Need to catch up on Community Impact\u2019s coverage from this week? Check out six trending stories in the Greater Houston area from Oct. 16-23.<\/p>\n
Race Rock breaks ground on $100M expansion in Brookshire\u00a0<\/p>\n
Race Rock, a nationwide manufacturer and distributor of steel infrastructure products for the utility, highway and energy markets, is expanding its presence in Waller County.<\/p>\n
The new manufacturing facility\u2014which will be constructed adjacent to the company’s existing location at 7007 FM 362 in Brookshire\u2014will expand the production of transmission and substation structures to help meet the country’s infrastructure needs, officials announced in an Oct. 14 news release.<\/p>\n
Once the expansion is completed, the company’s campus will span more than 100 acres and provide jobs for more than 500 highly skilled employees.<\/p>\n
Learn more from Editor Aubrey Howell.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n League City approves nearly $50M construction contract for Pat Hallisey Park\u00a0<\/p>\n League City City Council approved a $49.76 million construction contract with Harris County-based contractor SpawGlass Construction Corp. at its Oct. 13 meeting.<\/p>\n Pat Hallisey Park will be located on the city\u2019s west side, near Calder Drive and Ervin Street, and serve as a regional recreational facility, and will provide:<\/p>\n Get the full breakdown from Editor Haley Velasco<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector Carmen P. Turner indicted<\/p>\n Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector Carmen P. Turner was indicted Oct. 22 on federal charges following at least two years of investigation, Bobby Eberle, the director of communications for the county judge, said at an Oct. 22 county press conference.\u00a0<\/p>\n Turner and two people in her office were arrested Oct. 22 for using county money to hire two employees to care for Turner\u2019s mother, U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz said at a press conference. The trio was charged with conspiracy to commit fraud, theft concerning federal money and wire fraud.<\/p>\n Reitz said he suspects Turner used tens or hundreds of thousands of county dollars, but the exact amount will become clearer as the case unfolds. However, Eberle said it is important to note that Turner has not been convicted and remains in charge of the office.<\/p>\n Turner assumed her elected position in 2021, leading the Tax Assessor-Collector office, which collects property taxes. Her term is currently set to end in 2028, according to Ballotpedia.<\/p>\n Learn more from Reporter Pili Saravia<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Pearland reviews Flock camera use, data-sharing safeguards\u00a0<\/p>\n Pearland City Council reviewed the city\u2019s use of Flock Safety license plate-reading cameras during its Oct. 19 special workshop, discussing the technology\u2019s role in criminal investigations and concerns about data sharing.<\/p>\n Pearland began partnering with Flock Safety in early 2022, with its first cameras installed in summer 2022, city documents show.<\/p>\n Pearland’s Police Department has access to 112 cameras across the city, including:<\/p>\n 31 city cameras\u00a0<\/p>\n 48 cameras operated by homeowners associations<\/p>\n 31 cameras operated by private entities<\/p>\n 2 Alvin ISD cameras located at Shadow Creek High School<\/p>\n Read the full story by Reporter Catherine White.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n New 5-year strategic plan aims to position Houston as a premier film destination<\/p>\n Officials with the Houston First Corporation launched a new five-year strategic plan in early October aimed at expanding the city’s film and media production industry.<\/p>\n The 5-year strategic plan is designed to “significantly” expand Houston’s film and media production industry through objective goals, as well as generate new economic activity and establish the city as a premier production destination in the South, according to an Oct. 6 news release.<\/p>\n The plan has three overarching strategic priorities:<\/p>\n Elevate Houston as the film capital of Texas<\/p>\n Deepen collaboration among local government, education and industry leaders<\/p>\n Drive economic impact through job creation, hotel stays and increased tourism<\/p>\n Officials with Houston First and the Houston Film Commission intend to accomplish these goals through five different strategies:<\/p>\n