English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Conroe, TX

Officials with the Blackfin Pipeline have agreed to relocate its high-pressure natural gas compressor station just a day before the Conroe city council was set to decide whether to rescind its building permits for the project.

In a letter obtained by the Chronicle, company officials cited concerns from the community about the station and its location near Interstate 45, which prompted the decision. The letter did not specify the location of the new site.

WELCOME BACK: Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival returns for 36th year in new location. Here's what to know and how to go.

“While the original proposed siting for the compressor station complies with all applicable laws, regulations, ordinances and covenants, Blackfin has agreed to relocate it to an alternative site in light of the unique circumstances,” the letter reads.

Rep. Will Metcalf said he has been working with Whitewater Midstream, the company behind Blackfin, on a solution since July.

"Ultimately, this compressor station was not appropriately placed, and I’m glad that Whitewater has decided to revise its plans. I thank Whitewater for choosing to relocate this station away from such a densely populated area," Metcalf said.

Blackfin officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

The compressor station in Conroe is one of four that are part of the 193-mile Blackfin Pipeline, which will transport natural gas from Colorado County to Jasper County, traveling through Austin, Waller, Montgomery, Liberty, Hardin and Harris counties. Construction on the Montgomery County portion of the pipeline started in late 2024.

The project was permitted by the city’s previous administration and concerns over the compressor station surfaced over the summer.

The owners of Bartholet Home Furnishings filed a lawsuit July 23 against Blackfin Pipeline LLC and Montgomery Investments LLC, seeking a temporary restraining order to stop construction at the compressor site located within feet of the business, just south of Loop 336.

Judge Vince Santini of the 457th state District Court issued the temporary injunction Sept. 15 after several days of hearings, ruling Blackfin’s “calculated” plan to build in a rural area is what left them in a legal “pickle.”

Blackfin officials have maintained that community safety is a key focus of the company and that the pipeline has been designed and constructed in compliance with and in cooperation with all relevant regulatory agencies.

When the victim ran away, MCSO said she had injuries and scars all over her body and told deputies she'd been abused and tortured by the sisters for months.

CONROE, Texas — Two Montgomery County sisters are behind bars after a 12-year-old girl told investigators that the women had physically and sexually abused her for months in their Conroe home.

Brenda Garcia, 38, and Tania Garcia, 37, are charged with injury to a child, unlawful restraint, and invasive visual recording.

The investigation began when the girl escaped on September 28 and told investigators with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office that the sisters held her captive, tortured her, and starved her.

According to court documents, the victim had injuries all over her body, including a large gash on her forehead that appeared infected. She was taken to Texas Children's Hospital in The Woodlands, where medical staff confirmed signs of physical abuse, neglect, and malnutrition.

When the sisters were questioned at their home, they claimed the girl was "psychotic" and that she had injured herself.

According to court documents, detectives found video from security cameras inside the house and on Brenda's cell phone that match the victim's account of what happened. MCSO said they also found text messages from Brenda where she admitted that she hit the girl.

The sisters were arrested on October 3. Brenda Garcia remains jailed on bonds totaling $280,000. Tania Garcia is being held on bonds totaling $200,000.

Allegations against Garcia sisters (WARNING: Disturbing details

The girl told detectives with MCSO's Special Victims Unit that she previously lived with an uncle in Houston who also sexually abused her. She said Brenda, who knows the uncle, picked her up from school one day in March and took her to Conroe to live with her.

According to a 10-page court document, the girl described months of abuse at the hands of the sisters.

Medical staff at TCH said the girl's injuries on her face, head, ears, arms, back, legs, feet and hands are consistent with her account of what happened, court docs say. They also noted that she suffers from psychological trauma.

The child is currently safe and receiving medical care and support services, according to MCSO.

“The safety and well-being of children will always be my highest priority. This case is deeply disturbing, but it also highlights the importance of community awareness and the courage it takes to speak up," Sheriff Dolittle said. "Together, we can protect the most vulnerable among us and ensure that justice is served.”

The sheriff’s office urges the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicions of child abuse.

Child abuse resources & services

If you or someone you know is a victim of child abuse of any kind, there is help available. You can start by contacting one of these agencies or organizations.

You can also tell an adult you trust, such as a teacher, principal or school counselor.

Got a news tip or story idea? Email us at or call 713-521-4310 and include your name and the best way to reach you.

A Conroe woman wants others to consider getting travel insurance after she was taken to a hospital in Mexico for an emergency.

CONROE, Texas — A Conroe woman's cruise came with an unexpected cost.

Khiali Baxter had a medical emergency on board a Royal Caribbean cruise from Galveston to Mexico, and her family spent more than $13,000 out of pocket for medical care.

The Baxter family wants to warn others after going through this experience.

“Sometimes the trip of a lifetime can become the situation of a lifetime,” Craig Baxter said.

Baxter has a pile of receipts from all expenses paid for his daughter, Khiali. She was just two days and five hours into her first-ever cruise with her boyfriend when she became ill.

“I woke up, I started throwing up blood. Unfortunately, I had passed out on the ground,” Baxter said.

She was taken to the onboard emergency room, where doctors said she had internal bleeding.

An ambulance took her to a hospital four hours away.

“I could feel myself kind of going in and out of consciousness. I was very cold and terrified,” Baxer said.

Baxter’s parents were contacted once she arrived at the hospital, where staff asked for payment up front before they would treat her. Craig Baxter, Khiali’s dad, recalls the conversation with the hospital staff member.

“We’ll work as far as the $2,500 will take us,’ I’ve never heard this in my life,” he said.

An endoscopy and colonoscopy were performed, but Baxter said doctors couldn’t figure out where the bleeding was coming from.

The Baxter family received an itemized bill totaling $9,970. A bill from their cruise ship for on-board medical facilities cost $4,048. The family also spent money on flights and lodging in Mexico. At this time, they still don’t know why Khiali started bleeding internally.

In hindsight, the family wishes they had looked into travel insurance.

We spoke with Jeff Rolander, VP of claims and customer experience at Faye Travel Insurance. He recommends people shop around before booking a policy, which can cost a few hundred dollars.

“There are very barebones policies that might protect just a piece of the trip, for instance, the flights themselves or a hotel room,” Rolander said. “A comprehensive travel insurance product typically costs 6 to 8% of the trip cost,” Rolander said.

He said policies can cover the entire trip, medical bills and medical transport.

The Baxter Family said their goal is to make other families aware of the option to get travel insurance.

“It was an eye-opening experience that I hope prepares other young people,” Craig Baxter said.

A GoFundMe has helped recover some of the costs, but the family hopes others can be prepared to avoid potential financial pain.

“It was a very, very scary experience...I really wish I would’ve gotten travel insurance,” Khiali Baxter said.

Got a news tip or story idea? Email us at and include the best way to reach you.