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Star-Courier News

Coby Carter bringing Spring to Rock’N C

March 14, 2019

CROSBY – When the Rock’N C Roundup plays on Saturday, March 23, Coby Carter will be the concert portion, but there will be a bevy of activities to partake in, including “How many of you like steak?”

Well, there is to be a steak cook-off beginning at 10:00 a.m. that morning. Teams can buy a ground of 10X15 foot to cook some of the finest steak meat in Texas.

Now the extra good part for just eaters is when the contest is over individuals can buy steak dinners cooked to order for $20 a plate.

For those that like tossing games a corn-hole tournament is to begin registering at 1:00 p.m. and begin at about 2:00 p.m. the buy in per team is $25.

There is to be a Live and Silent Auction including items not available anywhere else.

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Crosby Education Foundation begins ‘Family Pride’ initiative

March 14, 2019

The Crosby Education Foundation (CEF) has embarked upon a new campaign which they are calling the Crosby Cougar Family Pride initiative. The purpose of this campaign is to unify the community with Crosby ISD (CISD) during this time of financial hardship and recovery. They are also trying to raise some funds to help the District maintain essential programs through this difficult period.

CEF is raising money to provide for essential services and supplies which are needed by CISD but had to be cut from the budget due to the financial exigency. They are targeting those programs and services which have the greatest impact on the academic achievement of the students, such as reinstating the Accelerated Reader programs at all Elementary campuses, funding a supplemental tutoring program for student testing, and assisting the District with attracting and retaining top-quality teachers. They are also working with the District to identify additional program and supplies which were cut from the budget.

The fundraising to support this campaign was recently kicked off with the “One District, One Family, One Shirt” sale in early February. They will continue to accept donations from individuals and local businesses to support these needs. You may contribute online at Paypal.me/CrosbyEF or by sending a check to:

Crosby Education Foundation
Attn: Melissa Murray
706 Runneburg Rd
Crosby, TX 77532

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Three injured in Highlands fire

March 14, 2019

Three people were injured in a house fire that destroyed their mobile home, last Wednesday at about 11:45am. The home was located in the northern section of the town, in a development known as Highlands Park near 300 Highlands Shores Road.

Highlands Fire Department responded to the call, bring their water truck as well as pumper trucks and an ambulance. The reported that three people were injured, two with smoke inhalation and one with first degree burns.

The Harris County Fire Marshal’s office also responded to the call, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the blaze.

Education reform to add money to schools, lower property tax

March 7, 2019
Dan Huberty excitedly explaining legislation related to school finance reform in Austin.

AUSTIN: State Rep. Dan Huberty, R., District 127, formerly of District 128, has ridden shotgun on a $9 billion school finance reform bill that is to send more state money to public schools and lower school property tax rates, according to lawmakers.

“The Texas Plan,” or House Bill 3, has had Huberty hopping around explaining to Republicans and Democrats that a $9 billion increase in the base funding for each student and compressing school districts’ property tax rates by 4 cents statewide, among other policy items, is not only possible but necessary. Pre-K for full days for eligible students also benefits, and sending more money to school districts with higher concentrations of disadvantaged students. In his State of the State Address, Governor Abbott named three “emergency items”: they are teacher pay, school finance reform and property taxes reform.

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Cody Bill changed to “opt in,” likely to sail through House

March 7, 2019

CROSBY – House Bill 76 has been dubbed by Dan Huberty, “expected to be voted favorably out of the Education Committee this week.”

Once in the Senate, although backed by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, is another world of politics.

The Cody Stephens bill is now in a form that fits agencies like the U.I.L. and other organizations in that parents and first time athletes will receive a letter informing them that in addition to the doctor listening to the athletes’ heart with a stethoscope a modern E.K.G. machine evaluation can also be obtained for $15 or $20.

The compromise is that it offers parents and students to opt in for the E.K.G. from information provided to them.

Several groups have formed throughout the nation in favor of adding the new technology to read the multitude of problems that can be present in the heart even though the youngster shows no outward signs of having a heart problem.

These groups generally have had loss experiences like Scott Stephens of Crosby. Scott’s son Cody died on May 6, 2012, a few weeks from graduating from Crosby High School. He was excited to be headed to Tarleton State University on a football scholarship, and working to stay in good physical condition to be prepared for college football practices.

At 6’9″ and weighing 289 lbs, he seemed to be in perfect health, with no indication he had a fatal heart problem. On that Sunday afternoon, Cody kicked back in his dad’s recliner, said he was tired and dozed off for a nap. He never woke up but died in his sleep, from Sudden Cardiac Arrest. His family had never heard of SCA and had no idea that young, seemingly healthy children were at risk with relatively few or no warning signs. The Cody Stephens Go Big or Go Home Memorial Foundation was founded in memory of Cody. Before he died, Cody was talking to his father about his goals to play football in a big way in college and beyond. Cody told Scott, “Go big or go home, Dad.”

After Cody died, his family took Cody’s motto and turned it into an effort to screen young hearts to prevent another family from experiencing the same tragedy.

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Crash injures 7, teen faces DUI charge

March 7, 2019
This Ford was driven by a man charged with “intoxication assault” related to a crash on US 90 on Friday at about 7:41 p.m., it had 4 passengers and a driver at the time of the accident.

CROSBY – A three-vehicle collision injuring eight, including two pregnant women, occurred Friday, March 1 at about 7:41 p.m. near the intersection of US 90 at Westgate.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office investigated the horrendous crash and Harris County ESD#5 (Crosby’s ambulance crews) were the primary rescuers with Crosby VFD.

Jordon Paris, 19. faces intoxication assault following a field sobriety test in an accident that Paris is said to have “failed to yield right of way at a designated stop.” His court date was set for Monday.

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Black Boxes, human remains, debris recovered from cargo jet crash site

March 7, 2019
Members of the recovery team load the second black box onto a boat for transport back to land, and then on a plane to Washington, D.C. for data recovery and analysis.

ANAHUAC – Search teams have found the missing “black boxes” from the wreckage of the Atlas Air 767-300 cargo jet that crashed into Trinity Bay last Saturday, February 23rd, on a flight from Miami to Houston. They have also recovered the remains of the three crewmen that were on the plane when it went down. The third body had proven hard to find, as well as the black boxes, due to the thick mud below the murky, opaque water. But hundreds of volunteers, some from the Texas Search and Rescue organization, methodically waded through the water feeling below, when they couldn’t see. Dive teams from Houston, Baytown, and the state DPS were assisting in the search, as well as other authorities such as the Chambers County’s sheriff and fire departments.

They announced last Sunday, March 3rd, that they had recovered the Flight Data Recorder. Earlier they had found the Cockpit Voice Recorder. They also said that they had found remains of the third victim from the plane, which had eluded the searchers for days after the first two bodies were discovered in the waters of Jack’s Pocket, a backwater of Trinity Bay near Anahuac. Aboard the plane had been the pilot and the copilot, Capt. Ricky Blakely and First Officer Conrad Aska, and another pilot Capt. Sean Archuleta who was riding back to his home in Houston. The plane was carrying cargo for both Amazon and the U.S. Postal Service, according to the airline. Most of the packages were strewn through the bay, as well as hundreds of small pieces of the Boeing 767 jumbo jet. Very few large pieces survived the crash.

A barge is loaded with small pieces of the airplane and cargo, to be transported back to a hangar at Chambers County Airport for inspection and analysis. Complete recovery is expected to take months.

The two black box recorders have been sent to the NTSB laboratories in Washington, D.C. for analysis. The cargo plane was on a flight from Miami to Houston. About 30 minutes from landing at Houston Intercontinental airport, air traffic controllers warned the pilot that he was headed toward bad weather. The pilot asked for permission to fly around the storm, to the west. After that transmission, no other voice was heard from the plane. Flying at about 12,000 feet, at 12:35 the plane disappeared from radar, without a distress signal or other communication. Witnesses said the plane nose-dived into Trinity Bay near Anahuac, in about 30 seconds.

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Charlotte’s Web: Someone’s Child

March 7, 2019

By Charlotte Jackson

There is much concern about the increasing number of homeless people who are in the North Channel Area. Almost daily there are posts from concerned community members that are upset over the number of people and the amount of items that are piled under the underpasses along Interstate 10 heading east as well as those under the intersections along the Sam Houston Parkway. There are countless individuals who you can find in the wooded area along the Beltway as well as around vacant buildings and quite often behind restaurants in the alleyways.

On social media, you see some people almost developing a vigilante attitude, calling for the underpasses to be washed daily with a high pressure water pump. These people talk about their property value decreasing and the amount of trash as well as human excrement increasing. Often these homeless individuals scare off potential customers as well as potential new residents to the community.

There are numerous community members who will hand cash to those who approach them while others will look into the distance. Sometimes there are Someone’s Child individuals or groups who prepare a small plastic bag with basic essentials such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, shavers, shampoo and other hygiene items. Other groups will sometimes distribute blankets, towels and jackets to the homeless community.

No matter which side of the discussion that you find yourself, take a moment and remember that the people on the streets and in the woods are someone’s child. (more…)

Boeing 767 Cargo Jet crashes near Anahuac

February 28, 2019
AUTHORITIES can only use airboats to search for debris, black box recorders, and bodies of the three airman, due to the muddy marsh and shallow water. Only small fragments were left of the jumbo jet, after nosediving into Trinity Bay.

Search difficult in muddy marsh

ANAHUAC – This quiet suburban community was the scene of a horrific airplane accident last Saturday afternoon, as a Boeing 767 jumbo jet dropped from the sky into Jack’s Pocket, a backwater of Trinity Bay.

The flight was Atlas Air 3591, a cargo plane carrying packages for Amazon on a trip from Miami to Houston.

At about 12:40 pm, authorities said it fell from 6300 feet into the bay, at an angle almost straight down. A witness said she saw it dive, roll to the left, and catch its wing as it landed in the marsh and water of the bay.

First responders included the Chambers County Sheriff, Brian Hawthorne, and fire and EMS from nearby Anahuac. Later authorities included DPS, Coast Guard, Houston Police and dive team, Harris County Sheriff, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Baytown divers. The FAA and the NTSB will be in charge of the investigation. At this time, there is no known cause for the crash, and air traffic controllers said there was no distress call or radio indication of a problem.

The plane broke into hundreds of small pieces, either in the air or as it hit the water. There were three crewmen aboard, and the bodies of two have been recovered.

Authorities are searching for the Black Box controllers, apparently silent due to the muddy marsh where they are embedded, along with many of the parts of the plane. The search is urgent, because the 767 is considered one of the safest planes flying, and authorities want to know what caused this crash.

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Rotary wins Terry Davis Award

February 28, 2019
Chamber president Jim Wadzinski presents the Terry Davis Award to the Highlands Rotary Club. Members present (L to R) President Denise Smith, Weston Cotten, Sheila McDonald, Betty Brewer, Rose Smith, Gilbert Hoffman, Patricia Scott, and Andy Scott. Third from right is Will Carter of Congressman Babin’s office.

HIGHLANDS – The Highlands-Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Installation and Community Awards Banquet last Thursday evening, at the Monument Inn. There were Community Awards given to six outstanding individuals and organizations that have contributed to the life of the community. The top award is the Terry Davis Award, and it was given to the Highlands Rotary Club for their work in the community. A special award was given to Betty Brewer for her 35 years of supporting the Chamber. Betty is also an active member of the Rotary Club.

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Crosby-Huffman awards CRCU, Meaux

February 28, 2019
Community Resource Credit Union was acclaimed as Business of the Year for Crosby doubtlessly for their support of community activities and projects also continued commitment to bring innovative banking. Marsala Italian Grill won for Huffman but was unable to attend.

BAYTOWN – The Crosby-Huffman Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Installation and Awards Banquette at the Hilton Garden Inn on Garth Rd. last Wednesday in a stellar celebration.

Installed for the Board by Precinct 3 J.P. Joe Stephens who borrowed the time honored cliche’ ”It is better to be sworn in than sworn out.”

Yet this year the Chamber honored a pair of categories, one for Huffman and one for Crosby. The single exception is Ambassador of the Year won by Margarette Chasteen.

David Mendez of Turner Chevrolet awarded Dan and Jennifer Meaux the Citizen of the Year Award. The Meaux’s restaurant is an avid community supporter, instrumental in enabling the Cougar Band to go to Chicago from an event inside the Crawfish Shack. “It was nice to receive this honor with my wife.“

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