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🌱 Patch AM: How did Houston UPS stores end up on voter rolls?

Happening soon: New Year's Celebration at Fielding's Local on the Houston Patch calendar

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Wednesday December 31st Patch AM
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What's up Houston! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How did Houston UPS stores end up on voter rolls?
  • Why one Houston complex’s tenants are still boiling water to bathe
  • How one Houston neighborhood’s tragedy is shaping New Year’s Eve warnings

Also on today's calendar: New Year's Celebration at Fielding's Local and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Houstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: I think I’ll wear only one boot today. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Houstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 68 and low of 45 degrees.
  • Thursday: Sunshine and some clouds, temps: high: 75, low: 63.
  • Friday: Breezy, with a high of 84 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Harris County elections officials find more than 100 voter registrations illegally tied to P.O. boxes (houstonpublicmedia.org) — Harris County officials have flagged more than 100 voter registrations tied to UPS store P.O. boxes in Houston, prompting a state review of additional addresses but no claims of illegal voting. The investigation, sparked by Houston Sen. Paul Bettencourt’s complaint, has led to address-verification notices as the county works with the Texas Secretary of State to keep voter rolls accurate.
   

2. Houston tenants endure cold showers after hot water system fails on Christmas (click2houston.com) — Residents at a north central Houston apartment complex have gone without reliable hot water since Christmas, forcing many to boil water on their stoves just to bathe during recent cold weather. Tenants say multiple buildings at Montabella at Oak Forest are affected, and while management promises repairs, many remain skeptical after repeated water issues. The situation raises questions about landlord responsibilities under Texas law.
   

3. Celebratory gunfire killed a Houston woman five years ago. Neighbors warn: ‘Save a life' this New Year's Eve (click2houston.com) — Houston police and neighbors are urging residents to skip celebratory gunfire this New Year’s Eve, recalling a 2019 stray-bullet killing of a woman in the Laurel Oaks subdivision and several more recent shootings across the city. With multiple Houstonians injured by falling bullets in the past year alone, authorities stress that firing guns into the air is illegal, dangerous, and can turn a holiday into tragedy.
   

4. Texas Megachurches Are Among the Biggest in the World (wearelubbock.com) — Houston’s massive megachurches stand out even across Texas, with three of the state’s ten largest congregations located in the Houston area and some venues seating tens of thousands. The piece highlights how Texas worship spaces range from tiny small-town churches to enormous urban sanctuaries, encouraging residents to choose a church that fits their beliefs and sense of community.
   

📸 Around Houston

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Retire Your Worries at Eagle's Trace —Elizabeth Fabiano Read on Patch
  • NEW: Council Member Kamin is funding a new $950K drainage project in @HeightsHTX where streets are flooding. Thank you to neighbors for meeting with... (X: HouDistC)
  • This morning, I attended the 2026 Outlook Breakfast alongside members of the Houston NPHC, hosted by. @RepAlGreen Al Green. Congressman Green... (X: BKRoberson2)
  • USA Jobs posted a job opening for Mail Clerks / Mail Machine Operators in Houston. Apply here.
  • US Foods posted a job opening for DoD SkillBridge: Transportation Manager in Houston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Houston here.

Ok Houston! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
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