The 1-21-2026 Edition of The Fort Bend Star

Dulles HS Viking Theatre Company to bring ‘Les Miz’ to area

Community Reports

Members of the Dulles High School Viking Theatre Company are studying the history of France in a unique way with a production of “Les Misérables School Edition”, an adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon which is performed entirely by students. Viking Theatre Company will

By Juhi Varma CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A University of Texas at Austin undergraduate from Sugar Land is helping reshape how countries around the world think about cancer survival.

Milit Patel, a senior biochemistry major at the University of Texas at Austin and a graduate of Fort Bend ISD’s Stephen F. Austin High School, is the first-named author of a newly published study in peerreviewed cancer journal Annals of Oncology. The study analyzed cancer data from 185 countries.

“Countries spending more didn’t always see better outcomes,” Patel told the Fort Bend Star in an interview. “We saw this in Turkey, Malaysia, and Thailand, where the model suggested that simply increasing budgets wasn’t enough. [The results] challenged the assumption that more money automatically translates into better cancer outcomes.”

Using an explainable machine learning approach, Patel and his collaborators found that the drivers of cancer survival differ significantly by country. For example, radiotherapy infrastructure emerged as the most critical factor in Turkey, while universal health coverage played a larger role in countries such as Brazil and Thailand.

“This country-specific precision enables policy makers to prioritize investments tailored to their unique bottlenecks rather than follow generic recommendations,” he said.

The research team created an online tool, cancersystemsai.org, which allows users to explore country-specific profiles. For instance, Patel said, Ghana’s analysis suggests that expanding insurance coverage and service access could be a priority investment.

“[It also] indicates that Ghana’s nursing and midwifery workforce is associated with small but meaningful improvements in outcomes,” Patel said. “Rather than trying to improve everything at once, they can target the two-three factors our model identifies as highestyield for their specific context.”

In Thailand, the model points to strengthening cancer treatment access under its existing universal health coverage system rather than simply increasing overall spending.

“We’re careful to note that these are associations, not proven causal relationships, so pilot interventions with rigorous evaluation are the next step,” Patel said.

Despite the scope of the research, Patel is still an undergraduate — a rarity in top-tier cancer journals.

“Most first authors in journals like Annals of Oncology are graduate students, postdocs, or faculty,”

present “Les Misérables School Edition” on January 23-24, and January 30-31, beginning at 7 p.m. each night, at Rodgers Auditorium at Dulles High School, 500 Dulles Ave., Sugar Land. “’Les Misérables School Edition” is a version of the classic musical by Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schöneberg, based on the novel by Victor Hugo. The music is by Schöneberg, with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. The show features original French text by Boubil and Jean-Marc Natel, with additional material by James Fenton. It is adapted by Trevor Nunn and John Caird, with original orchestrations by John Cameron, new orchestra-

FORT BEND MARKS

By Juhi Varma CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Fort Bend county celebrated Martin Luther King Day weekend with a range of activities. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a pastor and seminal leader of the Civil Rights movement, was born on Jan. 15, 1929, and the federal holiday

is observed on the third Monday in January with parades, ceremonies and community gatherings nationwide.

Annual MLK Day Celebration at Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center

Families in Fort Bend celebrated King’s life and message at the Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center,

where children created peace flowers, dove garlands and “dream art.”

“Through engaging story times and hands-on activities, children discovered Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring messages of peace, equality and love in ways they could truly understand,” said Mallory Jiles, Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center’s visitor experience manager.

“Watching young minds connect with his legacy through curiosity, creativity, and joy made the experience both powerful and deeply meaningful.”

About 500 families attended the event, which marked 30 years of

National Blood Donor Month offers Super Bowl incentive

By Juhi Varma CONTRIBUTING

Those who donate blood at an American Red Cross facility by January 25 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Santa Clara, California, including Super Bowl tickets. The American Red Cross and NFL established this partnership seven years ago to encourage more donations during the winter, when blood sup -

ply dips due to seasonal illnesses and weather-related challenges. Details about the giveaway can be found at redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/ events/super_bowl.html.

The winner and guest will also get access to day-of in-stadium pregame activities, round-trip airfare,

three-night hotel accommodation (Feb. 6-9, 2026), plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses.

“Health emergencies don’t pause for holidays or game day,” the American Red Cross said on its website. “Donors are needed now: Step off the sidelines and roll up a sleeve to help patients in need.”

People are busy after the holidays, traveling or getting back to school or work routines, said Stephanie Jacksis, communications manager for GCRBC. But hospitals always need blood for emergencies, surgeries and cancer patients.

“No matter your blood type, your donation can help save lives, right here in our community,” she said.

Gulf Coast Blood and other centers host mobile blood drives regularly across the Houston area — you can check upcoming drives and book slots (often updated daily) via their “Find a Location” tool at giveblood.org or commitforlife. org/donor/schedules/zip.

Community blood drives make donating easy and convenient by bringing donation opportunities closer to where people live, work, and worship. These drives help keep a steady blood supply during times when donations may drop. Just one donation can save up to three lives, and when a community comes together, the impact is significant. Find out more here: giveblood.org/connectwith-us/newsroom/ national-blood-donor-month.

Sugar

Land approves $1 million for Hope Biosciences expansion

Staff Reports

The City of Sugar Land earlier this month approved a $1 million performancebased incentive to support the expansion of Hope Biosciences, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in adult stem cell-based therapeutics.

As part of its growth strategy, Hope Biosciences recently purchased its existing facility at 16700 Creek Bend Drive, securing a permanent home in Sugar Land. The company will invest $2 million in building improvements and equipment and create 15 new jobs over the next five years with an average annual salary of $61,240, according to a news release.

The incentive provided through the Sugar Land Office of Economic Development & Tourism, will be distributed over five years at $200,000 annually. The agreement helps ensure the retention of a growing, federally recognized biopharmaceutical operation with a Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation and enables facility improvements that expand long-term manufacturing capacity.

“Hope Biosciences is a homegrown success story and a key example of how life science companies can thrive in Sugar Land,” Jennifer Alexander, the city’s business development manager, said in the release. “This incentive marks the first granted to a life sciences company and signals our commitment to supporting this sector, which is critical to our city’s economic future.”

Founded in Sugar Land, Hope Biosciences develops therapies using stem cells derived from a patient’s own body to regenerate or repair damaged tissues and treat conditions including neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. The company operates a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant manufacturing facility and is the only company in the United States offering clinical-grade stem cell banking for both adults

PUBLIC NOTICE

The City of Sugar Land earlier this month approved a $1 million performance-based incentive to support the expansion of Hope Biosciences. Courtesy Hope Biosciences

and newborns.

Hope Biosciences is advancing multiple FDA-authorized clinical trials for diseases such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, and traumatic brain injury, including two Department of Defense-backed clinical trials. In addition to clinical research, the company partners with regional and national institutions and provides direct-to-consumer stem cell banking services.

“Use of Hope Biosciences’ technology continues to grow significantly, but it all started here,” CEO Donna Chang, said in the release.

“The city has supported us at every stage, and their continued commitment reinforces our deeply held belief that Sugar Land is the ideal place to grow a company like ours. We see vibrant expansion in the world of cell and gene therapy, and Sugar Land has all the elements to attract more companies pursuing innovative work. Hope Bio’s progress is only the beginning for this industry, in this community. We are excited and grateful to be here.”

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. has submitted an application to the Federal Communications Commission to register a 150-foot monopole located at 9231 Addicks Clodine Rd., Sugar Land, TX 77498. The Federal Aviation Administration has indicated no lighting is necessary. Interested persons may review the application by going to www.fcc.gov/asr/applications and entering the Form 854 File Number A1358646. Persons may raise environmental concerns about the proposed structure by filing a Request for Environmental Review with the Federal Communications Commission, Requests for Environmental Review, https://www.fcc.gov/asr/environmentalrequest.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a big Star Trek fan, convincing actress Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura) not to leave the show because her role was so important, and he was born Michael King Jr., with his father changing both their names to honor the Reformation leader Martin Luther. Did you know?

LES MIZ FROM PAGE 1

tions by Christopher Janke, Stephen Metcalfe and Stephen Brooker. “Les Misérables” was originally produced by Sir Cameron Mackintosh. The School Edition is specially adapted and licensed by Music Theatre International and Cameron Mackintosh (Overseas) Ltd.

The epic story recounts the struggle against adversity in 19th century France. Imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread, petty thief Jean Valjean is released from his 19-year term and not only becomes and honest man, but the mayor of a prosperous town and a loving adoptive father – violating his parole in the process. The relentless Inspector Javert consequently pursues Valjean, making it impossible for him to live a decent life. Years later, Valjean is drawn into a violent student uprising which includes a young man in love with Valjean’s adopted daughter, offering him a path toward redemption.

“The future of the theatre is all about developing and nurturing a passion for musicals and plays among the

young,” Mackintosh said in a news release. “This is where new audiences will come from, and I believe ‘Les Misérables’, which tells a story of so many passionate and committed young people, is proving to be a thrilling theatrical learning experience for teenagers, as well as a wonderful communal experience for their teachers.”

“‘Les Misérables’ is one of the most popular musicals in the world and features one of the most memorable scores of all time. Through their production, these students are playing their own part in an epic piece of musical theatre history while offering their own take on themes like revolution, free speech, conviction and redemption. We hope you’ll join us in giving them a standing ovation,” Drew Cohen, president of Music Theatre International, said in the release.

Winner of over 100 international awards, and seen by 8.5 million people in New York alone during its run from March, 1987, through May, 2003, “Les Misérables” is the world’s longest-running musical and the third-longestrunning musical in Broadway history. Worldwide, the musical has been seen by over 70 million people, with a total box

office gross of over $1.8 billion. The show once again made history by becoming the first musical ever to become available for school productions while still playing on Broadway, in London’s West End and in productions around the world. MTI released the authorized school version of the musical in 2003, which, according to Dramatics Magazine, was the most produced musical in high schools that year.

Mackintosh supervised the creation of a school edition of the musical in order to nurture a passion for the theater among youth. The show was made available to schools, children’s theatres, children’s camps and other organizations with programs for young performers (all performers must be under 19 years of age) nationwide in 2002, to honor the 200th anniversary of Victor Hugo’s birth.

“Les Misérables School Edition” has a running time of just over two-and-a-half hours (including intermission). Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Fort Bend ISD employees with a valid ID will receive free entry. For more information, contact Head Director Samantha Duga at (281) 634-6034.

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To the Residents of Morbid Meadows, Greetings, neighbors! We at the Morbid Meadows Home Owners Association, or MMHOA, on occasion reluctantly bring you up to speed on what’s happening in our happy neighborhood and what your MMHOA is doing to make it safe, secure and almost livable. First, please take down your Christmas lights and decorations, especially those among us who never took them down last year. Rudolph’s nose was shot off by a Roman Candle on the last Fourth of July.

Good news! The neighborhood homeless shelters are being upgraded to caves. Also, the Army Corps of Engineers has lifted our designation as a Flood-Prone Zone Every 10 Years, and has re- designated Morbid Meadows as Underwater in a Heavy Dew. Our flood insurance rates should reflect this change as soon as we dry out from Hurricane Harvey. Incidentally, those blue tarps need to be replaced or at least patched. There have been some – actually scores –questions about our garbage pickup. We have rejected the

We live in a society that is obsessed with timelines. Graduate by this age, land a job by that age, have it all figured out before you’ve even lived enough to know what you’re good at. Yet maybe the pressure to “know” is what’s holding us back. In today’s world, every student is different, but we all have one unanimous thought: “What am I going to do after high school?” Not everybody has a dream, though; we have a rough outline of what we want to do. I’m one of the luckier ones; I know that I want to write. That isn’t the case for everyone. In 2022, 39% of 15-yearolds worldwide were unsure

EDITORIAL News from the block heads

Lynn Ashby Columnist

ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET

city’s proposal of pickups every other March and your board is negotiating with Baggage-4-Garbage though there are still a few minor details to work out. Some members of the board wonder why our trash has to be separated into plastic bags, non-plastic bags, paper bags, wet leftovers, dry leftovers, other bins for colored or white paper and disposable diapers, wet and dry. That makes 14 separate bins plus another for body parts.

You may have noticed that our constable, Sgt. Terry “Truncheon” O’Terry, is no longer patrolling our neighborhood. He quit after he was wounded while trying to settle a terrible domestic argument that led to a fistfight, one firebombing and a shootout which eventually required the inter -

vention of a SWAT force. Mrs. O’Terry says they are now seeing a marriage counselor. Our children’s playground has been temporarily closed due to an unusually large presence of pedophiles. You can go to the Texas Sex Offender Registration Program to find out which neighbors are listed. As you know, Morbid Meadows has a strict Noise Level Rule which bans howitzer and mortar testing and front-loader racing after 6 p.m. We realize that the change on or off (we can never get that straight) of Daylight Saving Time can be confusing, but just to be safe, make it 5 p.m.

There also seems to be some confusion about the recent changes in our U.S. congressional districts. The new district for those on the left side of Toxic Dump Drive is now part of the district which is currently unrepresented due to the ouster of Rep. Sunny Shady for an indictment on high treason, bribery and failure to stay sober during committee meeting – although it was noted that he shared his bottle of Johnny Walker with several of his colleagues. The residences in the 200 block of Asphalt

Alley are now in the congressional district represented by the member from El Paso. To determine who is your member in the U.S. House, just wait until campaign season and see who will be hitting you up for a contribution. While we’re on politics, we all know that Morbid Meadows in a thoroughly red neighborhood, but those “Trump For Sainthood” signs disturb our lone Democrat, who, for his own safety, is under the Federal Voter Protection Program. Likewise, those bumper stickers: “Greg Abbott – Gov. For Life,” while accurate, are not as efficient as a 100 Club sticker for getting you out of a speeding ticket.

There have been some questions about the number of black SUVs unloading several large men dressed like Darth Vader, masked and toting various weapons, gas bombs and nets. We are told they are school crossing guards, although their appearance was followed by a quick exodus of our lawn-mowers, maids, babysitters and seniors-helpers. This might explain the 2-foot-tall grass in our yards teeming with snakes, rats and raccoons. But our kids will certainly be safe walk-

Before I decide SUDOKU

about their future careers, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Program for International Student Assessment, which surveyed nearly 700,000 students across 81 countries. That’s about 273,000 teens globally who were unsure about where they’re going after senior graduation. The number may be overwhelming, but it’s OK. College is expensive, and jobs are hard to find these days – just finding a talent can be impos-

sible. Rushing yourself into things, though, is the worst way to go about this. When we make rash or quick decisions about something we’re stressed over, our choices aren’t thought through. Take college, for example. If you don’t think through the process the credits, the money, the dates, the courses – you’re setting yourself up for failure. So, instead of jumping into the deep end, thinking things out and taking your time is a much better path. Ask yourself things such as “What will make me happy?” not “What will pay the most?”

It can often be hard to choose the option that makes us happy over the option society tells us we should choose. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that money matters, but truly living your

life is what matters more. Living the same boring day over and over is something I’d give every penny in the world to stay away from – even if it means forfeiting luxurious cars and houses. At the end of the day, life isn’t a race to win with a finish line we’re all meant to cross at the same time. It’s about figuring out what you want to do and taking time to explore, to fail, and to choose happiness over expectation.

Cannon is a Ridge Point High School student, class of 2028, a volleyball player, and a member of Jenni’s Rescue. If you are a Fort Bend County high-school-age student (public, private, charter, or homeschool) who might be interested in becoming a Youth Columnist, please send an email to editor@fortbendstar.com.

Answers found in this week’s Classified section ANSWERS FOUND ON PAGE 6

ing to school – just don’t let them near the playground (see above).

You may have noticed all the utility trucks, cherrypickers and men stringing cables. That’s because Morbid Meadows has a new company: Occasional Cable. The workers promise that our computers, TVs and land-line phones “will work all of the time, except when they don’t.”

Some malcontents complain they can only get Fox News. We know who you are. Now for News of Our Neighbors! We welcome the McDrudge family who say they are from Baytown yet their accents seem to be Venezuelan. They parked a boat in their driveway which, oddly enough, is riddled with bullet holes. Mr. McDrudge explained their sons are “inaccurate duck hunters.”

Congratulations to Conway Callus on his new Lamborghini Temerario.

Conway says he bought it with the 250k he got from the state for setting up his new Charter school: an arc welding shop in his garage, and will start the school as soon as he gets an arc welder and figures out how to use it. Conway says he won’t be giving us rides but

we can touch the car since we paid for it. And Sean “Knuckles” Fearsome says his ankle bracelet is simply a fashion accessory to remind him to check in with his probation officer. Finally, get ready for our fantastic Happy Birthday America gala! Yes, our neighborhood will be celebrating the bisesquicentennia or semiquincentennial or the 250th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ landing at Plymouth Rock or maybe it’s the opening of the Astrodome or possibly Joe Biden’s birthday – we’re researching that. Anyway, your board is ready with a parade of wheelchairs, walker races, crowning Miss Morbid Meadows (unlike last Fourth of July, she cannot be over 230 pounds, not more than seven months pregnant and no visible obscene tattoos) and all the leftover FEMA rations you can eat. That night there will be fireworks – warning to Rudolph – and we shall dance to tunes a DJ who will play: “The Best of ISIS Folk Songs.” Your MMHOA wishes you a relatively safe 2025 – just keep your kids away from the playground. Ashby is neighborly at ashby@comcast.net

Spot something? A guide to melanoma

Skin cancer, or melanoma, is the most common cancer, with almost 2 million cases diagnosed each year across the United States. Melanoma can be a scary diagnosis, but if found early, it can be treated. Image via Wikimedia Commons

Color: If there is uneven color

Diameter: Is the spot larger than a quarter inch

Skin cancer is the most common cancer, with almost 2 million cases diagnosed each year across the United States. Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. Despite originating from the skin, skin cancer can spread to other parts of the body, harming your organs. One type of skin cancer is melanoma, which can appear as black spots similar to moles. Melanoma normally appears on sun-exposed parts of the body, so the face, neck, legs, and chest are the most vulnerable. Although melanoma only represents around 1% of skin cancers, it is more deadly if it is overlooked and left untreated.

Risk factors

There are a variety of factors that may predispose you to developing skin cancer. The Number 1 factor is family history of skin cancer, as members of your family may share similar genetics or life experiences that may contribute to the development of cancer.

The second most important factor is related to sun exposure. Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, including sun booths, can hurt the cells on your skin. Those who have had a sunburn can remember how painful they can be, and they occur due to the sun damage. In melanoma, the cells that darken skin, called melanocytes, have been damaged by sun exposure and start growing uncontrollably. Thus, repeated severe sunburns or work that requires a lot of outdoor exposure creates more chances for your skin to be damaged.

Diagnosis

Skin cancer, including melanoma, is almost always curable when diagnosed in its early stages. Thus, it is important to detect melanoma quickly.

The most commonly used way of screening suspicious moles for melanoma is the ABCDE method outlined below.

Asymmetry: If the suspicious spot is not perfectly round Border: If the edges are irregular

Evolving: Does the mole change over time It can be difficult to determine if a spot is melanoma or a harmless mole. Thus, dermatologists advise checking your skin monthly and seeking a clinical skin check if you have a spot you are worried about, using the ABCDE method. If your doctor is concerned about the spot, they may take a sample of the tissue. Often, the sample collection, called a biopsy, removes the entire melanoma, especially if performed early, serving as both test and treatment. However, some spots may require more treatments.

Prevention

Because sun exposure is the easiest factor to control, melanoma prevention focuses on avoiding sun damage. You should limit sun exposure, apply sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30, use sun-protective clothing, and avoid UV-light tanning. This would help avoid damaging UV-light from hurting your skin, preventing damage that may contribute to cancer. Most people think of sun exposure during sunburns and on summer beach days, but daily chronic exposure is just as harmful. Cancers arise from the accumulation of damage, so low- level daily exposure can also cause cancer. This is especially true in sunnier regions such as the Houston metropolitan area. Even if our weather only chills to a freezing 62° F, we should remain vigilant of excessive sun exposure. Melanoma can be a scary diagnosis, but if found early, it can be treated. Even if found late, many treatments can be performed, with more currently under development. What matters most is taking steps to reduce harmful sun exposure and performing regular checks on your body to catch any suspicious spots early. Editor's note: Kevin Hoffman, Ruhi Thapar, Lance He, and Maya Sela are students at the Baylor College of Medicine in the Texas Medical Center. Dr. Arindam Sarkar served as the senior author for this article. This column is for informational purposes only. Always consult a physician for medical advice.

HAR: Area housing market delivers a strong, more balanced year in 2025

Staff Reports

The regional housing market in 2025 reflected a return to a more balanced pace, making it a solid year overall for both buyers and sellers. After several years of ups and downs, the Greater Houston market returned to pre-pandemic norms, even as many other large U.S. markets continue to lag.

According to the Houston Association of Realtors’ December/Full-Year 2025 Housing Market Update, total property sales for the full year were 2.3% above the 2024 level, highlighting continued demand across the region. Total dollar volume rose 4.5% to $42.9 billion. Single-family home sales also outpaced 2024 figures, climbing 3.8%, with 88,634 properties sold during the year compared to 85,373 in 2024.

“The past year brought a welcome sense of balance back to the Houston housing market,” said HAR Chair Theresa Hill with Compass RE Texas, LLC - Houston. “Buyers had more choices, prices were more stable and homes continued to sell at a steady pace. As we head into the new year, that stability will provide a solid foundation for continued growth.”

2025 Annual Housing Market Comparison

Easing interest rates and a return to pre-pandemic market conditions shaped the Houston housing market in 2025. Sales activity remained consistent for most of the year, with only three months — February, April and November — posting year-over-year declines. The summer months were especially strong, helping sustain momentum and reinforce confidence among both buyers and sellers.

One of the defining trends of the year was the continued expansion of housing inventory. Active listings climbed throughout the year and reached a record high in July at 39,490, giving buyers more options and easing the competitive pressure seen in recent years. Supply climbed to a 5.5-months inventory in July, which was the highest level since June 2012. As inventory expanded,

CANCER FROM PAGE 1

Patel said. “I was able to do this because of incredible mentorship and collaborators who trusted me to take ownership of a complex global health question.”

Those collaborators included researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Tata Memorial Centre in India, Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines, and Harvardaffiliated institutions.

“Global cancer outcomes vary widely, largely due to differences in national health systems,” Edward Christopher Dee, M.D., resident physician in radiation oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who co-led the study with Patel, said in a UT story. “We wanted to create an actionable, data-driven framework that helps countries identify their most impactful policy levers to reduce cancer mortality. We found that access to radiotherapy, universal health coverage, and economic strength were often important levers associated with better national cancer outcomes.”

Patel credits UT Austin for preparing him to take on the work. His dual minors in statistics and data science and healthcare reform and innovation business gave him both the technical and policy foundations needed to bridge machine learning with health systems research.

He also credits on-campus mentorship and other opportunities — such as participating in the College of Natural Sciences’ Freshman Research Initiative and working on an ongoing thesis project at UT’s Dell Medical School that uses artificial intelligence to prioritize cancer drug candidates. What concerns should people keep in mind as AI becomes more common in medicine?

There are three major concerns stand out as AI becomes more integrated into

home prices moderated. The median home price was flat year over year at $334,990, posting modest increases only in January (1.6 percent) and March (1.5 percent), with no additional gains recorded in other months. This marked a notable shift from the rapid price growth of prior years and contributed to a healthier market environment.

In 2025, the average home price rose 0.9%-over-year to $426,558. Strong demand in the luxury market pushed the average price to a record high of $449,561 in June.

“We’re selling just as many homes in the Houston area now as we did in 2019, which shows how far this market has come,” said HAR Chief Economist Dr. Ted C. Jones. “Houston is one of the few markets in the country that’s truly back to normal. The recovery a lot of people have been waiting for showed up in our region in 2025, and I think we’ll continue to see sales increase in 2026.”

Affordability improved in 10 out of 12 months when comparing 2025 to 2024, assuming a 20% down payment on a median-priced home with monthly interest rates as reported by

Freddie Mac. The typical homebuyer in December 2025 saw an $87.72 reduction in their monthly principal and interest payment compared to a consumer purchasing the same median-priced home in December 2024 — a savings of more than $1,000 on an annualized basis.

December Monthly Market Comparison

The Houston housing market wrapped up 2025 on a positive note. Total property sales rebounded in December, increasing 1.2% year-overyear while total dollar volume rose 2.1 percent to $3.6 billion. The total number of available properties was 16.5% ahead of the December 2024 volume with 52,727 active listings.

December Single-Family Homes Update In December, single-family home sales totaled 7,456, up 2.8% from a year earlier. The median price was statistically flat at $335,000, while the average price rose 0.8% to $425,535. The average price per square foot was $174, slightly lower than $177 last December.

Days on Market, or the ac-

tual time it took to sell a home, increased from 59 to 64, which is the highest since February 2020 when homes spent an average of 68 days on the market.

Months of inventory expanded from a 4.0-months supply in December 2024 to 4.5 months. The current national supply stands at 3.3 months, as reported by the National Association of Realtors.

Broken out by housing segments, single-family home sales performed as follows:

• $1 - $99,999: decreased 5.6% (85 transactions)

• $100,000 - $149,999: increased 8.0% (176 transactions)

• $150,000 - $249,999: increased 9.1% (1,350 transactions)

• $250,000 - $499,999: increased 0.5% (4,221 transactions)

• $500,000 - $999,999: increased 13.4% (1,313 transactions)

• $1M and above: decreased 0.3% (310 transactions)

HAR’s breakdown of existing single-family home sales shows December closings rose 8.9% year over year, with 4,885 homes sold versus 4,484 in December 2024. The average sales price increased 2.5%

to $439,557, while the median price was up 1.5% to $330,000.

Townhome/Condominium

Update

Despite a rollercoaster year for the townhome and condo market, demand picked up in December, with closings climbing 5.5% year-over-year. It marked the largest yearover-year increase in sales since January 2025. A total of 422 units were sold compared to 400 during the same time last year. The average price edged up by 0.8% to $269,502, while the median price slid 4.4 percent to $224,500.

Inventory expanded in December to a 7.1-months supply compared to 5.3 the prior year.

Houston Real Estate Highlights for December/ Full-Year 2025

• In 2025, sales of singlefamily homes increased 3.8% with 88,634 units sold compared to 85,373 in 2024.

• Total property sales for full-year 2025 were up 2.3% with 104,325 units sold while the total dollar volume increased 4.5% to $42.9 billion.

• Single-family home sales increased 2.8% year-over-year.

• Days on Market (DOM) for single-family homes went from 59 to 64 days.

• The single-family median price was statistically flat at $335,000.

• The single-family average price edged up by 0.8% to $425,535.

• Single-family home months of inventory expanded to a 4.5-months supply, up from 4.0-months a year ago.

• Townhome and condominium sales rose 5.5% with 422 units sold. The median price declined 4.4% to $224,500, and the average price increased 0.8% to $269,502.

• Total property sales increased 1.2% with 8,707 units sold.

• Total dollar volume was up 2.1% to $3.6 billion. Editor’s note: The HAR report, lightly edited, is used by permission. Find the full report at har. com/content/department/ newsroom?pid=2212.

healthcare, Patel said. First, algorithmic transparency matters—many AI models function as “black boxes” where even developers can’t fully explain specific predictions, which is dangerous when physicians need to understand why a model recommends a particular treatment. Second, health equity is critical because AI trained predominantly on data from high-income countries or certain demographic groups can perpetuate or even worsen existing disparities. If a cancer detection algorithm performs well in populations with access to high-quality imaging but

fails in under-resourced settings, it widens rather than closes gaps.

Third, implementation context determines success—a model that performs well in research settings might fail when deployed in real clinical workflows due to data quality issues, incomplete patient records, or lack of local validation. Our study highlighted substantial variation in cancer registry completeness across countries, particularly in low- and middle-income settings, showing that AI cannot overcome fundamental data limitations. Ultimately, policymakers need

rigorous, context-specific evaluation and pilot testing before large-scale implementation to ensure AI improves outcomes rather than introducing new harms.

Growing up between Holland, Michigan, and later Sugar Land also shaped Patel’s perspective. He moved to Sugar Land during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“That transition—from a small Michigan town to the Houston suburbs during a pandemic—was significant, but Sugar Land quickly became home,” he said, adding that his family’s Gujarati heritage and exposure to different

communities influenced his interest in healthcare equity.

“Seeing how different communities experience healthcare differently, both in Michigan and Texas, influenced my interest in health systems research and the work that led to our Annals of Oncology publication on global cancer disparities,” he said.

Outside the lab, Patel enjoys playing volleyball and pickleball and spending time with friends, activities he says help keep him grounded amid the intensity of research.

Looking back, Patel encourages other undergraduates interested in research to start

early and not wait for perfect qualifications.

“Reach out to faculty whose work excites you, build quantitative skills, and don’t be afraid to learn as you go,” he said. “When you care deeply about the question, the work becomes meaningful.” Patel is set to graduate from UT Austin this spring, but his research is already influencing how countries around the world think about improving cancer survival — one health system at a time. Varma can be reached at juhi.varma@gmail.com.

MLK Day celebrations at Children’s Museum Houston and the 10th year of participation for the Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center.

Fort Bend Family YMCA’s Day of Service

Around 17–25 volunteers gathered at Fort Bend Women’s Center’s resale store, ThriftWise, in Richmond to participate in the MLK Day of Service event, including staff, community members, and youth leaders.

Volunteers helped sort, organize, and prepare donated clothing, household goods, accessories, and small essentials.

“MLK Day of Service is an annual initiative for the YMCA, and each year we partner with a local organization to give back to the community,” said Tamara Garcia-Ramirez, Program Director of Youth Development at T.W. Davis Family YMCA. “This is my second year serving at ThriftWise, and I became involved through my role with the YMCA.”

These items directly support survivors by providing both immediate needs and funding for the center’s programs, said Garcia-Ramirez.

“This effort supports the Fort Bend Women’s Center in two key ways,” she said. “Operational relief, as volunteers help process donations more quickly, allowing items to reach families sooner. Moreover, volunteer participation helps increase awareness in the community about ThriftWise, its mission, and how shopping or donating there directly supports survivors.”

Elsewhere in the county, community members on Saturday participated in the Kendleton Farm MLK Day of Service at Bates Allen Park in Kendleton, volunteering at the park’s vegetable garden by cultivating fresh, healthy food for everyone. On Monday, the NAACP Missouri City chapter held its Annual Martin Luther King scholarship breakfast at the Quail Valley Golf Club, Varma can be reached at juhi.varma@gmail.com.

Sugar Land completes parks and facilities enhancements in 2025

Community Reports

If Sugar Land Parks and Recreation Department completed a wide range of park and facility enhancements completed throughout 2025, reflecting the City’s continued investment in high-quality recreational spaces, community amenities, and event facilities for residents and visitors alike, according to a news release. These improvements are designed to enhance comfort, accessibility, and overall user experiences.

2025 Parks and Facility Enhancements

Over the past year, Parks and Recreation delivered the following upgrades and additions:

• Imperial Park

- Installation of a new shade structure to enhance comfort for park users

- Opening of a new cardio and weight room at the Imperial Park Recreation Center

- Gym floor restriping at the Imperial Park Recreation Center to support safe and flexible programming

• Brazos River Park

- Addition of a new playground shade structure, expanding usable outdoor space during warmer months

- Installation of a new water mister to provide cooling relief during hot weather

- Annual reforestation and wildflower seeding to enhance open space and pollinator habitat

• Sugar Land Memorial Park

- Completion of additional permeable parking spaces, increasing capacity and sustainability

- New upgrades and enhancements at the Butterfly Garden to improve the visitor experience and support pollinator education

- New pavilion with seating, rainwater harvesting, art and signage was installed at the lake loop to allow for more rest areas and shady spots to take a break

• City Park and Park at the Levee

- Construction of new pickleball courts and additional tree planting, responding to growing community demand for the sport and shade

- Community Centers and Meeting Spaces

- New flooring and facility upgrades at:

• Clyde and Nancy Jacks

• Eldridge Community Center

• Jim Cooper Meeting Room

• Old Imperial Farm Cemetery

o Design and installation of a new entrance gate, restoring the site’s historical charactero Creation of an online cemetery to remember the history and those buried here

Funding and Stewardship

These park and facility improvements were made possible through a diverse mix of funding sources, including grants, 4B funding, revenue generation, and other dedicated resources. This balanced approach allows the City to reinvest in community spaces while maintaining longterm fiscal responsibility.

In conjunction with these improvements, the Parks and Recreation Department has introduced updated fees starting in 2026. While most increases are modest, they are necessary to help bridge the gap created by rising operational and maintenance costs. These adjustments ensure the City can continue to maintain high-quality parks, facilities, and exceptional event spaces that serve the community now and into the future.

Long-Term Planning for a Growing Community

In addition to the physical improvements completed in 2025, the Parks and Recreation

Department continues to take a strategic, forward-looking approach to long-term planning. The City is currently engaged in two major planning efforts that will help guide future investments and programming:

• Hunden Sports Tourism Feasibility Study, which is evaluating opportunities to expand sports tourism, attract regional and national events, and strengthen Sugar Land’s position as a premier destination for tournaments and athletic competitions.

• Senior Center Study, which is assessing current and future needs of older adults to ensure facilities, programs, and services continue to evolve alongside Sugar Land’s growing senior population. Residents are invited to attend the final upcoming public open house on Thursday, January 29 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the T.E. Harman Center, where they can learn more about the study and provide feedback on the proposed options for a future Senior Center.

These planning efforts, alongside recent capital investments and thoughtful fee updates, reinforce the City’s commitment to delivering high-quality amenities while planning responsibly for long-term growth and sustainability.

For more information about parks, facilities, or upcoming programs, residents are encouraged to visit the City of Sugar Land website, follow Parks and Recreation on social media on Facebook, Instagram @ SugarLandParks or call (281) 275-2825.

LEADING ORTHOPEDIC CARE KEEPS YOU MOVING

When an injury puts you on the sidelines, your Houston Methodist orthopedic team puts expertise into play. We’ll customize a minimally invasive treatment plan to get you back out there — doing the things you love.

That’s the difference between practicing medicine and leading it. For you.

houstonmethodist.org/orthopedics 281.690.4678

noon every

FORT BEND COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS FRUIT TREE SALE

Fort Bend County Master Gardeners are asking you to circle February 14 on your calendar. That’s when they will hold their annual fruit/citrus tree sale in Barn H at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, 4310 Texas 36 in Rosenberg. The sale will be open from 9 a.m.-noon or until sold out and will feature an estimated 75 varieties of fruit trees, berries and tropicals/subtropicals. A list of trees at the sale will be available soon. Give a gift that grows for Valentine’s Day! ONGOING

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSES AT GPBC

In conjunction with the Literacy Council of Fort Bend Bend County, Grand Parkway Baptist Church will offer ESL classes on Tuesday nights from mid-August 2025 through May 2026. We are located at 12000 FM 1464, Richmond, across from Austin High School. Our students speak several languages and encompass many faiths, all are welcome. For more information call 281-277-2200 and ask for ESL information. You may also email ESL@grandparkway.org

EMMY-NOMINATED FORT BEND BOYS CHOIR HOLDING AUDITIONS

The Fort Bend Boys Choir is seeking talented young boys who like music and singing. If know of one, encourage him to audition for our award-winning and Emmy-Nominated Fort Bend Boys Choir! No experience is necessary and boys should be around eight years of age or older with an unchanged voice. Auditions are by special appointment at the First United Methodist Church Missouri City, 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City, TX. Visit the Fort Bend Boys Choir’s webpage at www.fbbctx.org or call (281) 240-3800 for more details about auditions. Benefits as a choir member include greater self-esteem and selfconfidence, better work ethic and a sense of belonging and community. A boy’s voice has an expiration date so it is important to audition when boys’ voices are still unchanged. Auditions are free!

AMERICAN LEGION POST 942

311 Ulrich Street, Sugar Land meets the fourth Tuesday of each Month at 7:00 pm. All Veterans are welcome.

LOVING FRIENDS IS A GROUP OF WOMEN AND MEN WHO ARE WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS THAT MEET MONTHLY FOR LUNCH, FRIENDSHIP, AND SOCIALIZATION

Lunches. are planned for the fourth Tuesday of the month at various local restaurants. Please contact Bobbie Tomlin at {281} 967-0718

For more information about us and to learn about this month’s planned lunch. We hope to meet you soon.

QUAIL VALLEY GARDEN CLUB

The Quail Valley Garden Club is very busy, not only with meetings, but with some fun “stuff” for our members and the community. Please find our fall schedule of events that the QVGC will be involved with this fall leading up to the holidays. FBJSL IS ACCEPTING CAF GRANT APPLICATIONS

We provide grants of up to $5,000.00 to charitable causes serving Fort Bend County with requests to fund a critical need, pilot a program, or expand a significant service to the community. If your agency or organization is interested in applying for a CAF grant, please visit the Request Support page of the FBJSL website (www.fbjsl.org/request-support). All applications should be submitted via e-mail to brccom@fbjsl.com.

THE SANCTUARY FOSTER CARE SERVICES

We are a child placing agency that provides wrap around care support for foster children and foster families. We provide free therapy services, 24 hr. crisis intervention, respite/alternative care services and community-based support. For more info, www.sanctuaryfostercare.org

ALIEF AARP CHAPTER 3264

Meets the first Thursday of every month at 10:00 a.m. at Salvation Army Church, 7920 Cook Road, Houston, TX 77072. Educational Program/Entertainment at each meeting. Bus Trips every month. Seniors 50 and above invited. Call 281785-7372 for more information.

SUGAR LAND ROTARY CLUB

Sugar Land Rotary Club, the nation’s oldest community service organization, wants you to be its guest at a meeting that could turn out to be the best fit for getting involved with a local, non-political, humanitarian service organization with a global presence to satisfy your passion. We’re on a quest for new members! Call or email Dean Clark, 832-987-4193, sugarlandrotaryclub5890@gmail.com We just started a new evening club also. Contact me for more info.

Astros Caravan to stop at Constellation Field on Friday

at Constellation

Astros’ players expected

be in attendance include RHP Hayden Wesneski, INF Nick Allen, RHP Jason Alexander and RHP Ronel Blanco. Additionally, Astros radio broadcaster Steve Sparks is slated to be at Constellation Field as part of the Astros Caravan. Players and broadcasters are subject to change. Plus, the Astros Shooting Stars, Orbit and Orion will all be on-site from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm for photo opportunities.

In addition to activities with the Astros, there will be a face painter and balloon

for the duration of the Caravan and the Space Cowboys team store will be open. A full schedule of events can be found below.

Reports Missouri City Green, in partnership with the City of Missouri City and GFL Environmental, will hold an Electronics Recycling Event on Saturday, January 24, from 9 a.m.-noon at Buffalo Run Park. an easy and responsible way to dispose of unwanted electronics and keep harmful materials out of landfills.

FT. BEND ACCORDION CLUB

Meets on the 4th Sunday of every month from 2:pm - 4:pm at: CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND (in the Chapel) 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 FREE and Open to the Public! We welcome everybody! If you play accordion, beginners to professional and would like to play Call, Text or email: Vince Ramos Cell:

LITERACY

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