Susan Rovegno

The City of Katy’s city council met in special session on Monday, December 2, with only one item on the agenda: to consider reinstatement of former employee Blanca Charles. Fewer than ten people were in attendance. City Administrator Byron Hebert was not present.

Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones, shown at a September 14 meeting on the East Katy mobility plan at the Steve Radack Community Center, will hold her last “listening tour” of 2024 in an online meeting on December 12.

Royal High School’s National Honor Society held its inaugural Winter Wonderland Festival on December 7 at the campus at 34499 Royal Rd, Brookshire. The festive event included a gingerbread decorating station, Polaroid photo opportunities, ornament painting, a Santa hat ring toss and other games. All proceeds from the event will benefit senior scholarships.

A local fraternity wants to help elementary school students learn to love reading.

A convention of Clauses was spotted at the corner of Avenue B and Second Street in old Katy on December 7, as Katy Market Day held its largest and most popular event, the Christmas market. It was the final Katy Market Day under the direction of local businesswoman Betsy Proctor, who has run the monthly vendor street fair for 30 years. The City of Katy will be taking over the market in 2025, according to city officials.

Municipal Court Judge Jeffrey Brashear (left) swears in Bryon Woytek (right) as the new chief of the Katy Police Department at the December 9 city council meeting as Mayor Dusty Thiele looks on. Woytek has served as interim chief since mid-August.

Katy Christian Ministries has a new face at the helm.

Naomi Williams, community outreach coordinator for the Ballard House (left) and Executive Director Dave Brown (right) accept a mock check for $10,000.00 from Vic Pena of Walmart during a surprise presentation at the hospitality house at 21421 Cinco Park Rd, Katy, on December 10. About a dozen volunteers from Walmart assisted with duties at the facility during the afternoon.

Maida Guillen (left), community engagement coordinator for Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones, presents the Katy Business Association’s “Business of the Year” award to Maureen O’Shay (right) of Maureen O’Shay Photography at the organization’s year-end party at Perry’s Steakhouse on December 11.

Scott Stripling, provost for The Bible Seminary in Katy, lights a menorah at the December 13 breakfast hosted by the Katy Christian Chamber of Commerce at Grace Fellowship Church, 2655 S. Mason in Katy. All but one of the oil lamps in the menorah are more than 2200 years old, Stripling said; the other is a replica. Stripling spoke on the ties between Hannukah and Christmas celebrations.