Natalie Weber

1 month ago | houstonpublicmedia.org | Natalie Weber

After 11 p.m. on a recent Friday, crowds were just starting to grow at a suhoor fest at the Arab American Cultural and Community Center in southwest Houston. Outside, food vendors were selling everything from burgers to Nashville-style hot chicken to matcha. Everything was halal. Inside, there were tables filled with jewelry, desserts and perfumes. Houston Halal Events hosts one of the largest suhoor festivals in the area. Last year, its event drew crowds of about 10,000 people.

1 month ago | houstonpublicmedia.org | Natalie Weber

The Rosenberg City Council voted last week to terminate city manager John Maresh, a longtime employee for the city southwest of Houston. Maresh was formally appointed to the position in 2017. The city council discussed Maresh's employment in closed session and did not publicly name the reason or reasons for his termination during the open portion of the meeting. Joyce Vasut was appointed as interim city manager. She previously served as assistant city manager.

1 month ago | houstonpublicmedia.org | Natalie Weber

Fort Bend County has canceled plans to build a transitional housing and resource center after the lead nonprofit withdrew from the project and Rosenberg residents voiced their opposition to its downtown location. In June 2023, the county southwest of Houston entered a $2.5 million agreement with Attack Poverty for a project known as the Flourishment Center.

1 month ago | houstonpublicmedia.org | Natalie Weber

Sugar Land will offer low-cost, on-demand rides around parts of the city using minivans through a new program launching this week. The city southwest of Houston has been awarded $3.5 million in federal funding through a Houston-Galveston Area Council grant that partially covers the cost of the program for three years. Ride fares and another $1.5 million from Fort Bend County's 2023 Mobility Bond will cover the remaining costs.

1 month ago | houstonpublicmedia.org | Natalie Weber

The Fort Bend County Libraries system experienced a "cybersecurity incident" that caused a website outage, according to a library news release. Library staff became aware of the cyberattack on Feb. 24. A few days later, the library announced a new website address. Access to Hoopla – a music, video and audiobook streaming service – was restored on Monday. The library collects patrons' names, phone numbers, email addresses, dates of birth and addresses when they sign up for library cards.