Fort Bend Independent

11/26/2025

Mysterious “Metal Suitcases” on Sugar Lakes Poles Leave Residents Asking: What Are These?! --> https://fbindependent.com/fort-bend-independent-p16400-1.htm

Residents in Sugar Lakes spotted chained metal boxes attached to tall poles near neighborhood intersections, sparking speculation about their purpose. Sugar Land officials confirmed the devices were temporary traffic-recording cameras placed after 311 complaints about pedestrian crossing concerns and have since been removed after data collection.

11/26/2025

Fort Bend Community Gears Up for Interfaith Thanksgiving Service --> https://fbindependent.com/fort-bend-interfaith-thanksgiving-service-invites-community-to-giving-than-p16403-1.htm

The quarterly interfaith Thanksgiving service in Fort Bend County invites residents of all faiths to celebrate and support local nonprofits through donations and volunteerism. Hosted by the Fort Bend Interfaith Association, the gathering will be held on November 20 at First United Methodist Church of Sugar Land and aims to foster unity and community impact.

11/25/2025

County Attorney Doesn’t Have Exclusive Authority — Legal Counsel Battle Erupts in Fort Bend

https://fbindependent.com/fort-bend-county-attorney-has-no-exclusive-authority-in-hiring-legal-counse-p16402-1.htm

A Texas Attorney General opinion confirms that the Fort Bend County Attorney’s Office does not have exclusive authority to hire or direct outside legal counsel for the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court, overruling a long-standing interpretation of Section 41.103 of the Texas Government Code. The opinion sides with the County Court-at-Law that the Commissioners Court may retain its own counsel when there’s a direct conflict of interest or the County Attorney is unable to provide representation.

11/12/2025

11/11/2025

Sea of 2,025 American Flags to Blanket Sugar Land in Tribute to Local Heroes —> fbindependent.com

11/10/2025

Judge Says Encrypted Chats Could Put Prosecutor on Witness Stand —> https://fbindependent.com/skeletons-buried-in-encrypted-messages-prosecutor-may-become-witness-says-p16395-1.htm

Judge KP George alleges that Brian Middleton and his office used encrypted messaging platforms like Signal and WhatsApp to discuss the prosecution outside of transparent channels, obscuring potential evidence. George’s motion claims the prosecutor may himself become a witness in the case, pointing to missing audio and deleted recordings from a key interview.

11/01/2025

Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector Under Investigation for Alleged Misuse of Taxpayer Funds —> https://fbindependent.com/fort-bend-tax-assessor-hires-caretakers-for-ailing-mother-with-taxpayers-m-p16394-1.htm

Search warrants allege that Carmen Turner, the Tax Assessor-Collector for Fort Bend County, placed two individuals on the county payroll to care for her mother at home between October 2023 and June 2024, despite them not working in the Tax Office.

10/31/2025

Turn back time on Sunday! Is it time to end the time change?

More local stories at fbindependent.com

10/30/2025

Inside Track: Law Firm Takes on Fort Bend County Attorney’s “Exclusive Counsel” Claim —> https://fbindependent.com/aggrieved-law-firm-challenges-fort-bend-county-attorneys-claim-of-exclusiv-p16393-1.htm

A law firm representing the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court has filed a brief with the Texas Attorney General’s Office challenging Bridgette Smith‑Lawson, the Fort Bend County Attorney’s Office’s claim that she alone may provide legal advice to the Court and forbid outside counsel in civil matters. The dispute focuses on a redistricting contract and alleged conflict of interest, with the Court asserting its constitutional authority to hire independent counsel while the County Attorney cites statutory “exclusive” power.

10/29/2025

Pickleball Boom! Sugar Land Opens Brand-New Courts at City Park After Ribbon-Cutting —> fbindependent.com

10/29/2025

10/29/2025

Fort Bend County Moves to Buy Historic Sugar Land Auditorium — Cultural Revival Ahead? —> fbindependent.com

Fort Bend County commissioners unanimously approved a plan to purchase the historic Lakeview Auditorium in Sugar Land from Fort Bend ISD, with renovation costs estimated at more than $1 million. The Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation hopes to raise funds to operate the 1917 landmark for community and cultural programming.