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Star-Courier News

Crosby Rodeo music, cook-off and more

June 10, 2021
Hula Hut won the most Cook-Off Categories taking 4th & 5th in Fajitas, 2nd in Chicken, 1st, 2nd & 5th in Brisket. Beer Kat Kookers were 2nd & 3rd in Ribs, 2nd place in Open Dish Savory, 2nd & 3rd in Fajitas.

Two weekends of fun, food, riding, music acts

CROSBY – As this paper rolls out to the stands, preparation will have begun to host the 75th Crosby Fair & Rodeo Livestock Auction in the Rodeo pavilion inside the Fairgrounds this evening.

This event generates the most funds for the ultimate goal of the Crosby Fair & Rodeo to provide money to send kids to college. Judging has been ongoing all week, and kids are open for pointers to perfect their livestock display for more awards and opportunities.

The beginning of the local rodeo is the Cook-Off that generally features the Rodeo Parade but the deluge precluded that from taking place. Instead, much like a red-neck Woodstock, locals trooped through mud and braved slick parking lots (leaving an impression there) to attend two lively nights.

Continue reading...Crosby Rodeo music, cook-off and more

Pct. 2 programs win 4 national awards

June 10, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC – Harris County Precinct 2 has been recognized with FOUR Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents. According to a NACo database, no Harris County entity has ever won multiple NACo awards in the same calendar year.

NACo recognized Precinct 2 for the following programs:

— Health Services for the innovative SmartPods Access2Health, a partnership with Baylor

— Veterans Services for the work with Operation Yellowbird alternative PTSD treatment

— Partnership with the American Chemistry Council for a grant to fund air monitors

— Parks Dept. for the innovation and design of James Driver All-Inclusive Park

Continue reading...Pct. 2 programs win 4 national awards

87th Legislature ends, as Democrats walk out to kill Voter Restrictions bill

June 10, 2021

AUSTIN – A bill to overhaul voting rules in the state failed to pass in the Texas House on Sunday night in a victory for Democrats and voting rights advocates. Sunday was the last day of the legislative session that the bill, Senate Bill 7, could have been passed, but it may be brought up again in the future.

SB7 failed to pass in the Texas House because a group of House Democrats walked out of the legislature, causing the House to lose quorum — in order for certain procedures to take place, such as passing legislation, a certain number of House members must be present — blocking Republicans from passing the bill despite their majority. Birnel said that was all made possible by the work of organizers.

The bill would place limits on early voting hours, drive-thru voting, and tighten restrictions on who can vote by mail. It would also expand the role that poll watchers can play, including allowing them to be closer to the polls and to record certain voters.

Continue reading...87th Legislature ends, as Democrats walk out to kill Voter Restrictions bill

Crosby High School’s stormy Graduation Ceremony ended with fireworks

June 3, 2021
Crosby’s 2021 senior class top 5 (1.3%) graduates out of 381. L-R: Valedictorian Hannah Trisha Restauro, Salutatorian Anouk Ochoa, #3. Isaiah David-Albert Jamail, #4. Rayli Eilers & #5. Jessi Martinez. Hannah is majoring in chemical engineering, and Jessi is majoring in engineering, both heading to Texas A & M. Anouk & Rayli are majoring in psychology, and Isaiah is majoring in Finance & Management Information Systems. They’re heading to University of Texas. (Photo by Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

Crosby, TX. – Friday, May 28, 2021 at the Crosby ISD football stadium, better known as “The Jungle” for the home of the school’s Cougar mascot, approximately 8,000 family members and friends poured into the stands for the 2020-2021 commencement ceremony.

The weather forecast for the 7 PM event had the possibility of thunderstorms and as predicted, the rains came. Thousands of umbrellas were quickly put to use while the graduates were kept indoors out of the storm. I could hear prayers offered to stop the rain. Well, it stopped, and the rest of the ceremony was without a drop.

As the school band played, the 381 high school students marched onto the field and took their seats, using a safe distance between them due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continue reading...Crosby High School’s stormy Graduation Ceremony ended with fireworks

Crosby Rodeo signs new Acts

June 3, 2021
Phineus Reb opens inside the Rock N’ C Arena at Crosby Fair & Rodeo Saturday, June 12, following cowboy sports of live rodeo. Later that night is Lanco.
Philip Griffin opens Saturday, June 5, at the Cook-Off inside the Fairgrounds Stadium. Later, Muscadine Bloodline takes the stage.

CROSBY – The local rodeo is on track to deliver a banner year coming out of a time of very little in the way of entertainment, with the Cook-Off, Livestock Auction and Rodeo, and rodeo concerts.

Some board members show increases in early gate sales this year.

This is the 75th year for the Crosby Fair & Rodeo on June 11 and 12. HI–LO PRO RODEO will bring some of the greatest cowboys in the nation inside the Rockin’ C Arena. Both nights will feature mutton bustin’ with local kids riding hard for eight when they pull the gate.

June 10, the Livestock Auction is the time to invest in the local kids. The auction has every year offered some surprises. Many want to know who’s livestock will be judged the best.

The Cook-Off begins this Friday at the Fairgrounds.

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Sterling-White hosts Memorial Day services

June 3, 2021
Solemn ceremony as the Memorial Wreath is laid at the Wall of Honor by Crosby JROTC at SterlingWhite Cemetery in a day to remember those that served their country and those that made the sacrifice that others might have freedom.

HIGHLANDS – Near perfect weather was a great omen for a day of remembrance at Sterling-White Cemetery on Monday.

Welcome from Daisy Bordeau, Managing Partner, followed the pledge of allegiance from Boy Scout Troop #264. Den Webelos directed by Walter Mosley proffered the mood of reverence.

Pastor Jerry Hovater brought the mood in focus.

“I will be reaching not preaching when I get up there today,” said Pastor Hovater before service began. “Reaching for those who need solace.”

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GLO responds to criticism, sends $750 mil to Harris County

June 3, 2021

HARRIS COUNTY – After last week’s announcement from the state GLO, local leaders in Harris County and the City of Houston were vocal in their unhappiness about the fact that almost no flood mitigation funds had been allocated for these two areas, in spite of the fact that Hurricane Harvey had devastated more homes and businesses than anywhere else in the state. Judge Hidalgo petitioned HUD, the federal department providing the flood funds to the state, to reconsider the criteria and allocate money to the local needs.

As a result, George P. Bush, director of the GLO, changed his original statement and promised the county that they would receive a block grant of $750 million without waiting for the second round of allocations. However, as told to this newspaper by a representative of the GLO, this money will come from the $2.144 billion sent to Texas for flood mitigation from Hurricane Harvey, rather than additional funding.

Continue reading...GLO responds to criticism, sends $750 mil to Harris County

Heroic youth foils fast food robbery

May 27, 2021
Scant facial features are visible in this depiction of the robber taken from surveillance equipment.

CROSBY – An attempted robbery on May 23 at 3:37 a.m. left a young man that refused a gunman’s demands shot and the attempted robber fleeing with miniscule loot.

Malacheye Simpson, 18, was working his shift at the drive through window of Jack In The Box Restaurant in Crosby.

Law enforcement has declined to discuss a case with the investigation ongoing and most information concerning this case comes from the victim, coworkers and relatives and the restaurant camera. Harris County Sheriff’s Office would not comment on any reward.

Malacheye Simpson, shooting victim, recalls the ordeal of robbery and defense of his workplace.

According to the victim himself, “A hooded figure comes up from behind me talking all crazy with a gun, telling me to give him the register. I told him, ‘No!’ and we started fighting.”

Brawling inside the restaurant ended outside, Simpson recalled winning the battle for the pistol but discovered he had been shot from above down through his body and fell to the floor. The trajectory of the bullet damaged his diaphragm, kidney, intestine and colon, but doctors indicate expectation to make a full recovery.

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TEA releases statistics on local middle schools

May 27, 2021

AUSTIN – Urgent to the education process is work on educating 6th through 8th Graders. On April 22 the Texas Senate added more legislation to keep students up with the nation as focus shifts on testing to determine proficiency in a year when less than expected students are yet returning to the classrooms. Updated TEA statistics have been released concerning Crosby Middle and Highlands Junior High. Both are remarkably similar and surprising in differences. Highlands Junior High has a student population of 1,185. The student population of Crosby Middle is 1,428.

In Highlands, 46% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 38% scored at or above that level for reading. At Crosby Middle, 60% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 39% scored at or above that level for reading.

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GLO, Feds deny flood funds to Harris County

May 27, 2021

Harris County and Houston officials learned Friday that the state GLO (General Land Office) and the federal HUD (Housing and Urban Development) had determined that these two governments would not receive any Flood Mitigation funding of the approximately $1 billion that was available, in the first round of allocations by the state.

The allocations are based on a formula to determine which communities are the neediest, according to GLO. Within Harris County, approximately $90 million was allocated to Baytown, Pasadena, Galena Park, and Jacinto City for flood mitigation projects that they had applied for.

Harris County had submitted an application asking for $900 million, according to Pct. 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia. Commissioner Garcia, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner issued statements expressing their displeasure and disbelief in news of the allocations not including local jurisdictions.

Commissioner Garcia said that he was upset, and “incredibly frustrated.” Judge Hidalgo said, “It is unconscionable that the very community hit with the most flooded structures by far during Hurricane Harvey received nothing as part of this Harvey Mitigation allocation.”

Mayor Turner said, “For the State GLO not to give one dime in the initial distribution to the City and a very small portion to Harris County shows a callous disregard to the people of Houston and Harris County.”

Judge Hidalgo said that she plans to ask HUD for a review of the criteria used, and assurance that the County will receive future fund allocations. She said the formulas that are used disadvantage large urban areas that are hardest hit.

Continue reading...GLO, Feds deny flood funds to Harris County