🌳New park plans, spooky local history & a map of the Heights’ best Halloween displays🎃

Hey there!

Last week was a busy week around the Heights! I covered everything from where to vote and questions about CenterPoint’s ongoing work to a serious incident at Hogg Middle School and a new way to find Halloween decorations around the neighborhood.

And this week, we’re talking parks, new design plans and a little spooky history. Here’s what you need to know!

🗳️ But first...have you voted yet? Here’s your Heights voting guide

Early voting is underway ahead of the November 3 election, and if you haven’t made it to the polls yet, there’s still time.

I put together a guide to help you navigate the process, including where to vote, what to bring, how to find your sample ballot and what Houston’s Proposition A would do.

One thing worth remembering: Just because you live in the Heights doesn’t mean you have the same ballot as everyone else. Your address determines which districts and local races apply to you.

⚡ CenterPoint answered questions about power lines, street repairs and more

Why does utility work sometimes seem to drag on forever? Who is responsible for repaving streets after construction? And could overhead power lines eventually be buried in the Heights?

I took your questions to CenterPoint representatives during a community event last week.

The company says some projects involve multiple phases, and street repairs can depend on permits and coordination with the city’s public works department. We also talked about what residents can do if they’re experiencing recurring flickering lights or other power issues.

If you want to read more on their answers, delve in here!

🚨 What we know about the incident at Hogg Middle School

A student was taken into police custody Friday morning after a firearm was found at Hogg Middle School.

Houston ISD said district police recovered the weapon and that no students or staff were harmed. But the incident also raised questions from parents about how the firearm was discovered and when families were notified.

I reached out to HISD for answers about the timeline and other details. The district’s response did not directly address all of those questions, and the investigation remains ongoing.

I continue pressing HISD for more this week. Hopefully we will learn more.

Read the full report here.

🎃 A new map makes finding Halloween displays easier

Looking for decorated houses to visit with the family this upcoming weekend?

A Cottage Grove resident created HauntlyMap.com after he and his wife found themselves driving around looking for Halloween displays for their daughter. Now, the interactive map lets you browse decorated homes across the Greater Heights, check photos and filter displays by scare level.

It also lets residents share whether they’re handing out candy and when trick-or-treaters can stop by.

Read the story here!

🌳 A $2 million makeover is coming to Montie Beach Park

There’s a major neighborhood investment getting underway this week!

Houston Parks Board, Mayor John Whitmire, Houston Parks and Recreation, and state Rep. Christina Morales are scheduled to break ground on improvements at Montie Beach Park on Tuesday!

The project includes an estimated $2 million in improvements, supported by public and private funding, including $750,000 from the city and a $1 million state-funded earmark.

It’s part of Let’s Play Houston, an initiative combining roughly $60 million in funding to upgrade 25 neighborhood parks across the city (similar to the Lawrence Park project!)

I’ll be at the groundbreaking and looking into what the improvements mean for this neighborhood park.

📍 Montie Beach Park, 915 Northwood St.🗓️ Tuesday, October 27⏰ 1:30 p.m.

👻 Donovan Park is getting new design plans, too

And there’s another park update I’ve got my eye on!

The Houston Heights Association says it plans to unveil new design plans for Donovan Park during its Halloween party this Saturday! (eek!)

The event is free and open to everyone, with music, entertainment, a costume party and other family activities.

📍 Donovan Park🗓️ Saturday, October 31⏰ 9 a.m. to noon

I’ll be taking a closer look at the proposed plans, so stay tuned. I’m curious to see what the next phase of this neighborhood park will look like!

🔦 Spooky Friday: Can you guess which notorious serial killer has a connection to the Heights?

It’s spooky season, so we’re taking a little detour into Houston history.

This Friday, I’m digging into the history of one of the area’s most notorious serial killers and the story behind the name.

Think you know who I’m talking about? 👀

Keep an eye out later this week for the story.

💌 It’s so nice meeting you in person!

I was at the Farmers Market this weekend and got to run into several of you! One of my favorite parts of this job has been getting to know Heights neighbors in person and hearing your perspectives, ideas and questions about the community. You guys have some great insight, and it always helps shape what I’m looking into next.

Let’s keep the conversation going! Reply to this email or send me a note through the Heights Hub.

Thanks for reading! Talk soon!