FROM THE EDITOR
🚧 Good morning, MoCo! Today we’re checking on major road projects around the county, a new name for Conroe’s medical college, storm recovery help around the metro, and more! Let’s go!!!
In today’s Conroe Echo:
Road Projects Shift Across MoCo
Conroe Medical College Gets New Name
Storm Recovery Aid Opens in Galveston
Taco Palenque Plans Houston Expansion
And More…
CONROE AREA WEATHER
Wednesday: 98F / 76F | 🌤️ | 5% | S 8 MPH
Thursday: 99F / 74F | 🌤️ | 4% | S 9 MPH
Friday: 95F / 75F | 🌩️ | 55% | SSE 8 MPH
Saturday: 99F / 72F | 🌩️ | 55% | SSE 7 MPH
Sunday: 98F / 74F | 🌤️ | 19% | S 4 MPH
CONROE AREA NEWS
Road Projects Shift Across MoCo
Several major Montgomery County road projects changed status in TxDOT’s August report. The I-45 northbound connector to eastbound Hwy. 242 is listed at 10% complete, while the Hwy. 105 East segment between South Loop 336 and FM 1484 reached 98%. Another Hwy. 105 widening project between 10th Street and South Loop 336 is listed at 60%.
TxDOT also reported updates on South Loop 336 and FM 1097 work. The projects carry different schedules and costs, with the listed segments ranging from about $4.4 million to more than $90 million.
Conroe Medical College Gets New Name
Sam Houston State University officially renamed its College of Osteopathic Medicine in Conroe for alumni and philanthropists Russell and Glenda Gordy. The new name was announced during a Texas State University System Board of Regents meeting on Aug. 6.
The school is now the Russell and Glenda Gordy College of Osteopathic Medicine. SHSU said the Gordys have long supported the university. The medical college opened in 2020 and is located at 925 City Central Ave. in Conroe.
⭐ 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
Auto Sales
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, 8/12/2026
Jamie Lin Wilson at Dosey Doe Big Barn, The Woodlands.
Dan Smith Open Mic at The Corner Pub, Conroe.
Men’s Wednesday Bible Study at First Baptist Conroe
Al-Anon Second Wednesday at First Methodist Conroe
CREAM August Luncheon at The Woodlands Country Club Palmer Course
Rainbow Sunset Happy Hour at Painting with a Twist, The Woodlands.
BabyChiefDoit at Warehouse Live Midtown, Houston.
Thursday, 8/13/2026
Wills & Whiskey in The Woodlands at Weygandt Law, The Woodlands
Josh Brown Hosts Open Mic at The Corner Pub, Conroe
Happy Hour – Rainy Day Boos at Painting with a Twist, The
Woodlands
The Girl on the Train at Alley Theatre, Houston
Thursday Night Standup Comedy at The Riot Comedy Club, Conroe
Poppy – Constantly Nowhere Tour at House of Blues Houston
Little Stranger at White Oak Music Hall, Houston
Friday, 8/14/2026
Three Cross Meat Ministry Gala 2026 at Lone Star Convention Center, Conroe
Cory Morrow at Dosey Doe – The Big Barn, The Woodlands
John Creighton Trio at The Corner Pub, Conroe
Beam Me Up (Add Candle) at Painting with a Twist, The Woodlands
Texas Highway Cutout at Painting with a Twist, The Woodlands
Friday Night Standup Comedy at The Riot Comedy Club, Conroe
TRAIN – Drops of Jupiter: 25 Years in the Atmosphere at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands
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
Storm Recovery Aid Opens in Galveston
Galveston County homeowners affected by 2024 storms, including Hurricane Beryl, may qualify for Texas General Land Office recovery assistance. The program can help eligible residents rebuild homes, receive reimbursement for certain repairs, or access other disaster-recovery aid.
An outreach event is planned for Aug. 29 at Moore Memorial Public Library in Texas City. Homeowners do not have to wait for the event to learn more or apply, and the article provides state recovery contact information.
Taco Palenque Plans Houston Expansion
Taco Palenque plans to transform Houston’s old Whataburger location on the Southwest Freeway into another restaurant for the Laredo-based Tex-Mex chain. A state permit calls for about $1.2 million in renovations to the 2,975-square-foot building.
Construction is slated to begin Sept. 1 and finish by Feb. 15. Taco Palenque already has three Houston-area locations and around 50 locations in Texas and Mexico. The company has not said whether it will keep the old building’s recognizable A-frame design.
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
Conroe Gala Supports Food Relief
Three Cross Meat Ministry will hold its 2026 gala Friday, Aug. 14, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Lone Star Convention Center in Conroe. The ministry provides protein at no cost to organizations serving vulnerable people across 21 Texas counties.
The event page says the ministry supports groups serving people experiencing homelessness, veterans, orphanages, shelters and women escaping sex trafficking. Individual gala tickets are $150, while a table for 10 is listed at $1,500.
Late August Ends Regular Dining
Houston restaurant Late August has ended regular dining service after a two-year run at The Ion. Lucille’s Hospitality Group said the 4201 Main St. space will continue serving private events and catering through the end of 2026.
The group plans to focus on its upcoming restaurant, The Branch, in the Museum District. Late August opened in 2024 and earned recognition from the Texas Michelin Guide and Esquire. Executive chef Sergio Hidalgo is leaving the company, while other staff are moving to The Branch.
THE SPORTS REPORT
Astros Rally Past Giants in Extras
Houston was down to its final strike Monday night when Cam Smith singled home the tying run in the ninth against San Francisco. The Astros then scored three times in the 10th, with Jeremy Peña driving in the go-ahead run and Isaac Paredes adding a two-run double.
Houston won the series opener 6-3 at Oracle Park. Smith finished 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs, while Hayden Wesneski allowed three runs in seven innings. Josh Hader retired all six batters he faced.
Aggie Volleyball Hits Record Ranking
Texas A&M volleyball earned its highest preseason ranking in program history, landing at No. 8 in the AVCA Coaches’ Poll. The Aggies are coming off the 2025 national title after finishing 29-4 overall and 14-1 in league play.
Texas A&M returns eight players from last season’s championship team, including NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Kyndal Stowers, and added eight newcomers. The Aggies open their schedule against No. 7 Louisville on Aug. 21 and No. 11 SMU on Aug. 23.
THANKS!
🚧 That’s it for today, MoCo. Have a great Wednesday and stay cool out there!