas A&M will play LSU, Texas, and Vanderbilt both at home and on the road. The Aggies finished fourth in the SEC last season with an 11-7 conference record and reached the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight year. Game times and television details will be announced later.
THANKS!
🌇 That’s it for today, MoCo. Stay cool and have a great Wednesday!