Amelia Brust

Community Impact Newspaper • March 23, 2018

Popular Katy/Fort Bend Foodies Facebook group fosters community, dialogue between local restaurateurs and diners

For anyone living in the Katy area with a Facebook account, chances are they have heard of the Katy/Fort Bend Foodies group. From its spontaneous beginnings in late 2014 to its more than 26,000 members this year, users rely on it for more than just recommendations on burgers in town.

Community Impact Newspaper • March 22, 2018

Mother, daughters with a mix of styles run RueBird Market in Katy

When a boutique caters to a range of sizes and ages, it helps to have owners with that same variety of perspectives. That is why Sarah Shepard and her daughters, Elizabeth Morris and Katie Rue, try on everything that comes through their Katy shop, RueBird Market.

Community Impact Newspaper • March 10, 2018

Katy’s Local Table, The Local Bar add event space for community, private gatherings

On a typical Friday night, the staff at Local Table and The Local Bar said their patios in the Villagio Town Center fill with Katyites who want a relaxing gathering spot. Local Table opened in April 2016 at 22756 Westheimer Parkway, Ste. 100, Katy, followed by The Local Bar in February 2017 next door in Ste. 190.

Community Impact Newspaper • March 4, 2018

Katy area trying to turn itself into ‘destination’ for families, tourists

As the Katy area grows, so does residential desire for convenient entertainment options. Several recreation venues opened over the last decade—with more underway as subdivisions develop farther south and west—to satisfy tourists and locals interested in activities outside Houston.

Community Impact Newspaper • January 26, 2018

MAP: These Katy restaurants opened in 2017 or are coming this year

Book your next meal using this non-comprehensive list of restaurants that opened in 2017 or are coming soon in 2018.

Community Impact Newspaper • January 23, 2018

The Ballard House begins reopening in Katy after Harvey repair projects wrap up

After more than four months of repairs and 14 fundraisers, The Ballard House has begun welcoming families back to its guest rooms. The Cinco Ranch hospitality house took on between 3 and 4 feet of water during Tropical Storm Harvey, but Executive Director Kathy Alt said efforts from the community have allowed the facility to reopen.

Community Impact Newspaper • December 25, 2017

Best of 2017: Community Impact Newspaper's favorite photos from the Katy area

As we wrap up an eventful news year, here are Community Impact Newspaper’s favorite photos from the Katy area in 2017.

Community Impact Newspaper • December 20, 2017

Want to keep donations local this Christmas? These Katy area charities are in need

The holidays are about giving as much as receiving, and supporting charitable causes is one way to celebrate the season. This noncomprehensive list of nonprofits in the Katy area offers suggestions for local charitable donations.

Community Impact Newspaper • December 20, 2017

Katy’s Vibe Fitness thinks outside the box with unique classes

The Monday after Thanksgiving, eight women hung upside down from fabric hammocks at Vibe Fitness in Katy. They burned off holiday calories with Intro to Aerial, one of several workouts at the boutique studio owned by Luke and Ashlie Holdorf.

Community Impact Newspaper • December 6, 2017

Katy ISD cites "vulgar" language for removing young adult novel 'The Hate U Give' after parent complaint

Katy ISD has grabbed national headlines for its decision to remove a book from campus libraries after a parent complained to the board of trustees. “The Hate U Give,” a young adult novel by Angie Thomas published this year, was taken out of school libraries and is under review by the district.

Community Impact Newspaper • December 1, 2017

Katy hospital's new recording booth gives young patients a creative retreat

A childhood cancer survivor returned to Texas Children’s Hospital in Katy in late November, not for treatment or a checkup, but to record a single. Emily Freeman is a veteran artist of Purple Songs Can Fly, a nonprofit that allows cancer patients to write and record original songs.

Community Impact Newspaper • November 25, 2017

Need gift ideas? Want to shop local? These Katy stores may help

Retailers in the Katy community offer gift options for everybody on a shopper’s holiday gift list. This is not a comprehensive list of shops in the area.

Community Impact Newspaper • October 25, 2017

Historic Fulshear ethnic cemeteries are families’ link to the past

Along Fulshear’s country roads lay two dedicated resting places for Fort Bend County’s ethnic minority families dating back to the 1800s: the Fulshear Black and Fulshear Spanish cemeteries.

Community Impact Newspaper • October 25, 2017

Hawaiian-Vietnamese eatery Aloha Pho in Katy heals

Ricky Thai opened Aloha Pho in Katy in July 2016 with no prior experience in the restaurant industry. But he believed in his recipes’ uniqueness amid a plethora of dining options in the area.

Community Impact Newspaper • September 25, 2017

These Katy restaurants helped out with Harvey recovery efforts, Part 1

Community Impact Newspaper spoke to some of the several Katy area restaurants that contributed to relief efforts during and after Tropical Storm Harvey.

Community Impact Newspaper • September 25, 2017

These Katy restaurants helped out with Harvey recovery efforts, Part 3

Community Impact Newspaper spoke to some of the several Katy area restaurants that contributed to relief efforts during and after Tropical Storm Harvey.

Community Impact Newspaper • September 25, 2017

These Katy restaurants helped out with Harvey recovery efforts, Part 2

Community Impact Newspaper spoke to some of the several Katy area restaurants that contributed to relief efforts during and after Tropical Storm Harvey.

Community Impact Newspaper • July 25, 2017

Hoodadak cooks up Korean-style fried chicken in Katy

Sam Kim, owner of Hoodadak, remembered his Korean fried chicken restaurant’s opening day of Dec. 21, 2015, as a mixed bag.

Community Impact Newspaper • June 23, 2017

John Paul’s Landing expanding fishing opportunities in Katy

Phase 1 of a new fishing and recreation destination for Harris County is due to open this summer. John Paul’s Landing, an 865-acre property in Katy, will feature a fishing lake, trails, playgrounds and an environmental education center among other amenities.

Community Impact Newspaper • May 29, 2017

Katy’s own Shannon Dresser, Miss Texas United States 2017, heads to national pageant

Shannon Dresser said she never went into a pageant with a goal other than having fun. It was that mindset that helped her win her first pageant and it helped her win Miss Texas United States 2017 this month.