FROM THE EDITOR
ā Good morning, Conroe! Todayās Echo covers a search involving Montgomery County deputies, a revised Oak Ridge North medical agreement, a shooting near Discovery Green and a tropical system that could bring rain later this week. Letās do this!
In todayās Conroe Echo:Ā
Search Widens for Escaped Inmate
Oak Ridge Revises Medical Deal
Teen Hurt Near Discovery Green
Gulf System Could Bring Rain
And Moreā¦
ā Attention: Advertising Opportunity for Local Businesses!
You may have noticed that we have been testing advertising. Iāve 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, letās 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
Financial Advisory or Wealth Management
Real Estate Agency
Dental Group
Primary Care Group
If you are a local business owner and you are interested, email us today!
CONROE AREA WEATHER
Monday: 98Ā°F / 72Ā°F | āļø | 1% | WSW 5 MPH
Tuesday: 99Ā°F / 77Ā°F | āļø | 9% | W 5 MPH
Wednesday: 103Ā°F / 78Ā°F | š¤ļø | 25% | W 5 MPH
Thursday: 99Ā°F / 78Ā°F | š¤ļø | 23% | NE 6 MPH
Friday: 99Ā°F / 79Ā°F | š§ļø | 60% | ESE 15 MPH
CONROE AREA NEWS
Search Widens for Escaped Inmate
An escaped Liberty County jail inmate prompted a multi-agency search involving Montgomery County deputies on Saturday. Authorities said 31-year-old Yorlan Reyes was taken to HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood after a medical emergency and fled the emergency room on foot around 5:30 a.m.
The Montgomery County Sheriffās Office sent multiple units to help search the area. Officials said Reyes was last seen in an orange jail jumpsuit and orange Crocs. Residents were told not to approach him and to call 911. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
Oak Ridge Revises Medical Deal
Oak Ridge North approved a revised sales tax preservation agreement tied to a medical expansion. The change increased the planned size of Townsen Memorial Surgery Centerās Building B from 18,329 square feet to 19,686 square feet.
The city will receive $78,744 a year for the first five years, based on $4 per square foot. Payments will then rise 3% each year during years six through 10. The building will add two operating rooms, while a separate Building C is planned for medical offices.
CONROE AND MOCO UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, 7/20/2026
Zach Johnson at The Red Brick Tavern, Conroe.
Chairmanās Ball Team Meeting at The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce
Zumba at City Place Plaza, Spring.
Astros vs. Miami Marlins at Daikin Park, Houston.
Light Trix Sports Portraits at Precision Camera & Video, Shenandoah.
Paco Perez Open Mic at The Corner Pub, Conroe.
Gooseās Acre Running Club at The Gooseās Acre, The Woodlands.
Tuesday, 7/21/2026
Nate Nelson Acoustic Live at The Red Brick Tavern, Conroe.
Twisted Tuesday at Painting with a Twist, The Woodlands.
Meet the New Members at Bespoke Auto Pros and Bespoke Home Pros, Magnolia.
The Music of Billy Joel and Elton John at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands.
Astros vs. Miami Marlins at Daikin Park, Houston.
Sean Chilson Open Mic at The Corner Pub, Conroe.
Trivia Night at GuadalaHARRYās Bar & Grill, Conroe.
Wednesday, 7/22/2026
Strength and Sculpt at City Place Plaza, Spring.
Mythical Realms at the Houston Zoo, Houston.
Dan Smith Open Mic at The Corner Pub, Conroe.
Open Jam Wednesday at Blue Lion Brunchery & Pub, The Woodlands.
Entwined Exhibition at The Woodlands Arts Council
Chunky Knit Blanket at Painting with a Twist, The Woodlands.
Hump Day at Painting with a Twist, 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
Teen Hurt Near Houstonās Discovery Green
A late-night downtown Houston shooting left a juvenile hospitalized after gunfire broke out near Discovery Green. Police said a fight involving adult men began near Austin and Leeland streets around 9:50 p.m. Friday before one person fired several shots.
An innocent juvenile was struck in the armpit and was reported in stable condition. About 100 juveniles were in the area, but police called the shooting an isolated event and said there was no ongoing threat. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
Gulf System Could Bring Rain
A Gulf disturbance could become Tropical Storm Bertha as it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters gave the system an 80% chance of becoming a tropical depression or storm.
High pressure over Texas may weaken the system before it reaches the western Gulf, but it could still bring scattered showers and thunderstorms to the Houston area later in the week. Before then, temperatures are expected to stay in the upper 90s, with heat index values near 105 degrees.
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
Workshop Builds AI Assistants
A Woodlands business workshop will help attendees build a working AI chief of staff for their own company in 90 minutes. The in-person session is set for Wednesday, July 22, at The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce.
Participants must bring a laptop. The class is limited to 12 seats and costs $499. The workshop is hands-on, so attendees will build the assistant during the session instead of only watching a presentation.
Panera Plans Two New Restaurants
Two new Panera Bread restaurants are planned for Stafford and Missouri City in Fort Bend County. Construction is expected to begin in October, with both locations scheduled for completion by March 9, 2027.
The announcement follows the closure of 10 Houston-area Panera locations connected to a franchise dispute and bankruptcy. Those closures included two cafƩs in Conroe, two in Spring and one in Tomball. The new projects would bring the chain back into two growing Fort Bend communities.
THE SPORTS REPORT
Astros Swept by Orioles at Home
The Astros fell 5-2 to Baltimore on Sunday at Daikin Park, completing a three-game sweep by the Orioles. Houston starter Hunter Brown allowed four earned runs in 4 2/3 innings, while Baltimoreās Brandon Young gave up one run over seven innings and struck out seven.
Yordan Alvarez drove in Houstonās first run with an RBI double in the third inning, and Jose Altuve added a solo home run in the eighth. The loss dropped Houston to 47-54 and extended Baltimoreās winning streak to seven games.
Aggie Golfer Reaches Semifinal
Incoming Aggie golfer Athena Singh reached the semifinals of the U.S. Girlsā Junior Championship before losing 1-up to Clairey Lin. Singh rallied late by winning two of the final three holes and tying the 18th, but Lin held on.
Earlier, Singh beat Macie Rasmussen 5 and 4 in the quarterfinals. She reached match play after making three straight birdies and defeated three golfers ranked among the nationās top 150 amateurs. Singh is rated No. 18 in the AJGAās 2026 recruiting class.
THANKS!
š£ Thanks for starting your week with The Conroe Echo. Stay cool, watch the changing Gulf forecast and have a great Monday!