Convenience Big Store: New Fort Bend ISD superintendent's $410K salary approved

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New Korean-inspired cat café coming to Katy Asian Town this spring.

Listen up, fellow ailurophiles -- aka cat lovers.

Cat Haven Lounge, a Korean-inspired cat cafe concept, is opening in the spring in Katy Asian Town. Hallelujah.

Cute and adoptable cats will freely roam, allowing patrons to interact with them, become acquainted, and potentially adopt them. The cats at Cat Haven Lounge will be rescues from local shelters.

Have a story to share, preferable a cat story? Write and let us know.

Juhi Varma, Fort Bend reporter

juhi.varma@houstonchronicle.com

Education

Marc Smith was appointed Superintendent of Fort Bend ISD at Monday's board meeting, just one month after the sudden departure of the district's former leader, Christie Whitbeck.

Photo by: Courtesy Of Fort Bend ISD

New Fort Bend ISD superintendent's salary approved following sudden departure of former leader.

Fort Bend ISD confirmed the hire of their new superintendent Monday, just one month after the sudden departure of the district's former leader, raising questions among staff and families.

Growing Fort Bend

SouthWest Water Company's relocation to the former Minute Maid space in Sugar Land, Texas, will create over 20 jobs, adding to the company's workforce of more than 100 employees. Courtesy of SLOED.

Photo by: Hand-out/Sugar Land Economic Development

Former Minute Maid HQ in Sugar Land scores new tenants.

Several properties are getting a new life including the former Minute Maid offices in Sugar Land and a former West Houston car dealership site.

Openings and Closings

A new pop-up bar at Chatter's Cafe and Bistro hopes to transport customers to the magical world of Oz and have them saying, "we're not in Houston anymore." The cafe at 140 S. Heights Blvd. is transforming into a "Wizard of Oz"-themed cocktail bar starting March 6 through April 28.

The bar will feature the movie's beloved characters, a yellow brick road and the Emerald City. And it wouldn't be Oz without riddles and mysteries, which attendees can participate in.

Shout Out

Congratulations to Brandon Harris, Missouri City's new police chief. Harris joined the Missouri City PD in 1995 and has served as interim chief since May 2023.

One last thing ...

Here in Houston, we deal with nutria, feral hogs, armadillos, alligators, coyotes and no small number of invasive insects and plants. I never thought we'd add peacocks to that list, but apparently, they too are feral and can become a nuisance, reports my colleague, Claire Goodman. Find out more here.