Convenience Big Store: Software firm breaks ground on new Sugar Land headquarters

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Día de los Muertos, pumpkin patches and more ways to have fun in Fort Bend County

It's the season of vibrant colors, cozy sweaters, and a lineup of exciting events—spooktacular Halloween festivities, Diwali lights and heartfelt Thanksgiving gatherings.

Houston's Día de los Muertos festival is only three years old, but the popular fall celebration has longstanding ties to the community. Here are 13 ways to celebrate Día de los Muertos around Houston in 2023, from parades to ofrendas.

Fall wouldn't be complete without pumpkins. It's the harvest season for these bright orange cucurbits and other hard-shelled squashes. They are native to North America, a truly American ingredient. Looking for beautiful pumpkins to decorate your home? Here are the 9 best pumpkin patches to visit in the Houston area this fall.

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

Juhi Varma, Fort Bend reporter

juhi.varma@houstonchronicle.com

Growing Fort Bend

Modisoft will move to a new headquarters at 6932 Brisbane Court in Sugar Land in 2024.

Photo by: Modisoft / Tramonte Design Studio

Software firm breaks ground on new Sugar Land headquarters.

Modisoft hopes to draw candidates from University of Houston Sugar Land's nearby campus where a new building for the engineering and technology college is under way.

Need to Know

Eager to share their love for movement and fitness, three dance enthusiasts have teamed up to open a new studio-- Form and Flow Pilates-- in Sugar Land.

Photo by: Form And Flow Pilates

Dancer trio launches Form and Flow Pilates studio in Sugar Land.

Eager to share their love for movement and fitness, three dance enthusiasts have teamed up to open a new Pilates studio in Sugar Land.

Education

DeBakey seniors Zain Kundi, left, and Sebastian Foster stand outside their high school on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 in Houston. The two are enrolled in AP Physics class that does not have an instructor, leaving the students to teach themselves the college-level material.

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Photographer

Students at one of HISD's top high schools left to teach their classmates amid hiring pause.

About 150 students at Houston ISD's DeBakey High School signed up for the advanced science courses, many with the hope of earning college credit, but found themselves without a qualified teacher.

Openings and Closings

Firearms training simulator Laser Shot will open a new location at 750 Sartartia Rd., Sugar Land by December.

Shout Out

The Fort Bend County District Attorney's third annual "Bike Ride for Survivors" raised $48,000. The charity ride drew 180 participants to Brazos River Park on Saturday morning. All proceeds support crime victim service providers in Fort Bend County and the Expose Excellence Youth Foundation.

One last thing ...

Some neighborhoods have a reputation for being destination spots for serious trick-or-treaters. Whether it's the top-notch candy offerings or a subdivision that goes all-out with Halloween decorations, we want to know which Houston area neighborhoods are the best for trick-or-treating.. Cast your vote here.