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.




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