Lufkin hit by tornado.

By Whitney Grunder -
LUFKIN, TX (KTRE) - Severe storms ripped through parts of East Texas Wednesday evening. Some Lufkin neighborhoods sustained extensive damage from a possible tornado.

Among them is the Lufkin VFW, which is now gone. The damage comes right after 10,000 dollars worth of recent tile work. A check for the construction was written Wednesday, before the storm hit.

One resident living near Gipson Funeral Home on Chestnut Street even reported seeing caskets in his backyard.
Jakoia Grimes and her children were happy to have made it safely out of their Lufkin apartment, before their entire roof collapsed. "I looked up and I just saw the light from outside and I had my girls come and sit by the door, and within minutes the entire roof caved in," said Grimes, who is now staying with family members.
Jennifer Mays watched the tornado touch down right outside Stephens Court Apartments. She described it as "massive." She said, "I couldn't believe it was so powerful to the point that it just opened up my door."
Next door, owners sifted through what remained of their welding business, part of Lufkin for 25 years. Max's Welding Shop on Denman Avenue was completely destroyed.
Owners said they can't blame God for the severe weather, and that fortunately another shop behind the building stands untouched by the storm.

"I think we're going to be able to salvage some of our equipment. I think we're going to be alright," said co-owner Betty Purgahn.
Cheddars employees also witnessed a tornado touch down in the middle of the Olive Garden parking lot. "I heard a bunch of commotion and they were talking about the patio chairs were nearly about to hit some cars so we ran to try to help," said Cheddars employee Brad Barrow.

According to witnesses, other than damaging a few of the vehicles parked in the Olive Garden parking lot, the tornado did not affect any of the buildings. The Department of Public Safety reported that the tornado lifted back up, and did not cause any injuries.
Utility crews were also working to remedy power outages caused by toppled power poles. Thursday morning, thousands of residents were without power. An Oncor spokesperson said approximately 2,500 customers were without power in the Lufkin area.

So far no severe injuries have been reported.

Captured criminal claimed prison staff helped with escape

by KHOU.com Staff

Posted on December 9, 2009 at 6:50 AM

CONROE, Texas—The escaped prisoner who was the focus of a week-long manhunt told a local activist that he had help from the inside. Convicted child rapist Arcade Comeaux said the weapon he used to hijack guards was in his cell for at least three weeks.

Questions still surround the prison system that allowed Comeaux to dupe authorities for years. The supposedly partially-paralyzed man managed to walk away from the guards and right into controversy.
Authorities are asking two questions; why didn’t prison officials realize Comeaux was faking his medical condition, and where did he get the gun?
Local activist Quanell X said Comeaux told him he had help from the inside.

“He named that guard and he also named someone who is involved in medical who had been giving him medical assistance,” Quanell X said.

But prison officials said Comeaux has not shared that information with investigators so there are no arrests at this time.
“This feels like the inmate is running the asylum,” said a former TDCJ staff member who remembers Comeaux clearly.
“He would sit in the food. Of course it would dry and start smelling. He refused to shower, refused to clean himself, basically saying ‘I’m immobile, I need someone to do this for me.’”

The former staff member said Comeaux orchestrated a deliberate campaign of extortion, despite medical reports that he was able to care for himself. He said Comeaux manipulated the system to get health assistance and better housing.
A grand jury on Thursday will hear the case against the convicted sex offender who was captured in northeast Houston Monday morning.
Comeaux is now facing aggravated kidnapping and felony escape charges. He was in custody in the Montgomery County Jail Tuesday, awaiting his hearing. Comeaux, who is currently serving three life sentences, was found when a salesman saw him trying to hitchhike in front of a business on East Little York.

The salesman called HPD, who came and took Comeaux into custody without incident.
Investigators said Comeaux escaped during transport from a prison unit in Huntsville to one in Beaumont.
As the prison van passed through Conroe, investigators said Comeaux pulled out a gun, held two transport guards hostage, handcuffed them in the back of the van, drove the van to Baytown, took the guards’ weapons, put on one of their uniforms and escaped.

Officials launched an extensive manhunt, but Comeaux managed to elude them for seven days before he was captured.
He had been confined to a wheelchair since 1997 when a stroke purportedly left him partially paralyzed, but when he was taken into custody, Comeaux was walking.

He has been in and out of the Texas prison system for 30 years.
Comeaux was first sent to prison in 1979 on three 10-year sentences for rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child and burglary of a building—all out of Harris County. He was paroled four years later.

His parole was revoked and he returned to prison in 1984 to serve a 20-year sentence on a new charge of indecency with a child out of Harris County. He was paroled in 1991 but was in and out of prison for parole violations until 1996.
In June 1998, he was given a life sentence for aggravated sexual assault in Brazos County.
Comeaux was given two extra life sentences after he was convicted of stabbing his wife and another person in 1999. That attack occurred in the Jester III Unit in Fort Bend County when his wife came to visit him. The other person stabbed was a man who tried to stop the attack.

Still, those at the top want to correct the miscommunication between the workers inside prison walls.

“If you are in charge of a prison, and you see there is a disputes between medical’s and correction’s, come to us and ask for laws that would eliminate the controversy, ”said John Whitmire, chairman of the senate criminal justice committee. He is calling for a full investigation of prison and medical staff.

WATCH KHOU VIDEO REPORT HERE

Christmas tree causes East County home fire

This East County mobile home suffered heavy heat and smoke damage from a fire that started near a natural Christmas tree Monday afternoon. The mother and child escaped injury.
Updated: 12.08.09
NEW CANEY – A natural Christmas tree was deemed the cause of a fire Monday afternoon at an East Montgomery County home.

New Caney, Splendora and Porter firefighters responded to a fire at 22195 Betty Lane in the White Oaks Estates subdivision at 1:15 p.m., according to the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire in quick fashion but not before smoke and heat damaged much of the mobile home and its contents.

A 29-year-old mother and her 19-month-old child were not injured, County Fire Marshal Jimmy Williams said.

Fire Marshal’s Investigator Roland Morgan determined the fire started in the homeowner’s Christmas tree, which had been in place for a few days. Although these types of fires are not common, they can be deadly under the right conditions, Williams said.

“We have a lot of seasonal fires due to the holiday decorations, and the cold weather conditions,” he said. “We were real fortunate this fire occurred during the day, so no one was injured. It could have been much worse if they had been asleep at night.”

Williams said there were no smoke detectors in the home.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 250 home fires annually that started with Christmas trees per year from 2003-07. Those fires caused an average of 14 deaths, 26 injuries and $13.8 million in direct property damage annually.

On average, one in every 18 reported fires that started with a Christmas tree resulted in death, according to

News Alert: Comeaux now on most wanted list

(CNN) -- A Texas inmate in a wheelchair, who escaped on foot from two armed guards as he was being transferred between prisons, is now on the U.S. Marshals' list of the 15 most-wanted fugitives.
Arcade Comeaux Jr., 49, "produced a weapon and fired upon two correctional officers, took them hostage and forced them to drive to Baytown, Texas," the U.S. Marshals Service said in a statement.
He then put the officers in the back of the van and took their weapons and one of their uniforms, the statement said.

Comeaux was serving three life sentences for aggravated sexual assault and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He escaped Monday during transport from Huntsville, Texas, to Stiles, Texas.
The 6-foot, 200-pound man was shackled and in a wheelchair, "which he had claimed was needed for mobility," Michelle Lyons, director of public information for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Huntsville, said in a statement.

About 45 minutes into the trip, as they were driving through Conroe, 40 minutes north of Houston, the prisoner pulled out a pistol and ordered the guards to drive south to Baytown, east of Houston.
He fired once, but hit no one during the escape about 9 a.m., officials said.
Law enforcement officers found the unharmed officers an hour later.

Comeaux was being transferred so he could be near John Sealy Hospital in Galveston for treatment of the supposed paralysis he had suffered during a reported stroke, officials said.

At least $16,000 in reward money has been offered for information leading to Comeaux's rearrest and a task force of more than 100 investigators is searching for him, focusing on the Houston area, where he grew up and has family.
His escape has led the man who oversees Texas' criminal justice system to call for a shakeup of the prison system.
"I just think enough's enough," said Sen. John Whitmire, the Texas Democrat from Houston who is chairman of the state Senate's Criminal Justice Committee.

"We need a complete shakeup of the leadership of our prison system and/or an outside review by third parties," he told CNN by phone Wednesday. "We just can't have security breaches of this nature."
Whitmire said the guards had failed to pat down Comeaux while he was in his wheelchair and before they began the trip.
"Sure enough, he has a firearm," he said. "The question is, are there others (in the prison system)? I think you have to assume that there are until you find out differently."

So far this year, more than 900 cell phones have been confiscated from the 112 locations that house the state's 158,000 prisoners. "It's pretty rampant," he said.

"I want the director to come forward and tell us what it's going to take" to solve the problem, he said.
John Moriarty, inspector general of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, said such lapses are highly unusual in the state's penal system. "We have no open gun investigations other than this one," he said. "The last one was several years ago."
Texas Department of Criminal Justice Executive Director Brad Livingston, who has been in the job since 2005, did not immediately respond to a call seeking comment.

Snow forecast in Houston area !

On average, once every four years even Houston gets visited by the Snow Gods. Although, this could be the second year-in-a-row for Houston snow. And if snow does indeed fall this Friday as forecasted, it would be the earliest snowfall on record.

Fred Schmud of ImpactWeather said to the Houston Chronicle, “Most of our forecasting data is caught right in the middle, meaning any subtle change in the position of the upper level disturbance will have huge consequences on how much, if any, snow falls across the Greater Houston area."

Right now NOAA is predicting a 70% chance of snow on Friday.

Breaking the cycle of youth crime

In her nearly three years of handling juvenile cases, Montgomery County Judge Mary Ann Turner has seen a growing number of young people in trouble with the law because of behavior related to a mental health disorder.
Their crimes range from truancy and theft to more serious acts such as family violence and assault. The juveniles are placed in detention, but when they get out their problems often persist.
“I have detention docket three days a week,” said Turner, who presides over Court-at-law No. 4. “I can look out there, and I know half these kids. If you don't address the underlying cause of the behavior with kids at this age, you can release them, and they'll be back.”

To break that cycle, the county has launched a pilot program to get juveniles with mental health needs out of the criminal system and into an intensive program at home. The program matches the child and his family with a juvenile probation officer, a counselor and Tri-County Mental Health Mental Retardation case manager. The team provides treatment and counseling four times a week.

The program is part of a statewide effort to develop more community-based services in an effort to reduce the number of youth in Texas Youth Commission facilities.
State lawmakers this year approved $50 million over the next two years to support juvenile diversion programs. The Texas Juvenile Probation Commission appropriation also included a provision to address mental health needs.
Pressing need

All counties have been given an opportunity to receive a grant to create or expand existing programs.
Montgomery County is receiving $255,500, and will use about $50,000 to expand its at-home program. Harris and Fort Bend counties, which each have mental health programs similiar to Montgomery County, also have accepted grant money. Harris County will get $4.1 million, and Fort Bend will get $204,400.
So far, only 15 counties, including Brazoria County in the Houston area, have not submitted plans to receive funding, state officials said.

While not all grant money will be used to focus on mental health, there is a pressing need for such services statewide, particularly in rural and suburban areas, said juvenile justice officials. In 2008, about 32 percent of young people referred to the juvenile probation system had mental health needs, compared to 25 percent in 2005, according to state records.
“One of the things that's important to recognize is that as they move through the justice system, the prevalence is higher,” said Linda Brooke, director of external affairs for the juvenile probation commission. About 60 percent of juveniles in TYC facilities have mental health issues, which means their needs become more compounded, Brooke said.

Northeast Christian Academy celebrates a ‘Day in Rome’

By JENNIFER SUMMER


Northeast Christian Academy students had the chance to spend a “Day in Rome” where they learned about Roman culture. The program aligns with their Latin curriculum.

On Oct. 27, the students traveled to different stations where they learned the art of putting on a toga, viewed how the city of Rome was constructed, learned about the money of the day, watched a short skit on how the citizens lamented the death of Julius Caesar and several other topics covered by their Latin curriculum.

“We study the Cambridge Latin curriculum, the Minimus series, which is designed to give students exposure to the culture and learn Latin with ease,” Fayee Czarnik, Latin teacher, said.

Fifth-, sixth- and seventh-grade students were the demonstrators that taught fellow classmates several different lessons they had learned this year.

The cafeteria of NCA was designed as a Roman marketplace and groups of students went to each booth to hear the story or lesson being taught at that specific section.

“In Minimus, they have several characters like a mouse and the family cat that children can relate to and it gives them a better understanding of the culture and Latin language,” Czarnik said. “We are excited to have the chance to bring a hands-on learning experience and a great opportunity to our students.”

Local warrants issued for TDCJ fugitive

By Jamie Nash
December 2, 2009

CONROE - The man at the center of an escape and manhunt that gained nationwide attention on Monday will be tried in Montgomery County, according to First Assistant District Attorney Phil Grant.

Arcade Joseph Comeaux, Jr. 49, who is serving a life sentence in TDC for aggravated sexual assault and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, was believed to be wheelchair bound. But during transport from Huntsville’s Estelle Unit to the Stiles Unit in Beaumont, Comeaux pulled out a gun and took control of his guards and the TDCJ van.

Comeaux is still at large as of this writing. Arrest warrants were issued locally for Comeaux on Tuesday.

Michael Jackson's doctor returns to work in Houston

Michael Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray, who is the subject of an investigation into the death of the singer, has returned to work.

The cardiologist has resumed work at his medical clinic in Houston for the first time since the late singer's death on June 25.

"He has not been able to earn a living since the death of Michael Jackson," his lawyer Ed Chernoff told the Associated Press. "His legal fees are enormous and his debts have mounted to the point where it is unclear whether he will be able to keep his house or support his family.

"His intentions are to attend to these patients who have continued to support him, despite the attention and despite the threats."

5 Injured 4 car wreck

November 6, 2009

Just after 8 p.m. Thursday night, Montgomery County law enforcement and medical units responded to a four-vehicle major accident at SH105 and Douget Rd., east of Loop 336 between Conroe and Cut and Shoot.

Units arrived to find a Chevy Blazer was struck head-on by a Chevrolet pickup in the center turn lane. When the Blazer was struck it in turn hit two other Dodge pickups.

The female driver of the Blazer was transported by ground ambulance to Hermann Hospital, The Woodlands. Her three occupants were also transported by ground ambulance to area hospitals.

The Chevy pickup was westbound on SH 105 at the time of the crash, according to DPS. Witnesses told investigating officers the truck was weaving in and out of traffic. He drove down the center turn lane where the eastbound Blazer was waiting to turn into the grocery store parking lot on the north side of the road.

The driver of the Chevy pickup was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston in critical condition by PHI Air Medical, Med 1.

The occupants of the other two vehicles suffered minor injuries and did not require transport to the hospital.

Highway 105 was closed for over two hours as the investigation continued. DPS was assisted by three Montgomery County Sheriff's units.

According to DPS Trooper Robert Oelsner, alcohol may have been a factor in the accident.

The crash destroyed a highway memorial marker from a fatal accident on October 18, 2007.

METH LAB bust in Splendora

SPLENDORA, Texas - Pct. 4 Constable deputies have arrested a registered sex offender and his wife on multiple charges at the home they shared with their two children.

James Darrel Jones, 36, of Splendora, was charged with manufacture for delivery of a controlled substance (first-degree felony); possession / transport of a chemical with intent to manufacture a controlled substance (first-degree felony); failing to register as a sex offender with previous conviction(third-degree felony). Jones also had an active warrant for theft of property, related to his March arrest in Montgomery County. His bonds total $160,000.

Melissa Sue Jones, 34, also of Splendora was charged with manufacture for delivery of a controlled substance (first-degree felony); possession and transport of chemicals with intent to manufacture a controlled substance (first-degree felony).

Pct. 4 (a.k.a. Men in Black) received information from the Splendora Police Department that the Jones residence contained an active methamphetamine lab, according to Pct. 4 Lt. Mark Seals.

They were assisted in obtaining a search warrant by a Methamphetamine Initiative Group, or MIG (Texas Department of Public Safety, US Drug Enforcement Administration and Houston Police Department Narcotics Division).

On Tuesday evening Pct. 4 officers executed the search warrant at the Jones residence, a one-bedroom travel trailer in an RV park near the East Montgomery County Community Center between Splendora and Patton Village.

Seals said five people lived in the tiny residence, including children ages 9 and 15 years old. The children were not at home when their parents were arrested and the trailer was searched. Child Protective Services was notified of the situation, Seals said.

A 1999 Pontiac Grand Am was seized from the residence because investigators say it was used in the commission of a felony.

Friendship Center hosts annual Harvest Fest


New Caney couple Roy and Wilma Jackson donned their scarecrow costumes and joined other senior citizens from all over Montgomery County to participate in the annual Harvest Fest that took place Oct. 27 at the Friendship Center in New Caney.


By ROYCELYN BASTIAN
Updated: 11.04.09
Senior citizens dressed in straw hats and painted their faces to join in the annual festivities at the Montgomery County Friendship Center in New Caney.

The local center held its annual Harvest Festival with a scarecrow theme for all senior citizens in Montgomery County.

“Each year, the Friendship Centers across the county hold special events and our yearly event is the Harvest Fest,” Kathleen Costine, activity director, said. “The senior citizens from all over enjoy coming to New Caney, and our seniors here love going to the other centers for special activities.”

Roy and Wilma Jackson, longtime residents of New Caney, stated they enjoy the Friendship Center and the activities that are held at each location.

“We have been coming to the Friendship Center for the last seven to eight years. We go around the county to participate in the different events because it is fun and it gives us something to do; it allows us to get out of the house,” the Jacksons said.

The couple said that they are at the Friendship Center in New Caney twice a week playing bingo and socializing with their friends.




READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Chamber Business Health EXPO

November 17, 2009
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Yellow Rose Reception Hall
21130 Legion Road
New Caney, Texas

Sponsored by the
Community Chamber of Commerce
of East Montgomery County

(Vendor setup begins at 1:00 PM)
Booths are $100 for an 8'x8' space
($75 for CCCofEMC Members)

The Yellow Rose Reception Hall is located behind the EMC Courthouse and Justice of the Peace's office.
To reserve your booth call 281-354-0051 or email the Chamber at info@communitychamberemc.com

Intercepted! MIB bust repeat offender

October 28, 2009

NEW CANEY - A routine traffic stop resulted in the arrest of a man police believe drove from South Houston to East Montgomery County to make a special delivery.

Joshua B Dunbar, 22, of Houston was charged with first degree felony delivery of a controlled substance (more than 4 grams, less than 200 grams) with intent to deliver.

Public Data Dunbar has a prior conviction on the same charge, among others.

Deputy Ricky Ford with the Pct. 4 Constable’s Office stopped Dunbar on FM 1485 at Azalea Ln. for failure to change lanes. According to Lt. Mark Seals, Ford became suspicious because Dunbar acted nervous and was perspiring excessively despite the outdoor temperature being low enough that Ford was wearing a jacket.

After receiving consent to search the vehicle, Pct. 4 officers discovered what was later determined to be 19.4 grams of crack cocaine, divided into 14 small plastic zippered bags, Seals said.

The vehicle, a 2005 Chevy Impala, was seized.

READ MORE AND SEE MORE HERE

CONFERENCE USA CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP COMING TO THE WOODLANDS

PRESS RELEASE
October 20, 2009

THE WOODLANDS – Some of the nation’s elite cross country runners will come to The Woodlands to compete in the 2009 Conference USA Cross Country Championship on Saturday, October 31.

Hosted by the University of Houston, the championship will be held at the Bear Branch Sportsfields, 5205 Research Forest Drive, the largest sports complex in The Woodlands. The events are free and open to the public.
Men will run an 8k race while women will compete in a 5k race. The competition is expected to attract more than 200 student-athletes.

“The Woodlands is uniquely positioned for this championship,” said Nick Wolda, President of The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau. “In addition to outstanding facilities, The Woodlands has outstanding hotels and five million square feet of shopping, dining & entertainment.”

Conference USA is celebrating its 15th year as it continues to enhance both men and women’s athletic programs. The conference is home to 12 nationally prominent, tradition-rich members in East Carolina, Houston, Marshall, Memphis, Rice, SMU, Southern Miss, Tulane, Tulsa, UAB, UCF and UTEP.

“We are thrilled to hold the 2009 Conference USA Cross Country Championship in The Woodlands. Bear Branch Sportsfields has already hosted prestigious cross country meets throughout the year and we are glad to provide our student-athletes with the opportunity to race on one of the premier courses in the country,” said Walter Brock, Assistant Director of Sports Services for Conference USA. “We thank The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau for generating excitement to help provide our student-athletes, coaches and fans with a memorable championship experience.”

For more information on events in The Woodlands, go to www.thewoodlandscvb.com and click on Events or call 281-363-2447. And for more information about Conference USA, visit www.conferenceusa.com.

READ MORE HERE

Three die in MVA; 18-year-old charged

A PHI Air Medical helicopter lifts off at FM 1314 and South Loop 336 to transport one person injured in a multiple-vehicle wreck Friday morning. Three people were killed and two injured in the wreck, Conroe Police Sgt. Bob Berry said.

By Nancy Flake
Updated: 10.16.09
An 18-year-old East Montgomery County man is in jail and charged with three counts of manslaughter following a Friday morning multi-vehicle wreck at FM 1314 and South Loop 336 that killed three people in one car.

Casey McKinley was arrested after he was released from a local hospital for treatment of the injuries he suffered in the wreck, which occurred around 10:15 a.m.

McKinley, driving a Dodge Dually pickup, was eastbound on South Loop 336, allegedly at a high rate of speed, Conroe Police Department Sgt. Bob Berry said. Witnesses told police the truck was weaving in and out of traffic, he said, and McKinley allegedly failed to stop at the red light where the roads intersect.

His truck allegedly struck a Mazda passenger car traveling north on FM 1314 and driven by Craig Steven Rector, 50, of Splendora. Rector and his passengers, Felicia Hicks, 20, and Freedom Fitch, 24, also of Splendora, were killed, a Conroe Police press release stated.

At least one person had to be cut out of the Mazda with the Jaws of Life, Berry said. Hicks and Fitch were flown by PHI Air Medical helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston’s Texas Medical Center.

The car driven by Rector, which was allegedly T-boned by McKinley’s truck, slid east into traffic on South Loop 336, Berry said, where it hit two other vehicles.

Rector is Hicks’ stepfather, said a neighbor, who did not want to be identified. Hicks and Fitch have a young child, the neighbor said.

The driver of one of the other vehicles, which was traveling east on South Loop 336, was transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital, Berry said. The driver of the fourth vehicle was not injured.

McKinley was treated at the hospital and immediately arrested after he was released, Berry said.

“The (Montgomery County) District Attorney’s Office accepted charges on the scene,” Berry said. “We had officers waiting at the hospital; and when he (McKinley) was released, he was handcuffed and taken to jail.”

McKinley, a student at the University of Texas-Galveston, was home running errands, said Tay Bond, his attorney. He is “devastated mentally by the accident.”

“When I met with him, he was extremely somber and overwhelmed by the events,” Bond said. “His family understands three other families have been affected much more than they have. The concern is as deep for the other families as it is for their son.

“It’s absolutely a tragic event.”


READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Chuck Norris Kickstarts Conroe

Martial arts legend and actor Chuck Norris was in Conroe on Saturday at the completion of a motorcycle ride to benefit KICKSTART, also known as Kick Drugs Out of America. The non-profit organization was founded by Norris in 1992, with the help of President George Bush, to encourage and assist inner-city kids by improving their discipline and self-respect through martial arts classes in place of physical education.

The program began in four schools and now serves 44 in the Houston, Dallas and Austin areas. There are currently 6,300 students enrolled in the program, which has helped over 60,000 at-risk students, many of whom have finished college. Sixth graders are recommended by their teachers and principals and if chosen, they remain in the class throughout middle school.

About 150 bikers participated in Saturday’s ride, which was led by Norris, leaving Houston’s Northwest Mall and traveling to Papa’s on the Lake at Lake Conroe, escorted by the Houston Police. An HPD Fox helicopter flew overhead as well.
The ride was to follow FM 149 to Montgomery then to Papa's but escort officers felt it would be safer taking IH45 due to the number of riders and the number of intersections on the SH249/FM149 corridor. Weather and the opening day of the Texas Renaissance Festival created additional traffic on that corridor.

For more information, visit www.kick-start.org

See video HERE

Thunder Over Houston Area May Be Jets!

The U.S. military has issued advanced warning that jet fighters could be scrambled in the Houston area on Oct. 6 as part of military exercises.

North American Aerospace Defense Command will conduct the flights in the skies over Southeast Texas. The pre-planned flights will take place in the late morning and early afternoon and residents should expect to hear and see NORAD fighter jets as they practice intercept and identification procedures.

Although exact flight plans were not divulged, a NORAD spokesman at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado said Houston airspace “could be included” in the exercises.

NORAD has conducted exercise flights of this nature throughout the United States and Canada since the start of Operation Noble Eagle, the command’s response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Thrift store at Peach Creek Baptist Church celebrates re-opening

Thrifty Peach thrift shop volunteers work together as a team to put clothes on hangers to be added to new clothing racks; price items; and sort CDs, DVDs and video cassettes as they prepare for the opening of the shop for the first time since all of the inventory and the building was destroyed by arsonists in July 2008.


By JENNIFER SUMMER
Updated: 09.23.09
After a fire set by vandals destroyed the interior of the annex building where the Thrifty Peach thrift store was located, volunteers are working hard to put it all together again.

The building and all of the clothing, home decor items, accessories and furniture in the store were destroyed in the fire in July 2008 at Peach Creek Baptist Church.

The Thrifty Peach still collected items after the fire and will re-open at the beginning of October in a much larger space than they had previously.

“The fire burned the whole building we were located in and it consisted of five different rooms. They gutted the first floor and built this from the floor up so we can have enough room for customers to shop our items,” Bonnie Langston said.

The group of volunteers started working Sept. 7 to assemble clothing racks, more shelves, a peg board where their purses and accessories can be displayed, and place all of their items they have had donated throughout the new Thrifty Peach.

There will be a grand opening celebration Oct. 1, 2 and 3 and the community is invited to join them.

“We are very excited to have the Thrifty Peach open again and we have all worked very hard to have the shop open again. The fire helped to unite all of the ladies as we have all gathered to work, as a team to put everything back together,” Langston said.

The fire was almost a blessing in disguise for the church. The Thrifty Peach now has more space and the church’s insurance was able to pay for the damages and pay everything off on their buildings.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Actor Patrick Swayze Dies; Houston Native Had Battled Cancer

LOS ANGELES (September 14, 2009)—“Dirty Dancing” actor Patrick Swayze, 57, has lost his yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer.

Swayze died Monday with his family at his side, his publicist Annett Wolf said.

In March 2008, it was disclosed that the Houston native had been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

Despite the grim prognosis, Swayze continued to work on the A&E series “The Beast,” in which he starred, although he said the cancer put him “through hell.”

Swayze became a star in 1987 with his performance in the coming-of-age classic “Dirty Dancing.”

Three years later, his role in “Ghost” made him a big screen favorite.

Patrick Swayze was born on August 18, 1952 in Houston, Texas, the eldest child of Patsy Yvonne Helen (née Karnes; b. 1927), a choreographer, dance instructor, and dancer, and Jessie Wayne Swayze (1925-1982), an engineering draftsman.[6][7] He had two younger brothers, actor Don (born 1958) and Sean Kyle (born 1962), and two sisters, Vicky Lynn (1949-1994) and Bambi, who were adopted into the family.[8] His surname originated with an English immigrant ancestor named "Swasey".[7]
Until the age of 20,

Swayze lived in the Oak Forest neighborhood of Houston, where he attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, Oak Forest Elementary School,[9] Black Middle School,[9][10] and Waltrip High School.[9] During this time, he also pursued multiple artistic and athletic skills, such as ice skating, classical ballet, and acting in school plays. He studied gymnastics at nearby San Jacinto College for two years.

Patrick Swayze on Wkipedia.

Pit bull mauls child

KHOU:

The child was visiting her aunt's house on Sweet Gum near Live Oaks.

She went in the backyard to help feed her aunt's three dogs and that's when the pit bull attacked, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department.

The little girl was taken by Life Flight to Memorial Hermann Hospital. She's being treated for multiple puncture wounds and is in critical condition, according to Detective Mike Landrum.

The aunt suffered minor injuries when she intervened to stop the attack.

She was taken to Kingwood Medical Center.

The dog was taken into custody by Montgomery County Animal Control.

Landrum said they found no history of prior problems with the dogs.

LINK

TV Tip leads to drug arrest.

EAST MONTGOMERY COUNTY - An alert citizen tipped off the office of Montgomery County Pct. 4 Constable Rowdy Hayden after recognizing a fugitive featured on a Houston television station. The information led to four arrests, including the suspect at a home on Fostoria Road west of US 59.

KPRC, Channel 2 in Houston airs a “Wheel of Justice” segment during their newscast, which shows a fugitive’s photograph and provides details of their alleged crime, along with information about reporting their whereabouts. On Wednesday, the program spotlighted 21-year-old Crystal Deann Kimberlin of Splendora, whose probation was revoked. Her alleged victim was interviewed for the segment and described a brutal attack by two women who she identified as Kimberlin and 33-year-old Patricia Ann Quintanilla, who was not wanted because she had not been caught violating the terms of her probation.

On Wednesday night, the “Men in Black” arrested Kimberlin, whose current address is 11581 Fostoria Rd. near Splendora; Quintanilla, address unknown (last known address was east of Conroe); Anthony Shane Sustaita, 25, of 21433 Towerwood Drive in EMC; and 31-year-old Edward Garcia Jr. of 1250 Meekins Rd. in Splendora were all charged with first-degree felony possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

A 15-year-old who was also present was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and will appear before Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace James Metts.

Sustaita was also charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution of a known felon and multiple JP4 warrants, including no driver’s license; three warrants for failure to appear; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Garcia, who surrendered to authorities at the Pct. 4 Constable’s Office while deputies processed the first three suspects, was also charged with evading arrest/detention.

In addition to the drug charge, Kimberlin was arrested on a motion to revoke warrant which is the reason for her unexpected appearance on television. The program showed an interview with the female victim of the crime for which Kimberlin was convicted who detailed her assault/robbery at the hands of Kimberlin and Quintanilla. There was no warrant to revoke Quintanilla’s probation because was not caught violating the terms – that is, until Wednesday night…

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

It's 09-09-09 - does it mean anything?

And though the date lacks the pizzazz of the lucky sevens (07/07/07), that isn't stopping marketers, mathematicians and the marriage-minded from dressing it to the nines.

Hotels are offering discounts, couples are wedding in droves and "9/9/09" was among the top 100 search terms on the search engine Google on Tuesday.

Lottery users will undoubtedly try their luck by playing 999 Wednesday, and a lucky mother might see herself profiled on the news should she give birth at just the right time: 9:09.

So why not get in on the act?

After all, you're unlikely to experience another single-digit date in your lifetime. The next one won't roll around for 92 years -- until 1/1/2101.

Going to the chapel, gonna get married

In China, more than 10,000 couples were expected to register their marriages in Beijing on Wednesday and 6,000 more couples were set to tie the knot in Shanghai -- even though it's a weekday, said the Xinhua news agency.

In Malaysia, more than 500 ethnic Chinese couples married at a Buddhist temple in Kuala Lumpur.

That's because Chinese culture considers the number nine auspicious. In major Chinese dialects, the word for "nine" sounds similar to "longlasting."

Marriage also will be on the mind of many around the world who hope the date will translate to a life on cloud nine.

The Registry of Marriages in Singapore had more than 364 couples signed up to marry Wednesday, says The Straits Times newspaper. The average is 64.

Ditto for Australia. The state of Queensland has reported a threefold increase in the number of couples tying the knot.

"It's as simple as having a wedding anniversary that you can never forget," the registrar-general Helen Lucas told the broadcaster ABC.

Needless to say, the so-called marriage capital of the world -- Las Vegas, Nevada -- isn't about to let such an opportunity pass it by.

The Stratosphere is among several hotels and casinos offering quickie weddings. It is angling to marry off 99 couples at 9:09 p.m. for -- what else -- $99.09.

Hotels hope you book it!

Several hotels are offering special deals, tied to the date. The truth is that September is a slow time for the travel industry and any gimmick will do.

Hotels.com has been running a nine-day sale leading up to Wednesday, for rooms priced $99 or less.

Mathemagic

Those who like to play with numbers will have a field day on 09/09/09.

The date falls on a Wednesday in September, both of which have 9 letters.

September 9 also is the 252nd day of the year. 2+5+2

In addition, if you multiply a single-digit number by 9, the resulting two digits add up to 9. Consider: 8x9

Take me out to the ballgame

More than most, baseball is a game steeped in nines: nine players on the field at one time, nine innings, 90 feet between bases and nine strikes per inning.

You can celebrate by going to one of 15 games that Major League Baseball has on tap on Wednesday. Or you can commemorate along with MLB.com, which is inviting fans to vote for each team's best players, by season and position, in the All-Time 9s.

Tweet away ...

Republicans are asking Twitter users to log on at 9 p.m. ET for what is being billed as the "largest Twitter tea party ever."

... or take in a movie

The Tim Burton-produced sci-fi flick "9" comes out Wednesday, the 9th. It's a story about hand-stitched robots that battle to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. How many robots? Nine.

Nine lives? Not today

The humor Web site URLesque has declared a one-day ban on all cat-related videos and stories on 09/09/09. The site doesn't specifically say so, but we suspect it has to do with feline luck running out after nine lives.

"Why only one day?" the Web site asks. "Well let's be honest, that's probably only as long as we'll last before a hilarious video comes crashing into our inbox."

A day in the life

An Internet project led by 25-year-old student Matthias Kluckert in Germany is soliciting stories from around the world Wednesday -- to capture an ordinary day on Earth experienced by people across cultures.

The project, "A Day on the Planet," hopes to collect the best stories and eventually publish them in eight languages.

Why 09/09/09?

"Because it is a date that is so easy to remember," the organizers said.

Speaking of the Beatles ...

It is a big day for the Beatles.

The group's entire music collection comes out digitally mastered.

Head on claims two in Montgomery County

A head-on crash in Montgomery County killed two women and sent another person to the hospital, Department of Public Safety officials said.

The women were identified as Catherine Burk, 29, and Oreveyln Foy, 56, DPS officials said Tuesday.
Burk, of Conroe, was on eastbound Highway 242 about 9:45 p.m. Monday when she crossed into the oncoming lanes and into the path a Ford Escape driven by Foy, of Magnolia, officials said. DPS officials said it was a no-passing zone.
A Ford Taurus then struck Burk's Toyota Rav 4, which then hit a fourth vehicle, DPS officials said.

The driver of the Ford Taurus, identified as Gerald Adair, 45, of Spring, was taken to a hospital where his injuries weren't known Tuesday.

The driver of the fourth vehicle wasn't injured, officials said.

New Caney girl abducted - let go quickly.

NEW CANEY, Texas -- A 15-year-old girl told deputies that she was abducted Monday while walking home from a friend's house.

The girl said she was walking near the intersection of Heather Lane and Saddle Rock Lane in New Caney when a man pulled his black pickup beside her around 3 p.m.

She said the man got out of the truck, grabbed her and forced her into the vehicle.

The girl told deputies that he drove a short distance, then pushed her out of the truck after she told him her father is a police officer. Her father isn't really an officer.

The teen wasn't injured.

She described her abductor as 18 to 19 years old, about 5'7 and 140 lbs. She said he was wearing a white tank top, blue jeans and brown cowboy boots.

She thinks he was driving either a Nissan or Toyota, but she wasn't able to get the license plate number.

Montgomery County investigators are looking into the death of a 3-year-old boy.

Montgomery County investigators are looking into the death of a 3-year-old boy.

Deputies were called to the boy’s home on Edgefield Lane for a welfare check around 6:40 p.m. Monday.

When they arrived, they found paramedics performing CPR on the boy.

The boy was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital in The Woodlands, where he was pronounced dead.

Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit went to the hospital and to the boy’s home.

They said the boy appeared to have suffered some kind of recent trauma.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the home and began looking for evidence on the boy’s cause of death.

An autopsy was ordered for the child, and the results are expected on Tuesday.

Investigators have not released the boy’s name.

Deputies said there were numerous adults and other children living with the boy.

CPS removed five kids, ranging in age from 2 to 12, from the home.

Anyone with information on this case is urged to call Det. Paul Hahs Sr. at 936-760-5876 or Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at 800-392-7867.

Waterspout comes ashore in Galveston

By Chris Paschenko & Rhiannon Meyers / The Daily News & Kevin Reece / 11 News
GALVESTON, Texas — The National Weather Service confirmed a waterspout came ashore in Galveston on Sunday damaging buildings, knocking out power and injuring at least three people.

It happened soon after a strong line of storms moved into the county, and the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning. A waterspout is a tornado that forms over water.

Dolphin World, a souvenir shop in the 2900 block of Seawall Boulevard, was damaged about 9:45 p.m. Debris covered the streets.

Ironically, Dolphin World survived Hurricane Ike with very little damage. But after this storm, things were different.

“It’s very, very bad. Very difficult. Basically everything inside is gone. Brings back memory of Ike,” Schlomo Hamo of Dolphin World said.

Witnesses told The Daily News that a piece of the roof from Dolphin World struck a man who was pushing his bicycle down the seawall. They said he was taken away by ambulance.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

CNN) -- Three boaters who were stranded at sea for more than a week were being reunited with their families Sunday.

Three missing boaters were returned safely to Port Aransas, Texas, after their rescue on Saturday.

A day after the U.S. Coast Guard said it was suspending its weeklong search for the boaters, the men were found alive Saturday night.

The crew of a Good Samaritan vessel found Curtis Hall, 28, James Phillips, 30, and Tressel Hawkins, 43, sitting on top of their capsized 23-foot fishing vessel about 180 miles from Port Aransas, Texas, the Coast Guard said in a news release.

The men had been missing at sea since they failed to return from a fishing trip on August 22.

The Coast Guard had called off their search Friday after it said it had looked over more than 86,000 square miles.

Hall went to a hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas, but left after he waited too long in the emergency room, his mother told CNN. He returned to his home in Palacio, Texas, to rest and will see a doctor later on Sunday for what he thinks are second-degree burns on his legs from sun exposure, she said.

After the rescue, Phillips was on his way home to reunite with his family, his wife, Shane, told CNN. He did not seek medical attention, she said.

Hawkins suffered open sores on his legs after floating in the water for eight days, he told CNN from the emergency room of a Corpus Christi hospital. He plans to leave the hospital soon and head to Fort Worth, Texas, to reunite with his family, he said. E-mail to a friend | Mixx it | Share

Houston hair glue bandit victim videos prankster with cell phone

HOUSTON -- Another woman has come forward saying she too, was a victim of the so-called hair glue bandit. The woman says it happened in a Marshalls in Southwest Houston. She was looking at cookbooks when she felt something in her hair.

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"There was this man standing about a foot and a half beside me. He said, ‘Excuse me,’ and I said, ‘It's ok.’ But then I felt something warm on the back of my head," said the hair glue bandit’s latest victim, who wishes to remain anonymous. "There was this white substance on my hand. It dried instantly."

The victim says she was able to pull out her cell phone and capture video of the man who poured the glue on her.

Plus, because she didn't want him to disappear into a busy parking lot, she followed him out and took down the license plate of the car he was in. She then passed the information over to the police.

Over the past few weeks, glue victims have been studying a surveillance video taken from another attack. The latest victim claims the same man poured the glue in her hair.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Nonprofits receive quilts at Interfaith Quilting Bee East Montgomery News Houston Community Newspapers Online - News Around Town

Nonprofits receive quilts at Interfaith Quilting Bee East Montgomery News Houston Community Newspapers Online - News Around Town

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Rotary seeks young professionals for exchange program

By OBSERVER STAFF
Updated: 07.10.09
The Rotary Club of East Montgomery County is seeking applicants for the 2009-10 Group Study Exchange to Sao Paulo, Brazil. The five-person team will participate in an expenses–paid trip to Brazil from May 4-31, 2010.

The GSE Program of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is an educational program that promotes international understanding through organized travel and personal contact. The program provides travel grants for teams of business and professional women and men to visit the host country.

The team will be visiting Brazil for four weeks. During this time the team members will study the host country through local Rotary District 4430 (Sao Paulo) and have the opportunity to exchange ideas in matched vocations.

This program provides each participant a chance to study professions and practices in the host country, and to develop personal relationships and the ability to exchange ideas for years to come. Individuals who participate in this very valuable, once-in-a-lifetime experience will return home not only with new perspectives and an enlarged vision, but with fresh ideas and an understanding of another nation’s culture, commerce and government that can be invaluable to the future of a company, organization and individual.

A Group Study Exchange offers a unique and rewarding skill-building opportunity and personal growth experience available for young professionals as humanity steps forward to face the challenges of the new millennium.

A GSE team consists of four non-Rotarian business or professional persons and a Rotarian team leader. Applicants must:

1. Be committed to remaining in the work force well after the exchange.

2. Be in the early stages of their careers or professions.

3. Reside in or be employed in the sending Rotary district, be a citizen of the United States, and be between the ages of 25 and 40.

4. Be personable, articulate, cooperative, exemplary in their work and enthusiastic about their vocation.

5. Seek to gain a maximum educational value from the program, as well as be able to fulfill the rigorous demands of international travel and active participation in an extensive itinerary.

For each team member, the Rotary Foundation provides a round-trip air ticket between the home and host countries. Local Rotarians in the host area provide meals, lodging and group travel in their district. Each team member is responsible for all personal and incidental expenses incurred before, during and after the study tour.

To apply, contact Rotary District Governor-Elect Rose Austin of the Rotary Club of East Montgomery County at 281-312-1674 for additional information about application materials, procedures and deadlines.

Applications are due by Sept. 30. Get an application and more information online at http://www.rotary.org/en/ServiceAndFellowship/Fellowship/GroupStudyExchange/Pages/ridefault.aspx.

Annual YMCA Golfer’s Challenge Set

This annual event benefits the Lake Houston Family YMCA and East Montgomery County YMCA Partners Campaign which provides financial assistance to individuals and families who can not afford the services offered at the YMCA.

The Lake Houston Family YMCA is pleased to announce that once again Administaff, Inc. will be the event sponsor of the 12th Annual YMCA Golfer’s Challenge on Monday, August 17, 2009 at Kingwood Country Club. Additional sponsors include Edward Jones Kingwood, Joe and Cathy Cleary, The Mint Bank, Kingwood Medical Center, Dan Huberty, K Austin & Associates, The Observer Newspapers, Monterey’s Little Mexico and Mission Burrito.

This annual event benefits the Lake Houston Family YMCA and East Montgomery County YMCA Partners Campaign which provides financial assistance to individuals and families who can not afford the services offered at the YMCA. Thanks to the generosity of individuals and businesses in our community, hundreds of children receive financial assistance, which allows them to participate in summer day camp, swim lessons, youth sports, after school child care and many other activities at the YMCA.

The cost to participate in this years tournament is $125 per individual or $500 per team. The fee includes golf, practice range, Izod golf shirt, golf balls, tees, continental breakfast provided by Monterrey’s Little Mexico, awards and lunch. Registration forms are available at the Lake Houston Family YMCA or contact Carol Sutton, carols@ymcahouston.org to have a form e-mailed to you. Tee/hole sponsors are still available at a cost of $250.00 and include one individual entry.

Check in will begin at 7:00 AM with tee time at 8:30 AM on the Island or Lake courses of Kingwood Country Club located at 1700 Lake Kingwood Trail in Kingwood, Texas. Trophies will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place team members on each course as well as awards for the closest to the hole and longest drive.

There are additional contest to play that will provide for a fun, exciting challenge on several of the holes. Additionally, chance tickets for fantastic prizes are available for $1.00 each.

For additional information contact Carol Sutton at 281-360-2500 or e-mail carols@ymcahouston.org.

Houston Area 4th of July Fireworks Events

Houston Fourth of July Celebrations, Fireworks


Chevy Freedom Over Texas Fireworks
Location: Eleanor Tinsley Park
website: www.chevysfreedomovertexas.com
This is by far the largest celebration in the city of Houston, and the fireworks display is one of the biggest in the state. Montgomery Gentry will headline. The festival starts at 4 p.m. with performances by local acts. If you don't feel like braving the crowds, you don't have to miss our on the fun; just tune in to ABC13 from the solitude of your couch.

The Houston Symphony 4th of July Celebration
Location: Miller Outdoor Theatre, Herman Park
Led by principal pops conductor Michael Krajewski. Enjoy an All-American salute to commemorate Independence Day, and end the evening with fireworks presented by the Miller Theatre Advisory Board.

Sam Houston Race Park
website: www.shrp.com
The park celebrates Independence Day with special family-friendly activities and a spectacular fireworks display.

Firecracker Hotbox
Location: Gulf Greyhound Park
website: www.gulfgreyhound.com
Come see some of the nation's hottest greyhounds compete.

Kemah Boardwalk
website: www.kemahboardwalk.com
The 4th of July fireworks launch at 9:30 p.m.

SplashTown Fireworks Spectacular
website: www.splashtownpark.com
The park sends up the explosives after dusk.

How our area is growing

According to a story in Wednesday, June 17th's Houston Chronicle,
East Montgomery County is doing well in housing growth and in fact exceeds virtually all of the greater Houston region. The East Montgomery County, area 40 or Southeast area on their map, ranked third overall in the geographic areas covered by their story.

Leading the way in home sales percentage change from May, 2008 to May, 2009 was Grimes County with a 25.0% increase, followed by Bellaire West with 14.3% increase. Our area shows a 10.8% increase for this time period. The only other positive areas were the South Katy Area at 9.5% and the Central downtown Houston area at 3.1%. All other areas showed negative results with the highest being Central downtown West at negative 54.7%. Other areas in Montgomery County, all with negative numbers, were Northeast -30.5%, Southwest -23.1% (which includes The Woodlands), and Northwest -12.9%. The area defined as Far Northeast (which covers Kingwood) showed a negative 23.6% change. The area referred to as Northeast (which would include Humble and areas south of there) showed a negative 26.5% change.

Our area shows a 18.2% positive increase in the price of homes with a median home price in May, 2009 of $152,500. These are indeed good indicators of the many positive things happening in our area.

Sex molester contacts victims from prison

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A family is demanding changes to the system after a man convicted of sexually assaulting children managed to reach out to his victims and reach out to others online.

The family worked for years to put this horror behind them and now they are devastated to learn the man they helped to lock up is free to communicate with his young victims.

The New Caney mother who we'll refer to as, "Kimberly," didn't want to identified in order to conceal her son's identity.

"You just feel like your child's not safe anywhere," she said.

Fire destroys Galveston seawall condos

By Chris Paschenko
The Daily News

Published June 4, 2009
GALVESTON — At least 60 units of a Galveston resort were gutted Wednesday by fire, which was started accidentally by welding contractors who were renovating the complex damaged by Hurricane Ike, fire officials said.

Firefighters were called at 2:19 p.m. to Maravilla Resort Condominiums, 9520 Seawall Blvd., and found fire spreading between the second and third floor.

“It was the workers out there doing welding and cutting,” Fire Chief Mike Varela Sr. said of Fire Marshal Gilbert Robinson’s determination. The contractors had a city permit for renovations and were employing a fire watch, Varela said.

Galveston firefighter Gary Vasquez suffered from heat exhaustion and was taken by ground ambulance to Mainland Medical Center in Texas City and released, Varela said.

A medical crew treated some of the contractors at the scene, but they weren’t taken to a hospital, Varela said.

The blaze began in the rear of the complex, working its way toward the seawall side of the structure. About 120 firefighters, including those from Jamaica Beach, Santa Fe, Hitchcock, La Marque and Texas City were called to the island and helped evacuate about 30 or 40 people from the building. They also fought the blaze and manned fire stations here. There were no further injuries, Varela said.

Firefighters focused their attack at the center of the complex, where Varela said a fire break helped them control the blaze about 5:30 p.m.

Much of the upper units of the three-story complex were gutted, and many more sustained smoke and water damage, Varela said.

Lloyd W. Rinderer, an assistant city manager for Galveston, said he lost his condo of six years to the blaze. Rinderer, who is also treasurer of the condo’s homeowner’s association, said he would reside on his boat at The Galveston Yacht Club, just as he did not long after the storm.

“We were a month from completing Hurricane Ike repairs,” Rinderer said of the Sept. 13 storm’s damaging effects. “There were 164 units and there were about 10 people who were actually living there.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

RH Donnelley goes for Bankruptcy

RH Donnelley, the publisher of nearly 600 directories, including the several phone directories in the Houston area, filed for bankruptcy protection. The company sited losses from operations due to declines in advertising because of economy, new competition from local directories, and the competition from the web.

READ MORE ABOUT IT HERE.

DA: Plea agreement reached in record-breaking case

By Jamie Nash
June 1, 2009

CONROE- An East Montgomery County resident and business owner whose arrest yielded the biggest cash and property seizure in the county’s history will not fight the charges against him, according to District Attorney Brett Ligon.

Michael Glenn Anderson, 44, pleaded guilty to first-degree felony charges of possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) and money laundering greater than $200,000, both of which carried possible sentences of five to 99 years or life in prison. Instead, Anderson agreed to a 10 year sentence in the Texas Department of Corrections and forfeiture of his assets, including his home, $270,000, Harley Davidson motorcycle and Lexus SUV.

An older model pickup Anderson owns was returned along with contents of his home such as clothing. Ligon said Anderson’s parents were contacted and retrieved his person effects. The other items will be liquidated, and the money used to fight crime in Precinct 4.

“I’m ecstatic to turn the proceeds over to law enforcement,” Ligon said.

Precinct 4 Constable Rowdy Hayden said Anderson’s arrest and forfeiture agreement should serve as a warning to others.

“There’s no way to sugar coat it, Hayden said, “That’s the price you pay for living that lifestyle.”

He further stated he hoped Anderson would get the help he needed and become a productive citizen after his release.

Deputies with the Pct. 4 Constable’s Office first arrested Anderson on April 23 at his home, located at 17205 Misty Lake Point in the North Crest Ranch subdivision off of SH 242 near US 59.

While investigating an anonymous tip, Pct. 4 deputies found Anderson with around 15 grams of crack cocaine in plain view, then obtained a search warrant and discovered around 2 kilos of cocaine inside the residence.

Anderson was jailed on the possession of a controlled substance charge and many of his valuable belongings were seized. The same evening, investigators obtained warrants for his accounts and safety deposit boxes at Chase Bank. Inside one of his safety deposit boxes, investigators found and seized $270,000 in $100 bill.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

New Caney High School announces top 10 graduates

The June 7 graduation will be a dream come true for many New Caney High School seniors and their families.

While many will have a lot to celebrate, the high school’s 2009 top 10 graduates were announced during the honor graduation ceremony May 19.

“I have been in education for 22 years and this is my fifth year as the lead counselor at New Caney High School. I am always so proud of the top 10 students because this achievement does not come easy,” said Ann Kramer. “Students must take a very rigorous college preparatory course of study and go above and beyond in the basic requirements for graduation.”

New Caney High School’s top 10 graduates are Luis Rodriguez, valedictorian; Jonathan Curtis, salutatorian; Joshua Battley; Michael Prior; Eric Pashia; Salina Chen; Olivia Milkovic; Dallas Kallies; Jillian Boyd; and Patrick O’Hare.

“All of these students have very high goals for themselves and should be very successful members of society,” Kramer said. “I expect to hear great things in the future from all of them. This is a great reward for them and also for us as educators.”

With plans to either be a pediatrician or a cardiologist, Rodriguez plans to attend the University of Houston after high school and major in biochemical and biophysical sciences.

“I like math and science,” Rodriguez said. “That is why I want to go to medical school. I see myself starting my career as a physician in 10 years.”

The valedictorian was a member of the National Honor Society, Health Occupations Students of America and Science UIL.

As he prepares for his future, Rodriguez said that he wants to be a role model for his younger brother and sister.

Salutatorian Jonathan Curtis said he also plans to attend the University of Houston and study biomedical engineering.

“My plans are to go to medical school and pursue a career in orthopedics,” he said. “I want to be an orthopedic because I have had a lot of broken bones due to sports and it has always interested me.”

A member of the tennis team and NHS and working, Curtis said he enjoyed spending time with friends and growing relationships that will last a lifetime.

Battley, ranked third in his class, said in 10 years he has plans to complete his residency as a medical doctor.

“At New Caney, I enjoyed tennis and building rockets in physics,” Battley said.

The graduate plans to attend Texas A&M University and major in biomedical engineering. Upon graduation, his goal is to go to medical school and specialize in orthopedics.

Prior plans to attend Texas A&M University and earn a Bachelor of Science degree in physics.

“With my degree, I plan to participate in scientific research or teach calculus or physics,” Prior said.

When asked what he will miss about high school, he said he will miss all of his friends who “I don’t interact with outside of school because they are still my good friends. I will also miss my teachers because most of them were very good.”

After graduation, Pashia will attend a community college to finish his Associate of Arts.

“I then plan to transfer to pursue my career in music at Southwestern Assemblies of God University where I will major in piano/guitar,” Pashia said.

In 10 years, Pashia said he sees himself leading worship and continuing his career in music and singing with hopes of getting a record deal.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE