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Star-Courier News

Crosby ISD plans to use 2017 bonds to meet dire facility needs

August 8, 2019

CROSBY – The Board of Trustees of Crosby ISD met with Steven Doorman of Casey Sledge, attorney’s and the school’s bond consultant Doug DeWitt and authorized the selling of the bond that passed voters in 2017 for $109.5 M. with some changes to address current needs at a special meeting called for August 5.

The bonds were separated into two phases and a third was eliminated. Phase one was to include the Maintenance and Operations Budget Reimbursement for the years 2016 – 2018 for $11,125,431 and 2017- 2018 for $2,060,881. The bond would buy buses for $835,000. Upgrades to Barrett Elementary School and Newport Elementary School comes in at $835,000. A New Middle School with 6th Grade and site improvements for the E5 and middle school is scheduled to cost $38,099,960.

Crosby High School will add new wings for $20,378,802. Crosby Elementary School and Crosby High School are to get Emergency Access Drives or roadways for $877,123. The cost of converting Crosby Kindergarten Campus to Pre-Kindergarten through 5th Grade and Drew Elementary School and Crosby Elementary School for Pre-Kindergarten with special facilities to accommodate Drew Elementary, Crosby Elementary and Crosby Middle School is $1,844,571.

The total of the entire first phase is $78,845,613. Phase two is the building of a new elementary school for $30,654,387.

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Commissioner Garcia details his plans for Pct. 2 improvements

August 8, 2019
Commissioner Adrian Garcia speaks at the Chamber luncheon about his plans for Pct. 2.

By Gilbert Hoffman

Speaking last week at a North Channel Chamber luncheon, Harris County Pct. 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia covered a wide range of topics related to his concepts of improving conditions for all the residents.

Garcia said that his focus at all times is on Precinct 2, and what he can do to better conditions there. He said a fundamental change in how the precinct is run is his emphasis on spending county money to hire companies and workers that are located in the precinct. He introduced his purchasing director, Jose Jimenez, saying he was they key to implementing the new plan.

Garcia reflected on his first seven months in office, and how it seemed like an unending string of catastrophes. He noted that his term started the first week with an ExxonMobil fire in the refinery in Baytown, and currently was ending the period the same way with the same disaster. He noted that the refineries in Precinct 2 have a history of violations of air and water pollution, and vowed that the county would implement new procedures to minimize these. Because of the large number of petrochemical plants in his district, he said that environmental concerns and safety would be a primary concern that he would focus on.

Garcia noted that his precinct has the lowest household income in the county, and related to that is the lowest home ownership percentage. He noted how important this is, related to other problems of educational achievement and crime rates.

He said a priority is to raise the level of educational achievement, and as a start he has partnered with HCDE, the Harris County Department of Education, to provide free SAT college preparation for about 200 motivated students that need help to pass the college entrance tests. This is a four week course for high school students, and if successful will be repeated for more. Garcia noted that passing the SAT will open more educational opportunities, and result in more job and career choices and opportunities.

Garcia told the students, “Go on to succeed, but come back to Precinct 2 and Give Back.”

Garcia said that healthcare was a major concern, and noted that he had started the first “food pantry” at a Clinic in the district, to provide more healthy food to clients. He noted that other factors affecting access to good healthcare included transportation, which is being provided.

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$47 million to rebuild Lake Houston dam

August 8, 2019
Lake Houston Dam will soon have new gates to help control flooding on the San Jacinto River watershed area.

Crenshaw Releases Statement On FEMA Funds For Lake Houston

HOUSTON, TX – On Friday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced funding for the Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Project. The project, which converts Lake Houston’s dam to dam gates, was awarded a total of $47,170,953 ($35,378,214 in federal funds).

Congressman Dan Crenshaw released the following statement in response to the announcement:

“This is great news for the entire San Jacinto watershed. This money will fund the much-needed Lake Houston dam gates to better manage the flow of water. For a community that feels the burden of flooding too often, this is a huge win. I’m grateful to partner with City Council Member Dave Martin, Governor Greg Abbott, Texas Department of Emergency Management Executive Director Chief Nim Kidd, and State Senator Brandon Creighton to make this a reality.”

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Highwayman foiled in Highlands

August 1, 2019
Don Anthony Spitaleri, 44, of Dayton 25.

Attempted Robbery with a sword cut short

HIGHLANDS – Being robbed by machete is no doubt frightening, much like the historic cases of highwaymen sticking up carriages with swords demanding “Stand and deliver, your money or your live,” was 300 or 400 years ago, a woman had exited her car and she was confronted by an underbrush cutter and a stressed looking bandit not wearing any mask, silk or otherwise.

A woman was robbed of $7.00 cash at the apartments near the new Highlands Fire Station on East Wallisville last Thursday at about 11:00 a.m. At a corner there is a Valero Station. The suspect was about to transact some different business at that Valero Station when he was confronted by the apartment maintenance man, Andrew Davis.

Davis held the alleged robber on the ground outside the store until Harris County Precinct 3 Deputy Watson arrived to put him in handcuffs.

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Pct. 3 Constable race finds Eagleton, Jones, Florus already registered

August 1, 2019

Ken Jones seeks old position

HARRIS COUNTY – By far the most contentious local, primary race in 2016 was the race for the Democratic candidate for Precinct 3 Constable. Now we find the incumbent Constable facing his old boss, and the wife of his last Republican opponent. While there is plenty of time for others to also run, these three have already selected a responsible financial treasurer to seek campaign finances for office.

The race will be held November 5, 2020. The official deadline for filing isn’t until Dec. 9 of 2019 for the Democratic Party. The Democratic party spokesperson indicates that they do not know who will run as yet and the Harris County Clerk of Court has no listing as to who might run.

As rumor would have it, eleven people are running for the office but no official record indicates this or whom those candidates might be.

Still with certainty, we can say that Harris County Precinct 3 Constable Sherman Eagleton is running, the former Constable Ken Jones is running, and Deborah Florus is running, and each has named an election treasurer. All three have long histories in law enforcement. Eagleton and Jones have held the office and Deborah Florus is a Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy and wife of Dan Webb, the last Republican Candidate for Precinct 3 Constable and formerly with the Department of Public Safety.

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CROSBY/HUFFMAN CHAMBER: New Educator’s Luncheon Aug. 14

August 1, 2019

New Educator’s Luncheon is fast approaching the Chamber, scheduled for August 14th at Crosby Church, located at 5725 HWY 90 in Crosby and will begin at 11:30am.

This is our Monthly Member Luncheon where we host a lunch to WELCOME all New Educator’s to our Crosby and Huffman School Districts. This year’s luncheon will be Presented by United Community Credit Union.

The Chamber will give every New Educator a goody bag full of items donated by our business members to Welcome them to our towns. We also do a drawing and gift the teachers door prizes donated by our members.

We are asking for 150 goody bag items and we would like to be able to give every New Educator a door prize. This is a great opportunity for you to showcase your business and help Welcome our New Educators to these great Communities!

Please contact Chamber Office at 281-328-6984 or email us at chamber@crosbyhuffmancc.org for more information.

BARRETT STATION CELEBRATES HOMECOMING

July 25, 2019
One of many colorful floats, with Alumni and judges enjoying the ride in the Parade.

Barrett Station held their 5th Annual Homecoming last weekend, July 19th and 20th. Hundreds turned out for the event, which included a Golf Cart Ride and Margarita/ Fajita competition on Friday night, and the Homecoming Parade itself starting at 10am on Main Street.

Also on Saturday was the Cook-off, with judging starting immediately after the parade, in Riley Chamber Park. Teams competed for Ribs, Brisket, Chicken, and Open Dish.

Parade Marshal was Constable Sherman Eagleton, a native of Barrett Station. He said about the Homecoming: “The Barrett Station Civic League’s Annual Homecoming Parade and Cookoff was held today at the Riley Chambers Park. The community comes together to show their hometown pride while also teaching the younger generations the importance of history and fellowship. Thank you for inviting us each year, it’s truly an honor!”

Project Recovery Harvey has funds available

July 25, 2019

Project Recovery Harvey is open to Homeowners affected by Hurricane Harvey, or, depending on the program, the floods of 2015, 2016, & 2017, who are U. S. Citizens and Permanent Legal Residents.

The first step is to complete the pre-application to determine which program you may qualify for by visiting www.HarrisRecovery.org.

After you complete the pre-application, you should receive an email verifying that your information has been recorded. Help is available by calling 832-927-4961 or stop in to speak with an intake specialist at any location listed here.

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Stephens relates efforts to Pass HB76

July 25, 2019
Highlands Rotary Club president Sheila McDonald presents a check for $1000 to Scott Stephens for his Cody Stephens Foundation fundraiser.

Seven years ago, Crosby student Cody Stephens died unexpectedly from a heart condition. He was at home, resting, and never woke up. After recovering from the shock of losing their strong athletic son, his parents Scott and Melanie decided they would work to keep this from happening to other families.

Their action took two directions. One was to start a foundation to pay for any student who wanted a heart screen to be able to get one, and the other action was to take their campaign for student athletes to receive heart screening to the Texas Legislature.

Scott knew that the problem was widespread, and needed the attention and support of school administrators and state legislators throughout the state. But since 2012, he has had a bill before the legislature three times, and it was only this year that he got it passed. He credits Dan Huberty and Carol Alvarado with aid in getting it passed.

He related to the Highlands Rotary Club the saga of his attempts, last week at a member’s luncheon. (more…)

Eastside Veterans host car show

July 18, 2019

Raising funds to build a memorial in Crosby Park or wherever they can get the public land and host a celebration of veterans on Veteran’s Day, the Eastside Veterans’ Celebration hosted a car show last Saturday, July 13 at the Crosby American Legion Post 658. Out front as President Bob Ward, Karen Foster and Betty Michelsky in the far background are the fundraiser pigs Freedom and Justice with entertainer, Eddie Foster. The top twenty show vehicles received trophies for their participation and there was a Best of Show and Judge’s Choice Award along with a 50/50 jackpot won by lucky Mrs. Betty Michelsky. The Eastside Veterans also host a trip to Coushatta Casino Resort in Kender, LA. each month. The Eastside Veterans’ Celebration has a website and a facebook page that interested locals can follow.

Judge’s Choice award went to Bruce Meyer with a 1969 Cobra GT, here awarded by judge Trystan Anderson, an automotive detailer in Crosby.

Don Housley won Best of Show here with Eddie Foster, MC and event entertainer. Don brought a 1948 Ford Truck that wowed everyone.

Lawmen bust Crosby human trafficking ring

July 18, 2019

CROSBY – It took over a year to get Human Trafficking charges confirmed against three local suspects in Montgomery County although three young women had been liberated almost immediately once the investigation began by a special task force.

Harris County Precinct 3 Constable Sherman Eagleton is making every effort to find and liberate victims of human trafficking locally. Constable’s Deputy Johnson was the lead deputy to investigate what would become a case that continues to grow as he was instrumental in finding two of the women in Crosby and pointed to another in Fort Bend County that was rescued by the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office.

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