Convenience Big Store: Should students have cell phones in school? What Fort Bend, other districts say.

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Here's why Texas homecoming mums are so huge

I've been in this country for nearly 15 years and in Texas for five. I like to believe that I've become well-acquainted with it, leaving little room for surprises. And then I read a Houston Chronicle article about mums.

I've consumed a lot of popular culture, but I was utterly unprepared for these colossal rosette ribbon and carnival float-inspired accessories.

Why isn't there a heartwarming, coming-of-age mainstream movie set around a perfect Texas mum?

I'm also a little sad I did not get to design and don a mum of my own. What was I obsessed with at 17? Probably Harry Potter—I'd have made a giant Hogwarts crest or something.

Do you have a mum story? Write and let us know.

Juhi Varma, Fort Bend reporter

juhi.varma@houstonchronicle.com

Need to Know

Capt. Nasir Abbasi was relieved of duty from the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office because of an investigation with the Houston Police Department.

Photo by: Fortbendcountytx.gov

Fort Bend County captain relieved of duty, officials say

Nasir Abbasi was relieved of duty on Aug. 15, pending the outcome of an investigation with the special investigations unit of the Houston Police Department.

Growing Fort Bend

Upscale brunch spot Snooze Eatery set to open a new location in Stafford.

Photo by: Juhi Varma

Snooze an A.M. Eatery expands with upcoming new location in Stafford.

Colorado-based upscale brunch spot Snooze an A.M. Eatery is set to open a new location in Stafford by early 2024.

Photo by: Craig Moseley, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer

Katy approves $9.5M bond for road improvements, flood mitigation.

Streets in Katy will soon be getting $9.5 million in improvements that could make them more resilient to flooding.

Education

Lamar Consolidate ISD is soliciting names for four new elementary schools, which will be built using funds from the November 2022 bond.

Photo by: Juhi Varma

Lamar CISD asks for public input on names for 4 new elementary schools.

Lamar CISD is soliciting names for four new elementary schools, which will be built using funds from the November 2022 bond.

Raquelle Brooks works on a lesson in the STEM lab Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at Aldine ISD's Ermel Elementary School in Houston.

Photo by: Jon Shapley, Staff Photographer

Should students be allowed to use cell phones in school? Here's what Fort Bend, other districts say.

Cellphones and other devices continue to become more relevant in the classroom as schools integrate technology into lessons and assignments. Each district has varying restrictions on cell phones.

Openings and Closings

Popular pizza joint Russo's New York Pizzeria and Italian Kitchen has a new north Katy location. Russo's serves New York style pizza and fast-casual Italian cuisine with menu items such as salads, soups, wings, bruschetta, pasta, sandwiches and desserts.

Shout Out

Shout out to Seven Lakes senior Temi Sam-Olibale for leading the Spartans to a 3-0 road sweep of Jordan in District 19-6A play Tuesday. Temi accounted for six of Seven Lakes' first 14 points in the first set, and three of the Spartans' final five points in the opener.

One last thing ...

As it's currently baby rattlesnake season in Texas, where ten different rattlesnake species reside, it's advisable to remain vigilant for these venomous hatchlings. Read my colleague Ryan Nickerson's article.