Community Corner
🌱 How Montgomery County’s new budget and tax rate could hit Conroe
Also, don't miss Ribbon Cutting - Livewell Animal Hospital at Harper's Preserve on the Conroe Patch calendar
Good morning Conroe! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How Montgomery County's new budget and tax rate could hit Conroe
- How strict are Conroe's new rules for massive data centers?
- Conroe plant helps pioneer ultra-pure iron for high-tech U.S. manufacturing
Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 99 and low of 76 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 99, low: 77.
- Friday: Partly sunny and hot, with a high of 100 and low of 75 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Montgomery County FY 2026-27 budget grows to $552.7M after workshops (communityimpact.com) — Montgomery County leaders have tentatively set a $552.7 million budget and are eyeing a higher property tax rate that will directly affect Conroe homeowners and businesses. The working plan includes a 5% across-the-board raise, more law enforcement and IT staff, and continued pay parity, with final tax and budget votes scheduled after public hearings on Sept. 8. 
2. Conroe approves data center regulations as officials cite interest in city (communityimpact.com) — Conroe City Council has adopted detailed new rules for large data centers, aiming to shield city infrastructure and taxpayers from costly water, power, and road demands. Developers must fund needed utilities, meet strict noise and cooling standards, and go through a public hearing with broad neighborhood notification. Officials and residents say the ordinance is a starting point that may be tightened as specific projects emerge.
3. US firm reaches 99.95% iron purity for rare-earth magnet production (interestingengineering.com) — Hertha Metals already runs a one-ton-per-day demonstration plant in Conroe, positioning the city at the center of a new domestic supply chain for ultra-pure iron used in high-tech magnets. The company has reached 99.95% purity using U.S. inputs and plans a much larger Chalyx facility, aiming to cut costs, reduce emissions, and serve defense and clean-energy manufacturers.
4. Kenneth Bettis - (arkadelphian.com) — This obituary for Charles Kenneth Bettis notes that one of his daughters, Kimberly Wilson, lives in Conroe, tying his Arkansas-based life to family here. Services are set for August 24 in Arkansas, and the family highlights his love for church, yard work, old cars, and his deep devotion to relatives spread across Texas and Florida.
5. Man detained by ICE after reporting Houston Home Depot shooting (fox26houston.com) — A Houston man who reported a shooting at a Home Depot is now being held by federal immigration authorities at the Montgomery County Processing Center in Conroe raising concerns among local advocates and prosecutors. Civil rights groups warn that detaining cooperative witnesses could discourage immigrants and other residents from calling 911, while federal officials say his immigration status and a prior conviction justify custody. Monroy remains detained as advocates pursue visa protections so he can testify in court.
📸 Around Conroe
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Conroe
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Ribbon Cutting - Livewell Animal Hospital at Harper's Preserve
Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber Livewell Animal Hospital at Harper's Preserve 10354 Highway 242, Suite 800 Conroe, Tx 77385
10:00 am - Fun After Five - First Financial Bank
Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber First Financial Bank 1800 West White Oak Terrace Conroe, TX 77304
5:05 pm - SINGER SONGWRITER SPOTLIGHT w/ BUCK YEAGER
Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber 119 Simonton Street Conroe, TX 77301
7:00 pm - KARAOKE AT LUCY BLUES CONROE
Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber 711 MADELEY ST CONROE, TX 77301
7:30 pm - Uncorked Friday Duckhorn Vineyards Wine Dinner
Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber Margaritaville Lake Resort | License to Chill Bar & Grill - LandShark Bar & Grill Live Music Weekends
Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber Margaritaville Resort Lake Conroe | Landshark Bar & Grill
6:00 pm - JOE BLUES BAND
Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber 711 Madeley Street Conroe, TX 77301
8:00 pm - Joe Blues Band LIVE at Lucy Blues Conroe!
Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber 711 Madeley St, Conroe TX, 773801
8:00 pm
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
📣 Conroe Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Board Meeting
Willis ISD Willis, TX 77378
5:30 pm - Water Polo Doc Holliday Tournament
Caney Creek H S 19133 David Memorial Dr, Shenandoah, TX 77385, USA - Volleyball Varsity Tournament @ Huntsville
Caney Creek H S Huntsville High School - Toastmasters Meeting
The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce 1370 N. Millbend Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380.
12:00 pm
Wednesday August 19
Thursday August 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Conroe PatchAM possible:
- GIR Appliance repair — (346) 625-4289
- AMW Cooling & Heating LLC — (936) 331-1339
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Found dog on Crighton running towards 45.
He is safe, please message if you know who he belongs to. (Nextdoor Crighton Woods) - Update: Praise GOD🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾, 2 individuals were willing to help the baby raccoon…One came to take him/her to receive help, prayerfully he/she will be ok…She said that she would keep my daughter updated if possible…Thanks everyone
Hey, neighbors…My daughter rescued a baby raccoon from under our apartment dumpster, but it's injured, can anyone help/suggest what to do? (Nextdoor Sunpark)
- Texas Tissue Converting posted a job opening for Housekeeper - Full-Time or Part-Time (Flexible Shifts) in Conroe. Apply here.
- Panelmatic posted a job opening for Tool Crib Attendant in Conroe. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Conroe here.
Ok Conroe! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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