Community Creator · The Heights
Nicole Nielsen
Hi, I'm Nicole Nielsen! 📍THE HOUSTON HEIGHTS REPORTER for KPRC2 Reporting ONLY in Greater Heights!
This page is your go-to for your neighborhood news. Stories that start with you, pulled from your questions, comments, concerns, and ideas. Got questions? I find the answers. Reach out and I'll get back ASAP!
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Tap to watch · swipe for moreLatest from Nicole
The HeightsHouston Heights Association unveils plans for renovations at Donovan Park
A proposed $2 million renovation at Donovan Park in the Houston Heights could bring two new playgrounds, a wooden train play structure, a drawbridge and other improvements. The Houston Heights Association is raising private funds to make the next phase possible.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsDonovan Park’s $2 million plans, a new way to track delayed city projects and what to know for Election Day
Two new playgrounds, a train-themed play feature and more could be coming to Donovan Park. Plus, where to vote on Election Day, a new way to track Houston construction delays and a look at the work underway at Lawrence Park.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsHeights neighbor hosts Halloween night food pantry for families in need
A Heights resident is bringing back a Halloween pantry for the second year, offering food, toiletries, baby supplies and pet food to neighbors who need extra support. The effort began last year amid SNAP benefit disruptions during the government shutdown.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsHouston parks department to reinstall basketball hoops at Proctor Plaza Park with support of Mayor
Houston Parks and Recreation Department says it plans to reinstall basketball hoops at Proctor Plaza Park in Norhill, but questions remain about the decision to drop a proposed community survey and whether residents will have another opportunity to weigh in.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsMontie Beach Park set for $2 million in improvements as Houston invests in neighborhood parks
Montie Beach Park is slated for a new playground, basketball court, picnic pavilion and other upgrades as part of Houston’s $60 million Let’s Play Houston initiative.
Nicole Nielsen
The Heights🌳New park plans, spooky local history & a map of the Heights’ best Halloween displays🎃
From voting and power lines to a gun found at Hogg Middle School, here’s what you may have missed last week, plus two neighborhood park updates and another spooky story coming Friday.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsCottage Grove resident launches website mapping Halloween displays across Greater Heights
A Cottage Grove resident created website to help families discover Halloween displays across the Greater Heights area. Featuring photos, scare-level ratings and information about homes handing out candy on Halloween.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsStudent taken into custody after gun found at Hogg Middle School in Houston Heights
A firearm was found at Hogg Middle School Friday morning, prompting lockdown procedures and a student’s arrest. HISD has not answered questions about how the gun was discovered, the student’s age or the timeline for notifying parents.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsWhat Houston Heights residents should know about CenterPoint projects, power lines and street repairs
CenterPoint Energy representatives answered questions from Houston Heights residents about ongoing utility work, street repaving, underground power lines and flickering lights during a community meet-and-greet.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsHeights voting guide: What to know about early voting, polling locations and your ballot
Early voting is underway ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Here’s where to vote, what to bring and how to find the races that will appear on your ballot.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsBasketball hoops, blocked trains & a spooky-good Heights fundraiser 👻
From the debate over basketball hoops at Proctor Plaza Park to freight trains blocking neighborhood streets, here’s what I’m investigating this week, plus a CenterPoint event and a Halloween fundraiser for a good cause.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsSunset Heights resident turns Halloween decorations into fundraiser for St. Jude
Kate Block is bringing Skeletons for St. Jude to her new neighborhood, launching a Houston Heights + Friends team with a $30,000 fundraising goal. Residents can participate by displaying a sign with a QR code that directs visitors to donate to the children’s hospital.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsShould basketball hoops return to Proctor Plaza Park? Houston officials weigh next steps
The basketball hoops at Proctor Plaza Park in Norhill were removed more than 20 years ago. Now, neighbors are divided over whether they should return, with concerns about safety and noise on one side and access to recreation on the other.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsHouston Heights residents win permit parking approval after yearlong effort. Now they want street repairs
Residents on Arlington Street near Heights High School secured approval for residential permit parking after more than a year of effort. But questions remain about the street’s deteriorating pavement, drainage problems and how the city prioritizes repairs.
Nicole Nielsen1 updates
The HeightsLatest on Norhill’s design guidelines, and the Trader Joe’s rumor? Plus some silly Halloween decor around the Heights🎃
I’ve got a mix of updates for you this week, from a new development in the Norhill historic district guidelines to a local Halloween display making folks chuckle. I’m also looking into a couple of neighborhood issues after hearing from residents.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsHeights High School Redcoats celebrate 100 years with centennial homecoming performance
The Redcoats dance team traces its history to 1926, when it began as a bugle and drum corps at the school then known as John H. Reagan High School. About 35 alumni will join current team members for a special homecoming performance.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsThe next draft of Norhill’s updated design guidelines are here. Here’s what could change for your home
The Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission is considering new rules for additions, garages, roofs and other changes to homes in the historic neighborhood. Here’s what homeowners need to know.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsIs Trader Joe’s coming to the Houston Heights? Here’s what we know
Rumors of a Trader Joe’s coming to the former Kroger site at Heights Plaza are circulating again. Here’s what Trader Joe’s, Kimco Realty and Radom Capital have said.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsHeights Long Weekend lawsuit dropped, but dispute with neighbor may not be over
A nearby homeowner dropped his lawsuit against the Heights-area restaurant, but says he could refile. Meanwhile, Long Weekend says it believes the dispute has been resolved.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsWelcome to The Heights Hub! Angie’s responds, the Studewood Bridge is OPEN, and is the Long Weekend lawsuit over?
I have something new for you!👀
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsWhy are so many self-driving cars testing on Heights neighborhood streets?
Nuro says residential streets are part of its testing process as the company prepares for its planned 2027 robotaxi service with Uber and Lucid. The Heights neighborhood may be seeing more cars because of road construction near Nuro’s depot.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsWhat are you actually paying for when your neighborhood hires contract constables?
Residents in most of the Greater Heights pay for additional constable patrol. Here’s how the program works, what those deputies do and what happens when a crime is reported.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsWhat’s happening on the street behind Angie’s Pizza?
Residents along Lawrence and Alexander Streets say loud HVAC noise and restaurant-related parking problems have affected their quality of life. HPD confirms officers have responded at least three times and that several citations have been issued.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsHeights Residents weigh in on new restaurant, Lawrence Park breaks ground and latest on Shepherd/Durham crosswalks
Lawrence Park renovations are underway, a neighborhood tip about a recently opened restaurant that I’m looking into, and an update on those Shepherd and Durham pedestrian signals.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsRenovations at Lawrence Park break ground Thursday. Here’s what’s planned
A major renovation of Lawrence Park is set to begin with a groundbreaking Thursday, Sept. 24. Here’s what’s planned for the Heights-area park.
Nicole Nielsen1 updates
The HeightsLatest in Heights Crime, when does the Pizza Place open, and a recap on Joe Panzarella’s 100-day town hall
There’s been several big crime stories in the Greater Heights, are there updates? Plus, Lawrence Park is getting a facelift, and the latest from Joe Panzarella’s 100-day town hall
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsIs car crime getting worse in the Greater Heights? Here’s what the HPD data shows
You asked me if we’re seeing more car thefts and break-ins. So what’s the answer? I analyzed thousands of HPD crime reports to find out what the data actually shows, where vehicle-related crimes are happening most and whether the time of year makes a difference.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsVideoNo arrest after 87-year-old man fatally shot at Woodland Heights home
One person was detained and released, according to Houston Police Department
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsAI-powered private school coming to Houston Heights. Here’s what we know
Alpha School plans to open at the former Goddard School on West 23rd Street, bringing an education model centered around AI-powered academics, hands-on projects and experiential learning.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsA wild arrest 👀 a Norhill update + something new coming to the Heights😊
A busy week in the Heights: an arrest caught on camera in an alleged A/C copper theft, the latest on Norhill’s long-awaited design guidelines, a possible path forward for Cottage Grove’s destroyed trees, a new AI-driven school planned for the Heights, and the stories I’m watching next.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsMan arrested after allegedly dismantling A/C units at Heights-area business
A repairman reportedly caught 49-year-old Pedro Mendez Jr. on video dismantling rooftop A/C units and taking copper at a Heights-area business. Police arrested Mendez after officers used a ladder to reach the roof.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsThe Latest on the Nicholson water line project
What is happening on Nicholson? Is the project still on schedule?
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsThis $25.7M Cottage Grove project is delayed again. Here’s why. Plus, where to expect new pavement?
A few things you’ve been asking me about lately and what I have learned!👀 From the latest on Cottage Grove East a wild development at 829 Yale, to Nicholson, CenterPoint and the questions I’m still trying to get answers to around the Heights!
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsAnother Monday looking into YOUR questions; Safety, Centerpoint, Condos on Yale
What are our constable patrols responsible for? When are those pesky utility poles leaving? And what’s going on at 829 Yale?
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsI’m back — Here’s what I missed. Plus, we already have a BIG traffic-calming update 👀
There were three major stories while I was out! I’m also digging through a very full inbox, chasing down answers, and already found one pretty significant update on North Norhill’s long-awaited speed cushions.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsMy Heights brain dump before I disappear 👀 (only for a week)
A quick Heights catch-up on Norhill’s design guidelines, blocked school sidewalks, and one very unique Heights Boulevard pothole.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsWhat’s On My Radar: Norhill, Coyotes & Sidewalks (Oh My!)
A behind-the-scenes look at the stories you’re sending me, what I’m digging into this week, and why some neighborhood questions take more than just a quick answer.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsI-10 expansion could affect Heights adjacent neighborhoods. Here’s what to know
TxDOT is considering three options for adding managed lanes along I-10 from Voss Road to downtown Houston. One option could require property acquisitions and potentially displace homes and businesses.
Nicole Nielsen
The HeightsThe (First!) Heights Newsletter😊
I am excited to bring more Houston Heights news straight to your inbox!
Nicole Nielsen