As drought conditions creep back into southeast Texas, fire danger is also increasing, prompting multiple counties in the area to issue burn bans.

A Conroe police officer on a motorcycle was involved in a traffic accident at the intersection of North Loop 336 and Highway 45.

A new Willis ISD middle school is at the center of a water permitting standoff.

The Conroe community gathered at the Lone Star Convention Center Thursday evening to honor Claire “Reese” Manchaca.

Deputies honored Reese by escorting her home so she could be laid to rest.

Conroe Independent School District students are uniting to demand action following the tragic death of a classmate.

The information was provided in an Thursday update as crews continue to battle the fire, which currently has burned 2,360 acres and is 20 percent contained.

Wildfires fueled by dry conditions and gusting winds are burning in a few states in the South.

Despite mandatory AND voluntary evacuation orders, officials are urging residents to be hypervigilant and avoid parts of San Jacinto and Montgomery County.

The Pauline Fire has scorched 2,000 acres with only 10% containment, prompting mandatory and voluntary evacuations for 900 homes in Montgomery and San Jacinto counties.

Viewers have shared photos and videos of tornados being spotted amid a Tornado Warning issued for parts of Harris and Waller Counties.

Experts with the National Weather Service are warning local officials in Montgomery County about the chance of severe thunderstorms in the area Thursday.

The Caney Creek Fire Department has been rescuing people, pets, and even a KPRC 2 News crew nonstop for two days in Conroe’s River Plantation neighborhood.

Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough has issued a voluntary evacuation order for several neighborhoods along the West Fork of the San Jacinto River due to continuing rising water levels.

The Texas DPS - Southeast Texas region confirmed on a social media post the victim killed was Bobby Huff, 78. He was one of six hospitalized, they said, but the only one who succumbed to his injuries.

Clenard Parker was identified as the alleged driver of a stolen 18-wheeler that crashed into the Brenham Department of Public Safety office.

Officials said that multiple people were injured after a commercial motor vehicle crashed into a Department of Public Safety office in Brenham Friday.

The county north of Houston adopted the guidelines amid a growing number of book bans in school districts and a new state law that supporters claim protects children from inappropriate material.

Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough has signed a disaster declaration for the county due to the ongoing flood situation and the risk for additional rainfall.

The venue change comes days after a Conroe-based brewery faced threats and harassment for pulling out of the event.

During a news conference at 9:55 a.m., authorities said the three children have been found and are safe.

As Montgomery County reports the highest level of COVID-19 hospitalizations yet, a new antibody infusion center opened on Monday.

County commissioners approved up to $9M to help pay nurses to help staff at overflowing hospitals

Here are things to know for Thursday, Feb. 25:1. He said ERCOT assured state officials that the grid was ready for the record-setting cold and ice that swept the Lone Star State. FEMA supersite at NRG Park to administer 6,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine dailyThe FEMA supersite at NRG Park became fully operational Wednesday. The site plans to administer 126,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine over a three-week period. “The vaccination site here at NRG Park is the largest operation we are running in Texas,” said FEMA spokeswoman Carmen Castro.

Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough is seen at left in an image taken from his Facebook page. His crashed SUV is seen in The Woodlands, Texas, on Sept. 10, 2020, at right. CONROE, Texas – Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough pleaded guilty Wednesday to driving while intoxicated in connection with last year’s crash. First Assistant District Attorney Michael Holley said Keough received a 90-day suspension of his driver’s license and a $2,000 fine for his role in the Sept. 10, 2020, crash. Keough was not wearing his seat belt and did not apply the brakes until less than a second before crashing into the cruiser, according to the affidavit.

CONROE, Texas – The Montgomery County Judge’s Office confirmed Monday that Judge Mark Keough has tested positive for coronavirus. Chief of staff Jason Millsaps sent out an official statement on the matter:“On Wednesday, Dec. 16, Judge Keough was notified by his physician that before he undergoes surgery for his hip on Dec. 18, he must take a COVID test. When the Judge took the routine test the results were positive for the coronavirus. When Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner canceled the in-person convention for the Republican Party of Texas planned at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Keough invited the party to hold its convention in Montgomery County. “It has just come to my attention that the city of Houston has canceled the Republican Party convention.

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough was charged Tuesday with driving while intoxicated in connection with a crash that happened four months ago. An analysis of the computer in Keough’s vehicle showed that he was driving at 52 mph at the time of the first crash and 39 mph about four seconds later at the time of the second crash, according to the affidavit. Keough suffered some broken bones and underwent surgery after the crash. Keough respondsThe judge issued a statement via a video posted on Facebook, saying there was no alcohol or illegal substances present at the time of the crash. “The allegations are that my legally prescribed and physician-monitored sleep aid was in my system at the time from the night before,” Keough said.

CONROE – In a tight vote this week, Montgomery County Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve a security detail, consisting of one deputy constable for the top county official, Judge Mark Keough. The move has generated some controversy because some believe the money would be better spent to better secure the building where he works, 501 North Thompson in Conroe. The entrance to this county building is open to the public without any security checkpoint on the first floor. The cost of the security allotment is $73,374 for the first year, with $56,139 going to the deputy’s salary. They’re going to find there is nothing there that would indicate any liability to me, my family or the county,” he said.

Here are things you need to know for Friday, Sept. 11:1. 4 Houston police officers fired in connection with fatal shooting of Nicolas Chavez identifiedFour Houston police officers have been fired in connection with the fatal officer-involved shooting of Nicolas Chavez nearly four months ago. A cellphone video recorded by a witness appeared to show Chavez on his knees when he was shot by officers. A spokesman for Keough said the judge was on his way to a meeting when he crashed into the cruiser in The Woodlands. Nearly 200,000 students will be learning online until at least October 19, when some are scheduled to return to in-person instruction.

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough successfully made it out of surgery Thursday night after his vehicle crashed into a parked deputy constable’s vehicle earlier in the day. A spokesman for Keough said the judge was on his way to a meeting when he crashed into the cruiser in The Woodlands. He said Keough, a deputy constable from Montgomery County Precinct 5 and a third driver were taken to a hospital after the crash. Keough underwent surgery to get his pelvis and hip reconstructed, officials said. “Please keep the deputy and judge in your thoughts and prayers,” Keough’s spokesman said in a statement.

HOUSTON When it comes to the next steps in the coronavirus response, the Montgomery County judge made his wishes clear. Governor, its time to open Texas. Lets do it and lets do it now, Judge Mark Keough said in a Facebook video posted Thursday. The restrictions have impacted people and businesses across the state, from capacity limits to mask rules. I dont think rules are bad but to a point.

HOUSTON Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough and officials with the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will brief residents on Hurricane Laura and preparations that are underway. This will be live streamed on KPRC 2 at 3:30 p.m.

HOUSTON – Swift and scathing reactions are pouring in from Republican party leaders around Texas after the city of Houston canceled the Texas GOP convention that was slated to take place next week at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Instead, he waited until the eve of the Convention to inflict the greatest disruption.”Turner’s actions Wednesday come after weeks of back-and-forth with the Texas GOP and as coronavirus cases continue to surge in Texas and in Houston and Harris County. The Houston mayor previously sent a letter to both Gov. “It has just come to my attention that the city of Houston has canceled the Republican Party convention. ‘Political stunt'Officials with the Harris County GOP called Turner’s move “hypocritical,” in a tweet soon after the announcement was made.

MONTGOMERY, Texas On Wednesday, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner sent shockwaves across the state when he canceled the GOPs state convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough offered to help, saying his county could hold the convention. Dickey said theyre looking at several relocation options for their convention including, Montgomery County. Hotels and different venues have been contacted, according to Montgomery County officials. I think thats fantastic, said Montgomery County resident Paul Renberg.

HOUSTON – Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough, a Republican, invited the Republican Party of Texas to hold its in-person convention in the county after Houston officials canceled the event slated for next week at George R. Brown Convention Center. In response, Keough invited the party to hold its convention in Montgomery County in a video he posted on Facebook. “It has just come to my attention that the city of Houston has canceled the Republican Party convention. With Houston cancelling the Republican Party Convention I have offered Montgomery County as an alternative host for the upcoming convention. Jason Millsaps, the Chief of Staff for Montgomery County Judge Mark J. Keough, says the Texas GOP is aware of the county judge’s offer and has been in contact with hotels and venues in Montgomery County.

HOUSTON Harris Countys mask order is in effect. While some counties have not announced any plans to enforce a mask order, they are leaving it up to individuals and businesses to enforce them. Heres what Houston-area counties are doing:Montgomery CountyCounty Judge Mark Keough announced Friday he does not have plans to enact a mask order. George will use the feedback to help weigh whether a mask order should be implemented. Counties with no mask order update as of Monday:

However, some county judges, including Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough, said Abbott’s executive order could not be enforced because it was unclear. Keough’s Chief of Staff, Jason Millsaps said county attorneys disagree with Paxton’s opinion about the clarity of the governor’s executive order. Millsaps said Keough won’t comment until Friday, to give the governor time to change or clarify his executive order. If Montgomery County Judge (Mark) Keogh, or any other county judge, insists on ignoring Gov. If a judge rules in Mr. Paxton’s favor and Judge Keogh persists, Mr. Paxton could ask the judge to hold Judge Keogh in contempt of court after Judge Keogh is afforded his rights to notice and a hearing,As in any litigation, the party who does not prevail in the trial court can appeal.

HOUSTON – After weeks of staying home to slow the spread of coronavirus, the stay-home order issued by Texas Gov. People traveling from New York, Chicago, Detroit and other places will still need to self-quarantine for 14 days after coming to Texas. Greg Abbott’s plan to reopen Texas. Phase 2 aimed to begin May 18Abbott said he is aiming for May 18 as the target date for the start of the second phase of his reopening Texas plan. Abbott hopes that in Phase 2, Texas will be able to reopen barber shops, hair and nail salons, bars and gyms.

HOUSTON – All Montgomery County businesses will be free to reopen on Friday despite Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order requiring some to remain closed. After releasing his executive order Monday, Abbott said he’s still working on guidelines for reopening those businesses. It says people should avoid these businesses.”Without clarification, Keough says the governor’s order can’t be legally enforced and that it won’t be in Montgomery County. The attorney general’s office said they would release a revision of the governor’s order Thursday afternoon. Greg Abbott’s full executive order below: