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Star-Courier News

Crosby spirit shows at Barrett Homecoming

July 22, 2021
Constable Sherman Eagleton and SWAT vehicle
A Parade of 4 Wheelers and Golf Carts

Crosby ISD Celebrates Community

By Brett Birkinbine

Crosby ISD is ready to start the new school year after a weekend full of community engagement celebrating the 2021 Barrett Station homecoming.

Crosby ISD teachers, school leaders and administrators passed out candy and flyers about the upcoming school year during Saturday’s community parade. Superintendent Paula Patterson then delivered the keynote address to Little Sisters Empowerment, a new non-profit organization created to serve girls in the East Harris County area.

CISD Superintendent Paula Patterson and friends
CISD Board of Trustees travel in style

Later in the day, Crosby ISD leaders, including Superintendent Patterson and Crosby High School head football coach Jerry Prieto, had to tackle a feast. They were judges for the Barrett Station Homecoming Cook Off. They sampled dozens of dishes in each round – from succulent ribs to mouthwatering brisket. There were also rounds for best chicken and best open dish. In the end, the “Dirty Bay” team won best overall and took home this year’s trophy.

Continue reading...Crosby spirit shows at Barrett Homecoming

Crosby community says Goodbye to Lewis Spearman

July 15, 2021
A Memorial Service honoring the life and work of our newspaper colleague Lewis Spearman was held last Tuesday evening at Crosby Church. Above, Pastor Keenan Smith led the service.

CROSBY – Two memorial services last week marked the community’s sense of loss at the unexpected death of Lewis Spearman. Last Tuesday evening, the community came together for a memorial service in honor of Lewis Spearman, held at Crosby Church. Scores of friends came to pay their last respects, and to share some remembrances. And on Saturday, a large crowd gathered at the Crosby Fairgrounds for a benefit and reminiscences.

The Tuesday service was guided by Pastor Keenan Smith of Crosby Church. He spoke about his personal relationship with Lewis, and the unique qualities he had as an individual. His love of friends, joy of companionship and parties, and his interest in history. A slide show captured his moments in a Pirate costume at the Renaissance Festival, and as a Texan Patriot at the reenactment of the Battle of San Jacinto.

Pastor Larry Koslovski, who knew Lewis for many years through the Chamber of Commerce activities and board of trustees, gave a review of his life and his love of Crosby, its people and its traditions. He imagined Lewis in heaven working with his camera and tape recorder for the next story.

Others who spoke at the memorial included Gil Hoffman, the publisher of this newspaper.

Continue reading...Crosby community says Goodbye to Lewis Spearman

Improper fireworks disposal linked to Highlands house fire

July 15, 2021
Highlands Firemen battle house fire on Inwood Lane last Saturday night. Improper disposal of fireworks is listed as the cause of the fire.

HIGHLANDS – At approximately 11:20 p.m. on Saturday night, July 3, Highlands Fire Department along with mutual aid from Crosby Fire Department, Channelview Fire Department, and Sheldon Fire Department responded to a residential fire in the 200 Block of Inwood Ln.

Crews arrived on scene in just minutes to find the house with heavy fire showing. Crews extinguished the fire quickly and no injuries were reported.

The fire was investigated by Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office and was caused by improper disposal of fireworks into a plastic trash can.

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Abbott Announces Special Session of Legislature Agenda

July 15, 2021

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today issued a proclamation that identifies eleven agenda items for the Special Session that begins at 10:00 AM on Thursday, July 8.

“The 87th Legislative Session was a monumental success for the people of Texas, but we have unfinished business to ensure that Texas remains the most exceptional state in America,” said Governor Abbott. “Two of my emergency items, along with other important legislation, did not make it to my desk during the regular session, and we have a responsibility to finish the job on behalf of all Texans. These Special Session priority items put the people of Texas first and will keep the Lone Star State on a path to prosperity. I look forward to working with my partners in the Legislature to pass this legislation as we build a brighter future for all who call Texas home.”

Special Session agenda items will include:

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Phased closures due for two months on Hartman bridge to allow emergency repairs

July 15, 2021

Lanes will be placed in a contraflow configuration to keep both directions of travel open

July 7, 2021

HOUSTON – The Texas Department of Transportation will begin making repairs to a portion of the Fred Hartman bridge this weekend. During a routine inspection last year, crews found some fractures along the joint and immediately repaired the joint with steel plates and later asphalt.

The $2.5 million emergency contract was approved to replace the modular joint. It took about six months to design and fabricate.

In order to replace the joint on the southbound portion of the bridge, crews will close all southbound mainlanes on the Fred Hartman bridge and then close the northbound mainlanes the following weekend.

During construction, lanes will be placed in a contraflow configuration to allow for two southbound and two northbound travel lanes on the northbound bridge.

Continue reading...Phased closures due for two months on Hartman bridge to allow emergency repairs

Rotary installs Jerry Fallin as President

July 1, 2021
LEFT: State Representative Briscoe Cain, right, pins the President’s medal on the incoming Rotary president Jerry Fallin. // RIGHT: Award chair Patricia Scott presents Rotarian of the Year award to outgoing president Andy Scott.

The Highlands Rotary Club held their annual installation of officers last Friday night, at a banquet at Monument Inn. Jerry Fallin, a commercial real estate broker from Baytown, was installed as the new president.

Guests at the ceremony included State Representative Briscoe Cain, Rotary District Governor Scott Rainey, Past Rotary District Governor Bob Gebhard, and realtor Jeff Walters.

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State GLO sends $1.1b to Harris County

July 1, 2021

Harris County receiving $1.1 billion in infrastructure and mitigation projects

AUSTIN – Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush has announced plans to sub-award $750 million in light of a denial by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) of a direct allocation of mitigation funding for Harris County. The General Land Office (GLO) will be drafting an action plan that will include a set aside of Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funding for $750 million and direct at least $500 million in additional funds to be distributed through the Regional Mitigation Program. Additional details will be released as the action plan amendment is finalized in accordance with HUD rules and federal requirements.

“Money from the federal government is, as always, tied up with endless mounds of red tape and bureaucracy,” said Commissioner George P. Bush. “During Hurricane Harvey, Texans in Harris County undoubtedly suffered some of the costliest damage in the state. After considerable back and forth with the Biden Administration’s Department of Housing and Urban Development, the General Land Office will allocate $750 million in funding for mitigation efforts in Harris County and continue to work around the federal government’s ever-changing bureaucratic demands.”

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We lose Lewis Spearman

June 27, 2021
LEWIS SPEARMAN

We are sad to report that our friend and colleague, Lewis Spearman, passed away on Friday, June 25, peacefully at home. Lewis had been recovering from a cardiac procedure the previous week. Lewis has been an important part of the newspaper team since our start in 1994, and his contribution will be sorely missed. He had many friends in the Crosby and East Harris County area, and was active with the Crosby/Huffman Chamber and the Crosby Fair & Rodeo, and others. Memorial arrangements will be announced later, but a GoFundMe account for expenses has been established at http://gofund.me/7ac91f54. More of the story is also at this address.

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Local Democrats meet with VP Harris

June 24, 2021
The Democratic Caucus of the Texas Legislature, chaired by Senator Carol Alvarado of Houston, (in the green dress top left) meets with Vice President Kamala Harris, (top center in front of flag) to discuss federal and state legislation that is attempting to restrict voters’ rights. Also around the table, Houston State Representatives Armando Walle, Senfronia Thompson, and State Senator Boris Miles.

Discuss Texas Voter Restriction bills

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week a group of Democratic state legislators met with Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss the ongoing fight to protect voting rights in Texas and to urge the US Senate to pass H.R. 1 and H.R. 4 to combat coordinated voter suppression efforts taking place across the country.

Sen. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston), the chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus, released the following statement after the meeting:

“Today the members of the Texas delegation had a productive conversation with Vice President Harris about the fight against voter suppression in the Texas Legislature and the importance of H.R. 1 and H.R. 4.

“We are grateful for Vice President Harris’ partnership and support in our nation’s capitol as Democrats aim to preempt Jim Crow style laws from every level of government. As we look toward the next special session in Austin, the Texas Senate Democrats will continue to do our part in the fight to ensure that our sacred right to vote is not taken away by blatant Republican voter suppression tactics.”

Continue reading...Local Democrats meet with VP Harris