Population growth in the Greater Houston area continues to put a strain on groundwater resources throughout the region.

The YMCA of Greater Houston announced March 13 the purchase of 6.58 acres of property in Katy for the construction of the city’s second YMCA location.

Residents in Cinco Ranch will have a new way to commute into the Galleria and Greenway Plaza starting in 2016.

Several parks projects throughout the Katy area will see completion in 2015.

At their regular meeting on March 23, Katy City Council approved a measure that will allow the city’s first arboretum to enter its design phase.

A grand opening and open house for District 132 State Representative Mike Schofield’s Katy-area office was held Saturday, March 21.

City of Katy Mayor Fabol Hughes, Councilman Bill Lawton for Ward A and Councilman Jimmy Mendez for Ward B were declared as elected for another term each at the city’s regular meeting held March 9.

There are currently 36 mobility projects in various stages of completion in Fort Bend County, according to remarks made by Fort Bend County Judge Robert Hebert at the county’s Infrastructure Summit held March 6.

The Southland Conference, a five-day men’s and women’s college basketball tournament, takes place at the Leonard E. Merrell Center in Katy from March 11-15. The conference will see teams compete for automatic bids to the 2015 NCAA tournament.

The Trails of Katy, a new master planned community located near I-10 between FM 1463 and Pederson Road, opened March 3 and has begun selling homes

A love for all things Texan inspired Christy Conrad to open Texas National Outfitters in 2012, a boutique that specializes in custom boots, leather products and other unique Texas gift items.

HR Bullpen openedinearlyJanuary at 21815 Oak Park Trails Drive, Ste. 204. The company offers professional recruiting services for job candidates to its client companies. Clients meet one-on-one with a member of the HR Bullpen recruiting team to learn about the hiring company’s culture, goals and needs for candidates. 281-407-4450.www.hrbullpen.com 

Recently many Katy residents have traveled abroad, competed in rodeos or shopped in newly opened stores.

When Katy Mills opened in 1999, city of Katy officials envisioned the mall as an engine for growth for the city.

When construction of the new Katy City Hall is complete in spring 2016, the hope is that residents will feel as if the building has been there all along, according to city administrator Byron Hebert.

The bursts of warm weather we’ve experienced have me thinking that spring is right around the corner.

Hawks Landing features dozens of newly built homes with prices ranging from $195,000 to $410,000.

Hot Tubs of Katy openedinearly December at 455 Katy Fort Bend Road, Ste.300.Theshopspecializesinoutdoor entertainment and offers Sunbelt hot tubs, grills, patio heaters and accessories. The store sells a line of hot tub chemicals and provides services to monitor hot tub chemical levels. The shop can also set up electrical and other construction services to get a hot tub up and running. 281-371-8827.www.hottubsofkaty.com 

With a menu full of catfish and shrimp dinners, po’boys and authentic Cajun-inspired food, Seafood on the Geaux has something for everyone.

BB’sCafeopeneditsfifthrestaurant, its first outside Houston, at 406 W. Grand Parkway, Ste. A-400, in late January. Offering what it calls “Tex-Orleans” food—traditional southern Louisiana- style cooking fused with a Texas twist–the restaurant is known for po’boys and gumbo. The company opened its first Houston location in 2007 and offers dine-in, take-out and catering services. 281-665-7843. www.bbscafe.com